Burning Desire

By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles

Chapter 6: Discussions

Olivia barely caught Casey as she fell to the ground. "Sweetie, what happened? Tell me."

Casey tried to speak, but her breathing was too fast and she couldn't stop shaking.

"We've got a body, Liv," Elliot called out.

Olivia held Casey tight with her good arm. "Any ID on it?" she called out.

"No!" Casey cried. "Don't! Please don't!"

"Why? Y-you didn't...? Casey? What the hell happened up here? And what were you doing with an officer's gun?"

Casey sobbed into her shoulder. "The t-two men. Didn't you see them? They shot him. He was trying to get away, they k-killed him!"

Olivia shook her head. "I didn't see anybody except you. The blood on your clothes and hands, whose is it?"

Casey shook her head vigorously, and started to hyper ventilate.

Elliot appeared with the officer's gun in a bag. "Body is James Gray, Liv. Looks like there was a scuffle. He's got a lot of defense wounds."

Olivia nodded, standing up, pulling Casey with her. "Okay, come on, sweetie. We have to go back inside."

She stood shakily. "I-I-I didn't kill him! I-it was the men! I-I tried to help him after they took off, bu-but..." she leaned on Olivia, who leaned on Elliot because she couldn't use both arms.

He led them inside, leaving Fin to secure the crime scene, but inside he stopped Olivia and pointed to some blood on the wall. "Looks like someone else was hurt. Go and take Casey back to her room, get the doctor to check her over."

"What about her clothes? Bag them?"

He nodded, then said softly. "And try and make some sense out of what she's saying." He offered a smile, helping them down the last of the stairs before going back up to Fin.

In the hospital room, the doctor was forced to give Casey something to calm her down before examining her.

As Olivia bagged her clothes, Casey watched her eyes half closed. "There were two other men, there were."

"Okay, Casey, okay. Why don't you sleep for a bit? I need to get back to the station."

But Casey sat up. "No, you can't go! He-he said..." she fell back onto the bed, "they'll kill you," she said as she passed out.

Olivia bit her lip. Sure, Casey was a bit loopy, but... She walked out just as Elliot walked into the hall. "Did you get anything?"

She shrugged. "Boy did I. I might need protection now, but Casey's unconscious. She was, of course, hysterical, so she was given a sedative."

Elliot nodded. "Well, there's evidence up here that there was more than just the two of them. Melinda thinks, from the looks of it, James was trying to protect someone, probably Casey. She had her back against the wall over there, two or more men were standing in front of him, kicking, hitting, then it looks like one of them was shot, either by Casey or James, but with the cop's gun, and they shot back, killing James. He fell on top of Casey and the others ran."

"Well, that means the blood on her clothes is his, but we need to find out who else was up there. Because, whoever they are, they're after all three of us now. What happened to her guards?"

"Knocked out, tied up in a room. Both of them say by the uncle. So looks like we'll have to go through CCTV."

She sighed. "Fun, fun. I'm gonna look after Casey, unless you need me to be there?"

He shook his head. "You stay with her. We've got a couple of the guys from the unit who are going to guard her room. Let them know if you're going anywhere."

She nodded. "Liam. You might want to fill him in too," she said, walking back into the room and pulling up a chair beside an uncurious Casey.

She slept heavily for several hours, but as it grew dark, she woke with a start.

Olivia jumped, taking Casey's hand. "Hey, it's okay. It's okay," she said, sitting between the rails.

"Have they gone? Have you got them?"

"No, we don't have them yet, but we're working on it. Can you...tell me anything?"

Casey took a deep breath, and was quiet for so long, Olivia wondered if she'd fallen asleep. "Case?"

"One of them...I've seen before. At work. He was up for…something, but I can't remember what. The other guy...he was one of the guards."

Olivia's jaw dropped. "Your guards?"

Casey rubbed her head. "The smiling one. He kept apologizing."

Olivia pulled out her cell. "Captain, detain Casey's guards. One of them is involved in the shooting. Yeah, she's sitting right here, completely coherent," she sighed. "Yeah, here," she handed Casey her phone.

Casey took the phone with a shaking hand, looking to Olivia for reassurance.

Olivia nodded, holding her free hand. "It's okay. There are other units outside the room to protect us."

Casey nodded, explaining to him about one of her guards. "No, I don't know where they went," she sighed. "Yes, I'm aware of that. I'll be happy to explain after some much-needed rest. I'll have Olivia bring me down to the station." Then she was silent for a while, answering in one word phrases before handing the phone back to Olivia.

"Captain?"

He sighed. "Casey isn't happy with my arrangements right now, but I'm sending Alex with Munch over to you. It's probably best to keep the three of you together, for support reasons. Not the best call for keeping you three safe, but each of you know separate things about what's happened. You need to talk."

Olivia nodded. "Understood. Will you be doubling the guards then?"

After he replied, she closed the phone and stuffed it back into her pocket. "Casey," she whispered, but she wouldn't look at her. Olivia ran the back of her hand over her cheek. "It's for everyone's safety. Each of us knows different things."

She nodded. "I know. I just…uh… can't get him out of my head," she said, sitting up and wrapping her arms around her. "He really was like a second father…for a while," she whispered. "My dad loved me dearly, but he worked such long hours, so Uncle James would fill in wherever he couldn't, which was all the time," she finally pulled her head up to look at her. "It was only when I decided to become an attorney that my father started to spend more time with me. He wanted me to learn from him, you know?"

Olivia nodded. "Passing the baton in a way?"

Casey sighed. "Yes, though growing up, I never doubted that he loved me…even more than-than…" she couldn't continue and buried her head into Olivia's shoulder.

Hearing footsteps, Olivia looked toward the door, seeing Alex and Munch walk in. She pressed a finger to her lips and gestured to the chair. Alex nodded, remaining silent as she took in.

Munch walked over. "Six of our men – that we hand-picked and trust – are guarding the place, besides the two outside the room. Fin is calling for connections back at the station with Elliot. I'm going to have another look on the roof and be back in."

Olivia nodded, wrapping her arm around Casey. "Don't worry, Case."

She just shook her head.

Olivia sighed. "Casey, I figured out why you wanted me out of here earlier."

Casey pulled back. "Y-you did?"

Alex raised a brow. "What's going on?"

Olivia took Casey's shaking hand. "Your doctor was your uncle. You said he was in the gang that was after Alex. That was why you told me to leave, said I shouldn't be here. You knew I was in danger."

Alex raised a brow. "You wanted to protect her."

Casey looked at her. "Of course I-I never wanted her to be hurt." She looked down. "An-and now you probably want nothing to do with me, right?" she asked, looking at Olivia. "You were shot because of me. Now Alex is back and probably in more danger than ever. I'm so sorry, L-Olivia. I never meant for any of this to happen!"

She fell back onto the bed, but Olivia still held her hand. She looked at Alex. "What do you remember? Was there anyone else that was connected to…him that knew about you?"

Alex shook her head. "Not that I was told, but I tried to stay out of it. My new life doesn't involve any of this chaos."

Casey kept her eyes closed, trying not to notice the gentle way Alex and Olivia spoke to each other, the subtle difference from the way Olivia spoke to her causing an ache in her heart. She listened to them try discuss 'the case' for a while before they both fell silent, trying to think of anything they could have missed. Casey kept her eyes tightly shut, hoping they'd think she was asleep.

Olivia sighed, resituating herself next to Casey and lying down. She laid her head on Casey's shoulder and wrapping her arm around her. "I'm glad you're not hurt any worse," she whispered, kissing her cheek. "Makes me feel a little better about everything. Really."

"...I'm sorry I've caused all this. If I'd just done what he'd asked..."

Olivia shook her head. "...You wouldn't be alive, sweetie. Don't you think that matters to me?"

"It would have saved so much…bother. Alex could have come back. No one would have died..."

"I wouldn't do anything differently. Alex is a good friend - friend and that's all. It's not your fault for what happened."

Casey opened her eyes and looked into Olivia's for a long time, before speaking softly, "There's something I need to tell you. You should get Cragen here as well."

She nodded. "What about?" she asked, pulling out her phone and asking him to come down. "Casey, no matter what, I'm not going to stop loving you...if that's what you're worried about."

When Cragen got there, Casey struggled to get out of bed, shrugging off everyone's help. Standing beside it, she pulled out a book from under the mattress and handed it to Cragen. "It's got the names, addresses, alias, partners, everything my uncle could think of, of all the people he knew involved. The first page is…the main family. He said they're the ones who tell everyone else what to do. The second page...that's police involved. There are a lot."

"How did you get this, Casey?" Olivia asked. "And...why give it to us?"

"He told me to. He said if anything happened to him, to give it to you. You'll be able to get everyone. I've had it...for a long time."

"So you could've prevented everything if you would've given us this little book!" Olivia said suspiciously.

Casey made no comment, returning to sit on her bed.

Alex sighed, walking over to behind Cragen. "Well, my hit man is in the top five, not to mention...his boss, so that helps."

Olivia looked at him. "So, what happens now? Am I taking her into custody for withholding evidence? I'd...really prefer not to..."

Cragen looked down at Casey for a moment then looked at Olivia. "No. I'll discuss this with you another time, Casey, but I think we have enough to deal with at the moment. Just...make sure you know where she is at all times, Olivia."

She nodded. "So are the three of us still confined to this room? Have the guys gotten anywhere on what happened?"

Cragen glanced towards Casey once more, before saying to Olivia. "I don't think it would be appropriate to discuss this in front of Miss Novak any further. You can stay here unless the doctor has discharged her, then you can either go to the station, or to a hotel."

Olivia nodded, sighing. "I think we'll be safer at the station, but we'll worry about that after the doctor makes rounds," Olivia answered as Munch walked back into the room.

"All finished here?" he asked.

Alex looked to Olivia who nodded. "Yeah, I'll go back with you," she said, leaving with him.

"Captain," Olivia said as she followed him out of the room. "I'll do all I can to get details from her, but from everything that's been said and done...I'm just not sure which to focus on more. If I don't focus on Casey sh-she might end up like Alex...which would affect me more than you could possibly realize, not using that as an excuse. But if I do, I might lose track. I-I need your advice..."

He put a hand gently on her arm. "Leave discussing the case up to us, Liv. Just be there for her. She has a lot going on. If she wants to talk, so be it, but don't push it."

She nodded. "Okay, but if you know anything that affects me, will you, at least, let me know? Actually, maybe a hotel would be a better idea for now, come to think of it. Less chaos getting in the way. I mean, he uncle just...it's gonna hurt to be there..."

He nodded and squeezed her arm. "I'll sort it out and give you a call."

She walked back into Casey's room as he walked away.

"So guess you want to keep your distance from me now obviously," Casey said sighing.

"No, actually, it's the opposite—"

She scoffed. "To make sure I don't run off, right?"

She shook her head. "No, because I know you want me here," she said, sitting in the now empty chair.

"Just because I want you here, it doesn't mean you have to be."

"What does that mean?"

Casey shrugged. "I'm sure you'd much rather be trying to catch Alex's affection. You know, before she leaves again?"

"Casey, how many times—how can I prove to you that I'm not changing my mind?"

"You can't." Casey went to roll away from her, but jumped when the door opened, the doctor walking in, and despite how she was trying to remain detached from Olivia, her hand sought hers.

Olivia scooted closer, taking it in both of her own. She sighed. "So what've you got to tell us?"

"You're going to have to keep that plaster on your ankle for several weeks, Miss Novak. Everything else, including the injury sustained today, looks superficial. I've got some pain killers for you, and you will need to make an appointment with our fracture clinic for a couple of weeks' time, but for the moment, you're free to go home."

Olivia smiled. "Thank you," she said as he walked out. She helped her stand up. "Where to? We can't really go home and, yes, I'm staying by your side whether you like it or not."

Casey sighed, pulling her hand from Olivia's. "Can you please turn your back while I get changed into my clothes? Don't worry, I won't try and make a run for it out the window." As Olivia turned her back, Casey struggled to get changed with one leg.

Olivia saw Casey's shadow sway and she instantly turned back around and caught her. "Casey, let me help you, please? I don't want you to get hurt. Hence why my arm is in a sling."

"I'm fine." She struggled against Olivia, but then almost fell once more, and repeated weakly, "I'm fine."

"Casey, I wouldn't change a damn thing between us," she replied, holding her up. "I love everything about you. And, if I had to do it again just to keep you safe, I'd do it in a heartbeat. You don't want to this to end, do you?"

"I want... I want to pretend none of this ever happened. None of it."

Olivia drew a sharp breath. "So...you don't love me? Is that it?"

Casey attempted a nod, but a tear that fell betrayed her.

Olivia reached up and wiped it away. "Why? Casey, danger is everywhere I turn. It's not your fault. What about the fire escape? What about the hot tea? What about the PJs you lent me that made me think you had something else in mind? I love you and I'm not gonna stop. I'll do whatever I have to in order to keep you safe. But...if that's what you're sure you want, for us not to be together anymore, I-I can't force you. Or to love me."

With tears in her eyes, Casey looked at her. "Forget it. Forget everything that's happened between us. I-it was a mistake."

Olivia sighed. "I wish you didn't believe that. I know I don't."

"Why? You were shot because of something that had to do with me. If my family wasn't involved in…that, she would still be here. Not me. I know you'd rather be with her anyway. After all, you loved her even before you knew my name."

"Casey, don't, please!"

She shook her head. "Just…forget it. We'll do our jobs—"

"—But Casey—"

"—And nothing more. That way you can't get hurt anymore."

"What if we just take a break for now—"

"For now? This is never going to end Olivia."

"You don't know that! Casey, we will find them and put them away."

"What does it matter? Even if we do, there's always going to be something you're not willing to give."

Olivia held her wrist. "I love you, not her. I didn't think I could ever love someone as much as I love you."

"You say that now—"

"No Casey, I'm never going to stop saying it. You made me see other possibilities. You opened my eyes. How can you be willing to throw that away?"

Casey caught sight of Olivia's face in the mirror and wanted desperately for a moment to take back everything she'd said, but then remembered. She remembered the photos one of the men on the roof had shown her.

Alex and Olivia – together. The looks they gave one another. Initially, they'd been taken to try and get Casey on their side, but on the roof, they'd just been shown to hurt her, and hurt her they had. Reaching out, she grabbed her crutches and moved past Olivia without a glance.

Olivia followed her, sighing. "I'll take us to a hotel. Remember I'm still supposed to keep an eye on you, okay?"

Casey offered the best shrug she was able to, before making her way from the room, leaving Olivia to carry her things.

Olivia sighed once more, hastily grabbing the bag Casey had left on the bed and her few other belongings. She was about to slip the phone lying on the table into the bag when she suddenly realized it wasn't Casey's. With a frown, she opened it. The first thing that appeared to her was a zoomed in photo of her and Alex together. Alex was wearing the same clothes she was wearing today, and Olivia didn't seem to be wearing much at all.

Curious, Olivia kept scrolling through the risqué photos, finding in each one she was wearing something totally out of her comfort zone and Alex grinning to beat hell. She sighed. Who the hell was doing this? She slipped the phone into her pocket as she heard Casey clamber back in.

"Are you coming? I don't want to hang around here all day and they won't let me leave unless you do."

The detective steeled her face, then looked up. "Oh yeah, sorry," she said, following her out. She would keep the phone as it no-doubt had worthy evidence on it. Hopefully Casey wouldn't ask for it.

An hour later, after several detours, they entered a hotel room. The guards posted outside. They left it to Olivia to check over the room. Casey sat heavily on one of the chairs before gingerly resting her leg on the table in front.

Olivia sighed, sitting on the bed. "How's your ankle?"

Casey gave a shrug, rooting around in her bag to find her pain killers

"Oh, here," Olivia said, taking them from her pocket. "They fell out." She handed them to her. "I'll get you a glass of water." She returned from the bathroom minutes later, with a glass of water and handed it to her. "Do you even...want me near you? I'm mean, it's gonna be boring with no one to talk to."

One of the photos flashed into her mind, and she shut her eyes tightly, swallowing the pain killers and taking a sip of water, not answering as she rested back against the chair.

"Maybe you should lie down. I'll put a few pillows under your leg," she suggested. Then she sighed. "Casey, I'm trying to be helpful, friendly, the least you can do is be civil and accept a little assistance. You say we're over? Okay, for now I won't push anything of that nature, but I can tell, just by looking at you, you'd rather not be alone," she answered, standing a few feet away.

Wanting nothing more than to curl up in Olivia's arms, Casey refused to look at her, knowing she'd give in. Reaching out, she grasped the remote and turned on the television.

Olivia sighed, walking over and grabbing two pillows from the bed. "Lift your leg," she said. Without moving her eyes off of the TV she did as Olivia placed them underneath. "A little better?"

Keeping her eyes trained to the TV, she just gave another little shrug.

Shrugging off her jacket, the detective placed it over Casey's shoulders. "Just in case, okay?" When she received no reply, this time, she sat right next to her. "Look, I know you're upset about...well, a lot of things, but can't you talk to me...about anything?"

Casey seemed about to speak, but then there was vibrating from inside Olivia's jacket pocket. Reaching inside, Casey pulled out the phone she'd left at the hospital. Her eyes finally met Olivia's, hurt and betrayal showing in them.

"You left it. I'm sorry. I thought I dropped mine. Casey, I was with you all morning... I-I'm sorry. You wanna answer it?" she stood up. "I'll go over there."

Casey grabbed her hand, and Olivia turned hopefully, but she merely gave her the phone and said hoarsely, "You answer it."

"Are you sure? You can."

Casey gave her a hand stare for a moment before opening the phone. "What?"

"I-I think you better answer it. I-it looks important."

"What do you want?" Casey sighed into the phone, then her face paled slightly as she realized who it was on the other end. "Olivia is here if you want to talk to her."

At the station, Elliot sighed at the tone in her voice. "Where did you get this phone? It's supposed to be Tom's phone. The guard, from the roof. He said he left it at home."

"Well, he was wrong. He left it in the hospital room. Someone must have thought it was mine and packed it. There's nothing interesting on it. Olivia seems to have already had a look."

Elliot sighed. "Let me talk to her."

Casey shoved the phone towards Olivia before turning back to the TV.

"What've you found out?" she asked, surprised Casey was still holding her hand.

At Elliot's words about the roof, the shooting was replaying it Casey's head and she began to shiver as he spoke to Olivia. "This is the phone from that guard. Anything of interest on it? We've got someone on the way to pick it up."

Olivia looked at Casey, rubbing her hand. "It's alright, Casey."

"What happened? What's wrong?"

Olivia sighed. "El, there's some pretty incriminating evidence on this phone. I think this person's the one who's trying to tear me and Casey apart...by jealousy."

"Jealousy?" he repeated.

"Ask the captain," she replied. "I'll give the phone to whoever comes," she said, hanging up. "It really is going to be okay. Those aren't real. I swear, I was with you."

"But your clothes...I don't remember. I can't remember if you were with me." She continued to shiver, pulling Olivia's jacket tighter around her shoulders with shaking hands.

Olivia wrapped an arm around her. "Of course you don't remember everything! We had to sedate you after... Casey, I swear to God, these are not real. I'd rather it was you anyway. Casey..."

"But…he was like...everything to me, for so long. He knew I would do anything for him. If he was in trouble, why didn't he come to me, before it got so bad? If…if he found it so easy to lie to me, you would too…"

Olivia kissed her hand. "He used you Casey. He knew you would do anything for him. I think, in the end, he tried to atone for it. Casey, I know it's hard to accept... and I'm so sorry," She rubbed her shoulder.

"When...Munch and Elliot were looking for me, and you were in hospital, they said they had someone who was going to hurt you. I said they could do...whatever they wanted to me, as long as they didn't hurt you. They laughed at me and said..." Casey sighed, then looked down at Olivia's hand was holding hers then said softly. "I'm just tired, Liv. Can we just go to sleep?"

She nodded. "Well, I'm okay," she squeezed her hand. "If that ever happens again, I want you to be safe," she said, kissing her hand again. Then her eyebrow rose. "We? You mean...you might partly want to take back what you said?"

"I'm just tired. Of talking, of being angry…of everything. if you did something, if you didn't...I don't care anymore. I'm just tired."

"No," she said, caressing her cheek. "I did nothing, You're safe. I want you to feel better. I want you to cry on my shoulder at night. I just...I want us to be better, Casey. If you'd like to take a break until this matter is resolved - and don't argue because it will be - it's okay."

Someone knocked on the door. She looked at Casey. "Who is it?"

"It's Alex."

"And Fin," he supplied, eyeing one of the guards outside the door suspiciously.

Olivia raised her brow. "What do you think?"

"You're asking for my opinion when she's involved?"

She nodded. "Yes. You matter to me. More than anyone."

"...Whatever I'm going to lie down." The words were similar to what she'd been saying all day, but were spoken in a softer voice as she stood unsteadily, then reached for her crutches

"Here," Olivia pulled them away and helped her over to the bed. She was surprised, when she reached to kiss her cheek that she didn't pull away. She smiled looking at Casey. "It's always going to be us. Promise."

She let go of her hand and walked over and opened the door. "Sorry it took so long," she said as they walked in.

Alex looked around awkwardly, relieved when she didn't see Casey, and Fin gave a nod. "I'm here to pick up the phone. Cragen wanted Cabot...ah, Alex, here. The arrests are underway, and they need all man power active, so we need you lot together."

Olivia sighed. "So do I need to leave?" she asked, placing the pillows back under Casey's leg.

"Nope. You're stuck here until Cragen says so. Elliot said he'll bring some stuff over later. I've got to get back. Enjoy the daytime TV!"

Olivia smiled. "Wait! Aren't you forgetting the reason you came over?" she asked, holding up the phone.

He smiled, taking it from her. "Overtime with Munch'll do that to you. Kinda wish I was stuck in a hotel room with two ADAs." He gave a wave and left the room.

Olivia laughed. "So anything new?" she whispered. "Or don't you know anything?"

She smiled uncomfortably. "Sorry, not really. Cragen said not to say anything in front of Casey."

She nodded. "Fair enough, but it must not involve me seeing as he hasn't called."

Alex gave a helpless shrug, then sunk into the chair Casey had recently vacated. "Finally a comfortable seat. Every seat at the station is rock hard. And believe me, I tried them all." In the bed, Casey rolled to her side, covering her ears.

Olivia sighed, looking at Casey. "This shouldn't be happening. Any of it. She's uncomfortable, you're uncomfortable and that's making me uncomfortable! I just...I really am glad to see you, Alex, but - whether you meant to or not - you threw one hell of a wrench between me and Casey," she said, sitting beside her.

Alex sighed, rubbing her head. "I know. And you know I didn't mean to. I just want you to be happy, and if that's with her, then it's with her. I did ask not to be brought here, but there really was no other choice. I really am sorry." She reached out and took Olivia's hand.

Olivia, for the sake she thought Casey might be watching, pulled away. "I know. I just wish she would believe me. Why do you think I should be with her and not you?" It had been on her mind for some time now and she hadn't yet had the chance to ask it.

Unknown to both, Casey lay on her back and uncovered her ears.

"Do you think she has something you don't? Not that I'm complaining. Casey has really...made me see another side of myself I never thought I had. I'll always love her for that."

"That's why. You and I...we're too...alike, in some ways. We are both serious, and Casey...she's...not. You need someone who understands you, but counterbalances some of the things you are. You think too deeply about things, sometimes Casey doesn't think enough. You were so serious. If Casey was forced to be serious all day at work, she'd make up for it by being extra crazy outside of work. You're always controlled. She never is, always spilling coffee all over herself, stumbling over her own feet. You and I, we might have worked, but we would never have brought the best out in each other. Since you've been with Casey, even at the moment, you're happier, softer, and more ready to smile at the small things in life."

"I-I never thought of it that way," Olivia sighed. "All I know is that, because she doesn't want me hurt, Alex..." she cast her eyes at the table."I mean, it-it makes sense, but... I just don't know..."

"It will be ok. I promise. And have I ever been wrong about anything?" She gave Olivia a smile before pulling out the menu. "Room Service. My favorite thing."

Olivia pulled it away and threw it to the floor. "That's not what I'm talking about! Listen to me!" she yelled, walking over to the window with her back to her.

Alex sighed. "I don't know what you want from me, Olivia..."

In the bedroom, Casey sat on the edge of the bed, listening.

She turned to her looking at the floor. "Casey, Casey doesn't want anything to do with me anymore outside work. She-she still thinks I'd rather be with you because, according to her, I loved you first, but that's not true! I'd do anything for her...to take it back. I love her! An-and she just doesn't believe that. I realize that me coming to you for advice is probably the last thing you want, but," she looked up at her, "I just don't know what else to do."

Casey closed her eyes, hearing the pain in Olivia's voice, pain she had caused.

Alex looked at Olivia silently for a moment, and was about to reply when she saw movement in the bedroom. Lowering her head, she made a silent exit into the small kitchen as Casey came out.

Olivia bowed her head and wiped her eyes. "Do you...need more painkillers to be able to sleep?"

A moment later, Casey placed a gentle kiss to her forehead, putting a hand into her hair to pull it to her shoulder.

"Wh-what? What is it?" Olivia asked. "Casey, please don't play games. Say something!"

"I'm sorry. They said they would hurt you and they have – through me. I'm so sorry. I should have believed you."

Olivia wrapped an arm around her, kissing her cheek. "I love you, Casey and I don't care what - or who - says otherwise. I'll love you to the end of the Earth and over. I just, I just don't want to be apart, but still, if it's really what you want..."

Casey reached up, wiping away Olivia's tears. "I don't want that. I never did."

"But it really is true..."

"I don't care. If I'd never met you...I can't even begin to think what life would be like. I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you. That's why those photos hurt so much. That's why I was so scared."

Olivia sighed. "Alex, come in here. I want you to hear this!"

Alex walked out hesitantly, looking cautiously at Casey, suppressing a laugh at the thought of her earlier comments when Casey moved away from Olivia, over balanced and sat heavily on the arm of the couch.

Olivia sat on the couch, gesturing for Casey to sit on her lap. Casey looked at her nervously, but did as was asked. "I meant what I've always said. If I had known those first pictures existed - after we were involved - I would've burned them. It was," she looked at Alex, "one night, a few drinks. I-I knew I probably wouldn't see her again for a while - if ever. Alex, I don't mean to say it didn't mean anything. At the time, it did. Just after Casey…she became everything. And now she always will be. Anything to add?" she asked, still looking at Alex.

"Only...that I'm, sort of, seeing someone else. If you'd asked me at the beginning of all this Casey, you would have known."

Olivia raised a brow. Then whispered at Casey. "Don't feel bad. She didn't tell me either!" then she smiled at her. "So, uh, can we ask? It might help pass the time."

Alex looked from one to the other, before starting to tell them. An hour later, Casey was in the same spot, fast asleep, and Alex had grown silent, watching the news on TV.

Olivia readjusted Casey in her arms. "So you're very happy I assume? I love Casey, but, come on, you're you! And...and..." she couldn't say anything and not feel ashamed.

"It was what we both needed, Liv. We needed to know what it was like...and we needed the comfort. It was perfect. But it was one time, and we've both moved on, so no need for awkwardness. Although, speaking of which, exactly how many shirts does Casey go through a week with all her coffee spills?"

In her sleep, Casey murmured Olivia's name and then gave a quiet giggle.

Olivia smiled. "Yeah, you're right. It was needed. I guess I just miss you being here. It shouldn't be awkward. For me, it's not anymore...just with this one, she gets a little self-conscious. To answer your question probably about two a day so 10. Speaking of that, it reminds me of something."

"That time you spilt coffee on your pants on the way to court and had to go and buy new ones? Which you then spilt coffee on again?" Alex gave a laugh as Olivia threw the couch cushion at her.

"No, actually, I was going to tell you the story about the morning after you left. Casey was on her way in, hurried as usual, and dropped her briefcase, then spilled her coffee. I saw and went over to help her. When we got into her office, I graciously offered my jacket, which she took. Then, I don't remember exactly, but she went to grab her briefcase and the handle broke, so she slammed her hand on the desk which toppled over the cup of water right onto my shirt!"

Alex laughed. "Fate in a coffee cup!"

She shrugged. "Maybe...that night I asked her out and she said yes, so..."

Casey sighed, nestling into Olivia a little more, a small smile on her face.

Author's Note: What do you think?

Thanks to my Beta:Tiger(dot)Lily(dot)Weasley(dot)757

Review thanks to: starie78

Please read & review!

Liv-x-Lex4Ever and E. Scribbles