(Disclaimer: These characters are part of the Law and Order universe.)
Law and Order
COMING HOME
Chapter 1
The low rumble of the engine could be heard as the airplane, which had departed from Los Angeles, continued on its route towards New York City.
Connie Rubirosa had used her frequent flyer miles to get an upgrade to first class on her airline seat. She was flying back to The Big Apple in style.
She looked out the window and noted the sweeping stretches of feathery white clouds in the blue sky. The anticipation for her arrival in the-city-that-never-sleeps was making her feel excited yet anxious at the same time.
A year ago she had left her job as an ADA in New York City for a lateral career move to Los Angeles. It was not the career path she would have chosen for herself. Her ailing mother needed her in California, and family was, well, family.
For Connie, Los Angeles meant sandy beaches, sunny weather, and a relaxed suburban life. In addition to being close to her family, she had a challenging, new job as L.A. Deputy District Attorney.
Yet it wasn't enough.
Something was missing. She felt it with every fiber of her being. Perhaps she just needed to see the changing colors of the seasons, or she missed the bustle of New York traffic, she mused. All she knew is that her emotions became a jumbled mess the closer she got to New York City.
She was here because a week ago she had been rummaging through her mail at work when she came across an envelope with the return address of DA's office, NYC. Connie recognized the neat, legible writing. It was from Brenda, Jack McCoy's secretary. Hurriedly she ripped opened the envelope, anxious to hear any news from the New York DA's office.
The news was bittersweet, announcing the retirement of District Attorney Jack McCoy.
Jack… her mentor, her friend. In the personal invitation, Brenda had requested Connie's presence at a small intimate gathering she would hold in Jack's honor at the DA's office in New York on so-and-so date.
Connie's heart had leaped at the thought of being back in New York, even for just a visit. As she continued reading, she felt touched by the small personal handwritten note from Jack at the bottom:
I hope you'll come, although I know that the distance may be a hindrance. Though you are far away, Connie, you are never far from our hearts. Love Jack
She had made her decision right then and there; she would fly out to New York City for a few days. She wanted to be there to honor him and his illustrious career for the last time.
"Would you care for a beverage?" the flight attendant interrupted her thoughts.
Connie wasn't much of a drinker, but she asked for a scotch and soda. The scotch was in deference for Jack.
She smiled fondly at her memories of working with him on many cases. They did not always agree, but the respect they held for each other never waivered.
She tried to convince herself that the retirement party was the reason for her excitement. However, that did not explain why her throat had suddenly felt dry or why she had butterflies in her stomach the closer their approached LaGuardia Airport.
She took a sip of her drink to calm her nerves. If she was being totally honest with herself, the reason she felt a certain anxiousness was the prospect of once again seeing someone that she had never stopped thinking about since she had left New York for LA.
Michael Cutter.
Connie sat back and shut her eyes, trying to block the image. But it was useless. She could picture him, now in his office, his baseball bat leaning against his left shoulder as he wrote case notes on his small whiteout board posted on the connecting door of his office. He was brilliant, hardworking, and complex; qualities she admired in a man.
On top of that, with his arresting blue eyes, he was gorgeous. She recalled how entranced she had been at the blueness of his eyes, how it reflected his steel determination. Just the thought of seeing him again brought a shortness in her breath. Stop that, she told herself.
She had not realized she had been napping until the huge roar of the plane's engines jerked her awake. Then realization hit her that Mike had been the last thing on her mind before she slept and the first thing on her mind when she had awakened.
The plane had landed. It seemed to take forever for it to taxi to the gate. Or perhaps she was just impatient. People were getting ready to exit the plane. Connie reached up in the overhead bin and grabbed her bag. As much as she wanted to deny it, one thought entered her mind.
She was home again.
.
.
When Connie appeared in L and O: LA, I was ecstatic, and I had started a story. But life got in the way and I back-shelved it. Then Mike Cutter appeared in L and O: SVU this week and and the fangirl in me became inspired again!
I am so happy to be back! I will work on keeping this story short, so it will be a fast read for you. If I get good responses, I promise to update regularly. I've missed writing Mike and Connie stories!
Please leave a review so I know this story is worth telling, for I so much want to tell it!
Please review.