She was awoke the next morning by her alarm. She smiled, saying to herself, 1 more sleep now, unless I have a nap or two, but that doesn't count. She felt so refreshed, she got up and went out to make breakfast. I'm gonna have to do some shopping for here and my own house she said. After breakfast she went and changed into her gym gear, thankful that she'd left it here, yet still no pj's Rollins. She headed out for a jog, then returned back to the house. Showered and ready for the day she put her gym stuff back into the machine, along with Nick's t-shirt and boxer shorts she'd been wearing to sleep in. She put them on a quick wash then went and put her flowers into her car. She drove over to her house, left the flowers under her tree, got a few bits of clothes and a pair of pj's and headed back to Nicks. The wash had finished so she hung it up to dry. Left her bag of clothes in his room and headed off to work.
She was the 1st one in, she checked the holiday rota and smiled, she had an idea so she took a picture of it and then went to sit down at the staff area. Olivia arrived in Morning Amanda, morning Liv she replied. Olivia went into her office checked for any messages and returned to the staff area to join Amanda. So any news? She asked, Amanda looked at her and said, no, not as far as I know, what about you? Nothing much, Rafael came over last night so it was a quiet one. He's looking after Noah for me today so Lucy can have another day off. Amanda smiled and said happy days. Olivia asked her did she do anything last night, and she replied, no I stayed at Nicks again last night, I only called in to collect my flowers, but made the mistake of sitting down, and I couldn't be bothered getting up again she laughed. Liv laughed and said you talk to Nick since yesterday afternoon? She said yeah, he phoned last night from the airport. Cynthia and Maria arranged to bring the kids to the airport to say goodbye. Seems they've been spending time together when Nick isn't around so Gil and Zara can spend time together. Olivia stopped and looked at her really? Yeah, she said, it's nice that they can get along for the sake of the two of them. I suppose they bump into each other at some stage when they are at his mums too though. His mum's in Florida this week isn't she? Yeah, he flew into Miami this morning to see her. He leaves tomorrow again to come back here. God I'm exhausted just thinking about it said Olivia. Yeah me too replied Amanda.
They didn't get to say anything else as the new guy arrived. Hey sorry ladies I'm looking for Lieutenant Benson, she's right here said Olivia. You must be Detective Carisi? I am yes ma'am Call me Sonny. OK pleased to meet you Sonny, I'm Olivia Benson, and this here is Detective Amanda Rollins. Amanda got up and shook hands with him. Pleased to meet you Detective Rollins. You can call me Amanda, she replied, or Rollins, either one's fine. OK Rollins it is then he smiled. Olivia then said OK detective, this is the staff area as you can see, Over here is the lockers for your stuff, this one here is for you, and here is your desk. Thank you, Lieutenant. Amanda went and sat down at her desk, she got a text and she opened it. It was from Nick, just arrived at my mums, flight was delayed, hope you have a good day at work x She smiled and replied back glad you've arrived safe, will talk to you later, new guy's just arrived xxx She smiled and put her phone down. Boyfriend? Carisi asked? Olivia stopped on her way past and was gobsmacked, Amanda looked at her and him and said, huh what was that? And he replied, boyfriend? This early it's usually the other half. Amanda looked at Olivia and smiled, saying, no, just a friend who's went home for Christmas. Oh sorry, me and my big mouth Carisi said, I apologise, Amanda smiled and looked at Olivia saying, no you're OK Carisi. Olivia looked at her and smiled and said right OK now we've cleared that up Rollins can I speak to you in my Office. Yeah sure, and they both walked into her office, Olivia closed the door after her and said, well he's subtle. Amanda laughed and said yeah I know, was I really that obvious, Olivia said, not at all Amanda, but even if you were, he was a bit quick to say something so personal literally 10mins after being introduced to you. Yeah, well you did say he was a bit forward and enthusiastic. Yeah I know, but I still would expect him to be a bit less so on his 1st day, especially the 1st 10 minutes! At least wait a day. Amanda laughed and said, yeah, well we're gonna have to be careful around him for a bit, till we get to know him. We may warn Barba and Nick. Oh we definitely are, the fact the 4 of us have been sneaking around and were none the wiser about either couple, woah….. hold up there Liv, me and Nick aren't a couple, erm sorry to tell you Rollins but yeah you are, trust me. Just admit it to yourself now, cause I didn't at the start with Rafael and well, just admit it now that's all I'll say. Well Ok, lets see how things go and you can tell me I told you so next week eh? Oh don't worry, I will Rollins and she laughed.
Before anything else could be said on the matter the phone rang and Olivia answered, Benson… Yep we'll meet you there. Amanda said case? And Olivia said yeah, do you mind taking Carisi with you? Amanda said no not at all. They walked out and Olivia shouted Carisi. We've got a case, go with Rollins to Mercy hospital. Rollins you lead.
In the car Amanda said, so Carisi tell me about yourself. What made you transfer to SVU, oh I fancied a change, I always want to learn something new, I'm currently at night school studying law. Oh really? Yeah I like to keep busy. Amanda said so you working during the day and studying law, have you a family? No, no I'm single he said, no kids, or ex wives. Just my parents my sisters and my nieces. They're enough for me for now. Who knows, someday that might change. Yeah Amanda smiled, you never know. So what about you he asked? Oh me? I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, my family are a car crash so I needed to get away from there and start a fresh. She smiled at the comment. Any family here he asked? No, no family. Just Benson, Fin, Amaro and Barba, they're enough family for me. You hang around long enough and play your cards right you'll be part of that family too. Yeah, I'd like that. So who's Fin, boyfriend? What, Oh God no, he's my partner, has been since I started. Fin Tutuola, that's his name. Then Amaro, she got butterflies in her stomach talking about him, he's Nick Amaro, he joined a few days after me. We've been here coming up 5 years now. Fin's been there near 20 years, as has Benson. You'll meet Fin later this afternoon, he's got the morning off, good, and what about Nick he asked? Huh wat about him? Will I meet him today too? Oh no, he's off all this week on holiday. And you'll meet Barba our DA tomorrow probably. Ah right OK. So you have a good Christmas Rollins? Yeah I did thanks, I was on call over Christmas, meant the other guys were able to take their holidays and spend time with their families without getting called away, but thankfully there were no calls yesterday. So did you spend it on your own? Oh no, I spent it with Liv, sorry Olivia, the Lieutenant, and her little boy Noah. What about you? Ah yeah it was busy with all my ones around. It's a special time for us, We all go to Christmas Eve mass and then have a get together afterwards. Then we all go to my parents house for Christmas dinner. Aw sounds lovely she said.
They arrived at the hospital. An hour and a half later they were back at the station, They brought Olivia up to speed and she said right OK, Carisi you got a car with you? Yes Ltnt. OK you get the CCTV from the area and start looking at that, Rollins and I will head out to pick up the suspect. Carisi said Ltnt should I not go with Rollins incase he starts trouble, Olivia looked at him and said, No, I think me and Amanda can handle it, we've been through enough over the years to handle ourselves. Ok sorry, it's just I'm used to going out and getting suspects etc and we always, well I'm used to doing things different. Yeah I see that Carisi, don't worry you'll get used to the way of things soon enough. She looked at Amanda and Amanda looked away as she tried not to laugh. They headed to the elevator. When Amanda and Olivia got into the car Olivia went on a rant about Carisi. Amanda said, I'm sorry Liv but I was trying too hard to keep my laugh in, he's very forward isn't he? How was he this morning with you she asked? Aw he was OK, he asks a lot of questions, thought Fin was my boyfriend, Olivia coughed and "WHAT?" Amanda laughed and said yeah he was just asking about the rest of the squad, I was saying about Fin, Amaro, and Barba, and he assumed that because I referred to Fin by his 1st name we were going out. Olivia laughed and said I can't wait to tell Fin that one. Amanda laughed too. Yeah, he was just asking about when he would meet him, and when he would meet Nick. Then asked me if I had a good Christmas, who I spent it with, oh by the way he knows I was with you and Noah, but that's it. Right Ok said Olivia. He seems to come from a big family, and he's Catholic. How did you find that one out Olivia asked shocked, Amanda laughed and said no he just said Christmas is a big thing for his family, they all go to Christmas Eve Mass. Ah ok.
Olivia's phone rang, Benson? Oh hey Rafael, Amanda smiled, it was odd hearing Barba be referred to his 1st name. Yeah Eddie is down the side of my bed, sorry I forgot about him being there. How's Noah doing? Oh good, thanks Rafael, I'll give you a call in a but to check in. She got off the phone, Amanda said, it's strange hearing you call him Rafael, actually, anyone calling him that. Olivia laughed and said, yeah, it took a bit of getting used to, still is and laughed.
They found and arrested the suspect and brought him into booking. Processed and interviewed it turned out they didn't really need the CCTV as he admitted to the crime. And told him where they could find the clothes. He was sent to the cells until he was up in court tomorrow morning for arraignment. Fin arrived at lunchtime and was introduced to Carisi. Hey mate pleased to meet you. Olivia brought him up to speed and then another case came in. OK Fin, take Carisi and you go to the scene, Rollins and I will head to the hospital. Twice in one day said Rollins, might just book a room there for the night at this rate, Olivia laughed and said, it would be easier if we did have a room there.
By the end of the day they were ready for a drink. Hey Carisi, you up for a quick drink after work? Asked Fin. Sure, just the one though as I'm driving, yeah, we all are mate so we're all only one and then home.
One drink later and Olivia said, right sorry guys but I've gotta go and let the sitter go home, she looked at Amanda and smiled, yeah I've gotta go too guys, I need to get some groceries she said. Hey when's Nick home asked Fin. Olivia looked at her, after 10 tomorrow night. Does he need a lift do you know? She replied, no I was speaking to him earlier when on my lunch, I told him to send me the details and I'll collect him. No worries, I would have offered otherwise. Yeah, I know, but sure it's handier for me to collect him we're not far from the airport and we're on the same way. That's a very good point Amanda Rollins said Fin, and she laughed. So what's his news then? Nothing much, he had a great time with the kids, he sounded tired, and he thought he'd send me a picture of an outdoor gym in the heat. So yeah, while we're freezing our butts off here he was getting a suntan while at the gym. Liv we need to do something about our gym, it's shit compared to his workout this morning. Olivia laughed. Aww I'm jealous said Fin, yeah me to she replied. Olivia said right guys I'm off, I'll see you all in the morning. Night Liv said Fin and Amanda, Night Lieutenant said Carisi. She walked out and Amanda finished her drink and got her coat. So where is Nick asked Carisi. Fin looked at Amanda and he said, he's in LA visiting his family. Actually, said Amanda he's in Miami today with his mum. Fin said oh yeah, I forgot she was staying there this week. And he's not back till…. I told you this morning Carisi, he's back at work on Friday. Oh yeah, he said, sorry. Fin looked at Amanda and said hey you know what I'll head on with you Rollins that ok with you Carisi? Yeah I'm just going to go to the little boy's room and head off myself. OK mate see you tomorrow. See you tomorrow guys, Bye Carisi said Amanda.
Out at the cars Fin said, hey what's up? You missing Nick? Amanda was shocked and said, what, no, why would I be missing Nick? He said, well you've no-one to have to little fights with, or no-one to wind up. Ah no, to be honest it's nice to have a break from that she laughed, it gets boring when he doesn't bite. Fin laughed and said yeah, that really pisses you off when he doesn't bite back. You're face says it all, and when he just grins at you or ignores you it's even better. That's what makes it funny. Anyway what's Carisi all about? Amanda said oh I don't know, he asks a lot of questions and assumes a lot. Like asking about when Nick was back, in there, we had that conversation this morning. I'm just on my guard with him at the minute until I get to know him better. OK thanks for the heads up Amanda. They both hugged and Carisi walked out and saw them. Hey Rollins, you told me he wasn't your boyfriend. Amanda's face reddened and she rolled her eyes to Fin, he saw her ready to explode. Me and Rollins? Dude that's like dating my kid sister! No offence Amanda, she said hey it's OK, I already told him that too, and why we call you Fin. Yeah cause I tell them to, just like I told you to call me Fin. Oh OK sorry both, I jumped to the wrong conclusion, hell yeah you did replied Fin. OK Goodnight guys I'll see you both in the morning, Will do said Amanda. She looked at Fin and said, see, and he said, yeah, we'll keep an eye on that one alright. They said goodnight again and headed home.