First of all I want to say thank you so much for reading this and for your reviews! I know some of the reviews are turning into wars between Olivia and Casey people, and that's okay - everyone is free to express themselves and you can't please everyone. But I hope you focus on the big picture - the story that is being told. I'm proud of this story, proud to have over 200 reviews, and proud to have so many faithful readers. SO THANK YOU! Continue to read and review and enjoy! And I do consider everyone's feedback and input when I write a new chapter - keep that in mind ;) Also, to address other comments - yes, Olivia IS coming back. And I won't spoil it and tell you how it ends but, but there will be drama, tough choices and heartbreak at one point or another for everyone. So you can see that there isn't a proper way to tag this as a ship while its in progress. Anyway, enjoy this one. It's the longest one yet.

I have to stay in the hospital until Sunday morning. It was absolutely ridiculous; besides being sore, I was fine and there were no complications with my injuries. But the nurses and Casey kept telling me it was for my "own good". Having to eat horrible hospital food and sleep in an uncomfortable hospital bed for a night was for my own good?

Casey wouldn't leave my side. She'd have you believing I was on my death bed by the way she was permanently attached to my bedside. She called my parents to let them know what had happened and they came up to visit me on Saturday afternoon. It was only then that I was able to convince Casey that it was okay to leave me and go home to change out of her dress, and even then she was reluctant to do so. My mom thought it was absolutely adorable how Casey wouldn't leave me. And my dad brought me a surprise from home – my stuffed unicorn I owned as a child. I used to love that thing. I would sleep with it at night and carry it around with me. It's so old and ratty now, but dad kept it. When he placed it on the bed beside me, I smiled and felt an overwhelming sensation of home and love.

Mom and dad stayed until the end of visiting hours on Saturday night. Mom shared more stories about me, which had Casey cracking up. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty as I watched Casey's easy banter with my parents. I was supposed to meet the Novaks today. If it wasn't for that accident, we would be at their house in Brooklyn. I know it's not my fault and I'm sure they understand, but I feel guilty just the same. Casey had been so looking forward to the weekend.

Casey. My favorite thing in my life right now. She's wonderful. She bought me flowers, balloons, a stuffed bear from the gift shop, and played my "get well" voicemail messages from the squad and everyone at the DA's office. McCoy had flowers sent to me as well. I couldn't stop laughing when Casey read the sentiment card from him and then commented, "If it were me in the hospital, he would have sent me poison ivy."

I can't stop thinking about what Casey told me. I don't think anything has ever upset me so much. When Casey had fallen asleep on Saturday night, I had stayed awake and just watched her sleep. I was in pain but that wasn't what was keeping me up. It was the thought that Casey had hated herself so much that she felt the only thing she could do was try and take her life. I had started to quietly cry as I looked at her asleep in her chair, holding my hand and wearing that beautiful dress she had put on just for me. I'm so glad she didn't die that night. I wouldn't have her here with me right now and I don't think I could handle that. We haven't been together long, but I already know that Casey is it for me. I have never felt this kind of love for another person.

When I'm finally released on Sunday morning, Casey goes into full fussing mode. And she's worse than my mother.

She had gone home to retrieve me some clothes to change out of my gown into, and she actually insists on carrying the plastic bag that contains my dress and shoes that I was wearing on the night of the accident. As if I can't handle a few ounces of fabric weight.

I had received a prescription for pain medication upon discharge and of course Casey won't take me home until we stop at the pharmacy to get it filled. I don't say so, but I'm grateful for that. The wound on my stomach is in such an unfortunate spot that just sitting upright in the car is killing me. I had thought the walk to the parking lot had been bad. Sitting is definitely worse. And my wrist aches quite badly too. Some relief won't hurt.

"Will you be okay waiting in the car while I go inside?" Casey asks, concern etched across her face.

"Of course. I don't think I'm going to fade away while sitting here waiting for you."

Casey smiles at my sarcastic comment, gives me a kiss, tells me she loves me, and then disappears into the pharmacy.

While she's gone, I allow myself to think back to that night. I still can't remember being hit. I remember talking to Casey on my phone. Maybe if I had been paying attention to the road in front of me I wouldn't be in this position right now.

But I know I got off lucky. Casey told me that five people died in that accident, and one girl is in a coma. Compared to that, I walked away easily. It could have been much worse. All I have to show for that night is a busted wrist, stiches on my forehead, and a deep wound on my stomach. People lost their lives all around me. I know I have no right to complain about any pain I'm feeling. It's selfish of me.

Casey also informed me that my car was another casualty of the accident. Not totaled, but still pretty bad off. My insurance will repair it but I don't care to be without a car for as long as that will take, so I told Casey that we'll go shopping for a new car for me as soon as I'm well enough. She wants me to drive her car in the meantime. She says she can bike to work, that she used to do it all the time.

I'm lost in my own thoughts when Casey opens the driver's side door and slides in behind the wheel. She places the paper bag containing my prescription in the compartment between us, and then gives me an odd look. "Alex? You okay? You in pain?"

"No," I answer a little too quickly. "I'm okay. I was just thinking…about that night."

Casey sighs and starts the car. "I wish I could forget it." She watches the road in front of her until she's pulled out of the parking lot, and then she steals a glance at me. "I'm so thankful I'm taking you home. I love you so much, Alex. I don't know what I would have done if…" she trails off and has to take a deep breath to keep from crying.

I want to reach out and take her hand but I'm facing her with my left side and can't maneuver my wrist enough to do so. So instead I turn my body, cringing internally at the pain it causes my stomach, and I reach out and touch her shoulder with my right hand. "I love you too, Casey. And you saved my life that night, do you realize that?"

She shoots me a confused look. "All I did was apply pressure to the wound on your stomach with my jacket. You're the one who held on, Alex. You're the one that fought."

"Only because you were there. You were talking me through what was happening. I was scared and in pain and I focused only on you and your voice. You got me through it."

"I was scared too, Alex. I thought I was losing you."

"But you didn't. I held on because of you and for you. So you did save my life, Casey. Whether you believe it or not. And you know what? I believe everything happens for a reason. That everyone has a destiny. Call it stupid, but it's what I've always believed. When you took those pills that night Casey, they didn't kill you because they weren't supposed to. You were meant to fall in love with me and save my life. And if I hadn't fallen in love with you and took you to that stupid fundraiser, you wouldn't have been there that night…and I wouldn't here right now." I give her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It was all meant to be, Casey. We were meant to be."

Casey looks at me again with tears in her eyes and just smiles. She doesn't say anything. But she doesn't have to – words aren't necessary. We both know.

Casey somehow manages to convince McCoy to let her have Monday off. It's completely unnecessary; I'll be fine on my own.

But I'm secretly glad I'm going to get to spend the day with her. Don't tell her I said that, though.

I'm taking the entire week off. Not by choice, I should mention. I'm perfectly capable of being at work. My brain still functions, I can still speak, I can still type one-handed and I can still sign my name. No reason for me to be home. My doctor released me with instructions to take a week off work and I would have ignored them if it weren't for a certain someone hovering around me. A certain someone I adore and would do anything for - including staying home for a week. Casey wants me to; so here I am.

"Guess what?" Casey says as she sits beside me on the couch and squeezes my knee. "I brought home pizza for lunch to celebrate McCoy being a human being for once and letting me take care of you today. And I have some juicy gossip about him."

"Casey, you don't have to take the day off to take care of me! I'm fine. I just have to be careful moving around and I still have a headache, but other than that I'm fine." And then curiosity gets the best of me. "How did you convince McCoy to let you have today off, anyway?" A devilish smile spreads across my face. "Did you entice him with sexual favors?"

My cute little suggestions receive a hard slap in the shoulder from my girlfriend. "Alex, that is disgusting! I can't believe you would even say that. You have a sick mind." I laugh as she shivers. "God. Just thinking about such a thing gives me the creeps. If I ever do anything with him I want you to just put me out of my misery, okay?"

I grin at her. "Will do. I'd never touch you again anyway."

I get another slap from Casey. She's so cute when she's irritated. I could sit here and pick at her all day long. And maybe I will. I have nothing better to do.

"You didn't even give me any kind of response about the pizza. Pizza is a huge deal. It deserved at least a smile or something. I went through all the trouble of calling and ordering the pizza and then picking it up on my way home from McCoy's office. Aren't you appreciative?" Casey tries to act serious but fails miserably when a smile creeps across her face.

"It depends. What did you get on the pizza? Anything I like?"

"Nope," she answers quickly, letting go off my knee and getting up off the couch. "I got everything you don't like." She gives me a kiss on the top of the head before she disappears into the kitchen.

I shake my head as I hear her clanging plates together as she gets them down from the cupboard. I can't believe my life is like this. Friday night I bursting with pride at Casey warming up to everyone at the fundraiser, and then I almost lost my life. And now here I am two days later sitting in my apartment with the most wonderful woman in the world who took the day off to take care of me. Life sure can be hard to figure out.

When Casey comes in with a plateful of pizza with me, I'm pleased to see she got exactly what I like. Thick crust with ham and pineapple. Casey hates pineapple.

She sits back down next to me, balancing her own plate on her lap and watching me closely. "Be careful eating that. Don't overuse your wrist."

I roll my eyes. "Okay mother."

Casey grabs the remote off the coffee table before I have a chance to grab it. "Let's find us something good on TV."

I put my plate down and take the remote from Casey. I'm not interested in watching TV right now. I'm more interested in the redhead sitting next to me. "Before we turn the TV on…you never told me how you convinced McCoy to let you have today off. And I believe you mentioned something about gossip?"

Casey looks away from me quickly, suddenly finding the slice of pizza she's working on very intriguing. "I just told him I wanted to keep an eye on you for one more day. Because of course you are far too independent for your own good. He understood, and gave me today off."

Somehow that story is hard to believe. McCoy never gives his ADAs a day off unless they are on their deathbed. Casey brought my doctor's note into his office today so that's my excuse…but Casey's is really hard to wrap my mind around.

She changes the subject quickly. "And the gossip is good. Guess who was in his office when I got there?"

Now I'm actually interested. I raise my eyebrows. "Who?"

"Aaron Monahan."

The Attorney General. McCoy's boss. His visits are few and far between, and usually only regarding important matters or to reprimand McCoy. I wonder what he was doing there?

"McCoy seemed…off. Not really upset or anything. Just distant. Like he was hiding some sort of secret."

Usually I'm not one to speculate or get into gossip, but I can't help but be very curious as to what the meeting was about. The spiteful part of me actually hopes he did something wrong. If McCoy is in trouble, I want to know what he did. I want to rub it in his face the way he rubs Casey's mistake in hers every day.

We finish off the pizza and overanalyze the entire situation. Casey of course has me laughing with her outlandish ideas as to what it could be about, which proves to be very painful on my healing stomach.

I'm holding my stomach and trying to suppress my laughter as Casey attaches herself to my side and kisses my cheek. "Sorry, baby. I didn't mean to make you laugh. Just take it easy. Sit back." The pain subsides and Casey smiles and smoothes my hair away from my forehead. "I'll take care of you. Just relax."

The idea of someone taking care of me has always horrified me. I've always hated coddling. I would never allow it - not from my mother, or even Olivia. Whenever anyone would start to fuss over me, I'd become cold and defensive.

But with Casey it's different. I love her hands on me, comforting me. I love the way she looks at me, and the sweet way she told me she would take care of me. I think back to our conversation in the car the day before, when I told Casey she saved my life. I had meant it. Casey did save my life. And not just by keeping me alive that night. She mended my broken heart and made me whole again. I'm alive and breathing and not lost in a deep sea of depression because of her.

I don't know how it happens. By all rights it shouldn't. I'm still sore and the slightest movement causes me great pain, but somehow Casey and I find ourselves in my bedroom, completely de-clothed and underneath my bedspread. I'm lying on my back and Casey is touching me gently everywhere I like.

She's so soft and caring with me, and asks me every few seconds if her touching me is causing me any discomfort at all. As if that could ever happen. I don't think Casey is capable of hurting anyone.

I feel so good right now. There's no way I could feel pain. All I feel is pleasure as Casey's hands caress my thighs and then the side of my stomach and then finally travel up to my breasts. I have to bite my lip and squeeze my eyes closed to stop the cry of passion that wants to escape my lips.

After Casey has finished her tour of my body, she lies back beside me and pulls me to close to her, guiding my head to her chest. I try to pull away - I want to bring her the same amount of pleasure she brought me. But Casey holds tight on me and tells me to lay down.

I rest my head on Casey's chest again and am about to object when Casey says, "No, Alex, just relax. Don't strain yourself. I told you I would take care of you. That's what I'm doing." She's running her hands up and down my arm, providing a great deal of comfort. "Just enjoy it. Today is for you, honey. I'm here today all for you. We can stay in bed all day just cuddled up together if that's what you want."

What I really want is to make love to my girlfriend and make her feel how much I love her, but I know my limitations right now. But cuddling together with the person I love most in this world makes for a good day too.

The next two days I barely see Casey. She's gone by seven AM and doesn't come home until after eleven PM. She texts me constantly throughout the day to make sure I'm still alive and by the time she comes home she's so exhausted that we go to bed right away.

I can't help feeling guilty. She's having to pick up my share of the work too and although she doesn't complain, I know it's wearing her out.

So on Thursday I decide to surprise her for lunch. I make sure to take one of my pills for pain and I hob in a cab and head to her office a little before one PM.

Casey is staring at her computer screen while rubbing her temples when I strut into her office. It puts a frown on my face; my baby is working way too hard this week.

It makes me feel guilty again. I didn't want to be off for a week. I know it's only practical – and I do need to let my body heal – but poor Casey has been left to pick up my slack on one of our busiest weeks.

I can only imagine what sitting hunched over a desk would do the healing wound on my stomach, but I don't care. I'd be willing to do it for Casey.

She looks up as I approach her desk, and her earlier look of concentration has been broken and replaced with a smile. "Alex!" She stands and gives me a hug, being mindful of the cast on my arm. "What a pleasant surprise!" Then her smile fades in an instant. "But you should be home resting…"

I almost laugh at her. Just seconds ago she was thrilled to see me…now she's lecturing me. Isn't love grand?

I give her a kiss on the cheek. "I should be…but I was going crazy. I have read every book in the apartment, and there's nothing good on cable or Netflix." I venture a gaze at the stack of folders and papers on her desk. "Besides, it looks like you could use some help. Let me take you out and buy you lunch, then I'll come back here and help you knock this stuff out."

"Lunch yes, you helping me – no."

"But Casey, I am perfectly capable of helping out! You have been working between twelve and fifteen hours every day this week! I just have a broken arm, a wound on my head, and a wound on my stomach. I'm not an invalid. My brain still functions."

"If your brain was functioning properly, you would have known better than to even suggest such a thing to me. Even though you won't admit it, you are human and you had a traumatic experience and you need to heal. And it's my job to make sure you do." She reaches down by her desk and picks up her purse, slinging it over her shoulder. "But lunch is okay – let's go."

I don't offer any further resistance. I may be able to wear her down at the restaurant. I'm already thinking of what I'm going to say as we step out into the hall – and into McCoy's path.

He eyes us both, seemingly surprised to see me. Then a smile crosses his face and he locks eyes with me. "Alex! Wonderful to see you. You're looking well."

I force a smile back. "I'm feeling better. Anxious to return to work on Monday."

"What brings you here today?"

I turn and pat Casey on the arm. "Taking my beautiful girlfriend out to lunch."

It's amazing that a few short months ago I would have been mortified to say such a thing in front of my boss. I never would have even touched Casey. But now it doesn't bother me. I made the decision that I'm proud to be with Casey and that will never change, no matter who doesn't like it. Including my boss.

McCoy turns his attention to Casey without another word to me. "Casey, did you proof read your notes on the Durbin case? I can't stress enough how important the case is."

"Yes, sir, I do realize. And I proof read it twice," Casey tells him quickly.

He keeps his eyes on her. "Do it again. And have it on my desk in an hour." Then he nods at me and continues on to his destination; probably to make someone else miserable.

Casey's face falls and she looks at me apologetically. "I'm sorry, Alex. I guess I'd better get to that."

I am furious right now. Furious! How can McCoy do this to Casey? I realize he doesn't like her, but overworking her and making her miserable is out of line. And she has every right to take a lunch.

I squeeze Casey's arm. "You said you read it twice. I'm sure it's fine. Don't let him do this to you, Case."

She looks down the hall where McCoy disappeared to sadly, then looks back at me. "I can't take the chance. I'm sorry. I'll see you at home."

As she turns to go back into her office, I grab her again and give her a kiss. I know I said I wouldn't do this at work…but I don't care anymore. It doesn't matter. My kiss gets an immediate smile from my girlfriend, and I make her a promise. "I'll bring you back something, okay?"

Then I let her go and as soon as he office door is shut, I start out on my quest to find McCoy.

His secretary tells me he's in a meeting with the Attorney General. Again? I wonder what they could be discussing. It's rare for the Attorney General to even call this office, let alone have meetings here twice in a week.

"Please tell Mr. McCoy that I'm waiting to see him and that it's a matter of importance," I instruct the secretary as I take a seat to wait. I cringe at the pain it causes me to sit down. I have to lean back slightly in the chair to be comfortable, which is awkward.

I'm thinking about what I want to say as I wait. I think I'll open with telling McCoy he needs to lay off Casey, that she's been working long hours these past few days and she's entitled to go out to lunch with her girlfriend. I'm going to tell him to stop sending Casey on drycleaning runs – she's not his personal assistant.

I wait for an hour and a half. McCoy's door never opens. Whatever he and Aaron Monahan are discussing, it must be big.

Finally, the secretary's line rings. I know immediately that it's McCoy. I try to eavesdrop without it being obvious, and I'm able to pick up on a couple words. "Yes, she's still here. Okay, sir. Yes. I will tell her." Then she secretary hangs up the phone and looks up at me. "Miss Cabot?"

I already know I'm being blown off. "Yes?"

"Mr. McCoy wants me to give you his apologies, but his meeting is going to run pretty late. He's asked if you could come at opening of business tomorrow? He says he would like to talk to you as well."

I tell the secretary I'll be there, and then leave the building to call a cab to take me home.

So McCoy wants to see me too. I have a pretty good idea what this is about.

I'm awakened very early the next morning by a cell phone ringing. My wake up reflexes are quite slow, so it takes me a moment to react. I'm just pulling myself into a sitting position when Casey switches on the bedside lamp on her side of the bed.

"It's my phone," she tells me quickly, grabbing her phone from the nightstand. She looks at the caller ID, lets out a groan, and puts it to her ear. "Good morning, Mr. McCoy, what can I do for you?"

I steal a glance at the alarm clock. It's only ten after five! What in the world would McCoy being calling Casey this early for? Casey is never up before seven AM, and she isn't due in to work until nine.

After a moment, Casey says, "Does it have to be done now? I didn't get a lot of sleep, and…okay. Yes, I understand. I'll take care of it."

Don't tell me McCoy is telling Casey she has to go into work right now! That is unacceptable! Casey didn't get home until after eleven last night and she was so exhausted that she passed out on the couch after I practically force-fed her dinner. She hadn't eaten all day and I wasn't about to let her go to bed without eating. It broke my heart to have to wake her so she could go to bed. If she hadn't had to work in the morning, I would have just curled up on the couch next to her and slept there all night.

Casey needs her sleep. The way McCoy is treating her is wrong…and it ends right now.

Without a word I slide over to Casey and grab her cell phone away from her. The sudden movement causes a burning in my stomach, but I ignore it. Casey is looking at me with a bewildered expression as I put the phone to my ear. "Jack? Alex Cabot." I don't even give him a chance to react. "Jack, if you are asking Casey to get out of bed and come into the office, I'm sorry to inform you that it won't be happening. Casey has put in extra hours every day this week and came home exhausted every night. She needs her rest. Doing the work of two ADAs is hard, and you should want her to fully rested. So Casey will see you at nine AM. And so will I."

There's a long pause. And then, "Very well, Alex."

I click off the phone, hand it back to Casey, and settle back down against my pillow. "There you go. Now go back to sleep."

Instead of lying back down and turning off the light, Casey starts to laugh. "That was great, Alex! Epic, actually. I would have loved to have seen his face." She switches off the lamp and then suddenly she's lying right next to me, her arm draped across me and I can feel her breath on my neck. "You are such a badass, Cabot." She kisses my neck and this time lowers her voice to a sultry whisper. "A very sexy badass."

I wish I could roll onto my other side to face her, but it makes for an awkward sleeping position with the cast on my wrist. So instead I reach behind me and seek out Casey's hand. It's so warm and soft. I give it a squeeze. "I love you. You're the best. And I won't let McCoy push you around."

Casey doesn't answer, and I can tell from her steady breathing that she's fallen back asleep. So I keep a hold of her hand and give in to the land of slumber as well.

I don't want Casey to know I'm meeting with McCoy, so I wait until nine-thirty to go to his office. The hallway should be a safe zone. Casey is probably working on her court schedule for the day so I'm not too afraid of running into her.

I feel a little guilty going behind her back, but she needs someone to stick up for her. The way she is being treated is wrong and it needs to stop. This morning's five AM wake up call was the last straw. And if I don't get satisfaction here, I will go over McCoy's head.

He's expecting me, so I'm ushered right into his office. He regards me with a smile and a handshake, which I'm obligated to return.

"You're looking well, Alex. How are you feeling?" he asks, as if he really cares.

But I'm not interested in talking about myself here, and I make that clear. "I'm fine. I actually came here to talk to you about Casey."

He holds up his hand to stop me. "I'm glad you came in. And I was going to call you in for a meeting myself. We have a few things to discuss. Casey being one of them." He picks up his phone receiver from his desk and hits a line. "Karen. Please send Casey Novak to my office immediately. Thank you."

Great. He wants to see us both at the same time. My earlier suspicions have been confirmed; this is about the little kiss we shared at the fundraiser.

"I mean no disrespect, but I'd like to talk to you without Casey present."

McCoy nods. "I'm sure you would. But I'd like to talk to you both, and since I'm a very busy man, we're going to kill two birds with one stone. You'll have your turn to say your piece, I promise you."

A few minutes later Casey comes in. Her eyes go from me to McCoy, and then back to me. I can't really describe her expression; I'd call it deer-in-the-headlights. She thinks she's in trouble.

McCoy motions for her to take a seat, which she does, in the chair next to me. She looks at me again and I make sure to look her in the eyes and nod so she knows it's okay. At least I think it is.

Neither of us speaks. Whatever McCoy has to say, it's his right to say it first. We're his employees. We have to sit here as long as he wants us to and wait for him to get on with it.

But thankfully we don't have to wait long. McCoy sighs and sits back in his chair. After a moment's contemplation, he says, "I really didn't think we were going to have an issue here." He gestures towards us. "The two of you together. I thought I had made it clear when Alex revealed your relationship to me that I had no issues with it as long as it stayed out of the office. Alex and Detective Benson were together for years, and they always seemed to obey my rules. I understand the two of you work more closely and temptation may get the best of you, but I really expected more from the two of you."

I frown in confusion. "In what ways have we made this an issue? Because we kissed at that fundraiser? That was a social function outside of work, I hardly think it qualifies – "

"Alex, please don't second-guess me. The two of you are held to a higher standard. You represent me, this office, and the people of New York. What you do in your personal time is none of my business, but as long as you are representing me and among colleagues, I expect you to remain professional. No kissing, no hand holding, no excessive touching."

I open my mouth and am about to interject, when Casey does so. "Would we be having this conversation at all if one of us was a man?"

Oh boy. I can tell just from the tone in her voice that she's angry. I am too, but I can control what I do and say a little bit better than Casey can. I wish she would let me do the talking here. She's completely right, but she's going to dig herself into a hole.

McCoy shifts his entire focus to Casey. "I'm not sure I understand?"

"You'll have to excuse me if my memory of that night isn't as sharp as usual…I almost lost the love of my life on our way home. But what I do remember – and very vividly, I might add – is seeing State Senators, judges and the Chief of Police all hugging and kissing their spouses of the opposite sex. I know Alex and I aren't married, but it's the same difference. Are their bosses all giving them the same speech that Alex and I are having the extreme privilege of getting to hear right now?"

McCoy is mad. I swear I can actually see his face turning red. Casey pushed his buttons – all the way to maximum. He's going to explode and it's going to be a mess to clean up.

"Casey, you know it's different," McCoy says slowly, emphasizing each word. He's doing a pretty good job maintaining his calm. I'm impressed. "As much as you want the world to be accepting of your lifestyle, the sad reality is that you will always find those whom it matters to. Personally I don't care who you choose to date…but others do, and you can't be throwing your relationship in their faces. You are a professional and you must remain so at all times." And as a side note he adds, "I know that's difficult for you."

Casey ignores his snide little comment and lays right into him. "I agree with what you said, but you know what? The people who care that Alex and I are together are people that I don't have any use for. If they're going to judge two people who love each other just because they are the same sex…well, I'm sorry, but they are none of my concern."

"None of your concern, maybe, but they are of mine. Desist of all displays of affection at any event with any superiors or colleagues present while you are representing me. I have given you an order, Casey. An order that I expect you to follow. Have I made myself clear?"

It's funny; he gave the order to both of us, but he looks at only Casey with his last words. He's staring at her, just waiting for her to defy him, and she stares right back.

I chose this as my time to jump in. Before Casey shovels any more dirt out of her hole. Even though he is completely wrong and Casey is completely right, I know we do still have to obey his wishes. So reluctantly I say, "Yes sir. Very clear. It won't be an issue any more."

Casey immediately looks at me, a look of shook on her face. I can tell there's something she wants to say to me but I get the feeling I'll be hearing it in private….very soon.

McCoy nods and I expect him to dismiss us both, but he's not finished with us yet. He clears his throat and takes a sip of his coffee before continuing. And when he does, his full attention is on Casey again, as if I'm not even there.

"Now that that's settled, we can move on to the next issue. Casey…your job performance."

I glance at Casey and I see her visibly stiffen and I'm suddenly very nervous. Has she done something wrong? Is she not okay working on her own? If McCoy has something to say to her regarding the job she's been doing, I have no right to hear this. And he has no right to bring it up in front of me.

"Would you like me to step out for this?" I ask, unsuccessfully trying to hide my nervousness.

McCoy looks at me. "Only if Casey wants you to. Casey?"

She's looking at me, begging me with her eyes to stay and be her ally. "You can stay, Alex. I didn't do anything wrong," she finally says.

McCoy wastes no time challenging what she just said. "Actually, Casey, you have. Your work these past few days has not been up to par. Your reports have been sloppy, you lost a case yesterday you easily should have won, you were short with a witness that you prepped, and your attitude has been very poor. Care to give me an explanation?"

I watch Casey closely. She's staying calm, which I'm proud of her for, but I can tell she's upset and embarrassed. And I find myself angry with McCoy again – how could he do this in front of me? Does he hate Casey so much that he enjoys humiliating her in front of her girlfriend?

"Yes, I do have an explanation. My girlfriend nearly died. I've been working fifteen hours a day and getting very little sleep. I'm exhausted and using energy drinks just to get through the day. And on top of all that, you've made me your little errand girl." So much for staying calm. She's mad now. "Tell me, Mr. McCoy, do you need your car washed today, or do I need to pick up more drycleaning for you?"

McCoy's face flashes again. "Casey – you know what your problem is? You're a reactive personality."

Casey has a quick comeback for that. "And you know what your problem is? You're an asshole."

Suddenly the office grows so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everything seems to go in slow motion. I turn my head and look at Casey, my mouth dropping open in shock and horror. I cannot believe she just said that to our boss.

And neither can McCoy. He is so flustered he has no idea what to say to her. The two of them are sitting there staring each other down, and suddenly McCoy's door open and his secretary appears in it. Casey's saving grace.

"Mr. McCoy, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need you out here."

He slowly rises from his chair, not taking his eyes off Casey. Once he's standing, he points right at her, his face still red. "You don't move. I'll be right back."

As soon as he closes the door behind himself, I turn to Casey and let her have it. "Do you have any idea what you just did?"

"Yes. I called a spade a spade."

This is no time for her to be cocky or sarcastic. When I've gathered the appropriate words to express my anger, I point at the door and tell her, "Casey, you can't talk that way to our boss! When he gives you an order, you follow it! You have to stop doing this! That right there – what you said – is insubordination. And what's worse is you said it in front of me! You made me McCoy's witness! I don't have immunity just because I'm your girlfriend!"

Casey matches my angry tone. "Oh, but he can talk to me the way he does? And that's okay?"

"No, it isn't; it's deplorable. But there's nothing you can do it about it. Has he ever said anything inappropriate to you?"

"No…"

"Then you can't do a damn thing, Casey. There's no law against being an asshole to someone so yes, he will get away with it. It's not fair, I agree, but you have to just take it. I do. I put up with his bullshit without flying off the handle to him."

"You don't know, Alex, because he's different with you. He demeans me every chance he gets. He talks down to me. He treats me like his slave. I'm sick of putting up with it. I shouldn't have to. And you should be ashamed of yourself, Alex! How did you get to be such a brown-noser?"

I'm taken aback by that. "Excuse me?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Don't play dumb. How could you sit there and let him give that despicable speech about our relationship being different? It was complete bigotry, Alex. And all you did was say, 'Yes sir, it won't happen again.' I'm so disappointed in you."

Unfortunately I don't get a rebuttal. At the exact moment Casey is finished speaking, McCoy comes back into the office and resumes his earlier position behind his desk. I wonder if he can pick up on the sudden chill in the room. I'm surprised there aren't icicles hanging from his desk."

He decides to mince no words. "Casey, what you said was highly inappropriate. I'd like an apology."

"I'm not giving you one. I meant it," Casey says sternly. "You haven't shown me any respect these past few days. You haven't even treated me like a human being. Why should I apologize for having the guts to say what's true?"

That was not what McCoy wanted to hear. Her sighs deeply. "Strike two, Casey. As a baseball player you should understand this concept. One more strike and you're out. Keep going if you'd like."

I can't sit here and watch my girlfriend commit career suicide. I have to stop her before she does something even more regrettable. I take a deep breath and reach out and touch her arm. She immediately frowns at me and pushes my hand away, but I don't care. She's going to hear what I have to say anyway. "Casey…just stop. Calm down. I know you're upset. But please…stop."

And to my relief, she does. Whatever sarcastic comment was on its way out of her mouth has aborted its mission. She looks away from me and sits back in the chair, seemingly accepting defeat. At least for now. And when I'm satisfied she isn't going to lose it again, I relax a little.

"You can go back to work, Casey," McCoy says, and Casey quickly gets up from her chair, only to have McCoy stop her with his words. "But before you do – please know this. And I'll dumb it down so even you can understand it."

I glare at McCoy. I understand his anger towards Casey, but that doesn't give him the right to be so hurtful towards her.

"I hired you back because you're good at what you do and we needed someone capable. But your attitude stinks. Frankly, I didn't think you'd last this long. I felt confident that I could hire you, get what I needed from you, and you'd get yourself fired again before you caused me problems. You flaunt your unprofessionalism like it's a tattoo. I'm not proud to have you as one of my ADAs. It's not an honor to be your boss, and I don't feel honored to have you serve me. So just go back to your job – and keep this in the back of your mind."

Casey gives me one sad look as she heads for the door. I can barely bring myself to look at her. I know those words have to hurt, and that compounded with our argument…I feel horrible for Casey. I want to get up and follow her out the door and wrap her in my arms and tell her I love her and that McCoy is full of shit and that she's the best ADA he has ever had…but I don't.

After the adequate amount of time has elapsed, I lock my eyes on McCoy and say, "That was hurtful. You didn't need to do that to her."

"And what she said to me wasn't hurtful?"

"Come on, Jack! You've been called worse than that in the courtroom! Casey made a mistake years ago, and she's paid for it. You don't need to make her continue to pay for it everyday. And you can't make her run errands for you. It's not part of her job. And calling her at five AM to come into work? No wonder she exploded on you. She needs a break." In that split second I make a decision that overrides everyone else's. "I'm coming back to work tomorrow. I can write, I can type, I can speak; there's no reason I can't work. Casey doesn't need this all on her."

I expect an argument on my announcement that I'm coming back to work, but instead McCoy switches gears quickly. "Why are you wasting your time with Casey Novak? She has no future. You do. You're the brightest star we have, Alex." McCoy leans over his desk so he's closer to me. "Don't do anything to jeopardize that. You know the game. Choose your associations carefully."

This feels like a lead-in to something, but I can't let what he said about Casey just drop. "Casey has a future, Jack. She's brilliant. She's outspoken and opinionated. Maybe you don't think she has one – maybe she doesn't either – but I do. And I'd hardly call being with Casey 'wasting my time'. I love her. She's the person I love and the person I choose to be with. I wouldn't be here without her. Life is hard, but what I've realized is that all that matters is love. If you have someone who loves you by your side holding your hand and believing in you, then you can walk away from the rest of the world together. Stronger, because you are no longer two people. You're one."

My Hallmark card worthy sentiment is lost on McCoy. He gives no reaction at all to what I've just said. "Casey isn't the only issue I wanted to discuss with you, Alex."

I had a feeling that might be the case. "So what else is there?"

He takes a moment to answer, studying me carefully. "You're the best person I've ever had. A promotion is going to be available soon. I can't tell you what or when yet, but I can tell you that it would life-changing for you. You are right at the top of the list of people being considered. Don't let that person you're choosing to be with spoil it for you."

Then he excuses himself to go to a meeting and leaves me sitting there in his office alone, trying to absorb everything that has just happened.

Okay...I worked really hard on this one! What does everyone think? Do you like, dislike? Agree/disagree with Casey and Alex's actions? What do you think will happen now? Please review and let me know!