Sweet! Sweet Internet! I have been without since my move and I'm so sorry I haven't been able to update. I hope I haven't lost anyone I love this fic and I'm so happy that you guys seem to love it just as much. I promise never to leave you guys hanging so long again!

Leyshla Gisel: Alice so threw that book! Don't be mad at Casey she's just sad and confused she'll make it up to you and to Vincent!

WaterWarrior6: You say you won't threaten yet Norman is holding a knife….mixed signals! Lol

Gurl: *jumps in Norman's bed*

Melissaax3: I totally agree, it would be so hot to have Norman defending you…yeah you feel bad for the innocent guy but ugh! Yes please!

Maawwge: I'm feeling so bad for the cock block now lol, all will be revealed soon and don't worry Alice isn't going to get away with any of the crap she is pulling I promise! Lol.

Nymphie: We would all run from Alice just you know I would make sure to take Vincent with me …

Darkreeduslove: You still alive?! Lol Don't worry more Vincent kisses ahead!

Again guys I'm so sorry you had to wait so long for this. If you review I will post a Daryl one shot Gurl and I brainstormed together called Strangers in Tight Places! That's right more blackmail * insert evil laugh*

"Robert…How am I suppose to tell over the phone if its enflamed?"

Casey and Erika shared a look of utter horror and disgust at their co-workers private phone conversation before Summer lowered her voice to a hissing whisper.

"NO! I don't want you to describe it for me! I work for a vet…Go to the doctor's!"

"Or you could tell your friend Robert to stop dipping his wick into every model and so-called actress he meets…" Erika muttered under her breath while re-stocking gauze bandages.

Casey could only shake her head at the dirty look Summer shot Erika before grabbing the next patients chart.

"Oh heads up. Hot single guy with cute dog in room two." Erika shot Casey a wink "You should get on that before I do Doc."

"Yeah hot single guys are kind of the last thing on my mind…" Casey muttered to herself flipping through the paperwork and trying to ignore the twisting feeling in her gut.

It had been two weeks since she had last spoken to Vincent. He had left countless messages for her and even a few scribbled notes under her door asking her to please call him. He was sorry for moving so fast, sorry for not explaining himself.

"But I'm not sorry for kissing you Casey. I'm not sorry for what we did, what we were going to do…it felt right."

Even as she recalled Vincent's words from his last message the memory of his hands on her had Casey blushing while heat pooled low in her body. Two weeks and still she couldn't get over how good it had felt and how wrong.

He might not regret what they were about to do but Casey did. She just couldn't shake the idea that being with Vincent was an insult to Ashley's memory, a slap in her face. He had loved Ashley and every waking moment of Vincent's life for the last three years had been dedicated to finding her killer. Women like Alice and even the waitress Sophie had come along offering to help but really only wanting Vincent to move on. They saw what a caring and good man he was and wanted him for themselves. They didn't care if he was ready or if it was what was best for Vincent, they were selfish and he deserved better than that. Casey despised those women but at the same time after what had happened she felt she was turning into one.

Because I want him too.

The door to exam room one flew open pulling Casey from her thoughts as her boss stumbled back from the room with a curse holding his newly scratched hand.

"Fucking cats! Erika!...I'm going to need a sedative for Sprinkles here."

"Sure thing Doctor Rocco…"Erika rolled her eyes before setting down her gauze to join the doctor who was currently leveling Summer with a glare.

"Robert I have to go…" Summer placed the phone back in the cradle before Dr. Rocco turned back to the exam room with a huff.

"I fucking hate cats…"

Stifling her laugh while the rest of the office chuckled quietly Casey headed toward exam room two and taking a deep breath opened the door.

"Hello I'm doctor…"Casey pulled up short, her usual friendly vet grin dropping slightly at the sight of Vicky laying on the exam table with Vincent standing next to him.

"Hey…"

"What are you doing here?" Casey asked quickly shutting the door, her brow furrowing in displeasure when in clicked closed. "And don't tell me there is anything wrong with Vicky. You baby him so much that dog is healthier than most humans."

Vincent opened his mouth only to close it again before shrugging his shoulders under his pea coat.

"You didn't leave me any other options Casey. What was I suppose to do? You won't answer my calls or return them. Your almost never home anymore, it's like you disappeared."

Maybe that's for the best.

"Why won't you talk to me?"

Casey couldn't bring herself to look at Vincent's face as the question hung between them and was grateful when Vicky gave a whine for attention. Moving forward Casey sat the chart down to reach up and scratch the dog behind his ears, smiling to herself when Vicky nipped playfully at her hands.

"Casey…"She grew still as Vincent moved up close behind her. He didn't touch her but then he didn't need to as his quiet words chipped away at her resolve to keep that distance between them. "If you don't feel like that about me, that's fine. I'll get over it. I just don't want to lose my friend. You should know though that I haven't felt this way about someone in a really long time, hell I didn't even really realize it until that night. It shocked me and I understand if I scared you but…"He pulled his hand out of his pocket to take Casey's arm pulling her back away from Vicky to face him.

She knew he would see the unshed tears in her eyes when they met his piercing blue ones but couldn't think of any way to hide them or her reaction to what he was offering.

"Look I can't promise things will work out or that I'll be any good at this but I want to try with you. Casey you know me in a way no one else does, you've been there for me and you make me laugh. The last two weeks without you, I don't want that. I miss seeing you and hearing you talk, watching you play with Vicky, things are just better when you're around." He dipped his head closer to hers, his breath brushing over her skin causing her to shiver "I'm better when you're around."

Casey felt a lump in her throat but couldn't swallow as Vincent searched her face for some kind of reassurance. Pressing ahead anyway, Vincent's tongue darted out to lick at his bottom lip while he scrambled for the right words.

"We can start slow, maybe I can take you out to dinner? Not at the diner but someplace nice…Casey?"

He stopped talking as she began to cry openly now. Brown strands of hair falling from her bun as Casey shook her head.

"Vincent…I want to but…"

"But what?" He reached up to brush at her cheek, wiping away the tears there.

I don't want to be like those women…I don't want to take advantage of you.

"What is it Casey?" Vincent brushed her cheek again, his lips quirking up slightly as he shook his head." I know it's been awhile since I've asked someone out but I don't think your suppose to be crying at the idea. Is going out to dinner with me really that horrible?"

"No…" Casey shook her head as Vincent cradled her face in his palm. She wanted so much to say yes to him, to everything.

Was she just scared? Scared of having someone else to lose?

Standing there with him touching her, everything laid out on the table Casey couldn't bring herself to say no again. It was why she had avoided him so much the last few weeks.

"Are you sure?" Her voice was cracked and quiet from crying, she was worried he wouldn't hear. "I don't want you to make a mistake Vincent. I know how much you loved Ashley, still love her. I don't want to push you before your ready and…"

"I'm ready Casey. " Vincent cut her off. He held the same determined look he always did when researching or watching Vicky race. It was a look that said he wouldn't give up hope, not now, not ever, even if she found it in herself to say no again. She had never expected Vincent to direct that look at her and felt a pulling in her chest as he stood there waiting for her answer.

Biting her lip Casey looked down at her feet, still not sure if this was the best or worst decision she had ever made in her life.

"...where would you want to go?"

Lol Sorry for cutting it off here guys! I know this chapter was uber mushy but don't worry this was only a small reprieve from crazy Alice, she will be back soon to haunt our couple! Next chapter the date!