Title: Inside These Lines – Part 9

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Law & Order. This is for entertainment only (and something I would've loved to see happen).

Pairing: Mike/Connie

Summary: With Connie in NY

Notes: This is my first Law & Order fic. I was watching repeats and I have always loved Mike and Connie and I was reading (and loving) DaisyDay's fic and I've always had an idea for Mike and Connie, but I had to spend a few days trying to work around the LA thing (that I didn't like).

Soul Provider

Ya got my heart, in the palm of your hand

Swear it's gonna stay there baby

Give me half a chance

You don't understand

The full intent of my plan

I've been waitin' for a long time for somebody like you

To give my love, all my love day and night

Just say you'll be mine for the rest of your life

Baby I'll show you why

I wanna be your soul provider

I wanna stay that way

For the longest time

I wanna be, your soul provider

Just say you'll let me

And darlin' I will

X~X~X~X~X~X

"Connie ... you've always known how I felt," Mike's voice was a little shaky as he continued. "But I haven't always treated you that way. I've been lost without you ... I'd give anything up ... I can prove you're more important." He waved his hands over the bed. "I don't want you to come back because of this."

"I handed in my notice before I knew about this, when you left I wanted to go with you." Connie let out a small laugh, "God knows I've been avoiding Dekker just so I don't have to go back."

"Really?" His face seemed to be a mix of disbelief and relief.

"Well, we have good news Mr Cutter," The doctor tapped the door as she walked in.

Connie turned at the sound of the foreign voice interrupting them. For a moment she wasn't sure what to do, should she leave and allow them to discuss his progress in private or simply step out of the way? She was pulled out of her thoughts and the decision was made for her when Mike reached out for her hand. He's just told her he'd drop everything for her but it still felt a little strange to be even this intermit.

"You're moving out of here onto the ward," the doctor continued. "Everything going well you'll be home by the end of the week."

"But he is still in a lot of pain? You're not worried about the blackouts and the memory loss?" Connie asked a little concerned they were moving him out because they needed to clear the bed.

"We'll need to monitor you carefully over the next few days," The doctor directed her answer to Mike, "You'll also need to monitor him once you're home." This statement was directed at Connie.

"Oh, we don't-"

"Thank you," Mike said cutting Connie off.

Signing his chart, the doctor dropped it back into the holder, "one of the orderlies and a nurse will be in to move you shortly."

"Thank you," Mike repeated with a half a smile.

Connie's eyes flicked from Mike to the nurse as she passed the doctor leaving the room. She was still a little unsure if Mike was ready to be moved.

"Are you ready to move," Sue entered the room with another young woman in tow. "It's going to be a few hours before we have Mr Cutter set up downstairs," Sue smiled up at Connie. "Would you like to get yourself some dinner, maybe head home a freshen up?

"Where are you staying?" Mike asked, his expression conveying he'd only just realised she didn't have an apartment to go home to.

"Jack arranged a hotel room," with a smile she continued, "it's not far."

"You can stay at my place, if you'd be more comfortable?" Mike looked around the room as he was searching for something he'd lost. "My things, I would have had my briefcase with me."

"Here," Sue interrupted, "any personal belongings would have been put into your nightstand." Sue opened the bottom drawer of a small portable table and pulled out Mike's brown leather briefcase.

The first thing Connie noticed was the blood, it only flecked across the front flaps however the back appeared like it had been socked. It was the first time she was confronted with the reality of how this happened. He was left bleeding on the pavement long enough for it to pool around him.

"My keys should be in the side pocket."

They seem to wait a moment for Connie but when she didn't move Sue opened pocket and handed her the small bundle of keys.

"Thank you." Connie knew she should look away, but she just couldn't, her eyes were transfixed on the dark reddish down stain.

"We have to complete a few scans and the paperwork to transfer him, take as long as you like, we'll be hours." Sue finished.

"I'm happy to wait," Connie said her eyes still not focused on anything but his briefcase.

"No, go shower, eat. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be awake for anyway." Mike squeezed her hand.

Connie finally turned back to Mike, "I'll see you soon," and with that she left the room, taking only enough steps away from the door to ensure that he couldn't see her before she stopped.

"He is okay now."

The sound of the nurse's voice caused her to spin on the spot, "I know."

"It's hard for the family, to see things like that. To wonder how or why anyone would do this to someone they love."

Connie has seen much worse than a blood-stained briefcase, "I guess ... I never thought of him bleeding. I mean I've been worried about his head injury, his memory ... But he shot him ... He just shot him. And for what? Mike didn't do anything to his daughter." Connie stopped talking when she heard her voice start to crack.

"Mr Cutter really will be okay, he has the best prognosis you could hope for. You won't do him or yourself any good tying yourself up in knots about what happened, why or what might have been," Sue placed her hand on Connie's shoulder. "I can arrange for you to talk to someone, if you think that might help?"

"I ... No, thank you. I was just a little shocked seeing that for the first time."

X-X-X-X-X

One month later

"Mr Cutter, it's good to see you up and about."

"It's good to see you too judge."

"No one said you were back in the courtroom."

"I'm not, another two weeks of medical leave and I still have to be cleared by the bar ... I'm here to testify today." Mike waved as he saw Alex waking toward him.

"Take care of yourself." The Judge patted him on his good shoulder.

"Thank you, Sir." Mike was starting to wonder how long the well wishes were going to last, he guessed his first objection would see an end to it.

"Are you ready?" Alex asked.

"Not used to waiting outside."

"Well I wouldn't get used to it, you're first up." Alex took her first step toward the bench they would both be waiting on. "Are you going to stay?"

"Stay?"

"Are you going to stay and watch the rest of the trial? "Alex explained.

"No." Mike smiled involuntarily, "Connie's coming in today and I want to be at the airport to meet her."

"I thought she was coming in last week.'"

"It took longer to wrap things up than she thought." Mike started to scan the passers-by.

"You're looking nervous."

"I miss this place. I thought coming back would be hard ... but ... l really do miss this place." Mike smiled hoping to make up for the edge in his voice. It worried him a little if that the bar may not let him back.

"People v Kane." A court officer called.

XxXxXxXxXx

Mike paced just behind the main crowd waiting at the arrivals gate, his arm only coming out of the sling yesterday. He hadn't wanted it for court this morning and he certainly didn't want it when he welcomed Connie.

If he was honest it still hurt, and he was sure he hasn't seen the last of the sling. But for now, he was waiting, he was in his favourite grey suit and no one looking at him would think anything was wrong. You wouldn't know just four weeks ago he was lying in a hospital bed.

The one thing that Mike was sure anyone looking at him could see was how nervous he was. Try as he might he couldn't stand still. She's had to go back to LA before he left the hospital, what if she's changed her mind. They'd talked every day, she was coming back to be with him, but would she change her mind once they were both together?

Mike ran his hand through his hair and quickly tried to push it back into place. Once again, he turned his back on the arrivals tunnel really not sure what to do with himself. Not sure why he had doubts when he didn't have any reason.

The noise of people moving signalled the arrival and turning he saw the first few passengers filing out the gate, most being met by loved one and a few bypassing the crowd. As more and more passengers arrived it became harder and harder to see if Connie was one of them. For the first time he thought she may not come at all, it hadn't been one of the doubts.

In an instant it all changed, he could see her. Head down, a coat wrapped around her and a scarf in her hand. All doubts seemed to be instantly forgotten as she lifted her head and he caught her eye. His mind racing, he just stared at her as she made her way toward him, what should he do? What would Connie do? What was expected?

"Hey, stranger," Connie said with a smile.

Without overthinking it Mike pulled her into a hug with his right arm, pressing a firm kiss on her forehead. "My god it's good to see you," he knew he was holding onto her tightly, but he couldn't bring himself to let go. "You must be exhorted."

"It's just great to be home."

"Let's get your bag."

XxXxXxXxX