Hearts Like Ours

By: Liv-x-Case-Benson & CaseyBensonNovak

Chapter 7: Turning Point

Casey tossed and turned throughout the night.

Olivia sighed, sitting up against the headboard. Casey was moving around so much it was impossible to even try.

Finally, around four AM, Casey got out of bed altogether.

"Where are you going?" the detective asked. "If you really can't sleep, let's talk."

"I need to get ready for work," Casey murmured.

"At four in the morning?" Olivia sighed. "Please Casey, don't do this."

"Don't do what, Olivia?" Casey asked. She scoffed. "Don't get ready for work at an irrational hour? I'll just take an extra long shower."

"Casey, please let's talk. I want to know what I did wrong so it never happens again."

"YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! DON'T YOU GET THAT THAT IS EXACTLY THE FREAKING PROBLEM? YOU DIDN'T EVEN..." Casey sighed. "Forget it," she murmured taking a calming breath. She opened the bathroom door.

"Didn't do what, Casey? Tell you when it was happening?"

Casey turned. "You always assume that when I'm upset, it's because of something that happened in bed." She shook her head. "If you knew me at all...if you really loved me...you would understand. But instead, please excuse me, because I need to get ready for work and make wedding plans, all in one day. I don't have time to engage in pointless conversation that ultimately means nothing."

Olivia stood. "Casey. You're scared of going against everything," she said, walking up, "I realize that. I-I know that's part of it. And I-I was just so lost earlier – lost in you – that I froze. It felt too good to do anything. I'm sorry. Please don't leave. I love you."

"Olivia, if...you don't understand." Casey sighed. "What you said earlier...your actions...I mean, I love that you can't keep your hands off of me. But I..I realized last night that this is nothing more than a hook up to you. I passed that stage when I graduated high school. I need something stable. I need...I don't know. The point is, I'll be married in less than a week, and I'm not ready to marry some stranger. It's my only option, though. Last night opened my eyes to that. I'm sorry, Olivia. I'm more than a bed buddy. I love you, but...I'm not that kind of girl." The redhead closed the bathroom door and locked it, stepping into a steamy shower.

Olivia dressed quickly and turned on the light. "Casey, I-I'm sorry. I never meant to make you feel that way. Damn it. You're not that type of person to me. I-I've never felt like this before. I-I wish you'd give me a chance to change," she said, sitting by the door. "It's not her only option, but – oh, who am I kidding? – she'd never even accept anything like that from me..."

Casey sighed and changed into a simple suit for the day. She was incredibly sore, and only hoped she could mask the pain in court, without limping from point a to point b. She opened the bathroom door at six.

Olivia stood, blocking the doorway. "Please? I-I'll do anything. Please stay with me. Stay BECAUSE of me... I love you."

"Olivia, I..."

Olivia hugged her gently. "I'm so sorry. I-I never meant that to be the only reason. I-I'll change. Please..."

"You can't go two seconds without having sex. When you get tired of me, you'll find someone else. I should be used to it...but it still hurts to know the inevitable is coming." Casey sighed. "Fuck it. You got what you needed. You fucked me, made me fall in love with you...satisfied? Great. Now if you'll excuse me, I—"

"No, you're much more than that." Olivia kissed her gently. It was uncharacteristic from many times. It was soft, scared even. "Casey, I don't want anyone else. You're not just a couple nights and done. It'll never be like that. No, I'm not satisfied. Because I made you feel that way an-and I didn't see it until now. You're my best friend and I should be able to be in the same room with you without that. I just...I thought you were testing me and I failed. I failed miserably. I've always loved you, Casey Novak. I didn't fall in love until I realized you were there in the hospital and I upset you. I knew I had to try to make it right again. I want us to feel right again. I want you to stay. I need to make it up to you, prove that I love you. Please?"

Casey sighed. "How are you going to make it up to me? What is there to make up for? I...I will always love you. It doesn't change that on Monday morning, I'll be married to someone I've never met. That's obviously all my future holds." Casey walked out of the bedroom.

Olivia took her wrist. "We-we can just sit and watch movies like you want. From now on, I won't try anything unless you say so. I need to prove to you that I'm more than that. Casey, please. That's not all your future holds. Did you see me in any of it?"

"You made it clear that our future is to be bed buddies. I guess all we can be is best friends now..." Tears flooded Casey's eyes. "I hope I was at least somewhat good..."

Olivia held her close. "No, Case. I...stay with me. I want you with me. Move in with me. Please? Let me prove it to you. I want to be the one you see years from now..."

"I...do you really want that? Or is it just easier to fuck me that way? And what do you mean years from now?"

The detective nodded. "I really want that and I meant that, maybe, if things go well, do you think you might consider staying forever?"

"What do you mean?"

Olivia shook her head. "I was thinking more than that..."

Casey raised an eyebrow.

The detective cleared her throat. "I'd hope...if everything goes like we both want, you'd marry me. Of course, it's quite a ways off..."

"So you're proposing because I got out of your bed? And this isn't a proposal. It's a pre proposal in case you love me enough down the line to actually marry me?" Casey rolled her eyes and retrieved her coat.

Olivia followed her. "No, like everything else, I intend to prove it. I will always love you enough to marry you. I'm saying it's up to you. I want you to stay here and let me prove how much I love you and I hope you feel better about us along the line to accept the proposal. Casey, please?"

Casey sighed. "If you loved me, you would have known my answer. For the record...I'm giving you one more chance. I may be submissive, Detective, but I am not a human sex toy."

Olivia sighed. "Of course I know the answer, but I'm not going to marry you only for your body. I refuse to. You deserve better than that."

"Then prove it. If, by the end of next month, you have loved me the way I deserve...I will marry you. If not, you'll lose me forever."

Olivia nodded. "Have a good day. Love you. Maybe I'll see you tonight?"

"Maybe. I need to make dinner plans with someone." Casey winked, then left, hoping Olivia had caught on.

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Liv-x-Case-Benson & CaseyBensonNovak