Casey walked through the squad room, pulling her bag behind her, a garment bag over her arm. You could feel the tension pulsing as people raced around, and the noise was high. She ignored the stares of various people in the room as she made her way directly to Olivia's office. Seeing Olivia was at her desk, and alone she opens the door without knocking entered.
Looking up immediately from her computer Olivia looked a little shocked to see Casey standing there, and then realisation dawned on her. "If you are going to stand a woman up for dinner, it is only polite to leave her a bar tab to drown her sorrows or be the most amazing dick she has ever had so she will still come back ". Olivia immediately looked down at her phone to see that it was almost 8:30 on Friday night. "Shit Casey, I am so sorry we caught a case, and it has moved so fast I completely forgot".
"Well, it is good to know I am memorable, but as I am staying with you, it makes me wonder if I still am". Standing and walking around the desk to greet Casey, Olivia embraces Casey in a tight hug. "I am so sorry, and you are staying with me. I even have a spare set of keys for you, and there is an eight-year-old looking forward to breakfast with you in the morning". Olivia grinned as she pulled back from the hug.
There is a sharp knock at the door, "Cap, we have a lead on a location; we are going to head out". Fin says before he even sees Casey standing there. "Casey, long time no see, come here, girl". Fin made his way over to give her a hug lifting her off the ground. "Congratulations, old man, heard you didn't get married, and thanks for the invite; mine must have gotten lost in the mail". Casey laughed. Fin just smiled at her. "I just saved you a trip for a non-event, that is all".
Olivia interrupted them in their catch up "Sorry, Fin, you said you have a lead". "Yeah, we are heading out. You want to come as well.". He asked her quickly. "Yes, I will, Sorry Casey, we have to go". Going to her handbag and pulling out the keys for Casey, she handed them over. "I am going to be here most of the night head to my place. Noah should be in bed, and if you don't mind, send Lucy home. Feel free to sleep in my bed". Casey raises her eyebrows and is about to make a comment sitting on the tip of her tongue. However, Fin beat her to it. "Lucky you, Casey, many have tried and failed, but all you had to do was show up". They both burst out laughing, and Olivia shot them both a dirty look.
"Call me when you know what you are up to, so I know what I need to do with Noah in the morning if you are not back yet". Casey and Olivia nodded at each other, knowing that would happen from their experience. Following Fin and Olivia out of the office, she lets them all jump in the elevator and, before the doors close, "I will let Lucy know you are on your way, and she is fine to leave Noah with you". Olivia says.
It takes a few minutes for the elevator to come back up, and as the door opens, a tall, well-built man walks out of the elevator. Looking up from her phone Casey realised who it is. "Stabler, what the fuck are you doing here?". Smiling and instantly knowing who the voice belonged to ", My Sarg, wanted me to drop some files to the Captain on my way home". Turning toward the room, Casey points to the empty desks. "As you can see, they are not here. They just left. Drop them on her desk, and you can give me a lift". Nodding in silent agreement, he walks to drop off the files in Olivia's office, writing her a quick note and sticking it to the front of the files. Then makes his way back to meet Casey.
"So where am I taking you". Elliott asks to make polite conversation as Casey looks at him and makes him feel a little uncomfortable. "Liv's place, please. I am staying at her place while I am in town for McCoy's retirement party, you going?". Elliot nodded. "I guess I will see you tomorrow night then". "Yes, you will. I am sure we will have even more to catch up on by then." Elliott grabbed Casey's bag and walked her toward his car. Opening the door for her to get in and putting her bags in, he made his way to the driver's side.
"It is good to see you, Stabler. I am sorry about everything with your wife." Casey said sincerely to him. "Thanks, Casey." He smiled gently, turned the car on and pulled away, heading toward Olivia's apartment. It is only a short drive from the precinct, without traffic on the roads. Considering it is a week before Christmas and cold out, she is happy for the lift. "Thanks for the lift Stabler, I appreciate it. I didn't want to get a cab with all my stuff."
"That is fine. Happy to be of service." Casey smiled at him as she jumped out. Elliot got out and grabbed her bags to give to her as she pulled the keys from her pocket to let herself into the building.
Knocking on the door before she put the keys in the lock not to scare Lucy, Casey opened the door and was bowled into by Noah. "Casey." He shouted into her stomach as she laughed at the over the excitement of his greeting. "At least someone is happy to see me tonight". Ruffling Noah's hair and returning his hug, "Hi, Lucy, I'm Casey". After greeting each other, Lucy let herself out. Noah excitedly talked to Casey about his dance class in the morning and the sleepover at his best friend's house. "OK, well, we will need to do a few things for mom in the morning before your class, so you need to head to bed and get some sleep". Noah got up and heading to his bedroom. "Will you read me a book, Casey",
"Nope, you can read to me. I don't know how to read". Noah giggled at "Yes, you do, you are a lawyer cause you can read." Making a noise of understanding. "That is true. Maybe I am just too tired after my long day." Jumping into bed and pulling up the sheets around himself. Casey pushed Noah further across the bed and then sat next to him. Noah grabbed his Ghost Hunters book and started to read to Casey. Yawning as he finished the chapter, she finished tucking him in and said good night.
Grabbing her bags and heading into Liv's bedroom, Casey grabbed out everything she needed for the night. She plugged in the phone charger and hung her dress in Liv's wardrobe. Moving around Olivia's space, Casey went through the steps of getting ready and making a list of things that would have to be done in the morning before they left the apartment in the morning.
Around 11:00 pm, Olivia called Casey. "I am so sorry about tonight."
"It's all good, Liv. Don't even worry about it. What do I need to do for Noah tomorrow".
"Thank you, His dance bag is all ready to go. He will need to pack for the sleepover. Two changes of clothes and underwear, pyjamas, toothbrush and the basics. He should be able to do it on his own you will need to check it for him."
"OK, you heading into integration now. Yes, we are. OK, no worries, I will sort out breakfast, and we will swing past before dance class. What time is that, and can you text me an address? Do you want a change of clothes, or do you have something there?"
"I am good for a change. I have just sent you the address. Noah is spending the night with his friend Daniel's. His mother is Rosalin, and she will be at the class. Noah can introduce you. The class is at 10:00 tomorrow morning."
"OK, I can do that. I am going to head to bed now".
"Thanks, Casey. I appreciate this, and I will make it up to you".
"Ohhh, you will, as luck would have it, I ran into Stabler. You have been holding out on me".
"Yeah, I wanted to wait until we were face to face. You know it's complicated."
"You do know he is going tomorrow."
"Is he."
"That was not remotely convincing. We will talk about that tomorrow. I hung my dress in your wardrobe and have seen your dress, and you knew he was going"
Olivia laughed at how to direct Casey always is as they hung up
Turning her alarm on, Casey jumped in the bed and passed out almost immediately. It had been a big few months, and she was looking forward to catching up with her friends over the weekend before heading back to work on Tuesday.
After getting up at her alarm, Casey showered and dressed in skinny jeans and layered a t-shirt and jumper. Walking and waking up Noah to get ready for the day, she had him pack his bag she checked he had everything he needed. They headed out the door. "Why are we leaving so early?" Hailing a cab, she gave him an address, and Noah smiled.
They jumped out of the car and walked inside their destination, and got what they needed. Heading back out, "Mom and everyone are going to be so excited", Noah said with a smile from ear to ear. Walking the short distance to the precinct, they went inside. Noah was holding two special deliveries. Walking straight to Fin and handing him the two specially chosen Jelly doughnuts, Noah knows they are his favourite. "Thanks, little man, my favourite", came the enthusiastic response. He headed into his mother office with the other deliver. Casey dropped the other boxes of doughnuts on a random desk and gave a quick shout for everyone to help themselves.
Following Noah into Olivia's office, he was already sitting in her lap with the box on her desk. Olivia hugged Noah as a thank you for the thoughtful gesture. They opened the box, and Noah grabs the doughnut he chose for himself and stuffed a considerable bit into his mouth. Olivia held hers and ate it as well. "Thanks, Casey, this is good. I have not eaten since lunch yesterday." "Did you get what you needed?' Casey asked as discretely as possible. "Yes, we got what we needed last night. Just doing the last of the paperwork now, and I will be able to go to class with you guys if you can give me 30 minutes."
"Can do. It might also be easier if a stranger isn't handing you, child, over for a sleepover". Laughing at the "you may have a point there". A short while later, Fin dropped off the finalised paperwork for Olivia to sign. After she reviewed and signed off what was needed, she made her way to her office door. "OK, everyone, thank you for your amazing work on this. Now pack up and go get some sleep, and I will see you all next week".
Turning back to Casey and Noah, "OK, you two, let's go dancing". Heading out to Olivia's car, they drove to the class. They were able to watch Noah dance which always made Olivia happy. Once the class was over and Noah was on his way, they headed back to the apartment. "Go to bed; Liv gets a few hours. I will wake you up by 4:00 so we have time to get ready, and we can have something to eat before we leave. I have no idea what food will be there tonight and If I have to choose between food and drink to fit in my dress. I know what my choice is."
After a few hours of sleep, Olivia woke up and at least felt refreshed after the last two days. Getting out of bed, she showered and put on some leggings and a t-shirt while they were getting ready. Walking out to the lounge room, Casey was watching a movie on the couch. "Well, hello, sleeping beauty. You ready to come out and play now." Olivia nodded at her friend. "I am all yours now, oh wise one." "Dam right", Casey joked back. "Is it too early for us to start drinking?" "Yep, Casey, if we are going to be able to stand and not make assholes out of ourselves, we can only have two before we leave, or it will not end in a respectable evening."
"I have not once said I was respectable, Liv. So we are going to have this Stabler conversation sober, are we?" Audibly groaning at the thought of this conversation, "Looks like it." Opening her eye in surprise at how easily Olivia agreed to this conversation, Casey launched into it. "So what the fuck happened? I know about his wife and all that and the trial. But he does not come to the precinct at 9:30 pm looking like that for no reason, and holy shit is he looking good, he looks like he could bench press me."
"Things had kind of sorted themselves out buy the Fin's non-wedding, after the while 'I love you' at the intervention thing we just ignored it and moved past it. So we had just been building on being able to work together and spend some time together. We had a moment at Fin's wedding that caught me by surprise, I guess. I just gave up on what I felt for him years ago after he left, and I didn't know what to do with everything now. Then a few weeks ago, we had a moment." Casey's eyebrows shot up to her head. "A moment, what does that mean."
"I don't know. I guess you could say we kissed." Looking a little startled, "Well, either you kissed, or you did Liv, most people can tell when they have kissed someone." Agreeing with what Casey said, "Well, usually I would agree with you, we were here, and he was leaving after having dinner with Noah and me. We were close both there at the moment, and we grazed lips, I guess you would say, and then Noah came tearing out of his room screaming his head off as he had a nightmare, and the moment was just gone. We have seen each other since but have not been alone, and we have just been skirting around it."
"So is the reason for the spectacular dress." Nodding, she asked, "Is the dress too much?". "Fuck no, that dress is hot as fuck and will look amazing on you, just remember cum stains velvet." The fact that Casey could say shit like that and keep a straight face always amazed Liv. "Thanks, Case, I will keep it in mind, she shook her at her friend. "So what is the goal for you. Do you want to be with Stabler, and if you do, in what way? Hot years of pent up sexual energy one and done or in a want to be with you kind of way?"
"I guess the latter, and I don't want it to just we for a one-off thing with El; I don't think I could do that. But I don't know what he wants. He was married for over 35 years." Looking at Olivia intently, "Yes, he was, but he also kept his dick in his pants for that 35 years. I don't know what else you could want. You guys have intense sexual energy; everyone saw it, whether you want to admit it or not. You can finish each other's sentences and know what the other is thinking without words. Liv, that to me is the I want forever type of guy. Right?"
"I know you are right, but I don't want to be the one with the big girl pants on that has to do it. I know we both have to lean into it." Standing up, Casey walked to the fridge and grabbed out the bottle of wine in it. "We have an hour and a half to get ready. We are drinking the bottle, and we are going to get a came plan sorted. You don't want to go into this shit blind. It would help if you told him how you feel. How many men have you dated Liv and he had been with Kathy since he was at school. You at least understand how this works. He, yes, is not an idiot but may need a little push."
Taking the wine that Casey had poured, they went into Olivia's bedroom, connecting her phone to her speakers, turned on a playlist, and they drank wine, danced around like idiots. Doing their hair and makeup as they talked. "Hair up or down." Casey looked at the dress again and said, "Pin most of it up and leave it loose, especially around your face." After Olivia had curled it, she started to pin it into place. Then moved onto her makeup, choosing to do a smokey eye and nude lip and keep it easy. Olivia felt good about the surprising result with only 4 hours of sleep in two days.
They had steadily been munching on snacks and drinking their wine and were two deep each at this time but still going well. Casey's red hair was in soft waves and hung down over her shoulders. Her eyeshadow was done in browns and tan and had a bright matte red lip that accentuated. Olivia's phone went off to tell them they needed to dress and leave.
Casey changed into her underwear and dress, walking back in, holding the blood-red strapless satin dress to her body. "Liv, can you zip me, please." Once all zipped in the dress, Casey sat on the bed, put on a pair of strappy heels, and put in her diamond stud earrings as Liv went to change. "Why do you think McCoy chose a black-tie function to retire? Not that I am complaining, I look hot and need to share this with the world." Laughing, Liv came out of the bathroom holding her dress to her chest and turning her back to Casey, asking silently for her friend to zip her.
"That underwear screams. Find somewhere else to sleep, Casey. A Lace thong does not scream. I am sleeping alone tonight. Liv" Shrugging "I will keep you updated." Both of them laughing at that. Liv looked at the off the shoulder sweetheart dress with a modest showing of the breast on display for what is still a work function. The dress is soft black velvet with a thigh split that showed off an ample amount of tanned legs without it being so high it was appropriate—adding black strappy heels that her feet will regret within an hour. Adding some earrings for a little bit of sparkle, Olivia was ready to go.
Grabbing the clutches and jackets to make their way down to meet the car picking them up, they were both beyond thankful that Olivia had a working elevator in her building, and they didn't have to make their way down the stairs in heels." My feet are going to fucking freeze." Casey already complained. "It is fine. Just drink more." They both laughed at this, knowing that the night was not going to end well. "I am glad that Noah is at his friend tomorrow night as well. I feel the Casey handover from hell coming up tomorrow. I also do not want a repeat of the tequila or whiskey shots incident. You do not bring out the best in me, Case."
Opening the door as the car pulled up and sliding over to the other side of the car, Casey replied, "Nope, don't blame me if fun. Liv wants to come out that all on you." Liv crossed her legs in the back of the car. Having a moment of panic when she looks down and realises how much of her thigh is actually on display when seated. "Don't worry about it; your legs are great, and if you cross them the other way, it won't be as much. Also, you can adjust the dress when your jacket is off." Olivia took this as an acceptable answer. Pulling up to the hotel about 10 minutes late, they made their way up the stairs. Both still laughing about the conversation with the driver, who wished them a great night.
"I need to pee, Liv." Casey volunteered. "OK, the game plan, you pee, I will coat check, and we can meet at the seating chart, then we can figure out where the fuck we are sitting." Both accepted this, and Casey removed her jacked and passed it to liv as they went their separate ways. Liv meets Casey at the seating chart. Casey had a grin on her face.
"You are going to hate this," Casey said, laughing out loud. "Oh, Liv, I don't know what you did to piss off McCoy but wait.
Grabbing Liv's hand and interlocking their fingers, Casey made their way to the table to drop off their bags. The table they were at had her current and past SVU team, including El, who appeared to be on one side of her and Casey on the other, Fin and Pheobie, Amanda, Carisi, Cragen, Munch.
Looking at the table next to them that Casey was staring at was like a walk through a brief history of men she had slept with, men who came fucking close and men who wanted to. "Are you fucking kidding me? Does McCoy fucking hate me?" Seeing Cassidy talking to David Hayden, Olivia turning back to speak into Casey's ear, "Fucking Cassidy, Elliott does not know about Cassidy. Is this what you were talking about." Trying to keep a straight face, "Yes, it is the Ghost's of dickmas past at that table."
She was pulling Casey in front of her to make it look like they were talking. Olivia checks out precisely who was there. Running the list of people in her head. David Haden, Cassidy, Barba, Peter Stone, Alex Cabot, Trevor Langon and Rita Calhoun. There were a few others at the table that she knew but not well. "At least nothing weird has ever happened between Rita and me. Thankfully Tucker isn't able to be here. He would think this was as funny as you do." Olivia said with a sigh. Casey burst out laughing, thinking this was the funniest thing ever.
Seeing a waiter walking their way, Casey grabs two glasses of champagne as he went to make his way off again. "No, Mr Waiter, man, please stay for a second." She said to the waiter awkwardly, and she and Olivia downed the glass in their hands and grabbed a second for good measure. Feeling a solid hand on her back, Olivia looked over her shoulder and turned to greet Elliot. He looked at her. "Are you alright?" he asked kindly. Casey just laughed again as Elliott looked at her, confused.
Taking a sip from her drink, Olivia moved her finger between them to signal she was talking about the two of them. "If we are going to do this, the whole you and I thing at any level, you should probably not go in blind. So here it is at the table with Cassidy. I have had relationships with David Haden and Cassidy and came very close with three of the other men, one of which is one of the closest people to me and one of the women. I will almost guarantee Cassidy will get drunk and will want to one-up you and tell you. David thankfully won't say a word, but then he chose a job over me. Asshole. I just thought you should know. Oh, and I also dated Tucker for a few years. May he rest in peace."
Elliott looked over her shoulder at Casey, who was making her way around the table greeting everyone. Elliott put his hand gently on Liv's back and pulled her in close to him; leaning into her ear, he said in a deep sultry tone that went straight through her body, "Olivia, that was a lot of information. I also have no right to any of that information, so thank you and this thing between us as you put, it is going to fucking happen, Liv, I meant what I said to you." Elliott placed a light kiss just under Olivia's ear before he pulled back.
Pulling apart from each other, "I am going to go and say hi to everyone." Elliott acknowledged what she said, and Olivia went to hug Cragen and then made her way around their table and then made her way to the next one. Going to Rafa first, they embraced is a bear hug that Elliot could see from his chair was filled with love and shared experience, as they whispered at each other, but he also recognised the look of want in the man face, so he knows that could not be David Haden. When they separated and Olivia looked on, the man fixed him with a look that would be able to tear people down.
Fin leaned over to Elliot. "What you do to Barba, if looks could kill you, would be dead. Shit, I have only seen that look a few times from him that bad." Trying to be diplomatic, "I am guessing Liv just gave him a heads up as to who I am and what I am to her." Fin looked at him sternly. "Oh yeah, and what are you to her." "I'm not sure yet, Fin, but I hope one day I will be her person again."