Dance With Me

"Alright, no one bother me," Don announced as he walked out of his office into the bullpen.

Olivia looked up from her desk and smiled. "Just a sec, Captain," she said as she stood up.

"What?" he asked warily.

"Your tie is crooked." She reached out to straighten it. Her fingers delicately lingered at his collar as her warm, dark eyes sparkled at him. "There. Perfect. She'll be proud to be on your arm tonight."

Don felt a little flutter of something in his stomach. It was a simple domestic kind of thing she did and it felt foreign and comforting all at once.

"We won't expect you first thing in the morning, Cap," Fin teased.

"Make sure to be polite and hold the door open for her," John added.

"Okay, that's enough," Don grumbled.

He didn't bother to pay any attention to any other comments as he quickly walked out. The car should be there waiting already.

And sure enough, the black towncar sat idling right in front of the precinct. The door to the backseat opened and a fancy high heeled shoe landed on the pavement with its mate right behind.

Judge Elizabeth Donnelly got out of the car and stood before him looking like she belonged on a red carpet somewhere. Her blue gown was long and had a high neckline and long sleeves but it was perfectly tailored to her body to show off every single gorgeous curve. She was in damn good shape for a woman her age. Or any age. And Don's fingers twitched with the instinct to reach out and touch her.

"See, I told you you'd find a nice tux," she said in greeting.

"You look incredible," he said in awe.

"I should for what this damn dress cost me. Now get in the car or we'll be late."

He gestured for her to get in and closed the door behind her. He walked around the car to get in on the other side.

Once they were comfortably seated, the driver started off.

"How long do we have to stay at this thing?" he asked.

"Long enough to shake hands and charm the politicians," she answered.

Don grumbled to himself at that.

She sighed, "Just try to have a good time." And for good measure, she put her hand over his where it rested on the seat between them. "You do look very handsome in that tux," she added quietly.

And Don smiled.

They arrived at the venue soon enough and Liz found herself getting increasingly nervous. She and Don had known each other a long time. They'd been close for a long time. But they'd never done this. Never gone out in public together. It wasn't that they were ashamed or hiding, it was just that things could get complicated and they were happy keeping to themselves. When she was with the DA, they'd fooled around in her office whenever he had reason to come by. Obviously they didn't have as much freedom now that she was a judge. But they'd go over to each other's places with takeout and fall into bed together. It was easy. Familiar. Fun.

And now they were going to a party hosted by the Governor. Liz still couldn't believe she'd asked Don to go with her. She still couldn't believe he'd said yes.

When the car stopped, Don got out and went around to her side to open the door for her. He offered his hand to help her out of the car, and she smiled up at him, making his stomach tie in knots.

Flashes from cameras and shouts from reporters inundated them, and Don had consciously stop himself from frowning and hurrying past like he would if the media were hounding him during an investigation. He had to remind himself that he was here with Judge Elizabeth Donnelly, escorting her as her friend. That was all. Just two old friends at an event together. Although he had to believe she had more appropriate men to take to a shindig thrown by the Governor. Or really, she could have gone alone. She'd been friends with the Governor since law school.

Liz feigned a smile and waved at the cameras. She let Don take her arm and they walked in together. He was quiet and obviously uncomfortable in the spotlight, but this was all they'd have to suffer of it, thank god. She didn't like this any more than he did. But she was glad he was here with her. Hopefully they could have some fun.

"Wow, Elizabeth, look at you!"

They were greeted by the Governor himself. Liz gave him a hug and let him kiss her cheek. "Not so bad yourself, George." She pulled back and went back to Don. "Governor, this is Captain Donald Cragen of the NYPD."

Don shook the governor's hand. "Nice to meet you, sir. It's a pleasure to be here."

"Good to meet you, Captain Cragen. What precinct are you with?"

"Manhattan special victims," Don answered.

The Governor hummed knowingly. "Tough job. Important job. And if you're here with Elizabeth, you must be good at it. She doesn't suffer fools."

"No sir, she does not," Don agreed.

"That's right. Now, if you'll excuse us, Captain Cragen promised me a dance and I want to get it out of him before I drink too much of your fancy champagne to stay upright," Liz interjected, dragging Don away.

"When did I promise you a dance?" he asked in slight horror. Don Cragen hadn't danced in public since…hell, it might not have been since his own wedding.

"Agreeing to a dance was implied in accepting my invitation to the event," she explained.

"Oh no, you know better than to play implied consent with me, Your Honor."

She took his hand and gave a little smirk. "I'm not going to coerce you, Captain, but I sure hope you'll agree."

He couldn't deny her anything and she knew it. "Aw jeez," he grumbled.

She laughed. "Come on, Don, dance with me."

The band started up their next number, one that wasn't too fast, and Don took her hand. It had been a long time but he wasn't completely devoid of rhythm. They did a simple little waltz and he thought he did alright.

"This what you had in mind?" he asked.

"A dream come true," she teased.

He just rolled his eyes.

She added, "But I did want to dance with you, and I guess that's part of why I asked you to come with me."

"We didn't need to come to a black tie event just to dance. I've got a stereo," he pointed out.

"You would dance with me in the living room if I asked?"

"Sure, why not?" He didn't add what was in his mind which was that he'd do whatever she wanted if it meant he could hold her in his arms.

"I'll keep that in mind," Liz said. "Especially now that I know you're a good dancer. But I did know this was the only way I'd get to see you in a tuxedo."

"Well now I've got one that fits so you can see me in it any time you like," he told her.

She gave a small laugh. "Thank you, Don. For being such a good sport."

"You know I'd do anything for you," he said sincerely.

Liz readjusted her hold on his shoulder so she could dance up closer to him. He tightened this grip around her waist so they were pressed together. "Would you?" she murmured into his ear.

"I'd prefer not to test the theory," he answered sardonically. "But yeah. I love you, and I'd do anything for you."

She smiled, pressing her cheek to his as they continued to dance around the floor. "I love you, too," she whispered.