AN: Okay, so we're breezing through the trial part and almost everything past this point will not be from that exact episode. There isn't many chapters left (like 3), but I told ya it'd be short! Also, after the first half, I stopped using the lines from the episode because they chose to update what episodes are on Netflix. I hope you enjoy! Please let me know how you feel and I appreciate the support I have received so far. Love ya'll!
Disclaimer: Not mine blah blah blah, Dick Wolf blah blah blah
"What I believe isn't the issue. Right now, that's not the law of the state of New York. If and when the legislature makes that the law, I will enforce it to the best of my ability" Casey heard herself say on the TV. She knew that reporters were going to be all over this case. Years of prosecuting cases for the Special Victims Unit trained her to handle the media with care; they could ruin a saint's reputation with incredible ease.
"I hope you mean that". She recognized the voice immediately.
"Mean what?"
"That you're not going to let Louisiana have my client".
"That's right. I'm gonna try him here". She was amazed at how confident she was about this. Most of her coworkers would hate to have a case like this, but she had never felt so sure of herself before in her life.
"Louisiana is not wasting any time" he said, handing her the paper.
"Motion for extradition" she read aloud. "Did you tell your client about this?"
"Yes. He wants to talk to you".
Casey had a gut feeling that this wasn't going to be a nice conversation
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
(The Precinct)
"Elliot, can you get me another coffee?" Olivia asked sweetly, batting her lashes. He had absolutely no desire to go to a café during lunch hour, but he would do it for her.
"Of course, you want your usual, correct?"
"Yes, thank you".
"Don't thank me just yet, you owe me" he said, leaning in until his nose was only millimeters away from hers.
"What do I owe you?" He loved how she played coy. They had only been together for about two days, but their partnership of ten years was pretty much a relationship. They relied on each other way too much and had almost been separated because of their closeness, but it was all worth it.
"Just one kiss" he whispered sweetly into her ear.
"But we're at work".
He looked around the spacious room, no one was around. The others had gone out for lunch or had calls to respond to.
"They're not in here; we'll make it quick".
She giggled and pressed her lips to his in loving, but short kiss. She wanted more, but she didn't want anyone to see.
"Thank you. I'll go get your coffee now. Call me if you need anything".
Olivia woke up that morning feeling hopeful. Her vision was even better than the day before. It was still blurry and overall annoying, but she was able to tell who was who and see things that were close to her very clearly. Things were starting to look up.
She heard the door behind her shut. The captain had been in there. She pulled herself out of her desk chair and tried to get as far down the hall as she could before he saw her.
"Olivia!" he called. She was only about four feet away from where she had been sitting.
"Yes, Cap?"
"You lied to me yesterday, didn't you?" he teased, letting her know that he saw them kiss.
"I just left some details out" she mumbled under her breath.
She felt his hand squeeze her shoulder. "It's about time. Congrats to you both".
She blushed and nodded her thanks.
"Just remember, you two have to keep it professional at work. I'm not going to make you switch partners unless you show me that I made a mistake" he warned. The last thing he wanted to do was to divide them. They always worked the best when they were together.
"Yes, sir".
"Oh and one more thing, if he ever hurts you, tell me. I know how to make it look like a bloody accident by now".
She nodded again, unsure of what to say. His tone was making it extremely difficult for her to determine if it was a joke or not.
Well…that was awkward.
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
"Elliot, is Olivia here? I need to talk to her"
Elliot had just stepped out of the elevator and onto the ground floor of the precinct when he bumped into Casey.
"Um, why?"
"I need her to testify".
Elliot felt a flutter in his chest. She did not need Olivia to get Picard.
"You don't need Liv, I can do it. I saw the whole thing".
"Yes, but you didn't hear what he said".
"The doctors told Olivia to take it easy for a while" he tried.
"Unless she has to testify" Casey countered.
"Look-"
"You're looking after your partner, I know, but I really need her".
"No you don't. Look, let Liv rest and leave her alone. She doesn't need the stress of a trial right now".
Without another word, he pushed past Casey and left. He had coffee that he needed to buy and frustration that needed to be worked out.
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
"I'm a big girl, Casey. I don't need Elliot watching out for me like that" Olivia said, quite mad that Elliot tried to make that decision for her.
"So I won't have to fight to get you to testify? Good" she said, sighing out of relief. At least one detective was cooperating. Picard's fate depended on this trial, if she messed this up, Louisiana could get him.
"God no… I want him to go to prison, Casey. When the doctor told me that I wouldn't be able to see for a while, I was terrified. The thought of never seeing El-everyone I know and love so much again was more than I could handle. Honestly, I'm lucky to be improving so much"
Casey bit her lip so hard that she almost drew blood. She knew this was wrong. She wanted to tell Olivia the whole plan, but she couldn't. It was too risky.
"Meet me at the courthouse at nine tomorrow, you're the first up".
Olivia nodded. The man was going to prison.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
(That evening, Benson's apartment)
"I can't wait for our date!" Olivia exclaimed. She was as giddy as a school girl and she couldn't contain it.
"I know, I've wanted to date you since the day I met you".
She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Do I need to wear anything special?"
"Nope. I want you to be comfy".
She had no clue what his plan for the evening was, but she couldn't wait to get the show on the road. His hand grabbed her own, leading her out of the apartment. He stopped to lock it before proceeding to the elevator.
It stopped a few seconds later, letting them out on the highest floor. Olivia was unable to make out the number, but she had watched as the lights of the numbers went up instead of down.
"Didn't we go the wrong way?"
"Nope. Okay, there are three little steps we're going to go up" he told her, just in case she couldn't see them well enough.
"We're going on the roof?"
"I'm going to open the door now"
She was greeted by several small lights hanging around the edge of the building and doorway. From what she could make out, they were Christmas lights. On the wall to their left, a couple paper lanterns hung, the wind making them move slightly.
She felt Elliot tug on her arm, bringing her attention to what looked like a giant nest. A couple of blankets covered the cement and pillows lined it.
"There's also a picnic basket and some wine… I really hope you like it, Liv".
She felt the familiar sting of tears brimming in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away, hoping that he didn't see them.
"You hate it". He sounded so upset and defeated that she grabbed him.
"No,no,no. Elliot, this is so sweet. I love it. I told you the other day that I was able to see lights really well and you listened. This is beautiful and I think it's perfect for us. We aren't the fancy restaurant type of people anyway".
He cupped her face with his big, worn hands. His thumbs stroked her velvety smooth skin for a moment before his lips made their descent onto hers. It felt like coming home after a long trip. Their lips belonged together.
She pulled back, alarming him, but she quickly allayed his fears. "We should probably break open that wine and eat some of that food before we get too carried away".
She sat down in the middle of their cozy nest and wrapped one of the extra blankets around herself. It was getting chilly, but she would make it. The silence was perfect for reflecting on their day together. He had taken her to work again, been over protective, bought her coffee, kept her entertained while he worked, and managed to set up the most beautiful and romantic lights on the roof of her building. It wasn't adding up.
"When did you find time to do this? We've been together all day".
He handed her the glasses of wine so he could sit without spilling. "Let's just say I have the best kids in the world and I owe them one".
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
(Courthouse, 9 am)
"Did Mr. Picard ever mention the name Francine?" Casey asked Olivia, clearly confusing her. She had already shown the damage that he had done to the jury.
"Um, not that I can remember" Olivia answered.
Elliot sat with the rest of the crowd, feeling unsure and uneasy about the whole thing.
The room erupted into chatter and gasps as Picard flew into a rant about Francine. He begged her to leave him alone. He did everything that he could to help her. Why wouldn't she leave him alone?
Elliot watched as Casey tried to hide her expression of satisfaction. She had wanted that to happen all along.
Once Picard was escorted out of the room, Olivia stepped down off the stand and made her way to Elliot and Casey.
"What the hell was that?" she spat to the attorney.
"I guess it just set him off" the blonde tried to convince them off her innocence in the situation, but neither of them bought it.
"You wanted that to happen! You manipulated me and Olivia to satisfy your own agenda!" Elliot looked over just in time to catch Olivia as she tripped over the rail.
"Let's get out of here". He was so angry that he wanted to punch something, but he needed to get Olivia home.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
(In the car)
"Why she just throw away a case like that? The man should be in jail for what he did to yo-those girls" Elliot covered.
"Charlie" Olivia sighed. She should have made the connection earlier but she had forgotten about the man until just then.
"Her ex-boyfriend?"
"It's a long story".
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
(Casey's office)
"Where's your schizophrenic boyfriend now?" Elliot asked, pulling the picture of him out of Casey's drawer. Olivia was right.
"That's none of your damn business!" He struck a nerve but that wasn't enough.
"Why'd you throw the case?" he questioned, not giving her a chance to calm down.
"It's my case and I'll handle it how I want to!"
They both glared at the other, waiting for the other to crack. Elliot was fuming and Casey was practically spitting fire with each word.
"Your job is to prosecute; maybe you should try doing the right thing".
He was really going after her, but he didn't care. He could be sorry later.
"We make the arrest and you put them in jail, where they belong".
"Your job is done Detective. I know that you just want revenge for what he did to Olivia".
"She's my partner". He wasn't sure why he said that. It made it sound like he was defensive of the wrong thing. However, he couldn't deny that revenge was his goal.
"Six months ago I got a call… a John Doe was found and the only ID was my card… It was Charlie".
Elliot shook his head and clenched his fist. She used Olivia because she wanted to make up for not saving Charlie.
"And now justice isn't served for those two little girls either. I hope you can find a way to sleep at night".
She jumped when he slammed the door on his way out. She had just made an enemy, but what lawyer didn't have a dozen or two?