Author's Note: I'm trying something new out with my A/N section. Seperating it from the others to avoid everything being saved in italics. Anyhows! I've written two new chapters for JC. This one is another personal one before the "Mish" begins a proper like. All hails and thanks again to Kuryakinsgirl for all her help and kind comments!

Disclaimer: Don't own Casey, but I have a dream. :) Actually I've had loads but lets not go there.

Enjoy. :)

The Approval

The shift at the Pie Shack had been a strange one, mainly due to Morgan Grimes wandering in with that Englishman. Alex had been rushed off her feet because-strangely-most of Burbank appeared to be in great need for pie, but she brightened immensely when He came through that door.

Yes, she may have been a little obvious about how she felt about him, blushing and giving him an extra large slice of pie, but his presence had lifted her spirits.

After she said goodbye to Morgan and Agent Barker in the courtyard, she practically skipped over to her father's door, elated that that long, hard and tiring shift had ended. She tightened the arm straps on her rucksack and rapped her knuckles on the door, sounding a cheery tune.

She had to say something to him, she had to let him know that she was happy and the reason behind it. There was no reply at first, but before she could knock again the door opened.

"Alex. Hi, I wasn't expecting you to call round-!" John's smile wasn't as uncomfortable as it used to look when he greeted her, but her presence had startled him.

"It's not a bad time is it?" she asked fondly. "You're not in a meeting or anything…are you?"

"No…not at all." Casey looked down at his hands and he realised that he was holding a broken casing from one of his computers. "I was just doing a bit of tidying up."

"Your computer broke huh? Want me to get Chuck or can I help?"

Casey sighed and shook his head.

"Can I come in and help you tidy then?"

"Well, I..."

Casey had managed to become comfortable in talking to his daughter about some subjects, but having to explain the state of his apartment and his relationship with Ellie was not one of them. He had feeling that he would have no choice in the matter.

He was right, Alex walked straight past him and when she caught sight of the apartment, she had to hide her grin by slapping her hand over her mouth. It was an absolute mess and ever since she had found out about her father, she had come to learn that he did not like mess. Everything in his home was ordered and spotless, all things had their place…but now…there was just chaos.

"This must be killing him!" She thought.

Alex could tell that this was not caused by any fight or burglary and when she eyed the broken recliner chair, both bits propped up on the wall, she had an inkling as to why. The smeared hand prints on the wall certainly told a lot as well, as did Casey's nervous shuffling and grumbling.

His face was blushing slightly. She never thought he could be embarrassed.

"What happened here?" gasped Alex, feigning shock and surprise in a marvellous sarcastic and dramatic display. "Were you attacked?"

"No." Casey snorted as he stepped over the debris and plonked the computer case on the table. "You know full well I wasn't."

Alex smiled and held out her hands in a "so?" gesture.

"What can I say? I inherited your sarcasm."

"That much is evident. So are you going to help me tidy up?"

Alex snorted back a very "Casey" or rather a "Coburn" snigger and shook her head. She gazed round the apartment and found a space by the window that looked relatively spotless. It could have been due to that place being untouched during the "ruckus" or her dad had simply cleaned there.

"I can offer advice and direct your tidying. However, I like Ellie. I like her a lot but knowing that you two caused this…I'm not touching anything. I'm just getting used to having a father. Not quite settled on the fact that he is still having sex. Like-" she waved a hand out. "-like this."

"Oh."

Casey went back to the broken computer, he was about to start placing the pieces back together but he looked up at his daughter and caught her smiling back at him. It was a natural and quite beautiful one, not the "Eww" grimace he'd seen seconds earlier.

"You…you like Ellie?" he queried.

Alex nodded, sincerely.

"I've talked to her, dad." she said, a few seconds after Casey had smiled to himself and continued with his tidying. "I think she is amazing, she listens and she's kind, considerate. I could really talk to her. I made a decision and Ellie has been a great help by supporting me. I've decided to stay here with you. Well…nearby. Mom is moving and…I love mom so much, don't get me wrong but the day you and I met I knew there was something…I'm like you, dad. You might not like it, you might think it's dangerous for me to know you, but we are a like. I should be with you."

As Alex blurted out her heart to him, Casey had assembled the computer back together and cleared away some glass and broken wood up off the floor. When Alex finally stopped talking, he was holding the broken frame of Reagan in his hand, peering down at it as if he were lost or sad.

"Dad? Do you not agree?"

"It is dangerous for you." he said, placing Reagan's picture delicately on the window sill behind her head. "What I do and who I am is incredibly dangerous for you and Ellie. Yet, anything I say won't be able to change your mind at all."

"Ellie told you already about my decision?" Alex sidled up to Casey's side and grinned as she tried to put her arms around him. He became a little stiff but the hug he eventually gave back to her was no Frankenstein monster's attempt at affection.

"Yes." Casey allowed Alex to rest her head against his chest.

"So you approve?"

"You need my approval?"

He got a slap on his chest and another "Coburn" grunt emitted from Alex as she broke apart the hug.

"Daa-ad."

Casey sighed and nodded his head.

"You wish to remain close to me, you and Ellie have made the same decision. I do not object."

"You approve?"

"I do not object."

Ah…the ever elusive secret agent response. An expected one from him, certainly at this stage. Alex was aware that their relationship wasn't going to be like a typical father/daughter had, but if John Casey was in a relationship with someone like Ellie Bartowski, it could be a possibility.