| The Meaning Of A Rose Chapter 13 |
| Casey glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table to see that it was 2 am. She had been awake for quite a while just enjoying the warmth of Harvey's body next to hers. He had pulled her close to him and his arm was wraped securely around her waist. It was almost as if he were afraid of losing her if he were to let go. Casey had to admit that she had not felt this safe and content in a long time. Why had she not felt this way with Cody? She did love him but with Harvey, it was a different kind of love. An all consuming love that was both frightening and exciting at the same time. Harvey had made her feel so wanted and loved. Shifting position so that she could see his face, Casey reached out to touch him but quickly withdrew her hand. He had not had much rest in the last 24 hours and she didn't want to wake him from his deep sleep. Slipping out of bed as quietly as possible, she picked up a tie-dyed t-shirt from the floor and slipped it on before going downstairs to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and gave King some fresh water and food before going back into the living room. After adding some kindling to reignite the fire, she sat down on the floor in front of the couch where she was soon joined by King. Casey petted him gently as she thought about everything that had happened over the past few days. Things had happened so fast with Harvey. He was suddenly the center of her universe. She had fallen helplessly, hopelessly, completely in love with this man and was more determined than ever to get this case solved so that they could get on with their life as a couple. Casey wasn't sure if what he felt for her was love, but his actions told her that it was something very similiar. * Harvey awoke to find himself alone and was afraid that Cassandra had left, thinking that staying with him had been a mistake. He sighed heavily when he saw that no lights were on downstairs. "I wonder if she left a note" he thought. He started into the living room but stopped when he saw that she was sitting on the floor with King laying beside her, his head resting on her leg. The great dane didn't take to just anyone but he definitely liked Cassandra. Harvey leaned against the banister for a moment and watched as the light from the fire danced upon her face. She seemed so lost in her thoughts. Harvey: Penny for your thoughts. Startled, Casey jumped a little and then laughed. "You scared me. Did I wake you?" Harvey(sleepily): No, just couldn't find you when I reached for you. Casey: "King is probably mad at us. You forgot to feed him before we went upstairs. I gave him some food and water so maybe he has forgiven us." She looked down at the sleeping dog and smiled "He really is a sweetheart." Harvey agreed with her as he walked in and sat down on the sofa. "What are you doing down here anyway? Was my snoring keeping you awake?" Casey looked up at him and laughed, "You weren't snoring. I just couldn't sleep. Too wound up, I guess." Harvey's eyebrows raised when he heard that remark. "Well...let me see. What's good for insomnia? Hmm, warm milk? Naw...how about some sleepy time tea? (snaps his fingers) Wait a minute, I know of a sure-fire cure for this problem!" Casey(intrigued): Sure-fire cure, huh? Do tell. Harvey stretched out on the couch and leaned close to her face. "Using this method also guarantees sweet dreams. It starts with one of these (kisses her) and ends with you sleeping soundly as I hold you in my arms." Casey: That'll work! Lead the way, Dr. Leek. Harvey reached out to take her hand to help her up from the floor and told King: "Sorry boy, you'll have to get your own girl." He was holding both of her hands and slowly walking from the living room to the stairs. The mischievous look on his face prompted Casey to ask: "What are you thinking about, Inspector?" Harvey stopped and pretended to be deep in thought for a moment. The serious look on his face disappeared when he suddenly yelled, "This!" Casey screamed as he picked her up and carried her over his shoulder up the stairs to his room. She was screaming and laughing at the same time, begging for him to put her down. When he tossed her onto the bed, Casey almost bounced off the other side. "Alright, now that you've got me here, what are you gonna do with me?" Harvey shrugged and then dived onto the bed. She rolled out of his way but he grabbed her and pulled her on top of him as they both laughed hysterically. After a short while, he pushed the hair away from her eyes and became serious. Harvey: When I woke up and couldn't find you, I thought that you had left me. I had such an empty feeling. I can't tell you how happy I was to see you sitting on the living room floor. And what's up with that anyway? Every time I've seen you tonight, you've been on the floor. You're allowed to sit on the couch, you know. Casey: I know but King's not and I just felt comfortable sitting there...watching the fire. It was peaceful... relaxing... sort of like the way I'm feeling right now. Harvey: Laying on top of me in my bed is relaxing and peaceful? Casey(closing her eyes and sighing): Mmm, very! "Well...that's about to end." Harvey still had his arms around her as he flipped her over onto her back. After making love again, they fell asleep in each others arms. Morning would unfortunately come too soon. * The first thing that Casey noticed after returning to her apartment the next morning was the light on the answering machine flashing. Stephanie had called to check in with her. Capt. Jameson left a message telling her about a meeting at his office. But the sweetest message was from Harvey. Harvey's voice: "It's me. I just wanted to hear your voice. I didn't want to wake you when I left this morning. It was tempting but we were up most of the night getting acquainted. I thought that you could use some rest. I'll try to call you later. Bye Hon!" Casey sighed after hearing his voice. Strange how it only took the sound of his voice to start her heart to pounding. She had to talk to Stephanie for a few minutes. A little girl talk was in order plus there was some information that only Steph could get for her regarding Hector Gonzales. Stephanie: Inspector Andrews, Homicide Casey: Inspector Reed, SFPD here. Good morning. Can you talk? Stephanie exited her computer and said "Yeah, I need a break. I told you they would put me with Coleman and he driving me insane. So, how's California life treating you?" Casey filled her friend in on the details of the case and her dates with Harvey but stopped short before telling her about the past night. Stephanie: "No, no, wait a minute. It sounds to me like there was more to last night than dinner." She looked around the area to see if anyone was listening before continuing. "Have the two of you...shall we say, taken this relationship to the next level?" Casey didn't answer the question Stephanie: Cassandra Cortez Reed! You just gave me an answer without saying a word. That's so great....I know that it's been a while since you... well, you know. He must really be something for this to have happened. Casey felt like a giddy young schoolgirl talking with her best friend about her first crush. "Stephanie, this whole situation with Harvey has me totally dumbfounded! I didn't see it coming, that's for sure. He truly is a special man and if I were any happier, I would burst. One problem though, I haven't told him that I'm a cop and he doesn't know about the case yet." Stephanie listened as Casey explained her fears about telling Harvey about herself. "Casey, if this guy is as great as you make him sound, I'm sure he will understand. It's a work thing. You have to follow orders so, for now, there's nothing that you can do about it. He's probably been in this same situation before. Quit worrying so much and just enjoy it." Casey: Your right, as usual. Listen, I called because I need your help. I need a list with the names of people who were interviewed about the Hopper murder. There's a guy hanging out with Gonzales who seems very familiar. I keep thinking that I know him from Amarillo but I don't know why. Did I give you the fax number for the North Beach Station? Stephanie: Let me check. (looking through the roldex) Yeah, I have it. I'll try to get it to you within the next couple of hours. Anything else? Casey: Not right now. I'll let you know after I check the list. (doorbell rings) Listen Steph, someone's at the door. Thanks for the help. I'll call you later. Bye! Casey hung up the phone and ran to answer the door. "Special delivery for Ms. Cassandra Tanner." The delivery man handed her a long white box wrapped with a huge red ribbon. She placed the package on the coffee table and carefully removed the ribbon. The box contained seven long stemmed roses meticulously arranged with babies breaths and greenery. Each rose was perfectly shaped and each was a different color. The card read: "These seven roses symbolize my feelings for you. Pink meaning perfect happiness and joy; dark pink for thankfulness--I'm thankful that we found each other. Yellow for a friendship that I cherish; white for purity--our feelings for each other are pure and genuine. Peach for modesty-something we both lost last night(ha,ha--sorry, couldn't resist) and finally the red and white roses entwined. This stands for unity-we united our hearts and souls last night. - -Harvey." Casey lay back on the couch and began to cry. Her heart was filled with so much love and yet she was so torn between her love for Harvey and her job. Why did her life have to so complicated? Damn this assignment! She buried her face in the cushion and allowed herself to have a good cry. Afterwards, she dried her eyes and dressed for work. It was back to reality. She had an idea that could help with the case but it would mean putting herself in harms way. If Captain Jameson and Christine agreed with the plan, Ramone Bastille would never know what hit him. * * * |
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