A/N: Thank you for your continued awesome reviews! Enjoy! Working hard to get the next chapter out tonight as well!
Alex stepped into the elevator. The second the doors shut she leaned against the back wall of the lift and touched her lips. Casey Novak kissed her.
Her lips were so soft and for the few seconds the kiss lasted Alex felt this weird butterfly in the stomach sensation. When Casey started to pull away Alex instantly wanted to pull her back flush against her and kiss her again, but she didn't. She didn't because she knew Casey didn't mean to kiss her and she didn't want to upset her any further.
Alex couldn't exactly understand why she acted the way she did after the kiss. Why did she leave Casey standing alone in the kitchen? And why on earth did she tell her she was leaving because she wanted to kiss her again?
It was true. Casey was fast becoming all Alex could think about, but telling Casey that didn't seem fair to the redhead. She was clearly grieving still and Alex respected that and wanted Casey to know she did.
Stepping out of the elevator and into the garage she walked to her car. As she exited the garage she called one of the few people that understood her best. It only took a few rings for the brunette to answer.
"Howdy" Abbie answered.
"She kissed me!" Alex instantly exclaims as she drives towards home.
Abbie hesitates while thinking for a second, "Who Kim?"
"No Abbie, Casey. Casey kissed me." Alex sighed wondering how Abbie missed that one.
Abbie quickly throws a pillow at Serena to get her attention before replying, "Casey...Kissed...You...Alex?"
"Yes, why are you talking like that?" Alex questions as she nears her apartment.
"No reason, so what did you do?" Abbie asks as Serena immediately texts Kim - Casey kissed Alex?
"I left." Alex sighs.
"Why...did...you...leave?" Abbie asks.
"Seriously, why the hell are you talking like that? Are you having sex or something?" Alex questions.
"No, answer the question." Abbie replies reading Serena's incoming message from Kim - What when? Is that why she left? Casey seems upset, get the dirt!
"She kissed me and regretted it. I didn't and wanted to kiss her again so I left, but I told her that I was leaving because I wanted to kiss her. Oh my God I so screwed up Abbie!" Alex finishes as she parks her car.
Abbie watched as Serena quickly typed to Kim what happened before answering, "Alex you didn't screw up. Just give her time and keep doing thoughtful things for her she will come around. I am sure she is upset right now, but she will get over it."
"Thanks Abbie. I really needed an Abbie pep talk right now. By the way, Serena, please do not tell Kim she will ask Casey about it." Alex said as she climbed out of her car.
"Hey! How did you know I was here?" Serena asks.
Alex laughs, "Abbie only talks like a weirdo when she is trying to tell you what I am saying covertly. When she stopped I knew she put the phone on speaker. You two are way too predictable. I am about to get on the elevator I will talk to you tomorrow."
"Okay we love you bye!" Serena yells in the phone before hanging up.
Kim walks back up the hallway from putting her niece to bed. Her sister-in-law has been a mess since Alex abruptly left. Kim, now thanks to Abbie and Serena, knew what happened in the kitchen after she left to check on Caroline. Although, in no way shape or form could Kim tell Casey she knew.
Walking into the living room she sees Casey sitting on one end of the couch with another one of Owen's beers in hand. Sitting next to Casey Kim asks, "So do you want to tell me now what happened after I left?"
Casey swallows hard and looks over at Kim. She knows she has to say something, she just doesn't know how exactly to say it. Finally she takes a deep breath and dives in, "I kissed her."
Kim's eyes go wide as she thinks that happened a lot quicker than she expected it too. "Oh my God Casey that's it? Then why are you acting so upset?" Kim asks.
"What?" Casey asks confused before realizing Kim doesn't see a problem with her moving on. Casey hangs her head and continues, "Kim my husband just died. Do you understand how disrespectful that would be to his memory to jump right back into a relationship with another person? He deserves better than that, his memory deserves better than that."
"Casey, John wouldn't want you to pass up someone special, especially if you really like that person. Alex is a really nice person and she really, really likes you Casey. Plus, as much as you might deny it, you really, really like her. All I am saying is don't run from something just because you think John wouldn't like it. John would want you to be happy, and I know that is the truth, because that is all he ever wanted for you."
Laying her against Kim's shoulder, Casey replies, "You are probably right Kim, but as much as I try I can't stop feeling this way. I do like Alex a lot, but I can't do it. I feel like I am cheating or something."
"I understand Casey. Just promise me you will give yourself a little time, and that you won't push Alex away immediately. I seriously think she would make you really happy." Kim says softly.
"Thanks Kim."
Kim smiles at her sister-in-law and says, "No problem Case."
A few hours later, Alex lay in bed thinking about Casey. Finally she decided to bite the bullet. Grabbing her cellphone she typed Casey a text - I am sorry for leaving earlier. If I bring you a coffee tomorrow will you drink it?
A few seconds later Alex receives Casey reply - If I don't will you murder it too?
Smiling Alex responds – Yes :)
Immediately Casey answers - Then yes I will drink it. I can't have innocent coffees dying for me. ;)
Alex laughs and texts back- Ok, see you in the a.m.
Casey smiles reading Alex's text and ends the messaging with - k, and I am sorry too.
Casey felt horrible for her actions. At least it didn't seem to hurt her and Alex in the end. Alex was an amazing person. Sadly though, the thought of being with another person romantically caused Casey to hurt in a way she never knew possible.
Kissing Alex earlier was amazing, but the horrible pain in her chest that followed was unbearable. It didn't make sense logically. John would want her to move on, but she just couldn't. It wasn't right at least it didn't feel right.
The next morning as Casey sat at her desk she saw Alex walk down the hallway towards her office with two coffees in hand. Seeing Alex come her way she smiled brightly. Standing in the doorway Alex smiled and said, "Would you like a coffee Mrs. Novak?"
"Every second of every day." Casey replied with the same bright smile.
Handing Casey the cup she says, "Well then as promised one venti Starbucks coffee fixed just the way you like it."
"Thank you," Casey says taking the coffee from Alex.
"No problem, it was the least I could do," Alex says taking a seat across from Casey. As she crosses her long legs Casey feels her heart rate speed up. Casey can't help but follow the length of Alex's legs with her eyes. Suddenly realizing that she is clearly staring Casey looks up to see Alex smiling at her.
Feeling that familiar pang of guilt stab in her chest Casey frowns at Alex. "Can I help you with anything else right now Alex," Casey snaps. She feels bad about being rude to Alex, but she needs to put some distance between them.
Alex looks a little hurt and taken off guard with Casey's comment. Trying to find her words or at least words that won't make her seem like a love sick fool Alex stands. "Uh no Casey, I thought we could just talk for a minute, but I can leave." Alex says walking to the door. Stopping at the doorframe she adds, "Enjoy the coffee Casey."
Throughout the rest of the day Alex only spoke with Casey when it was work related. She hated it, but clearly the redhead wanted her space even if she did occasionally send mixed signals. At 5pm Alex got a call from the precinct they needed a deal. Not wanting to bother Casey when she would be leaving to pick up Caroline, Alex went alone.
Standing in the precinct waiting for the defendant's attorney to arrive Alex starts flipping through purple paint samples she picked up on her lunch break. She wanted to ask Casey tomorrow which one she thought Caroline would like the best, but she also wanted to respect the space Casey wanted right now. Knowing Casey's schedule Alex realizes who she should call. Walking down the hallway with a smile on her face Alex calls Owen.
"Dr. Hunt," Owen says answering his cell.
"Owen, its Alex," the blonde replied.
"Oh hey Alex, what can I help you with?" Owen asks.
Alex takes a breath and says, "I know you take Caroline to school Wednesday mornings currently and I wanted to see if I could meet up with you on the way. I wanted to have her bedroom painted for her and Casey said her favorite color was purple but there are thousands of samples. I thought I could narrow the choices down and let her pick. I would be willing to buy you both breakfast."
"Wow Alex that is very kind of you. I would be happy to meet up with you. Can I call you when I leave the apartment in the morning?" Owen asks.
Alex smiles, "Yes that would be great. Thank you Owen."
Ending the call Alex felt good about helping Casey and doing something nice and special for Caroline in the meantime. Now all she had to do was finish arranging her surprises for Casey and Caroline. She wanted to get them something small but thoughtful for their big moving day. Alex just hoped Casey would be comfortable with getting a little gift from her.
Casey sat in her office Friday morning staring at her desk. For the last two mornings she had arrived to work to find a cup of coffee waiting on her desk however there was no coffee this morning. She knew she had been a little rough Tuesday morning and it was quite well apparent that Alex was giving her some space the last two days, which she greatly appreciated, but right now she really wanted Alex to walk in her office with coffee in hand just so she knew everything was okay.
She wanted to be friends with Alex, and if she was really honest with herself she wanted to be more than friends. Laying her head on the desk Casey was fully starting to believe that the confusion and guilt was really beginning to eat away at her. What if she had run Alex off, what would that mean for her?
"Taking a nap?"
Casey looks up to see Alex. Alex smiles and continues, "I can see that you clearly need your coffee earlier than 9am." Walking over to pass Casey the coffee Alex says, "Sorry I got hung up with a few things this morning."
Casey smiles and takes the coffee, "Thank you."
"No problem," Alex says walking back towards the door she turns back and says, "Case, I have some things to attend to this afternoon so I am going to head out at 2pm, but if you get a call for anything starting at 4:30 call me and I will take it so you can get home to Caroline."
"Alex, you don't have to do that if I need to stay later I will." Casey replies a little bothered.
"Casey, we are a team. I help you, you help me. You are helping me from 2pm – 5pm." Alex replies smiling and walking away.
Casey sighed, leaning back in her seat as she watched Alex walk away through her windows. Alex had a way of being sexy and not even trying. As fast as the thought entered her head so did the pang of guilt.