ONCE UPON A TIE

Chapter 1

SPRING, 2007

It was a beautiful spring day and Macy's Department store in New York City was bustling the shoppers.

This particular Macy's in Herald Square was considered a landmark in The Big Apple. With its Beaux Arts design and Art Deco touches, not much has changed for this shopping store icon since the 1947 movie "Miracle of 34th Street" made this store a classic.

Mike Cutter had strolled into the men's department of that store, just before noon. A variety of ties in all manner of colors and fabrics were on display, neatly fanned out on two credenzas.

He knew some women considered shopping therapeutic, but to him it was a mission he needed to get accomplished. Get in, purchase, and get out in one fell swoop. Shopping today was a necessity for tomorrow would be an important day for him. Jack McCoy had been promoted to succeed Arthur Branch as District Attorney. Now Mike, along with two other candidates, was being considered for the position of Executive Assistant District Attorney, the second-in-command in the DA's office.

And he was here to select the right tie for that interview.

From the credenza, Mike first picked up a navy colored based tie with a geometric pattern of orange and gold. Upon closer inspection he felt this tie had 'Your objection is overruled due to boredom ' written all over it, making Mike put it back down immediately.

There were plenty of other ties on the table to choose from.

As he reached over for another one, a random shopper had hurriedly whisked by the tie display. With her huge bag, she had managed to brush against a line of the ties that had been on the table, causing a handful of them to come tumbling down. Mike watched with disdain as the careless shopper continued on her absent-minded way, oblivious to the mess she had created behind her.

Great, thought Mike sarcastically, looks like he'll be the one to pick up the ties.

Bending down, he began retrieving the newly fallen items. He paused when one of the ties caught his eye. It was an elegant periwinkle blue foulard tie. Holding the silky tie in his hand, its subtle, sophisticated design seemed to say, 'Your summation was brilliant, the defendant is guilty'.

Mike smiled to himself. Perfect, he decided.

Then he looked down and picked up the remaining ties, trying to rearrange them back on the display table.

.

Meanwhile, Connie Rubirosa had rushed through the entrance doors of Macy's, made a sharp left and was in the men's department in no time. It was lunchtime and she had just enough time to buy a tie as a gift for Jack's promotion party.

Once in the tie area, she saw what she interpreted as a nicely groomed salesman in a conservative suit, carefully assembling some ties on the table, The timing couldn't have been better, she thought. A second opinion from an expert would be most welcomed.

"Excuse me," Connie walked up to an unsuspecting Mike, who was busy still arranging the ties, "Do you work here?"

Mike's hands stopped organizing the ties.

Someone thinks I'm a sales clerk, Mike thought, smiling secretly to himself. Looking up, his intent was to correct her.

"Actually-" he began until his throat caught at the sight of Connie.

Standing before him was one of the most attractive women he had ever seen. The woman before him possessed a dark beauty with her rich, brunette hair and warm brown eyes. However her uniqueness went beyond her physical looks, for he sensed a strong intelligence mixed alongside her feminine grace.

He had never had such a strong reaction a female as he continued gazing at her. Unaware of the effect she had on him, she tried again.

"Are you a sales associate?" She inquired patiently.

Mike needed to think quickly. It wasn't often he came across such a captivating woman and if he said he was not a sales associate, that would be the end of their interaction.

"I can certainly help you." Mike responded evasively but helpfully.

Why did I say that? he berated himself.

Yet he did not retract his statement. When she smiled back at him, it seemed to brighten the entire store and it was his intention now to keep her talking to him as long as she could.

"That's great," she seemed pleased, "I'm looking for a tie," she stated as she turned towards the credenza and began looking over the vast array of ties shown, " for someone very special."

Disappointment filled Mike's mind at the thought that she was taken. But of course she was.

"I'm sure we could find something here for your boyfriend or husband," Mike looked down casually at the ties.

"Actually," Connie responded, still unaware of Mike's thoughts as she also scanned the ties "No...it's ... for my boss."

Mike felt relieved as he looked over at her.

"I'm glad."

"What?" Connie looked at him with a puzzled expression. This was the first time that she had a good look at him and her initial thought that he was distinguishly handsome with intelligent eyes.

Mike could feel his cheeks getting hot, "I'm glad you've decided to buy a tie from us. That's why I'm here."

He was surprised that lightning didn't strike him where he stood.

Connie attractively lifted one of her eyebrows, "O-kay...nevertheless...do you have an opinion as to what type of tie I should buy?"

Mike cleared his throat.

If you want to prolong this conversation, Cutter, he mused to himself, best to act like a salesman.

"In my professional opinion.." stated Mike in all seriousness, "Whichever tie you choose , keep in mind that they are the one accessory a man wears that can make a bold statement. It can say business, casual or formal. It can also reflect the kind of man he is, so it's important that you pick one that will send out the right message about him."

Mike slightly cringed. He needed to stop blabbering.

Connie scowled, "Do I really need to consider all of that, just to buy a tie?" she questioned, now looking slightly overwhelmed, "I just never realized..."

As she continued viewing the ties, all Mike could think about was, She's still here. She didn't go running out the double doors, arms flailing in fright.

"What type of profession or business is your boss in?" Mike inquired, "that's something to consider in your tie selection."

"Actually, he's just been promoted," Connie said, almost absentmindedly as continued to scour through the ties, "he's now the newly appointed District Attorney of New York City and...oh, wait.." she reached over for a particular tie, "I think I see a tie that I like!"

She had been so absorbed with the tie in her hand that she hadn't noticed Mike's reaction; that his eyes had widened as he took a deep intake of breath.

Her boss is Jack McCoy...the man Mike will be interviewing with tomorrow!

He tried to calm his senses. Connie held up the tie she had retrieved for Mike to see, "This one looks professional. What do you think?"

It was the cobalt blue foulard tie, the one that he had chosen for himself.

She was patiently waiting for his opinion. For once he was glad his many years as an attorney helped in masking his true feelings. And as far as her coincidently picking out the same tie he desired, let her have it, he determined, if it meant spending a little more time with her right now.

"Hmmm..." Mike pretended he was considering it, "Conservative, polished, yet conveying confidence... " when Mike looked at Connie, his entire face had brightened, "...I do believe your boss will think you have excellent taste."

Connie had a satisfied look on her face as she gave the tie a second look over, "Oh, with such a resounding endorsement...I'll take it!" she looked gratefully back to Mike, "Thank you! You've been such a help!"

He smiled modestly back at her, "Sure. Anytime."

Their casual gaze suddenly turned serious as they found they could not look away and suddenly the tension between them heightened.

Connie felt a warmth spreading throughout her body and her mind seemed blank . There was just something about him that unnerved her, but ...in a good way.

Mike knew he was attracted to her, and by the way she was looking back, he couldn't help wondering if she found him attractive, too.

What the hell was he thinking?

She worked in the DA's office and there was a possibility he may become her boss in the near future. A supervisor must always keep his professional distance. He needed to tell her who he was. Mike cleared his throat.

In the meantime, Connie looked down at her watch.

"Oh, my lunch hour is almost up," she announced, "... do you want to ring me up?"

She wanted him to call her?

All manner of telling her the truth was forgotten.

There was hope in Mike's eyes, "Ring ...you up?"

She held up the item she wanted to purchase, "Yes, the tie? Can you ring it up for me?"

Oh, he ruefully reminded himself, he was supposed to be the tie clerk. She wanted him to ring up themerchandise.

"Yes, the tie...ring up the tie." he regretfully knew this would not go any further as he shook his head, "No, sorry, no...but you can just go to the counter over at there," Mike gestured over to the far corner wall.

"Of course," Connie smiled gratefully. With tie in hand she proceeded to walk away while Mike turned back to finish straightening the ties.

What he didn't notice was that Connie had stopped in mid-stride towards the cash register, as if she had an afterthought.

I can't believe I'm thinking what I'm thinking, she thought.

Courageously turning around again, she approached Mike who was still busily arranging the ties.

Here goes, she thought as she hesitantly stood in front of him once more. Mike felt her presence and slowly turned to face her, privately ecstatic to be spending a few more seconds with her.

"Yes?" he inquired, his heart skipping a beat.

Connie took a deep breath.

"...Excuse me, " she gave a nervous smile, "again..."

"Do you need some more of my tie expertise?" Mike asked while he internally kicked himself. Really? Tie expertise?

Her lips curled into a slight smile, "In a sense, yes...I was just wondering...will you be here in this department tomorrow?" the room suddenly felt so warm as she felt a telltale blush, "...just...in case I need an opinion about another tie..." her voice trailed off.

I'm so obvious, Connie thought. But...she just had to know if she could see him again. As she waited for the answer, she mentally crossed her fingers at the same time.

Mike felt elated at the implication. Then reality hit and his hopes took a steep nosedive. This wasn't a movie where the lowly sales associate gets together with the lovely shopper at the end and then lives happily ever after.

Hell, he wasn't even a sales associate to begin with.

"Sadly, no, I won't be here tomorrow." Mike responded, his expression impassive, but in a low voice, he added, "however, I don't doubt that we will meet again."

Embarrassment flooded Connie's mind at the thought that she had read him wrong. He was only showing interest because he wanted to make a sale.

"Oh!...well...I understand...I ...should be going; lunchtime being so short and all..."

Connie couldn't help thinking that with each minute she stayed, the sales associate seemed to become even more attractive. She really needed to get her head examined.

"Yes, you wouldn't want to be late for work," Mike said causally before adding, "..it was very nice meeting you, though."

Connie felt a letdown; she would never see him again.

"Yes, of course,..." she looked slightly puzzled, "...it really was nice...um, meeting you," and she turned quickly and sauntered over to the counter, her heels making a distinctive clanking sound.

Mike could not help but watch her the entire way.

If he actually had been a sales associate, he would be running after her this very minute to tell her he would be at this very same spot tomorrow and the next day after that and the next day after that, if she had any intentions on coming back. Then he shook his head.

What is WRONG with me?, he asked himself.

And sadly he knew she would be asking that very same question about him tomorrow when he will be introduced as EADA candidate Mike Cutter.

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(A/N: Soooo glad to be back!)

(A special happy birthday to SilverChef!)

(Also, thanks for all the encouragement to get me to post: Diane, Sally, For the Defense, MoonlitShadows, Happy, and TuxedoCat)

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