Back at work the next day the 3 girls were afraid to say anything about it being quiet. They looked at each other and each one laughed and shook their heads, afraid to scud anything. It was just before 10am. Olivia came out and sat down on the empty seat at Amanda's desk, so she said, any news? Amanda looked at Kat who shrugged then at her Captain, erm, not that I can think of she laughed…. Why am I supposed to have any news? Oh no she said, just thought you might have heard from Nick last night. Amanda chuckled and sat back on her chair folding her arms, Kat pulled her empty chair over to join them, oh I wanna hear the gossip she teased. Amanda laughed, well you're going to be disappointed then girl as there's no gossip, and she turned to Olivia, and no, I haven't heard from Nick. I thought you would have heard from him 1st seeing as Noah is so hyped up. Oh don't start me on Noah sighed Olivia, almost midnight last night he was still bouncing off the walls with excitement. Amanda chuckled; I have a feeling his mom is just as excited but not letting on. Olivia blushed, well I'm not going to lie and say I'm not looking forward to seeing him, it's been a while she sighed. Kat asked, have you not seen him since he left either Captain? Olivia took a breath and looked at Amanda, well actually Noah and I took a trip to see him about 2 years ago she said, I had planned to go up last summer again, but Covid put a stop to that plan. Has Fin seen him? asked Kat. Yeah, said Amanda, he seen him last year when he went up to work with LAPD on a case she said, and he has been up a couple of times before that too. So, it's just you who hasn't seen him since he left then Kat asked. Yeah, me and Sonny she said. Although added Olivia, Carisi didn't really know him that much before he left, only a few months so they aren't that close. God the excitement must be eating away at you Rollins said Kat, and you're so calm, you're hiding it better than the Captain. Olivia went to protest, and Amanda burst out laughing. Yeah well, I'm not sure how I feel or how to feel really Kat to be honest with you. Things ended on a bit of a sour note with me and him, we didn't speak for just over a year, Kat couldn't hide her shock. Oh it wasn't anything bad she quickly added, it was just we didn't know how to go back to being just friends and some sort of a normal. Then I fell pregnant with Jesse and things got awkward for me an that. She shrugged her shoulders. Yeah said Olivia and rubbed Amanda's leg, but they both kept asking about each other, the connection, concern and care was still there, it was Fin and myself who were filling in the gaps for them.
And what made you change your mind then? Asked Kat. Well, I actually ended up in hospital and was pretty sick said Amanda with a sigh. Olivia looked after Jesse and Nick found out, next thing he was calling me concerned and it went from there she smiled. We check in with each other about once a month or so, well we did up until I ended up isolating there. Aww that's sweet Kat said smiling. I'm glad you're both back on track anyway, yeah said Amanda, whatever track that is she nervously laughed. Just at that Fin came in and made the 3 ladies jump. You 3 no work to do today? he said loudly. Jeez shouted Amanda as she jumped in her chair and clenched her chest, are you trying to kill the 3 of us Fin? He laughed uncontrollably. Sorry, you 3 were deep in conversation and no interest on what was going on around you, it was too good an opportunity he laughed. Christ Fin said Olivia, I'm getting too old for that crap she sighed. I can't be doing with surprises like that anymore. Yeah said Kat, can we have less of that please Fin, I near peed myself. Fin laughed again, sorry guys, here, as a way of apology I've brought you in some coffee. Amanda looked at the coffee cup. Um Fin this isn't our usual coffee stop she said confused, in fact, I know this place and….. before she could say anymore, he jumped in saying I know, I know, I was running an errand this morning and was told to pay this place a visit. She took a sip of her coffee and looked up at him, how did you know? He stopped her again, A lucky guess I guess he said smiling at her and winking. Huh she smiled, thanks Fin. Olivia and Kat thanked him for their coffees, and they had a drink. Wow said Kat, this is good coffee, where is this place Fin? before he could reply Amanda said, it used to be on the other side of town, that's why I haven't had one of these baby's in a long time. I actually thought they had closed down. Yeah, said Olivia, there used to be one of these shops close to me, but it closed down. Yeah, said Amanda, a welcome blast from the past. Hey, said Kat, you should try the coffee place near me then she said, it's amazing…. Not as amazing as this baby here, but it's a close 2nd. Olivia laughed. I feel like a traitor now to the other coffee places we usually go to.
She then turned to Fin, Ok so she said loudly, Amanda has no gossip for me she said, but I know you do….. nope, no gossip from me said Fin. Fin Tutuola enough of playing games, how's Nick? she said. Oh Nick he said, yeah, he missed his flight so he's flying in this afternoon. Olivia's mouth opened then closed again, you better not be playing me Fin she said, because I'll be setting Noah on you if that's the case. Amanda laughed, knowing Fin was winding her up. Fin looked at her and smiled then turned to Olivia and said, Nah I'm just playing with you Captain. Nick arrived safe and sound last night and I dropped him at his house. Which by the way, isn't far from you Rollins. Her heart quickened, yeah? She said trying to sound normal. Yeah, he said, it's a real nice house he said, I helped him in with his stuff last night, oh and he was very appreciative of your grocery shop he said to Amanda. She smiled. And how is he looking? Does he look OK? Asked Olivia. Amanda turned to face her, Liv, we know he's looking well and he looks ok she chuckled, we've seen him on Zoom, or as Jesse says, in his world. Olivia blushed, yeah I know she said, but on the computer and real life is completely different. Oh, Jeez Louise said Amanda, you're beginning to sound like Jesse now she laughed. Ok I'm lost said Kat and made a face. Amanda laughed, Jesse hasn't met Nick face to face she said, and she was talking to me saying in Nick's world and in real life, as far as I can gather, she thinks Nick is pretend. She shrugged her shoulders, she doesn't believe me when I tell her he's real, she doesn't understand. Aww said Kat bless her. Yeah sighed Amanda, it's been interesting I can say that she laughed, we've been researching LA and California and the more I look at it the more I just want to go on vacation now she laughed. Don't we all said Kat. Yeah said Fin. I definitely need one.
Just at that a case came in the 3 ladies groaned, saying knew it was too good to be true. They got started to work.
Amanda and Olivia were on their way back from the hospital, I'm hungry said Olivia, yeah me too said Amanda as she put her phone away again. No word yet? asked Olivia. Huh? Said Amanda, word about what? God, word about what sighed Olivia, Nick! she said, no word from Nick yet? Oh no, I'm not expecting to hear from him till tomorrow though replied Amanda, or maybe tonight to swap arrangements for meeting up tomorrow. Anyway, she said sighing, isn't he at some meetings today? I'm assuming no-one's going to hear from him today. Yeah, Olivia said. Amanda laughed, are you sure it's Noah who is hyped up about Nick and not you? The way you're getting on I'm glad I haven't told Jesse he's coming. I don't think I could cope she laughed. Aww I don't know sighed Olivia, I think it's just the thought of seeing someone different, if you know what I mean, after this past year, the thought of someone actually travelling down and we get to see them…. I know, it sounds stupid, Amanda sighed, no I know what you mean, it's something new kind of she laughed. Yeah said Olivia. What time is it? Erm just past 12.30 Amanda replied. We need to get some lunch when we get back. I'll call Fin and tell him for him and Kat to head on out.
Back at the station Fin and Kat were just finishing watching the CCTV footage when they heard laughter coming through the doors. They turned around and Fin said Oh my lordy lord. Kat looked at him and said what? Who's that with the Chief? That, Fin said, is Nick Amaro. Kat whistled, wow, she said, he's nice…. Before she could finish Fin said, yeah, yeah, you're too young for him he chuckled. Nick! he said loudly. Chief, he said a bit more respectively. Hey Fin Nick said smiling, they both hugged and patted each other's back. Fin stood back and said, how did you get in without a visitors' badge? Oh, he came with me said the chief, I met Nick as I came out of a meeting and he said he was heading over here so I offered him a ride. Yeah said Nick, putting his hands in his coat pockets and grinning ear to ear. SO, said the Chief clapping his hands together, is Captain Benson about? Erm no sir replied Fin, her and Detective Rollins are at the hospital interviewing a victim. Anything I can help with he said? No, no, I just thought I'd come in with Nick seeing as I was here, I'll leave you to it boys. He shook Nick's hand and said his goodbyes. Thanks Chief said Nick, was good seeing you. You too was the reply, and with that he left.
So said Fin, you and the Chief just happened to be at the same building for separate meetings he said teasingly. Yeah said Nick, nodding but he couldn't hide his grin. Hey he said, I'll tell you all about when I get more info Fin, I promise. Ok, said Fin as they walked over to his desk. Fin sat down and Nick looked around the room, he returned to Fin, looked at the desk and said, Ok to sit here? Sure, said Fin and gestured to him to sit. He pulled the chair out and as he went to sit down at the desk, he heard a woman's voice behind him. You not going to introduce me Fin? Sorry Kat said Fin and the 2 men stood up again, Officer Kat Tamin meet Detective Nick Amaro. Nick smiled and said nice to meet you Kat. Nice to finally meet the famous Nick Amaro she said smiling like a schoolgirl. Oh, I don't know about the famous bit he replied shyly, no, no, after this past week you're definitely famous she laughed. She then turned to Fin and said I'm just nipping to the ladies room she said, Ok said Fin, Kat and he tapped his desk, phone here he said sternly. Fin, she groaned, no ma'am he said I don't want either of them knowing about our visitor, so phone there now. Nick laughed and said Fin come on man. No, no, I wanna see their faces when they walk in was Fin's reply, Ohhh actually, I like that idea better chuckled Kat. Nick scoffed as he sat down again. He looked around the desk he was sitting at and smiled when he noticed it was Amanda's desk. Kat sat at her desk and chatted to both men. SO Nick she started, is it OK if I call you Nick? Only if it's OK that I call you Kat, sure she said, so Nick, which desk was yours when you were here? Fin laughed, as did Nick, this one I'm sitting at now actually he replied. Fin went to say something when his phone rang. Ok you two, hush a minute this is Liv. Nick looked at the desk in front of him and smiled then leant forward to the drawers, what are you doing? whispered Kat, just checking something out he smiled, don't worry it's OK he re-assured her. with a smile As Fin ended the call he said yeah he knows what he's doing Kat don't worry, but it's Rollins' desk, yeah said Fin, and Nick was the one that told Rollins what to put in there. Nick laughed and opened the drawer felt to the back and found what he was looking for. Jackpot he said, I'm starving. Kat sat open mouthed, how did you? I told you Kat said Fin, Nick gave us all tips, he never left while we had our secret stash and he laughed. Oh by the way Kat, Captain told us to go on our lunch, now?, I'm not going now she said, I wanna see this, yeah me too he said. Nick laughed as he opened the bar of chocolate he had taken from Amanda's drawer.
Around 15 minutes later the 2 ladies walked in and didn't notice Nick at 1st, Amanda was on her phone again, Olivia, when she looked up, stood still and stopped talking. This got Amanda's attention, she stopped and looked back at her boss, Liv, what's wrong she said quietly. Olivia smiled, nothing. She nodded towards her desk, looks like someone's taken your seat she grinned. Huh Amanda said as she turned around confused…. What are you….. At that she stopped and couldn't believe her eyes, there sitting at her desk was what looked like Nick. Nah it couldn't be she said quietly to Olivia, to which Olivia said, well who else could it be? She walked over and shouted Amaro, what the hell are you doing here in my squad room? Nick stood up and turned to face her, oh nothing Captain Benson he grinned as she wrapped her arms around him. Just having a snack at my old desk, he laughed. Olivia squeezed him tightly, Oh you have no idea how good it is to see you she said, as he hugged her and kissed her temple like he used to do. As she released him slightly, he said oh I don't know, according to Kat I'm famous around here this week. Kat blushed and Fin laughed. Amanda stood there not knowing what to do. Nick looked at her grinning over Olivia's shoulder and gave her one of his winks. When Olivia finally released him, she was teary eyed, hey said Nick, Jeez Liv what's up with you? She wiped her eyes and tried to laugh it off, nothing she said as he wiped a tear away, just me being a silly sentimental fool she said standing back. He smiled at her and said it's good to see you too, he hugged her again and kissed her cheek. She stood back and said my God what is wrong with me? she laughed, as Kat walked over to her. Nick looked at Amanda and walked towards her. Hey you, he said smiling at her, she looked at him and smiled, Hey you, she replied and walked towards him, he opened his arms and she walked into them buried her head into his neck and he held her tightly. He kissed the side of her head and she let out a loud contented sigh. Then he heard a sniffle coming from her too. Hey, he said as he put his hand to the back of her head and kissed it again as he rubbed her back, not you too, he laughed. She tried to laugh it off and hid her face in his shoulder. Sorry she said, Liv this is your fault for Christ's sake, you've got me all sentimental now, as she let go and he loosened his grip on her, He leant back slightly and wiped her eyes too and smiled gently. She looked up at him and he whispered, you've no idea how much I've been waiting for this moment he smiled. She half cried, half laughed, and said quietly, oh I have a bit of an idea. He kissed her forehead gently and let her go, Fin man, what have you created here? these 2 used to be tough ones who never showed this side of them. Fin put his hands up hey man, it's 3 against one now here, I've no male back up anymore now that Carisi ditched me for the courts. Nick had his arm around Amanda's shoulder and pulled her into him and squeezed her arm reassuringly. OK Kat it's up to you then he joked, hey man she held her hands up this time, I've never seen these two like this before, it's all new to me and I don't like it. They all laughed. Amanda looked at her desk and noticed the bar of chocolate on it. Tell me you haven't been in my drawer she said to Nick, Kat looked alarmed, they told me it was OK! Olivia laughed, of course it is she reassured her, isn't it Rollins? Amanda sighed, well yeah, only I was keeping that chocolate bar cause I can't get anymore she pretended to huff. Fin brought me those one's back from his trip a few months ago. Nick laughed, I'll post you some more when I get back he winked at her. Yeah, you better Amaro she playfully hit him and sat down on the spare seat at her desk. At that moment Kat's phone rang and she said, erm Captain if it's OK with you can I head out for my lunch now, yeah of course was the reply, I told Fin the two of you should go, yeah I know she said, but we weren't missing this reunion she laughed and grabbed her coat. Nick had just arrived when you phoned. Ah she said, Ok, yeah off you go. And she turned to the other 3, and if you two boys have no other plans how about we head out for lunch she said. Sure, I'm up for that said Nick smiling at her. Yeah, come on said Amanda, I'm hungry. Nick laughed, I see some things haven't changed then he said looking at Amanda, nope definitely not that bit anyway said Fin. The 4 friends sat out for lunch.