Mike and Connie's story reaches a final conclusion.

CHAPTER 11

Mike.

As she sat at his desk and looked up, she saw Mike standing on the other side with a probing gaze. She stared back, mesmerized by his presence. All thoughts escaped her except for the realization that he was standing right in front of her.

Instinctively, Mike reached down both his hands towards Connie. From where she was seated, Connie looked up at his accepting hands. Tentatively she placed her hands in his.

Both instantly felt the magic when they touched.

Wordlessly he wrapped his fingers securely around hers. She held on to his hands as she slowly stood up, pushing out his chair.

Lost in each other's eyes, they stood across the desk, facing each other.

United as one.

"You're here." Connie's voice sounded breathless.

"I'm here." His voice sounded a little hoarse and he could not take his eyes off her.

"I was on my way…to Boston…to convince you to come back." Connie forgot all about the invented excuses she was going to make up to get Mike to stay.

He looked at her, surprise registering in the depth of his eyes. "But I saw you… at Yankee Stadium with him…"

"No," she shook her head slowly, "there was no him. Ever."

Mike scrutinized her words, unable to believe what she was saying. But she looked back at him with openness.

"…so there is nothing between you and the model?" Mike really needed to know.

Connie at first had a puzzled look. When she realized he had been referring to Steve, she smiled gleefully.

"'Model', is it?" she bantered , " Is that his made- up first name? Model? Then tell me, if 'Model' is his first name, what is his last name?"

"…Of-the-year." He ran the words together to make it sound as one. He tried to keep a straight face.

Connie laughed. He liked the sound of her melodic laughter.

She noted his smile.

"I'm afraid he was at a disadvantage," teased Connie, "You see, Mr. Model-Of-the-Year didn't have cute dimples like you."

Mike couldn't believe she was flirting with him. But her eyes were filled with mischievous merriment.

"Oh really?" He tried to sound casual, but he couldn't help blushing, " -and when had you become so shallow?"

Connie became serious again.

"The day I met you."

He glanced down calmly ecstatic and noticed they were still holding hands. The thought that the attraction was mutual was beyond anything he could hope for.

All this gave him new confidence.

"In light of everything, I would love to treat you to a celebratory dinner," invited Mike, " I heard how you brilliantly handled the Henderson case."

Connie smiled but then reluctantly let go of his hands. "I'm sorry, Mike…I don't think I can do a celebratory dinner."

Mike was riding a roller coaster of emotions.

He stepped back. Nervously he put one of his hands in his pockets and the other one he ran nervously through his hair, "Oh…of course…you must be busy…"

But Connie had never stopped smiling.

"The reason why I cannot possibly go out to a celebratory dinner with you," she explained, "is because that would mean discussing a win about one of our cases. And I do not intend to talk about any cases over dinner. We should talk about us. Only us, if that's okay with you."

Mike was at a high point on that roller coaster.

"You do understand, don't you," he reasoned, " that what you just stated is the very definition of a… dare I say it… a date?"

"—a date" Connie repeated, turning the words over in her mind. A date with dreamy Michael Cutter. It thrilled her beyond words.

"I shall make it official." Mike pretended to clear his throat, "Connie Rubirosa, would you like to go on a date with me? Please?" He looked at her with a hopeful expression, which made him look all the more endearing.

Connie felt weak at the knees, but she played along. "Let me think about that…yes, yes and yes."

"…I see you're a little hesitant…" Mike said kiddingly, but pleased. He then indicated with his finger for Connie to follow him to his white-out strategy board located on his side door. On the way, he retrieved his expo marker from his desk.

"Maybe this will win you over." He raised his eyebrows mischievously and uncapped the marker.

Connie was puzzled. "Mike, you're not going to write out the strategy for our date are you?"

He shook his head and started drawing some crude lines on the board. Connie detected long lines, small circles and oval lines radiating from the circles. She smiled when he had completed his sketch.

"That is the loveliest bouquet of daisies I have ever seen!" Connie said as her hands subconsciously went up to her heart and she turned to face him.

"If I had known that I really did have a chance with you…" Mike began, " I would have shown up at your door with a bright bouquet of these. Now, before you make your final decision about a date with me, keep in mind that these are drawn from my heart."

Connie reached out and touched the drawing, being careful not to erase any of the lines.

Who knew that the driven, dynamic prosecutor known as Michael Cutter was really a romantic?

"The daisies are lovely and I would absolutely love a date with you." She reached over to give him a friendly hug.

The minute their bodies touched, however, it was something stronger than just an amiable gesture.

A caressing spark shimmered throughout both their bodies. They instantly felt a powerful surge of warmth radiating all over.

Mike wanted to kiss her. She was so close.

Their arms were still wrapped around each other as they stood, totally absorbed in the presence of the other.

Mike could not believe she was finally in his arms. She was so beautiful with those gentle brown eyes, he mused. Her loveliness captivated all of his senses.

As he started to lean in, he saw her lips slightly part.

Suddenly the loud shrieking siren of an ambulance from outside startled them.

They were back to the reality of the DA's office, the enchanted moment broken.

Smiling, they reluctantly separated, the magnetic pull of attraction slowly dissipating.

They became two once more.

The never- ending sounds of car and bus horns could be heard. The rush of traffic whooshed from down below on the streets.

It was a reminder that New York City was outside. And it was getting late.

"We should go," he gently stated and then added, "together."

He held out his hand again and Connie placed her hand lovingly in his.

Both knew nothing would ever keep them apart again

"Together," Connie softly responded.

The DA's office, which once was filled with a lonely darkness at night, was suddenly charged with a feeling of cherished intimacy.

The allure of the night was calling them.

As they strolled out of the DA's office at the end of another workday, EADA Michael Cutter and ADA Connie Rubirosa contently had thoughts only of each other.

THE END

Let me know if you liked the ending. Please review.

I've enjoyed typing every single word. Thank you so much for reading my story all the way through!

Please watch for my next Mike and Connie story, Motion to Suppress.

I can't wait to post chapter one!

Always keep a little romance in your heart!