There is some harsh language in this chapter.
It had been a month since Samantha Scott had joined SVU. In that month she became quick friends with all her fellow detectives; except her partner. Sam and Nick continued to butt heads nearly every day. Olivia refused to separate them because despite the fact they didn't get along they were "one hell of a team" as she put it. Everyone around them found their constant bickering quite entertaining, though neither of the participants did; they just couldn't get along.
"Once you get to know him, he's not a bad person Sam," Amanda Rollins told her as the two sat at Randall's Bar enjoying drinks after closing a case earlier in the night.
"I'm sure you say that about everyone Amanda," smirked Sam as she took a sip of her beer.
"He's helped me get through a lot," she told him. "You two are partners can you try to get along?"
Sam pretended to think about it before answering with a simple "Nope."
"Speaking of the jerk," Sam muttered. Amanda turned her head to see Nick and Dominick Carisi enter the bar. Carisi having spotted his coworkers made his way to the two of them while a reluctant Nick soon followed.
"Mind if we join you two," he asked.
"You of course not, him I do mind," Sam replied pointing to her partner.
"Hey kiddos relax," Carisi tried to ease the tension.
"I'm not the one with the problem," Nick retorted.
Amanda shot the other woman a look, quietly begging her not to say anything that could cause a fight while they were all out in public.
Sam had to bite her tongue to stop from speaking but starting a fight with Nick was the last thing she wanted to do.
"What? Got nothing to say? That's a first," Nick spoke.
This time she bit the inside of her cheek, "Amanda I need to go to the bathroom, come with me." She didn't allow her to speak as she grabbed her hand and dragged her away from the table.
Once the women were out of sight Carisi spoke up, "Why do you need to rile her up?"
"She always starts it."
"You sound like a child right now," Carisi laughed, "I've seen you antagonize her. You enjoy pushing her buttons."
Nick shrugged and took a sip of the beer the waitress brought over.
A few minutes later the women rejoined the table. "Why do woman need to go to the bathroom together. You need help or something," joked, once again in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"Girls gotta have their secrets," laughed Sam as she took another sip of her beer.
The rest of the night went by without any fanfare as the partners were able to get a long with no arguments. Sam later told Amanda that was because of the alcohol.
"It's not like I want to have arguments every day I just can't stand the guy," Sam added.
Amanda laughed, "Has anyone ever told you you're a stubborn bitch."
"Every person I've ever met," a smirk quickly spread across her face.
The gym was nearly empty as it was just after five in the morning; just the way Sam liked it. Her routine of completing her workout before work had gone back to when she first started working as a detective. Sam was a creature of habit and enjoyed her routine. She had only moved back to New York three months prior and quickly found the perfect gym and immediately took up boxing. It was always her first stop inside the gym every morning.
As she began her workout Sam spotted the all too familiar dark haired man who had become a thorn in her side heading right toward her.
"You stalking me Amaro?"
"I think it's the other way around," he retorted, "This place is big enough for the both of us Scott. Just stay out of my way I'll stay out of yours."
"I have no problem with that," she responded and turned back to the punching bag to continue her workout.
"How long have you been boxing?" he questioned.
Sam spoke, still focusing on the punching bag, "What happened to staying out of my way?"
"Your technique needs work."
She laughed, "You wanna go?"
He looked at her confused.
"Seriously. Let's spar. Show me what you got."
"You're on."
The two began to spar; both blocking each other's blows. Jab. Block. Jab. Block. Jab. Block. This continue for nearly three minutes until Sam's left hook caught Nick square in his right eye.
"Happy early birthday to me," she said practically beaming.
"When's your birthday?" he questioned.
"October 31st."
"Halloween. How fitting."
Another punch. This time in his stomach. He doubled over in pain.
"Aw c'mon that's all you got?" he egged her on, quite enjoying the way he could easily rile her up. "You're weak."
Weak.
Weak.
A barrage of punches barreled Nick as he moved his arms in front of his body to block the blows. He then grabbed both of her arms to stop the blows. Nick noted a quick flash of fear and could have sworn she flinched.
"Let go of me!" she shouted and struggled to release his grip.
"You're a fucking psycho!" he yelled releasing her arms.
"If I actually cared about your opinion that would wound me," and with that she walked away.
Nick was confused by the whole ordeal. She seemed to have gone from zero to sixty in seconds. From her usually crazy to downright insane.
That day at work Sam had acted like nothing happened at the gym that morning; that she hadn't completely went off on her partner. Neither one brought it up, that didn't stop either of them from making the smart remarks they always made.
Nick and his daughter knocked on he door of the small house. It was early on Halloween night but Zara told her father she wanted to begin trick or treating
early so she could get all the best candy. There was no way he could deny her; which is why he as currently dressed as a devil to her angel.
"Trick or treat," she smiled. To a surprised Nick, his partner Sam opened the door. Dressed in a corset top and shorts, with her hair in pigtails and face covered in Harley Quinn style makeup. Nick's eyes quickly scanned her body, Sam not noticing.
"Nice costume. It suits you."
"Same to you," Nick replies, "This your usual home attire?"
"Birthday party. Shame you weren't invited," she smirked.
"Daddy you know her?" Zara asked, not noting the tension between the two adults.
"She's my new partner," he told his daughter.
"Samantha,"
"Zara," the little girl replied shaking hands with the older woman. "You're very pretty."
"Not as pretty as you, young lady," Zara smiled at the compliment.
"Are you going trick or treating too?"
Sam laughed, "No it's my birthday and my friends are throwing me a birthday party."
"That's so cool," Zara replied, "My birthday is tomorrow."
Sam smiled before opening her clutch and taking out a fifty and handed it to the little girl. "Buy yourself something nice."
"Thank you Sam," a massive grin appeared on the young girls face.
Nick shook his head in disbelief, "I can't take that."
"Well it's a good thing it's not for you."
Nick opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by his daughter, "Daddy I have to use the bathroom."
Sam spoke up, "Sweetie you can use mine. Its straight down that way," she pointed.
Zara looked to her father for permission, after all this woman was technically still a stranger. He nodded his head for her to go.
"Don't pretend to be nice to her just to get to me," Nick spoke as soon as the little girl was out of sight.
"I'm not pretending," she told him "I like her very much. You not so much."
He sighed, this wouldn't get them anywhere. "Look outside of work we don't need to be around each other."
"You're the one on my doorstep," she smirked, she loved getting under his skin.
He shook his head, "You're insufferable Scott. The one thing we can agree on is that other than work we need to stay away from each other.
"That's fine by me."
Neither knew that would be a lot easier said than done.