Title: Too Little. Too Late

Author: Ebony-Jayne

Notes: Casey's secret is now out and through her the squad is drawn deeper into Alleigh Holloway's head…

Also to nem: thanks for the tips. I know they're a little out of character and I'm trying to be true to them. Your criticism of my story was really good and has given me some good tips to work with. The stuff with John Munch mocking people who self-harm was there purely because I have been told things like that to my face in the past and I needed someone to do the same to Casey.

For those who may want to know: Yes I self-harm. I'm getting help for it and one of the counselors I spoke to said that since fanfic is something I like, this may be a good way to get some of my feelings out of my system. It is a serious condition and shouldn't be taken lightly either.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the show or the storylines on the show. I do, however, own the characters that I make up so please don't steal them. Any resemblance to anyone or anyplace is a coincidence.

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Chapter Three: Busted

Casey couldn't believe she had let that slip. She got up and tried to make as dignified an exit as possible.

"Casey," Olivia called out.

"Let it go Olivia," Casey said softly as Olivia caught up with her at the door.

"No. I-," Olivia began.

"Please. Please just let it go Olivia," Casey's eyes pleaded with Olivia to understand.

"Ok," Olivia nodded. "But do you…I mean do you still do it?" she asked awkwardly.

"No," Casey smiled a tiny little bit and left. She spent the whole trip back to her office mentally kicking herself for losing her cool and divulging her biggest and best kept secret to the whole squad. She'd have betted her life savings right then that it'd be all over the precinct by that night.

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Olivia, Elliot, Munch and Fin sat quietly, contemplating what had just happened.

"This stays between us you guys," Elliot said forcefully. The other three nodded in agreement.

"Oh I feel like a total ass now," Munch groaned.

"And that's different how?" Fin commented dryly.

"Ha. Ha. Ha," Munch retorted.

"Maybe she can help us," Olivia suddenly piped up.

"How do you mean?" Elliot asked.

"She can help us get inside Alleigh's head. It's all we have to go on at the moment. We have no physical evidence. Maybe if we can get into her head, find out what she was thinking, then we can find out how she ended up dead in her garage when she wasn't supposed to be anywhere near the place," Olivia explained.

"Well it's worth a shot," Elliot nodded.

"I'll go and talk to her then," Olivia told him.

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Knock, knock. Casey looked up from where she'd had her head sitting on her desk.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Olivia," came the detective's voice.

"Go away Olivia. I do not want to talk to you right now," Casey replied.

"I know but could you hear me out? Please," Olivia asked.

"Fine. I'm listening," Casey sighed.

"We need you to help us. You're the only person we know who can help us get inside Alleigh's head. Please Casey," Olivia was practically begging now.

Casey sat and thought about it for a few seconds. "All right. I'll help you," she called out.

"Can I come in now?" Olivia asked.

"I guess," Casey replied. The door opened and the pretty detective walked in. she sat across from Casey, watching her closely.

"You've been crying Case," she stated. Casey was surprised, lots of her friends called her 'Case' but none of the squad ever had. "Talk to me," Olivia added.

"I…" Casey sighed. "It was a long time ago Olivia but it still hurts to talk about it," she told the detective.

"C'mon. I think I know something that might help a bit," Olivia smiled grabbing Casey's hand and leading her out of the building.

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"Wow. Olivia this place is gorgeous!" Casey gushed.

"I know," Olivia had led them into a secluded little bay and out onto a wharf where they could see the lights of the city to their left and had a beautiful view of the ocean. "Elliot always brings me here when I don't want talk. It's easier to talk when there's something other than the other person to look at," she sat down, dangling her feet over the edge of the wharf and gestured for Case to do the same. "Do you want of start or shall I?" she asked. Casey sat down and took a deep breath.

"I was about Alleigh's age. My mom was killed in a home invasion gone south. I found out after she died that she was a cutter. I felt like I was going to explode from the feeling of numbness. I felt so much after she died that it all melded into numbness. I thought maybe if I cut myself I would feel something. And I did. The more I did it the more I wanted to do it. Eventually my brother Reese found out and he sent me to a counselor. I was twenty-five when he found out. I was so glad to be able to give it up. I was getting sick of looking at myself in the shower every night and seeing these horrible scars all over my legs. They've mostly faded out now but you can still see them," Casey's voice cracked. "I'll bet that little girl in the morgue had been doing it for a while. The more you do it the worse you do it. Her cuts were pretty bad," she suddenly found that she couldn't hold back any longer. Quiet sobs over took her and Olivia put her arms around her shaking body.

"It's ok Case. It's ok just…let it all out," she murmured comfortingly.

"I want to help you find out what the hell happened to that kid. I have to," Casey said, she sat up and Olivia could see her rally her emotions and knew that Casey was going to be an integral part of this case and that it would help Casey as well.

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I know that this chapter is kind of short. Sorry!

Please read and review.