This is my first L&O fanfic. Enjoy!
Chapter One: Welcome to New York
It was my first trip on a plane. I wanted to follow my Uncle Max's example. I was saddened that I could not get a break from school to attend his funeral. He was shot in the line of duty. My mother didn't want me to go but I had to.
At 18, I had already been out of high school for a couple years. I took a few semesters at Texas University, my father's alma mater. He was disappointed when I wanted to transfer to NYU and then become a New York City cop. My father wanted more for me than a cop's short life. I didn't care I wanted to do good. No one was better than Uncle Max was.
My eyes closed and I fell asleep leaning against the back of the seat. The flight from Dallas to New York was just long enough for me to catch up on some much needed sleep. I stirred when the captain said over the loudspeaker, "Please fasten your seatbelts and put your trays in the upright positions."
The New York City skyline was fabulous. Dallas did not look like this. Much more going on here. It was the city my mother was born in, one she couldn't make herself come back to; even to bury her brother.
I stood from my seat, pulled my carry on from the overhead compartment, and made my way off the plane. I was glad to be off. Relieved that I had survived my first flight.
Uncle Max's former partner, Mike Logan, was meeting me to take me to the apartment my father had secured for me. Daddy didn't agree with my choices but he didn't want me living in some dump either.
I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be looking for; I'd never met this Mike Logan. Uncle Max seemed to like him. He had said that Mike was a hot head like me. I smiled at the memory as she exited the terminal.
"Are you Savannah?" a man asked me. He was tall, brown hair and eyes. He wore a brown suit and a plaid tie.
"Yeah," I responded, "How'd you know?"
"Took a shot in the dark," Mike said, "Most New Yorkers don't walk around in plaid shirts and cowboy boots though."
"I must stick out like a soar thumb here huh?" I asked. "Savannah Jones."
"Mike Logan," he said back, "You got luggage?"
"I do but I'm completely turned around here," I responded.
"This way," he said leading me to where the luggage was dropped off the planes.
"That one's mine," I said pointing to the big purple suitcase.
"What do you got in here? A ton of bricks?" he asked as he grabbed my bag.
"Sorry, I'm here for a while so wasn't sure what I'd need," I said pulling the handle. He took my carry on bag from me and wheeled my bag down the isle.
"It's ok," he said lifting my bag into the trunk of his car. I looked around I had never seen this many people in my life. They were rushing about. Mike opened the door for me. "Get in."
"Thank you," I said softly and climbed in the passenger seat, clicking my belt in place.
I looked from Mike to the traffic that was backed up as far as I could see. I wasn't quite sure what to say. He was an attractive man. He must have been in his early 30's I guessed. I felt my cheeks flushed when he looked back at me. I smiled and quickly looked away.
"How do you get used to it?" I asked. "The traffic must be a nightmare."
"I've lived here all my life so it's all I've known," he smiled, "Must be a big change from a cattle ranch in Texas though." I smiled that this man had taken the time to get to know about something about me.
"Yeah, Texas may be bigger but there's not nearly as many people," I responded. Mike pulled the car to a stop in front of a towering building.
"You're lucky your father found this place," Mike said as he pulled my bags out of the trunk.
"Daddy wanted to make sure I was taken care of. I guess that's why he called you," I replied.
"Any family of Max's," he said sadly, "I'll look out for." His eyes met mine. He was close to my uncle. I saw that in his eyes.
"Well thank you," I replied. Mike made me nervous. The boys back home often looked at me but they were boys. Mike was a man. I wasn't sure if he would be interested or if I was taken to him because he was the first person, I'd met here. But damn he was attractive.
"Lucky your elevator works," Mike said pushing the up button. "This is a good building. Mine's down the block and the elevator has been down for the last year I'd say."
The elevator doors opened and he wheeled my suitcase in and pressed the button for the forth floor. I felt small standing next to him. He had to be well over six feet. I was just 5'4, even with the heels of my boots; my head barely cleared his shoulder. I looked up at him. The elevator bell rang and I turned to watch the doors open. I walked out the door first. He lingered behind me a second or two.
"4C?" I asked. He nodded and handed me the keys. I slowly opened the door and walked inside. He followed behind. I walked into the furnished living room. The couch was avocado green. That would have to go. I smiled to myself.
"Do you need anything else?" he asked me setting my bags down.
I felt my stomach rumble. I did not eat anything while I was on the plane. "I'm a little hungry. Where's a good place that's close?"
"I was about to grab a bite at this little Italian place, you want to join me?" he asked.
"Ok," I responded, "Am I dressed ok?" He gave me a look over.
"Yeah," he said with a smile. "Let's go."
"Ok," I grabbed my purse and keys and followed him back out the door, locking it behind me.
He opened the door to the restaurant for me. From what my mother had described of New York men, they were rude and uncaring. Not the case with Mike, he was a gentleman. I guess a rarity for this town. The restaurant was small and intimate.
"Thank you ma'am," I said to the hostess who led us to our seats. I could tell she found Mike attractive too. I don't know why it bothered me but it did. Mike paid her little attention.
"What can I get you to drink?" the waiter asked.
"Sweet tea, please," I answered. He looked at me strangely and wrote it down. Mike ordered a red wine. Moments later the waiter filled his glass and set down a hot cup of tea in front of me with a lemon and sugar packets on the side. I looked at him confused.
"Is something wrong, miss?" the waiter asked me.
"It's fine," I replied. I forgot that they didn't serve the syrupy sweet iced tea that I was used to getting in the south.
"Where are you from?" the waiter asked me.
"Texas," I answered.
"Oh that explains it," he responded. "Are you ready to order?" I ordered mushroom ravioli and Mike ordered fettuccini.
"When are you starting at the academy?" Mike asked after the waiter left.
"Monday," I answered. I was a little nervous about it. I was the youngest to enroll in the detective program but I had the college credits to qualify.
"I don't have a large case load but you're welcome to come by the station with me tomorrow," he said.
"That would be nice," I answered. Mike laughed when I took a sip of my hot tea.
"Sorry I should have warned you it was different here," he smiled.
"It's not that bad," I answered. It was that bad.
"I can't get over your accent," he said smiling.
"Sorry, I can't help it," I responded.
"No, it's refreshing," he said back.
"Thank you," I said glad that the room was dark so he couldn't see my face flush. The waiter returned setting plates of food in front of us. Then set a tall glass of iced tea on the table. I smiled.
"Sorry it's not presweetened," the waiter said to me.
"I appreciate it anyway," I said. I added a couple packets of artificial sweetener to it and took a sip.
"How's your food?" Mike asked.
"Delicious, thank you for inviting me," I responded. He nodded and we ate our food.
We walked quietly back to my apartment. I put my key in the lock and turned the knob. I looked back and saw that Mike was looking at me.
"I'll be by to pick you up about 7," he said. I nodded. He started to walk back to the elevator, and then turned back to me. "You sure you're 18."
"Yeah, why?" I asked.
"Because I'd feel bad about what's going through my head if you weren't," he replied with a smile and continued to the elevator. I continued into my apartment. I closed the door and leaned against it. A smile on my face.