A/N: Glad you all are enjoying the story so far! I have chosen to write today, since tomorrow will be spent working on projects. So good for all of us…right? Btw, yes, I did it again…Owen might be Dr. Owen Hunt from Grey's Anatomy.

Five Days Later…

Casey sat motionless on the side of her bed in her underwear as her sister-in-law Kim moved about the room. Kim was getting all of Casey's stuff ready for the day. She'd already fixed Casey's hair and applied her makeup. All Casey had strength to do was take a shower and put her underwear on she still felt like this was a bad nightmare and she was going to wake up any moment with John smiling at her.

Her pink casted wrist was a constant reminder that everything was real. Caroline's constant questions about when her daddy was going to come home were a constant reminder. Her brother Owen's presence was a reminder as was Kim's presence. Waking up with Kim in bed with her every morning instead of John was a reminder. Honestly, if it weren't for the sedative the doctors had prescribed her in the hospital she didn't know if she would even be able to get out of bed in the morning.

"Okay, Casey honey you are going to have to stand up long enough for me to get you in your dress. Okay?" Kim said softly. Kim seemed so different right now, so soft and sweet and full of compassion. Not to say her sister-in-law and best friend wasn't compassionate, just normally she was sarcastic and firm in everything. This was a new side Casey had never seen before, a side only tragedy could bring out.

"I…I need to get Caroline ready." Casey says quietly.

Kim helps Casey stand and says, "Don't worry Case. Owen has already gotten her dressed and I did her hair while you were in the shower. We just need to get you dressed then we will head to the church."

"Thank you." Casey replies letting Kim pull the black lace covered dress up on her shoulders. Kim zips the dress up and helps Casey into her heels. Afterwards she quickly puts Casey's jewelry on her and helps her out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Reaching the bottom, Casey sees her older brother Owen holding her little girl. Owen was three years older than Casey and shared similar features like red hair and fair skin. He had always looked out for her. She always felt safe with him around so now having him here was like a miracle; it helped her feel like she could absorb some of his strength to make it through the funeral.

"You ready to go?" he asked. Casey shrugged and answered, "No, but I don't really have a choice do I?"

A few hours later, Casey sat graveside in between Kim and Owen. Kim now held Caroline in her lap while Owen held Casey's hand tightly. The priest stood over John's coffin speaking but Casey couldn't process a single word. Nothing seemed to absorb.

All Casey could think about was meeting John for the first time when she and Kim had driven to the army base to visit Owen before he was sent to Iraq. Kim and Owen had been dating since for a couple of years, and in order to steal a little bit of alone time with Kim, Owen introduced Casey to John. Casey was immediately taken by John. They started dating while he was overseas and married soon after he returned home. He had survived so much in Iraq, but was still taken from her so early in their lives.

As the honor guards prepared the gun salute in honor of her husband, Caroline climbed into Casey's arms. Casey pulled the little girl close to her and kissed her head. She had to protect Caroline from this world.

Hearing the first volley of shots ring out in the quiet air Casey felt the reality of her life hit her, she was a widow. The second volley made her realize that she needed to draw every ounce of strength in her forward to care for her daughter. When the third volley of shots rang out Casey knew that she had to figure out how to put their lives back together again. As taps played, Casey allowed silent tears to fall down her cheeks.

Christmas Eve…

Owen sat on the living room floor in front of the Christmas tree assembling the toy baby crib. Casey was upstairs putting Caroline to bed and he and Kim were busy setting up the scene for Christmas morning. Looking up at his wife he quietly asked, "How do you think she is doing?"

"Well, she can feed and dress herself now and today she has completely cared for Caroline so I would say better." Kim answered hesitantly before adding, "I still think she should move back to the city with us Owen."

"I agree. She needs family." Owen says. Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Owen quickly adds, "Great here she comes you tell her."

Kim's face quickly changes to one of shock, "Me why me you are her brother," she whispers.

"She listens to you more. You are her best friend," he argues.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Casey frowns at the two people in front of her. They are trying to act casual. Rolling her eyes, she walks over to them. "Okay so who is going to tell me what you two are cooking up?"

"Owen." Kim states flatly with a smirk at her husband.

Glaring at his sneaky wife, Owen begins, "Casey, Kim and I think you should move back to New York City."

"Okay, why?" Casey asks.

Kim begins, "Casey, Owen and I can help you in the city. You need family right now and so does Caroline. We are family."

Quietly Casey replies, "But my job is here and I would have to sell the house. Where would we live there? What would I do?"

Owen laughs as he finishes the toy crib, "Casey, you are an ADA and Kim is an ADA in Manhattan, I am sure you can find a job. Plus you can live with us until you find a place."

"He's right Casey, you can live with us until you find a new place, and I can help you with a job. As a matter of a fact, one of the other ADA's needs a world of help in her unit. You would be perfect to help her." Kim responds happily.

Thinking over what Kim and Owen are offering Casey looks around. This move might be good for her and Caroline. She only moved here to make John happy anyway. She was raised in the city and had always wanted to move back.

Taking a breath she answers, "I would have to sell the house first and find a replacement for me. My office isn't big enough to lose me and be able to function. Anyway, tell me about this job."

Kim smiles at Owen then looks back at Casey. Quickly she begins to describe the job, "Well it would be working Sex Crimes, but you would be working with one of our best ADA's. It's not glamorous work, but Alex is very talented and has an extremely high conviction rate. She is easy to work with considering her need for help in her caseload. I have had to help her a few times when she was juggling too much and had a trial going on and she is really nice. She is actually Abbie's best friend."

"Well if you and Abbie like her she can't be too bad then." Casey states thinking the potential job over when a thought clicks in her head, "Wait a minute this is the same Alex that Serena was saying has slept with half of Manhattan, right?"

Owen bursts out laughing. Kim slaps her husband's shoulder, "She might get around a little, but it isn't as bad as Serena made it out to be. Plus, her sex life doesn't make her a bad person. Serena likes her too. She actually has been hanging out with us lately. You'd like her Casey if you got to know her."

"Alright, see what you can do." Casey concedes.

Kim smiles brightly, "Great, I will talk to Branch."

Five Months Later…

Casey's realtor told her time and time again houses sell faster when the school year nears its end. She didn't believe it, but here it was one month out and their house sold. Standing in the kitchen packing the last of the dishes she watched as Owen played with Caroline in the backyard. A year ago it would have been John playing with their daughter not Owen.

"So, I packed the last of the china, so once we are done in here all we have to do is wait for the movers to come tomorrow Case." Kim states walking back into the kitchen.

Casey sighs, "Caroline will not have a back yard anymore. Will she ever even learn to ride a bike Kim? Am I making the right decision?"

"Casey, she is going to have a billion parks to play in and a huge amazing city to explore as she grows. Plus, do you and I know how to ride a bike? Yes. So what kind of question is that? You, Owen and I grew up in the city and did we turn out weird? No." Kim says pulling Casey into hug, "Everything will be fine Casey."

"I know, I know. So Branch called yesterday. He wants me to start work on Tuesday." Casey states while walking outside onto the back porch and siting down.

"Good, getting into a routine will help the transition. Serena and Abbie's neighbor is a realtor and she said she would take us to see some places on Saturday if you feel up to it." Kim offers sitting next to Casey.

"That would be nice, thanks for all the help Kim."

Kim smiles, "You are family Casey, and you get special treatment from me."

"Mommy!" Caroline screams once she notices Casey has come outside. Soon the little redheaded girl is running towards her. Catching Caroline in her arms, Casey turns towards her brother who is now kissing his wife. Smiling Casey asks, "So when are you two going to have kids?"

"Never." Kim laughs as Owen scowls and replies, "Soon. Kimmy here is being mean."

"Call me Kimmy again and the answer really will be never if you get my gist sweetheart." Kim retorts with a glare.

"Okay, so eventually." Casey laughs.

"You three ladies ready for dinner?" Owen asks.

"Yes," Caroline shouts. Casey smiles before saying, "Alright then, let's go to dinner."

Tuesday Morning…

Standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom, Casey questioned her suit choice. She had just changed her outfit for the fifth time and had run out of time to try again. Sighing as she resigned to wearing what she had on she headed towards the apartment door.

Today was her first day at work and she was beyond nervous. Owen had been nice enough to take Caroline to school today since he didn't go into the hospital until 12 today, while, Kim stayed long enough to give Casey a tough love speech before heading into court. Honestly, Casey was relieved that Kim liked to be super early for court. Her tough love speech was only making Casey twice as nervous.

Pulling her Lexus into the parking garage she parked in her assigned space and headed up to the elevators. Pressing the button to head to the floor Branches office was located she waited for the doors to close. While she waited she looked out into the garage long enough to see a strikingly beautiful blonde walk towards her from the far end.

She had gorgeous long blonde hair, and was dressed beautifully. Her legs were oh so long and she was sure enough of herself to wear heels despite her height. Casey continued to watch her as the blonde dug through her bag and pulled out a pair of black framed glasses. As the stunning blonde neared the elevator and locked eyes with Casey the doors started to close.