The standard disclaimer applies: All characters are property of Dick Wolf and NBC Universal. Not mine, not making money.
A/N: This is for fear-ciuil, who wanted Mike to sing to Connie.
"Unchained Melody"
"And you didn't see Ewell the night of the murder?" Mike asked.
The man behind the bar nodded. Mike glanced to the other side of the room, where a group of Japanese businessmen were stumbling their way through Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." He'd never had the pleasure of interviewing a witness in a karaoke bar.
"That will be all, Mr. Kendall. We'll be in touch," he said.
Mike looked at Connie, who was standing next to him. Then his gaze moved to an empty table in the center of the room. He found karaoke funny – it was always amusing to see otherwise dignified people making drunken fools of themselves.
"Buy you a drink?" he said to Connie with a smile.
She raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't we be getting back to the office?"
"It's late, and it's been a long day. Let's unwind a little. I'm sure Jack won't miss us."
Mike motioned toward the table. Always the gentleman, he pulled out one of the chairs, offering it to Connie. Then he sat down himself, signaling the waitress.
"What'll you have?" the twenty-something blonde asked.
"A Guinness for me, and a…" He turned toward Connie.
"Margarita," Connie said. The waitress nodded before disappearing.
"A margarita? You wanted to go back to the office a few minutes ago."
"It was your idea to unwind. And I've had a long day, too."
The waitress returned with their drinks. They settled in, listening to a middle-aged woman butcher Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."
"I never thought you'd be one for karaoke," Connie remarked, sipping her drink.
"I find it amusing," Mike replied. "Don't you?"
Connie grinned wickedly. "I dare you to get up there and sing a song."
"Why?" Mike asked, giving her a surprised look.
"Because if I know anything, you're a good singer," Connie said. "Most people with musically inclined parents are."
Mike rolled his eyes. "All I know are folk songs, Connie. I doubt that this place has 'Blowin' in the Wind' programmed into its karaoke machine."
"But they have other songs."
Mike considered his options for a moment. "You dare me, huh?"
"I double dog dare you."
The middle-aged woman finished her song – probably to the delight of everyone else in the bar, Mike thought. He took a deep breath, then got up and walked towards the stage.
"Um…okay," he said into the microphone. "Hello. This song is for my girl, Connie, who's with me tonight. I love you, sweetheart."
The opening notes to "Unchained Melody" began. Reading the lyrics from the small TV screen that was set up before him, Mike started to sing.
Oh my love, my darling, I've hungered for your touch...
Mike was certainly no Bobby Hatfield, and he was out of practice – but he thought that he was hitting the high notes quite well. To keep himself from getting too nervous, he kept his eyes on Connie, who looked back at him with a big smile on her face.
He got through it, and when the song was over, he made his way back to their table.
"So, how'd I do?" he said, once again taking his seat beside Connie.
"That was…beautiful," she replied. "Thank you so much."
Not caring whether they had an audience, he kissed her passionately as the rest of the bar clapped and cheered.
finis