More than just a Pretty Face

By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles

Chapter 10: Conflict with Blood

Once they'd seen the lights of New York, Casey instantly awoke, of course, wanting McDonalds. So, Olivia pulled through Drive-Thru, getting them each something before driving away. "Do you need clothes from your house or are you good?"

"..I can wear yours?"

"We can stop of you want."

"I like wearing your things."

She smiled. "Do you?"

"They...smell like you. It's comforting."

They pulled up to Olivia's apartment and she stopped, killing the engine. "...I'm sorry, about everything..."

"You didn't do anything."

"If...I hadn't suggested you leave..."

"I chose to leave."

"Are you sure I didn't push you?"

"I'm positive, Olivia."

She smiled, turning to her. "I missed you."

"I…that night…in the car...I was so scared...I just panicked and all I could think of was calling you. If I'd called the police, maybe…"

"Maybe what?"

"He'd still be alive."

"You don't know that."

"I called you 6 times, Liv. That's…5 minutes, including voicemail." She jumped as there was a bang on the door and Cragen's face appeared

Olivia reached over and opened the door. "Yeah?"

"You told me you had to go and sort something out, something about your last case, then you disappear, then I get a call from a Mr. Novak saying his daughter has gone missing and you've been threatening his maid, and now I find you here with the ADA in your car."

She sighed. "She called. Asked me to come get her. She was my last case, as far as I'm concerned. I didn't threaten her. I simply asked where Casey was, she wouldn't tell me, so I yelled for her. The second I opened the door, she threw a bag into my arms and basically said run. I'm sorry. Though I know that doesn't cover it. Casey, care to add anything here?"

She shook her head.

Cragen stepped back, crossing his arms. "Well, get her into the apartment and then get back to work."

She nodded. "Understood. Then your office?"

"Depends where Mr. Novak wants to talk to you."

She nodded again. "I'll be right back out," she said, grabbing Casey's bag and crutches for her as she walked over and handed them to her. "Let's go."

Casey made her way slowly after Olivia, resting on the wall of the lift. "…Maybe I should come with you to the precinct."

"..I don't know if that's a good idea. I'd like you there, but... I did this, not you. If you do, you'll say it was you? That you called me? I-if you don't... I think I'm screwed."

"You didn't do anything wrong! I'm not a prisoner! I can go where I please!" The effort of moving was taking its toll on her and her face was growing paler.

"But your father won't see it that way! Casey...you really should rest. You're pretty pale."

She shook her head. "I don't care, you know Cragen. He won't be swayed by...money or power if he knows you didn't do anything wrong." She grew paler still, leaning to one side.

Olivia grabbed her hand. "Casey, you need rest."

She rested against Olivia.

Olivia helped her into the apartment, onto the couch and grabbed a pillow and blanket from the closet and took it back out to her, laying her cell phone in her hand. "Call me in 20 minutes. We can sort it out over the phone."

Casey nodded, her eyes flickering shut.

Olivia kissed her forehead and left, hoping she'd be able to get a hold of her.

As soon as Olivia walked into the precinct, Casey's father grabbed her jacket. "Where is she?"

Olivia swallowed, coolly. "At my apartment. I can call her if you want me to."

Elliot pulled him off, his hand turning into a fist, but the look on Olivia's face stopped him from punching.

"She's off her face on medication, detective. She doesn't know what she's saying. Give me the address and I'll go and get her."

"No. She's fine. Resting where she's not stressed. But, then again, I'd probably run too, if my father paid off people for me to win or even bought me a job."

He stopped and stared at her for a long time before turning to walk into Cragen's office, slamming the door.

"Too much?" she asked Elliot.

"I wish you'd let me hit him."

She sighed. "Yeah, I'm kinda wishing that myself. I would like Casey down here, but she was so pale. I could try calling her, but..."

He patted her back. "The boss'll sort it. He might dole it out, but he doesn't like anyone else doing it."

"I would go back, but...I was ordered in."

"He already gave me a serve. Told me to stop helping you…but if you want to go home, I'll sort it."

"That's nice, but let's see here first." She pulled out her phone and dialed Casey. "Please pick up."

After several rings, Casey answered sleepily, clearly still thinking of the dream she'd been having, "Love you too, baby."

She smiled. "Casey, you need to wake up. Your father about punched me for not giving him my address."

There was a thud as Casey fell from the couch. "He hit you?! I'm going to kill him! I'm going to...kill him!"

"Casey? Are you okay? He looked like he was going to, but he didn't."

She could hear Casey ranting as she reached for her dropped phone, as could Elliot, over her shoulder, and he raised his eyebrows at the language he'd never heard from the ADA before.

"Yeah, she's pissed. Casey?"

Casey picking up her phone again, barked into it. "Give him the phone."

"Yes, Your Highness, one moment." She walked back and knocked on Cragen's door.

Cragen pulled open the door and stepped aside as Olivia thrust the phone at Casey's father, then they both watched as he listened, not attempting to speak. They could occasionally pick up words yelled by Casey, about love, respect, Olivia's name several times, and his face grew pale.

Olivia stood by Cragen wondering as well what was said.

He finally handed the phone back to Olivia, looked at Cragen a moment before looking down and leaving the room.

Olivia held the phone to her ear. "Still there, Casey?"

"I've eaten your burger."

She smiled. "Don't worry about it. Just...rest up, okay? I'll be there when I can."

"..He won't bother you again."

"Good. Are you okay?"

"...I'd like a hug when you come back?"

"Okay. I think I can arrange that. Well, I'd really better go. I'm still standing in Cragen's office, so..."

"Tell him I love him. Wait…no...I...tell him…hi."

"I'd feel better if you backed me up."

"I love you too, Casey." Cragen said, still listening in. They both heard an embarrassed groan before she hung up.

Olivia sighed, sliding the phone back into her pocket. "I really wasn't lying. After the accident, I thought about bringing her back, but for that time, she was better taken care of there. Actually, I guess I should ask. Do you know why she left?"

"She called me while you were on your way here. So…yes. Which is what I was telling her father. She told me, in between eating something and falling asleep, that it wasn't your fault. She begged you to come and if she'd been awake before you'd left the hospital, she would have come home with you straight away."

She nodded. "It's...not right...the way she got the ADA position, but I'm afraid you'd have my badge and gun i-if I..."

"If you?"

She sighed, sitting in a chair. "Apparently, her father doesn't deem her good enough to do anything on her own...Pfft. Actually, I should be more worried about Donnelly having my ass for this..."

"No one is going to have your ass, Benson. You're on leave. Casey...sorted it. I've signed you off. And her father…if she says don't worry about him, don't. I don't think she realizes how influential she is in her own right."

"Yeah, but...when I said he doesn't deem her well enough… She...found out everyone's been paid off, without her knowledge. Her credibility is shot. I just...she's a damn good ADA, at least I think she is."

"Liv...look...I'm not supposed to discuss this with you, but her father is being investigated for fraud. She got her job despite her father, not because of him. Anyone who accepted money will be investigated as well. He's left a trail."

She raised a brow. "Well, that's...interesting. Does she know this?"

"No. And you can't tell her either."

She nodded. "Agreed. It'll come out in its own time. I just...thought maybe I should tell you what she told me."

He nodded, leaning back in his chair

She shrugged. "Well, I'd better get back to her. Wait, one more thing. Is there any way that 'thing' can jeopardize her?"

"They haven't told me much…but I doubt it."

"If it does?"

"I don't know, Olivia."

She sighed. "Okay, just let it fall where it will I guess. If it gets to be deep, I'll probably call you."

He nodded. "Take as long as you need."

She walked out. "Hey, Elliot? Thanks."

He waved. "You owe me."

"I know. Name it."

"I'll think about it."

She spun around. "I think I'm afraid now. Whatever. See you later." She left.

Ten minutes later, she walked into the apartment, finding Casey asleep on the couch. She walked over, sitting on the coffee table in front of her. "Casey?"

Her eyes flickered open slowly. "Mm?"

She smiled. "Hi."

She unfolded her arms. "Hug?"

Olivia sat with her on the couch, hugging her as tightly as she dared. "And how are you feeling?"

"Better now that you're here."

Olivia kissed her gently, running her hands through her hair.

Casey sighed her name into her lips, trying to ignore the throbbing in her leg.

Olivia tried to position Casey a bit differently, so she was comfortable as she continued to kiss her, running her hands up and down her back gently, moaning into her lips.

Casey lowered her head, kissing Olivia's neck, sighing a little.

A moan arose from her throat. "Casey..."

She pulled back a little, a smile playing on her lips.

"You're good at that."

She blushed a little, her hand brushing Olivia's stomach.

She moaned at the contact, kissing Casey's exposed shoulder. "Mmm, taste good too."

Casey continued to try and ignore the pain, focusing on Olivia's lips.

Olivia could hear and feel the pauses. "Pain? Maybe you should sleep."

"There's some pain killers in my bag..." She still held to Olivia's shirt.

Olivia managed to pull a contortionist move to grab the bag as well as a bottle of water and hand them to her.

Casey kissed her several times before taking the pills.

Olivia held her tightly to her. "What else can I do?"

A yawn escaped her mouth and she lowered her head to try and hide it. "Sorry. I'm not exactly good company."

She shook her head. "I don't mind. I love your company."

"..I really appreciate what you've done for me. I will pay you back, Olivia." She looked at her earnestly.

"I know you will. Someday," she kissed her gently. "Can I ask...what you said to him?"

"..I told him that I knew what he'd done, how he'd paid people. I told him I'm in love with you and there's no one he can pay to change that."

"You...told him you're in love with me?"

Casey nodded, a blush creeping up her neck

Olivia rubbed her injured cheeks, a smile on her lips. "..Did I tell you I'm in love with you too?"

Her blush darkened as she nodded, her face tilting to brush against Olivia's hand.

"Beautiful, sexy, cute... I love you, And that blush."

She turned her face to hide it in Olivia's hand, smiling. "Maybe…could we just get take away and movies or something and stay here or in bed...cuddling?"

Olivia stood with her arm over her. "We could just go to bed?"

Unsteady on her feet from injuries and medication, Casey just leaned on her. "But you haven't eaten."

"Point taken," she sat her in the chair and made a bed on the couch. "What would you like?" she asked, helping her back onto the couch and rested her leg on the coffee table.

Casey tugged her sleeve until Olivia sat back down, then curled against her, relaxing. "You pick."

"Chinese?"

Casey nodded, her hand moving to rest under Olivia's top once more, enjoying the closeness and the comfort it brought.

Olivia wrapped her arms around her. "It's going to be okay. How's your pain?"

It was already making her feel as though she wasn't really here, but floating above, watching the scene play out as her fingers traced the outline of Olivia's abs as she tensed them. "Gone."

"You're lying."

"I can feel it…but it's not hurting because I'm in love." A giggle escaped her mouth. Standing up had made the medication work faster than usual and go to her head.

"Whoa," she laughed. "Okay, stay down. You need to sleep. We can eat later. Do you want to go to bed?"

"With you? Yes." Casey's hand slid high, brushing Olivia's bra.

She gasped, smiling. "Okay," she helped her up again and to the small bedroom, onto the bed.

As Olivia turned to shut the window, Casey slid her t-shirt over her head and dropped it beside the bed, doing the same with her bra.

Olivia turned, blushing a bit. "Sorry."

Casey gave a sigh at the comfort of the bed, resting against the pillows and stretching a little.

Olivia grabbed a few spare pillows, propping her leg up before removing her own shirt and bra and lying beside her in bed.

"You should try these pills...I feel like I'm floating."

She shook her head. "No thanks, I'm already there. And I need to keep my head right now just in case. I think you've taken enough medication for now."

Casey turned to Olivia, taking her hand. "Am I really here? Or am I alone and just imagining it?" She pulled Olivia's hand to her press against her chest.

Olivia smiled her other hand caressing her bare back as she kissed her gently. "Yes, you're really here."

Casey gave a relieved sigh and let her eyes shut, but opened them only seconds later, a look of concern etched into her face. "Olivia?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"I've never loved anyone before."

Olivia held her close, stroking her hair. "I haven't either. But...I know I'll do anything for you."

"I'd do...anything for…you...except...maybe..stay awake?" By the time she'd finished speaking, her head was on Olivia's shoulder, and a second later, she was asleep.

Olivia gently lay back with her in her arms, wrapped tightly around her. "Rest now. We've had a big day."

Olivia was woken next morning by a bang, and found herself alone in bed. When she followed the noise, she found Casey in the kitchen wearing one of her old NYPD training t-shirts, attempting to make Olivia some breakfast

Olivia walked in, holding her arm. "Morning, gorgeous," she kissed her cheek. "How long have you been up?"

"An hour." She spoke breathlessly, glancing at Olivia with embarrassment. "I didn't say anything…stupid last night, did I? Those pills..."

She positioned Casey against her, realizing she was still without a shirt. "No, you didn't."

"I've made...just about everything that was in the house for breakfast. You didn't have much. I fou-" She too, suddenly realized how Olivia was dressed as her body rubbed against her and went silent.

Olivia inhaled sharply, holding her steady. "Guess I should've dressed, huh?"

"Guess so." Casey moved a hand behind her back to steady herself, resting it on Olivia's shoulder, moving her body more freely against her.

Olivia moaned in feeling Casey's warmth through the shirt, radiating on her skin. "Wh-what should we do now?"

Casey spoke shyly. "I know what I'd like to do…but right now, I'm too sore. Why don't you go and get dressed and I'll finish breakfast?"

She smiled. "I'd...like that too, but your leg is still bad. Okay, I'll go grab my shirt. Just be careful."

When she returned, the food was spread out on the table. After a moment's hesitation, after Olivia sat, Casey sat on her lap and smiled shyly at her.

Olivia smiled, kissing her cheek. "Well hi. What would you like to eat?"

Casey captured her lips and gave her a slow kiss before speaking softly. "You pick."

Olivia placed a couple pancakes on the plate in front of them, buttering them. "Syrup?"

Casey nodded, kissing the corner of her mouth.

Olivia gently slathered them in the liquid before setting it down and wrapping an arm around her, kissing the corner of Casey's mouth.

Breakfast lasted over two hours as they stopped to kiss often, fed one another awkwardly and then kissed once more.

By the time there was a knock on the door, both were full and Casey was resting against Olivia, dropping gentle kisses to her neck.

"Just a minute!" Olivia stood, helping Casey to the couch before walking over. "Who is it?"

"Your favorite person in the world!" Elliot called.

Casey spoke from the couch, "How can I be out there and in here at the same time?"

Olivia smiled, opening the door. "Good one."

He leant on the door frame grinning, holding up some bags. "Got some presents for you."

Olivia beckoned him in, closing the door and getting Casey a glass of water for a couple painkillers before sitting next to her. "Such as?"

Casey's hand slid into Olivia's.

"Groceries, mostly. Kathy's idea."

Olivia nodded. "Well, tell her thank you, but there's got to be more of a reason why you're here. Kathy could've brought them."

He blushed a little, then cleared his throat. "i ah…got a message from you last night. Saying you were floating?"

"Me?" Olivia asked. "I never called you."

"...It was signed N with about ten kisses."

She turned to Casey. "God, you were doped up on meds."

Casey turned her face to hide it in a cushion.

"Uh huh. Sure. Now you're silent." She ran a hand through her hair. "What else did you bring besides groceries?"

"She ah…requested a few things. I wasn't sure whether to get them. Some of them were a bit...out there."

She chuckled a bit. "Like? Bearing in mind she's on high-dose meds?"

"Well ah…the things I did bring- ice cream, chocolate, chips, sausages, some DVD's, and some flowers for you. The things I didn't bring...a plastic sausage, some legos, 7 pairs of sunglasses and some lube."

She turned again, pulling the cushion away. "..Wow. That bad? Damn, you could've asked me to pick the one items up. You never even asked if I had them."

"I don't even know why I wanted them," Casey squeaked.

As she hid her face again, Elliot winked and showed Olivia the message, which simply asked if he could pick up some flowers for Olivia.

She smiled. "That's very sweet. She must've been hungry and...horny to ask for..." She started laughing. "I'm sorry!"

"It's not funny!"

"It's...kinda funny. The plastic...and lube..." she took a few deep breaths, calming down. "Okay, maybe it's not that funny, but..."

Casey folded her arms, trying to hide her blush.

"Okay, I'm sorry. But you still could've asked me. ...If you wanted them, that is. And, yes, he was joking, but do you think I am?"

"I could have asked you to get flowers for yourself?"

She shook her head. "No, I..." she sighed."Thanks for the thought, by the way," she told him. She turned back to Casey. "Never mind."

Elliot put the food in the kitchen then said he had to get back to work. As soon as the door was shut, Casey hissed at Olivia. "You think it's funny to...laugh about our sex life with him? We don't even have one! But when...if we do, will you go to work and tell him? Have a laugh about what I asked for the night before?"

She shook her head. "No and I'm sorry. I just said that because...maybe I..I've thought of that. Wh-what did you ask last night?"

"I don't remember! Have a look at your phone, or ask your favorite person." Casey pushed herself up, reaching for her crutches.

Olivia handed them to her. "I'm sorry. I'll...clean up the kitchen. And...you're my favorite person," she stood and cleared the kitchen table.

Casey moved to the bedroom, sitting on the bed and pulling on Olivia's sweatshirt that she'd been wearing the night before, then snuggled under the blankets.

Olivia put the dishes in the sink to soak walking back into her bedroom and leaning against the wall. "I really am sorry. If we get that far, I promise you'll be the only one I talk to about it," she whispered.

Casey wiped her tears on the sleeve of the shirt.

Olivia sat beside her on the bed, rubbing her back.

Her tears fell harder, not really about Olivia anymore, but about the accident and her friend's death.

"Casey..." she laid beside her, wrapping her arms around her."I really am sorry."

Her arms wrapped limply around her.

"...But this isn't about that, is it?" she asked, wrapping her arms around her.

"He was the only person I told about you, and he would look at photos of you and listen to all my stories."

"..Sounds nice. Glad you had someone to talk to."

"I said I had to see you. He was driving me to see you!"

"Shhh... He sounds nice..."

"He said…he said we were soul mates."

She sighed, stroking her cheek. "Is that what you think too?"

"He said I tried so hard to push you away, but it didn't work, that you must think we are."

"Well, soul mate is... a little strong, but I do believe we were supposed to end up like we are. Or at least I hoped we would. Some days I didn't know."

"He said I should forget my father and come back here."

"He's right. You should have your own life."

"Now he's dead because I wanted to see you...and my father wouldn't even let me go to his funeral."

"Shhh, it's not your fault. It was his choice. He knew how much you wanted to see me...how much you love me."

"...Why didn't you come to see me, Olivia?"

"Every time I planned to, we had another case. I tried, so hard. Work just got in the way. I wanted to... missed you every single day."

"Just not enough to take time off?"

"I couldn't take time off. Hardly had a moment's peace...except when you called."

"You've got time off now."

"You're here with me though, so I don't need to come see you."

She nodded, then lowered her eyes.

"What?"

"…Can I be alone for a while?

She nodded. "I'd really rather not when you're so upset, but yeah, I'll...wash the dishes. If you need me..." she kissed her cheek and stood.

Casey curled into the pillow.

She stroked her cheek. "Love you." She washed, dried and put away the dishes before lying on the couch.

Author's Note: What do you think?

Reviews: Kikilia14 & tummer22

Please R&R!

Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles