Author's note: I can't quite come up with a real explanation for why it's taken me so long to update. I don't really expect anyone to review, but I figure I should write more for this story anyway. I always enjoyed this one the most… I just wasn't sure what else I wanted in the story, how to end it, that sort of thing. Anyways I think that you can at least expect it to be done within a few more chapters. Okay, sorry for the long author's note, on to the actual story.

Disclaimer: I don't own them.

She lays awake but with her eyes closed, dimly aware of what day it is. It's Christmas and she's still locked up. Her confession was not the key to freedom that she had expected. For some reason a part of her had admittedly believed that if she admitted to why she was depressed she'd be let out.

On the other hand she's going to get brave and ask Doctor Rose for a privilege. She remembers what Rose said, that she needn't ask for privileges because Rose herself would decide when she was ready for one. Nevertheless she's going to at least tell the doctor what it is she wants.

So she decides she'll behave today, go along with the false Christmas banter and cheer. Pretending to be happy is something she's done for years, something she's an expert at. If she wants to ever leave this place she knows she has to learn how to play the game. She knows that she's got to learn how to fool people, make them think she's okay, because if they don't she might end up like Will and stay in this God forsaken place for over a year.

Of course he's another matter. He's her only friend in the unit, the only patient that seems more worried about her than they are themselves. He whispered once to her while he was certain the staff couldn't hear, "You are my sister."

However she still feels nervous around him. She can't help but remember her promise to him. That if she hadn't gotten better after a month, she'd leave with him. Escape. The idea seems tantalizing to her, for she's terribly sick of the place already. On the other hand she keeps seeing the faces of her friends, not just her colleagues or even the women she knows outside of work. She sees everyone, all the way back to her. Hers was a life that was ended at 12, but one that continues to haunt Casey, even now.

Casey decides to get up and go eat. If she's going to pretend to be happy she can't stay in bed on Christmas day.

Alison, the staff member, stops her. "Hey there, I want to talk to you about something in private, if that's alright." Something in Casey feels wary, but she just nods.

The nurse motions for Casey to return to her room, and once they are both inside she shuts the door tightly behind them. "This is about Will," Alison says, not wasting any time in cutting to the chase.

"Oh.. geez," Casey mutters. "You don't think we're like that do you?"

"No, you're mistaken there. This is about Will, not Will and Casey."

"Oh. I don't understand, you're not supposed to talk to me about other patients, are you?"

"Strictly speaking, no," Alison pauses, her face thoughtful. "Will tried escaping the other night, but when we caught him in the act he assured us he was just testing out the system. He said he wouldn't actually leave without you."

"I thought you said this was only about Will."

"It is. Listen Casey, whatever it is you two were planning, I know you're better than that," Alison sees Casey is opening her mouth to speak but she doesn't stop talking. "I need you to tell me if he ever mentions anything about escaping again."

"I'm not some high schooler, I'm not about go running to teacher every time Will acts up."

"I know you care about Will, Casey, but he's mentally ill. He has to stay in here in order to get better, same with you." Casey sighs, she knows what Alison is saying is true. "Listen Casey, his name isn't even William. I'm not aloud to tell you his real name, or how long he's been here. However you've got to understand that most of the information he's giving you is false. He told us a lot about the plan you two made last night when we caught him. As I understand he told you that Jessica escaped, am I correct?"

Casey nodded. "Listen I don't need to hear this crap, I'm a grown woman."

"Jessica got better, Case'. Right now she's probably out taking her dog for a walk in Central Park. She's an out-patient now, she sees Doctor Rose every other week. She-

"I don't understand why you're telling me this." Casey felt suddenly betrayed. Could it be true? Did Will really lie to her, or was Alison lying to her now? Her throat closes up and despite her earnest efforts she can't keep her eyes from watering. You are my sister, he'd said. Was that really the truth, did he really care?

"Don't be upset, Casey. William doesn't mean you any harm. I just think that since you're at a higher stage of progression, and since you seem to care about him, you could help us look out for him."

Casey opens her mouth but finds herself unable to speak.

"It's highly unprofessional for me to talk to you about this, Casey. But please consider what I said."

XXXXXXXXxxx

Alexia and Andrew had left the unit for the day to spend time with their families. The young attorney feels jealous of their privileges. As far as she's concerned she's much more sane than them.

Will gives her a small smile and a wink. However she finds it extremely difficult to muster up the strength and simply smile back. She manages a smirk, but even he can tell there's something wrong.

Joseph and Gorgia are likely still asleep, though it's getting close to noon. James is as per usual silent. Today however he actually looks her in the eyes and Casey is shocked at the intelligence behind them.

Casey turns as Alison says her name. "Someone's are here to see you," she explains. The young attorney raises an eyebrow, a visitor this early?

She returns to her room expecting to see Olivia or maybe her friend Anna. Instead she sees Elliot, looking awkward and holding a wrapped gift in his hands. He looks at her apologetically. "Sorry, Liv will be by later… I just thought I should drop by on my way to see Kathy and the kids."

"Do you need a chair?" she asks.

"Nah, I'm good."

It's the first time that Elliot has visited alone. Usually he comes with Olivia, or one of the other detectives. So Casey can't help but feel a little awkward.

"So," she mutters. "How are the kids doing?"

Her question is answered with a smirk. "I'm not here to tell you about my kids, Case'. I'm here to talk about you. Of course, I'm open to bragging about them if that's what you want to hear."

She almost laughs, but finds it gets caught in her throat. Something about him being here has completely caught her off guard. "That's okay… I um," she feels flustered and confused. It shouldn't be this awkward but in truth it feels funny because the last time she was left alone with a man was when she'd sat in William's room.

"This is for you," He says, handing her the wrapped gift. He sees her looking at the parcel nervously. "What where's my gift?" He jokes. She rolls her eyes and unwraps the gift.

For a while she's not sure if she should laugh or not. "Seriously?" She questions.

"I couldn't resist."

She feels immediately relieved that it's only a coffee mug. Although she knows she didn't have any options, she still feels bad about not getting anyone anything for Christmas.

"World's Best Attorney?" she half mutters, half laughs.

"The one and only,"