A/N: First, I would like to greatly apologize in my lack of updating the last two weeks. I have been swamped at work, and battling a nasty cycle of headaches. Needless to say, writing has been impossible lately. So, I will be playing catch up for a bit. I did however, enjoy writing this chapter. It would be my dream date with my girlfriend. ;) Thanks for the reviews, they helped urge this chapter along!
Sitting across the table from Casey, Alex smiled thinking about how amazing this day has already been. A carriage ride through the park and now they were grabbing a bite to eat before heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For it being a last minute date, she'd been able to pull off creating her dream date with no problems. She could hardly wait to take Casey to their final stop later that evening. By far, it was the best Saturday of her life yet.
Casey looked over at a smiling Alex. "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" Casey asked wondering if she had something on her face or in her teeth.
"Relax, Casey," Alex started with a laugh, "I was just thinking about what an amazing time I'd had today so far."
Casey laughed heartily, "Okay, we need to work on that smile then. I didn't get that message from it at all."
Alex frowned, "I don't know how to take that statement."
"Don't worry about it. I am being silly. So, where's next on our day of fun?" Casey said as she took another bite of salad.
"I am taking you to the Met."
"Really? I love the Met." Casey replied beaming.
"Good, then you'll love this excursion." Alex said with a wink.
Three hours later, Casey found herself stunned and amazed at Alex Cabot even more so than when they walked into the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It turned out that Alex's aunt use to be a curator at the museum and Alex had arranged a behind the scenes tour of the museum for her. It was amazing to see her favorite pieces and artists up close and to see how such magnificent place functioned on a personal level.
As they finished the tour, and we're headed back towards the exit, Alex grabbed Casey's hand to stop her. "I want to check something out in the gift store really quick. Join me?" The blonde questioned.
"Sure, lead the way."
Alex led them into the store to where the posters of the artwork they'd just seen were displayed. After flipping through several sets she finally came to the one she'd been looking for and paused to examine the print. Smiling she showed Casey, "I have always loved this piece. The last time I was here I wanted to buy it to hang in my foyer, but I passed on it. I've regretted it that whole time, but this time I am going to buy it. No regrets this trip."
Casey smiled at the blonde before looking the poster over. It was a blown up black and white photo, showing a candid shot of a couple sitting in an old dinner. The man in the picture was leaning over to kiss the woman's chin. She is laughing and he is smiling. She holds a cigarette in her hand and his is in the ashtray, the smoke trailing up, coffee sitting idly on the table. The picture is the perfect description of love in a simple candid shot, how in a moment with the person you love you can forget about all the small things. This poster being Alex Cabot's favorite said volumes about her character. Casey couldn't help but lean in and place a small kiss to the corner of Alex's mouth.
Pulling back, Casey relished the blondes small smile. The redhead knew she was falling hard and she didn't mind one bit. "Where to next?" She asked with a smile.
Alex looked to her watch, "Well, it all depends if are you hungry? If you are dinner, if not, I don't live to far from here. We could go to my place and hang out for a bit before dinner then I have a special surprise tonight."
"What is it!" Casey exclaimed startling Alex as the headed to the exit of the museum after paying.
"I'm not telling."
"Give me a hint."
"Nope." Alex stayed firm.
"Please," Casey begged.
Hailing a cab, Alex smirked, "Never Novak, my resolve is unbreakable."
Casey laughed, as Alex opened the door for her, "I have no doubt Cabot I could break you like a thin twig in the right circumstances."
Alex stumbled for a moment moving to climb in the cab herself as Casey's words sink in. "Oh, you think?" Alex quipped.
"Without a doubt." Casey smirked.
Alex just shook her head. Giving her address to the cabbie, they made their way to Alex's apartment in easy conversation. Pulling up outside the building, Casey had every suspicion completely confirmed. Alex Cabot came from lots of crazy money.
Walking into the building, Alex greeted the doorman. Taking her mail from him she led Casey to the elevator and pressed a button. Before long, they stood outside Alex's apartment door.
As they entered the apartment, Casey's breath was instantly stolen. The apartment was beautiful, big and open. You walked right into a large open living room with an open kitchen and dining area. The whole room was lined with windows looking out onto a balcony and a beautiful view of the city. Standing in the center of the room, Casey noticed a staircase on one side of the room and followed it up to a loft like room.
"That's my bedroom. It's and unusual layout, but I liked it. The outdoor seating sold it. Call me crazy, but I love the smell of the city." Alex admitted.
"It's beautiful. I love it." Casey confessed.
Alex smiled and blushed lightly, "Would you like something to drink or eat?"
"No, thank you."
"Okay..." Alex continued, setting down her poster on a table in the foyer. Pointing to a spot on the wall, she said, "I am going to hang it here."
"I think that will look nice." Casey replied with a genuine smile, "So, show me what the great Alexandra Cabot does when she comes home from work."
"I don't know if the title is super fitting, but I kick off my shoes first thing," Alex does so as she explains, "then I walk over here to the kitchen and do the one thing people least expect, I get a beer!"
Casey laughs and kicks off her shoes as she joins Alex in the kitchen, taking a beer despite her recent decline, "Then what?"
"Then I turn on some music. Let's see, I think this playlist is perfect for our occasion." Alex says smiling as the first notes played throughout the room.
"Wow, built in speakers, how posh of you."
Alex smiled taking Casey's hand and leading her to a large open space in the room. "I try," she adds as she opens the large doors to the balcony and sets down their drinks. As the music picked up, Alex took Casey's hand pulling her tight against her and whispered, "Normally I dance alone, but since I have the prettiest girl in the city with me I thought I'd slow it down a bit."
Instantly, the two moved in rhythm to the music around the open space in the room and out on to the balcony and back again. Alex expertly led and stole kisses from Casey as they danced, spun and dipped. A few songs later they were laughing on the outdoor sofa while swapping stories and ordering pizza. It was by far the easiest date Casey had ever been on and she was finding herself falling hard for Alex.
Awhile later curled up on the sofa watching television, Alex noticed the time on her phone and exclaimed, "Casey, we have to go now! I lost track of time, we might miss it."
"Miss what? Oh, your surprise! Okay." Casey jumped out of Alex's embrace and scrambled to put her shoes back on as Alex did the same. Scrambling from the apartment, they were only slowed by the elevator, but quickly found themselves inside a cab and headed to a secret location. Instead of telling the cabbie the location, Alex had handed him a note with their destination, then assured him she knew what she was doing. The last part slightly concerned Casey.
After a nerve wracking 20 minutes, they pulled up outside of the Empire State Building. Climbing out of the cab, Casey looked around a bit confused. The building was getting ready to close for the night and had already stopped letting visitors inside, so she wasn't quite sure why they were there. Then she caught sight of Alex's confident look and took comfort in the blonde's reassuring smile as she took her hand and allowed her to lead the way.
Alex led them right into the building greeting the night guards and headed straight to the elevators, taking one that wasn't used for the visitors to the building. As Alex pressed a button to the top, Casey ordered, "Explain Cabot."
"A friend owed me a favor." Alex said with a smile.
"What are you, the Godfather?"
Alex tapped her chin as she looked up at the ceiling of the lift, "Now that's a title I like..."
"Stop it," Casey exclaimed, swatting Alex's arm.
Alex grabbed Casey's offending hand and pulled her close, rubbing the tip of her nose against Casey's, "I will for a kiss."
As their lips met, the lift came to a stop and the doors opened, ending their moment. Entering the lobby at the top of the building the two women made their way through the gift store. Alex recognized the woman behind the counter and stopped to say hello.
"Celia," Alex said excitedly to the Hispanic woman behind the counter, "I didn't know you were working tonight."
"I wasn't expecting to, but my coworker came down with the flu. So, I was the only one left to work. Is this your special friend?"
Alex blushed at the woman's words and looked towards Casey, "Yes, this is Casey, Celia."
The woman smiled brightly at Alex, "Well, I won't hold you two up then. Have fun." As she finished, she lightly hugged Alex then walked away.
Casey quirked an eyebrow at Alex, "You're special friend?"
Ignoring her question, Alex took the redhead's hand and led her outside to the I observation deck. Wrapping her arms around Casey, she said, "I love this city. I always have and always will. I love the sounds, the smell, the electricity of the whole place. I brought you here tonight, because I have always felt like this building is the heart of the whole city." Leaning into Casey's ear she whispers, "And I love the view...anyway, I wanted to give you those parts of me, because they are the most true parts."
Casey turned in Alex's arms, and kissed the blonde again. Pressing their foreheads together as they broke their kiss, Casey softly said, "I am falling for you, Alex."
"I have fallen for you, Casey."
Casey chuckled softly, "Then you might want to refer to me as you girlfriend, your special friend just sounds like I am a rent a date."
"You are awful."
"You love me."
"Do I?" Alex questions.
"Yes."
Alex smiles, "Kiss me."
Casey doesn't hesitate, she pulls Alex in close and kisses her passionately. All their emotions running through a single kiss. The feel of Alex's lips against hers, her hands in her hair, body pressed against hers...it's all to much. Casey wants more, she needs more.
Breaking the kiss, Casey lets her lips travel to Alex's ear and whispers, "No regrets, right?"
"Right," Alex gasped in a whisper.
"Then take me home and show me your bedroom," Casey husked, eliciting a whimper from Alex.