Disclaimer: Dick Wolf and NBC own "Law and Order". I don't.
A/N: I'm dedicating this fic to everyone who has ever read one of my "L+O" fics here, as well as to those who have added my fics to their favorites list. It means SO much to me that you enjoy my writing! So when I started writing this, I had absolutely NO idea where I was going with it. But, following the advice of my creative writing professor from junior year of college, I let the story take me where it wanted to go. From that process came "Wall Street Wonder". I hope you guys enjoy it!
Wall Street Wonder
Chapter One: Instant Connection
"So, you feel like you'll be comfortable here?" Interim D.A. Jack McCoy asked his newly-appointed EADA Mike Cutter. "Like I said in your interview, I definitely think you can handle the job. Your background's impressive, your conviction rate is excellent, you have a very strong drive to succeed. There's no questioning your capability or competence."
"Jack, I…thank you—thank you very much. It means a lot to me that you believe in me this much, it really does," Mike said honestly.
"Not at all, Mike," said Jack. "I've had my eye on a few people for this job, and I saw something in you—something the other prospects didn't have. So I decided to test you. When I knew I had to get rid of Latham, I gave you some of his cases, and you did great."
"You put others on his cases, too, though," said Mike.
"Yes, but you impressed me the most," said Jack. "You stood out. So welcome aboard."
Mike gave a grateful smile.
"Thanks, Jack."
"Are you about settled in, then?"
"Yeah. I stayed late last night unpacking and organizing my new office."
"Have you been getting the 'why the hell'd you transfer to Homicide' crap yet?" Jack joked.
Mike gave a small smile.
"Yeah, a bit," he answered. "So…did Arthur tell you anything about me?" he asked, referring to Arthur Branch, who'd recently left the post of Manhattan D.A.
"He said you were a 'hard worker' and 'one hell of a spitfire'," Jack replied.
"I hope the latter is meant to be a good thing," Mike said, a bit bemused.
Jack chuckled.
"I took it as southerner speak for 'passionate', and I think passion for justice is a crucial trait in an EADA," he said. "So I think it is a good thing."
Mike gave another small smile.
"Hey—I'm going to have a partner, aren't I?" he asked.
"Yes, you are," said Jack. "And I will tell you from having worked with her myself that you are extremely fortunate because she is fantastic. Very thorough, very talented, very reliable, huge heart…hands down one of the best attorneys I've ever worked with. I want her in this office for as long as possible, so you be good to her. Understood?"
"Absolutely," Mike said truthfully. "She must be one of the best, if you're speaking highly of her."
Jack smiled appreciatively.
"But seriously, you treat her well, or not only will you get your ass handed to you, you'll also have to deal with me, got it?" he said.
"Of course," Mike said.
"Good," said Jack. "She's great, though. You'll love her."
Just then, Connie Rubirosa entered the office, a mug of coffee in one hand and a familiar-looking, blue-backed document in the other.
Noticing that Jack was talking to a man she didn't know, she said, "Oh—I'm sorry! Didn't mean to interrupt!"
"No, it's all right," Jack said. "What's up?"
"Well, I've got good news and bad news," said Connie. "Might I recommend the bad news first?"
Jack sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, so as to fend off a potential migraine.
"I change my mind. I think I'll take you up on your Excedrin Migraine offer," he said.
"Aww, okay," Connie said sympathetically.
From the moment she entered the room, Mike hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her.
Damn it, Mike, quit staring! he mentally scolded himself. You'll creep her out!
He definitely didn't want his new coworkers—especially the female ones—thinking he was a pervert or a womanizer—or one of those chauvinists who condescendingly referred to all his female colleagues by some pet name. He'd had a boss like that—when he was fresh out of law school, working at a private firm. His former boss, one of the firm's partners, referred to all his female employees as "doll".
Mike recalled his mother's reaction to that when he told her about it: Bastard. So help me, Michael, if I ever catch you doing such a thing, I swear to God! That's horrible…
Yes, his highly intelligent mother had instilled within him a strong respect for women.
He awkwardly refocused his gaze to the floor and put his hands in his pockets. He wished his heart rate would return to normal. He didn't know this woman—he'd never even seen her before—so why was she having this affect on him?
"I'm glad that's a motion and not your letter of resignation," said Jack.
"Jack, what makes you think I'd resign?" Connie asked, surprised.
"Oh, it was just a fleeting fear that ran through my mind, since this office is going through an overhaul," Jack replied.
"Jack, I'm not going anywhere," Connie said in a warm, reassuring tone, a small smile on her face.
"That's a relief!" said Jack. "So what's the bad news?"
"The bad news is this," Connie replied, handing Jack the motion. "The Stanton case—motion to suppress the confession. Stanton's lawyer is claiming the confession was coerced. I'll be paying a visit to the 2-7 to find out what's going on."
"I appreciate that because we don't have enough to go on in that case as it is," said Jack.
"Tell me about it," said Connie. "But—I have an idea," she added.
Mike could tell already—this woman was smart as hell.
"There's something in his financials that's just not adding up—no pun intended," Connie went on. "I think it's worth a second look. Would you like to go over it when you're done here?"
"Actually, no," said Jack. "I want you to take our current case files and update your new partner."
"New partner? Jack, that's great—not just for me, but for you, as well! Wow…what a relief! Jack, that's wonderful!"
"You're telling me," Jack said, sounding even more relieved than her. "So what's the good news?"
"You sure you still want to hear it? It certainly can't trump your good news!"
"Two bits of good news are better than one."
Connie chuckled.
"Well, the good news is, somebody brought a bag of Starbucks Caffé Verona to the break room—it's very good, by the way—so we're not stuck drinking sludge. At least not for now," she said.
She paused for a second and then laughed.
"I can't believe I just told you that—it's not even important!" she teased herself.
Mike, who'd been pretending to be interested in Jack's sizeable collection of law books, bit back a smile. He liked her laugh. It was infectious.
"I asked," Jack said, smiling.
Connie smiled.
"Well—that ever-so-vital piece of information being shared, I am about to enjoy a second cup of said delectable coffee," she said. "I'll let you get back to your conversation."
"Actually, I want you to stay and meet your new partner," Jack said, with a nod at Mike.
Mike felt his heart start to beat fast again. He just had to make a good first impression. Jack spoke very highly of her. Mike really wanted her to like and respect him. He wanted to deserve being her partner. That's all it was. Her obvious kind-heartedness, the way she laughed, and the fact that she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen weren't part of it at all. Nope—not at all.
He didn't want to give her any reasons not to like or respect him.
"You two don't need me to baby-sit," said Jack, "so I'm going to take my lunch break now. I didn't get to eat breakfast this morning—too much to do. See you two later."
"All right. See you, Jack," said Connie.
Nervous as hell, Mike simply nodded at him.
Jack gave them a friendly smile and left the office, taking his coat off the coat rack on his way out.
Connie set her mug of coffee down on Jack's desk and turned to Mike.
"Hi!" she said kindly.
"Hi," Mike replied, his heart racing.
Connie couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. She also really liked his blue eyes.
"I'm Connie Rubirosa," she said, extending her hand.
"Mike Cutter," said Mike.
They shook hands, which fanned the immediate spark between them.
"Nice to meet you, Mike," said Connie.
"Nice to meet you…Connie."
They looked at each other for a moment.
"So, where are you from?" Connie asked.
Mike shrugged.
"Everywhere and nowhere," he said. After a pause, he added, "That sounded less like bad poetry in my head."
He shook his head at himself.
"That's all right," Connie said, smiling.
Mike really liked her smile.
"My dad was a turnaround specialist, so we moved around a lot," he said. "So, a lot of places…I was born in New York, though…What about you?"
"California," Connie replied. "Though my parents were born in Spain. They both immigrated here, but my siblings and I were all born here."
"How many siblings do you have?"
"I have three older brothers and two younger sisters," Connie replied good-naturedly. "How about you?"
"You're lucky," answered Mike. "I'm an only child…Whenever I was at a particular school long enough to get to know my classmates, the ones with siblings would tell me I was lucky. I would tell them they were wrong."
"I'm sorry you were so lonely."
"It's not your fault, Connie."
They made eye contact for a moment.
Then—
"How about we get to work, then?" Connie broke the silence, irritated at herself for letting him affect her the way he was.
"Okay," Mike agreed, nodding. "I'm gonna get a cup of that coffee and then I'll be right back."
Connie nodded, gathered the current case files, picked up her mug of coffee, and went next door to Mike's new office. She double-checked to make sure she had all the right files. The Morton case happened to be on top of the pile, so Connie decided she and Mike should start with that one.
A bit later, Mike entered the room, carrying a Styrofoam cup of coffee and a paper plate. He sat down across from her at his desk.
"Apparently, someone left cookies in the break room, too," he said with a small smile. "One's for you. Consider it a nice-to-meet-you present from me."
"Why, thank you," Connie said playfully, also smiling and taking one of the chocolate chip cookies.
And he's sweet, she thought.
She sighed.
It was definitely time to get to work.