TITLE: Law & Order – "Clean Break"

AUTHOR: D M Harper

SUMMARY: Sometimes starting afresh can lead to more heartache than what you left behind. One of New York's finest meets Assistant District Attorney Serena Southerlyn and her past comes back to haunt her.

PAIRING: Serena Southerlyn & OFC.

RATING: M for Mature Readers.

DISCLAIMER: This story is simply for entertainment for those of us who like to dabble in subtext. There is no intent to infringe on the copyright of NBC Universal Television or Dick Wolf. All characters other than those created by the author, remain the aforementioned people's property. This story does feature consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, too bad, so sad, you chose to enter this web site of your own free will, hence you have no one to whine to expect yourself - now bugger off!

A/N: A big shout out to Wendy Woo for the proof reading and for those who like the story, please review.


Chapter 1

Laura Callie York, twenty nine, stood in front of the bathroom mirror and surveyed the image staring back at her. Taking in the long jet black hair parted down the middle and pulled back into a high set ponytail, she mentally reminded herself to get a haircut as soon as possible because the length was too long and beginning to annoy her while working.

Leaning in closer, her blue eyes focused on the four stitches currently adorning the right cheek and she grimaced at the memory of how she obtained the injury. The sutures were due to be removed by her doctor in two days' time, so she continued her daily routine of applying a fine film of vitamin E cream over the four inch horizontal wound.

Striding into the bedroom moments later, Laura picked up the garment travel bag that was hanging in the walk-in closet then collected the navy blue duffle bag. The five foot ten, athletically built woman made her way downstairs to the double garage and stowed her gear in the rear cab of her light blue Ford F150 truck.

After closing the roller door, Laura reversed out into the alleyway and onto 9th Avenue. Turning on the radio, she listened to the latest news reports while navigating her way to her new stationhouse.

Coming to a halt at a red traffic light, she hummed along to the song playing on the stereo and tapped on the steering wheel in time to the drum beat. As she waited for the light to change to green, Laura glanced at the dashboard clock and observed as it changed to 04:20. The signal turned and she continued along the near deserted streets until she pulled into a vacant parking space in the car park opposite the front entrance to the Manhattan 27th Precinct.

Collecting her belongings from the truck, Laura strode up the four steps and sauntered into the lobby. Walking up to the front desk, she introduced herself to the desk Sergeant on duty and asked for directions to the officer's locker room.

After locating an unused compartment, she hung up her uniforms and emptied the contents of her duffle bag into the locker. Folding the empty travel bag, she placed it neatly into the carry bag. Removing her off duty 9mm Glock 26 and holster from the belt underneath her shirt, Laura secreted it in between the folds of her towel and started to undress. Taking off her blue tiger stripe camouflage three quarter length shorts, she slipped off her shoes before looking to her left when she was joined by a medium height mid-twenties strawberry blonde. "Good morning," she said while extending her right hand. "The name's Laura York, pleased to meet you."

The other woman gave her a quick once over and shook her hand, "Megan Blunt, this your first day at the house?"

Laura nodded while pulling on her socks, "Yep." Reaching for her dark blue uniform trousers, she pulled them on over well-toned legs.

Megan opened her locker and started to strip off her clothes, "Welcome aboard, is this your first assignment?"

"No my second, I was over at the three-six for the past eight years," answered Laura.

Raising an eyebrow, Megan replied, "This is my first, been here for just over three years. You'll like it here, we have a great team and our Captain is a top commander. The Lieutenant's a good guy too."

"I'm glad to hear that," responded Laura while taking off her blue polo shirt and revealing chiselled arms. Her cell phone rang and she picked it up off the bench seat. Looking at the displayed number, she opened then closed the phone. It instantly rang again and Laura reluctantly answered, "What do you want?"

"I wanted to wish you well for your first day," replied the caller.

Laura scoffed, "You are kidding me, it's your fault it is my fist day here."

"Come on Laura," pleaded the voice on the other end. "It's been two months already, don't you think it's time to forgive?"

"How about you piss off instead," retorted Laura angrily before closing her phone. Turning to Megan, she apologised, "Sorry about that."

Megan did up the last of her shirt buttons while responding, "Don't sweat it, sounded like trouble from an ex."

"It was, apparently they have a problem understanding the word over."

Giggling, Megan adjusted her bulletproof vest, tucked in her shirt then buckled up her belt, "Oh, I had one of those once. The bastard practically stalked me after we broke up. He finally got the message when I became a cop and started carrying a gun."

Laura laughed at the comment, "That sounds like a three beer story to me."

"Nah, it's at least five," rejoined Megan as she strapped on her utility belt. "I'll see you at roll call," she added before securing her locker.

"Will do and I'll buy you those five beers sometime."

"You got it and good luck today."

"Thanks," replied Laura as she finished dressing. Grabbing her peak cap, she holstered her service weapon and closed the cabinet.

-0-

Entering the roll call room, Laura introduced herself to several officers before a blond barrel-chested, mid-forties Lieutenant appeared and started the briefing. He welcomed Laura to the Precinct and announced she was partnered with Officer Duncan Buchanan. The five foot nine, dark haired man in his mid-twenties standing to her left waved and smiled. Laura nodded in acknowledgement and gave him a slight grin.

Once the shift assignments had been allocated, the officers dispersed except for Laura and Duncan, who were asked to remain behind by the Lieutenant. After shaking hands the new partners were approached by Lieutenant Barry Welsh.

"Welcome to the two-seven Sergeant York."

"Thank you Lieutenant."

"Officer Buchanan here will show you around before you commence patrol."

"I appreciate that Sir and Lieutenant Feldman asked me to pass on his greetings and pardon the French, said to tell you to get off your sorry ass and give him a call."

Lieutenant Welsh chuckled, "I see Roger is still a smartass?"

"Very much so Sir," replied Laura amusingly.

She spent the remainder of the shift issuing traffic citations and learning her new patrol zone. Duncan imparted most of his family history during the twelve hour shift then told her about his girlfriend when they agreed to have a beer after Lieutenant Welsh's debrief.

-0-

Driving into her garage, Laura got out, secured the roller door, picked up her bag then climbed the stairs to her apartment. She stopped on the last step and looked at the floral arrangement sitting on the deck table. Unlocking the door, she picked up the flowers and tossed them straight into the kitchen trash can.

After putting her uniform in the dry cleaning basket, Laura threw her underwear into the dirty clothes hamper in the ensuite then withdrew her cell phone and put it on the charger.

Exiting the main bedroom, Laura ignored the cell as it rang and continued onto the kitchen to prepare dinner. The phone rang three more times while she ate then tidied up.

Once Laura was ready for bed, she slipped in under the covers a little after eight thirty and cursed when the phone reverberated again. Knowing the ringing would persist; she begrudgingly reached over and picked up the cell phone. Flipping it open, Laura gruffly answered, "What?"

"I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Of course I'm all right and it's none of your business."

"Can you please stop being so hostile towards me?"

"Oh let me think about that for a moment ... no," snapped Laura before hanging up. Placing the phone on the bedside table, she rolled over, hugged her pillow and cried herself to sleep.

-0-

Serena Amy Southerlyn, a blue eyed twenty eight year old with shoulder length blonde hair and an impressive 34B-24-34 body, staggered through her apartment door and reached for the light switch. Turning, she secured the door then high stepped into the bedroom.

As she was taking off her dark grey pants suit jacket, her house phone rang. "Hello," she slurred after picking the receiver up off the side table.

"Serena it's your mother, are you drunk?"

"Yes mom."

Catherine Southerlyn guffawed at her daughter's honesty, "So I gather your first day as an ADA with Homicide went well."

"Oh yeah," replied Serena while continuing to undress. "The Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy and District Attorney Nora Lewin made me feel very welcome. The outgoing ADA Abbie Carmichael was really sweet. She handed over her office to me and brought me up to speed on all outstanding cases."

"I'm happy to hear it was an easy transition for you."

Serena giggled before saying, "Abbie, Nora and Jack took me out for dinner and I drank a little too much chardonnay. It was all Abbie's fault."

"You sound smitten with this Abbie woman."

"She's gorgeous, so is her wife Stephanie. She's a detective at the two-seven and joined us for dinner."

"Oh, so she's married?"

Laughing again, Serena complained, "Yes mom and stop hoping I'll find a girlfriend. The right woman will come along some day."

"I know she will sweetheart. Are you still coming to dinner on Saturday?"

"Yes I am."

"Good, your father is looking forward to seeing you."

"I'll be there at six, goodnight mom."

"Goodnight Serena."

Hanging up, a naked blonde walked into the bathroom and prepared for bed.

-0-