I know it has been a little bit but here is a new chapter. If you have been following the story since the beginning, you know that this is a quick turnaround for me. Anyway here is the latest chapter.

It had been two weeks since I testified in court and nothing really had changed. The jury has been out for three days, and it doesn't seem like the jury is going to come back anytime soon. As I was thinking this, I was sitting outside of Casey's office waiting for her. I was lost in my thoughts when the sound of heels brought me out of them. I looked up and stood up when I saw it was in fact, Casey. She looked at me and then opened the door.

"Why are you here Matt?"

I followed her into her office and closed the door before responding.

"Well, it was my last resort considering you don't return or answer any of my calls."

She just looked at me and didn't say anything, so I made my way over to put a hand on her arm, but she moved away from me.

"What do you want me to say, Matt? That I'm perfectly fine that I was completely blindsided in court or that I'm totally fine with the fact that my boyfriend lied straight to my face when I asked him about it. I'm sorry for what you went through as a kid I really am, but that doesn't give you the right flat out lie to me. I asked you about it, and you made it seem like it was all in my head and that I was making up some fictional problem when in reality I wasn't at all. You know I honestly thought that you were distant because of me pushing something I was making up but no. I don't care about what happened, I was never going to leave you for it. I love you flaws and all but you couldn't just leave well enough alone. You got too involved."

I looked at her. I could see the hurt and anger in her eyes. I could see the tears that were forming, but I knew that she was right. I went there to apologize, and that's what I did.

"Casey, I'm Sorry. I didn't mean for you to get hurt. I just didn't think it was something that would come up. I didn't think it was relevant."

She shook her head in anger.

"It was all relevant Matt. Staines used that to discredit you as a witness, and I had to do a lot of damage control and still am while the jury is deliberated because of this."

She dropped a newspaper on the table in front of me. I picked it up and read the headline.

Vindictive Detective Derails Double Murder Trial

"After you testified, Staines painted you out to be a person with a vendetta, and it was very convincing. At one point I wasn't sure I was going to win, and at one point I even believed her myself, but I kept fighting to make sure that the jury knew that we were there because he killed those two people and I was doing a damn good job at it until Karen Smith testified for the defense."

I didn't say anything. I just stood there with the newspaper in my hand looking at it. At this point, She was beyond angry. I didn't say anything to make her feel better though. I just stood there. I couldn't even look at her.

"How many times did you go and talk to her to convince her to cooperate with the police? How many times did you try to talk to that poor little boy or the neighbor? How many times did you go after we told you to drop it and stay away from them?"

I didn't look at her. I just dropped the newspaper back onto the table and continued to stare at it.

"Look at me."

I look up at her. I could see the anger and hurt in her eyes.

"How many times Matt?"

"I don't know Casey, a few times maybe but I was doing my job. I was trying to get information. Those two deaths aren't on me. I'm not the one who battered my family and then killed them it was McClain."

"Well, I'm glad you feel that way because you and Karen Smith handed the defense its case. I don't know if this is going to go in our favor."

"I'm sorry, Casey I really am. Are we going to be ok? I care about the case and all, but you are what is really important to me."

She just scoffed as she wiped away the stray tears that were making their way down her face.

"You sure know how to make a girl feel special. I don't know, I'm just trying to process everything. Is this what it's going to be like after every case you feel is more worthy of your time and feelings? Are we always just going to end up right back here having this exact same fight because if so this isn't something I want. It isn't something I need."

"What are you trying to say, Casey?"

She just shrugged.

"I don't know; I just need some space ok. Give me some time and space, and then we can talk ok."

I sighed and then tried one last time to comfort her, but I wasn't successful.

"Please Matt, just go."

With that, I made my way out of her office. I couldn't believe it. I made my way down to the precinct and sat at my desk. I couldn't believe that I was going to lose everything but it wasn't because of other people, it was because of me. I did this, and there was no way that I could fix it. I just had to wait like everyone else. I was fiddling with my phone keeping it from going to sleep so that I could look at a picture of Casey and me. It was one of my favorite photos of us together. I took when we were leaving a dinner that we went to together. I said something stupid, and she laughed. Her laugh was terrific, and so I wrapped my arm around her and snapped the photo. I was lost in thought when Rollins snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Shepherd, the jury is back."

I got up and made my way down to the courthouse. I found the courtroom and made my way in. As I made my way in Casey looked back, and I gave a small, sad smile, and she just looked away. I found the closest bench and sat down and waited. I stood as the judge made his way in and looked over at the jury. I was hoping and praying that This would somehow end in our favor. Robert was also there, and he moved over to where I was sitting. He put his hand on my shoulder, and I just sat there. Before I knew it, Judge Moredock was addressing the Jury.

"Madame foreman have you reached a verdict?"

The woman nodded.

"We have your honor."

"On the count of murder in the second degree, how do you find the defendant?"

"On the count of second-degree murder, we find the defendant, Kyle McClain, Not Guilty."

I hadn't realized I was holding my breath until Robert told me to breathe but I couldn't until I knew all of the verdicts.

"and on the second count of murder in the second degree how do you find the defendant?"

"On the second count of murder in the second degree, we find the defendant, Kyle McClain, Not Guilty."

"Ladies and gentleman of the jury, thank you for your service. The court is dismissed."

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't believe this. I looked over and saw him smirking. He got off, and it was partly due to me. I got up and moved towards the prosecution table, but before I could get there, Olivia stopped me.

"We need to talk; can you meet me in my office?"

I nodded

"Yeah, just give me a minute."

I got close just as Casey was about to leave but before I could say anything to her, I made the mistake of looking over at the defense table. McClain looked over at me and gave a smug grin before making his way out of the courtroom with Karen Smith trailing behind him. I looked over at Casey, and she went to brush past me, and before I could stop her, she was already past me and leaving. I was able to catch outside of the courthouse as she was making her way down the steps.

"Casey wait!"

She stopped and turned around.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt or for this outcome."

She nodded and gave a small, sad smile.

"I know, but that still doesn't change anything."

I sighed, but she shocked me by what she did next. She came back up some of the steps and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Just give me some time Matt. I don't want what happened to be the end of us, but I just need some time to think about and process everything that has happened. I promise we will talk and fix this but just not right now. I think right now we both just need some space."

I nodded, and with that, she left. Everything fell apart, and it was all because of me. I couldn't just stand there and sulk. I made my way down to the precinct and into Olivia's office. I walked in and saw Olivia and someone else standing there.

"Detective, close the door and come in."

I did as I was told.

"Olivia, What's going on?"

"This is John Munch. He is an investigator with the DAs office."

I moved to shake the hand that he stuck out to me. I shook his hand, and he began to explain what was going on.

"Karen Smith and Kyle McClain have filed complaints against you."

I sighed

"I don't understand, I thought all of that was addressed in court, and I firmly stand by what I said. I was just doing my job."

He nodded

"I understand that, but the DAs office and IAB will be investigating to see if there was any police misconduct."

I shook my head and sighed. Before I got the chance to say anything Olivia spoke up.

"Matt, this investigation means that I have to formally place you on a suspension. I need your badge and your gun."

I placed them both on Olivia's desk and took a step back. She sighed and Much spoke up.

"Your Lieutenant and I go way back. I promise she is going to be kept in the loop with everything that happens. I'll try to keep the investigation in a short time frame, but I will also be very thorough."

I nodded and shook his hand.

"Thank you."

I looked over at Olivia.

"This time off will be good for you Matt, and before you know it, you'll feel better about everything ok."

I nodded and gave her a small smile, and with that, I made my way out of the squad room and headed home. I couldn't believe this. Both my job and my relationship were hanging in the balance all because of one stupid decision I made.

Definitely not the last chapter but the next one will be. Thanks for reading and sticking with the story. I know it isn't the best story but I definitely have been working on my writing skills, and the next story I put up will be way better. Thanks for reading and the last chapter will be up soon.