Warning - this chapter gets intense.

When Casey is concentrating on work huddled over her laptop or tablet, Alex finds her insanely attractive.

She's so cute when she's deep in thought; if she's reading she quietly mouths the words. She wrinkles her face up in concentration and if Alex looks hard enough she can see the freckles on her nose.

Alex is watching her in court right now. Unbeknownst to Casey she slipped in and is sitting in the back watching Casey be a badass.

Casey is so confident and carries herself so well in court. She's strictly business, which is a stark comparison to how she is outside of work.

No one would ever believe this take no bullshit prosecutor loves to cuddle with her girlfriend, wears Minions Pjs, loves superheroes, is an expert on the Xbox and is the goofiest person Alex knows.

Alex is the only one lucky enough to see that side of her. And she wants to be the only one. She will share this confident attorney with the rest of the world, but goofy cutesy Casey is only hers.

They have been officially dating for almost six months. Alex is completely moved out of Olivia's house, but remains friendly with Olivia. It took several weeks for Alex, Casey and Olivia to be able to sit down as friends just like they used to. After a serious heart to heart, all the awkwardness went away and suddenly they were at the familiar bar grabbing drinks like they used to do when Alex and Olivia were dating.

Olivia is working on adopting Noah and Alex has been using her influence to expedite the process. It's the least she can do for everything Olivia has done for her.

Casey finishes her closing statement and turns around, a slight look of self satisfaction on her face. Alex is familiar with this case and knows Casey is easily going to win it.

Casey immeaditely sees Alex and instantly smiles, the smile remaining on her face as she sits down. It takes everything she has not to turn around and look at Alex again.

Alex is smiling as well, and anyone who looks at her right now would easily be able to tell how in love she is by the lovestruck look on her face. Not that they hide it at all. Everyone knows they are together.

The judge calls a short recess and Casey immeaditely makes a beeline for the back row where Alex is now standing.

Casey wants to kiss her girlfriend more than anything. But they have to remain professional at work, so instead Casey greets her with, "Hey, you. Checking up on me?"

Alex straightens Casey's collar and adjusts her lapels. "Looks like I need to, look how you're dressed."

Casey looks down at her now straightened blouse and back up at Alex. "Well I have a girlfriend who looks out for me."

"Hmm. Maybe she needs to start dressing you too."

Casey grins and then her expression turns serious. "Not that I don't enjoy seeing your lovely face, but why are you here? Is something wrong?"

"Not at all. I just spoke to my father and he wants to see me for Thanksgiving. I thought maybe we could drive to his house for the three day weekend."

Thanksgivings past Alex and Olivia would usually spend it at home with Alex's dad and a slew of her relatives, but a couple years they went to her dad's house at the Hamptoms. Casey didn't really have family so Alex always made sure to include her. Casey would always come help Olivia cook, and Alex always knew Casey was incredibly uncomfortable around her relatives but she came anyway because she knew Alex wanted her to.

Casey walks back down the aisle to grab her briefcase and Alex follows. "I don't know. He doesn't like me, Alex."

Alex frowns. "That's not true, Casey."

It's true; Casey gets nervous around large groups of people she doesn't know and tends to overshare and just keep running her mouth. The Cabots especially make her nervous; they are all professional and wealthy and, Casey has felt, judgy. Casey's tendency to ramble and run her mouth always irks Alex's father.

"Well you know what he said about my censure..."

Alex nods. "Yes. And you know that I shut it down as soon as he opened his mouth."

They are out in the hallway now, and Casey motions to the nearby bench. They take a seat.

"And you know he absolutely adores Olivia."

Alex rolls her eyes. "He will absolutely adore you too, after he gets to know you. You're not my tagalong friend now, you're my girlfriend."

Casey looks at Alex with a slightly hurt expression. "Tagalong? Was that what I was?"

Alex realizes she has stepped in a steaming pile of shit and quickly backs out. "No! It's just - You know what I meant, Casey."

Casey doesn't want to go. She would very much love their first Thanksgiving as a couple to be just the two of them in her apartment, a nice meal and enjoying the time off work and the holiday parade on TV. Staying in PJs all day and taking a lazy day at home. That sounds perfect to her.

She knows she should tell Alex this; tell her she wants a low-key holiday. But she knows that Alex doesn't see her father often, and it's selfish to ask her to sacrifice seeing him just so she will be comfortable.

Ultimately, she knows she is going to do whatever Alex wants, because she loves her and wants her to be happy.

"Okay," Casey relents. "We'll go."

Alex beams and kisses her girlfriend. "Thank you, baby. We will have a great Thanksgiving."

Casey is less enthusiastic but smiles back. After all, she knows successful relationships are all about sacrifice.

"I want to take you to dinner tonight," Alex announces. "To celebrate you winning this case."

Casey frowns at her. "I haven't yet. It could go on for a couple more days at least."

"Well, I know you are going to win. Also, I just want to take my girl out. I don't have to have a reason, do I?"

Casey smiles that Casey smile that Alex likes so much. "I guess you don't. I would love dinner."

Alex knew she would break her down easily. They have both been so busy this week that they haven't gone out at all. Their time together after work has mostly just been in bed and cuddled up on the couch trying to unwind. Alex wants some quality time with her redhead.

And she has something on her mind that she wants to discuss.

.2

They go to Casey's favorite Italian restaurant. It's not the fanciest place and not somewhere Alex would have chosen. But she knows Casey loves it, and wanted to take her somewhere she likes and is comfortable at.

Cssey is wearing a blue blouse with khaki dress pants. Alex loves it when she wears that particular blouse. It fits Casey perfectly and shows off her figure. She has her Captain America necklace on and her hair seems to have extra volume and bounce.

Alex chose to wear a simple red dress and spent way more time on her hair than this date called for.

They order garlic bread and Alex chooses chicken Alfredo pasta and Casey opts for a Cesar salad.

"What do you see when you think about your future? And be honest" Casey asks suddenly, looking across the table at her girlfriend.

Alex isn't used to Casey being so serious. Blue eyes meet green and Alex finishes chewing her food before she responds.

"I see my name on the door of the District Attorney's office." Casey nods, expecting that one. "A nice big house with a pool. Maybe a dog. And you - I see you as my wife. Coming home to you every day."

Casey smiles, taking her eyes off Alex long enough to take a drink of her wine. "Your wife?"

"Yes. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I know we haven't had this discussion yet but I want to marry you someday, Casey. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife."

It's clear that Alex has thought about this. Casey has never pictured herself as someone who would want to get married. Maybe because since Charlie she hasn't been in a relationship serious enough. She could never see the point.

But she can imagine being married to Alex. Looking at the ring on her finger every day and knowing she belonged to someone. They would no doubt have a beautiful elaborate wedding, worthy of a magazine. Casey can imagine that Alex would spare no expense.

"Is that something you would want?" Alex asks, after Casey doesn't reply.

Casey locks eyes with her to convey how happy that would make her. "More than anything in the world, yes."

Alex's smile spreads ear to ear. She was hoping Casey would say that. "What do you see for your future?"

"Being the District Attorney's wife," Casey says. "Her dragging me to all those stuffy events I hate."

Alex smiles again. "But what about you? What do you see for yourself? What do you want to do with your career?"

Casey picks at her Cesar salad, careful to avoid Alex's gaze. She hates these kinds of questions. Truth is, she doesn't know what she wants to do beyond being an Assistant District Attorney.

"Casey?"

At Alex's prompting, Casey looks up and meets Alex's warm gaze. "I'm happy where I am right now, career wise. I have no solid plans right now. I just want to see where work takes me. I know it doesn't sound exciting...but It's the truth."

Surprisingly, Alex smiles and reaches across the table to take her hand. She forces Casey to look at her again. "Casey, never feel embarrassed to tell me anything. If you are happy with your job and that's where you want to stay, I support that. There is nothing wrong with being happy where you are. I'll never be embarassed or ashamed of you, baby. Ever. I'll be proud of you and brag about you no matter what you choose to do."

They sit in silence for several minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. The future is something they have been thinking about a lot lately.

Normally Alex would think six months of dating is way too early to think about marriage. But it's all she's been thinking about. She's known Casey for six years; they are hardly strangers. Alex already knows Casey is the person for her.

"So you will marry me?" Alex clarifies, taking a long sip of her red wine.

Casey stares hard at her, trying to figure her out. "Are you proposing to me?" The thought is terrifying but incredible at the same time.

Alex shakes her head. "If I were to ask, it would be much more romantic. I'm just putting feelers out. I want to make sure we are on the same page about our future."

Casey couldn't be happier. She's not engaged - Not yet - but finally knows what her future holds. Alex loves her and wants her to have a place in her life forever. It's an amazing feeling, something she never thought she would feel before.

Casey Novak, the attorney everyone has always underestimated and talked about behind her back, has finally found her place in the world.

.3

The trial goes on for three more days before the jury comes back with a decision. Casey is extremely nervous, holding her pen in her fingers and clicking it nervously.

Alex watches from the gallery again. She smiles when she watches her girl doing one of her nervous tics. Casey knows Alex is there and seeks her out, and Alex gives her a reassuringly smile and a nod.

The verdict comes back - guilty. Casey lets out the breath she didnt know she was holding and smiles in satisfaction.

The family of the defendant yells and cries, something she has gotten used to and hardly fazes her now. She always avoids looking at family members. Even though she's always confident in her convictions, it's still hard to see the hurt and suffering on family's faces.

Everyone is congratulating Casey and she walks down the aisle towards where Alex is walking down towards her when suddenly someone is blocking her way.

It's the seventeen year old son of the man who was just convicted of rape and assault. His face is set in anger, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

He catches Casey off guard and she stumbles on her words. "E-excuse me. I'm on my way out."

"You fucking bitch," he spits out at her angrily. "You ruined my family and you're just going to go on your way as if nothing happened?"

Alex has reached Casey now, and she snaps her fingers to alert the bailiff that his services are needed. She grabs a hold of Casey's arm and pulls her back just as the bailiff comes up and takes custody of the boy.

"You won't get away with this!" He yells at Casey, his face contoured in anger as the bailiff restrains him. "You are so going to pay for this!"

Casey momentarily loses her composure. The confrontation scares her more than she wants to admit, but she quickly pulls herself together and forces a smile at Alex, who is on the verge of freaking out.

"Jesus Casey, are you okay?" Alex demands as she follows Casey out of the courtroom.

Casey is still shaken up but nods at Alex anyway. "I'm fine, Alex. It certainly isn't the first time something like that has happened to me, and I'm sure it won't be the last."

"He threatened you," Alex says as they step into the elevator. "I take that seriously, Casey. I wish you would too. You know what happened to me. You can't just shrug this off."

"It's the job, Alex," Casey says, glancing at her. She can't bring herself to look at the blonde. "You forget, I've been choked in the courtroom, been threatened before, beat up in my office. He was upset; his father had just been convicted. I'm not worried about it, and I don't want you to be either."

Alex doesn't accept that. As soon as the elevator doors open, she stands in front of it and crosses her arms. Casey notices she isn't walking with her anymore and sighs heavily when she sees Alex glaring at her.

"Here comes the lecture," she says, just waiting for Alex to start in on her.

Instead of lecturing her, Alex asks, "Remember the last time you got threatened? Remember what I did?"

Oh yes, Casey remembers it well. It was well before they were dating, and Casey had sat on Olivia's desk in the squadroom mortified as Alex ranted to the entire squad about what happened and ordered them to tail Casey so her best friend would be safe. She had been in full Alex Cabot mode and the detectives had known better than to resist. That rant had led to Fin personally walking Casey to her car everyday for a week, and Casey staying with Olivia and Alex for an entire week at Alex's insistence.

Yes, Alex has a tendency to overreact.

"God yes," Casey says. "Please don't do that to me again."

"Oh, it's going to be worse, because now you're my girlfriend, whom I love and don't want anything to happen to." She quickly pulls out her phone. "I'm going to call Olivia right now."

Casey rolls her eyes. She will never admit it, but thinks it's sweet how protective Alex has become over her.

She gives Alex a little wave. "Bye, babe. Gotta get back to my office. Tell Olivia I said hi." Alex is already on the phone with Olivia and Casey takes this as her opportunity to stride quickly down the hall to her office. Surprisingly, Alex doesn't follow.

Casey has a meeting with a witness from her next case in less than an hour and keeps herself busy going over her notes.

She hasn't even been in her office for a half hour when there's a knock on her door. Casey knows it isn't Alex; she would just come in.

She tells her guest to come in, and isn't surprised in the least when Olivia enters.

Olivia has the look on her face of someone who has just felt the wrath of Alex Cabot. Casey raises her hand and is immeaditely apologetic. "Olivia. I'm sorry. I'm fine, really, and there's nothing to worry about."

"Oh I'm sure you're fine. But you know that Alex knows how to worry. I have orders to escort you to your car tonight. If I'm away on a case, I have to make sure that Fin, Dom or Amanda ade able to escort you. Don't you dare leave until you let one of us know you are ready. Otherwise, I'm afraid Alex will go up for murder." She laughs lightly.

Casey laughs as well. "Oh my God, yes. That woman! She is so damn lucky I love her so much."

Casey is still a bit uncomfortable talking about her and Alex's relationship to Olivia, but if Olivia has any remaining ill thoughts she gives no indication of it.

"She just worries is all. She'll get over it in a couple days. Let me know if you need anything, okay? And for the sake of everyone, don't fight Alex on this. "

Casey agrees, smiling to herself at her girlfriend's ridiculousness as Olivia leaves her office.

.4

A week goes by and Casey is fine, just as she assured Alex she would be. Alex finally begins to accept that it was an empty threat and backs off their detectives, and life resumes as normal. Neither of them mention the threat again.

It's Friday and Alex is anxious for Casey to get home. She has a nice evening planned, and something she wants to ask Casey.

It's after nine PM and she's still at work, which is a rarity for her nowadays. She calls Alex as soon as she leaves her office on her way to the parking garage. She lets her know she is on her way and Alex tells her to come straight home. Casey can tell by her home that she has something planned.

Casey hits the unlock button on her key fob and as she approaches her car, someone steps out of the shadows.

She's immeaditely on alert, reaching into her purse for the pepper spray she keeps on her at all. She gropes for it desperately but cannot find it.

"Miss Novak," a voice says, and suddenly someone is standing in front of her, blocking the door of her car.

It's him - the seventeen year old son of her latest conviction again. She immediately feels fear and a chill go through her but knows she has to keep her composure and not let on that she's frightened.

She reaches for the car door, and he blocks her again, switching positions with her and pinning her against the car.

Casey is terrified now. She's strong, but he is definitely stronger and he holds her tight.

"Let me go," Casey rasps out, her eyes scared and desperate. "I swear to god I will scream."

He sneers at her and pulls a pocket knife put of his pocket. He flicks the blade and lowers it to her throat menacingly. "Go ahead. I'll slit your throat."

Casey's chest constricts and she looks around desperately for anyone who may be around to help her. But this time of night there are only a few cars remaining, and none of them anywhere near Casey.

"There are surveillance cameras," Casey says, looking into his dark angry eyes. "Just let me go and I'll make sure they don't come after you. I have money in my purse- take it. Take my phone, my iPad, whatever you want. Just please let me go."

He laughs in her face, removing the blade from her neck. She lets out a relieved breath, even though she is still frightened and knows she is in danger.

"I don't want to take your stuff. I want to take your life."

Casey's stomach lurches so hard she's afraid she's going to vomit. She has never been this scared before. Even being beaten in her office she hadn't been this terrified. Her hands are shaking and she thinks of anything she can say or do to get out of this situation.

He looks her up and down, waving the knife in her face as a warning not to try anything. "You're very pretty. You got anyone waiting for you at home?"

Casey nods and is finally able to find her voice. "Yes - my girlfriend. She is waiting for me."

Casey imagines not being able to get away and never going home to Alex. She imagines how devastated Alex would be, how she would blame herself and never be able to move on. A tear slides down her cheek as she thinks of how heartbroken her Alex would be.

"That blonde from the courtroom? She's very pretty too." He runs the knife under her suit jacket and pops off a button. Casey immeaditely tenses, terrified of what his intentions are. "If you want I can let you go and find her instead."

Casey talks around the lump in her throat and shakes her head. "No - Please. Don't hurt her. Please."

He smiles, obviously expecting that reaction. He pops another button off and Casey finds her opportunity as he is distracted with her suit jacket.

She raises her leg and knees him in the groin - hard. So hard he cries out in surprise and stumbles away from Casey, letting go of her long enough to allow her to grab the door handle and open the driver's side door.

She's so close - all she has to do is get inside and slam the door and speed away. Seems so easy. But he is faster than expected and grabs her again, roughly pulling her away from the car.

"Bitch! Are you fucking stupid?!" He screams at her.

Casey is in full survival mode now, doing whatever she can to stay alive. She tries to kick him, but he's holding her too tight. She stomps down on the top of his foot and it's this action that sends him over the top.

Before Casey can comprehend what is happening, he plunges the knife into her stomach. Her mind doesn't register what has happened until she looks down and sees him slide the blade out. It's covered in blood, and she immeaditely feels unpleasant searing pain.

She winces, holding her hand over the wound in her stomach and looking at her attacker desperately. She's not one to beg; she has pride. But now she pleads for her life, asking through tears for him to not kill her and to just go away.

She wants to go home to Alex. She wants to see her blue eyes again, to feel her hand in hers, to become Casey Cabot.

She doesn't want to die in this parking garage.

She's bleeding badly but manages to still try and fighr him off. But he's too strong and she's weak from pain and blood loss, and he stabs her again right next to the original wound.

She's on the ground now, blood surrounding her and the room spinning. She's close to passing out and she knows it. The pain in her stomach is terrible, and she has no idea what vital organs he may have hit but right now she is sure she is dying.

He kneels down next to her, enjoying her fright and misery. "Awww, what's the matter? Does it hurt? Are you scared?"

Casey doesn't respond to him. She curls up in a ball, trying to protect herself from being hurt further.

"Your girlfriend is going to feel what I feel. Know what it's like to lose a loved one. Because you're going to die right here."

He kicks her hard, causing her to roll onto her side. She desperately tries to roll onto her stomach, but he stabs her again, this time in the chest.

Casey immeaditely feels her breath leave her and she tries to suck in air but she can't. She knows without a doubt that he hit a lung with that one. And she is also sure that is about to die.

He says something else to her but she's too far gone to hear it. She stops struggling, rolling onto her back and gasping to breathe.

After a few minutes she loses consciousness. And her attacker finally slips away back into the shadows when he is sure she is not breathing and doesn't feel a pulse.

Oh No! do you think Casey will survive this? How is Alex going to react?