Work Text:
Casey struggled with this case so much. She didn't want people knowing how much this affected her and didn't want to seem weak. The case was about a little boy who went through hell in the foster system, only to find a 'loving' foster family that wasn't so loving. His mental health, trust and life would never be the same because of it. But she managed to loose an open and shut case. Casey doesn't know why it affected her so much even after the fact that she's lost countless cases before. Her closure rate is 73%, meaning she has lost a few cases here and there. She was sat in her office, with her paperwork sat on her desk. She hadn't touched it for a good 20 minutes. Her emotions were all over the place and she just wanted to cry in peace. That was until she heard her office door opening and Olivia walking in.
"Hey Casey, I heard about the case. I'm so sorry. Look the teams going to the bar tonight. You know, to get our minds off the case. Some of the judges are going as well. Seems like the case affected Preston as well. You wanna come? Drinks are on Munch?" She inquired.
"Thanks for the offer Olivia, but I think I'm gonna have to decline. I'm not really up for socializing tonight. Maybe another night? I think I'm just gonna go home and have something to drink there." Was Casey's answer.
"Ok, but call any of us if you change your mind ok? I'll call you a cab if you wanna come later on." She said walking out but turning around just at the exit. "Casey, you okay? You know there's no shame in a cased affecting you? All of us have had a case that affected us so bad we drank till our case just left our minds. But it doesn't help, coming from experience."
"I'm fine Olivia. Thank for the concern." She said, waving Olivia off.
-AT THE BAR-
"HEY, LIV. OVER HERE" Shed heard Elliot scream towards her.
"Hey El, Hey Fin, Hey munch. Cap not gonna come have a soft drink?" She asked.
"Nah, said he might pop in later on though. What's on your mind baby girl?" Fin asked.
"First, don't call me baby girl again before I put your balls in a blender, second.... I'm worried about Casey." She said, then ordering her drink. Beer.
They all looked at each other confused.
"Why you worried about our girl Liv?" Asked Elliot, breaking the silence.
"She looked really upset in her office. Even refused to come have her "Liquid lunch" as she called it. I'm worried the fact she's lost the case is making her..... I think she's struggling, but she wont let me help her." Olivia admitted.
They all looked at each other, thinking of a way to get Casey some comfort/help. Then, munch had an idea.
"Guys, what if we-" Before he could continue, Fin cut across.
"Man, if you start with a stupid theory or some stupid and crazy idea, I swear I'll heave your bony ass through the door."
They all laughed.
"Well, if you'd let me finish you'd find my idea wasn't "crazy". It was that we could call a friend or something?" He then said.
"Who is she friends with though Munch?" Elliot asked.
Just then Petrovsky walked towards them.
"If your looking for Casey's 'friend' then you should call Liz. There sort of a thing now?" She said.
They all sat in shock.
"What you didn't know?" Asked Judge Quinn, who was behind Petrovsky.
"It's really obvious guys! How didn't you know?" Lois Preston added.
"Well, we don't work with 'em or hang out with you judges no?" Said Fin as he was the first to recover the ability to speak.
"Well, why don't we call Liz?" Asked Olivia.
-IN THE OFFICE OF ELIZABETH DONNELLY-
She was sat in her office finishing up some paperwork. That's until her phone rang. She reached into her bag and looked at the name. Lena.
"Hello?"
Liz, hey. Look, the SVU detectives thinks Casey's struggling with the case she just lost."
"Which one?"
"That boy that went through hell in the foster system and with his foster parents. Names Ivon Harris or something."
"Oh of course that case. What's made them think that?"
"Olivia said shed looked like she was crying, and refused to go with the squad to the bar. She looked proper upset."
"Alright, thank you Lena. I'll make sure she's okay."
"Ok, bye Liz. Enjoy your 2 days off."
"Thanks Lena. Bye!"
The call ended.
Elizabeth wondered what was going on with Casey. Why would she feel so upset about loosing one case? She'd have to find out. It was only 7:20. She wen to check Casey's office first, but when she wasn't there, she went back to her own office. She picked up her bag, packed her paperwork in, grabbed her phone, Car keys, and glasses and headed out for her car.
-AT THE DONNELLY-NOVAK RESIDENCE-
Liz parked her car in the garage. She saw Casey's car parked out front meaning she was home. She rushed inside, practically throwing her stuff on the floor.
"CASEY? YOU ALRIGHT?" She yelled,.... no response.
She walked around until she got to the lounge room. She saw Casey bundled up on the Sofa, a bottle of Whiskey in her hand, a blanket thrown over her and tears pouring down her cheeks.
"Oh Casey." Is all Liz said before springing into action. She carefully took the whiskey bottle out of her girlfriends hand. Then put the blanket tighter around her shoulders. She then sat next to her and brought her into her arms.
"Shhhh baby, it's okay. I have you." She hugged her as she cried into her chest.
20 minutes later Casey had started to calm down. She was still hyperventilating but not as much.
"Baby, what happened?" asked Liz.
"T-the ca-case...." Is all Casey said before trying to grab the whiskey. Liz stopped her.
"No baby, you can't turn to alcohol right now lovely. Not now." Liz said, stroking her hair carefully.
Casey told her everything. How the defence attacked all her witnesses. The child is still being put in foster care and she hasn't made any difference, Only made the kids life a living hell. Made a fool out of the D.A's office, out of SVU and herself. Liz just listened. Every now and again hugging her tighter and whispering words of comfort.
After Casey told her everything she decided she needs to look after her girlfriend. She picked Casey up bridal style. Set her on the toilet seat and started to run her a bath. She then helped Casey choose her pyjamas, and let her choose a take-away and movie. When the bath was ready she grabbed herself some pyjamas and helped Casey out of her court look, then got out of her own clothes. She helped Casey into the bath and then got behind her, hugging her as Casey laid against her chest. She let Casey relax and spent an hour in the bath with her. She carefully cleaned Casey up as well as herself and got out, after helping Casey. She helped her change and put Casey's hair up in a clip. She then helped her downstairs and ordered the food Casey chose. A Chinese. She let Casey pick what movie or series she wanted and then went to grab Casey a small cup with Whiskey and a soft drink, and made herself a quick club soda. She then started to talking with Casey and Casey just listened, intrigued. When the doorbell rang, Liz went to get it. She came back with their food and got them settled on the sofa. Casey leaning on Liz's chest and Liz laying on the Sofa's arm rest. They turned on Casey's choice in movie, and ate in silence. Watching the movie. By the 3rd quarter of the movie, Liz had placed the food containers on the coffee table. Casey had dozed off against Liz and was softly snoring. Just as Liz was about to doze off herself, she felt her phone vibrate. She looked at the name.. Olivia Benson.
"Hey Elizabeth." Olivia Started. Liz could tell she was tipsy but not drunk.
"Yes Olivia?" She answered.
"I was wondering how it went with Casey. She okay?" Olivia Asked.
"She's asleep as we speak. Dozed off before the movie ended." Liz chuckled a little.
"How is she?"
Liz paused before answering. "She's far from alright, but she's better."
They chatted for a little.
"Olivia, Is it okay if I message you tomorrow? I'm exhausted and I'm going to take this one to bed." Liz asked.
"Oh no of course. Sorry. Enjoy your night." Olivia said,
Liz heard Fin say "Look after our girl Liz."
"Enjoy yours as well Liv, Tell Fin I'll look after our Case, ok?"
"Alright, Bye Liz."
"Goodbye, Liv."
She then carried Casey carefully to their bed. Laid her on her side of the bed. She turned off the main lights after turning on one of the lamps. She then got into her side of the bed. She felt Casey cuddle up into her side.
"Love you Liz." She heard Casey mumble.
"Love you too Casey. Sweet dreams love" She said as she kissed Casey's forehead.
She turned off the lights and Liz fell asleep soon after, knowing they'd find a way to deal with this. They always did.
Thank you so much for reading my first fanfic ever on AO3 and my second fanfic ever. Any comments would be appreciated and I might make a second chapter soon!
Reminder my first language isn't English so there might be some errors. If you want to read my first fanfic it's on my Wattpad which is Camiwrites_. - Delaneyy