Chapter Fourteen- Something New

Author's Note: I guess I can't be sure of the reviews I got for this chapter, because fanfiction screwed up my chapters. Some people said they couldn't see chapter 13 so I reuploaded it. This is chapter 14, and I hope everyone can see it. Thanks for all the reviews!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

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Alex stared down that little sheet of paper. Her mind raced. She wanted to do it. All the materials were gathered around her as she sat in the cold, where Jackson had taken his last breath. It had not been hard to leave her twins with the Captain, who adored the kids like his own grandchildren. In a way they were.

She traced her finger around the candle. Everything she needed was right before her, but why could she not do it? Why couldn't she bring back the one person she desperately needed? Did that mean she didn't love him?

Alex knew that wasn't so. It was something else. Something nagging at the back of her head and she couldn't quite place it.

"You can't do it can you?" came a soft voice behind her.

Alex knew the voice. Olivia. It was her comforting voice, almost maternal like. She didn't reply, but Olivia walked over and knelt down beside her.

Moments of silence passed between them.

"I don't know why I can't." Alex finally whispered.

Olivia placed a hand on her shoulder, and her eyes softened at the sight of one her closest friends looking back at her with lost tearful blue eyes.

"That's cause you know what the price is. You know what you could lose if you go through with this." Olivia said softly.

Alex lost it and broke into hysterical sobs. "I know what I lose if I don't." she said fiercely back.

Olivia didn't wince at her tone. Didn't react at all.

"Alex, I know you, but you know yourself. I gave you that paper, because I wanted to give a decision. I made mine. Jackson made his. Now it's your turn."

"What if I put lives in danger? What if my twins didn't survive if I got Jackson back? What if Emily dies?" Alex demanded.

Olivia looked at Alex with sad eyes. Something drifting in the corner of her eyes. "Then that's what fate demands in return. Blood for blood."

It hit Alex hard in the stomach as the realization set in. "My life for another's…" she murmured. She looked up with wide eyes. "Someone died on those courthouse steps didn't they?"

Olivia nodded sadly. "It wasn't one of your cases, so I guess you never heard about it. But yes, someone did die. Three people died."

Alex let out a breath, lowering her eyes to stare at the floor, speechless.

Olivia bit her lip, and then whispered. "It's your choice Alex, but whatever you decide you are going to have to live with for the rest of your life."

With that, she walked back to her car and Alex watched her drive away. Her own mind completely lost. With a sigh of defeat, she lit the candle.

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Casey fell asleep the moment she sat down on the couch. It had been an exhausting day for her. She never even heard the knock on her door or someone enter. All she realized when she slowly opened her eyes was someone standing over her.

She immediately snapped awake, ready to fight back.

"Easy Red." A soft voice said.

"John?" She asked.

Munch smiled slightly. "Yeah. Just wanted to make sure you were okay. The door was unlocked."

Casey groaned. "I must've been so tired that I forgot to lock it. Good catch."

"No problem." He said. "Did you think about what I had said?"

Casey glanced at him. "Yeah. The whole way home."

"I'm glad." He said, although there was hint of sadness in his voice.

He knew he wasn't the object of Casey's affections, even though he had a thing for the girl. She was out his reach. He had had his heart broken so many times, he didn't feel the ache anymore. He just let it go.

Casey had her back turned to him, unsure of where to start.

"John, how long have we known each other?" she asked softly.

"Jeez, Red, I don't know, since you walked into the squad room with your guns blazing and bouncy red hair." He joked.

She turned to look at him and he was taken back by the soft look in her eyes. He knew Casey Novak as a prosecutor…ruthless in court, demanding in the squad room. She was everything but soft, except around children.

"John, what if everything I wanted was in you?" she asked softly.

He stared. "Wow."

Casey immediately turned pink and thrust her hands deep down into the back pockets of her blue jeans. "I didn't mean to…I mean I didn't…" she stammered.

"Shut up." He said, crossing the distance between them, pressing his lips gently to hers. "You talk too much." He murmured, before words were silenced by the start of something new.

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Olivia got home late. Elliot was sitting in the couch waiting for her, a little a bit angry.

"Where have you been?" he demanded to know.

Olivia raised her eyebrows at his tone. "With Alex." She said. "I needed to make sure she was okay."

He immediately relaxed and suddenly pulled her into a hug.

"Sorry." He murmured. "I was just worried."

"So am I." She said softly clinging onto him. "So am I."

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Well do you get the importance of that last tidbit? Everyone's life depends on Alex's choice. GASP WHAT HAPPENS? Ok just kidding. Sorry I can't post more. I have to leave soon. Review please. Lol. I'm putting Casey and Munch together because well they got the most votes.