I wasn't sure if I should update or not to be honest but I started writing this chapter and I liked where it was headed so I thought I'd give it another go haha.
Just to let any of you Calex fans know who may not know I also have a second Calex story up which is a one shot format and already has the first chapter up. That chapter is rated M so some may not have seen it but may want to.
For now though I think that is enough of me so I'll see you on the other side!
Chapter 10
"Promises, Promises"
A huge downside to a camp out in a private hospital room, apart from the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, is the fact at six am, dead on, you are woken up by a nurse doing her morning observations of the patient. For both Alex and Casey, the nurse who is assigned to take Savannah's observations is both heavy footed and apparently attempting to wake up the entire hospital in one go.
"Wow, okay is there any need for the damn symbols you are crashing together?" Casey growls with still closed eyes. The strawberry blonde had never been a morning person and when she was rudely broken from the land of dreams, biting her tongue was next to impossible.
"I'm here to do Miss Bruno's observations. You and…" The scowling nurse, likely in her mid sixties and showing everyday of her life span in her face hisses before trailing off as she turns her poisonous glare to Alex.
Alex had spent the night sat sideways in the large, supposedly comfy chair beside Savannah's bed. Her long legs were folded over the arm of the chair and arms securely crossed over her chest. Casey had insisted that the more experienced ADA took the seat and had waited until Alex fell into a deep sleep before draping her coat over Alex for a blanket.
It must be the fact she now has cold, grey eyes burning into her but Alex's eyes begin to flutter as she also is woken from her sleep. Frowning at the added weight of Casey's coat over her body the blonde begins to stretch out a little from her rather curled position in the chair.
"Well, I don't know your names and I have no interest in learning them either. The fact is however you shouldn't even be here. This won't be happening again I can assure you." The nurse continues, her horse voice reminiscent of a cement mixer churning gravel and causes Alex to become aware of this new guest in the room.
Having heard the pointed remark about herself and Casey staying overnight, Alex's eyebrow rises slightly while her lips turn into an unpleased pout. The long time prosecutor knew a snotty, wasp of a woman when she saw one, her mother had been one.
'Oh this should be funny. God, I hope Alex rips her trachea clean from her throat. Okay, maybe I need coffee or something.' Casey mentally assess her quick thirst for homicidal retaliation at this nurse while watching this scene unfold in front of her.
"Excuse you?" Alex responds dryly, her courtroom demeanour pouring from her like a beacon of light as she turns herself around properly in the chair but quickly re crosses her arms over her chest and fixes an icy glare on this nurse.
Apparently un phased by the short tone to the blonde woman's voice, the weathered nurse suddenly flashes a venomous smile. It was a trick a young Alexandra Cabot had learnt to become weary off since she was around three and it meant this nurse wasn't going to be backing down.
"I think you'll find it is yourself and the hibernating hedgehog who need to be excused. This is a hospital not some kind of camp. You are both impeding my ability to care for my patient properly." The nurse snipes back, her tongue clearly as sharp as her stony, gaunt features.
There is a sudden flash of red which rises up on Alex's high cheekbones and Casey instantly scrambles up from her position on the floor. She had been lying with the plastic bag of supplies she got for Savannah and Alex the night before as a make shift pillow on the same side of the bed where the chair Alex was sleeping in was located.
"I will have you know that Doctor Jennings said this arrangement was fine. Also, you have complete access to Savannah, so our supposed impeding of you giving your care is a stretch to say the least." Alex bitterly retorts as she rises from the seat and goes to venture a little closer to this rude woman.
Turning to the nurse who was on the other side of the bed and unravelling the blood pressure cuff, the less experienced ADA gives a fake smile. Normally playing nice was something Casey could at least fake well enough to avoid fights but this woman had well and truly pissed her off.
"Okay, I think we should leave this conversation where it is." Casey coolly comments, her words directed solely at the beautiful blonde lawyer she was standing in front of, who now looked as though she was trying to force this nurse's head to explode.
Deciding to tune the two attorney's out completely, the nurse turns up her nose at them before looking down at Savannah who somehow was still blissfully drifting away in her dreams. Reaching to find the young brunette's arm in order to apply the cuff, the nurse brings Savannah's peace to a grinding halt.
"NO DON'T PLEASE!" Savannah screams at the top of her lungs, full panic and fear present instantly. The poor thing had barely been able to open her eyes or recognise the situation or her surroundings before she automatically begged for some kind of leniency.
The sound of such terror rips through both Alex and Casey as they jump forward and into action in attempting to soothe Savannah back down.
"Savannah, it's okay. Me and Alex are still here. This… nurse here is just going to take your blood pressure. Do you remember some of the nurses doing it yesterday?" Casey rapidly attempts to explain what was happening.
The younger lawyer was standing at the bedside now, one hand gripping the rail and the other beginning to reach out to touch Savannah but hesitating at the last second. The last thing the strawberry blonde wanted to do was upset Savannah anymore so she was hesitant to actually make any physical contact.
Tears were already sliding down the young brunette's uncovered cheeks and her breath was clearly caught in her throat from the shock of how she had just been woken up. Hearing the kind and familiar voice of Casey though, Savannah snaps her head to that side of the bed as she struggles to regain control of her breathing. She was terrified to the point she couldn't catch her breath and was likely now having some kind of a panic attack.
"Savannah, you are safe. Me and Casey are here just like we were last night. You're in hospital but everything is okay, you are safe." Alex adds, her head appearing just above Casey's shoulder as she joins her co-workers side and gives her best smile to the frightened pre teen.
Nodding her head in recognition of both women, Savannah sucks in some shaky breaths while continuing to keep her chocolate brown eyes fixed on both lawyers at her bedside. Casey's trepidation about making contact is lost however as she looks down when a warm, little hand is placed on top of hers and squeezes firmly.
'She grabbed my hand on her own.' Casey's mind realises in shock, the strongest feeling of pride swelling inside her knowing just how significant of a moment this was.
"It's okay Savvy, you just look at me and take some deep breaths. In…. and…. Out. Just follow me okay?" Casey instructs the petrified brunette whose hand she had fully taken into the protective grip of her own and given a return squeeze to.
Knowing Casey had things covered with Savannah, Alex's attention fixates solely onto the nurse on the other side of the room. It took a lot for Ms Cabot to become truly angry at someone but this nurse had managed it in less than five minutes and to top it off she had upset and distressed Savannah, that wasn't about to be swept under the carpet or let go.
"I think you should leave." Alex informs the stunned and slightly regretful looking nurse who had already jumped back a few feet from Savannah's scream alone.
For a split second Casey's eyes flicker to the slightly taller woman beside her and in an attempt to simmer Alex's temper back down, the strawberry blonde takes her free hand and grips on to Alex's thin wrist. It was supposed to be a way of bringing the rightfully angry attorney back to her senses and perhaps even an attempt to stop Alex from following the nurse and following through with causing her head to explode.
Watching with a steely glare from across the bed, Alex's jaw clenches in frustration at this woman and her overall attitude. As Casey's hand wraps softly yet firmly around her wrist, the blonde feels as though the steam of her anger pass through her nose with a deep sigh. The anchoring grip of the stunning woman beside her is enough however for Alex's mind to clear of her anger and focus on the fact Savannah was still struggling to catch her breath and needed her full attention.
"That's right Savannah, just like Casey said. Deep breaths, in and out. That's it, you're doing great honey." Alex encourages the still trembling brunette in the hospital bed before giving the slightly shorter woman beside her a thankful smile and nod of her head.
Nearly an hour passes and another nurse has been in to do the observations and bring Savannah her breakfast. They also got the small eleven year old hooked back up with the fluid IV after Alex had helped Savannah get herself into the clothes Casey had bought for the pre teen the night before.
"I'm sorry… that I got so… so scared before with the… other nurse." Savannah whispers her apology for her behaviour to Alex once the tall blonde has helped her back into the bed after getting changed.
Alex was folding up the pyjama's Savannah had worn the night before and looks at the little brunette with a soft smile. The long, brown locks of the eleven year old were still partly covering her face but today you could see more of her beautiful face and for Alex that was a win.
"You don't have to be sorry Savannah. You were scared and understandably so. What matters right now is that you are feeling okay?" Alex retorts softly, it was a question that needed to be asked but the lawyer in her knew Savannah was going to be reluctant to answer completely honestly.
As expected Savannah's reaction is to bow her head a little and tense every muscle in her small body. Her shoulders shrug as she attempts to give a nod of 'yes' as an answer but didn't dare try and make eye contact with the experienced ADA from fear she would be able to tell she was being dishonest. Kids catch on fast.
Sighing just slightly at the pre teens reaction Alex places the PJ's back into the plastic wrapping they had come in for safe keeping and takes the seat she'd spent the night bent up and somehow sleeping in. Delicately the long haired blonde reaches over the railing of the hospital bed and strokes a few, tiny strands of dark hair behind Savannah's ear.
"Savannah, it is okay if you aren't okay. In fact me, Casey, the doctors and nurses we would much prefer it if you were honest about how you are feeling. You are here to get better, to feel better and to heal and we can't make sure that happens if you are telling us you are fine when really you aren't. So, do you want to maybe have a little re think for me?" Alex tentatively tries again, her lips upturning into a smile when Savannah turns to face her a little more and gives a very faint nod of her head.
The conversation is cut short as Casey comes barrelling in through the door, both hands holding a large coffee cup but this wasn't the kind from a vending machine or anywhere in the hospital. It looked as though it came from a coffee shop, which meant only one thing. Clad still in her 'Toy Story' PJ's, as herself and Alex were yet to change, the strawberry blonde had gone on a journey seeking coffee that didn't taste like ass.
"I wasn't sure what you would want so I just got as much caffeine as they would legally serve me without either of us going into some kind of heart palpitation arrhythmia as a side effect." Casey reveals as she passes the tall cup over to her blonde counterpart with no recognition to the smirk and frown currently spread across Alex's face.
Taking the piping hot beverage eagerly and gratefully, Alex's lips are quick to make a seal around the plastic lid as she takes a deep sip. It burns her tongue and is so strong her lungs almost throw out a cough but the more experienced councillor goes back for another, larger gulp all the same.
"Hey Savvy, you're looking very refreshed. Did the clothes fit okay?" Casey questions Savannah after taking her own sip of needed energy as she stands at the foot of the bed and leans her forearms over the plastic foot rest with a bright smile.
"Yes thank you. They're… they're really comfortable." Savannah answers, her own smile forming on her face at the realisation the first time Casey had referred to her as 'Savvy' earlier had not been a simple slip of the tongue. Apparently this was some form of a nickname that the slightly shorter woman had come up with for her and for Savannah that was just mind blowing.
Still looking the fellow lawyer up and down in slight disbelief at the conclusion her mind was coming to over Casey's actions, Alex crosses one leg over the other and relaxes back into the seat a little.
"So, are we just going to skim over the fact you went out of the hospital dressed like that? And wait a minute without a damn coat? Casey, it's freezing out there, are you trying to get a stay in hospital for yourself or something?" Alex chastises the strawberry blonde with genuine concern for the other woman's health as she realises Casey's lack of weather appropriate clothing.
Savannah's big, brown eyes go wide at the sound of this grown woman getting told off by her blonde co worker and watches in high amusement and intrigue as to just how Casey was going to respond. For the eleven year old brunette, this was all the entertainment she needed.
Looking down at herself, toy story pyjamas being presented proudly as they lay on her curvaceous figure, Casey just smirks. Hazel orbs slowly lift and the slightly less experienced ADA just gives a shrug of her shoulders like a disobedient teenager.
"Well of course we can discuss it Alex. I'm just not sure what there is to talk about all things considered. I mean I went out, got you and myself some much needed coffee and looked damn good doing so. What exactly is the problem?" Casey playfully retorts, punctuating her words with a wink as she brings her coffee up to her lips for another needed sip.
A silent beat passes through the room as Savannah's eyes ping pong back and forth between the two attorneys as though watching a tennis match. Sapphire blue eyes belonging to the more experienced of the two prosecutors narrow in on a carefree strawberry blonde before her delicate hand rubs at her suddenly headache forming forehead in defeat.
'It is far too early and I have not received the appropriate levels of caffeine or sleep to take this discussion any further. I won't be letting it drop though, oh no.' Alex's mind warns Casey silently as the younger lawyer turns her attention to Savannah and in return earns a smile from the little brunette.
"So, you never got to tell me last night but what did you think of Toy Story?" Casey questions Savannah sweetly, her upper body still leaning over the end of the bed like it was a back yard fence and she was chatting to a neighbour.
Savannah's small lips were still flirting with a smirk at the interaction between Alex and Casey but she does her best to focus on the asked question and not smouldering atmosphere between the two adults.
"I thought it was … the best thing I have… ever seen." Savannah answers honestly, the joy in her voice obvious and causing both Casey's and Alex's minds to forget about anything and all else currently going on.
Nodding strongly in approval of the eleven year olds conclusion Casey gleefully leans a little more over the foot rest of the bed and wiggles her index finger as if to inform Savannah in on a secret,. Of course it doesn't take much for the intrigued child to lean forward eagerly and patiently wait to be told this top secret information.
"Well you are in for a treat Savvy because there are two other 'Toy Story' films for you to watch and fall in love with." Casey excitedly informs the brunette whose eyes grow wide with amazement at this fact and lips break into a bright smile.
Alex watches from her place beside Savannah's bed with a warm smile across her still tired features. Witnessing this young girl actually react with some form of excitement and happiness was a rush that the blonde councillor knew she would never grow tired of. It wasn't lost on Alex that she owed this great pleasure to her younger co worker either and her thankfulness for the strawberry blonde only continues to grow more by the second.
"So do you think if I go and grab myself a shower and change of clothes you two will be okay for a few minutes? I won't be long and I'll only go if it's something you feel comfortable with Savannah so please don't feel you have to agree if you don't feel happy about it." Alex suggests cautiously, her mind still very aware of the fact she needed to present everything as something the traumatized child had control over in the long run.
By now Casey has already flown down to the headrest end of the bed and was tapping into her phone to bring up the sequel to Pixar's original masterpiece for Savannah to enjoy. Alex's question brings the eleven year olds attention momentarily from the phone screen though and it's clear Savannah is mentally weighing up the situation.
Small hands wrap around George's body as Savannah draws her cuddly monkey in a little closer to her chest and through a much lighter curtain of her long, dark locks, chocolate brown eyes look to Casey for some kind of reassurance. Recognising the signal as quickly as it is given, the strawberry blonde prosecutor nods her head and gives a playful wink towards the clearly apprehensive pre teen in return. Savannah was understandably in need of some kind of silent promise she wouldn't be left completely alone and that Casey would be staying with her. For once it was something the younger lawyer could promise with absolute truth and certainty, she would be going absolutely nowhere.
'Casey is going to be with you, like last night when Alex changed in to her PJ's. It will be okay.' Savannah's inner voice encourages the nervous eleven year old and after brief moment and realising the younger woman would be staying with her, Savannah slowly nods her head in agreement to Alex's suggestion. Her young chest was tight with nervousness but just knowing Casey would be with her was enough of a security blanket for the sweet girl to feel confident enough to agree to letting Alex out of her sight.
"Me and Savannah, oh and of course George here are just going to watch Toy Story 2 so you can take your time. No rush." Casey proclaims brightly, her hazel eyes connecting with concerned blue ones across the hospital room.
There was as much reluctance from Alex to leave Savannah as there was from the young brunette and Casey could tell her slightly older co worker was in two minds about what was the best thing to do. The supposed 'Ice Queen' of the DA's office had definitely found her Achilles heel in this young, sweet girl but Casey was here to help them both and was going to make damn sure well she did exactly that.
'Once again Ms Novak knows what I need and want to hear without me having to so much as say a word.' Alex mentally comments in realisation just what a true help and comfort it was having this intelligent and caring woman offering such support to both herself and of course Savannah in these unusual circumstances.
Nodding her head in understanding, Alex waits an extra second until Savannah's attention is fully back on the phone before rising up from her seat and placing her coffee cup to the side table. It was already pretty much empty as the more experienced attorney had drained it fast of its much needed energy levels.
'Thank you.' Alex mouths out slowly to Casey as once more their eyes connect in the still rather dimly lit hospital room. Savannah was yet to want the lights turned on, the familiarity of the darkness perhaps an subconscious comfort for the eleven year old now she was awake and with the only two people she had grown any trust in.
Casey's hazel eyes were darker thanks to the low light but that didn't stop them shining directly into Alex's and causing an internal reaction of fuzziness spreading through the taller woman's chest and body overall. With just a single glance they spoke how Alex's thanks were un needed and at the same time told the strawberry blonde in return the thank you was for so much more than just staying with Savannah while she showered and changed.
Alone in the private adjoining bathroom of Savannah's hospital room, Alex is only too happy to let the warm water cascade down her aching body. Two days with next to no sleep had caused a mass of knots and pain to form in the tall, slim body of the long time ADA but it was nothing a fresh burst of hot water couldn't at least help.
It isn't until now, with the water droplets flowing down her bare skin that the over worked brain belonging to the tall, blonde, headstrong attorney finally allows her thoughts to drift onto the subject of Casey Novak properly.
'You made-out with her on the floor of a bathroom after sobbing into her blouse. Sure, you could put that down to the high emotions of the situation and your need to just feel something other than the crippling pain of what you had just learnt Savannah had been suffering through. Then again you could also claim it was due to the fact you have never felt such a sudden and heated attraction to anyone else in your entire life before.' Alex's inner voice opens with conflicting arguments and brings the beautiful blonde's eyes to close for a moment.
The gentle spray of warm water sprays across the high cheek bones and model worthy features of the long serving ADA, careful not to wet her hair due to the cold weather and lack of hair dryer in her current situation. It was an attempt to wash away these now confusing thoughts or perhaps just refocus her brain in order to come up with an answer to the unanswered questions Alex was struggling with over Casey and their interactions.
Lathering up the bar of soap, which Casey had purchased for her and running it over her body the blonde's thoughts suddenly switch to memories of the heated touches the younger attorney's hands and lips had made with Alex the night previous. If the circumstances surrounding their new found attraction weren't quite so surreal than it wasn't worthy of any debate on whether the two women would have already ended up in a sweaty, satisfied heap somewhere by now. Unfortunately for Alex's gnawing, animalistic urges and rapidly growing needs the circumstances were about as far away from 'normal' as you can possibly get.
This of course didn't mean that Alex's mind wasn't finding pleasure in the thoughts of 'what if's' and that ever soul crushing emotion of 'hope'. Just the very thought of what it would be like to take full advantage of the sizzling attraction between the two women was enough to have the tall, blonde's knees begin to weaken. The long time lawyer worked hard and long hours which meant physical release of pleasure and tension didn't come around all too often but she certainly didn't go without any. The fact was though, unlike her usual ability to silence her natural instincts with self pleasure or the occasional meaningless fumble, Alex was already aware what she was experiencing in reference to her fellow attorney wasn't going to be so easily dealt with.
'We barely know one another, granted not something I usually worry about. Hell, on a few occasions it has been a miracle if I have even caught a name. Technically though me and Casey are co-workers, that opens up a whole other Pandora's box of complications that I am sure neither of us are ready to delve in to.' Alex mentally surmises in a weak attempt to persuade herself what she was feeling in regards to the strawberry blonde wasn't worth the trouble it would cause and could be easily forgotten about.
Alexandra Cabot didn't do relationships, she didn't do emotions or feelings it just wasn't how the 'Ice Queen' was wired. The complications of having to weigh up another person's feelings, wants and needs was not something Alex had ever felt compelled to worry herself with and had made a strong, conscious effort to completely avoid.
'And yet you cannot stop thinking about her. You are grateful just for her company and you're smiling like a love sick puppy when you're watching her without her even knowing. What is going on right now Alex?' The ADA mentally chastises herself knowing deep down as brutal of an attack she laid on herself for her behaviour the festering, strong connection she was developing with Casey wasn't about to go away and she wasn't even sure she wanted it to. Fuck.
Now just the two of them in the hospital room, Casey has moved to take the seat beside the hospital bed while Savannah once more becomes engrossed with the images of another animated classic on the attorney's phone.
Savannah's eyes were still heavy, deep circles of tiredness underneath each one but something about the look behind those brown orbs was different today. Was the tragedy, the fear and years of abuse suddenly eradicated never to be seen again? Of course not but there was something new, a spark perhaps or just a glimmer of the eleven year old Savannah was desperate to be fighting to be seen? Whatever it was though, the fact it was there brought Casey's ruby lips into a smile that made her heart feel just a slightly bit warmer.
George the monkey was still tucked up underneath the skinny arm of the pre teen, Casey's phone propped up on the hospital table by a few of the books the slightly less experienced ADA had purchased for the young brunette the day previous. Hazel eyes were spending far more time checking in on Savannah than actually watching the movie but Casey couldn't help herself. Something about Savannah had stolen the prosecutor's heart and as they sit in the hospital room together, all the strawberry blonde can do is watch in pure admiration for the strength this child possessed.
"What… what will happen… to me now, Casey?" Savannah suddenly asks, her voice quiet and shaky but the meaning of her words as sharp as a knife.
The big, brown eyes of the eleven year old girl were fixed on the phone as she speaks and waits for her answer.. A safety measure in some ways to keep the question she asked from seeming too real or perhaps just out of fear from not knowing how Casey would react to it.
'I know I shouldn't ask questions but I need to know. I need to know when I'm going to have to go back home, to… to him. Even I know this won't last forever, even if I want it to.' Savannah's young mind concludes as her muscles tense from fear she had made a huge mistake of asking such a question.
For the young brunette daring to ask a question, to speak out and be heard when having not been asked too was a risk and one she normally wouldn't dare to take. For some reason though Savannah felt she had next to no other choice and now with Casey, someone she trusted at least somewhat, the eleven year old felt if she was ever going to get an answer to her question this was probably the best chance she had without receiving some kind of punishment instead.
Spinning her head around to face Savannah at a speed almost likely to break her neck, Casey feels her mouth open ready to speak but finds no words immediately come out. Just hearing such a heartbreaking question come from such an innocent, young girl was like a sucker punch for the strawberry blonde and momentarily steals her ability to respond.
After her much needed shower, Alex gets herself dressed into the clothing Casey had gathered for the normally pencil skirt and blazer clad attorney the night before. A baggy pair of sweatpants and oversized hoodie was a stark difference to the normal court apparel of Ms Cabot but a welcome change all the same. The biggest surprise and comfort came however as the blonde wondered if she was going to have to match her heels with a much less formal outfit. There in the bottom of the plastic bag, once again proving Casey's psychic abilities, were a pair of brand new and more importantly comfortable sneakers.
'She really did think of absolutely everything.' The blonde comments inwardly with a smile spreading across her face.
Once each foot is slipped into the comfort of a non toe crunching heel, Alex looks herself over in the reflection of the mirror and almost bursts out into laughter. This was the kind of look she would find herself in on laundry day, when alone in her brownstone on one of her rare days off. Never would the elegant, long time ADA allow herself to be seen dressed like this in the public but after the past twenty four hours especially, that self sense of pride and concern for other's opinions was next to nonexistent.
Throwing everything into the plastic bag now she was dressed and ready for the day ahead, as ready as she was ever going to be when having lost out on so much sleep. Alex goes to open up the bathroom door when her ears perk up at the sound of both Savannah and Casey's voices on the other side.
'Did Savannah just ask what is going to happen to her?' Panic strikes the tall woman's heart as her mind realises just what the young girl had asked.
Noticing the very obvious hesitation from the woman sat beside her, Savannah's body tenses and regret enters her heart like a curse. Brown eyes suddenly become moist with tears and the eleven year old finds herself even more reluctant to attempt a look towards Casey, terrified if she did she would be met with a look of anger.
"I'm sorry, never mind. I.. I .. I shouldn't have.. I'm sorry." Savannah panics rapidly, her voice cracking and stuttering from fear that she had just made a huge mistake.
Alex can hear Savannah's stuttering words and realises that the young girl is panicking and trying desperately to go back on the question she had just asked. It clearly was coming from a place of fear of having over stepped some kind of mark and has Alex's strong hand ready to push through the door and take control of the situation. Before the taller attorney is able to take a single step forward however a new sound fills the hospital room and this time it is Casey's raspy voice.
"Savvy, no honey it's okay. You did nothing wrong at all. Listen to me, it's okay just take a breath." Casey instructs Savannah softly, her head nodding along to each word she speaks as desperate hazel eyes attempt to make contact with brown ones through long, brown hair that was somewhat over Savannah's young face.
The instant back peddling attempt from the little, injured brunette had been enough to break Casey from her shackles of heartbreak and kick the ADA in to action. Her hand quickly reaches out and delicately rests on top of Savannah's in order to get the young child's attention focused back on her instead of the obviously crippling panic she is now experiencing.
A large gulp is forced down Savannah's throat as despite her instincts the small brunette allows her gaze to fall into line with Casey's. Instead of that expected rage she was so used to witnessing on adults features, Savannah is met with kind and caring, warm eyes just trying to connect with her.
'Is this a trick? She is pretending not to be mad at me just so when she eventually punishes me I won't have the chance to try and protect myself?' Savannah's suspicious mind wonders silently, years of firsthand experience teaching the eleven year old to always be weary of kindness, especially in these type of situations.
Alex was unmoving in the bathroom but her ear was pressing directly against the door in order to make out what was being said on the other side a little easier. Her heart was currently pounding inside her chest to the point it wouldn't be a surprise if both Savannah and Casey could hear it through the door. Despite wanting to rush in, the more experienced attorney was frozen in place and partly intrigued to find out just how her co worker was going to handle this easily fragile situation.
'Casey will know what to do. I'm not even sure if I went out there I would be any help anyway. Savannah has been through so much and now she is worrying about her future. That is not how any of this should be and yet her future is relatively uncertain all the same.' Alex's inner voice comments as she continues to remain silent and just listen.
A thick silence drapes the hospital room as all Savannah can manage to do is stare directly into Casey's hazel eyes and attempt to search for some kind of indication of how the older woman was truly feeling. People hid so much behind something as simple as a look and although most of her experiences were ugly ones, Savannah had found an ability in her to pick up on even the smallest of clues as to what someone may truly be thinking or feeling.
Casey's eyes were filled with many different emotions, some that Savannah was finding it difficult to decipher but the young brunette was very aware of what she wasn't finding in them. There wasn't an ounce of anger or betrayal locked in the eyes which fluxgate between vibrant greens and golden browns seemingly due to their owners current emotional state. Just because Savannah hid her own eyes from the world it didn't mean that she wasn't constantly watching, studying and taking note of everyone else's.
It takes a moment but cautiously the eleven year old begins to nod her head. It was a silent gesture to tell Casey she was indeed listening to whatever answer the strawberry blonde may have to offer her to her question.
"Well, for today at least you are going to watch the rest of Toy Story two, as long as you want to. Hell, we can even put on three afterwards too. Although if we do that you will have to be prepared to watch me cry like a blubbering baby at the ending." Casey explains, her voice light as she makes a mental note to try and keep this conversation as light as humanly possible.
Watching Savannah's reaction closely, the less experienced ADA feels her chest ache noticing despite her slight laugh the brunette wasn't about to be fobbed off so easily. Savannah's head tilts slightly to one side and through the curtain of dark hair, Casey is able to make out the questioning look coming from brown orbs.
'Clearly she is too smart for her own good and is going to force me to get into details. Why couldn't Alex be here for this?' Casey inwardly groans, fear creeping up inside her from not wanting to handle this terribly and just upset Savannah more.
By now Alex's hand is pushing just slightly on the bathroom door in order to make a crack big enough so she can actually get eyes on the situation the other side. Sapphire eyes are quick to notice the deep connection Savannah is in with Casey, their gazes each fixated on the other so likely a reason why the movement of the door goes un noticed.
'Maybe I should go out and give Casey some kind of help. I wouldn't want to have to face this on my own and would be silently pleasing for assistance.' Alex mentally notes as she readies herself to make her entrance but is once again stilled by the sound of a familiar raspy voice.
"Look, I'll level with you Savannah. The truth is right now you need to stay in hospital for a few more days at least, to get you a little stronger and more healthy. After that, well at some point Olivia is going to come back and need to talk to you some more but I promise you either me or Alex will be with you when that happens." Casey tries again, her voice calm and sincere both things that don't go un noticed by Savannah who faintly gives a nod of understanding in response.
Savannah's body flinches at the thought of having to answer more questions, the sheets beneath her getting yanked up by the eleven year olds free hand which wasn't being delicately patted by Casey. The reassurance of knowing one of the attorney's would be with her throughout the interaction does do its job in relaxing Savannah slightly once more though.
Never normally someone who was shy in speaking or just coming out with whatever had to be said, Casey finds her voice once again struggle to be heard. Just looking at the innocent and frightened expressions of this young girl though was causing the normally headstrong lawyer to falter.
"What… what about… after that? What… what… about when they… they let me… out of…here? I'll have to go back to.. to him won't I?" Savannah stutters out her fear filled questions before she chickened out. She could tell if she didn't push then Casey was likely going to try and just avoid the subject all together once more.
"What? Oh Savannah, sweetie no that will definitely not be happening." Casey replies instantly, her voice sharp from panic that this little girl was fearing she would have to be returned to her monster of a so called father.
Alex feels the same stab of pain hit her own heart, as it clearly did Casey's, at Savannah's words. This poor little girl shouldn't have to be worrying over the fact she may be forced to return to her father and yet she was. It was enough to spring stinging tears into the taller lawyer's orbs but Casey's instant reaction brings a smile of pride to her lips as she watches just how well the slightly less experienced councillor was handling this situation.
'Casey is magnificent with Savannah. It's actually kind of beautiful to witness.' Alex's mind comments as she makes another conscious decision to continue watching from her hidden spot behind the bathroom door.
Delicately but still very cautiously, Casey takes Savannah's hand fully in her grip. Savannah's smaller counterpart is trembling but the attorney pushes that to the back of her mind as she feels the child's hand grip onto hers securely. It wasn't really a squeeze, more of a clinging on attempt but whatever it is Casey's heart reacts to it all the same.
'She believes that after everything the doctors have seen and heard she will still have to be reunited with her father. This poor girl has no idea that no one in their right mind would ever allow that to happen. Just another side effect of the Captain's evil actions and their repercussions.' Casey's inner voice rants, the realisation that Savannah's way of thinking was so skewed and damaged making her heart drop.
The slightly less experienced lawyer shuffles herself to the very edge of the hospital chair and leans over the rail a little more so Savannah could see her easier and hopefully just feel her protective presence. A silent promise that the strawberry blonde wasn't about to let anything harmful happen to her perhaps or maybe just a subconscious action from Casey to calm her own pounding heart.
"Whenever it is that your father is found Savannah, you won't be going back to live with him. You won't even have to ever see him again if you don't want to. That is a promise that I swear to you, from me to you I will keep no matter what." Casey affirms, her hazel orbs staring directly into Savannah's chocolate brown eyes as they flicker back unshed tears behind strands of brunette hair.
"But where…. Where will I go… go then? I… I don't have… have… anywhere or… anyone else." Savannah whispers fearfully, the thought of being completely alone in the world almost more terrifying than whatever horrors she had lived through all of her life.
At least with her father Savannah had somewhere to sleep, she belonged and although often painful it was all she had ever known. The very idea of having to go somewhere new or having nowhere to go at all was terrifying on a completely different level for the eleven year old.
'What am I supposed to tell her? That she will likely end up in a group home because children of her age are hardly ever adopted. She might get lucky and be fostered by a decent family but is that really going to sound enticing to someone who has suffered what Savannah has?' Casey's mind frantically weighs up just what the strawberry blonde had to offer in her reply.
"You don't have to worry about any of that now Savvy. You need to focus on getting stronger." Alex answers for Casey as she can no longer keep herself hidden and emerges from the bathroom.
Long legs carry the beautiful blonde with purpose across the hospital room and both Casey and Savannah look over to her in slight shock at her sudden appearance. The two lawyers share a knowing nod as it doesn't take much for the younger of the two women to realise Alex had overheard the conversation and was struggling to answer Savannah as much as Casey had been.
"And let's not forget you need to worry about catching up on all these amazing films you haven't seen before." Casey interjects in an obvious attempt to deflect but she honestly didn't know what else she could say right now that wouldn't either frighten Savannah or break her own heart into a million tiny pieces.
Silence once more overcomes the hospital room, Savannah's face trying desperately to force out a smile but it wasn't working. The young brunette was far too aware what both Alex and Casey's non answers really meant and although wishing she could just pretend even Savannah knew her future was unknown.
Alex reaches the bedside and smiles sweetly towards Savannah but is met with doubtful brown orbs which only tear at the attorney's already shattered heart just a little bit more. This was a situation that was next to impossible to know how to handle correctly.
'Sure I can be honest with her, terrify her and probably cause her to just curl back into herself. Then again I could lie and give her some kind of false hope which is only going to mean Savannah will feel betrayed and never trust anyone ever again. Talk about a rock and a fucking hard place' Alex realises silently as now looking at this pre teen and her innocent features all confidence that she knew what to say is quickly lost.
Hazel eyes watch the registration take place on Savannah's young face as she realises both these women were struggling to give her an actual answer and Casey's heart constricts seeing such pain and confusion flash over this sweet girl's face.
"Hey, you listen to me okay, cowgirl? If you think that me or Alexandra the great are going to let you end up just anywhere then you are greatly mistaken. You don't need to worry about any of it because that is what me and Alex will do and we will make sure everything works out just how it is supposed to." Casey blurts out before any rational thought can even begin to formulate within the less experienced prosecutors mind.
Taken back by the unexpected reassurance of the stunning strawberry blonde whose hand her entire one is wrapped around, Savannah is left completely speechless. Her large brown eyes seem to grow wide as her mind attempts to weigh up the dependency of such a statement. The young girl's heart was desperate to accept it as truth, to believe that these two amazing women would somehow insure everything would be okay. At the same time though, her sceptical mind was hesitant to believe in such a fairytale after having been brought up surrounded by a stark contrasting reality.
Alex's eyes move from studying Savannah's face over towards Casey not entirely sure if her younger co worker had just saved the day or perhaps set the eleven year old up for an even bigger fall later on.
'Oh Casey, I hope you know what you are doing right now.' The taller woman's inner voice comments nervously, part of her filled with gratitude for how Casey had taken control of the situation and offered such reassurance and the other part of her deeply concerned it may have not been the wisest of moves.
Casey of course can feel the sapphire eye now burning into her with a thousand questions but the less experienced attorney does her best to block all of that out and just gives Savannah a reassuring smile.
Small lungs take in a deep breath as with her free hand, little fingers detangle from the scrunched up bed sheet and Savannah brushes back the hair from her young face completely. Brown eyes were locked in on Casey's hazel ones and once again searching for some kind of evidence that what she was being told could indeed be trusted.
"Do … do you promise?" Savannah asks cautiously, part of her heart resistant to say the words knowing that even if she got the answer she desperately wanted this could very easily be a promise no one could actually keep.
Alex feels her jaw drop at Savannah's very meaningful question. Sympathy suddenly crashes into the blonde's heart for Casey though realising her younger counter part was now stuck very much between a rock and a hard place herself. How in the hell was Casey supposed to answer?
'Fuck. I can't back down now, I need to promise this. If I do though I need to be prepared to do whatever has to be done to make sure I never, ever break it. This poor girl has been let down far too many times and I will not be just another name to that list.' Casey informs herself silently as with a final surge of strength the strawberry blonde nods her head. There was not a chance in hell she was going to let this young girl down now, not a damn chance.
"We both promise Savannah. Me and Casey both promise you that whatever happens we are going to make sure you are looked after and most importantly you never ever have to go back to your father." Alex interrupts, her words sincere and strong as for a brief moment she looks to Casey and gives a nod of her head.
Alex's blue eyes were soft with emotion and honest as they pour into Casey's hazel counterparts and the two women realise if anyone was going to make such a promise to Savannah then it was going to be the both of them.
Casey's jaw is now left to drop slightly as Alex throws herself on the grenade and decides to make this promise to Savannah with her. It wasn't something the long serving ADA had to do and yet she had all the same and it quickly brings Casey's hazel eyes to glaze over with thankful, unshed tears.
"You heard Alexandra the great, we both promise you Savvy." Casey adds with conviction as she glances back to a completely stunned Savannah and hazel eyes pour deeply into Savannah's and form a connection with the pre teen that was stronger than almost anything Casey had ever felt before in her life.
Nodding in tearful agreement to the promises which had just been made to her, Savannah squeezes Casey hand once more and this time manages to form a real smile. Her young eyes then move to Alex's sapphire ones and in return the blonde attorney takes hold of the young girl's other hand and intertwines their fingers securely.
"Thank you, both of you." Savannah whispers out with a voice choking on emotion as her little hands each grip just that much tighter on to the adult hands of the two attorney's either side of her hospital bed.
In that moment with unshed tears glimmering in three pairs of eyes within the private hospital room, not only had two promises been made to Savannah but without even knowing it a promise had been made between the two attorneys also. Whichever promise it was, one thing was without question, nothing in this world was going to cause any of them to be broken.
I was going to make this chapter like a double length one but I wrote this and thought it wrapped up fairly nicely. The next one will probably be the length of two though as will all following but I won't be updating anywhere near as often.
If any of you are kind enough to leave me a review then thank you so much. Knowing what you are all wanting, thinking, suspecting and everything else truly helps keep me motivated but it also helps me with what to write next and where to take each chapter. I read every single one and take them on board so much more than I can ever say, so thank you in advance.
Until next time stay safe, happy and well ;;'x