Contains a sort of twist at the end;-) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Law & Order and its characters.

Tongue Tied

By LTP-girl

Michael Cutter approached the snack vendor located outside the courthouse.

"Hey, Mike," he heard a voice from behind. He whirled around to see Jack McCoy in the distance making his way towards him.

"Hey Jack, come to ask me how my cross of Stevens went?" he enquired with a hint of borderline arrogance in his tone, and a righteous smile spread across his face. "I kicked ass by the way, Judge Handley and the jury loved me for it."

"No, it's not that Mike," Jack answered between breaths after catching up with the younger attorney. "I thought I'd better meet up with you to give you a heads up." The two men strode along side by side.

Mike suddenly appeared puzzled. "O-kay Jack, what is it you wanted to warn me about?"

"It's nothing to do with the case," Jack assured him, still out of breath. "It's the girls in the office."

"Girls in the office?" Mike stopped walking for a moment, a little startled by Jack's words, curious as to what he was alluding to.

Jack took another deep breath, relieved that Mike had slowed his pace. "Yes. Those young interns we hired last month."

"Yeah, what about them." Mike couldn't understand why his boss had travelled all the way from the District Attorney's Office just to strike up a conversation about menial office clerks. What's the worst they could do? Clog up the copy machine? Get coffee orders wrong? Flirt with Lupo and Bernard whenever they drop by?

Jack sighed, lost for words, not quite sure how to break it to Mike. He slid his hands into his trench coat pockets and stared up at a pigeon as it made its descent onto the bottom step of the courthouse, taking a moment to compose himself. Here it goes. "You see, Mike..." He hesitated. "Mike, the female interns think you're..."

Mike's eyes penetrated into him, searching for an answer. "What Jack? The female interns think I'm what?" His face turned scrutinising.

Jack's eyes diverted away from him. He knew what Mike was thinking, it was written all over his face. Pathetic old man, and he sure felt like it too. "Never mind, forget I said anything," he replied, changing his mind.

Mike's glanced turned concerned, knowing very well that it took a lot for Jack McCoy to be without words. After a moment of contemplating whatever the hell Jack was trying to tell him, a mischievous half smile spread across his face. "Ohhhhhhhh..." he said knowingly, a light bulb switching on inside head. So I beat the hearts of some cutie law students, aye? He chuckled to himself. "It's flattering Jack, but what's that got to do with me putting people in prison?"

Jack shook his head, slightly amused that Mike had got it entirely wrong. "No Mike, that's not it at all," he blurted out. "The female interns know about you and Detective Lupo. They heard Connie and I discussing it this morning, I forgot to close my door. I am sorry Mike. I know you and Lupo wanted it to be kept secret from as many people as possible..."

The end.

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