Dancing Within the Flames

By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever and E. Scribbles

Chapter 1: Jealously and Jitters

Olivia sat at her desk, a pile of paperwork adorning it, but none opened as she stared into her coffee cup. Casey entered the darkened squad room and stood for a moment observing the scene.

Olivia looked up upon hearing the click clack of high heels stop in their tracks. "Hi Casey," she said with a heavy sigh, "what's up?"

"I, umm, Is Elliot here?" As the words left her mouth, she mentally kicked herself, knowing full well that she'd been standing next to Olivia earlier when Elliott said he was going home.

"No," she said in a hurt tone, still reeling from Alex stiffing her on a goodbye, "is there something I can help you with?" she asked, wiping her eyes, which Casey noticed.

Casey bit her lip, not wanting to move closer, but unable to stop herself. She took several steps closer to the detective's desk before gently putting a box down on it. "This was on my desk. I think it's for you. Well, I mean, I know it's for you. It has your name on it. It was in my office. I didn't know...I wasn't sure if I should give it to you."

She studied the box intently, unsure of whether or not to open it. "Any clue what's inside?" she asked, resting her hand on it.

Casey shrugged, and then offered quietly, "It smells nice." She was not going to admit she'd looked inside. Or read the start of the note. Why should she? It's not like it even had a name on the outside. It could have been for her.

Olivia stared at it, and then noticed a yellow note. Picking it up, she read:

"Dear Olivia, I know my leaving right away stung you hard and I'm sorry, but we'll always have that night where kisses meant more than words ever could. You're a great friend. Someday, I had hoped more, but honestly, I think someone else is after you who has more fire in her soul than I'll ever have.

My loving friendship, forevermore,

Alex

P.S. By the way, she thinks you look cute in leather, so I hope what's in this box helps."

Olivia looked as Casey who was reading over her shoulder. "Casey?" Olivia grabbed her hand. "You've looked inside, haven't you?"

Taken aback, she tried to pull away, but the detective kept her hold. "H-how w-would I know?" she asked nervously.

Olivia smiled. "Why else would your face match your hair?"

If possible, Casey blushed an even darker color, and then words started to spill from her mouth. "I thought it was for me. I only read a little bit of it, then I put it back in, I didn't want to bring it, but I knew you'd be upset if you thought she didn't say goodbye and I can't stand to see you upset. I stopped and went the other way 5 times on the way here trying to decide whether or not to bring it. I've had about 3 coffees today, but I just couldn't not bring it. I know you don't feel the same, and that's okay, but I just thought you should have it. Or something." Casey once more attempted to back away.

Olivia smirked, her hold still there, but more gentle. "Casey, it's okay," she said. "A crush is nothing to be asha—"

"—But i-its kinda..."

"Kinda what?"

"More." Casey lowered her head,

The detective's brow rose as she pulled a chair over. "How much more?"

Casey shook her head, the lawyer finally taking over. "Olivia, its 2 A.M. I have to be in court at nine. We can't have this conversation. If you want to know so you can laugh about it with the rest of the squad, I'll tell you some other time when I'm really, really drunk."

Olivia bit her lip, taking her hand again, looking a bit hurt. "No Casey, that's not why I want to know. Really," she said sincerely. She looked at their hands. "Alex noticed it and she didn't even know you but one court case. I really do want to know. You can be as snarky as you want any time it comes up around the squad. I don't care, but Case, tell me. Just be honest. I promise it'll be our secret and I'll defend it with lies to everyone else until you say otherwise."

Casey stared at her silently for what seemed like hours before looking down to where Olivia's hand held hers. "I feel...I want...I just-" Casey took a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak again, then her eyes opened wide as someone entered the squad room.

"What are you two still doing here?" Elliot asked. "It's two in the morning."

Olivia quickly pulled her hand away. "Just...uh, finishing up some paperwork. You?"

He bent down and grabbed the grocery bag from beside his desk. "Kathy insisted."

"At 2 A.M.?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, bye."

"Now what were you saying?" Olivia asked.

"It's not that weird at 2 A.M. I always get potato cravings really early in the morning and end up having to go to the shop and get weird looks for buying potatoes. Sometimes I eat brussell sprouts as well. Which I know is weird. No one likes them, especially at that time of the morning, but somehow they taste so much better. I love you. Oh and…and I also really enjoy corn, but only after a night out."

Olivia smiled wider, chuckling a bit. "Casey, Casey, Casey..."

She looked at her confused. "What?"

"You don't even realize what you said, do you?"

"...About brussell Sprouts?" Casey asked, frowning.

Olivia tried to contain her emotion so it didn't hurt her feelings. She took a deep breath. "No, what did you say before you really liked corn? Think. Think hard."

Casey frowned once more, fidgeting with a pencil, before it suddenly dawned on her what she'd said and the pencil suddenly snapped. "Oh. Shit. I'm sorry. I didn't want to say that. Especially tonight after...well...Alex. "

Olivia shook her head. "Don't. It's nobody's fault. And, if I may be so bold as to say, you look fabulous in this low light," she said, taking her hand, "it's like you glow. I-I know it just slipped out, but h-how long have you felt that way about me?"

Casey took a deep breath, fighting the urge to keep babbling, and to pinch herself to make sure this was really happening. "Probably since you first decided I'd never be as good at my job as Alex. No one said anything, but I know you all thought it. I didn't care for a while, but when I started to care, especially when you looked at me like you hoped I was someone else, that I'd disappointed you, then I knew. I knew from how much it hurt that I loved you."

"Casey, I-I didn't mean to make you inadequate, I swear. But when A—she left, it-it was like a shot through the heart. I hadn't done my job and, because of that, she was nearly killed. You are wonderful as a lawyer. I suppose when you just walked in I-I kinda replaced her with you, but that-that wasn't right. I'm sorry. You haven't disappointed me. Everything you do, you put your heart into it...Casey...I just never knew."

"Yeah, well, you do know. I better go. I hope you liked her present. " Casey replied with a horrible bite in her tone as she stood up, hoping to make a quick getaway so she could go and curl up in her warm doona and cry herself to sleep. Or, better yet, drink herself to sleep.

Olivia stood too, wrapping an arm around her. "Don't go!"

Casey closed her eyes and the warm Olivia's body brought. "Why Olivia? Do you want me to stay here and keep opening my heart to you so you can distract yourself from her leaving? I might blabber sometimes, and I might make silly comments and trip over a lot, but I'm not stupid."

Olivia took a step closer, wrapping both arms around her. "Of course you're not. All those times you looked at me I thought you were looking past me. Surly, you couldn't love someone so imperfect. You're not a distraction. I was vulnerable. I'd missed her so badly. She was—still is—one of my closest friends, but obviously even she thinks she doesn't deserve me.

I know you're hurt, I know. Do you really love me? Or is it just lust? Sweetie, I can feel you shaking. Please don't start crying. Are you scared that I would always place her at number one? Was that why you never said anything?" she asked quietly.

Casey could bring herself to do nothing but nod, her body still shaking but her eyes holding Olivia's steadily.

"Shhh, it's okay, Case, it's gonna be okay. Here, let's sit down," she said, sitting with her in her lap. "You're wrong," she whispered as Casey leaned her head into her neck, "I care about you too. Though, I don't know you as well, so I suppose my form of love is...devoted to keeping you safe."

Casey was still for a moment, until Olivia felt wetness on her neck and lifted the younger woman's face away a little wiping tears from her cheeks. "Olivia, I...I'm sorry I really have to go now." This time Casey's footsteps were more determined as she walked from the room.

The next morning…

Casey reached her office, bleary eyed with a cup of coffee in her hand. As she attempted to open her office door, she dropped her briefcase, the files she needed for court flying all over the floor and her coffee tipped down her shirt as she attempted to catch them.

Olivia, hearing the slight curse followed the voice. "Need help?" she asked, grabbing the papers closest to her. "And a mop?" she asked with a grin, but dropped it as the look on Casey's face was anything but amused.

Casey threw the almost empty coffee into the bin, muttering something at it, before bending to pick up the papers that had flown into her office, her back straightening when one of her colleagues walked past and called, "Again? Casey, you really need someone to carry your coffee for you or bring about three spare shirts a day."

Olivia sighed, checking her watch. "You have court at nine, right?" she asked following her into her office and dabbed at her stained shirt with tissues.

"Yes," she said with a sigh, "why?"

Olivia pulled her jacket off and handed it to her. "Here. I'll be okay. It's warm out and you need to look more professional than I do."

Casey muttered a "thanks," and took it from her. "Are you sure you don't need anything? I was told you didn't need those papers until tomorrow."

She shook her head, walking up to her. "No, no, just making sure you were okay," she said with a smile. "You are, right? No burns?"

"I'm pretty sure I have a Teflon stomach from all the other times I've spilt coffee on myself over the last year." Casey closed her briefcase once more before looking down at her shirt with a sigh, then slipped Olivia's jacket on, her eyes closing involuntarily at the smell of the detective.

Olivia sighed. "Casey, I'm trying to be friendly. Please don't shut me out. She was here once, and you're here now," she replied. "I'm trying to be a good friend. A friend that deserves your loyalty," she buttoned the jacket, "and trust."

After a pause, Casey nodded, picking up her briefcase once more, swearing loudly when the handle broke. "For god's sake, could my day get any worse?" She gave her desk a hard kick, watching silently as the water that she'd left on there fell sideways, tipping onto Olivia. She offered a sheepish smile.

Olivia just smiled, waving it off. "Go, you're gonna be late," she said, handing the briefcase to her.

"But what about all this?"

"I'll get it cleaned up, just go!"

Casey smiled, rushing to court as fast as she could in heels.

That afternoon, Casey walked into the precinct in a crisp new shirt, Olivia's jacket over her arm, and a coffee in her hand with, Olivia counted, four lids on it.

The detective grinned. "Overly cautious, are we?" she took her jacket and hung it on the back of her chair before sitting back down. "How did it go?"

Casey shrugged, sitting on the edge of the desk and adjusting the bottom of her skirt. "We won. But I broke my heels running to court and had to wear some from lost property. Although, how you'd lose heels in a court room, I'll never know. Actually, I'll probably manage it one day, then I'll let you know."

She smiled. "Good. Did my jacket bring you luck?"

Casey blushed and stood, putting her coffee heavily on the table and knocking several lids off it."Yeah. Umm, I just came to drop it off. Have a good day."

"Casey, wait!"

Casey stopped, already half way into the lift.

Olivia waked over. "About last night, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. Maybe...maybe we could talk tonight? I-it doesn't have to be like a-a date or anything, but..."

Casey's heart thudded loudly in her chest and she could feel the warmth of a blush rising up her neck. "Okay. Maybe you should wear something waterproof though." She offered a small smile.

She stepped into the lift with her. "Waterproof?" she asked with a raised brow. "What's that mean?"

"I don't exactly have the best record when it involves liquids of any kind." She motioned to where the water from her glass had hit Olivia. "Or really anything that can stain or be dropped. Waiters run when they see me."

Olivia grabbed her hand. "That's their opinion. I'll think you're sexy no matter what?" She feigned shock. "Did I just say that?" she said with a laugh.

Several people rushed into the lift at the next level, and Olivia turned to face the front, but found Casey still holding her hand firmly behind her back. When they reached the ground floor, Casey dropped it, stepping around Olivia and giving her a shy smile." See you tonight."

Olivia nodded, pressing the correct floor and letting out a breath. Casey Novak sure was...something else, that was for sure.

When Casey walked into the restaurant that evening, she straightened her dress for the hundredth time, wondering if it was an appropriate thing to wear. She scanned the room for Olivia before making her way to the bar.

Olivia was seated up at the bar with a drink in her hand as Casey walked up. "Looking perfect as always," she patted the stool next to her, "come sit." She smiled, knowing Casey was eyeing every bit of her as she sat down. "What? Did I, um, forget something?" she asked as Casey's jaw partially hung.

"What'll you have?"

"What? Ah, umm, it, you...hi." Casey turned to look at Olivia, completely oblivious to the bartender standing in front of them

Olivia smiled. "Two more please," she requested, finishing her glass.

"Olivia." The word was almost breathed rather than said and Casey continued to stare until she suddenly realized she was and turned her attention to the glass the bartender put in front of her.

"Nice dress," Olivia commented. "And your earrings match it."

Casey offered her the first wide smile Olivia had seen in weeks, flattening her dress with her hands again. "I wasn't sure if it's a bit...much."

"Are you kidding? You look gorgeous, Case! And I've never seen you smile like this," she said resting her hand on Casey's bare leg under the bar, knowing how jumpy she was.

Casey jumped, grabbing her drink to stop it falling over, knocking Olivia's in the process. She grabbed her napkin to blot the table before finally sitting down when the waiter said he'd get them a new tablecloth. She smiled apologetically at Olivia. "I told you. I didn't get any on you, did I?"

Olivia's hand let her leg and she nearly whined. "Yes, but don't worry. This dress has seen it's fair share of spilled drinks," she replied, trying to dab it dry. She heard a sharp intake of breath as she continued. Looking over, she saw Casey was shaking. Knowing touching her would make it worse, she sighed. "Casey, if this is too much for you—"

This time Casey's hand reached across the table to touch Olivia's, it only gave it a gently brush and was pulled away as the waiter approached to change the tablecloth, but that, along with the smile Casey offered were enough to reassure Olivia, until Casey got up. "I'm just going to the bathroom to take a deep breath."

Olivia waited a few moments as Casey walked away. In truth, she wanted to know if this would work, while Casey was probably feeling too much heat. Up until she'd read Alex's note, she'd thought of Casey as a mere friend and associate who needed help from time to time, but Alex suggesting they should be together was...something else.

She should've seen the signs, but she was hurt over Alex's leaving and thought no one could fill that void. When she'd come back the day before yesterday and things were said, the kiss, it just seemed real. But she knew it couldn't be. And Casey...she wasn't a kid by any means, she was just worried and scared. Olivia stood up and followed her.

Casey was leaning in front of the mirrors, taking deep breaths. Her eyes closed, so she didn't notice Olivia's quiet entrance and continued to talk to herself. "Just stop it Casey. You're not 15. Get a fucking grip. And stop staring down her top, then you'll stop dropping things and she'll stop thinking you're a clumsy idiot and then maybe you can have a comfortable evening as friends. Not like you have any other ones."

Her eyes set, Olivia walked over and stood beside her. "I think you're cute, not a clumsy idiot," she said with a smile.

Casey jumped backwards, slipping on a wet patch, and gave Olivia an embarrassed smile as she caught her gently. "Oops."

"Are you okay?" Olivia asked as she steadied her.

Casey turned around, leaning into her shoulder. "You must think I'm like a kid with a school girl crush with how I've been acting. Maybe...maybe coming here wasn't such a good idea."

Olivia shook her head. "You're not stupid, or clumsy, or awkward. You're just...you. And extremely cute, might I add. Have," she cleared her throat, "have my gestures been too much? I could stop, if you want."

Casey shook her head, then blushed a little. "I like them. I'm just nervous and it makes me jumpy. Maybe you just go and sit out there and I'll come up and pretend I've just come in and pretend none of this ever happened?"

Olivia nodded, hugging her tight. "Whatever you want. Just remember, it's okay to be nervous," she replied as she reached for the knob, "I know I am." She walked out.

A few minutes later, just as Olivia had decided Casey must have left, she approached the table. "Hi." She offered a hand, and then decided it was wrong for the situation, pulled it away just as Olivia reached for it, and bent down instead to drop a kiss to the detective's cheek.

"Wow, um, that was...unexpected," she said with a smile.

"Too much?" Casey asked, sitting down carefully, her eyes trained on her glass to make sure she didn't knock it over. As Olivia went to speak, Casey offered, "Your dress is lovely detective. Olivia. Sorry. Shit. Umm. wine." She took a long slug of wine.

Olivia smiled. "Yes, I figured it would be a nice gesture to help your nerves," she replied, taking a sip of her own, "and mine."

"Olivia, nervous? Never. Casey Novak, nervous? About 98% of the time. Especially around people I want to impress. Which is most people. Some more than others. Have you ordered? I think I'm going to have a huge steak that's big enough to hide my face so you don't see me blush."

Olivia smiled. "Aww! Come on! I love seeing that blush," she answered, as Casey took a sip, "and when you smile and blush it means you really like it." This caused Casey to nearly choke on her wine, concerning Olivia enough to pat her on the back.

"On second thought, if you're going to keep making comments like that, maybe I should have something small that I can't choke on." Casey finally looked up to make eye contact with Olivia, that smile/blush combo giving away how much she was enjoying herself.

"Nah, have the steak, if you choke, I'll save your life."

Casey smiled. "Cheap ploy for putting your arms around me."

"Ploy?" she asked. "I'd do it anyway."

Casey looked at her, wide-eyed. "Really? Not just like a friend?"

She smiled."Really. Order. If you don't have that steak, I'll take it."

They settled into a comfortable conversation over dinner, Casey only sometimes embarrassing herself, and managing not to spill anything. As the waiter brought coffee, Casey leaned over, putting her hand over Olivia's and gesturing her to move closer.

Olivia did so hesitantly, surprising herself when she felt disappointment when Casey just whispered to her. "The man on the table near the door has been staring at you for the last half an hour. He keeps standing up then sitting down like his pants are on fire, and I'm pretty sure he's holding a violin down there so he can serenade you when you finish your meal."

Olivia rolled her eyes, laying her hand on hers. "Don't worry. I see no man with you in the room," she replied, finishing her glass, "and you're sure he wasn't staring at you?"

"When a man dines by himself wearing a bow-tie, boat shoes and has a comb over, I prefer to think he's looking at the detective who knows how to use a gun thank you very much." Casey kept her hand where it was, her fingers casually moving to entwine with Olivia's as she put sugar in her coffee.

Olivia sighed. "Yeah true, but he probably doesn't know I'm a detective," she said with a smile. "Or that I'm...taken. Well, kinda... I-I mean..."

Casey raised a brow. "After one date? Olivia seriously?"

The detective shrugged. "Well, do you want to see him stroll over here and ask me out or not?"

Casey's other hand dropped the remaining sugar packet directly into the coffee. "Damn!" she cursed, trying to fish it out with her spoon.

"Here," Olivia said smiling as how frustrated she was getting and taking her own fork, "let me help."

It took five minutes for them to successfully drop it on the table, where it hit Olivia's hand which was holding Casey's. She pulled away with a hiss.

"I'm so sorry, Olivia! Everything was going better and then I screwed it up," Casey apologized.

Olivia took her hand again. "You didn't. It could've easily happened to me."

She blushed. "But it just had to happen to me!"

Then the waiter walked over. "Excuse me, miss?"

Olivia looked to him. "Yes?"

"The gentleman over there," he gestured to the man Casey had mentioned moments ago, "would like to buy you a drink."

Casey looked at the table, trying to pull her hand away, but Olivia grasped it lightly in both of her own.

The detective shook her head. "Tell him thanks for the offer, but I've had my fill."

He nodded. When he walked over, Olivia snuck a glance at the man's reaction. She could clearly tell her wasn't used to being turned down as he looked pissed.

"You, um, didn't have to do that."

Olivia smiled. "Of course I did. I'm here with you, not looking to . . . find someone else."

Casey took a deep breath, then offered Olivia a slow smile. "Well...thank you. But you know you could be missing out on like, a mint julip or mulled wine or something. Actually, he looks like a secret sex on the beach man."

Olivia smiled. "Eh, rather have you sprawled out on the beach," she replied, making Casey blush crimson.

Casey fumbled for her drink and took a big swig. "Perhaps, um, time for the um, bill?"

Olivia nodded, signaling the waiter, who nodded and walked over. "I've got it," she said, pulling out her checkbook and writing it before handing it to the waiter.

"I'll buy the next one. That is if you want to do this again. You don't have to. Well, I guess you do if you want to get paid back. I'm babbling again aren't I?" Casey tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled at Olivia, but this time didn't blush.

"Depends, do you?" she asked, standing and helping Casey up.

Not trusting herself to speak without babbling as she once more found herself looking Olivia over, she merely nodded, attempting to put her coat on inside out.

Laughing to herself, Olivia grabbed the coat, turning it right and helped her. "It works a lot better if it's not inside out, you know."

"...Yeah, I've heard that. You know me though, I like to be different." Casey's had brushed Olivia's, but then suddenly grabbed it with force. "It umm...the guy by the door," she offered as if by way of explanation, then led the way towards the exit.

Olivia turned toward her, stroking her cheek with her opposite hand. "Don't worry," she whispered by her ear, rubbing her hand.

Casey gulped, forcing herself to focus on the door.

"Almost through," Olivia said.

She nodded.

"There," Olivia said as they stood outside.

Not trusting herself to speak once more, she leant forward quickly and dropped a kiss to Olivia's lips. Before the detective could speak, Casey was already walking towards the road. "I should get a taxi. It's late."

Olivia quickly followed her, grabbing her wrist. "Casey."

She turned back. "What?"

Suddenly, her heart rate increased as she realized how close they were. "Wait," Olivia breathed, before kissing her gently on the lips for a few seconds, stunning her.

Casey stayed still with her eyes closed for a moment before letting out a long breath. "You have no idea how long I've imagined that."

Olivia raised a brow, grabbing her other wrist as well. "Really? Well, then..." she kissed her a bit more deeply, feeling Casey's arms come around her. Olivia stroked her cheek as she pulled away. "I had a wonderful time."

"Me too." Casey dared not speak more lest she ruin the moment and just held Olivias eyes, both of them jumping when a taxi behind her beeped. Neither noticed the loafer man hanging outside the door of the restaurant, watching.

Olivia said goodnight and they parted ways. But something in her gut told her the night was far from over...

Author's Note: So what do you think? Sorry it's so long! We were kinda on a roll.

Please read & review!

Liv-x-Lex4Ever and E. Scribbles