Disclaimer: Dick Wolf and NBC own "Law and Order". I don't.

A/N: I wanted to write something fluffy because I'm ALWAYS in the mood to write M/C fluff. I had no idea where I was going with this story. I just had the idea in my head of Mike doing something really sweet for Connie, so I let the story take me where it wanted to go, and here is the end result! I hope you all like it! Oh—and Happy Holidays, you big lovely wads of awesome, you! You know who you are!

For June, Linus Roache, Alana de la Garza, Sam Waterston, Jill Hennessy, and Angie Harmon. I freaking love you people! :-P ~ Abby

Love and Politics

Chapter One: No Big Deal

"I'm just doing my job, Mike," Connie said humbly, as she and Mike made their way to Jack's office.

"You always say that!" said Mike. "Every time we're successful, you get humble and act like it was nothing! If you hadn't tripped him up like that, we both know we would've gone to trial, and we wouldn't have won…" he elaborated, referring to his and Connie's interview with a suspect.

Connie had presented the suspect with information he didn't know she had, which had caused him to talk himself into a bind. Knowing he'd been caught in a lie, he'd admitted he was guilty and ended up accepting her and Mike's plea offer of murder two, twenty to life. The two of them were just returning from Riker's.

"How did you find that information?" Mike went on. "And why didn't you tell me about it?"

He paused for a moment.

"Were you trying to impress me?" he asked, traces of a smile on his face.

Connie gave a sly, playful smile.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," she said.

Mike stood there and stared after her for a moment.

"You always do, you know…" he finally said. "Impress me…You always have. I've always thought you're very intelligent and talented…"

At that, Connie turned around and gave him the smile she saved just for him—the one that made his heart race and his breath catch in his throat. She then entered Jack's office. Mike stood there for a moment, dazed, and then mentally shook himself and followed her.

"So—to what do I owe this visit?" Jack inquired.

"It's about the Ronson case," Connie replied. "New evidence came up—"

"—Thanks to Connie—" Mike interjected sweetly.

"Yeah," Connie said sheepishly, trying not to smile. "He didn't know we had it and thought we didn't know about his dirty little secret, so I caught him in a lie, and we met with him and his attorney at Riker's just now. He's pleading guilty to murder two, twenty to life."

Jack smiled and gave an approving nod.

"As always, great work!" he said.

He checked his watch.

"Well—I don't know about you two, but I'm calling it a work day. It's five-thirty," he said. "I've already put in enough over time this week, and it's only Wednesday!" he added with a chuckle.

Connie smiled.

Jack put on his suit jacket, coat, and his favorite fedora.

He picked up his keys.

"Oh—before I forget—" he suddenly said.

He picked up two white envelopes off his desk and handed one to Connie and one to Mike.

"Those are invitations. They're for a gala fundraiser for me—not this coming Saturday but the Saturday after. My campaign manager's idea—not mine," he said with another chuckle.

Connie had already opened her invitation.

"Ooh—the Hudson. That's over on West 58th Street, right?" she said.

"That would be the one," Jack said.

"That's a nice hotel," Connie said.

"It is," Jack agreed. "My staff even hired a chamber quartet! What can I say? They go all out!"

"Well, I say they should, if you're going to beat that prick Chapelle!" said Connie.

"Indeed!" Jack concurred. "So, of course, I hope to see you both there," he added. "Well—you both have a good evening, and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning!"

"All right! 'Bye, Jack!" said Connie.

"See you, Jack," said Mike.

The three of them left Jack's office so Jack could lock up before leaving.

"You were quiet just now," Connie said to Mike after Jack departed.

"Oh," Mike said, shrugging. "I'm just never comfortable going to those ritzy kinds of events."

"Is anyone?" Connie quipped with a small smile.

Mike shrugged again.

"Wall Street moguls and their spouses are…Pretty much everyone in the top one percent tax bracket—and that definitely doesn't include me," he said.

"It'll be fine, Mike," Connie said kindly with a smile. "It's not like you won't have anyone to talk to. I'll be there."

Mike couldn't help but give a small smile at that. It wasn't even a full smile, but it still gave Connie a rush of the butterflies.

"Well—I'm with Jack," Connie said, mentally shaking herself. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mike!"

"Have a good evening, Connie," Mike said.

He watched her enter her office to pack up and leave.