AN: Ok, you readers are really loving it. I think this chapter will not disappoint. It is really…interesting. Elliot is and always will have Olivia's back and if her suspects something, he will look into it… (Remember that) ;D. Another thing, Thank you guys for those reviews, you don't know how much I use them and incorporate them in the story and characterizing our main characters. I kinda used one of your comments for this chapter…lol. Thanks for reviewing: Sly One, Surfrider, steple, Butterscotch, Nobot4life, Mackster, Tracer, Cavak, and Sydney.

I want to clear things up

Sly One: I noticed you recently changed your summary, many reader feel slighted when there is a change in pairing.

I actually changed where it said, more C/O, because this story detoured and when to very different stops that I have intended to so I took that part off, meaning Casey can end up with anyone, Olivia, Alex, or none.

Thanks.

Chapter 9

Next Day: Office

I didn't get to see Olivia this morning. She called to tell me she will be questioning a suspect on a case she's working on.

I loved to see her work. She would get so devoted to the job. A flaw: She is married to her job. I understand that the saying is used for single women who care about their jobs, but Olivia, although being with me, loves her job. In a heartbeat she would do anything for those victims. Maybe, to spare other's from what happened to her mother.

We never really talked about how she feels about being a product of rape. It's a touchy subject for her. I understand. She enters this world never knowing her father and then to be told 'hey, by the way, you are a product of rape,' sucks.

Then, there is Alex. She is so different. I have to admit, I have never seen her cry until I walked in on her with Olivia. She is the strongest person I know. She takes things in and absorbs them so quickly. She is very knowledgeable. Her glasses are such a perfect fit for her, too. I really don't understand why Olivia and Alex split up. Alex is perfect, ok everyone has flaws, but she is fantastic.

I am the idiot who is the screwed up between the both of them. Losing my job to a case.

I want to see Alex tonight. Olivia for sure will be working late and I can take her… anywhere. I hope she is open to new things. Olivia wasn't really, she liked having a set way of doing things and it had to be the same every time.

Why am I assuming she will say yes? She hates me right now. I am going to give her flowers.

I ask my assistant to send me flowers. After about an hour the flowers came and I head off to her office.

I knock.

"Come in"

I open the door and enter. Good thing she is alone because yesterday with Elliot was awkward. She looks at me and continues working. Good thing she didn't see the roses I got her. I lock the door and head to her desk. "I am sorry." I place the flowers on her desk.

She smiles. Yes! I finally got her to smile. "Thank you." She smells them and places them in a vase and pours her water bottle's water into it.

I head off to hug her. "I am so sorry about yesterday. I don't know what came over me." Actually, I do know what came over me.

I kiss her on the lips.

"Are we ok now?" I asked her.

"Yea, It took you long enough." She smiles.

I playfully push her, "Hey, you are hard enough to get and you are making me try this hard to please you? That is just cruel."

We both start laughing.

She leads me to the sofa. "I..."

Don't tell me she is going to say what I think she is going to say.

She stops and then silence.

I don't want to push it. My throat is dry. "Do you have water?" I ask.

She gets up and hands me bottled water from her mini fridge. "Thank you."

As I am drinking she seems to want to say what she was trying to say before. I hope it's not what I think it is.

"Casey, I have to tell you that I am in love with you." She states.

I nod as the bottle is in my mouth.

"I guess what I am trying to say…" She breathes in, "I love you. I have felt this for a long time…" she stops.

I spit out the water and I start choking. Did she just say she loves me? Why did she do that? It's going to be harder on me to choose.

"Why did you tell me this? Now of all times Alex. This changes everything!" I notice this wasn't the reaction she wanted to see from me.

She looks hurt.

I turn away from her. I know I hurt her, but why did she do this. No, I love her too. Now this is mutual, we are going to be closer and intimate, like Liv and I…This is going to be bad, so bad.

"I don't understand. Why? Was this a moment for that? I just came to give you flowers. You screwed this up, Alex." I can't shut my mouth and I see the effects of my big mouth.

"Get out Casey! You are really bitchy you know that. You are rude and compared to me, you are diminutive and scared. Scared to show your feelings for me. At what cost, Casey? What cost? I feel like I am the only one trying, you just shut people out. What is wrong with you? Get out!" She heads back to her desk as I follow her like a lost puppy.

"I…can't do this Alex! I am thinking of the future. Alex, if I don't choose you, I am going to feel like shit because I led you to love me and you are left with nothing. I hate this, you know. I can't…"

I try to hold back the tears that are ready to come out. Alex is composed compared to me.

"Something that I always hate about you is that you can keep composed in a hard situation and I can't." She doesn't look at me.

I kneel down, next to her chair. "Alex look at me. Alex!"

"What?" she is so angry right now I can feel it bounce of f to me.

"I love you, too. I loved you since you came to my apartment," I smile and I see her expression change. "I just hate this…I hate it so much." I tell her.

I reach up to kiss her.

"I hate your big mouth." She whispers.

I smile, "I hate it, too." I stand up. "Today, Olivia is going to be at work all day…I was wondering if…we can go to your house and…"

She smiles, "Sure. Around 7:30, I have arraignments and court."

I nod. "It's a date?" I ask smiling.

"Yes, Casey. Now, go to your office before someone thinks something is up."

"Can you say those three words again? It has a nice ring to it." I smile as I get her to stand up. I have my hands wrapped around her waist.

"I hate you?" She chuckles.

"Hey! The other one, it starts with I love…" I smile at her.

"I love you." She finally tells me.

My stomach flutters and I start to get goose bumps. "I love you, too."

I lean in for a sensual kiss, "I'll see you later?" I say letting her go.

"Yep, now go." She tells me as I walk out her door smiling.

Things just got harder.

AN: I bet nobody saw that L-word coming. What do you think of Casey's reaction? (And her big mouth)…lol…She almost screwed herself over. Lucky, Alex didn't just throw her out. Tell me what is on your minds I would like to know. Thanks for reading and hey I am enjoying writing this for you. :)