This fic takes a glance into the lives of Cutter and Lupo leading up to the upcoming Easter holidays. Something new and unexpected develops in their professional relationship. Hope ya'll like*^_^*

Cutter/Lupo: friendship; potential romance

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

Central Park West, Manhattan, NY, 11:20am

Lupo continued to make his way towards the tall tree where Mike had agreed to meet him.

He didn't understand why Mike had insisted he meet him there, assuming that Mike wanted to clarify some information he had presented to Connie the day before, regarding the case they had been working on. He didn't understand why they couldn't have discussed business at the DA's office, or at the precinct. Mike had insisted they meet in the park, and Lupo was stumped as to why.

He glanced down at his feet as he continued to tread along the damp grass, rubbing his gloved hands together in face of the chill of the early spring air.

"Detective," Mike greeted the other man.

Lupo glanced up Mike, slightly startled to hear his voice. "Mr Cutter," he replied with a nod, a hint of urgency in his expression. "What was it you wanted to see me about? Is it to do with the Goodwin case? Sorry, Detective Bernard and I couldn't find any finger prints on the tire iron we located at the crime scene..." He was rambling, still baffled as to what Mike wanted to speak with him about, the district attorney having not disclosed any information in regards to this during the brief conversation he and the detective they had engaged in over the phone earlier that morning.

Mike glanced down at the ground as Lupo continued, seeming distracted. "No Detective, I didn't arrange to meet you to discuss the case. Everything's fine. We've got the daughter to testify, George Laramie's DNA that was found on the tire iron, Dr Roger's testimony."

"Well, what did you want to talk with me about?" Lupo wanted to know.

Mike glanced away from the detective. He paused for a moment. He slid his hand into his coat pocket.

Lupo's eyes searched Mike's expression for an explanation.

Mike hesitated for a moment, as though having second thoughts. He finally removed a square cardboard box from his pocket, and presented it to Lupo. "To give you this," he answered, his tone wistful, offering the small plain parcel up to the detective.

Lupo frowned at him questioningly, slowly taking the parcel from him, a hint of confusion hindering behind a wary expression. He glanced down at the small box, removing its lid, interested to find out what was enclosed inside.

Lupo's jaw dropped slightly as he laid eyes on the suburb gift. Placed on a nest of straw was a small porcelain egg, the top half of the gold outer shell elegantly decorated with delicate rose-pink rhinestones, and the bottom half of the egg decorated with sparkling crystals set on a glistening mother of pearl base. It looked exquisite. And expensive. Certainly not something he would like to see Otto knock down from his mantelpiece.

Lupo glanced back up at Mike, a wry smile forming on his lips.

Mike exchanged the smile, his eyes glistening warmly. "Happy Easter, Detective."

The end.

What do you think? Feel free to review:-D