Nightmare within a Dream

By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles

Chapter 5: Harm No Love

Casey and Alex slept for the next few hours, with Casey only waking slightly when she felt Alex leave, but she instantly rolled back over, explained she would be back in five minutes, used the bathroom and was back in under the set time.

Casey hadn't had nightmares, per say, just creepy intuition that, somehow, someway, Mark would find a way to her no matter what. But she would believe Alex as long as she could and let her take care of her.

Olivia walked in, hours later, sitting on the bed and shaking Alex's shoulder gently. "Alex!"

"Mph...what?" She opened her eyes groggily.

"I was just going to say it's nearly 7:30. You two should probably have something to eat and get up if you expect to sleep tonight."

Alex rubbed her face and turned to glance at Casey for a moment before nodding. "We'll be out in a minute...or several."

She smiled. "Okay. I'm the only one here right now. Elliot's gone back to the stationhouse to see what information he can get and to grab a duffel bag from my locker. I meant it when I said I would look out for you two. I'll be on the couch." She left the room, closing the door.

Alex lay still a moment before turning to Casey. She considered the best way to wake her before dropping tender kisses to her cheeks. "Case."

Her eyes opened slowly as she nestled into Alex. "Mhm?"

"Time to get up and have something to eat."

She nodded, sitting up and resting her head on Alex's shoulder. "Is it just us?"

"Olivia too. Elliot's gone."

"Okay. I...feel much better now too."

"That's good." Alex dropped a kiss to her head before standing.

Casey stood up, her hand sliding into Alex's as they walked out, Alex sitting in a chair as Casey sat in her lap.

"Hi," Casey said, yawning.

Olivia, aware that she'd caused issues between them earlier, gave a small smile and pushed the room service menu towards them.

Casey situated herself in Alex's arms, her head in her neck as they looked. "How about pasta?"

"I feel like a burger. A giant burger with fries and a load of sauce."

She nodded. "Okay, you get that and... I think I might have the spaghetti. What do you want, Olivia?"

"..I'm fine. I've eaten. I'll just have a coffee or something."

Casey sighed. "Olivia, you don't need to be so...antisocial. Elliot explained a bit to me and...I'm glad you helped her. Are you sure you don't want anything?" she asked, waving the menu in front of her face.

"...Maybe just a dessert or something. Some ice cream."

Casey smiled. "Okay, uh, not wanting to make you do everything, but do you want to order? Just...in case?"

Olivia nodded and took the menu from her before walking to the phone.

She looked at Alex. "I trust you, but being as he's...so close I don't want to take any chances."

Alex gave her a smile and nodded. She was just about to kiss her when the door was kicked in, knocking Olivia to the ground.

Casey stood, hiding behind Alex. "Lex!"

Mark stood straight backed in the doorway, the guard who had been outside lying on the floor behind him. "Casey, come here."

"No! Like Hell! You tried to rape! You shot Alex!"

"They've just poisoned you against me, Case. You know the truth!"

Alex held tightly to Casey's hand as Olivia groaned and attempted to sit up.

"No, you did it! All by yourself! Why would I even want to be with you?"

Olivia attempted to pull herself up, but fell down again, her head spinning.

Mark marched towards Casey. "Come on! We need to go!"

"No! Get this through your fucking head: I LOVE ALEX! I WANT TO BE WITH ALEX, MARRY ALEX! NOT YOU!"

He reached forward, but instead of grabbing Casey, he got Alex, pulling her so hard towards himself that she almost fell over. "Then I'll take her until you come to your senses." He pulled an unresisting Alex towards the door.

Casey beat him to the door, picking up Olivia's gun on the floor, firing a shot that barely missed his head. "No," she said calmly, "you won't. I didn't only take mythology classes while I was away, Alex. I learned how to shoot too. I hit the center mark. Every time. The next one is going through your heart unless you let her go right now!"

He held Alex directly in front of him. "If you're sure you want to risk it, go ahead." He continued to walk backwards.

"You want to bet? Alex, don't move. I promise I won't hurt you. And Liv, I swear to God this self-defense." The next shot she fired, somehow, got his shoulder, missing Alex. All the was on her, as he dropped to the ground, was his blood.

Alex walked over. "Casey, drop it."

She nodded and the gun fell to the floor. "Drag the idiot back into the room. I see he's out cold, then call Cragen and explain. Liv's still pretty disoriented. I'll help her."

She bend next to Olivia, who was still trying to get herself up but was on the verge of passing out, blood running in a stream down her head."

Casey grabbed her phone, dialing 9-1-1. "Easy Liv, easy. It's gonna be okay." She looked to Alex, who'd just drug him into the room as she grabbed a nearby towel and put pressure to the detective's head. "I know, I know I've got a lot to explain, but...are you okay?"

Alex nodded, trying to stop her hands shaking as she pressed it to Olivia's head.

Casey looked at her uneasily. "Does...this change anything? I'll understand if..."

Then Cragen, Elliot, Munch, Fin and Donnelly rushed in surveying the scene, followed by the paramedics who lifted Olivia onto a stretcher and wheeled her out as well as Mark.

"I know it's all on me. I know I shouldn't have done it, at all. I'll...take the hit. But I just couldn't...let him take her."

No one seemed to speak to her as they dealt with what had happened, and Alex disappeared from the room with Olivia.

Casey sighed, wanting to follow Alex, but knowing she couldn't. She leaned against a wall as Elliot walked over. "Did you come to cuff me?" she asked defeated.

He gave a soft laugh. "No, I'd be more likely to shake your hand...if they weren't all bloody. Turns out he had a trace on Olivia's phone, god knows how, but that's how he knew you were here. He had a knife and a gun on him, looks like he had the knife pressed to Alex's back."

"Is...she okay? I know I really rattled her with..." she sighed. "I should be there, but I can't be. I wouldn't have done it if Olivia hadn't been down o-or Alex was... I had to! I couldn't let him... not after what he did! You understand, right?"

"Completely. But you know she doesn't like guns, Casey. Do you want a lift to the hospital or do yoyu want to go back with the captain straight away to give your statement?

"Will they...let me see them? Let me go? I know she doesn't like guns after...everything, but I just feel like, right now I should be there to...explain and..."

Elliot nodded and led her down to his car. The drive to the hospital was done in silence.

Casey sat there a second before she got out. "I should've washed my hands. My shirt..."

He reached onto the backseat and handed her a jacket before stepping out. "Here. Liv's jacket. And just go to the bathroom to wash your hands. I'll see you up there."

She nodded.

Walking in, she rushed to the bathroom, turning her shirt inside out and slipping it back on before putting the jacket over it. Then she walked over to the sink, running hot water and scouring her hands free of blood before drying them and went upstairs.

She walked straight to the nurses' station, but saw Elliot leaning against the wall and walked over. "So?"

"Liv is ok, just has concussion."

"Well, that's...good news. Where's Alex? Does she hate me?"

"She's still in with Olivia..and you're relationship wasn't exactly my top priority when I went in there, Casey. I do know she had a small knife wound in her back that they've stitched up."

She nodded. "I figured as much, Just...wondered if she mentioned me."

"No."

"Okay. Well, here goes." She walked in slowly, resting on the wall just inside the door, not knowing if Olivia was conscious or if Alex wanted to see her.

Olivia was awake, and Alex was holding her hand tightly as they talked quietly. Neither noticed her entrance.

Casey just sighed, zipping up the jacket as she walked over, not close enough to hear the conversation though, saying nothing.

Olivia was the first to notice her and gave a half smile. "Glad you're ok."

She waved it off. "Shouldn't I be telling you that? I'm sorry if, you know, I was out of line. How you feeling?"

"Got a blinder of a headache."

She sat on the edge of the bed. "Yeah, I'm not surprised. Alex, I-I know I should've told you, but it just never came up. I don't like them either. Will you let me explain, now so Olivia can hear too?"

Alex didn't make eye contact, but Olivia squeezed her hand and she gave a nod.

She sighed. "About a month after I was suspended, there were a few robberies in my building. It never happened to me...but as I was coming home from the store I saw someone leaving my neighbor's apartment, dressed in black with a bag over his shoulder as I crouched behind the corner wall. I called it in, explaining who I was. I even explained to a sketch-artist, but they didn't catch him. It happed twice more, each close to my place so I decided to learn how to shoot. I was...shaky at first, but very quickly I hit mark after mark. I guess I did it just to know I could if it ever came up. I don't own a gun. And I know you don't like them, Alex, but I couldn't let him take you... not again. I'm...sorry. I just I love you and if there's something I need to do to keep you safe, I won't hesitate."

"You pointed a gun at my face."

She sighed. "I know. I just came by to apologize and...explain." She slid the ring off her finger, placing it on the bed. "I still love you and no one else, but I understand...if your perception of me has changed. If you want to give me another chance, it's your call. But just remember: I did it for you to keep you safe and I'd do it over if I had to. Think about it. Now, if you'll excuse me, Elliot is giving a ride to the station to give my statement. I'm glad you're okay, Olivia," she said, walking away.

A moment later, Alex was by her side, sliding the ring back into her hand. "You scared me, Casey. It doesn't change my feelings. Go with Elliot and I'll be in there a bit later, okay?'

Casey turned around, hugging her tightly. "I'm glad. Because I still love you, very much," she said, slipping the ring back on her finger.

Alex pulled away and squeezed her hand, offering a small smile before walking back to Olivia.

Author's Note: So, what do you think will happen next?

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