Force Chapter 10

Author's Notes: Hello my name is Meg and I am a reviewaholic. This is the last chapter of Force, and I wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed and faved. Wendell has agreed to watch Law and Order with me every week. Yay! Oh, and while I have watched L&O every week since I was 6, I have no idea about the actual workings of the American criminal justice system. I was taught by Lennie Briscoe and Jack McCoy. Speaking of Jack, I was originally going to have more of the trial in here, but then it would have been EPIC, and I didn't really want to have the fluff shoved back by the case. This was all about fluff, after all. If you guys want I can add an epilogue or post a deleted scene of the trial, but otherwise enjoy the happy ending!

Disclaimer: If Dick Wolf and his writing team could be locked up in my closet instead of Wendell, maybe this would really happen.

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"On the first count of the indictment, murder in the first degree, how does the jury find?

"We find the defendant guilty."

"On the second count of the indictment, kidnapping in the first degree, how does the jury find?"

"We find the defendant guilty."

"On the third count of the indictment, attempted murder in the first degree, how does the jury find?"

"We find the defendant guilty."

The gallery let out a collective breath. The judge ignored them and continued with his duties.

"Then I hereby remand the defendant to custody until his sentencing. Court is dismissed." He banged his gavel and got up, walking past the bailiff toward his chambers.

Mike got up from his place at the prosecution table, turning to Connie, sitting in the gallery. He grinned at her, showing both his dimples. She returned his smile, the first true one he'd seen on her face in weeks. The trial had been horrific, and seeing her there while they relayed the specifics of her ordeal to a jury was unbearable. At least Jack had let him cross- examine her himself. He was able to walk her through the entire thing, and hold her hand when she started to cry. Now the entire ordeal was over, and they could start to rebuild.

Connie walked around the table to Mike and threw her arms around his neck, whispering into his ear, "Thank you".

Mike smiled into her hair and whispered back, "You're welcome."

When they pulled away, Jack was looking at them. "Come on you, two," he ordered, opting to ignore the obvious chemistry between his subordinates. "Van Buren's taking us out on the town to celebrate."

Connie and Mike grabbed their jackets and briefcases, letting Jack lead the way out of the courthouse. Unfortunately they hadn't anticipated the media circus outside. The concrete steps were crowded with reporters, all shoving each other for their six o'clock scoop.

"Miss Rubirosa, how do you feel about the verdict?"

"Are you going to continue to prosecute gang related cases given your recent experience?"

"Will you still be working at the DA's office?"

Connie linked her left arm through Mike's right, and Jack put his hand on her other elbow as they walked toward street level.

"All I'm going to say is that I am not leaving the DA's office," Connie said clearly, letting Mike lead her to a cab. She climbed in after him, Jack following her. He slammed the door on the cacophony of voices, giving the driver the address of a cop bar as the cab pulled away from the curb.

"Nicely done," he said, nodding approvingly at Connie. She gave him a little smile and nodded back, turning her attention back to her arm, which had become linked with Mike's again. She looked up, studying his profile as he stared out the window. Feeling her stare, he turned to look into her eyes. Connie's breathing hitched almost imperceptibly. He gave her a full smile, showing both his adorable dimples.

A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of Sid's. Van Buren and Lupo waved at them from a booth in the corner, and Bernard saluted them from where he was waiting at the bar. A minute later Bernard joined them and handed out pints.

"Okay, everybody, I'd like to propose a toast," he called out, standing up to face the group. "To Connie Rubirosa, who was brave despite the horrible situation she found herself in. And to Jack and Mike, who nailed the son of a bitch to the wall."

"Cheers!" the others chorused, laughing.

"It's a good feeling," Connie sighed. "It's all over, and I can get on with my life." She unconsciously flicked her eyes to Mike, who smiled at her.

"Alright, Miss Rubirosa," Lupo stood up and offered one hand to Connie. "May I claim the lady's hand for a dance?"

Connie grinned and took his hand. "By all means."

"What am I, chopped liver?" van Buren called after them, giving a good natured headshake.

"Come on Jack, let's get the lovely lady a refill," Bernard said, giving his lieutenant a cheeky smile. Jack got up and left with the other detective.

"Oh, sure, leave me alone with the scorned woman!" Mike called after them, chuckling. He felt strangely light; everything was over, and now he could help Connie get on with her life. He was shaken from his happy thoughts by Lieutenant van Buren clearing her throat.

"Are you gonna do something big?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"What?" he asked. He was staring at Connie laughing on the dance floor with Lupo; she looked one hundred and twenty percent better than she had on the first day of the trial.

"I said, 'are you gonna do something big?' because if you do something big, you'd better be damned sure of what you're gonna do. I've been around for the demise of a lot of office romances- I need to know you're in it for the long haul with her. She's special."

"Yeah, I know...it's always going be hard with someone you work with, but she is special. And worth it." Mike sighed, smiling as Connie came back from the dance floor.

"Looking good out there, Rubirosa," Bernard chuckled, coming back with Jack, drinks in their hands. Bernard handed Lupo his pint and van Buren her gin and tonic, then slid into the booth to give Connie her martini and Mike his scotch. Jack slid in behind him, holding his Guinness.

"Thanks Bernard. How drunk would I have to get you to make you dance with me?" she grinned.

"That would be DAMN drunk, counsellor." He took a large gulp of his draft and sat back, sighing contentedly. "This," he gestured to his chubby body. "Is not meant to dance."

Everyone laughed, and Connie turned her attention to Mike. "How about you?"

"Me?" Mike's brows raised in alarm. "Yeah, sure—just give me one more drink."

"Right," Connie rolled her eyes and grasped his hand. "No way I'm getting out on the dance floor with a guy who can barely stand up. We are going right now. Jack, make him get out."

Mike turned to his boss, who shrugged. "I know by now not to argue with a determined ADA," he slid out of his seat and stepped back. Mike sighed and got out. Sure he wanted to get closer to Connie, but he wasn't much of a dancer.

Connie took his hand and led him onto the patch of wooden floor lit by coloured lights. She shifted her hold on his hand, guiding the other around her waist. A new song began to play, a slower beat thumping through their chests.

Somethin' filled up
my heart with nothin',
someone told me not to cry.

She looked into his eyes for a moment, then rested her head on his chest. She sighed, closing her eyes. Mike's breath hitched, shooting a look at Anita over his dance partner's head. She gave him a little wink and turned back to her conversation with Lupo. He sighed, trying to focus on his steps, leading Connie around the floor.

"Hey Mike?" she asked, looking up and giving him a little smile.

"Yeah?"

"Now that we're through with the trial and I'm free to return to court, can we have a talk? Before we get ridiculously drunk, that is." She smiled wider.

"Uh...yeah, sure—of course. What do you want to talk about?"

"Me and you." Under the lights, he thought he could detect a faint blush. "You've been there for me so much through all of this, and it's made me realize...well, it's made me realize that we—"

He didn't hear the end of her sentence, since he chose that moment to seal his lips to hers. She made the most adorable squeaking sound at the impact, then relaxed in his arms, kissing him back. It was amazing; sweet and hungry and heated and relaxed at the same time. Connie moved in even closer, winding her arms around his neck. She would have kissed him for so much longer if her need for oxygen had not won out. They separated slowly, meeting each other's eyes shyly.

"Wow," Connie breathed, one hand still on his shoulder. Mike, standing close with Connie still in his embrace, just gave her a little smile.

"Yeah," he returned. "Uhm...maybe we should go, you know, somewhere else to talk about this?"

"I'm actually really tired," she sighed, wrapping one arm around his waist. "Do you think maybe we could sleep on this and then talk about it in the morning?"

Mike gave her a lopsided grin "I suppose...my place or yours?"

"Mine, but you don't have to sleep on the couch." She laughed, taking his hand. Anita and the others looked on with sly looks and barely- concealed guffaws as they gathered their coats and Mike led her out into the fall night.

Author's Notes: Okay, now I know this is not exactly what I promised, but I couldn't go for smut so quickly after Connie's emotional ordeal. If you want an alternate ending, please just give me a shout. I'll be out of internet range for about 8 days around the holidays, but rest assured I'll be writing feverishly. For anyone who is reading my other story, I'll be posting one more chapter hopefully before Saturday, and then one probably on the 27th, if the muse permits. Have a happy and safe holiday season!!

Oh, and one more thing (a la Columbo): Please tell me if you're interested in my Buffy fic! I really like the way it's coming along, but I'd like to know if anyone is a Buffy fan!