Alex approaches the bar to order another round for her table and notices a man watching Casey at the jukebox. His eyes are trained on her, his glass of beer to his lips as if he needs liquid courage so he can go talk to her.
Alex can't blame him, really. Casey has her back to the bar, her tight jeans hugging her butt in just the right away and her wavy red hair cascading down her back.
Who wouldn't be looking at her?
A smile overcomes Alex's face and she takes a seat on the stool next to the man.
"Beautiful, isn't she?'
Her voice startles him and he jumps, looking at her slightly and then putting his eyes back on Casey, nodding.
Alex's grin grows wider. "Her name is Casey."
"Casey." He says her name as if testing it to see how it tastes in his mouth, taking another swig from his glass.
Alex waves her hand in front of his face, showing off her beautiful wedding ring.
"And she's my wife."
He looks at the ring and then looks at Alex. It takes a moment for her words to sink in, probably thanks the alcohol already in his system. His face goes from disappointed to embarrassed in a matter of seconds, utters an apology and then is gone from the bar.
Alex doesn't even get a chance to order those drinks. Instead she rises from the bar stool, a victorious smile on her face as she heads for the jukebox.
Alex and Casey have such different reactions when someone hits on the other. Alex finds it amusing when someone is interested in Casey and has a little fun before letting them down grandly. Casey on the other hand gets jealous whenever someone hits on Alex. After all the years together she still has insecurities.
Alex approaches Casey silently, giving no indication that she's about to do a sneak attack. Casey is studying the music selection carefully, oblivious to what is going on.
Alex stops behind Casey, sliding her arm around her waist and nuzzling her neck. She feels Casey's body relax and Casey slowly turns around and kisses her.
Once they break apart, Casey smiles at Alex and affectionately tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. She grips her hand tightly.
"There was a guy at the bar who was interested in you," Alex tells her.
"Oh?" Casey raises an eyebrow. "And is this man still alive?"
Alex smirks. "I waved my wedding ring in his face and let him know you were taken."
Casey's smile grows wider. "Taken? Yes, I think I am." She kisses her wife again, holding both sides of her face. Once they come up for air, Casey smiles again. "I do think my heart has been stolen by a blonde goddess."
Alex peppers kisses up and down her neck, only stopping when someone else approaches the jukebox. Then Alex takes her wife by the hand and walks her back over to the table where Olivia and Amanda are waiting.
Amanda has always found Alex and Casey's relationship to be something to strive for. They are perfectly in sync, and always touching the other out in public.
Right now they are sitting beside esch other, Alex's hand on Casey's knee and Casey's hand overtop of it.
"How did you guys meet? You've been together since I've known you both but you've never told me how you first met," Amanda says.
Alex and Casey smile at each other.
"An epic love story!" Casey says with a grin. "We met way back in 2001, my first year at the DA's office. Seventeen years ago." She squeezes Alex's knee. "Can you believe it's been that long?"
Alex shakes her head. "Time flies when you're in love, I guess. But yes, it was 2001, at a stupid Holiday party at the Plaza hotel. Casey and I worked in different units - me in SVU, and she prosecuted white collar crimes - so I had never met her at work. But here she was, wearing this beautiful sparkling green dress, her red hair catching my attention. She was sitting at a table alone and I immediately thought she was the cutest person at the party. I went up and talked to her. And she was so shy." Alex kisses Casey. "It was adorable how shy she was."
"I was not shy!" Casey objects.
"Were to."
"It was my first year at the office. I was fresh meat and didn't really know anyone. Then this beautiful blonde goddess approaches me. I'm talking so beautiful that I was rendered speechless."
Alex smirks. "Yeah, too bad that doesn't happen more often."
Casey playfully elbows Alex and Olivia and Amanda exchange a smile. Their happiness is contagious.
"Anyway, as I was saying," Casey continues, giving Alex the side-eye. "She just randomly walks up to my table, cocky smile on her face."
"What did she say?" Amanda asks, interested in the story. She looks to Olivia, whom she assumes has heard this story multiple times.
Alex suddenly lets go of Casey's hand and covers her face. "God no, don't tell them what I said."
A grin breaks out on Casey's face. "She said, 'Hi, I'm Alex Cabot. And you're beautiful.'"
Alex screams into her hands as Olivia and Amanda both laugh. Olivia smacks Alex on the back, "Who knew you could be so corny!"
"It was corny," Casey agrees. "And normally that kind of thing makes me want to retch. But it was Alex, and I was mesmerized. She sat down and once I could form coherent words we had an actual conversation. I realized she was smart and opinionated."
Alex smiles, squeezing Casey's leg. "It was kind of a superficial move for me - I thought at best I would get a few dates out of a cute girl. I was cocky. I never, ever expected to fall in love. Especially so hard and so fast. I had never experienced such a thing before. Casey brought out things in me that I didn't know were there. I ached for her when we were apart. I couldn't sleep until she was safe in my arms. I learnrd what love was from Casey."
Casey smiles and leans her head on Alex's shoulder. "I tamed Alex Cabot. Quite a feat."
Alex laughs lightly. "You certainly stole my heart. But how could you not? You're amazing and a gift to the world."
Casey relishes in Alex's words. Even after all these years she needs to be reminded how special she is. And Alex reminds her every day, with words, actions and love.
A sudden sadness comes over Casey and Alex stiffens, immeaditely knowing what subject Casey is going to bring up.
"We were tigether for almost three years…" Casey trails off and clears her throat, and Alex nods at at her, indicating that it's okay for her to go on about this subject. "Then when Alex went into witness protection, things were awful."
Amanda looks between her friends. Alex is rubbing Casey's back, as if offering support for her to talk about this hard subject. "Did you know she was alive?"
It's Alex that answers instead of Casey. "Yes. She was at the hospital with me. I...didn't want to agree to go. I was hysterical. I didn't want to leave her behind. Casey was great though. She was selfless and convinced me it was the only way I would stay safe. That she couldn't protect me, as much as she wanted to. We... certainly did a lot of crying. And it was definitely against witsec rules that she was there and that she knew, but I had otherwise refused. There was no way I was going to go and have the woman I loved think I was dead. I couldn't do that to her."
Olivia reaches across the table and squeezes Alex's hand. She knows how difficult this time in Alex's life was. She and Elliot has been privy to the fact that she was alive as well, and knew how much it had cost her to leave.
Alex has tears in her eyes as she continues. "Casey proposed to me that night in the hospital." She laughs lightly. "As romantic as we both are you'd think there would have been a grand proposal, huh?"
"It wasn't planned, and there was no ring. Not romantic at all," Casey says. "But it was sincere. I loved Alex with all my heart, and wanted her to know that she had someone to come home to, a future to look forward to. I would be there for her when it was safe for her to return. I wasn't going anywhere."
"I broke the rules again but keeping in touch with her," Alex says with a smile. "I bought a different disposal cell phone every week and we talked every day. We'd cry together, and sometimes I'd fall asleep listening to her voice because I was so lonely. She was my entire world and she was ripped away, just like that."
"Leave it to Alex to find a way to break the rules," Amanda says with a smile.
"I couldn't tell anyone she was alive or what we were in contact, of course. I never even talked about it with Liv or Elliot, because I didn't know they knew she was alive or vice versa. Everyone was so kind to me, thinking my girlfriend had died. I felt like a fraud."
They both fall silent for a moment until Alex starts speaking again. "But, we got through this hard time in our lives. After three years I got to come home and got a job as Bureau Chief. Casey and I were married six months after I came home."
Casey smiles. "Alex helped me during my suspension from law. I wouldn't have made it if it weren't for her. During this time we went to the Congo and I helped Alex behind the scenes with her work. We've definitely faced a lot. But now? We're the power couple of the DA's office."
"And been married for almost eleven years," Alex beams. "Quite a feat I may add."
Amanda smiles. "You guys are the epitome of inspirational couples. Who wins a fight in your house?"
Alex and Casey look at each other and both answer in unison, "Me."
Olivia laughs. "You haven't seen them fight yet? You'll want to clear the room. It's frightening."
"Two lawyers, I can imagine."
"And both stubborn and think they're right," Olivia adds with a smile.
Alex kicks her lightly under the table. "I am always right."
Casey rolls her eyes. "Keep telling yourself that. But I know the truth."
Amanda smiles. "You guys have given me hope for myself. That someday I'll find the perfect person for me, like you guys did."
Alex leans over and captures Casey's lips in a kiss. "You'll find your own Casey one day." She puts her hand overtop Casey's and squeezes. "Just not this one. I don't share."
Alex is thankful that they have such good friends. She's thankful that they have each other, and such a nice life together.
She watches the love of her life eating mozzarella sticks and laughing with Olivia and Amanda over something stupid and her heart swells with love and pride.
Yes, she loves her life.