By now, everyone at the precinct noticed that John was acting strange. He was smiling more, even laughing sometimes. When Friday came, Fin had had enough. "Okay, partner. Fess up. Who is she, what are you smoking, and when did the government admit it?"
He laughed loudly. That scared everyone in hearing distance. "Oh, my dear Odafin, the government is not admitting squat, I'm not using…but I do have a date tonight."
There was absolute silence everywhere for about 10 solid seconds. Fin looked shocked. "Who?"
"I don't kiss and tell, Fin." He looked at his watch. "See you Monday."
He walked out without another word.
Over the next two weeks, John and Casey had been on five dates. Casey took her back to his apartment. "Would you care for some wine?" She asked.
"Yes, please." He sat on the couch and drank with her. She laid a hand on his leg and kissed him gently. John kissed her back but stopped her after a while. "Casey…not yet. I don't want to rush it."
Casey smiled genuinely. So many men have pressured her into sex, even before the third date. John was being a perfect gentleman. "I understand, John. I know you've been hurt before…I promise I won't do it. I lo-" She stopped abruptly, knowing she was making a huge mistake.
John looked at her, eyes wide. "Casey…do you really?"
She looked at him. "Yes…I just…didn't want to scare you away. I love you."
He kissed her again. "Casey, I've loved you a long time. I love you, too." He looked shocked as she began wiping away tears. "Don't cry…"
He put an arm around her. "You're so good to me…why?"
"Because you're more than I deserve."
They just laid there until they fell asleep, Casey's head pillowed on John's shoulder.
It was John and Casey's two-month anniversary. They had managed to keep their relationship a secret for this long. John thought that Fin would explode if he didn't know for much longer.
John went to his desk to find a white rose with a note attached. It read:
"Dear John,
Please join me for dinner tonight, celebrating the two-month anniversary of when we confessed something we both knew all along.
Love,
Casey"
He chuckled and smiled. He tried to put the letter in his pocket, but Fin snatched it up. "That's it! I'm finding out right now what you've been hiding!"
John reached for it wildly. "No! Give it back!"
"Elliot! Hold him!" Elliot managed to restrain John as Fin read the letter. His eyes went wide. "You have been holding out on me, old man." He said softly.
He handed John the letter with a grin. "Way to go." He said.
Elliot looked to John, who was blushing. "Uh…thanks. I guess."
John donned a nice suit and met Casey at her office. "Ah, mon amour." His voice purred, extending his hand. "Come with me to a night of passion."
She smiled. "Hello, John. Meet me by the elevators, I must get myself ready." She winked at him and he followed her orders.
He waited until he saw Casey walk up in a beautiful black gown with matching pumps, as well as a small black purse. John grinned and took her hand. "You look beautiful tonight." He kissed her hand gently, causing Casey to blush.
"Thank you." She took his arm and they left the office.
John and Casey went to a beautiful restaurant with a professional female Italian singer playing love songs.
They sat down and John took Casey's hand. "You are an amazing woman, Casey."
"I think you are a wonderful man, John." She squeezed his hand.
They got some wine and had a wonderful time. At the end of the meal, John withdrew a long box from his jacket. "I got you something, love."
She smiled as she took the box. As she opened it, she gasped. It was a gold oval-shaped locket. On the front was engraved "J & C" and on the back was engraved, "I love you". She opened it, and saw a picture of John and a picture of her inside.
She looked up with sparkling tears. "It's beautiful. Thank you. Would you?"
He put it on her neck and kissed her. "I love you." He whispered.
He heard a song begin, and pulled her to the dance floor. "Dance with me?"
They waltzed and swayed the night away, not caring what was outside each other's eyes.
-TO BE CONTINUED-