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Chapter 6

Casey's response was better than Olivia could of ever imagined.

A kiss that started off gentle, but quickly turned faster and rougher until they both pulled back, gasping for air, Casey's dark green eyes staring into Olivia's.

"I love you."

A smile broke out over Olivia's face as she kissed Casey again, wrapping an arm tightly around her slim form. "How long?" She finally asked once they pulled apart again. "How long have you…"

Casey shook her head weakly, unable to stop the happiest smile Olivia had ever seen from spreading across her face. "I don't know, but I first realized it when Alex pointed it out to me. She said she heard me saying that I loved you in my sleep. You?"

"That same night. When I found you and th- thought you were dead. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to ruin what we had, but even Alex was telling me I should! I was just worried that you wouldn't feel the same way. I mean, you don't think it's too soon? We haven't been seeing each other for too long."

"Yes, but we've known each other for over a year! We already knew so much about each other when we started dating, it's like our first date was our fifth date. Things were more serious from day one." Casey leaned back against her bed, still keeping a tight hold on Olivia's hand. That this moment was actually happening was just too amazing to believe. Casey had hovered on the verge of telling her for months, but… Alex. The whole ordeal with Alex had given her pause. After all, Olivia had cheated on her with Alex only two months before Casey had realized she was still hopelessly in love with her. It was too soon, and besides, Casey wasn't sure if she could completely trust her again.

"You're right. But… are you happy you said it? Because I am."

Casey hesitated, but she only needed a moment of thought before she found her answer. "I am too."

One week later

"Is he improving?"

Olivia closed her eyes briefly, struggling to block out the images of her partner out cold, unmoving, trapped in nightmarish realm between reality and sleep. "Well, the doctors say so. But that doesn't mean he's going to be waking up anytime soon."

Casey continued struggling to walk, holding herself up by the two parallel bars with mats at the bottom. "What about Kathy and the kids?"

"Well, Eli's still with Alex. Kathy's taking a few days off. All in all, as good as can be expected." Olivia sighed, shaking her head unhappily. "The sooner Elliot wakes up, the better for all of us."

Casey nodded in steadfast agreement before looking down at her feet, focusing harder on trying to walk instead of the Stablers' predicament.

She'd been released from the hospital two days ago, but was already back for physical therapy. Her doctor had already begun teaching her how to walk again. It hurt and wasn't easy, not by a long shot, but the fact that she could use crutches instead of a wheelchair gave her hope that it wasn't impossible. Yes, she made agonizingly slow progress, but it was still progress.

Casey resisted the urge to put all her weight on her good left leg and instead purposely used her right leg. "I suppose that's good. I'll do- hey, wait a minute. Kathy asked Alex to watch Eli? Isn't that kind of… odd?"

Olivia shrugged, sliding down the wall to sit on the floor. She knew Casey was still jealous- well, perhaps a better word was distrustful- of Alex, but… even to this point? "No, why?"

"Well, Kathy hasn't spoken to Alex in years, right? I would've thought she would of trusted Eli with you," the redhead said, gritting her teeth in pain as she took another step. When Olivia didn't answer, Casey stopped walking and looked up at her worriedly. "Olivia?"

Oh, Casey wasn't going to like this, not at all. "She did ask me first, Casey. I turned her down." Casey continued watching her, waiting for her to continue, and Olivia sighed, forcing herself to keep talking ."I told her that, because I'd probably be looking after you once you got released, I couldn't take care of a baby on top of everything else, and-"

"Looking after me?" Casey interrupted, standing up straighter and continuing to walk, with renewed vigor. "I'm fine, Olivia! I don't need you to take care of me!" She walked to the end of the mats again and was about to turn around, then stopped.

Olivia watched her uncertainly, and when she didn't move for a moment, jumped to her feet and hurried closer to her. Instant scenarios of Casey having pushed herself too hard flashed through her mind as she rested her hand on the ADA's wrist. "Casey?" she asked, her voice infused with concern. "What's wrong?"

"That. That is what's wrong," Casey sighed, moving out of Olivia's reach to go sit on a chair. "Olivia… this is why we were fighting last week. You're always overprotective of me. Treating me, in some cases, like a child rather than your date."

"Sweetie, I know you're not a child-"

"So then don't treat me like it." Casey looked up at Olivia, leaning back in the chair and crossing her arms. "Last week, our argument began because you were trying to get me to accept your protection from our latest perp. It's sweet that you care enough to worry like that, but it's excessive- especially in this line of work. All of you guys have gotten threatened by perps before, as have I- heck, I bet even Alex has-"

"And looked how that turned out! Last time someone threatened her, she was almost killed!"

Olivia's outburst effectively silenced Casey. She frowned, observing the detective for a moment before letting out a low sigh, a look of tired resignation flashing in her pale eyes. "Oh. So that's what this is all about."

"Case… of course not. Don't be jealous-"

"I'm not jealous. You couldn't protect her, and she was taken away- now you're worried that if you don't protect me, the same will happen to me. It has nothing to do with any possible feelings for her… Olivia, the same's not going to happen to me. If we took every threat seriously, we'd spend all our time investigating past threats instead of current cases. And besides, that's only half the battle- because that's in our professional life. I admit, we shouldn't underestimate the bastards we arrest and prosecute- but I'm more unhappy about how you look at me outside of work."

Averting her gaze, Casey rested her head on her hand and bit her lower lip. She wasn't completely comfortable discussing this, even with Olivia- she didn't have much experience with serious relationships. There was Charlie… and then there was Olivia. And who knew if what things had been like with Charlie was normal or not?

But the can of worms had already been opened. She couldn't back out now.

Clearing her throat, Casey looked back up at Olivia and continued talking. "Like now, for instance. I'm not a small child for you to have to look after- I don't want to be your responsibility or burden. I got home two days ago and yes, things haven't been entirely normal, but we could easily deal with Eli there. Besides, he could keep me occupied while you're at work and I'm stuck to the couch."

In spite of herself, a tiny smile tugged on Olivia's lips and she struggled not to give in, knowing Casey wouldn't appreciate it now. "Case, we talked about that. I'm not going back to work until-"

"And that's what I'm trying to tell you, Liv! I'd understand if you wanted to stay for a couple days, just to make sure I could handle everything alone- I wouldn't be thrilled, but hey, a few days alone with my girlfriend? I'll deal with it." They both chuckled, but the conversation quickly turned serious again.

"But you don't need to stay home with me for another month until I'll be back at work. One of the reasons I love you is how dedicated you are to your job, and the victims. I love spending time with you, of course, but I don't need you home taking care of me when you've got important work to do. And I understand that, because of your job and what happened to Alex, you're bound to a little more overprotective than the usual date. I get that, but when you go overboard, I'm going to speak up."

Olivia had to hold back another smile at that. When it was clear Casey was done, Olivia sat up straighter and thought for a second. Casey was right. She had been a little overprotective of her- some because of her job… but mostly because of Alex.

Once she'd started dating Casey… no, that wasn't right. Once she'd started getting to be friends with her, yes, that was when she'd started to worry about Casey. Not consciously, but when a perp had threatened her in court once, Olivia had found herself up half the night, sick with worry.

And not because she had feelings for Casey. Because of Alex. Their last ADA had been shot and had to pretend to be dead for safety. She couldn't let that happen to another one.

"You're right, Casey. I have been overprotective. And it's because of Alex- mostly. But also because I don't want anything to happen to you. So, I'll go back to work- and I'll try to worry less."

"Thanks," Casey said, getting slowly to her feet and moving towards Olivia. "That's all I'm asking for."

She resisted the urge to get up and help Casey, knowing that one of the things that brought this conversation on was because now- especially now- Casey was struggling to appear independent, despite her injury. "And now that you're here- want to go visit Elliot?"

Smiling, Olivia got to her feet and wrapped an arm around Casey's slim shoulders, automatically reaching up to play with her silky red tresses. "That'd be perfect… I love you."

Leaning forward and brushing her nose against Olivia's before their lips met for a quick moment, Casey returned the expression in kind. "And I love you."

Their love was still sweet and innocent- in the beginning stage when everything was easy and carefree. They both knew that, in several month, the discussions they had been avoiding for now would come up. Like where they were going from here- the possibility of marriage, of children? But for now, with Elliot in a coma, they had more important things to focus on.