A/N: Here we finally get to the meeting with Jack. :) The updates for this story will likely go on a weekly-ish schedule for the summer. My mother-in-law comes for her yearly seven week visit over the summer starting next week, so that tends to curtail a lot of the spare time that I have to devote to my writing (editing, proofreading, posting, etc). Many thanks to my beta, Tripp3235, whose suggestions makes this a better story. Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. I love hearing from you. :)
Disclaimer: Not mine. All Law and Order characters belong to Dick Wolf and NBC. I'm just playing with them.
Ground Floor by the Elevators, 1 Hogan Place, Wednesday, February 10
The next morning they arrive at the office at the same time despite having come from their individual homes. When they happen to be waiting for the same elevator, Mike chuckles. "Good Morning." He then leans in and speaks to Connie in hushed tones. "Seems like when we don't come from the same place, we still get here at the same time. We may need to work harder to avoid this."
Connie says her good morning to Mike before responding in the same hushed tones. "I thought you were going to be in earlier?"
"Didn't sleep well. Slept through my first alarm." Mike is apologetic.
"If it makes you feel better, I didn't sleep well, either," confesses Connie.
It's then that the elevators open and their conversation ends. When they get to Connie's desk and Mike's office, it looks like Jack is already in the office.
"Good morning!" Maureen says as they pass her desk. Her eyes contain a mirth that Mike and Connie find suspicious.
Mike nods and Connie says, "Good morning, Maureen. Is Jack in the office already?"
"Since eight this morning," says Maureen with a smile. "He had an emergency meeting with the Attorney General. You both can go in whenever you're ready for the meeting."
"Thanks."
Connie takes off her coat, puts her purse in the desk and puts her briefcase and overnight bag under her desk. She takes a notebook from her briefcase, a pen from her desk and heads to Mike's office.
When she gets to Mike's office doorway, Connie says, "You ready?"
Mike is just looking at something on his laptop and typing away furiously. "Give me a minute. Apparently, they got a break on the Milner case, we may have a lineup this afternoon."
"If they get one together, did you want me to go to the precinct?"
"Yes, if you can. I have court for the Edwards case." Mike continues to type furiously before clicking send and getting up from his desk. "OK. I'm ready."
"Remember you are to begin the conversation."
"Why do you think I didn't sleep very well last night." Mike and Connie cross the hallway between Mike's and Jack's offices.
"Oh, I thought it was something else." Connie gives Mike a look.
Mike smiles. "Perhaps it was partially that, too."
Jack is on the phone when Connie followed by Mike enter Jack's office. They close the office door behind them.
"Yes, that's good to hear Captain. Thank you." Jack hangs up the phone and looks at Connie and Mike who have just sat down in the chairs in front of Jack's desk. "So what the hell is going on?"
"As you have surmised, Jack, Connie and I have begun a relationship - a serious one, and after some lengthy discussions, we have come to the conclusion that neither of us can condone the conflict of interest that exists while she is my subordinate. Connie has chosen of her own volition to remove herself from the conflict of interest as quickly as possible."
Jack unable to suppress a grin at Mike's formal manner says with a chuckle, "You're not pleading a case in court, Mike." Mike's carefully constructed follow-up is instantly forgotten. He is left with his mouth open which he shuts as soon as he is aware of it.
To keep the meeting on track, Connie speaks up. "Jack, after Marcus Woll, I can't do it again, especially not long term, and if I have to choose between Mike and my career at the DA's office, I will find work elsewhere."
Jack speaks again. "Well, as you both know I made it work for a while with a number of my assistants, but it is an incredibly fine line that's akin to tightrope walking and it can put a lot of strain on the relationship. So why are you here? Obviously, one of you could have just gone out and gotten a new position before telling me." Jack looks at both Mike and Connie intently. Mike and Connie look at one another.
Mike finally speaks up. "We're hoping that you can help us find a solution that removes Connie from the conflict of interest within the DA's office."
Jack looks intently at his two subordinates before saying, "As I told the two of you after that abortion case last fall when Connie asked to be transferred to white-collar crimes, that it's not that easy and I'd have to find someone else to second chair for Mike."
Mike replies for them. "Yes, we know Jack, but we also know that you value Connie as an employee. All your reviews of her performance while she was your subordinate were glowing."
"Well, alternatively, I could just fire you, Mike, for sleeping with your subordinate." Jack's eyes are full of mirth as he says this, but Mike is still thrown slightly off his game.
"Yes, that is an alternative we had considered." Mike swallows visibly.
Connie smiles and says, "But if you did that Jack, you'd not only lose Mike, you'd lose me as well and you'd be looking to fill two positions rather than one."
"Touché, Connie, and I definitely don't want to lose you as an ADA. What are your top three choices?" asks Jack, now serious.
"White collar crimes and vice are my top two," says Connie. Let me think of a third and get back to you."
"How long will you give me?" asks Jack.
Connie considers quickly and says, "Preferably three months, but I'm willing to wait up to six."
Jack thinks quickly and counters. "I think there is a way to have you report directly to me while remaining Mike's second chair. Give me two weeks on that front and we'll back date it. If that works, it should take the conflict of interest issues out of your minds, so that you can do your jobs effectively again."
"OK," says Connie.
"As for performance reviews, we'll figure something out. If you still think that there's a need to transfer out, you'll have to give me a year to eighteen months. I know of some upcoming retirements in various bureaus in that time frame that will likely allow me to do some juggling." Jack looks to see if Connie is agreeable.
After a quick consideration, Connie says, "I think that's fair."
"Finally, keep your relationship out of the office. I don't want to see it, I don't want to hear it and I certainly don't want to hear about anyone else seeing or hearing it. If you have a relationship issue, fix it before you come back in the morning or don't come back at all." Jack points a finger at Mike for emphasis.
Mike is about to say something, but Connie cuts him off. "Thanks, Jack. I have to admit that I didn't think you would have a solution, but it was Mike who thought it would be worth it to give it a try."
"I'm glad someone had confidence in me," says Jack.
Mike finally looks up and says, "Thanks, Jack. What tipped you off? Because when I said that Connie wanted to transfer out, you knew."
Jack looks directly at Mike and says, "The fact that you two were working day and night on the appeals for the Woll convictions for months and I didn't hear one complaint from either of you in that time. I had expected that one of you would have come to me sometime during those months of overtime to discuss issues."
Mike considers this and nods.
"What sealed it for me was when you said that you had to go to your aunt's funeral in Oregon and you needed the Monday off to get back here. When you happened to mention that Connie was taking the same time off. You look like the goose that laid the golden egg. After our conversation during the Woll case, I just put two and two together."
Connie gives Mike a look and Mike smile sheepishly.
Jack notes this exchange and says, "Oh, by the way, Maureen suspects. She mentioned to me that whenever Mike walks past your desk, Connie, that he whistles some sort of happy tune, and we all know Mike isn't known for his happy tunes."
With this revelation, Connie glares at Mike who starts to shrug his shoulders before saying, "What? It's subconscious. I will make sure it won't happen again."
Jack is highly amused at this latest development and leans back in his chair. "Off the record, asking as a friend, how long have you two been an item? Sounds serious."
Connie and Mike look at each other and Mike says, "A month and a bit. We see it as a long term thing."
"Will I be seeing a wedding invitation in the future?"
This time it's Connie who pipes up. "It's a definite possibility."
This elicits a look from Mike to Connie that tells Jack, this, too, is a new development.
"Well, here's an early congratulations from me. I'll have Maureen do the research to find out how we can transfer you under my supervision, Connie. Mike, I'll need you to start drafting some notes for me on Connie's performance in the last few months. I will need them to do a transfer. If I recall correctly, Connie, your evaluation is in September?"
"Yes, it is, Jack." Connie smiles at Jack.
Jack nods. "Good. I hope that we can get this resolved to everyone's satisfaction and we can get back to the work of prosecuting criminals."
"I just have one question before we go. Aren't you worried that this will set a precedent?" asks Connie.
"Let me worry about precedent, Connie."
Connie purses her lips and nods. Mike and Connie get up from their chairs. "Thanks, Jack. We really appreciate you help. Connie and I will be relieved when you've removed the conflict of interest."
Jack nods in dismissal.
The rest of the day is a bit of a blur for both Mike and Connie. Mike has to prepare for the Edwards trial and then there is court in the afternoon. When they get back to their desks, Mike received a message that the police had apprehended a suspect in the Milner case and they needed someone there to watch the interrogation this morning and handle the line up in the afternoon. So Connie left immediately for the precinct and didn't finish up until after five that afternoon, when the girlfriend couldn't identify the supposed suspect. They were back to square one.
By the time she got back to the office, it was after six and she still had paperwork to handle. Mike wasn't in his office though his jacket and tie were hanging from the back of his chair, which meant Mike was still around. Glancing over to Jack's closed door, Connie could see a light underneath so it was likely they were discussing the Edwards case. It was confirmed later when Mike and his second chair in that case finally left Jack's office just before seven. Mike came by around 7:15 and Connie was still working on the paperwork to transfer the suspect's case to Vice. He sits in the chair beside her desk facing her.
"You almost ready?" Mike speaks in a low tone.
"Give me ten minutes to finish my thoughts and pack up." Connie uses the same tone as Mike.
"Did you want to eat before the workout?" asks Mike.
"No," says Connie. "Let's take our frustrations out on the elliptical first. How did the Edwards case go this afternoon?" The second sentence came out in a more conversational tone.
"Like crap. Our witness wilted on the stand like a delicate flower in the sun. Jack now wants us to plea it out."
"I know how you hate that. Do you have a choice?" asks Connie.
"Not really. The case was weak aside from the witness testimony and the defense raked her through the coals." Mike yawns. "Sorry, I really didn't get much rest last night."
"Why don't you go pack up and let me finish my thought on this line item," suggests Connie.
"How did the line up go?" asks Mike.
"Wrong guy. I'm just doing the paper work to transfer the suspect's case to Vice."
Mike yawns again, looks sheepishly at Connie and says, "I better get packed up then." Mike then gets up and stretches as he walks to his office.
"Good night, Connie. Don't work too late." Connie is startled by Jack's voice. She was concentrating so hard on that line item she was working on when Mike disturbed her that she didn't hear him walk past.
"Yes, Jack. Good night." As Jack is walking away in the near deserted office, Connie calls out. "And thank you."
"Think nothing of it." Jack calls back.
A few of minutes later, Mike is standing by her desk in his outer coat with briefcase in hand. Connie is putting her coat on and Mike sees some paperwork in her briefcase. "Are you bringing work home, tonight?"
"It's for my ride in the morning." Connie looks around the deserted office and says in hushed tones, "Since we agreed to go in at different times when we spend the night together, I try to keep my mind occupied or else what we did the night before just flashes through my mind." Connie smiles at Mike, whose eyes widen at first as he processes what Connie just said and turns beet red as he smiles back. God, he wanted to kiss her right there and then.
Mike and Connie walk side-by-side in silence to the elevator, occasionally touching shoulders. Mike knows he has to restrain himself or else they would be making out in the elevator. Meanwhile, Connie is trying really hard not to think how it would feel to have Mike's hands all over her body. They make it down the elevator and outside Hogan Place. Originally, they planned to walk to the subway and then walk to the gym. As they walk down the plaza to the road, Mike says, "I need to get my gym stuff from my apartment. Cab?"
Connie nods, in fear that she'd just jump him right there. Mike hails a cab when they get to the road and they manage to act civilized in the cab until they are out of sight of Hogan Place, then all bets are off.
It's like they are magnets and they can't resist the pull of one another. They barely notice when they get to Mike's apartment. They straighten their clothes as best as they can and run their fingers through their own hair before stepping out of the cab. Connie pulls some money out for the cabbie.
As soon as the cabbie takes the money, Mike grabs Connie's hand and pulls her into the lobby. He nods to the doorman's greeting on the way by. Connie manages to flash the doorman a smile before being pulled towards the bank of elevators. Being earlier in the evening, there's an older gentleman and his wife with their dog after a walk. The older couple smiles at Mike and he nods in acknowledgment while silently cursing their dog because he knows that they live on the floor just below his, so there will be no opportunity to resume their activities from the cab until after they get into the apartment. Connie smiles sheepishly wondering whether the couple can guess their intent from their appearance.
The ascending elevator is pure torture as another couple, who apparently are neighbors to the couple with the dog, get in a few floors up and they strike up a conversation on their latest activities this evening, which consisted of dog walking and neighbor visiting. Mike merely squeezes Connie's hands in regular intervals to keep their flame alive. After all, Connie didn't just overpay a cabbie to go home to get his gym stuff. Finally, the two couples leave and Mike and Connie manage a couple of quick kisses before they arrive on Mike's floor. When the bell rings and doors open, one of Mike's neighbors is waiting for the elevator.
"Evening, Mike." Mike and Connie step out of the elevator and Mike's neighbor steps in.
Mike manages a "Hi, Leslie," before the doors close on the elevator.
Mike pulls Connie along as she was preoccupied with staring at the elevator and Mike has some difficulty unlocking his door with Connie behind him. It takes three tries.
Once they are inside, Mike drops his briefcase and doesn't bother taking his winter coat off before pulling Connie in for a kiss. Connie drops her briefcase, bag and purse at the front door during the kiss. Soon, they are wrestling with the coats as they can't get out of them fast enough. They kick off their shoes soon after leaving the coats and in Mike's case, his suit jacket is on the floor as well.
The rest of the clothes come off so quickly that they are surprised afterward that all buttons remained intact. Not surprisingly, they ended up in a trail leading to Mike's bedroom. Mike is in such desperate urgency that he almost forgets the condom. It takes Connie to remind him twice before what she says penetrates the fog of desire. They consummate their desire quickly but passionately. In their urgency, it seemed like it was over before they knew it.
In the afterglow, when Mike is holding Connie and their breathing has returned to normal. Mike says, "I think we worked out our frustrations, don't you?"
"Yes." Connie agrees with a smile on her face.
"I don't think we need to go to the gym tonight, do you?" asks Mike.
"Not really."
"I love you so much." Mike kisses Connie on the temple. "But please don't tell me stuff like that in the office again unless you want me to take you right there and then. I could barely see straight after you said that visions of what we did the night before flashes through your mind on the way to work."
Connie turns her head to look up at Mike and they kiss passionately. When they break the kiss, Connie says, "I love you, too. What I said caught me by surprise, too. After saying what I did and seeing your reaction, all I could think of was your hands on every part of my body and I just wanted you."
Mike takes Connie's hand in his and he's tracing her hand absentmindedly when he says, "Is it too early in the relationship to ask you to move in with me?"
Connie takes her hand back to focus Mike and says, "We should at least wait until after I no longer report to you. What's the rush?"
"Remember I said that I didn't sleep well last night?" asks Mike. Connie nods and Mike continues. "That was a bit of an exaggeration. I wasn't able to fall asleep until four in the morning. After spending three and a half days with you, falling asleep with you, waking with you, I just want it to never end. I felt so lonely when I was in this apartment by myself last night. I've never felt that before. As you know, I don't feel very comfortable socializing for the sake of socializing, so I tend to do more solitary things and it's not like I've not had serious relationships before, but for some reason, and this is going to sound really corny and possibly crazy, I yearn for you when I'm not at the office and you're not with me."
Connie looks at Mike and smiles. Connie loves this vulnerable side of Mike that she saw last on the beach in Oregon. "That is so sweet. I really missed you, too, last night though I did finally manage to fall asleep by two." Mike shifts slightly uncomfortably. "What's wrong?" Connie asks.
"Sorry, I need to go clean up before this turns into a big mess and we'll have to change the sheets before we go to sleep. Why don't you order some take out? The menus are in the drawer by the sink. Go with whatever you feel like and order lots. I didn't eat lunch and I'm starving." Mike then gets up and goes into the bathroom to clean up.
A/N2: Did Jack's solution seem reasonable? I am quite surprised how much I enjoy writing Jack and how naturally he comes out. As always, feel free to point out typos and errors, so that I can fix them. Thanks for reading!