Alex lets the door click quietly into the lock behind her and slips off her high heels to keep the noise down. It's late. Later than she had planned.
Casey is half sitting, half lying on the sofa, nestled comfortably in the cushions, her body tilted slightly to one side. She has a book in one hand, resting lightly on her lap, and next to her is a notepad with a pencil that seems to have been dropped carelessly. Her head is tilted sideways against the soft pillow, and her eyes are closed. The slight rise and fall of her chest show she's breathing deeply and evenly, having fallen into a peaceful sleep.
Alex takes a few steps and sits beside her on the edge of the sofa. She gently brushes a strand of hair from her face that has fallen out of her messy bun, then reaches for the book and puts it aside with the notepad.
Casey sleepily opens her eyes a little. It takes her a few seconds to focus.
"Hey, honey," Alex says softly.
"Hi." Her voice is hoarse from sleep, her lips curving into a tired smile. "I wanted to wait...sorry."
"That's all right, darling. I came home later than I expected."
"I have..." she points to the notebook.
Alex picks it up and reads. There are some handwritten notes in keywords. One line is highlighted and a page number added, followed by a capital "Alex" with an exclamation mark.
She knows Casey loves books and loves to dive deep into different worlds. She also loves to collect the best scenes, special quotes, or exciting ideas in her notes. Often, she is bubbling over with enthusiasm and eager to share it. When they are both at home, Alex regularly enjoys a detailed retelling, including an analysis of these parts of the books. Many in-depth discussions have resulted from these conversations. When Alex is not at home, Casey helps herself by writing down the scenes in her notes so that she can retell them later. It warms Alex's heart that her girlfriend thinks of her in these moments and wants to share her excitement. She's pulled Alex in more than once, even though they don't always share the same taste in genres. But most of all, she just loves listening to her girlfriend talk about things that excite her, that make her eyes light up.
"You have to read..." she sits up a little and stretches, yawning.
"I will." Alex leans over and gives her a kiss on the cheek. "But first, let's get you to bed."
"I know it's not really your thing, but..."
Alex stops her gently, "It's really late, honey, and you're dead tired. I promise I'll read it and we can talk about it in detail tomorrow." She gives her another kiss. "Thank you for thinking of me!"
Casey smiles happily. "Get ready! I have a lot to say..."
Alex laughs. "I'm looking forward to it. And I'll have coffee ready!"
They both stand, Alex supporting her girlfriend as she sleepily makes her way to the bedroom. She helps her into bed, tucking the covers around her.
As Alex watches her drift off to sleep, she feels a wave of gratitude wash over her. She quietly whispers, "Good night, my love," before changing into some comfy clothes and then heading back into the living room. With a satisfied sigh, she picks up her Casey's notes and the book she referred to, finds the right page, and begins to read.
Alex wakes up in the middle of the night. The room is dark, and it takes her a minute to get her bearings. Out of habit, she reaches for the other side of the bed, but to her surprise, it's empty and cold.
Confused, she sits up and tries to gather her thoughts. It's not unusual for either Casey or herself to have trouble sleeping, and to avoid disturbing the other, one of them often leaves the bed. Alex considers just going back to sleep, but after a moment, she decides to check on her girlfriend and make sure she's okay. Insomnia aside.
She slips out of bed and quietly makes her way through the apartment. When she reaches the living room, she finds Casey sitting on the floor in front of the big windows. The city stretches out before her; the twinkling lights reflect in the windows, and the stars shine brightly above. Casey is lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the night sky, and she doesn’t notice Alex's presence.
Alex watches her for a moment, feeling a wave of affection. She knows how Casey can get lost in her thoughts, especially on nights when sleep is hard to come by. She knows this from her own experience. Sometimes, these are the moments when the best ideas and solutions come.
She doesn’t want to disturb Casey but still wants to offer her some comfort, hoping she can relax a bit and lessen the effects of sleep deprivation. Quietly, she heads back to the bedroom, grabs a pillow and a warm blanket, and brings them to Casey.
Without saying a word, Alex gently places the pillow behind Casey and drapes the blanket over her shoulders. Casey looks up, surprised but grateful, as Alex sits down beside her. They sit in silence for a few minutes, simply enjoying each other's presence and the calm beauty of the night. After a while, Alex leans forward, kisses Casey on the cheek, and whispers good night. Then she gets up and goes back to bed, while Casey continues to gaze at the stars with a small smile on her face.
Casey stood in front of the mirror in her walk-in closet. Her eyes wandered over every detail of her reflection, her nervous hands smoothing the folds of her dress or flicking away invisible dust.
"Now I look like I'm going to a funeral," she said, trying to keep her voice from sounding whiny.
"I hardly think so," came Olivia's voice from the phone, which Casey had put on speaker and placed on a nearby shelf.
"Makes me look pale. Add a dark veil, and you can call me 'Widow Casey.'"
"Now you're being dramatic," Olivia laughed. "Want to send me another picture?"
"No, I'm changing!"
"Or should I come over?"
"Can you please stay on the phone a little longer?"
"Sure." It sounded like Olivia was holding back a sigh. Casey felt a pang of guilt for keeping her friend on the phone so long.
She pulled out another dress and stepped back in front of the mirror, holding it up to her body. "Okay, this one... it's... blue. Do you remember the wedding last summer? I wore that dress."
"I remember, yes. A very nice dress. Blue always looks good on you!" Olivia's voice came over the speaker.
Casey turned from side to side, critically examining herself from all angles. "I don't know... It just doesn't feel right."
"Casey, what's really going on?" Olivia finally asked. "It's not just the dress, is it?"
Casey paused, her eyes meeting her own reflection. She swallowed hard, and her voice was barely a whisper as she replied, "I think I'm scared. I feel out of place. I don't belong at fancy dinner parties."
Olivia's voice was soft and reassuring. "You're worrying too much. Everything will be fine. You're amazing, and everyone will see that. Trust in that."
Casey took a deep breath. "I don't know, Liv. A gala dinner with cocktails afterward. What does that even mean?" She spoke faster, her voice growing more anxious with each word. "Why did Alex even invite me? I'm just going to embarrass her. I'm Cinderella in a stolen dress."
"Casey, you're exaggerating. Don't sell yourself short. You know Alex wants you by her side because she loves you."
Casey sighed, fighting the nausea rising within her. "Her father will be there," she finally said quietly.
"Oh," there was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "Now I understand," Olivia finally added.
"What if I'm not good enough?"
"Alex loves you, and her father will see that too. It's understandable that you're nervous, but you have nothing to fear," Olivia replied sympathetically but firmly.
"I... know." Casey's thoughts swirled, and she couldn't bear to look in the mirror any longer. "I... need a shower. I'll call you back later." She put the phone back to her ear. "Thank you, Liv."
"You're welcome! Let me know if there's anything else I can do," Olivia responded gently. "And please, don't drive yourself crazy."
Casey ended the call and closed her eyes for a few moments. Taking deep breaths, she tried to control the nausea and at least slow down her thoughts.
"Olivia is right, love."
Casey froze, her back still to the door, startled by her girlfriend's voice.
"How long have you been standing there?" she asked uncertainly.
"Long enough." Alex stepped behind her, gently wrapped her arms around her waist, and pulled her closer. "You look beautiful in that dress." She kissed Casey's shoulder softly. "You're clever, intelligent, charming, warm, and..." the second kiss moved towards Casey's pulse point. "...did I mention you're hot?”
Casey could feel the tension in her body begin to ease. The safe embrace of the woman she loved, her soothing voice, and her gentle kisses worked wonders.
"You don't have to feel obligated to take me with you," she still couldn't shake her insecurity.
"I'm not. I invited you because I'm proud to have you by my side. Because you're my girlfriend." Alex reassured her.
Casey slowly turned around in Alex's arms so that they were facing each other. She searched Alex's eyes for the truth behind her words and found only sincere affection and love. Alex brushed a strand of hair from her smiled warmly.
"Your father... I..." Casey began, but Alex smiled gently and interrupted her.
"He's not as bad as you think. And I'm sure he'll love you."
"But what do I have to offer? I don't have a big name, no..."
"Casey, please." Alex interrupted her again. "None of that matters to my father. He's not looking for a new business partner."
"What matters?" Casey asked quietly.
"I love you! And you make me happy. That's what really counts. That's what my father really cares about," Alex explained emphatically.
"I love you too." Casey felt her insecurity slowly melting away.
"And to quote Olivia again... Don't sell yourself short. You're an impressive woman, Casey. You've achieved a lot and have a big heart."
"Now you're flattering me," Casey said with a shy smile.
"Just stating facts." Alex kissed her gently and felt Casey snuggle against her.
"Better?" Alex asked, and Casey nodded with a wide smile.
"Good Girl." Alex's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Did I hear correctly that you want to take a shower?"
Casey blushed slightly and nodded. "Yes, I thought it would help me relax."
"How about I join you and make sure you really relax?" Alex's voice was soft and seductive.
Another sleepless night for Alex, but this time it isn't as dark and dreadful as usual. Instead, she spends it with Casey, sharing sweet little secrets, childhood stories, and dreams of the future. They sit close together, cuddling on the couch, whispering softly, their laughter breaking the silence of the night.
They didn't turn on any lamps; the only light illuminating the room is the full moon shining through the window under a cloudless sky. From time to time, their conversations pause as they lean in for lingering kisses and gentle touches. As the night progresses, the distinction between talking and touching blurs. Lying back in the comfy cushions of the couch, their bodies fit together perfectly.
The hours slip away unnoticed as they revel in the simple joy of each other's company. Engrossed in one another's presence, they lose track of time, their world shrinking to the warmth of the couch and the glow of the moon. Conversations flow easily, interspersed with moments of comfortable silence, loving gazes, and enticing touches.
With the first light of day replacing the moonlight, they find that despite another night without sleep, they feel surprisingly refreshed, and their bond has deepened even further through the night.
Olivia and Fin are called to a shooting in the city late on a Saturday night. The suspect appears to be a man they had already arrested a few days ago but had to release due to a lack of evidence.
After checking out the scene, they both agree that they need Alex to ensure everything is done by the book and that this time, the perp can be locked up for good. When Fin calls her, she is not happy about having to come but agrees after he gives her a quick rundown of what happened.
Olivia and Fin are busy inspecting the crime scene, as a sleek black Mercedes pulls up a few meters away. Intrigued, they exchange curious glances. They cannot make out who is in the driver's seat, but a few moments later, the passenger door opens, and Alex steps out.
She always has a commanding presence, but tonight she is breathtaking. Her blonde hair falls in large, loose waves around her shoulders, and her makeup is darker than usual, accentuating her sharp features. She is wearing a fitted black dress that hugs her figure just right, paired with high heels that click softly against the pavement. A beautiful coat draped over her shoulders completes her elegant look.
"She looks stunning," Olivia whispers, unable to contain her admiration.
Fin nods in agreement. "She does… and she's pissed. Brace yourself."
Alex glares. "What do we have here?"
"You really didn't have to dress up for us, Alex," Olivia jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
Fin chimes in, "Nice ride, Cabot."
Alex smiles. "Thank you." Looking over at Olivia, she adds, "The driver's nice too, if that's what you want to know."
Olivia's eyes widen, caught off guard. Before she can muster an answer, Alex cuts her off, "I can see you've had your eye on the driver's seat since I got here. If you're done, maybe we can talk about the case, please. I don't want to stay out here forever."
Fin and Olivia quickly fill her in on the details. In the end, they all agree to take the suspect back into custody and keep him there overnight, giving them enough time to get a search warrant and gather evidence.
Alex looks at her watch and sighs.
"We're keeping you from something?" Olivia teases, a playful grin on her lips.
"Just from getting home. You caught me right before dessert," Alex replies with a hint of amusement.
"Dessert, huh?" Olivia raises an eyebrow, but Alex brushes off the comment and turns to Fin. "Okay, are we clear?" she asks for confirmation.
"Yeah, I think so. Thanks for coming, Counselor. We can take it from here," Fin reassures her.
"We'll call you in the morning when we have all the information sorted."
"In the morning, waht time?" Alex inquires, her tone tinged with skepticism.
"Around 8, maybe," Fin answers, a note of apology in his voice. "Sorry to ruin your Sunday."
"Mhm. I'll expect your call at 8 then," Alex says, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Should we expect someone else to answer?" Olivia teases, earning a another glare from Alex that quickly turns into a grin.
"I'm a big girl, detective, and certainly capable of answering the phone properly."
Adjusting her coat Alex then bids them farewell and heads out into the night.
As Alex leaves, Olivia and Fin can't help but steal a glance as she approaches the sleek black Mercedes. It looks like something out of a movie, its glossy exterior shimmering under the streetlights. In one smooth motion, Alex opens the door and slides into the passenger seat. The interior light flicks on, but the angle is all wrong, still blocking their view of the driver.
After exchanging a quick glance, the two detectives make their way back to their own car in silence, the unspoken questions about the mysterious Mercedes driver put aside for the time being.
...to be continued
Thank you @saurgaeee for inspiration and messing around with ideas with me
Casey hears the familiar jingle of keys and then the quiet click as the front door locks. She looks up from her book and waits for Alex’s usual greeting, but it doesn’t come. In fact, she hears nothing at all. No greeting and no footsteps indicating Alex is on her way to the living room. With a sense of unease, she sets her book aside and gets up to check.
When she sees her girlfriend, her heart tightens with worry. Alex is leaning against the door, still wearing her coat and shoes, her briefcase carelessly placed on the floor. She looks utterly defeated. Her posture is slumped, like she's carrying a heavy burden. Her hair is messy, and her eyes are dull and unfocused as she finally lifts her head and their gazes meet.
No words are needed for Casey to understand.
Without hesitation, Casey crosses the room and pulls Alex into her arms. She holds her girlfriend tight, offering comfort and unspoken support. Alex clings to her and buries her face in her hair. Shortly after, Casey feels her body trembling softly as tears silently start to wet her skin.
They stand like that for a few minutes, Casey whispering soothing words and gently stroking her back until she feels the first tears slowly subside and Alex gradually regains her strength. Finally, she pulls back just enough to look her girlfriend in the eyes. With a soft smile, she studies Alex’s face, trying to silently convey that she is there for her. Alex nods slightly and attempts a faint smile.
Casey helps Alex out of her coat and shoes, then takes her by the hand and leads her to the bathroom, where she sinks onto the edge of the bathtub. Casey turns on the shower to let the water warm up before helping Alex take off the rest of her clothes.
Sighing, Alex steps into the shower and lets the warm water flow over her body. The warmth slowly seeps into her muscles. She hopes that the water will not only wash away the dirt from her body but also the events of the day from her mind.
When she finally makes it back to the bedroom after a long shower, wrapped up warm in a fluffy towel, she sees that Casey has already made herself comfortable under the covers and is waiting for her.
Her favorite pair of pajamas is already laid out for her, and there's a big glass of water and a headache pill on the nightstand.
She crawls under the covers into her girlfriend's arms, grateful for the comfort. Casey pulls her a little closer and gives her a gentle kiss on the hair.
“We can talk tomorrow,” she says kindly. “Try to get some sleep, sweetheart.”
