Temptation's Game
By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles
Chapter 4: Shining Armor
The door creaked as it opened. Alex closed it hard, locking it. She took a breath. "Okay, we're six floors up. Dim emergency lights are lighting the stairwell sign."
Casey nodded, gripping her hand hard, jumping as the wind became louder. "A-Alex, wait, before we go. I-I need to say something."
Alex leaned against the wall. "It's going to be okay. I won't let you go."
"But what if he—"
"You're not helpless, but I do see your point. Just stick close."
Alex held her hand tightly as she made her way to the stairs, feeling relieved when she could hear other people in there chatting and laughing as they made their way down to the reception. "See? Nothing to worry about."
Casey shivered. "I don't know. It just...it makes me nervous."
"Did I mention I packed my suit of shining armor and white horse? You'll be ok with me." As Alex turned to smile at Casey, a group of people rushed past them, knocking them apart. Alex had to let go of Casey's hand to grab onto the railing.
Casey fell backwards, but was caught in strong arms. As she scrambled to try and stand, a hand moved over her mouth and pulled her back into the shadows.
"Case? Casey?" Alex squinted, trying to see in the dark.
Casey struggled, whining as she tried to answer Alex's calls. She thought of biting whoever had a hold of her, but was afraid of being pushed. She continued to struggle, even more so when she heard his laugh.
In the shadows, Casey was dragged further back, then through a door.
She tried to look, but he had a hand over her eyes. She knew it was him. Only a jerk like him would crash their holiday. She heard a door close and was shoved onto - what felt like - a bed.
"Let me go!" she screamed. "Let me—" Before she could get another word out, he kissed her, pinning her against a wall.
Alex heard the scream and rushed towards the noise. "Casey?" She banged on the door.
"Ah, ah, ah!" he covered her mouth. "She'll ruin our fun." He said, running her hand along her stomach as she whimpered, hitting her head against the wall. She cried as he pulled her away and covered her mouth again, hoping Alex would think it had come from another room.
Alex hesitated outside the door and the silence gave the man a moment of relaxation and he released his grip a little. A second later, the door crashed in and a man in the hotel's uniform fell into the room, followed by Alex.
"Alex!" Casey yelled, struggling under his grip. She looked around, but it was too dark.
A moment later the man, who was still merely a shadow, raced from the room.
Alex's arms wrapped around Casey.
She whimpered. "No!" she struggled against her as the man in the hotel uniform raced after him. "No! Let go! Please!"
"It's me, Casey! It's Alex."
"A-Alex?" she whispered, leaning into her, suddenly taking in her perfume. "I-it was -h-him! I-I-I tried to answer you, bu-but..." she was shaking and crying so badly she couldn't speak.
Alex held her tighter. "It's ok. It's ok. You're ok."
Casey just crawled into her lap, holding on tight, her head on her shoulder. "What now?"
"Just sit here a minute to calm down." Alex dropped a kiss to the side of her head.
She choked. "Calm down? How? Alex, he-he was going to..."
"But he didn't. He didn't, Casey. You're alright, okay? So just try to breathe deeply."
She nodded, trying to calm down. "Guess the armor came in handy, huh?" she said a bit breathily. "I just...hope I'm feeling better with you tomorrow. Your plans... God, I wish this hadn't happened!"
"It's ok, Casey." Alex dropped a kiss to the top of her head once more, and they sat in silence for a short while until several people came into the room. Alex tightened her grip on Casey to reassure her she wasn't going to let go of her.
"We couldn't find him. Whoever it was has gone."
Alex sighed. "I think I know his name: Mark Still. He's an ADA for the Manhattan Special Victims Unit, so if he tries to check in anywhere else..."
Casey nodded. "I know it was him."
Alex sighed. "I'll make a call to our boss when we get back to the room and have power. Any idea when that will be?"
"After the storm now probably. We have set up candles and put a couple of flashlights in your room."
Alex nodded, standing up with Casey in her arms. "Thank you very much. If you find him, please let me know. Both Casey and I are ADAs as well. I'd prove it, but I think I left my ID badge at home. Didn't think I'd need it here. Come on Casey."
She nodded, hearing her stomach growl. Alex turned. "When the power returns, expect a room service call from us."
They left the room, walking back slowly as Casey was very shaky. "I'm sorry," she apologized as Alex opened the door and led her inside and to the bed, before closing it and sitting beside her.
"You're sorry? You didn't do anything wrong, Case!" Alex bent over to light more candles, trying to make the room as light as possible and trying to occupy herself so she didn't think about how much she wanted to strangle Mark.
She nodded. "I know, but after I realized who he was I-I froze. I should've bitten him and ran."
"Since when has anyone in that sort of situation managed to do what they probably should have done? Is it light enough?"
Casey nodded. "Perfect. Yeah, everyone wishes they could've done things differently and...without physical evidence - though I'm glad there isn't any - the case will be circumstantial at best. I wish I could stop thinking like a prosecutor!"
"There wouldn't have been anything left of him to get DNA from when I'm finished with anyway," Alex mumbled, reaching for the torch and making sure Casey had one next to her.
"I appreciate the offer, but please don't. Let the detectives do it. It's their job," she said, leaning against Alex. "Hey, Lex, I think the sun is rising."
"...Maybe we should try and book a flight home..."
Casey wrapped her arms around her. "But I liked playing in Jacuzzi! I want to stay. Alex, you did this for me. It's like the nicest thing anyone's ever done. Besides, I don't want to face this with everyone, not yet. Even worse is the hearing. Please," she said, kissing her cheek, "for me?"
Alex studied her face for a moment before nodding.
"Can-can we try to get some sleep? I just want to sleep with you and have you make it all better."
Alex nodded, dropping a kiss to her forehead before squatting down to take her shoes off for her. A few seconds later, she slipped her own shoes off as well and lifted the covers, snuggling against Casey's side.
"Alex?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I love you too. More than anything."
Casey sighed and turned over to hold her tight.
Alex had barely slept, watching over Casey. Occasionally she would drift off, but then was startled awake. Eventually, with sunlight streaming in the room and the electricity coming back on, making the radio play softly, she managed to fall asleep, but woke once more as soon as Casey moved.
Casey smiled, kissing Alex gently. "Bet you can't guess what day it is?" she whispered.
"Monday?"
She pouted.
"No? Umm...My birthday?" Alex asked, her fingers tickling Casey's side.
Casey giggled a bit, leaning into her, shaking her head.
"Hmmm...I wonder what it could be then. It isn't Christmas, is it?"
Casey laughed harder, moving under the covers to straddle her waist. "Wrong! Again!" she said, pinning her hands over her head.
"Mmm...What other day could be as good as those da..it's Easter, isn't it? I can eat my weight in chocolate, wear bunny ears and no one will look at me like I'm weird!"
Casey raised a brow. "Oooh, bunny ears? Sounds kinda kinky when not in season and you were closer when you guessed your birthday," she said, her free and caressing her stomach. "Mmmm, what would you do if I held you like this and teased you, hmm?"
"Probably lie here and try and think of something a little less interesting like my birthday, or Easter."
"Oh?" she asked as she straddled one leg. "Not even if I," her knee pressed up between her legs, "do this?" She couldn't help smiling in hearing Alex give so readily. "But you have plans, so..."
Alex swallowed several times, her hands reaching to rest on Casey's thighs. "We can...if you want...now."
She bit her lip. "I-I don't want to disrupt what you have planned... Besides, its one of those things, now, where I really want to, but... and I know that ruins it!" She moved off of Alex and laid on the far side of the bed.
Alex rolled towards her, her hand returning to Casey's leg as she kissed her neck gently. "I want you to be comfortable and want to. If that's now, then it's now. Trust me, I don't mind if it's earlier than I thought."
Casey laid her hand on hers. "I know, but I-I just don't know... I want you, but..."
Alex rested her head on her shoulder, dropping a kiss before sitting up. "It's ok Casey. You know I would wait forever."
Casey turned over, wrapping her arms around her, kissing her deeply, but then the night before rushed back to her and she pulled away. "I want to, so much..."
Alex dropped a kiss to her nose and spoke gently. "We will both know when the time is right. Now, breakfast?"
Casey nodded. "Sounds good. Um, what about that call?"
"I'll sort it. You check out the menu ok, and I'll be back in a minute."
Casey nodded, grabbing a menu and walking over to sit on the bed.
Alex called Liz from the balcony, standing where Casey could see her the whole time, telling Liz in short what happened then holding the phone away from her ear when expletives flew down the phone. When she'd finally hung up the phone, she sighed and rubbed her ear before turning to walk back into the room.
Casey looked at her. "Waffles sound good. What do you think? Or would you prefer pancakes?"
"We could have both." Alex sat next to her, pulling her close.
She nodded, laying her head on Alex's shoulder. "We could. So, judging from your expression, Boss isn't happy with her eye candy?"
Alex shook her head. "How about fresh strawberries as well? And coffee of course."
"And chocolate to dip them?"
"Of course. Shall I order it? Anything else you fancy?"
Casey put a finger to her chin in thought. "Whipped cream? In the cans?" she asked, blushing deep. "For...ah later?"
Alex grinned, nibbling on Casey's shoulder as the phone rang, before ordering their breakfast.
Ordering their breakfast, Alex watched Casey stand and move around the room. Before hanging up, she asked hesitantly. "Ah, could we also have two cans of whipped cream please? No, in cans, please. No, it's to lick off my girlfriend later." At the expression on Casey's face, Alex laughed. "They've hung up."
"You shouldn't have said that!" Casey said, laughing. "Well, I hope they bring everything else."
Alex lay back on the bed, closing her eyes. "Have you looked at the rest of the things in your case yet?"
"No, is there a reason I should?"
"Yes." That was all Alex offered, a smile on her face.
Casey walked over to the case Alex had packed for her and opened it hesitantly. First, she only found clothes, then she came across a brightly wrapped box. "Orange?"
"It's all I could find!"
Casey smiled, sitting back on her heels. She turned to look at Alex who urged her to open it. "Now?" she asked.
"Now." Alex moved to sit beside her.
Shaking, she opened the box and folded back the tissue paper to find. "I-its a ring, but..."
"Look inside."
Inside were the words Alex + Casey 4 Ever.
She smiled, slipping it on to find it a perfect fit. "So, it's more of a 'She's mine and this symbolizes it' ring, right? We've only been girlfriends, officially, for two months."
Alex smiled, kissing her cheek, then making her giggle as she tipped them over. "Oh, you're mine now. All mine. Mwahahaha."
"Good. I love being yours. I found it interesting you called me baby right before we left. Never been called that by anyone..."
"Don't remember that." Alex rolled onto her back, pulling Casey with her.
"You did, right before we got on the plane! I know you did!"
"Did I? And how did that make you feel, hmm?" Alex dropped a kiss to her cheek again, her fingers playing with the ring.
She thought a moment. "As long as I'm with you, I'll be safe. You'll never let me..." she swallowed hard, "be hurt. A-Alex!" she turned around, holding her tight.
Alex held her tightly, silently cursing herself for asking the question. "I'm sorry, I didn't think. He didn't hurt you and he will never get to you again. I promise. Okay, baby?"
Casey nodded. She stood up. "I'm going to go shower quick. The food should be here soon."
Alex sat up, reaching out to take her hand. "Call if you need me, ok?"
She squeezed it, before walking away.
Alex sat still for a few moments before standing with a sigh and moving to get dressed.
Leaving her clothes by the door, fresh ones on the counter, she stepped in and closed the door. The hot water did nothing to ease the worry that when they got back, she would have to face this head-on. She knew it was miraculous he hadn't succeeded in assaulting her, but was it really the fear that he could have if he wanted to that was making her upset now? She washed her hair quickly and stepped out to get dressed. "Alex."
"I'm here." Alex called from the other side of the door, pulling on some jeans.
"Do you think I'm overreacting to this thing? Or does my fear of it in general serve a purpose?" she asked, brushing her hair out and slipping the ring back on.
Alex didn't reply right away then her voice sounded so close it made Casey jump. "I think your instincts...our instincts about him have always been right. So if you feel really threatened by him, if you really think he was going to do more than just try to kiss you, then I don't think you're overreacting."
She opened the door and saw her leaning against the frame. "But that's just it though, isn't it? I don't know, but our instincts about him? Yeah," she took a step toward her, wrapping her arms around her. "It makes me feel safe, feel...loved."
Alex kissed her forehead. "Good. Breakfast is here. As is the cream."
She smiled. "Really? They...actually brought it? Any comments?"
"He just smiled at me in a knowing way. I kneed him in the balls and sent him packing."
"So, where should we eat?"
"Balcony?" Alex pulled Casey close and whispered her love for her in her ear before moving towards the balcony.
Casey smiled, sitting in a chair as Alex adjusted the umbrella to keep the sun from their eyes. Then she sat down next to Casey and rested her hand on her knee. "It looks wonderful," Casey said, taking a bite.
Alex moved forward to kiss some strawberry juice from her lips. "Mmm, tastes good too."
Casey smiled, pulling Alex toward her again. "Sure does," she said as she continued to eat.
Alex nibbled at strawberries, leaning towards Casey every so often to take a bite of her waffle as they watched the ocean swell.
Casey sighed, her head finding her lover's shoulder again, their fingers entwined. "It's so nice here."
"I picked it because the island reminded me of you. A volcano..so a bit fiery, but warm and everyone falls in love with it."
Casey smiled, hugging her shoulders and kissing her cheek. "Aw, thank you! So what's the plan for today?"
"Well, you have two options. Number one is hanging around the resort all day, by the pool and relaxing. Second option is shopping and a bit of a scenic tour."
"Scenic? How Scenic?"
"Me, in a bikini, under a waterfall."
Casey's smile couldn't have been wider. "Love the sound of that. And then, tonight is up to me, right?" she asked.
Alex nodded, biting into another strawberry and licking her lips.
"And...you still want me even after..." she sighed. "I know it seems ridiculous, but…"
Alex squeezed her hand. "I gave you the ring after, didn't I? If ever you doubt how I feel, just have a look at it and you'll remember I love you. Forever."
Casey kissed her neck, sighing dreamily. "Yeah, yeah you did. I'd love to wear it 24/7, but in court and chambers. Ah hell! Who am I kidding? If Liz knows and anybody has a problem I can probably just tell them to take it up with her...or you."
"And the inscription is on the inside, Case. Stop worrying. Relax." Alex kissed her gently.
Casey sighed. "I'm not relaxed yet."
Alex kissed her again. "Now?"
She smiled. "Maybe. All I can think is it'd be awesome to make out under that waterfall."
"I'm sure I can arrange that." Alex kissed her once more.
Casey's hands went to the back of Alex's head, feeling her whole body relax. "Wow..." she said pulling apart.
"Mmm, you're a pretty good kisser, you know. And I should know, we've had a lot of practice." Alex kissed Casey's hand and went to stand.
"Well, it helps that I've got a fabulous blonde in my bed and my heart." Casey sighed, letting her hand drop and closing her eyes, listening to the ocean.
Alex got their things ready then approached her, careful to make her aware of her presence before wrapping her arms around her.
Casey leaned into her shoulder, relaxing a bit. "Mmmm. Can we...sit a minute?"
Alex returned to her seat, pulling Casey to lean on her, and they sat for a long time in silence.
Casey sighed, breaking the lasting silence. "I'm just...so comfy. So peaceful. But we've got a week to sit here, right?"
Alex just dropped a kiss to her shoulder, not replying, enjoy the peace of having nowhere to be and nothing to do.
Casey smiled again. "I'm feeling pretty good right now. Should we go?"
"If you want. Or we could just sit here, like this, forever."
Author's Note: What do you guys think?
Seriously, I want Mark to burn, but then we wouldn't have a very interesting story, would we? There needs to be someone trying to intervene.
Important Note: The next chapter will bump this story up to an M rating. Just so you know. I bet you guys can guess why. ;-)
Many review thanks to: Eljh55, Mackster, Nobot4life, Blitz1030, Wigler(x2), Tripperz, steple, Stussy, iTrick, Surfrider, Tracer, JeffHardy724, Butterscotch, Madds21, Lexie, Cavak & LOCISVU
54 for three chapters! Thanks guys! Please keep it up!
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Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles