Consequences

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: Not mine.

A/N: Hope you like this chapter. I love feedback

"Pregnant?" Olivia sat in a chair next to Casey's bed. Cragen had gone back to the station but Casey had asked Olivia to stay a little while with her.

"Yeah," Casey said. She needed someone to talk to about this "They said that I'm about… six weeks along. I almost lost the baby today," her voice faltered "Stress induced miscarriage."

Olivia took Casey's hand into her own "Its ok Casey, the baby is fine. You got to the hospital in time."

Casey sighed "I know," she said softly but its just this case. I've known about it all of two hours and already its effecting me."

Olivia nodded in understanding. She couldn't believe that Munch could do something like what those ten eye witnesses had accused him of.

Casey continued "it isn't just that," she paused.

"What's up Casey?" Olivia asked, her voice full of concern.

"Six weeks ago," Casey began "I… well it was late and… I met up with John and…"

Olivia put two and two together "He's the father?" she asked.

Casey nodded "Olivia?" she said softly "You can't tell anyone about this. Not yet, there's just too much going on now. Jonh deserves to know but he needs to hear it from me."

Olivia nodded "I won't say a word but people are going to notice eventually."

Casey shrugged "Yeah I'll tell Branch this afternoon."

Olivia glanced at her watch "Oh man, look at the time. I should be getting back soon. You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah," Casey said "I'll be fine. You go get back to work."

Olivia stood up to leave then turned back to Casey "If you need anything."

"I know," Casey smiled at her friend "Now go, get back to work. We both know that those boys are completely lost without you," the two laughed and Olivia left. Casey lay her head back against the pillow.

She had a lot to think about. A baby, a baby whose father had been accused of rape and murder, a case that Casey would otherwise be called upon to prosecute, no wonder she had had a stress induced miscarriage. She would have to take extended leave from work if she wanted to keep the baby. That wasn't even a question she would definitely keep the baby. Her thoughts were interrupted when her doctor entered the room.

"How are you feeling Casey?" he asked smiling kindly.

"I'm feeling better Dr. Monahan," she answered honestly. Dr. Monahan had been her doctor for several years and the ER had called him down as soon as she arrived.

Dr. Monahan took a seat in the chair that Olivia had occupied only minutes before. He held her chart in her hand, he looked at it as he spoke to her "Everything seems to be stable now but just to be sure that you don't have another episode like this again, I'd like to keep you in the hospital until the baby is born."

"I can't stay in the hospital for seven and a half months!" Casey protested "How do I explain this to my boss?"

"Tell him," Dr. Monahan began "That you are doing what's best for both you and your baby."

Casey sighed. She knew that he was right. It was best for the baby if she stayed in the hospital "Alright," she conceded "I'll call my boss in a few minutes and tell him."

The doctor explained more to her about the extended hospital stay. By the time he left Casey felt exhausted just thinking about how boring the next seven months of her life would be.

After he left, Casey flipped through the available cable channels. Of course nothing all that interesting was on. She turned the TV off and decided that it was as good a time as ever to call Branch.

She reached for the phone that was beside her bed on the table and began to dial.

"Branch," his voice came through the phone.

"Hey its Casey," she said in an exhausted tone.

"Casey!" he exclaimed "I heard they had to rush you to the hospital. Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she said simply "Um I need to ask for some time off."

"Casey I need you around here. Your detectives just arrested John Munch. I need you to get back here and prosecute the case."

Casey felt a lump forming in her throat "I can't prosecute this case Arthur," she said in a faltering voice.

"Why not!" Branch asked, sounding irritated.

"I don't believe that he did it," Casey said.

"The detectives didn't want to arrest him for the same reason but they did anyway," Branch began "They did their jobs now you do yours."

"I can't," Casey felt the tears begin to well up in her eyes.

"Why not!" Branch began again "We have to hold law inforcement officers to a higher standard so why can't you prosecute!"

Casey felt herself choking up. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach which had not yet begun to show signs of the precious cargo that dwelled within. She took a deep breath before she responded "Because I'm carrying his baby!" She hung up the phone without waiting for a response and began to cry silently.

TBC

Please review. I need the feedback. Also it looks like I'm back to writing short chapters for a bit. Thanks in advance.