When she finally completed enough work to merit a day in the office, Casey called a taxi and went to the hospital. She was told that John's condition had still not changed. She sighed, discouraged, but the doctor assured her that no change was actually positive. It was not as favorable as an improvement, of course, but it was much better than further difficulty. Casey could not argue with that logic.

Fin, Elliot, Cragen, and Olivia all stopped by to see her and John, but Olivia provided the most comfort. She convinced Casey to accompany her to dinner, claiming that it did no good for Casey to sit alone in the hospital room, worrying and powerless.

Olivia drove them to a restaurant nearby because Casey refused to go more than a block away. She wanted to be close in case the doctors called her.

They sat down and ordered their food, listening to the piano player in the corner for a few minutes before Casey spoke up. "He looks so…old," she said softly, tracing the rim of her glass with her fingertip.

Olivia looked at her in confusion. "Case, you've always known he's got a lot of years on you."

"I know. And I don't care, I really don't…it just scared me." She sighed, staring at the flickering candle in the center of their table. "He never acts old. He's still so strong and…I don't know…able. This is the first time I've ever really considered his mortality, and I'm realizing that even under the best circumstances, we'll probably only have about twenty-five years together. That's hard, but…." She lifted her shining eyes to Olivia. "I want those twenty-five years. With him. Even if it's not a long time." Her voice was shaky.

"I know you do, sweetheart." She briefly squeezed Casey's hand. "I wish I could bring him back for you."

Casey gave a laugh that was more than half a sob. "Me too. I just…I mean, how long can there be no change? Shouldn't something happen? Shouldn't he get better, or…or…?" She could not bring herself to say 'not'.

"I don't know."

Their food came and Casey tried to eat, feeling Olivia's gaze. She actually was hungry by this point, but every time she swallowed the pain in her throat was almost too much to bear. She shook her head, trying to turn the conversation to another topic. "Sorry to be dramatic."

Olivia gave her a look of disbelief. "Casey, you love him. You're not being dramatic."

"Speaking of love," Casey cut in, seizing the opportune subject change, "guess what Elliot told me?"

Olivia paused with her fork halfway to her mouth and Casey detected a flicker of worry in her dark eyes. "What?" she asked with feigned nonchalance.

"He's in love with someone named Olivia Benson. Do you know her?" Casey shrugged. "I hear she's a detective or something like that. I asked him because I saw him making out with someone in his hospital room. I don't know if I'd like her. She seems like the type to keep really really important information from her best friend."

Olivia stared at Casey, trying desperately to hold back a smile. Casey grinned, smartly taking a bite of her chicken. "Yes?" she asked innocently a moment later when Olivia was still struggling for words.

The detective shook her head, smiling. "Spy," she finally muttered, stabbing at a tomato on her plate. Casey laughed as Olivia fixed her with mock glare. "How long have you known?"

"Pretty much since day one, Liv. You can't put one past me."

"I'll never try again. I really am sorry I didn't tell you. We didn't tell anyone. You know, it's so…well, we're breaking a major rule."

Casey nodded. "I understand. But you realize that I'm going to harass you for every detail now, of course."

"Of course."

"Alright." Casey leaned forward. "Sex?"

Olivia laughed. "Amazing."

"On your desks?"

"Interrogation room."

Casey's jaw dropped. "Liv! You told me being with John in my office was risky! You two are absolutely crazy!"

"Crazy in love."

Casey regarded her blankly. After a moment she said, "Pop music reference?"

"Something Lizzie had me listen to."

"Ah." She ate a few bites. It was less painful now. "Good call on the interrogation room. Sounds great." She smiled at Olivia.

"Go for it."

Casey could not help grinning at the idea…John would be absolutely floored. "I will."