A/N: Sorry this chapter didn't get posted yesterday. It took me longer than I anticipated but I think you all will enjoy it! Let me know what you think!
Five weeks later, October…
Casey ran down the hall towards Alex's office, upon reaching the closed door she barges right in not even bothering to knock. Seeing Alex sitting on her couch with an ice pack to her head Casey instantly rushes to her side. "Oh my God Alex, are you okay? I heard you got knocked to the floor and hit your head. I was so scared. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am fine babe." Alex says reassuringly kissing Casey, "I was just a little stunned and I cut my head when I fell. Honestly, I am more worried about poor Sam. I could tell he was really shook up by seeing that scumbag Barnett."
"I heard you might have another complaining witness."
"No such luck, he passed the statute of limitations. I don't even know why they have a statute set for child molestation. I tell you Casey, I don't know if Sam is strong enough to handle going to trial. He already botched getting Barnett to confess, I set him off trying to talk to him in the squad room, and he seems so uneasy about everything. Like I was saying the other night, I wish I had more time to find someone else, but Liz says push through or move on. I just can't move on from this one Casey, but I am afraid I am going to break this kid." Alex confesses as she leans over into Casey.
Casey wastes no time in wrapping her arms around Alex. Kissing her girlfriend's head she asks, "Are you finished for the day? It sounds like you need to relax and take your mind off of this case. If you are I would love to take you home and draw you a bath. Maybe give you a long massage…"
Alex laughs, "Case that sounds fantastic. I have to go over trial procedure tonight with Sam for court. How about after? Say you get little one to bed and when I get home we can relax and have some fun?"
Casey leans in and kisses Alex taking Alex's bottom lip between hers and pulling her closer at the waist. Breaking the kiss she smiles leaving Alex breathless as she whispers, "I really like that idea."
"I hope so, because if not I am going to have some serious problems later." Alex laughs as Casey stands. Casey gives Alex a wink, "See you in a little while baby. Be safe." Alex smiles watching Casey leave. She is really lucky to have such a wonderful girlfriend.
Walking down the hall Casey decides to stop by Kim's office. Making her way there she wondered what state she would find her expecting sister-in-law in today. At just over halfway through her pregnancy Kim's moods could shift easily from super happy to super emotional. It was an enormously different version of her best friend.
Arriving at her office Casey finds Serena standing in the doorway. "I think it looks great Kim. It's a really nice choice of colors." Serena says to Kim trying to escape the room as Casey places a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you leaving just as I am arriving?" Casey says with an evil grin.
Serena doesn't miss Casey's attempt to keep her around as a buffer. Despite wanting to leave she has a question for her so she has to hang around. "Well, I was but seeing as you are here I want to ask, how is Alex? I heard she got decked in the courthouse today." Serena questions.
"Oh my God, is she okay?" Kim quickly asks sitting up straight in her chair obviously unaware of the day's events.
"She's fine just a cut on her head is all. I think she will be fine, it's just this case is just getting to her. Hopefully she will be able to relax tonight and take her mind off of it. It always helps her to distance herself from the tough cases." Casey says leaning back in her chair.
"That is why I prefer homicide over sex crimes. I would hate to have to deal with live victims." Serena says mournfully.
Kim frowns at her blonde friend. Looking over to Casey she adds, "Well at least in two weeks you and Alex have your long weekend at the B&B, which will be a nice way to put whatever outcome from this trial behind you. Now until then Casey, help me look through these paint colors and fabrics I want the spawn's nursery to be perfect!"
"I'm out!" Serena says quickly standing and running from the office as Casey laughs.
Looking back over to Kim she sees that her sister-in-law looks heartbroken. "Aw Kim, don't let it bother you. People who haven't had babies don't understand." Casey soothes.
"To think I was going to ask her to be Nolan's godmother." Kim gripes as she passes Casey the samples.
"You were asking Serena to be a godmother?" Casey asks.
"Yeah," Kim starts, "Owen was going to ask Richard and Derek from the hospital to be godfathers and I was going to ask you and Serena. Why is something wrong with that? You look a little upset Case."
Casey felt hurt hearing Kim's words, so she was positive she was showing her dislike for her sister-in-laws choice. "I just figured you would ask Alex since she has been such a huge part of all of our lives and doesn't hesitate to run and get you a milkshake when you crave one in the middle of a work day."
Kim rubs her belly and sighs, "Casey it's not that easy. I like Alex a lot and so does Owen, but we are thinking long term."
Casey can feel her face turn red she knows where this is going and she doesn't like it at all. Taking a breath she forces herself to speak calmly, "What does that mean Kim."
"Casey if you and Alex don't work out we don't want the child she is godmother of to suddenly be without a godmother." Kim stated flatly.
Casey stands so fast she almost knocks the chair over. Placing the samples down with a little more force than necessary she says, "You and Owen can go to hell with your constant worrying about Alex and I. I am in love with her and I don't ever intend to lose her. If you two can't respect that then don't bother even asking me to be James is godmother and don't bother asking my girlfriend, the love of my life, to be your milkshake bitch anymore." With that Casey turns to leave Kim's office.
As quickly as she can, Kim stands and starts after the redhead. "Casey, wait! Casey, please slow down! I can't run with the little people weighing me down!"
"What Kimberly?" Casey says turning on her heel to face the brunette.
"Casey," Kim says catching her breath, "Geez, that was hard. Anyway, what I am trying to say is I am sorry first off. It would be different to me if you and Alex were married or hell engaged, but you are just dating. If it bothers you though and makes you think I don't support you then yes I will ask her, because in all honesty if you weren't dating and she was as helpful as she is now then I would ask her. So you and Alex, okay?"
"Did I pressure you Kim?" Casey asks rubbing Kim's belly.
"No, you ran me to death. Now help me and the spawns pick colors and fabric because I am confused and Serena's choices didn't even match." Kim grumbles as they turn to walk back.
"Kim, if you want Serena to be Nolan's godmother you should pick her. It's not my baby and not my choice, I was just more bothered by feeling like you and Owen thought Alex and I were doomed and that's why you weren't asking Alex." Casey admits as they walk in the office.
"Thanks, but I will stick with Alex, she at least likes kids. I am getting the idea that Abbie and Serena are trying to avoid me. It's like they are scared I am going to drop a baby in front of them or something." Kim says sadly.
Casey smiles at her sister-in-law and dishes out the honesty, "Aw, Kim honey that's not it at all. I think they are just scared of you is all. Your moods are all over the place."
Kim suddenly looks up with a big smile, "Really! They are scared of me! Oh my God, Casey best present ever. Thank you! I am totally going to take advantage of that knowledge. Best cases here I come!"
Casey shakes her head. Pregnant Kim was turning out to be a lot of fun. She wondered if Alex would want to carry their baby if they ever decided to get married and have kids. If so, she wondered how she would act pregnant. Either way having a baby with Alex was a nice thought.
Later that evening…
Alex walks upstairs to her and Casey's room. She was so ready for her hot bath and massage. Going over trial procedure with Sam was hard. Honestly Alex didn't know what it was with this kid, but she felt for him on a deep level. She was going to make sure Roy Barnett hung for his actions if it was the last thing she did.
Entering her bedroom she instantly begins to forget about her day. Casey has candles lit around the room and soft music playing and the bedroom smells a little like black currant and vanilla. It is all so amazing and she is so excited about climbing into a warm tub to start unwinding.
Walking into the bathroom she sees Casey already in the tub with a glass of wine. "Hey, I thought the bath was for me?" Alex says jokingly while removing her shoes and then clothes.
"Oh, it is, I just made it and you weren't home so I had to climb in to make sure I could keep it nice and hot to your liking. Although, now that I am here I think you should climb in with me that is unless you would like me to get out." Casey says with a grin watching Alex shake her head no.
Alex walks to the tub and motions for Casey to scoot forward. Casey very willingly complies with Alex's request. Climbing in the tub Alex lets out a moan of pleasure from the warm heat of the water enveloping her as she sits down. Getting comfortable she pulls Casey back into her arms kissing her shoulders and neck. "I have been looking forward to this all evening," Alex says as Casey turns enough to kiss her lightly.
Alex runs her hands up Casey's abdomen to her breasts cupping them both and pinching her nipples simultaneously. As Casey arches up at the sensation Alex lightly bites her neck quickly soothing the mark with her tongue. Alex runs her hands back down Casey's abdomen to her knees, and then lightly drags her nails up Casey's thighs causing the redhead to whimper from the sensation. "Alex I am supposed to be taking care of you." Casey says breathlessly as Alex repeats the sensation.
Alex stops kissing Casey's neck and softly says, "Hmm, you still can, I just wanted to start here first." As she finishes her statement she runs her fingers through Casey's wet center. "Oh Jesus Casey you are so wet."
"I know I couldn't stop thinking of all the things I wanted to do to you." Casey replies with a moan at the end as Alex rubs her fingers around Casey's clit.
"What were you thinking about?" Alex questions in a breathy voice as she continues to rub Casey's clit loving how she is turning the redhead into a panting mess in such a little amount of time. She watches a red flush begin to cover Casey's chest as her legs begin to stiffen as she tries to press herself further into Alex's hand.
"Casey, what were you thinking about?" Alex questions again. She knows Casey is incapable of answering but she wants the thoughts running through her head. Kissing down Casey's neck and rolling a nipple through her fingers she hears her lovers gasps for air turn to whimpers and feels her body start to shake she knows Casey is close. Running her tongue up Casey's neck to her ear Alex whispers, "Come for me Casey, come." As if Alex's words were all the redhead needed Casey begins to let the first of many loud moans escape her as her whole body trembles in Alex's arms. Alex holds on tight while Casey rides out her orgasm.
Casey lies in Alex's arms catching her breath. Finally she speaks, "When I can stand I am taking you into that bedroom."
"Oh you are, and what do you intend to do babe?" Alex asks with a smirk. Looking into Alex's eyes, Casey huskily says, "I plan to make you come like you never have before." Alex swallows thickly. The look on Casey's face says she is dead serious.
Suddenly, Casey pushes up and stands, stepping out of the tub. Lightly drying off, Casey hands Alex the towel while finishing her wine. Alex drops the towel and lies back in the tub slowly drinking her wine. "What are you doing Alex?" Casey asks.
"Finishing my wine, why do you need me?" Alex asks teasing Casey. Casey smiles picking up on Alex's game, "Nope I can take care of myself." Alex's eyes go wide as she sits up in the tub and watches Casey walk into the bedroom and lie down on the bed.
Quickly finishing her wine Alex climbs out of the tub barely drying off with the towel before she follows Casey into the room. "I thought you were taking care of yourself." Alex states.
"I was waiting on you to join me." Casey says as Alex climbs on the bed and straddles Casey.
"Oh you were, were you? So you were luring me out of that wonderful tub Counselor?" Alex asks as Casey sits up to kiss the blonde. "Yes, I was, but I will make it up to you." Casey replies kissing Alex again this time deepening the kiss tangling her tongue with Alex's. As she begins to break the kiss Casey takes Alex's bottom lip between her teeth pulling away slowly.
Kissing down Alex's neck Casey supports her with a hand as Alex leans back a little to give Casey access to her breasts. Moving to a stiff bud Casey runs the tip of her tongue around it before taking it into her mouth causing Alex to gasp. As she moves to the other breast she runs her hand down towards Alex's hot center scrapping her nails lightly over the blonde's toned abdomen. Knowing where Casey is headed, Alex pants, "Oh yes Casey," as she adjusts her hips to give Casey better access.
Reaching her destination, Casey lets Alex's nipple go and sits back a little to watch as she runs her fingers through Alex's waiting wetness. Alex watches while a whimper escapes her lips the small touch causing her to ache wanting more contact. "Please Casey, I need more," she begs.
Pulling her now wet fingers from Alex she sucks them slowly tasting her lover's arousal. Lying back down onto the pillows she slides two fingers into Alex causing her to hiss in pleasure as she presses her fingers against Alex's g-spot. Casey begins to move her fingers against the sensitive area as Alex rolls her hips as she lets her sounds of pleasure escape her.
Casey watches as her ministrations begin to bring Alex to the brink of ecstasy. She knows touching the blonde's clit would be enough to send her crashing over the edge but she has other plans. Pulling out her fingers she watches as Alex starts to deflate into her, "What are you doing? I was so close." She whines.
Casey doesn't answer she just pulls Alex's hips towards her. Understanding what Casey wants Alex moves up her body and settles her aching center over the redhead's mouth. Easing herself down Alex lets out an audible gasp as Casey grabs her thighs and licks through her pooling wetness moaning at the taste. "Jesus Case," Alex sighs loving the new sensations coursing through her.
Using the headboard to steady her trembling body, Alex looks down to watch Casey artfully flick her tongue around her clit. Within minutes Alex is again on the brink on ecstasy and begging Casey to make her come. Finally she crashes over coming while her cries of pleasure fill the room.
Helping Alex to lie down next to her Casey softly kisses her lips and whispers, "I love you Alexandra Cabot." Slowly opening her eyes to look in her girlfriends beautiful green ones Alex smiles. She can see Casey's total sincerity of her words shinning in them.
Brushing a lock of red hair from her face Alex kisses her softly, trying to convey all of her emotions through a single kiss. As the kiss ends Alex looks back into Casey's eyes and whispers, "Casey Novak my entire heart is yours."
Pulling the redhead tight against her Alex whispers, "I love you." Snuggling into Alex's embrace Casey closes her eyes soon drifting asleep with Alex quickly following her.
At around 2am their phone rings waking Alex from her deep slumber. "Hello," Casey hears Alex answer. Feeling Alex instantly tense at the call, Casey sits up. "I'll be right there," Alex relays to the caller weakly.
Casey watches as Alex stands and starts to get dressed. "Alex, what is wrong?" Casey asks a little nervous by the blonde's behavior.
Alex swallows thickly and looks at Casey as she pulls her hair back into a ponytail. "Sam Cavanaugh is in the ER. He tried to kill himself," she says weakly.
"Oh my God, Alex I am so sorry." Casey replies.
"I am going to meet Olivia and Elliot at the hospital. I will call you when I know more," Alex says kissing Casey quickly before she leaves the room.
Lying back in the bed Casey pulls Alex's pillow close to her. She hopes and prays that Sam will be fine. If he isn't, she doesn't doubt Alex will blame herself. She will have to really take care of Alex these next few days.
Casey wakes up at 4:30am to Alex sitting on the side of the bed crying. "Alex," she whispers stretching out a hand to hold the blondes. Alex squeezes Casey's hand but doesn't say anything which tells Casey what she needs to know.
Sitting up in the bed, Casey pulls Alex tight in her arms and kisses her head while whispering words of comfort. Clutching onto Casey's pajama top, Alex sobs, "He may never wake up again Casey. It's my fault."
"Shh, no it's not baby. You were trying to help him. It's Roy Barnett's fault Alex and you are going to make him pay for hurting Sam in the first place." Casey says.
"Casey, I told him tonight that Roy never cared for him. I thought he needed to hear it. I pushed him over the limit." Alex starts to cry hysterically. Casey pulls her girlfriend tight and keeps assuring her it isn't her fault. After about thirty minutes the blonde's tears begin to subside and Casey realizes she has fallen asleep.
The next morning Casey wakes up to an empty bedroom and a note on the bathroom counter.
Casey,
I left early to try and save my case. See you tonight.
Love,
Alex
Reading the note Casey frowns noticing its only 7am. She wonders how much sleep Alex could have possibly have gotten if she arrive home at 4:30.
Arriving home that evening with Caroline in tow Casey sees Alex's car. Entering through the back door Casey calls out to her girlfriend as Caroline runs ahead. As she walks down the back hallway towards the kitchen Casey hears Caroline talking to Alex.
"Alex why are you sad?" Caroline asks.
"I made a big boo-boo Caroline." Alex replies.
Walking to the door she sees the little girl kiss Alex's cheek as she sits in the blonde's arms. With a big smile on her face Caroline says, "Now it's all better!"
Alex smiles at the little girl and pulls her into a tight hug saying, "Yes it is Caroline. You make everything better."
Casey can't help but silently cry at the beautiful scene before her. Wiping her tears she walks over and kisses Alex and Caroline's heads. Sitting next to Alex she takes her hand and they sit in silence for a bit just letting the quiet family moment heal the wounds from the day.
Finally Caroline breaks the silence, "I'm hungry Mommy."
"Why don't you go play Caroline and let Mommy order some dinner." Casey suggests. The little girl gets up without question and runs up to her room. After placing the dinner order, Casey returns to sit at the table next to Alex, "So what's the verdict? Are you going to be able to save it?"
"No," Alex starts, "the only other victim within the statute of limitations is a convicted child molester himself. I am fucked, Sam Cavanaugh is fucked, and this case is fucked." The blonde looks teary eyed at Casey again. Softly she says, "Casey it's my fault all of it. I pushed him too hard to fast. His mother told me he couldn't handle it and I convinced her to push him to do it. She did because she trusted me Casey to help him. Instead I broke him. I broke this beautiful boy just to win a case and put an evil man behind bars. Where is the justice behind that Casey? I feel just as evil and I can't even make it better because I can't win a case without evidence. Plus, I lost it in the precinct today and yelled at the detectives to work harder to find me evidence, that I couldn't do both our jobs. I think my exact words were I don't work for you, you work for me."
Casey doesn't answer instead she moves over and sits in Alex's lap. Placing her hands on either side of Alex's face, she lifts Alex's head to look in her eyes and firmly says, "Alexandra you got dealt a shit hand and you did your best. Had I been in your position I would have handled it the same way. No one knew he was suicidal, and if we had we would have gotten him help. I love you Alexandra and I wouldn't love you if you were evil. Caroline wouldn't love you. We do love you and you are a part of our family. Please don't be so hard on yourself. I know your head and heart are confused right now and you are thinking the worst but please believe my words over everything else. I love you Alex and you are an amazing, strong, compassionate, loving woman who loves unconditionally and your family loves you unconditionally." Pausing she kisses Alex softly trying to make the blonde hear her words through the intimacy, pulling back and resting their foreheads together Casey softly says, "You will figure out a way Alex, I know you will."
Looking back into Casey's green eyes Alex smiles this amazing woman she loves with her whole heart helped her find the way. "Thank you Casey. I love you more than you will ever know. In rough times you help to steady me and make me whole." Alex says and then kisses Casey.
Late afternoon the next day...
Alex sits at her desk and watches as Casey paces her office. It's Casey's typical get a grip and calm down move before she will talk when she is upset. The blonde knows her girlfriend is stressed with her actions and probably a little pissed at her suspension but she can't help but smile. Casey Novak looks hot when she is frustrated and pacing.
"Alexandra Cabot you have nothing to be smiling about right now!" Casey snaps in a mother like tone which only causes Alex to laugh.
Hearing her girlfriend laughing Casey storms over to her chair and spins Alex to face her. Alex stops laughing instantly a little nervous from Casey's sudden actions and not really knowing what is going through the redheads mind. Suddenly, Casey has straddled Alex's lap and is kissing her forcefully at first but quickly becoming more languid and loving with the passing seconds.
After a couple of minutes Casey breaks the kiss and looks into Alex's blue eyes. Alex finally breaks the silence and asks, "What was that for?"
"To show you what you are going to miss out on now that we can't go away for our long weekend." Casey replies with a smirk.
"Why aren't we going?" Alex questions with a frown.
"Well, you see the other ADA of Sex Crimes had to go and do an illegal search of premises and got her crazy ass suspended. So the time that I was going to spend catching up in order to take three days off work has now been revoked since girl genius got herself suspended for an entire month. Did I mention she was suspended? Oh, and how lucky she was to not get disbarred for her actions?" Casey said.
"Point taken…ugh, this sucks. I was really looking forward to five whole days with you." Alex says throwing her head back.
"Well, you should give that ADA a piece of your mind baby." Casey says kissing Alex again. Breaking the kiss she whispers in Alex's ear, "Good job by the way. Even if it wasn't the right way you got justice for Sam and got an evil person off the streets. I am proud of you Alex."
Climbing off Alex, Casey walks to the door. "Guess I will see you at home. I am going to make a stop on the way before I pick up Caroline, but we should have dinner waiting for you babe. If you get bogged down in paperwork, bring it home and I will help you. I might be banned from the office, but I can help you at home!" Alex says with a smile.
Casey smiles at her girlfriend, "You have a deal Counselor."
On her way home Alex stopped by a sadly now familiar apartment. Walking up to the door Alex knocks lightly. As Linda Cavanaugh opens the door she sighs loudly seeing the blonde attorney. "What do you want now Ms. Cabot?" the older woman asks.
"I want to say that I am really sorry about what happened to Sam." Alex apologizes trying to look the woman in the eye without crying. Taking a breath to steady her voice she says, "My girlfriend has a little girl her name is Caroline and she is only four years old. I love Caroline as if she were my own daughter, and I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to her. Sam…I don't know what it is about Sam, but his innocence and sweetness in a way reminds me of my Caroline and I got to close and tried to fight too hard for him and his case. I am sorry he got hurt in my crusade for his justice. I am happy that I finally got him justice, I just wish it had happened a different way. That's all I wanted to say, I won't bother you again."
As Alex finishes she turns and leaves the woman in the doorway. Walking out of the building and down to where she parked her car she felt a little lighter than before she'd gone to apologize. Maybe her guilt could be eased a little.
Driving towards Caroline's school Alex began to smile. At least she could spend her month playing with Caroline. They could take Casey lunch every day, and play in the park. They could even make plans for a big Thanksgiving dinner. Alex wouldn't be back to work until after Thanksgiving so it was perfect.
Honestly, if it hadn't been for Casey these last few days Alex would have fallen apart completely and Roy Barnett would have gotten off for sure. She didn't know where she would be without the redhead, either of her redheads for that matter. Caroline had been just as supportive. She loved Casey and Caroline like family, they were her family and she wanted them to be her family forever. Pulling into Caroline's school, Alex smiled brightly she knew what she was going to do for Casey for Christmas. She was going to propose.