John woke up that morning with Casey in his arms. That night they had made love, and John felt as though he were the luckiest man in the world. As she slept, he thought to himself, "I really do love her…maybe the fifth time will be the charm." But he knew it was far too early to think about that, but he filed the thought away for future analysis.

Casey stirred a little, and her locket gleamed in the sunlight. He kissed her forehead. "Morning, amour."

"Good morning, darling." She sighed. "Last night was wonderful."

He smiled. "I'm glad."

They laid there a while longer, before Casey spoke. "Does anyone else know?"

He sighed. "Fin found out, but I don't think he told anyone."

"Do you think we should tell them?"

"I don't want to hurt you. I want to stay with you."

Casey gazed at him. "We'll do it together. I'm sick of hiding. I want to let everyone know that we're in love. Besides, they'll already ask about this." She held the locket in her palm. "I have no desire to take this off."

He kissed her. "You know I can't say no to you."

John walked in singing happily in Greek, Fin rolled his eyes. "Somebody got laid."

John placed a hand on Fin's shoulder. "Jealous, my dear Odafin?" He kissed him quickly on the cheek. Fin stood up and quickly wiped his face. "WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!"

Elliot and Olivia saw it and looked at John like he had sprouted a second head.

"What's going on?"

"I am in love with a beautiful woman!" John said.

Now they knew something was up. "Who?"

He sighed. "It's hard for me to say, but we've decided to admit it." He sat down. "It's Casey."

They gasped. "So that's why Casey's been so happy!" Olivia said. "All she said was a man made her feel like a lovesick teenager."

John chuckled. "Is that so?"

Cragen came up. "Shit." Elliot winced. John turned around. "Oh…hi Captain."

"John, in my office."

They walked in. "How long has this been going on?"

"Last night was our two-month anniversary."

He sighed. "I'm happy for you, John. But you do realize that if this gets in the way of your job, I'll have to put a stop to it."

"Relax, Captain. I'd never do anything to jeopardize seeing her."

Cragen saw something in Munch. "I know. Don't hurt her, Munch. She loves you."

John sighed. "And it's a wonderful feeling."

John and Casey met later. "How'd it go?"

"My boss wasn't pleased." Casey sighed. "But she relented."

"Same with Cragen." He smiled. "Feel better?"

She kissed him deeply. "I do now."

They went to John's house and made love again.

"I love you, John." Casey whispered in the dark.

"I love you too, Casey." He whispered back.

It was now six months since they had started dating. John sighed heavily. It was a night of destiny. Fin looked at him as he walked to the men's room. He sighed and followed him. "What's up?"

John turned to him. "My nerves are wracked."

"Why?"

He reached into his pocket. "Because of this." An open ring box.

Fin looked to him. "Wow. Congrats, man."

"What if she says no?"

"John, look at me." He did. "She won't say no. I just talked to her. She loves you, man."

He smiled and put the ring away. "I'm asking her tonight." He moved closer to Fin. "And I was wondering if you'd be my best man?"

Fin clapped a hand on his back. "It would be my honor."

John exited the bathroom with his heart a little lighter. Tonight was the night.

-TO BE CONTINUED-