A/N: Sorry so late getting this up. I was having some serious computer issues tonight. Anyway, here it is so enjoy! Thanks for the reviews it helps keep the creative process going!

"Oh my God Alex, what did we just do?" Casey says practically running into the apartment. Now Alex is the one laughing. "What do you mean Casey?" Alex asks with a knowing smirk as the two women head into the living room.

"We just pretty much made out in front of a ton of reporters, reporters that are trying to dig up dirt on us, so we gave them a show. What the hell were we thinking?" Casey exclaims sitting on the couch.

Alex laughs a little. "We were showing them that they don't own us and we don't fear anyone." Alex starts as she sits down on the couch next to Casey. "Plus your confidence looked really sexy so I had to have some."

"That last part sounded weird." Casey says pointing her finger at Alex to emphasize her point.

Laying her head on Casey's lap Alex laughs heartedly, "Yeah it sounded way better in my head." Finishing she takes Casey's hand in hers and entwines their fingers.

"We may have just made this whole scandal mess worse for ourselves Alex." Casey stated looking down at Alex.

Alex looking intently into the redhead's deep green eyes she asks, "Do you regret it Casey?"

"No, not at all," Casey replies with a big smile, "I found it immensely liberating honestly, I just kind of freaked out there for a second when we came inside. I don't know, I am just terrified of the whole fraud thing. I don't want this to turn into the scandal of the century. We can't afford Olivia Pope."

At this declaration Alex bursts out laughing, "Nice Scandal reference babe. Plus if you found it liberating like I did then don't worry about it. I'm not. Plus, you said it would have been nice if they'd had a picture of us. Now they have one that will sell!" Alex says hoping up. "Come on, we need to get cleaned up my lawyer will be here in an hour and a half." Alex says taking Casey's hand.

Following Alex, Casey asks, "Why is your attorney coming over here?"

Entering the large master suite, Alex replies, "Jo is coming over to discuss what the DA's investigator found that they deem so damning. Plus, as I am sure you are already know she is coming to prep us. I just want to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible."

"Okay, well let's get ready for her arrival then." Casey says as she heads into the bathroom.

Alex sat with Casey on the couch. Her arm was draped around Casey's shoulders as Casey sat snuggled into Alex's side. Across the room sat the very unhappy looking attorney, Jo Marlowe. "Alex, you are in a lot of trouble." Jo says seriously.

Alex looks at the blonde in disbelief, "How is that even possible when I wasn't even aware of the fraud?"

Jo sighs and repeats herself, "Alex your signature is on the original counterfeited invoices, that makes you equally liable for the fraud. Seriously, how do you not understand this? This literally makes you look either completely incompetent as a CEO or completely involved in the scam. So which one is it?"

"I guess incompetent," Alex barks back before hanging her head. Casey looks at her deflating girlfriend and feels the need to speak up.

"Alex, you are in no way incompetent, there has to be more behind this, we just haven't figured it out yet." Casey soothes rubbing circles in the blonde's back.

Suddenly fixing her Ice Queen Mask Alex sits up straight and says, "How could I possibly have signed something that I am completely unaware of signing? I read everything twice before signing it. So it must be a forgery Jo."

Opening her briefcase Jo Marlowe pulls out copies of the original signed invoices. Laying them out for the two women to see, she says, "Alex, that is what I thought too, but all of these signatures look exactly like your signature."

Alex looks over the papers. It does appear to be her signature. But, how could that be? She always reads everything. Suddenly her eye catches the date and her shoulders slump. Quickly she mutters, "Shit."

Both Alex and Casey stare at Alex intently. "What is it?" Casey asks cautiously.

Taking a breath Alex says, "The date on these, I wasn't yet the CEO when I signed these. I was in the process of having the corporations transferred to me at the time. I was under a bunch of stress and having emotional problems at the time. I must not have read these as well, I don't really know to be honest, I am guessing because of the date. But, I trusted Marcus Clark. He worked under my father. I never had a reason to doubt him or doubted having him remain on as the Vice President of Vintage Wines. If anything he took advantage of me at the time. He would never have been able to pull a stunt like this one six months after I had taken over." Alex places her head in her hands.

Jo sighs, "Okay, well we have a time frame Alex. I am still passing these copies over to a forgery expert just to make sure that they are your signatures. Otherwise we can point out that you weren't in full control of the company and that you were just as much a victim. It's a good spin at least."

"Jo, I have already authorized the company to pay back everyone that was a victim and to compensate them for their troubles. Plus, I have been more than helpful to the investigators. Do you think with all of that the DA is still going to try to prosecute me?" Alex nervously asks staring the blonde directly in the eyes.

"Honestly Alex," Jo says as she packs her briefcase and stands, "yeah, I do think they will. Branch is furious at the nonsense going on in the DA's office regarding your investigation. Casey should never have been on the case and neither should Abbie Carmichael considering your history with both. Carmichael evidently spoke to Branch and has been removed from White Collar effective immediately and a one month unpaid suspension for her stunt involving Casey. Furthermore, Jack McCoy has been assigned to the case. By the way, I only know this because I am still friends with Judge Donnelly who had no qualms giving me the details confidentially so no mentioning any of that to anyone. Casey from what I hear you may not have seen the end of your punishment either, I am sorry."

She pauses to take a breath and then continues, "So yeah Alex, this doesn't look good. Hopefully we can clear your name through common sense, but you never know and Branch doesn't like looking like a fool. In the meantime, I think you two should get out of the city. Go to the house in the Hamptons and get away from the media until we calm this down. I will have you flown in if you need to come back to answer questions. Got it?"

Alex nods taking in all the information. Once she feels it has all absorbed she answers, "Yeah, I got it." Standing both women thank Jo for stopping by and let her out.

Walking back into the master suite Alex takes a seat next to the window in the room. "Casey, what are we going to do?" Alex asks a little dejectedly.

Sitting in Alex's lap and tilting her face up to hers, "We my dear are going to pack and leave for the Hamptons this afternoon. Then we are going to do whatever Jo says. Plus, remember baby, you have one hell of a top notch White Collar prosecutor in your back pocket, and I know all the tricks of the trade. So I am sure between Jo and I we can sink all of the prosecutions battle ships when it comes to you. So don't worry." As she finishes she places a chaste kiss to Alex's lips.

Pulling Casey close Alex just takes in comfort from the redhead's presence. She hopes Casey is right, and she is choosing to believe that Casey is right. "Thank you Casey for believing me and sticking with me through this mess."

Smiling Casey says, "My pleasure baby. Now let's pack and hit the road Jack!"

Laughing lightly, "Nice Ray Charles, but yeah, let's pack and get on the road."

Arriving at the beach house a little after 4pm, Casey and Alex were ready to relax. The drive was spent making numerous calls between friends and colleagues.

First, Casey had called Teddy to fill her in on what was happening and apologizing for not being able to get all of her belonging from the apartment just yet. Naturally, Teddy was understanding, and told them both not to worry that she was sure everything would work itself out. Alex was truly amazed at the other woman's ability to forgive. She knew that had the tables been turned she would be on trial for murder instead of fraud. Then again, maybe that only proved Teddy's point that she and Casey weren't in love, whereas Alex and Casey were.

Next, Alex called the office and arranged for Amanda and the team to contact her at the beach house now. Everyone at the office was super supportive, and she and Casey received numerous congratulations about them getting together finally. Casey laughed at how well the office seemed to be aware of Alex's love for Casey throughout the years. She also felt better that no one seemed fazed about the whole stepsister thing.

After that, Alex called Kim. This was by far the most difficult call for Casey to sit through. Even though she was putting on a good face about it all, she was really pissed at Kim and Abbie for their stunt. Granted they were trying to help Alex and her, but in the process they cost Casey her career. Frowning she realized that Abbie did lose her White Collar career over their stunt as well. Maybe she shouldn't be so pissed at them. She at least had to make a serious effort with Kim since she was Alex's best friend. As Alex was getting off the phone she invited Kim up to the Hamptons for the following day. Kim agreed as long as she could bring Abbie, since Abbie was on suspension and Alex begrudgingly settled on allowing the brunette to join.

Finally unpacked and snuggled by the fireplace while dinner cooked in the oven, Alex laid her head on Casey's shoulder. "I love you, you know that right?" Alex asked quietly. Smiling into the blonde's head Casey said, "Yes I do. You want to know a secret?"

"Of course I do." Alex answered looking up into Casey's eyes.

"I love you." Casey says with a big smile. Alex laughed loud, "I am pretty sure that isn't a secret Casey. I think the whole country knows that now since our morning kiss. But thank you for sharing anyway."

Casey chuckles lightly. "Alex," Casey begins, "Alex I can't lose you to prison."

Alex sits up and looks at Casey seriously. "I thought you said to not worry that you had tricks to outsmart the prosecutors. Should I really be nervous about jail time?"

"No, I don't think you should, I am just saying I can't lose you again." Casey states flatly.

"Okay, but Casey I don't know if I have any control over that." Alex replies weakly.

Casey takes Alex's hands in hers, "Just promise me something, but you can't tell anyone. Okay?"

"Okay?"

Casey hesitates then says, "If it gets to a point where I know that is what is going to happen, you and I are going to leave and disappear okay."

"What? What are you saying Casey? You want to run from prison?" Alex questions in shock.

"Yes," Casey says kissing Alex, "I can't bear to lose you again. So that's the plan. Got it?"

"Umm no, I am not making you an accomplice to a felony. I love you too much to allow you to talk me into anything so crazy." Alex finishes kissing Casey again.

"Fine, for the time being fine," Casey gives in, "But you are going to have to marry me and before the potential trial."

"What!" Alex exclaims, "Did you just propose like that?"

"I guess I did," Casey says with a big grin, "But you kind of have to so I can't be compelled to testify against you at any point. I know a lot of privileged information at this point and if we are married that line of questioning isn't allowed because it is considered confidential communication between spouses."

"Well, Casey Novak, I will marry you any minute of any day, but not because of protection in court, because I love you more than anything. But, I will admit you suck at proposing." Alex says kissing Casey.

Smiling into the kiss, Casey replies, "I guess I will try again at the whole proposal thing then."

Chuckling Alex adds, "You better."