A/N: I am so sorry this update is coming out so late. Work has been crazy and we are desperate to catch up! I am hoping this week will slow down and I can update both stories more! I love that you all seem to be enjoying this story. :) Your reviews are greatly appreciated. :)

Sharon stood in her observation room with Lieutenant Tao and Detective Sanchez, watching the interview of their newest suspect. Lieutenant Provenza and Dectective Sykes were interviewing, CEO David Carter for the possible murder of his finance director John Valentine. They'd finally built enough of a foundation to make Carter break and force a deal, but her ADA was again not here when she needed her.

Seeing Buzz, her computer tech enter the room with a phone in hand, Sharon barked, "Where is Cabot?" She knew without checking that the police chief was on the phone wanting a progress update. High profile suspects were meant to be babied in his eyes. Putting the phone to her ear, she said, "Captain Raydor," as she saw the blonde approaching the observation room.

"Yes sir," Sharon continued listening to the Chief's lecture, "Well sir, respectfully, we have been waiting on ADA Cabot to arrive, but she has now decided to grace us with her presence."

Alex opened the door and entered the room right as Sharon began talking about her. She couldn't understand why this woman hated her so much. It was ridiculous, and frankly unprofessional. Sharon called her a little over an hour ago, and Alex told her she would be in as soon as possible. She'd made a point to get fully caught up on the case with Abbie before coming down to pitch a half assed deal. She wanted her ducks in a row, this was her reputation on the line and she was determined to do her best even if she didn't like the way they ran things in this department.

Sharon hung up the portable and set it back down in the cradle near Buzz. Looking pointedly at Alex with quite an unhappy look on her face Sharon began, "You are late. What took you so long to get here? Don't you understand we are on a tight time frame here?"

Alex Cabot did not take being spoke down to infront of people at all, especially at work. She wasted no time making this known in a firm tone, "Excuse me, Captain, I was making sure I was fully informed on your case, before coming over here and making uninformed deals."

Showing her frustration in her crisp green eyes, Sharon points a finger at Alex and quickly snaps, "You should have been prepared. You have been working for this unit for two weeks now, so why were you not prepared?"

"First off, you all work for me!" Alex snaps back while closing in on Sharon as the rest of the rooms occupants watched, "So, Captain Raydor, don't you begin to tell me how to do my job. I have one of the highest conviction rates in the District Attorney's office and I take pride in that fact. I also take pride in getting scum bags off the streets, so don't worry about me slacking off on my job ever, and don't you dare ever accuse me of it again."

Taking a breath to compose her tone of voice, Alex continued, "I am sorry I was late Captain. I am fully aware of our time frame and am fully aware of the importance of striking a deal with Mr. Carter in the next few hours, but I can ensure you this will not take that long."

"Well, I sincerely hope so..." Sharon sighed walking from the room. Once she was out of Alex's eyeshot, she smiled. Maybe she would be able to work with this Cabot after all.

Later that evening...

"So, you've been tested for your dads condition, right?" Alex asks Casey tentatively. Casey had just finished telling the blonde about her father's death and how her mother met her stepdad. Alex couldn't lie, though, the story of how Casey's dad died so suddenly terrified her.

Casey smiled warmly seeing the immense concern that played clearly upon her dates face. Nodding, Casey replied, "Yes, I am sure. I have had numerous tests done on my heart and as just a preventative step I have an EKG performed yearly. My heart is perfectly fine."

"Good, I-I am glad to hear it." Alex stammered. She knew it shouldn't upset her so much, but she was aware of her growing feelings for Casey and believed it played a major role in her concern.

"So, I told you about my childhood, so quid pro quo." Casey said while stirring her martini.

"Well, it's not the happiest childhood story, but it has some nice parts." Alex began looking off I into the distance. Casey quirked an eyebrow at Alex, she was very curious as to what the blonde had to say.

Taking a breath, Alex continued, "My mother married my father young. She was 22 years old and had just finished studying in Paris. Her family was French and wanted her to know the French culture first hand." A smile danced across Alex's face at the mention of her mother, but seeing the darkness fill her blue eyes, Casey knew that it wasn't going to be a happy story.

"So, anyway, when she arrived back home she met my dad at a dinner party. He'd just broken up with his fiancé and it was his first outing without her. He said it was destiny, because once he saw my mother he knew she was the love of his life. They dated for about a month before he proposed. My mother's family hated him though. They said she couldn't marry him, that he was selfish and spoiled, a problem with new money in their eyes. My mother told them they were wrong and they eloped. Then found out about a month after that they were having me. I was born before their first wedding anniversary." Alex said pausing to finish her drink as the waitress returned to the table.

After they ordered dessert and some coffee, Casey looked at Alex, "Do you want to continue?"

"It's that obvious?"

"Your eyes tell me there is something darker coming." Casey says softly.

Alex looked at her hands, "My mother was amazing. She was the sweetest person I have ever met. If she found a puppy or kitten on the side of the street she'd take it home with us. Once we had a baby duckling living in our guest bathroom, because it's mother had been killed and she couldn't bear to leave it to die in the park. She was so beautiful, she had long brown hair and blue eyes." Alex paused looking back up at Casey, her blue eyes now glassy with tears, "When I was eleven she was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. It came on so quickly. She noticed this lump, and went straight to the doctor. They were optimistic because she's caught it so quickly, but it turned out to be invasive. It spread just as quickly as it was removed."

Alex stopped to compose herself for a minute, then continued, "Before this, my father worked all the time, he was never home and when he was he was in his office. He rarely did anything with us, but that all changed over night. The second she was told it was cancer he hired a board to handle his business and worked minimal hours. He was home all the time. When she was given 8 months to live, he took the company jet and her doctor and we traveled the world. He took her everywhere she'd always wanted to visit, took her on every adventure possible. We ended the trip in Paris. We spent the last month of her life there. She told me everything I needed to know about being a woman. She said, 'Alexandra, be strong, enjoy life, but most importantly be yourself, do what makes you happy always, and when you find true love you will know it. Don't ever let anyone keep you from the person you love.' I have lived by her words every day since. The evening she died, she knew it was coming. She had my dad and I come in and say goodbye, then she told him to take me to see the Eiffel Tower. It was the most magical evening. He took me to dinner and then to the tower to see it all lit up at night. He promised me there that he would always put me first and take care of me. That everything was going to change and he couldn't replace her, but he would damn well make sure I always knew how much they both loved me. He's really an amazing dad. I have to say I have been very blessed in life to have two wonderful parents. He raised me to be strong and to always stay true to myself. He has always been to all my school events and in high school when I was involved in drama, he'd come help build the sets! I can't wait for you to meet him."

"He sounds wonderful," Casey said softly squeezing Alex's hand lightly, "What are there names?"

"Oh, gosh, I am sorry, my dad is Andrew, and my mom's name was, Esme." Alex said with a laugh, her mood clearly beginning to brighten.

"Esme, that's a beautiful name. I'd love to meet your dad. I think you'd like my step-dad, I am sure you'll like my mom once she starts to warm up to you. I still can't believe she acted like that to you today." Casey said using her hands for emphasis.

"Don't worry about it. I think I got my point across to her. She was nicer after the deal was made. I think everything might be looking up."

Casey smiled, even after her mother had been hard on Alex, Alex was still willing to go out with her and stay positive about her mother. She really was a special woman and Casey was clearly falling for her. Squeezing Alex's hand again as dessert and coffee arrived, Casey softly said, "I am happy to here that."

The rest of their date passed with laughter, easy flirting and small touches. The drive back to Casey's apartment took a tad longer than expected but was again filled with easy conversation about work and life. Although, despite their easy conversation Alex found herself nervous about asking Casey on another date. She wanted to, but was afraid to seem to forward.

As Alex neared Casey's building, she became increasingly nervous. Casey noticed how the blonde was biting her lip as she pulled up outside her building. The redhead couldn't help but smile at how the normally confident blonde was suddenly so unsure of herself.

"Alex, I had a great time tonight." Casey said softly, not missing how her date seemed to blush lightly at her words.

Nodding with a faint smile on her lips, Alex softly said, "Yeah, so did I." Looking at Casey, she continued, "Uh, Case would you be up for going out again soon, like maybe tomorrow, if you felt up to it, if not we could pick another day, or we don't have to at all, you know it's..."

She was quickly cut off by Casey's lips pressed against hers in a firm but soft kiss. Suddenly, Alex couldn't remember what she was so nervous about or what she was asking. All she could focus on was Casey's mango flavored lip balm, the smell of her flowery shampoo as she tangled a hand in her hair, and the feel of Casey's soft fingers against her cheek. Alex was completely lost in the kiss. When they finally broke apart, she felt like part of her was going with Casey. A sensation she'd never felt before. It was new and scary. She didn't want Casey to leave.

Feeling a surge of confidence, Alex said, "Casey, spend the day with me tomorrow."

"Yes, Alex." Casey replied in a husky voice. "When do you want to pick me up?"

"I will pick you up at 9."

Casey smiled, kissing Alex quickly before opening the car door, "See you then." Exiting the car, Casey felt a lightness in her step she hadn't ever felt before. Alex seemed to have an amazing effect on her, and she couldn't wait to see what tomorrow brought for them.