#rwff

„So … I was at the courthouse earlier. Had to drop off paperwork for the Simons case. Total chaos over there. I mean, everyone was out today. There was even a school group clogging up the hallways … “

Alex raised an eyebrow, waiting patiently for Casey to get to the point.

„… anyway, I had to wait. Which is ridiculous, right? Why do people schedule appointments if they’re not going to stick to them? I was on time! As if my time isn’t just as important as …“

„Case …“

„Right, yeah, sorry! So. You know that redheaded security guard. Super friendly guy? Shawn, I think? Oh it was so funny when he tripped over the bubble wrap remember?“ Casey giggled.

Alex nodded, a little wary. „Casey … is this more courthouse gossip? You know how I feel about that.“

„No, not gossip! Well … okay, yes. Technically. But this time it’s different. Alex, this one’s actually good.“

„Casey. Please.“

„Just listen. It’s really exciting, I promise“, Casey said, her voice nearly squeaking from the urgency. „So, Shawn was talking … not to me, I swear … I just happened to be standing nearby. He was with those two court officers. You know the ones. One has the mustache? Ben? Ken? Ugh, I’m terrible with names.” she drew in a quick breath. “Anyway, I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. They were right next to me. Okay, a little farther. But they weren’t exactly whispering and …“

The shrill ring of Alex’s desk phone cut her off mid-ramble.

„Sorry“, Alex muttered, picking up the receiver, her eyes not leaving her Girlfriend. But her expression shifted almost immediately from relaxed to serious. After a brief exchange, she sighed, and before the words „I’m on my way“ were fully out of her mouth, she was already standing, grabbing her blazer and briefcase.

„I’m sorry, babe. I have to head to the precinct“, she said, pressing a quick, apologetic kiss to Casey’s cheek. „Tell me later, okay?“

Casey nodded, a little disappointed. „Sure. Go get ’em!“

She watched Alex sweep out of the office like a woman on a mission, then let out a sigh and then dramatically dropped into the guest chair in front of the desk. She knew work came first, especially for Alex, but it didn’t stop the sting of being left mid-story.

„Later“, she muttered, eyes aimlessly wandering over the impossibly tidy desk. Perfectly stacked files, color-coded sticky notes, pens lined up by size. So Alex.

With a small, frustrated noise, she reached out and gave the pens a quick shove, leaving them crooked. Childish? Absolutely. But it felt good and eased her frustration a little bit.

○●○●

Alex hadn’t made it back to the office. Which meant the case was either bigger or messier than expected. Or both.

Since her own day had been slow, Casey had decided to deliver a little morale boost to the detectives at SVU, especially to her girlfriend. She had put together a generous lunch spread: sandwiches, salads, chips, and an assortment of soft drinks. Everything a hardworking squad might need to survive a long shift. And to be honest, it was also her sneaky way of making sure Alex didn’t skip yet another meal.

She was greeted with warm smiles when she arrived at the precinct, followed by a chorus of „Thank you“ and „Lifesaver“ as she started unpacking the contents of her paper bags.

A little while later, Casey found herself sitting across from Alex at one of the desks, happily munching on a sandwich of her own. She watched, completely content, as Alex took a bite of hers and let out a quiet, satisfied sigh.

„You are a saint“, Alex mumbled between bites. „I didn’t even realize how hungry I was.“

„I even got your favorite salad. A few vitamins never hurt. Everything to keep you sharp.“, Casey grinned.

„I love you“, Alex laughed.

„I hope not just because I bring you leafy greens“, Casey teased.

They ate in relative silence for a few minutes, until Casey couldn’t hold it in anymore. She glanced around. All the detectives were buried in their work. No one paying them any special attention. Perfect.

She leaned in a little closer and lowered her voice to a discreet whisper.

„Alex“, she said, waiting until her girlfriend glanced up from her files. „That thing I wanted to tell you earlier. At the courthouse? Shawn … and those court officers? I’m pretty sure they know each other. Like, know each other. It kind of looked like some secret meetup … except they were way too loud to really be secret ...“

„Casey“, Alex warned gently.

„I know, I know … but listen. Shawn was talking to his friends and I was just nearby … and he said something I couldn’t not overhear“, she said, pausing as she gathered her thoughts. „Remember the scandal with Judge Thompson?“

Alex made a vague, noncommittal noise while her eyes were already skimming her paperwork again.

„That was wild, right? But apparently, that’s old news. If this new story gets out, no one’s going to care about Thompson anymore“, Casey said and leaned in dramatically, eager for an reaction.

Silence.

Then another „Mmhmm“ from Alex.

„Are you even listening to me?“ Casey asked, raising an eyebrow.

Alex looked up again, slightly sheepish. „Yeah, sorry. It’s just …“ She gestured at the documents in front of her. „Something’s not adding up here.“

Casey waved that off like a fly. „It still won’t make sense five minutes from now. Just listen.“

She scooted a bit closer to the edge of her seat, her voice nearly bouncing with excitement.

„So get this … Shawn said there was an incident at the courthouse Tuesday night. Late. After hours. Not his off-duty time, though … he was working the night shift. And then an alarm goes off in his little security booth. A manual one. From one of the judges’ chambers.“

She paused again, frowning slightly.

„Funny thing … Thinking about it … I didn’t even know they had manual panic buttons. thought it was all motion sensors and cameras and stuff. But anyway … this alarm …“

She was cut off as Fin stepped up to the desk.

„Ladies“, he said with an apologetic smile. „Hate to break it to you, but lunch is over.“

Alex put her sandwich down and turned her full attention to him.

„What is it?“ she asked, all business again.

„We got ourselves a fresh witness. Just hauled him in. You might wanna sit in on the interview“, Fin said with a shrug.

Alex gave a small sigh but nodded. „Yeah, of course. I’m coming.“

She quickly finished the last bite of her sandwich and washed it down with a sip of soda, then leaned over to press a quick kiss to Casey’s hair.

„Thanks for the food, babe“, she said with a faint smile. „We’ll talk later.“

And just like that, she was gone, heading straight for the interview rooms.

„Later“, Casey muttered under her breath, watching her leave. Again.

Then, maybe a little more aggressively than necessary, she began cleaning up the rest of the lunch mess, stuffing wrappers and empty bottles into the paper bags.

It really did feel cursed, the way every time she had a good story, Alex vanished before she could get to the good part.

●○●○

„Hey, babe.“ Alex’s voice was tired as she poked her head into Casey’s office near the end of the day. There were faint shadows under her eyes.

Casey looked up and smiled softly at the sight of her. „Hey you. Ready to head home?“

„Oh yes. Desperately. I need at least one glass of wine and a really good neck massage to feel like a functioning human again.“ She sighed and pushed herself away from the doorframe. „Just need to file a few things, then we can go. Give me five.“

Casey laughed and closed her laptop with a satisfying snap. „Well, lucky for you, you’re dating a certified neck massage expert“, she teased already putting on her coat as she followed Alex into her office.

Alex dropped into her chair with a soft groan, and Casey perched herself on the armrest of the little couch like she owned the place.

Alex opened her briefcase and began sorting papers into their proper folders. But then she paused, frowning at her desk. The pens were still jumbled from earlier, not lined up like they usually were.

She looked up, confused. „What …?“

Casey decided distraction was the best strategy. She had completely forgotten about the pens, and honestly, how was she supposed to explain that petty little rebellion now?

Besides, she was still dying to tell her story. 

„Remember what I was telling you at lunch? About Shawn, the courthouse security guy, and the two court officers? The alarm?“

Alex needed a second to catch up, but then she nodded, still looking tired. „Sure.“

„So … an alarm went off. Tuesday night. Shawn was working the night shift. It wasn’t a motion detector … it was a personal alarm. Someone hit it manually. I didn’t even know they had those, did you? But I guess it makes sense. Better safe than …“

„Casey.“ Alex’s voice had an edge to it, sharper than she meant it to be. „What happened?“

„If I’m annoying you, just say so“, Casey replied, trying not to sound too deflated.

„No …“ Alex took a breath and softened her tone. „I’m sorry. It’s just … rumors are rumors. And I’ve spent the entire day reading between the lines of witness statements, and …“

She trailed off, catching the eager spark still dancing in Casey’s eyes. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.  „Okay, okay. Go on. Tell me.“

Casey’s face lit up again. „Okay! So … Shawn gets the alert. He heads down to check it out. Apparently, he’s never had one of these go off before. He gets to the judge’s chambers … Judge Meyers, by the way … and the door is locked! from the inside. Totally shut. No way in. So he’s standing there, wondering if it’s a false alarm or something … then he hears this crashing noise inside. Like someone’s trashing the place.“

Her voice lowered slightly for dramatic effect. „So he decides to break down the door. And just as he …“

A soft knock at the door interrupted her.

Alex’s assistant, Anna, appeared in the doorway, wearing her coat and an apologetic smile. Clearly on her way out for the night.

„Sorry to bother you so late“, she said. „Just heard back from the courthouse. There’s an issue with the search warrant. Judge would like to see you and defense counsel in his chambers.“

Alex rolled her eyes but gave a tired nod. „Got it. Thanks, Anna. I’ll take care of it.“

„Night, you two“, Anna said with a knowing smile before disappearing down the hall.

Casey caught Alex’s eye.

„Yeah, yeah … I know. Later.“ She gave her a crooked smile.

„I’m sorry, Case … looks like I’m not done yet after all.“ her voice was more tired than apologetic.

Casey nodded, already resigned to it. „It’s okay. I’ll see you at home? I’ll have the wine ready.“

Alex shrugged on her coat. „I hope you survive until then.“

Casey muttered something under her breath. „Maybe I should just email you the story.“

Alex laughed and leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. „Love you“, she said with a warm smile.

„Love you too“, Casey called after her as Alex disappeared once again through the door.

„Unbelievable“, she muttered to herself. Seriously, it was like the universe conspired against her finally getting to the punchline.

She stood, stretching a little, then paused. Her guilty conscience catching up with her.

With a small, precise gesture, she reached out and straightened the pens on Alex’s desk, placing them just the way she liked them.

○●○●

It was already dark when Alex finally shut the apartment door behind her with a quiet thud. Letting out a relieved groan, she slipped out of her heels and dropped her bag onto the little sideboard by the coat rack. The day had dragged on longer than she’d hoped, and now the exhaustion had settled deep into her bones. She had been looking forward to a glass of wine, but at this point, all she wanted was her bed.

The apartment was quiet and dim. Alex tiptoed toward the bedroom, pausing in the doorway when her gaze landed on her girlfriend. Casey was fast asleep in their bed, wrapped up in a fortress of blankets and pillows, hair slightly mussed, face completely at peace. A warm feeling spread through Alex’s chest. It still hit her sometimes, just how lucky she was. That she got to come home to Casey.

Without turning on the light, Alex ducked into the bathroom, washed her face, and changed into soft pajamas. Then she padded over to the bed, lifted the blanket gently, and slid in beside Casey. Casey unconsciously scooted closer, mumbling something that, with a bit of imagination, sounded like „been waitin’ for you.“

„Sorry it got so late“, Alex whispered, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

Casey grabbed Alex’s hand and tugged her closer, eyes still shut, snuggling up without missing a beat.

„You okay?“ she murmured sleepily.

„Yeah, all good. Just a long day“, Alex reassured her.

„‘kay … good …“ she sighed contently.

Alex sank deeper into the pillows, resting her forehead against the warm skin of Casey’s neck. She gave her another soft kiss. „Sweet dreams.“

„Mmm … ‘lex …“ Casey twitched a little, blinking groggily, vaguely patting for Alex’s hand and turning her head just enough to mumble: „Judge Meyer … broke down the door … and he was … busy … Mrs … you know … that clerk with the eyebrows … Shawn was horrified …“

A sleepy giggle followed the half-coherent mumbling. „Poor guy … what a sight.“

Alex propped herself up slightly, trying to make sense of the dream-ramble, but when she looked at her girlfriend, she was already back asleep, lips curled in a tiny smile.

Alex chuckled softly. Whatever that rumor was, it had clearly followed Casey straight into her dreams. She felt a little bad, actually. They kept getting interrupted before she could spill the full story. Not that Alex was dying to know, but Casey’s infectious excitement over that kind of drama was hard to ignore. Still, it was late. Her head was spinning. Sleep was calling.

She cuddled back into the pillows, inhaled the familiar scent of her girlfriend, and closed her eyes, ready to drift off.

But her thoughts had other plans.

Judge Meyer. Mrs … Clerk … the one with the eyebrows … what was her name again? Mrs Martin. Some loud crash in the office and Shawn had to break down the door … but why the alarm?

The puzzle pieces refused to form a clear picture. She had a rough idea. But still, why the alarm? And damn it, she didn’t even want to know. She wanted sleep. She hadn’t spared a single thought for office gossip all day. She was not going to start now. Casey was the one who thrived on rumors.

Alex was above that. She was just going to sleep. Whatever happened, she would find out tomorrow. If she wanted to. When Casey was awake. She knew all the juicy details. Not that Alex really wanted to know. She didn’t give much about rumors.

But an alarm in a judge’s chamber usually meant danger, didn’t it? But this sounded more like … something else. Something very … physical … but considerably less threatening. Just … why would he set off the alarm?

Alex sighed annoyed. Instead of drifting off peacefully, her brain was now doing cartwheels. She didn’t care about rumors. She didn’t. Really. And yet, her imagination was now painting increasingly vivid mental images, and sleep wasn’t even a speck on the horizon anymore.

„Damn it“, she muttered, propping herself up on one elbow. Her eyes drifted over to Casey’s peacefully sleeping face. So sweet, so innocent, so blissfully unaware that she had just wrecked Alex’s chance at sleep.

Her breathing was deep and even. Infuriating. Shame if something was to disturb her rest.

my warmup

Sadly not everybody had the freedom to go out and enjoy the weather. With the latest case wrapped up and a win under her belt, Alex found herself buried in paperwork at the office. She had toyed with the idea of just packing up and finishing her work from home, but the promise of a work-free weekend with Casey kept her pushing through. The tension of the past few days had left her feeling drained, her muscles practically screaming with exhaustion.

She was desperate for a brief escape, a chance to recharge and let go of the pressures that had been weighing her down. While reading documents and filling out forms, Alex couldn't stop thinking about taking a leisurely walk through the park with Casey, talking about nothing in particular, enjoying the warmth of the summer together. It felt like ages since they'd really caught up.

Whenever work got this hectic, Alex usually just holed up in her apartment, trying to stay on task and avoid distractions. But no matter how many texts and quick calls they exchanged, Alex missed her girlfriend like crazy.

A gentle knock on the door snapped Alex out of her thoughts. The door eased open, revealing Casey, who slipped inside with a mischievous grin before quietly shutting it behind her.

"Casey!" Alex's face lit up with joy. "I know it sounds cliché, but I was just thinking about you."

"Shh,” Casey playfully hushed her, placing a finger against her lips. “Everybody thinks I headed home for the weekend. They might find some urgent files for me to review if they see me back here."

Alex looked up at Casey curiously. "And what's the real reason you came back?"

Casey strolled over, planting a quick kiss on Alex's cheek before perching herself on the edge of the desk. With the mischievous smile playing on Casey's lips, Alex knew there was more to her surprise visit.

"I heard the good news," Casey said happily.

“I won,” Alex replied, unable to contain her proud smile.

"Thought we'd celebrate," Casey grinned back. "Plus, I didn't feel like going to the park without you. Figured since you can't leave, I'd just bring a little bit of summer to you.”

Alex raised an eyebrow suspiciously "And what exactly did you have in mind?"

Casey hopped off the desk, shooting a quick glance at the door before rummaging through her bag. "I've got a little something special," she whispered.

Curiously, Alex leaned in to see what Casey had brought. She chuckled when she discovered the contraband. "Ice cream smuggling, huh?"

"Shh... Liz will kill me if she finds out. You know how she is with her 'no sticky food' rule."

As Casey opened the container and passed Alex a spoon, they both burst into giggles like a pair of mischievous teenagers.

"Here's to you, love. I'm so proud of you!" Casey cheered, her eyes sparkling with affection. They both dug into the creamy treat, savoring each spoonful.

"I can't even remember the last time I had ice cream! Didn't realize how much I missed it," Alex confessed, a wide grin spreading across her face.

Suddenly, a knock at the door shattered the moment. Casey's eyes widened in panic. With the spoon still in her mouth, she swiftly grabbed the container, snatched the spoon from Alex's hand, and dove for cover behind the desk.

Luckily, it was just Alex's assistant dropping off some remaining case files. Alex quickly dismissed him with a wave, barely containing her laughter until he left and closed the door behind him. Breathing a sigh of relief, Alex's eyes met Casey's, who was crouched beside her desk on the floor, holding the ice cream container on her lap and looking up at Alex with wide eyes.

"That was a close one," Casey whispered, a giggle escaping her.

"I feel like we're back in high school," Alex replied, chuckling along. Sliding gracefully (after all, she was still Alex Cabot, with a reputation to uphold) off her chair, she settled next to Casey and surprised her with a warm hug, pulling her close for a loving kiss on the cheek.

"I love you, you know that?" Alex said softly.

"I've heard rumors," Casey teased.

"Well, consider them confirmed," Alex replied with a grin.

"I love you too!" Casey smiled.

"Alright, let's dig in and celebrate. Or are you planning on hogging all the ice cream to yourself?"

"Alex, what are you saying?" Casey asked when she pulled away a few inches.

Startled, Alex opened her eyes. She hadn't been aware she had said something.

"Look at us," she whispered breathlessly. "I feel like a teenager making out behind the school building. I can’t resist you and I think I haven’t felt this good in a long time."

"I'm glad you feel that way. I wasn't sure if you wanted it too."

"I wasn't aware of how much I wanted it, Casey."

Instead of a response, the redhead kissed her again. It was so warm and inviting that she couldn't resist. The kiss stirred feelings within her that she thought she had lost. Her heart pounded wildly, and she was sure Casey could feel it.

Only the need for oxygen made them pause once more.

"Why did you follow me outside?" she asked softly.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"This place feels suffocating tonight. So many people. I just needed to step out for some fresh air."

"Seems like Mr. Overly White Teeth over there had the same idea," Casey responded, nodding towards a man who stood a few meters away eying them sceptically. “He followed you outside.”

Alex hadn't noticed him until that moment. When they both looked in his direction, he quickly retreated back into the bar.

"Jealous?" the blonde asked, turning to her partner with a grin.

"Jealous? Not of someone like him," Casey snorted. "He doesn't even come close to your league. I know it, you know it, and he knows it.” She chuckled “But I guess after a few drinks, he conveniently forgot"

"My league, huh?" Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Your league," Casey confirmed. After a brief pause, she added, "I just wasn't sure which team you were playing for."

Alex looked at her for a long moment, getting lost in the warm green eyes that radiated so much love. How many times had Casey looked at her like that before, and yet she had never truly understood its depth until now.

"Your team, Casey," she whispered, leaning in to capture the other woman's lips with a kiss. Before she could deepen it, the redhead interrupted, gently stroking her lower lip with her thumb.

"As tempting as it is, we can't stay here," she said softly.

Alex nodded, reluctantly pulling away.

"I don't want it to end," she admitted.

"It doesn't have to, Alex," Casey reassured her. "But this isn't the right place."

Alex nodded again.

“The others will soon wonder where we`ve disappeared. You know how they are. And as happy I am to finally have you in my arms I am not quite ready to share this moment with the Squad”

They fell into a comfortable silence and Alex played with the collar of Casey's blouse, lost in thought. Her fingers trailed along the soft fabric, occasionally grazing the skin beneath. She couldn't help but smile as she noticed the goosebumps her touch elicited, a silent confirmation of the effect she had on Casey.

"Alex…" Desire resonated in the other woman's voice.

"Come home with me tonight." The blonde whispered, trying to suppress the insecurity inside her. The fear of rejection ran deep.

Casey locked eyes with her.

"Is this what you really want?" she asked, having to make sure she didn`t move to quick.

"I don't want it to end." She repeated and Casey understood.

"Let's go back inside, Alex. The night is still young," she suggested, brushing a strand of blonde hair aside. Leaning in close, she whispered seductively, "I promise you won't have to go home alone."

She turned abruptly, her breath catching as she spotted Casey standing a few feet away, watching her with a gentle yet curious concern. The sight of her was a welcome relief - familiar, but without the weight of pity or the awkwardness that came from knowing too much. 

They had worked well together on the Connor case, and even though Alex had returned to witness protection shortly after, she had always felt a certain ease around her.

Now, years later, seeing Casey settled comfortably into her SVU role reassured Alex. They would be working side by side again, and the thought of sharing cases with her, having someone to lean on for a second opinion, lightened the weight on her shoulders a little. 

"Casey," Alex replied, managing a small smile.

Casey’s gaze flickered to the courthouse steps and then back to Alex. She didn’t ask any questions but seemed to sense something was off. Instead, she offered a warm smile. "I was just about to grab some coffee from the cart near the park. Want to come with me? I could use some fresh air."

The offer was casual, but Alex knew it was more than that. Casey was giving her an out, a way to step back from the edge without feeling like she had failed. She hesitated for only a moment before nodding, grateful for the lifeline.

"Yeah, I could use some air too"

They walked in comfortable silence for a bit, the courthouse slowly shrinking in the distance as they made their way to the nearby park. A cool breeze brushed past them, and Alex felt some of the weight lift from her chest.

They grabbed fresh coffee from the cart and sat on a quiet bench near the edge of the park. After a few moments of sipping their coffee, Casey broke the silence. "I know this can’t be easy. Coming back after all this time..."

Alex took a deep breath, her shoulders tense. "It’s... strange," she admitted, her voice shaky. "I spent years wondering what it would be like to come back. I thought I’d be prepared, but..." She trailed off, her hands instinctively clenching into fists at her sides. "Nothing could have prepared me for how alien everything feels. The people I knew... most of them still think I’m dead. I’m not sure how to reconnect with anyone."

Casey nodded slowly, her expression sympathetic. "I can’t imagine what that was like for you. Being so cut off... alone." She hesitated. "I mean, I’ve dealt with my own stuff, trauma... but what you went through is on a different level."

"I had no choice," Alex said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "One day, I was here, working cases, living my life. The next, I was ripped out of it. New identity, new place, surrounded by strangers."

Alex grew quiet, her fingers gripping the coffee cup tightly.

Casey’s gaze remained steady, filled with quiet encouragement. "You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Alex. I know we barely know each other, but... I just want you to know, if you ever need someone to talk to, or just sit with, I’m here."

Alex hadn’t expected to feel so comfortable around Casey, hadn’t expected her words to crack something inside her that she had been trying so hard to lock away. But there was something about Casey—maybe it was her gentleness, or the fact that she wasn’t demanding anything from Alex—that made it easier to talk. Easier to let her guard down.

"I appreciate that," Alex said quietly. She stared down at her coffee, struggling to find the right words. Before she knew it, they were spilling out. "It’s been harder than I thought. Coming back. I thought I could just pick up where I left off, but everything’s different now. The people, the cases... even me. Especially me." She glanced at Casey, unsure whether to continue.

Casey listened without interrupting.

"I was alone with my thoughts, my fears. I had to live in this... limbo. It was survival mode for so long, and I don’t think I’ve figured out how to turn it off. I don’t know how to go back to being the person I was." Her voice barely rose above a whisper. "And I don’t know if I even want to."

Casey gently rested her hand on Alex’s arm. "Maybe you don’t have to go back," she said softly. "Maybe you can just... be who you are now. Whatever that looks like."

Alex blinked, her throat tight as she absorbed Casey’s words. "I don’t even know where to begin."

"You begin by taking it one step at a time," Casey said. "I don’t know everything you’ve been through, but I’m here. I can be a bridge for you, between your old life and your new one. Let me be your friend—someone who knows part of your past but is also here for your present. I’m not expecting you to be the Alex Cabot from before. Just... let me help you find your way back."

The offer hung in the air, tender and sincere. Alex felt a flicker of something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time—hope.

Alex swallowed hard, her eyes searching Casey’s face for any hint of pity or expectation. But all she saw was sincerity. It felt strange, the idea that someone could accept her as she was now—this fragmented version of herself, still piecing things together.

"I’m not used to asking for help," Alex admitted quietly. "I’ve always been the one who... had it together, who knew what to do. And now, I can’t even figure out how to... start again."

Casey’s hand remained steady on her arm, offering silent reassurance. "I’m right here. You don’t have to ask. You’re not alone in this anymore."

Alex let out a long breath, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. For the first time in a while, she didn’t feel so alone. A small, tentative smile tugged at her lips. "Thank you," she murmured. "And thank you for not expecting me to have it all figured out yet."

"Honestly, Alex, none of us really have it all figured out. Not me, not anyone. We’re all just... doing our best." Casey admitted.

Alex glanced at her, surprised. She was always so composed, so confident in court, that it was hard to imagine her feeling uncertain.

"You seem like you’ve got it together," Alex said softly, her brow furrowed.

Casey shrugged with a self-deprecating smile. "That’s the trick, right? I’m good at pretending. But the truth is... we’re all just figuring things out as we go." She paused before adding, "So, don’t feel like you’re the only one trying to make sense of it all. You’re not alone in that either."

Alex’s smile returned, softer this time, touched by Casey’s openness. "Thanks for that," she said quietly. "Maybe we can figure it out together, one step at a time."

Casey nodded, her eyes shining. "One step at a time."

She, then glanced down at her empty coffee cup and let out a dramatic sigh. "Though, full disclosure—if we’re taking things one step at a time, my next step is getting a second coffee. This stuff barely counts as caffeine."

Alex couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound surprising her with how natural it felt. "Already? That cup didn’t even last you ten minutes."

"Hey, I’m a prosecutor. My blood is like 70% coffee at this point," Casey teased with a grin. Alex smirked, lifting her own cup. "Well, if that’s the standard, I guess I’ll have to keep up."

FS#06 (Alex Cabot + Casey Novak)

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