Hiii! I started this over a month ago and I'm just now finishing the first half of it! Life is crazy rn! But anyways, these are the missing Rollaro scenes from the Chicago Fire/Chicago PD/SVU Crossover. These are all things I wanted to see happen on screen but unfortunately it isn't Law and Order: Rollaro so...yeah. Some parts are pretty cheesy but with little on screen scenes I like to amp my stories up a bit. This is only the Chicago Fire and SVU episode, I'm working on the Chicago PD portion now, so it will be a two part story. I hope you guys like this!

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING :(

November 7

It had been a long day…one that never seemed to end. Amanda stayed longer than normal at the station, trying to complete the last several files that had begun to collect dust in the amount of time they took home on her desk.

Nick had clocked out a few hours prior to Amanda, but before leaving the building, he discreetly kneeled down next to Amanda's desk and made sure she knew his door was open and that she was free to stop by once she called it a night. Although, it was more for anticipation reasons than for a simple suggestion, as they both knew an evening together had been more of a probability lately than them sleeping alone on any given night.

Nick walked out of the station with a smirk, leaving Amanda at her desk with a new found motive to finish the night's work.

Just over an hour later, Amanda finally picked up the last file upon her desk and placed it before her. Giving her knuckles a crack and her neck a stretch, she reached for her pen, ready to end the night with her secret lover. But just as she reached the midpoint of her final case-sheet, Amanda's desk phone began ringing, filling the primarily vacant station with the brassy noise. Calls did not usually come directly to the Special Victims Unit at such a late hour, and if they did, it would be routinely wired to Liv. Although she couldn't deny her curiosity, so Amanda reached for the piercing phone with an exasperated huff.

"Detective Amanda Rollins, Manhattan SVU," Amanda answered mechanically.


After Amanda ended the call with Erin, she rushed through her final case-sheet and quickly gathered her belongings to leave. Within ten minutes, Amanda was knocking a familiar door and relinquishing in a known embrace.

"One of the victims Nick, it's her brother…her brother…" Amanda whispered to Nick, rubbing her toes against his leg as she lounged on the opposite side of the couch from him.

"Come here," Nick spoke, moving from his position on the cushion to accommodate another person next to him; Amanda slowly scooted over to Nick as he lifted his arm and placed it around her shoulders, "how long has it been?"

"I'm not sure, he looked pretty young in the photo, Erin mentioned that she hadn't seen him in a while…maybe eight years?"

"I'm not talking about Lindsay, Amanda," Nick had been worried about Amanda for a while now, even before they started seeing each other. He he had only been able to get vague information out of Amanda regarding her childhood, but even that was minimal. Of course, Nick never wanted to push Amanda into revealing something she wasn't comfortable sharing, but he hoped she trusted him enough to let him in and help her deal with her past rather than avoid it when cases such as these came up at SVU.

Amanda looked up at him through her lashes, something that - even before they got together - would make Nick's heart turn to fire. "How long has it been since you've heard from Kim?" Nick rephrased cautiously, knowing this simple question could take the night one of two ways: a heartfelt night of honestly and passion or with Amanda leaving in a fit of ire that would stem into a newfound distrust between them.

Nick heard Amanda's sharp intake of breathe, and his stomach began to knot as he suddenly expected the latter of his two possibilities for the night to come; Amanda sank deeper into his embrace and hid her face in his chest. Her intention wasn't to keep her past a mysterious secret, letting Nick in was the goal at some point in their relationship - if that's what you could call it. However, talking about her childhood made it real and it meant all those horrendous things actually happened; and therefore, it ultimately brought back memories and emotions she'd spent years suppressing.

As time continued to pass without a response from Amanda, Nick stopped expecting one and decided to let the topic go, as he would rather not upset her further than she already was by the Chicago detective's call.

"Two years…" Amanda whispered, so lightly Nick wasn't sure if the she actually said something or if it was just the wind, "six months and 11 days…"

This caught Nick off guard. He didn't expect Amanda to answer, and especially not with the answer to his question down to the exact day. Silence filled the room once again, but rather than say anything, he just adjusted his position so he could nudge Amanda into looking at him.

"That's how long since Tucker called me into his office and told me Kim had fled…since I walked into my empty apartment…since I've heard a word from her…" Amanda knew Nick wanted, and deserved, an answer. He had been nothing but patient with her ever since Kim's initial appearance, never urging for information that she wasn't ready to give and settling for the little she did give him.

At this, Nick didn't know how to respond, nothing seemed to fit…he knew nothing he could say right then could fill the painful void in Amanda's chest. So rather than saying anything, he broke away from Amanda's deep stare and took his hand from around her shoulders to place it on the back of her head and bring her forehead in for a light kiss.

"I'm gunna to find him." Amanda said definitively once Nick had released her head, but before he could question her comment, she continued, "I am going to find Erin's brother…if not for her, then for Kim…"

This only made Nick's heart swell more. Many only saw Amanda as the troubled Southern detective who didn't take no for an answer; but very few got to see this side of her, and for that, Nick felt like the luckiest man in the world.

Amanda was a phenomenal detective, which was something no one could deny, yet outside of the station, she was just as remarkable. Regrettably, it took Nick three years to see beyond Amanda's fiery opinions and notice her passion and inner intentions. Liv was a great supporter and Fin a reliable friend to confide in, but it was always Amanda who would lend an ear to his marital problems without trying to micromanage his problems, and then go the extra mile to help him. It was crazy to think both of their stubbornness kept them at odds for so long, when, in reality, they are what each other needed the whole time.

"And I'm going to help you, Amanda." He said into her hair, "I'll be right there beside you."


November 8

6:00 am

6:30 am

7:00 am

7:27 am

Nick's eyes shot open while Amanda gently stirred in his arms. Without thought, Nick raised his free arm and felt around his bedside table for the blaring sound's culprit. Grasping his cell phone in his hand, Nick brought the phone to his ear, still groggy with sleep.

"Detective Amaro."

"Nick, where the hell are you?" Liv's voice blared through the speaker. With this, Nick sat up to the best of his ability while Amanda was still curled to his side, peacefully asleep. In a rush, he scanned the room, his memory slowly returning to the matter at hand, until his eyes finally reached the bright red numbers on the clock.

7:28 am … shit.

"Jesus, Liv. I am so sorry, I had no idea of the time, my alarm, it didn't go off…" Nick said in a rush, using a mix of apology and excuse.

"Just get here, Nick. We got a serious case from the Chicago PD; two of their detectives will be here within the next hour and you still need to be briefed." Liv rambled, clearly not in the mood for his pathetic justifications for the morning.

"Got it Sarg., I'll be there in a few."

"Oh, and Nick…do you have an idea as to where Rollins might be this morning? She hasn't arrived either and she's not answering her phone. This is a big case for her…" The anger and mix of sarcastic humor was prevalent in Olivia's tone, but all Nick could do was stare at the sleeping blonde next to him.

"Umm…no, not a clue," With hesitation, Nick answered vaguely as he spotted Amanda's gold purse on the chair across from his bed, instantly knowing why Liv had failed to reach her. "I'll be out of my house in ten, want me to swing by her apartment to make sure everything's okay? It's only a few blocks-…"

"No, I'll handle it. Thanks." And with that Liv hung up with an aggravated huff.

He couldn't lie, knowing Liv was struggling to reach her blonde detective while she was lying right beside him made Nick smirk with amusement. He was never one to purposely offend his superior, but Amanda had brought a new excitement into his life, maybe he was the choirboy she always made him out to be…

Nick wanted nothing more than to settle back down next to Amanda and relinquish in the peaceful silence for just a few moments longer, as it was obvious this case was going to be one of their toughest to date, especially for Amanda, considering her understanding of Detective Lindsay's predicament. But, he knew time was of the essence, and waiting would only lead to further problems.

After setting his phone back down on his nightstand, Nick took his arm and ran his hand down Amanda's porcelain skin, "Amanda…hey."

Watching Amanda wake up reminded Nick much of his daughter; just as Zara would lift her arms above her head in a stretch with a groan, Amanda would do much the same while her eyes fluttered open and a confused grin crossed her face.

"What's wrong?" Amanda moaned, sensing Nick's tension.

"It's 7:30, Liv's been trying to get a hold of us all morning…"

Amanda crinkled her eyebrows in a state of confusion, deliberating what she was just told. With the shot of her eyes, Nick knew she now understood their predicament. "Nick! We're so late, Lindsay is probably on her way to the station right now, and I don't even have fresh clothes here anymore!" Nick couldn't deny Amanda's charming adorability when she became panicked. The normally cool and collected Detective Rollins was not one to be thrown off her poise, so watching as her brows rose with alarm, her icy eye to become sharp and her cheeks into warm into a rosy glow was a sight to see.

Amanda had since untangled herself from Nicks embrace, thrown off the covers blanketing the bed and was now racing throughout the room in search for her pants and blouse. Nick couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

"This isn't funny, a-hole!" Amanda snared at Nick, throwing his own pair of pants onto his lap. Even in her flustered state, Amanda could still quip a humorous insult in Nick's direction. "I've been trying so hard to get back on decent terms with Liv and…"

"Hey, hey, hey," Nick breathed amusingly while making his way over to the rushing blonde, but despite his advances Amanda continued dashing around. "Amanda, listen…it's alright, I've got it covered."

Taking her by the arms and encircling her with a hug, Nick gave Amanda a light kiss on the forehead but could still feel her heart beat in their proximity. "Go ahead and go back to your place to get ready, I'll be at the station in a matter of minutes. I'll tell Liv about some kind of traffic accident I came across on the way; it will buy you some time and when you get to the station just mention the bridge and cell service or something...I have confidence in you." Nick laughed, but Amanda wasn't as sold.

"Trust me…" And with that Nick placed a kiss on Amanda's lips; although they were reluctant to let each other go, both went their separate ways.


"Alright. It's getting late, why don't you two go ahead and call it a night. Good job today; first thing tomorrow morning though, I want a meeting with Jocelyn, m'kay?"

"Got it, Sarg.," Amanda chipped, eager to get out of the station for the day. It had far surpassed eleven at night, a far cry from their usual daily hours.

"Have a good night, Liv." Nick chimed in, giving Jay and Erin a wave as he and Amanda walked passed on their way to the bunks.

Erin was having a hard time leaving her brother in a cold jail cell for the night, which was completely understandable considering the given situation.

"Hey Nick, will you grab my things for me, please." Amanda asked, having stopped a few steps behind him.

"Um, yeah, sure." Nick crinkled his eyebrows, "is everyth-" but before he could finish, Amanda was on her way towards the two Chicago detectives.

Amanda walked over to a troubled Lindsay and took a seat next to her on the bench beside the cell entrances.

"I'll be right back, I need to run something by Sargent Benson real quick," Halstead announced, understanding the two detective's need for a word alone.

"He'll be alright…cold, but alright. At least he's no longer on the streets; and right now, he's probably safer than he has been in quite a while." Amanda said, knowing what Erin was thinking without having to ask; she sat with a little distance between her and Erin, placing her hands in between her knees.

"I know…it's just…hard." Erin groaned in her raspy voice, "I feel like I'm doing him more harm than good at this point…bringing up things that he seems to have already moved on from."

"Unfortunately, as I'm sure you know, just as well as I do, that those 'things' will never be easy to rehash…but whether you talk about them or not, the memories are still there…just below the surface, hauntin' you every day, and it seems like it only becomes harder to hide as time passes-…" Amanda stopped, noticing Lindsay's gazing directly at her, "I'm sorry, I'm rambling…But what I am trying to say is, none of this is going to be easy, for either of you. He may be lashing out now, but it is only because he is just as confused and shaken as you are. However, I promise, no matter how tough the road may be, if you both can follow through with this investigation and get to the bottom of whatever happened to him – and what is still happening – your lives will change…for the better."

Through Amanda's entire heartfelt speech, Erin listened with intent, soaking up everything she was saying, but couldn't ignore Amanda's obvious underlying knowledge and sympathy into what she was going through. "You had a pretty rough childhood, didn't you…what happened to you, Amanda?" Erin whispered the last part so lightly, Amanda barely heard her; nonetheless, her statement caught her off guard.

Nick had watched Amanda and Erin's exchange for the past few moments, wanting nothing more than to be a fly on the wall at that second. Even from a distance, he could see the sadness in his lover's eyes, similar to what he observed in Lindsay's. There was an understanding between the two, and Nick was happy Amanda had found someone who shared such a comparable past…someone who she could talk to and who could provide her with supportive replies, rather than his own empty comforts from which he had nothing to compare her feelings to.

"I guess I could ask you the same question… But like I said earlier today, I have a…troubled…sister, I've been where you are. But that's a story for another time," Amanda spoke, patting Erin's hand lightly as she saw Nick approaching them.

"You ready," Nick asked with a charming smile, holding Amanda's coat open for her to place her arms into.

"Yeah, thank you." Amanda stepped into the outstretched coat but shot him a glare for the hundredth time today, in an attempt to stop his painfully obvious gestures that could reveal their relationship in front of both the visiting detective and the rest of the station's occupants.

"Amanda and I were going to grab a quick beer from a place down the street, would you and Halstead like to join us?" Nick asked Erin; Amanda did everything she could to hide the horror she was feeling as Nick practically invited the two Chicago detectives on a double date.

Erin wore a knowing smirk and politely declined his offer, asking if she could take a rain-check for once the case had closed.

With that, Nick and Amanda strode out of the SVU area of the station and towards the elevator.

Once inside and the sliding doors came to a close, Amanda turned to Nick, a deep scowl written upon her face; but just before Nick could question her outwardly irritation, she began her rave: "What the hell was that?"

"I'm sorry, I'm not following…" And truthfully he wasn't; Nick had noticed Amanda's glares all day, but never gave them much of a thought. It wasn't uncommon, however, as they both tried to keep up their troubled partnership antics up here and there to keep in connection with their charade.

"Come on, Nick, don't play that card," Amanda huffed, "you – in not so many words – just asked our Chicago colleagues if they wanted to join us on a double date. And let's not forget your uncanny ability to put your foot in your mouth, which I discovered this morning! '…if he is still alive…' Really, Nick? How long have you worked here? And the whole: 'No, we get it…' in front of Jay. Very smooth, Nick, very smooth…"

Much like this morning, Nick couldn't do much more than laugh, and before Amanda could protest, he placed both hands on each side of her face and brought her in for a silencing kiss.

They only pulled away when the ding of the elevator alerted them to their final stop at the ground floor. Amanda took a step apart from Nick, her eyes still glazed from his searing lips, and began to walk through the elevator doors into the lobby of the station, but before she got two feet out of the threshold, Nick grasped her slender wrist and pulled her back to him.

Once Amanda's back was molded to Nick front, he placed both hands on her hips and set his lips directly on her ear, blowing warm air into it before giving a sexy growl, "I. Don't. Care." Nick finished with a soft kiss just behind her ear and, at this point, Amanda's knees were about to buckle.

Abruptly, Nick released Amanda and moved to stop the closing elevator doors; after sticking his head out and took a look around the lobby to make sure there were no important wandering eyes located in the area. Once confident the coast was clear, Nick shifted his gaze back to Amanda and held out a hand to her. She reluctantly took it, trusting Nick's judgment in regard to the presence of any significant members of the New York PD. With her hand in his, Amanda began to make her way out of the elevator once again.

As she walked side to side with Nick, he leaned over and whispered to her once again, "I don't care if they know…Jay and Erin won't say anything, especially not with whatever they are doing outside of the office themselves…and besides, a little hint here and there just makes it more exciting…"

Amanda could no longer hide her smirk and let out an uneasy giggle, but she also couldn't deny her agreement to his proposition. With a humph Amanda gave in, "so…is the offer of a late-night beer still on the table?"


November 9

This morning had gone significantly smoother than the prior; although both exhausted from their previous night's antics after a few too many beers at the bar, both Nick and Amanda were out of the house and on their way to meet Jocelyn before seven.

They had received a tip from a fellow colleague at the local high school campus as to Jocelyn's whereabouts, her routine rarely changed: a coffee and quick study session at the local Café each morning before arriving to school just before the first bell.

Nick and Amanda watched as Jocelyn arrived at the Café, ordered her coffee and took out her school books then amerced herself in the steaming liquid.

"Alright, I guess now is as good a time as any," Nick announced, killing the ignition and opening the driver side door.

Amanda followed suit, removing her seatbelt and stepping out of the car.

"Hey Nick, she's…fragile. Let's go easy on her, okay?" Amanda called, causing Nick to stop and glance back at her.

"As long as she gives us what we need to know," Nick answered, shoving his hands in his trouser pockets and nodding for Amanda to follow.

They were in Pushcart Coffee for less than three minutes before Jocelyn raced out upon realizing Teddy was also a victim of the sex traffic ring. It came as a surprise to both Nick and Amanda that it was not common knowledge between the two that Teddy himself was a casualty as well, which only lead to further questions.

In her hurry out of the café, Jocelyn had successfully flipped a cup of coffee onto the table and left the entire group of occupants staring.

"Well, did you mention the pedophile ring the first time you talked to her?" Nick questioned, leaning his hands onto the table and looking intently at Amanda.

"No. She got arrested at fourteen, for hookin', I'm guessin' we know how she got turned out," Amanda stated, a drop of irritation present in her southern drawl. Giving her hands a shake, Amanda left the table in search for some napkins, leaving Nick at the table to judge the new twist in Teddy fate.

Realizing the way he may have come across, a sense of fault washed over Nick. He was all too aware of how hard it must be for Amanda, and pushing his frustration onto her would only make it harder for the both of them.

"Hey, I'm sorry," Nick regretted, joining her at the drink bar as she toweled off her hands and blotted the small coffee marks on the side of her pants.

His apology made Amanda glance up, "I'm not upset with you, Nick," she voiced as if it was an obvious remark, "it's just the situation…"

Nick didn't have a comforting response or helpful comment to respond with, so rather, he gently rubbed her upper arm, hoping that conveyed his understanding.

"Why don't we stop by your place on the way to the station, you can clean up and I'll brew us some decent coffee before we are stuck with the other crap all day," Nick's attempt at humor failed as Amanda simply nodded and threw the napkin in the trash dispenser.

Before leaving Amanda's apartment for the station, Nick updated Liv regarding the meeting with Jocelyn; upon hearing the news, Liv suggested he and Rollins to head back to the Missing and Exploited Children's center to cross check her in the databases.

Nothing could have prepared Nick and Amanda for the revelation that Teddy and Jocelyn had not met on the streets, but rather during their wretched time in the ring.

"So, who gets to tell Lindsay?" Nick probed absentmindedly. He heard Amanda sigh underneath him as she slowly stood back up from her leaned position over the desk.

"Alright, do me a favor and print that still out for us and link those tapes over to SVU for further examination," Amanda directed towards the impassive computer tech, continuing to stare at the picture on the screen.

After receiving the still Amanda gave a prompt "thank you" and headed out of the room, away from the monitors.

The drive to the station was quiet and Nick couldn't help but notice the way Amanda firmly grasped the picture in her hand, as if it held all the answers. Once Nick put the car in park he turned his gaze directly towards Amanda, who still had her stare directed outside.

"Do you want 'ta talk about i-…" Nick began, putting his hand over hers on the counsel.

"I'll tell her." Amanda interrupted abruptly, not moving her eyes from outside the window.

"Tell who, Amanda?"

"Lindsay, I'll let her know about…this," Amanda's gaze now stared down at the picture before her.

This surprised Nick, his comment back at the Children's Center was more of a rhetorical question than an actual inquiry.

"Amanda, I know this is a tough case with all things considered…but I feel like there's something more bothering you."

When he heard Amanda take a sharp breathe, Nick expected some deep revelation to be disclosed, but instead he received a quick "nope" before opening the car door and striding into the station with determination, as if the past twenty minutes never occurred.


Another eighteen hour day later and Amanda finally was preparing to leave the station for the night. Alone in the bunks, she removed her waist belt and holster before putting her gun on lock and placing it in her locker.

The day's events had taken a toll on Amanda; between Jocelyn's shakedown, Lindsay's injury and the ever-perpetual wrath that was Voight, she was more than ready to call it a night, although she would never admit it.

With cases such as these, Amanda had a hard time leaving work at work. She was someone who needed closure – a definitive conclusion to the suffering for both the victim and the detective - and without it, the endless tape of each crime would continue circling throughout her head…the fault, the suspects, the leads, the evidence, the witness testimonies, the beliefs…spinning through her head like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, trying to fit together in a logical, completed picture.

Placing both hands on each side of her opened locker, Amanda hung her head as the details of the case consumed her thoughts.

Of course, she was thankful that Henry had been found; watching Voight and Olivia burst through the Statin Island door then Fin and Nick join them with two other offenders as they walked into the station took an enormous weight off her chest. But there was still an overwhelming sense of dismay as she knew the case was far from closed; the Chest and Checkers Club was still in full swing and the main intelligence had yet to slow down. Another little girl was out there and, in less than twenty-four hours, Amanda was going to have the unfortunate pleasure of witnessing how the sick bastards were going to steal her innocence…unless they did something fast.

Liv had since called it a night for the team as she was eager to get home and hug Noah a little tighter tonight. While they were all tired and ready to head home, Voight wasn't so easily convinced. Liv had to practically drag him out of the station, and he only complied when Nick and Jay offered to stay for a little while longer to tie up a few loose ends.

Noticing Amanda had yet to leave, Nick left the table he and Halstead were working at to check on her.

Walking into the bunks, he witnessed Amanda braced against a locker, eyes closed and not moving.

"Amanda?" No answer.

"Amanda…?" Nothing.

Slowly closing the gap between them, Nick placed a gentle hand on Amanda's back, whispering her name once more, "'Manda? Hey…"

With a jolt, Amanda's head jerked up and her glazed eyes bore into Nick's.

"Hey…what's up? Are you okay?" Nick asked with concern, placing his free hand on her cheek as if she was a small child, much like did Zara.

Amanda's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she pushed off the lockers to take one hand and brush Nick's off her face, "I'm fine, just taking a second before I head home," she spoke nonchalantly while going on to gather her things.

Nick wasn't content with her vague brush off, "you look pale, Amanda. Why don't you lie down in here while I finish up a few things and then I'll drive us - …you? - home in a bit."

Amanda gave a small laugh, "I'm fine, Nick. Just tired…" she turned to give his arm a light grasp of reassurance, wanting nothing more than for him to drop the third degree for the day.

Sensing her inner anxiety, Nick took Amanda's arm in return when she released his and gave her a gentle yet stern and knowing glance.

Over the past several months, Nick had picked up on Amanda's attachment to certain cases. He had managed to get her to briefly speak of it, but he often allowed her to drop the conversation when he would sense her grow increasingly uncomfortable. Without words, however, Nick had begun to notice Amanda's tells: light facial expressions or movements that would reveal more than Nick would ever let her know.

With a sigh of defeat, Amanda elaborated, "…glad yet somewhat disappointed …exhausted… disturbed... Pick one."

It wasn't exactly the way Nick preferred the conversation – or lack thereof – to go, but it was something, something for him to work with.

"I'm here, 'Manda. I've got your back, and I'm going to help you get through this case," although Amanda refused to meet his eyes, he could see her blue eyes grow puffy. "Do you want to tal-…"

Feeling her hands grow tense in his own – another one of her tells – Nick stopped and quickly changed the topic, "I mean…do you want Chinese or Italian? I know it's late but I could…"

Nick's rambling ended when he heard a faint chuckle from the blonde in front of him. Rather than a verbal response, Amanda simply shook her head with a smile before Nick returned her grin and took her in a loose embrace.

Both settled in a comfortable silence, the only noise coming from a ticking clock in the corner and faint voices present beyond the bunks.

With arms still locked together and Amanda's head pressed gently against Nick's chest, neither were aware of the footsteps approaching the bunks or the light creaks of the heavy door being opened.

Jay Halstead was not surprised by the closeness of the two SVU detectives – it was no secret that there was something going on between them – but walking in on such a scene caused shock to course through him as he felt as though he intruded on a very private moment.

Realizing neither detective was aware of his presence, Halstead took a step back and decided to tap against the door to alert the two rather than create an uncomfortable experience for both them and him-self.

Halstead took a cautious step back before giving the bunk door a light tap and clearing his throat, "Amaro? Rollins?"

Both Nick and Amanda immediately released each other from their entanglement and began the typical, panicked fidgeting associated with being caught in a compromising situation.

Realizing neither were going to offer much in response to his company, Jay continued, "Hey Amaro, I need you to come look at something."

Amanda had since resumed gathering her things as an occupier and Nick gave her a side glance, "Um, alright…" he nodded with a lack of a better response.

"Should I stay? I still have that government program up on my computer," Amanda suddenly appeared at Nick's side with a bag slung over her shoulder.

"No, no. Go ahead home, we've got it covered for the night."

Amanda nodded, "Hey, is Lindsay okay? She was asleep when I was visiting."

"Headache and a nasty bruise, but yeah, I think she's more frustrated than anything right now. She doesn't take well to orders," Halstead contemplated going with Lindsay back to Chicago, wanting nothing more than to be there for her, but he realized staying in New York to work the case would be more beneficial.

"Sounds like someone on our team," Nick joked and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his trousers as he tried to remain casual.

Amanda only nodded with a small smile, "I'll see y'all in the mornin'."

And with that, Amanda left the two men in the bunks, and Halstead gave Nick a sly grin.


November 10

The day started much like any other.

The team gathered in the squad room and began running through the case just as they would on a normal day.

Nick had tried Amanda's cell the night before once he and Halstead left the station, but the phone only rang until it reached voicemail. He could have gone straight home, but after the day they both had, Nick decided he'd rather sleep next to Amanda than alone.

Using the key she had given him a few months after they began seeing each other, Nick found Amanda curled up and fast asleep on her couch when he entered. He smiled at the sight and debated whether to leave her be or bring her to bed; choosing the latter, Nick gave Amanda a rub on the back to wake her then helped her into her room.

Upon waking in the morning, Amanda decided to shower alone to allow Nick another hour of sleep. Before leaving, she woke him and they shared a quick kiss; arriving separately would of course raise fewer questions than together…and the knowing glances and sly smiles upon one of their late arrivals were much more fun, anyways.

The team had received word that Henry was doing relatively well and that his parents had been contacted, which gave the detectives something to smile about as their day was about take a turn for the worst.

When Benson had gotten the call regarding Clinton's untimely demise in the tombs of the prison, she immediately called on Fin and Amanda to head over.

To say Amanda was angry would be an understatement, the idea that a group of trained prison guards left a suspected child molester alone in an open cell with a violent man awaiting trial was too absurd to comprehend. And now, one of their main leads lay dead in a pool of blood with a shiv in his neck.

Amanda's red face and straight glare caught Nick's attention as soon as she and Fin arrived back at SVU. After briefing Liv and Voight, Nick offered to assist Amanda in going through the killer's history and call logs from the previous days.

Once alone, Nick couldn't get much out of Amanda except for a mumbled line of irritated rage laced with a few expletives that brought out her southern drawl.

However, every lead from the killer's call logs and visitors went cold; the only thing Amanda and Nick could get was that the throw away cell used to contact him was sold in Chicago.

Not a minute after Nick and Amanda's update, Lindsay contacted Voight to shares the latest news.

The entire team stands quiet and motionless as they take in the information. Amanda glances back to share a look with Nick while Liv takes Voight into her office.

"Well, that's…something?" Fin comments, leaning back in his desk chair with his hands crossed behind his head.

"Yeah…" Nick gives a sharp intake of breath and walks back to his chair as well.

Deciding it to be an innocent act, Amanda follows and takes a half seat on Nick's desk and crosses her arms in thought, "what do y'all think they're talkin' about?"

"I'll place money on Voight's persistence that we go track down the SOB that killed Clinton if for nothing else than the fun of it, then trying to convince Liv it's a good idea to break down every door in Chicago to find the bastard behind this so he can break the guys face with his bare hands," Fin announces definitively, leaving Nick and Amanda speechless as they stare at him with unblinking eyes.

"Amaro. Rollins." Liv calls from her door, motioning for them to follow her inside.

Fin exchanges a look with both of them and shrugs his shoulders before they disappear into their Sargent's office.

"Yes, Sarg?" Amanda asks, standing behind one of the chairs that face her desk as Nick takes the other.

"You're both coming with me," Voight announces for Benson.

Liv lets out a sigh, "yes, what he said," she emotionlessly voices, clearly tired with Voight's intrusions "I have to stay here with Noah, and I need Fin to hold down the fort in case I end up going as well. Amanda, you've been to Chicago before, Voight tells me he was impressed with your work and, Nick, I trust and expect nothing less of you."

"We leave for the airport at two, I'll need both of you ready by then. I'll brief you further on the flight," Voight had yet to stop pacing the small office space.

"I'll update Fin; you are both free to go," Benson announced just before Voight ushers Nick and Amanda out of the office. "I'll be in contact," Liv calls after them and watches as they gather their things and leave the station.


Please review! Constructive criticism is much appreciated! Thanks :) - JJ