Casey has always looked out for Alex.
Every winter for the past two years since Olivia and Alex hsd thier house, Casey would go over and snowblow the driveway every morning when it snowed. Olivia would always leave too early and Alex would always tell Casey she did not have to do it, that she would call a plow. But Casey would be there every time, no matter how cold it was. The few times the snowblower didn't want to work she shoveled. She would always come in the house afterwards red faced and freezing and Alex would have a cup of coffee to warm her up. Casey would always tell Alex she did it because she wanted her to be safe.
She would always bring Alex lunch to her office when her schedule permitted. Even when she had to go out of her way, Casey would bring her something. Alex was never good at caring for herself and Casey took up her slack.
How many people would do that for someone? Not many, and Alex knew this. She always knew Casey was special. She always went above and beyond for Alex.
Alex thinks back on everything that has happened, sitting on the couch in Casey's apartment.
Neither want to move too quickly. Yes they have known each other for years, but haven't known each other in this way yet.
But they are so in sync that everything seems to happen naturally. Casey pulls Alex's head into her lap, stroking her hair softly and planting a kiss to her temple. The gesture makes Alex relax completely, and she sighs in contentment.
"I'm glad you're here," Casey says softly, and Alex smiles. "I'll take care of you."
Alex's heart had never felt so full. She turns her head so she can look at Casey and says, "I love you."
Casey smiles back that warm goofy smile. "I love you too, Alex."
Alex knows Casey means it as much as she does. She can picture coming home every night to this. Being held by Casey and holding her. Falling asleep with the woman she loves. It's everything she ever wanted.
A short while later they go to bed. They don't discuss it; it just seems natural they would go to Casey's bed. Alex changes into pyjamas she brought and Casey wears Batman lounge pants and a Marvel t-shirt.
"That certainly clashes," Alex muses thoughtfully, raising an eyebrow at Casey.
Casey looks down at her pyjamas and then back at Alex with a confused expression. "The colors? Black and gray are fine."
Alex shakes her head. "No, dummy. Batman is DC and you have a Marvel shirt."
Casey beams happily, thrilled that she knows that. "Well look at you. I taught you well."
It's not awkward in the slightest to go to bed with each other. Alex is nervous she will wake up in the middle of the night with a nightmare, and Casey senses this. She cuddles close to Alex, keeping both arms around her securely. Alex tucks her head into Casey's chest and enjoys the feeling of Casey's strong arms around her.
It's been so long since she has felt security like this. Since she has known she is going to feel it every night.
"I'll chase the seagulls away if I have to, Alex. Don't worry."
And Alex isn't worried. Anything could happen right now and she knows Casey would protect her from it.
Alex would love nothing more than to make love to Casey. Feel her inside her, and pleasure her back the same way Casey would pleasure her. Alex knows it would be as easy as breathing.
But that's premature and she knows it. She doesn't know what Casey likes in that area, how fast or slow she moves. It will happen when the time is right and she knows it.
For now she is perfectly content being in the arms of the girl she loves.
.2
Alex sleeps all night, not once waking. She can't remember the last time she made it through an entire night without being plaqued by a nightmare.
When Alex wakes, she's still held tightly in Casey's arms. The events of the past twenty four hours come rushing back to her and she smiles.
Alex shifts her position and Casey immeaditely lets go of her. The sudden loss of contact makes Alex feel vulnerable for a brief moment.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Casey says with a smile. She's laying on her side facing Alex. "How are you feeling?"
Alex knows she means physically and she is a bit sore, but emotionally she feels better than she has in a very long while.
"I'm looking at the most beautiful sight in the world," Alex says, her voice still groggy from sleep. "I don't know how I could be any better."
Casey blushes and Alex thinks it's the cutest thing she has ever seen. Casey gives her a quick kiss and then sits up in bed. "Get up. I'll make us breakfast."
Within seconds Casey is out of bed, fully awake and energetic. Alex groans and sits up slowly. She is always a slow riser. How does Casey find the energy?
"I need coffee," Alex tells her. "I'm not moving until there's coffee in my hand."
Casey disappears and Alex lies back down. She thinks about Olivia, and hopes she is okay. She grabs her phone off Casey's nightstand and shoots her a text.
She notices the date and smiles. Tomorrow is Casey's birthday. She will be getting her mattress, and Alex always has the Captain America necklace to give her. She smiles as Casey comes back in the bedroom carrying a cup of coffee.
Alex sits back up and accepts the liquid gold that Casey offers her. She takes a sip; the coffee is as sweet as Casey. Alex grins at Casey. "It's someone's birthday tomorrow."
Casey plays dumb. "Yeah? Whose?"
"This girl I know. She's a feisty redhead. Really cute and sweet. I'm quite fond of her and got her a gift."
Casey smiles again. "Well you didn't have to. It's just another day."
"No it isn't. It's special."
Alex knows she is going to get her a cake. The nicest ice cream cake she can find; that's Casey's favorite.
They both have the day off, it being Saturday. Alex is supposed to be taking it easy. She knows she should suggest a nice day in.
Casey, on the other hand, has other ideas. She sits down and watches Alex sip her coffee. "I think we need to talk."
Alex raises her eyebrows at her and her heart falls. "I don't like the sound of that."
Casey smoothes Alex's hair back behind her ear. "It's nothing bad; I promise. It's just, we are at a different level now. I think we should talk about it."
Alex nods and puts her coffee down on the bedside table. "I think so too."
"We've known each other for six years; we know we are compatible. We love each other. But we have never been a couple before. I just want to make sure we take the right steps. I'm thrilled you are here. We practically lived together anyway as much as I was over. I would love you to live with me, if it's what you want. We don't have to stay here; we can move. Whatever we do I want to make sure it's what we both want and that we don't rush into anything either of us aren't ready for," Casey tells her.
Alex nods again. "I agree. I will admit, last night in bed I thought about what it would be like to make love to you. Because that's what I want. But right now isn't the time and we both know it. I just broke up with Olivia. And I would love nothing more than to live with you, Casey. Even if you are messier than me." Alex grins. "I'll have to get used to that. You have so many other good qualities though."
Casey smiles. She can't help but be amazed at how flawlessly beautiful Alex looks upon waking. She hasn't even brushed her hair but yet it looks perfect and she looks like she just walked off a runway. Alex never even has to try; she's just so beautiful all the time.
Casey is aware that Alex has had superficial relationships in the past. Women - and men - who only liked her because she is gorgeous. She can't blame them, really. Alex is a prize.
But her beauty is not what made Casey fall in love with her. It's definitely a bonus, but deep down Casey knows she would love her no matter what she looked like.
It's her heart and her determination that drew her in. Professionally Alex Cabot is known as the Ice Queen. It's a nickname Casey was aware of before she even met Alex. Alex earned it with her stoic, strictly professional attitude at work. She doesn't outwardly let emotions show. She can be hard on those who work under her and very demanding of her detectives. Overall, the nickname is warranted.
Many times Casey has had to step in and call Alex out on being too harsh with a new colleague or unreasonable with their detectives. She has never been afraid to stand up to her, and she knows Alex respects her for it. Each and every time Casey tells her she is being too cold, Alex softens. Every time. It's part of the hold Casey has on her.
But Casey knows the real Alex and that's what she loves. She knows how personally she takes every loss, how passionately she really feels for the victims she works for. She knows how intelligent and dedicated she is and that she will stop at nothing to see a job through. She knows how supportive Alex is of the people she cares about and how easily she allows her heart to be broken. She knows Alex's kindness.
Casey is also the only person besides Olivia who has seen her vulnerable side. Has comforted her through nightmares and held her when she's cried. Casey has always felt she has needed to protect Alex. There was one time that Casey went with her to a witness' house that had an abuse record just so she could make sure she was safe.
Casey scampers off to make breakfast and Alex grabs her phone again and checks the tracking on the mattress she ordered Casey. It's scheduled to be delivered today. One day early, but that's fine. Alex knows Casey is going to love it.
She's slow to get up and even slower to get ready for the day. She didn't pack many clothes. She goes into the attached bathroom off Casey's bedroom, yawning and looking at her herself in the mirror. She grabs Casey's hairbrush and starts to run it through her hair. Normally she wouldn't use anyone else's hairbrush but this is Casey so she doesn't mind at all.
Suddenly Casey appears in the doorway. She leans against the door frame, smiling seductively at Alex.
Alex gives her an odd look and Casey comes into the bathroom and jumps up on the counter, sitting on it facing Alex. She locks both her feet around Alex. "You don't need to try, Alex. You're beautiful no matter what you do."
Alex blushes and tries to ignore her, looking back in the mirror. Casey squeezes her tight with her feet and Alex feigns annoyance. "You're a distraction, Novak. And do you really need to be sitting on the sink?"
"Gives me better elevation for the view."
They go back and forth, falling into the easy banter they have always had with each other. It's like nothing has changed except that Alex's heart flutters every time she looks at Casey.
She can't wait for her birthday tomorrow so she can show her how grateful she is to have her in her life.
The next few chapters will focus on Alex and Casey's developing relationship but Olivia is still part of the story. No cheating or anything though so don't expect that.
