Disclaimer: I own nothing. All characters and stories belong to NBC and Dick Wolf.
A/N: Post Brazil. Mike and Connie resolve the sexual attraction that may or may not be mutual after For the Defense in this one-shot. Please review. Thanks. Love, Lawabidingchild.
Better Now
Mike spent his life waiting for his dad. His dad moved around a lot when he was a child and basically didn't have time to put up with Mike and his childish ways. He pushed away those memories for so long that he wasn't comfortable with bringing them out in the long run. Mike thought that the testimony was completely unfair. The judge overruled the objection to preclude any testimony regarding Mike's childhood, which deeply upset him. The consequences of this testimony were his personal life and feelings being exposed to the public, as well as judicial record.
And he saw the look on Connie's face throughout the entire testimony.
She looked at him with such despair, such empathy, and such grief that it made it hard for Mike to stomach the hurt that Connie felt for him. She looked at him differently, like he was a bubble about to burst in sadness. Connie strode alongside him in such caution that made it impossible for him not to notice those feelings of empathetic hurt. What does she know about this grief? She comes from a large, tight-nit family. She didn't know what it was like to be alone for so long.
Maybe it was hearing that Mike went through it all.
He heard the familiar clack of heels coming down the hallway. He knew that Connie's presence was going to become record for the office. When her form materialized in front of him, he saw her big chocolate eyes wide in a smile. Her perfectly straight and white teeth aligned with that perfect smile that always makes his heart beat in double time. He longed to touch her lightly bronzed skin and hold her in a caress, but he dared not. He had no idea how she felt about him. His guess was as good as anyone's that Connie may not have those feelings.
Connie strode up to his desk, her long, slender legs striding with each step. She stood in front of his desk, beaming at him. She was like a goddess, but he dared not look straight at her. She reached her arm out for his chin and pulled it up to her face. Her smile still beamed at him as though it was the sun's rays. "Hi," she whispered. "How're you holding up?"
"I'm fine Connie," he answered stupidly.
"No you're not." Connie could deduce the lie by his refusal to look into her eyes. Connie leaned down and kissed him gently. His lips grabbed hers hungrily, trying to take in her presence in his heart. She pulled back and fell into his lap. She kissed him with longing once again and then rested her head in his shoulder. "Better?"
"Better now," he answered, kissing the crown of her head and holding her gently. He closed his eyes in ecstasy. Maybe his father's disappearance out of his life was a good thing. It brought Connie into his arms. And Connie finally realized who was more important.