Fin had managed to fall asleep too after a while. He woke with a jerk and tried to orient himself. He heard a car honk down on the street. First sound he heard from the outside. This flat was very soundproof. He'd never heard a neighbor since he got here. Total opposite to his place where every bad record played, every screaming spouse and hollering kid came through every single gap it could. He looked over at Amanda who was still sleeping. She'd turn to the side in her sleep and her legs laid flat. He could feel one of her feet just slightly against his thigh. She looked peaceful. He looked at his watch. 10:30 am already. They'd both slept good. He needed to visit the bathroom though and got up as carefully as he could. He managed to get out of there without waking her up. He did his business and then washed off as well as he could. He brushed his teeth and then left the toothbrush on her sink not knowing if he might need it again. He wasn't sure she'd let him sleep there another night without the doctor's orders. He headed back out.
As he walked through her bedroom he heard his phone buzzing on the table and he hurried to grab it before she woke. Too late though as he saw her stir before he was able to pick it up. He'd gotten a text from Olivia. He'd check it later and instead turned to Amanda who had open her eyes but slammed them shut again obviously disturbed by the bright light. –Sorry 'bout that. He said as he saw her put a hand over her eyes and forehead. –What time is it? She mumbled with a raspy voice. –Past ten thirty. He informed her and she let out a sound of dislike. –Better get moving then. She said there after and got her feet down on the floor without opening her eyes. –Are you sure you wanna head to work today? He asked as he saw her put her head into her palms just briefly. Her head was surely killing her now that the Tylenol was out of her system. –Why shouldn't I. She said without wanting an answer. She tried to stand up but it didn't go too well. Fin saw her loose her bearing and took the only step he needed to reach her. He grabbed her arm as carefully as he could not wanting to inflict any more pain to her injuries. His other hand waited just behind her back in case she needed more support.
She found her balance quickly though and gave him a look of both embarrassment and conflict. –I just stood up too quickly. She said quietly and stepped away from him making him have to let go. –I'll be quick. She said as she walked over to her bedroom. –Take your time, we have enough of it before we have to be in. He said to her back. –Yeah but we have to get breakfast, I have nothing to offer you here. She said as she disappeared and he couldn't argue with that having gone through her cupboards during the night. While she was in the bathroom he checked Liv's text. "How are you guys? I'm at the station. No footage yet though. Have nothing to go on." It read. He texted her back. "We're fine. I got nothing for you. She's a wall. We'll be in before shift starts."
He went into the kitchen to get himself a glass of water. He brought the empty beer bottle from last night for her recycle bin. Once with water in his hand he went over to the window and looked outside. It looked like a nice day out there. He watched an old lady water her plants in an apartment across the street. The lap top on the counter got his attention. He looked over to the closed door to the bedroom. Surely she'd be in there for a while. He put down his glass and flipped the computer open. He didn't find anything of interest on the screen, just the usual programs. He open the browser and checked the web history. He didn't find anything that would bring him closer to finding out what happen last night. He found a gleam into the personal life of Amanda Rollins though. There were a lot of theater websites and theater review pages. He had no idea she was into theater. They had never touched on the subject. They had discussed movies but never theater. He looked at her favorites and again found many theater pages along with news sites, a police scanner site, Google, twitter and a web help site. He wonder if she'd sit at home and listen to the police scanner. A sure way to burn yourself out. He shut the computer and went for a second glass of water.
She was true to her word. She didn't take more than 20 minutes to get ready. This morning's shower didn't seem to make her so refreshed though. She was very pale he noted as she came walking out with a pair of black jeans, a white tank and a plaid shirt with way too long arms. The last item probably picked out with purpose so she could cover her knuckles. Her hair was still wet and brushed back into a ponytail. He also noted she had tried to cover up her bruises. So he'd obviously missed some secret stash of make up somewhere in there. She'd managed to cover up the cheek bruise rather well but the jaw shined through and there was no covering her lips. It worried him that she seemed to have done this before. She'd gained experience enough to do it quickly and rather well. –You do know you make other women look bad when you manage to get ready in the morning in less than twenty? He smiled at her from his spot by the kitchen window. –On a good day I can break ten. She said as she finished button up her shirt.
They were out of there within five minutes and it didn't go unnoticed by him that the two security chains were on once they left. He wondered when she'd done that? They went down to the garage to get her car. He teased her about her hillbilly car as they got in and she retorted with a remark about his 'gangsta' car and how she wasn't quite ready for one of those yet. For a while they both were back to their usual banter and Fin enjoyed the view as they drove over one of the Triboro bridges. As he looked back over at Amanda though he saw her hand on the big steering wheel, her sleeve had slid down and her bruised knuckles were showing. She noticed him looking at her and she took her eyes from the road a while to meet his eyes. She followed his eyes back down on her hand and quickly changed grip. She avoided his eyes and as soon as he'd turned his head back to gaze out through his window she got her hand down and shook it so the sleeve fell down all the way. Of course Fin was still very aware of what she was doing. He didn't need to have his eyes on her to know.
They drove into Bronx under silence. Finally she had to ask him what he preferred for brunch and he told her anyplace would do. She parked right outside a small diner they'd visited frequently. They got a spot by the window and a waitress was quickly there to give them menus. Fin was hungry and ordered a big breakfast while Amanda settled with an omelet, coffee and juice. Fin dug in as soon as the food came while Amanda didn't seem to be in a hurry. He could tell she made sure her sleeves covered her hands at all times as they ate. He saw her gulp the juice rather quickly as she went for just a zip and he got the attention of the waitress and ordered her a refill even though Amanda didn't look like she wanted one. –Aren't you hungry? He asked when it was obvious she had trouble digesting the omelet. –It's just not that good. She tried but when he then told her to order something else she brushed him off with a shake of her head. The omelet looked fine and there wasn't many ways a diner could screw one up so he figured she just used it as an excuse. –You're not feeling sick are you? His question got him a stern look from her and then a shake of her head. She had some more juice at least but most of the omelet was left on the plate once they finally got out of there.
They got in to the station with a few minutes to spare. Both Olivia and Amaro were already at their desks. Olivia gave them a friendly smile as they walked in and Amaro shot them a Good morning. Olivia and Fin exchanged a look before Fin turned to his desk. Amaro had kept his eye on Amanda as she swung of her jacket on the chair and then sat down. –What happen to your lip? He asked with some concern. –It's nothing. She just said and focused in on the computer screen. Amaro looked up and met Olivia's eyes across the floor. Olivia just raised her eyebrows at him and went back to her business. He shot Amanda another look but as she seemed to be busy scanning her screen he too went back to his own. It didn't take long until Cragen came walking out of his office. –Munch needs back up over in Manhattan. It's one of ours after all. He said as he walked up to them. –Liv you got court right? She nodded at him. –Okay then the rest of you go. Details are sketchy. Munch will have to fill you in on the scene. Since Amaro was closest by, Cragen gave him the address he'd scribbled down on a piece of paper. Cragen had caught the sight of Amanda's face and watched her with narrow eyes.
–Can I just see you in my office briefly Amanda? He asked and she tried to hide the fact she knew what it would be about. –Sure captain. She said overly chipper and followed him into his office. As soon as they'd walked by Liv she rose and walked over to Fin's desk. Fin had already stood up and they walked away to the corner of the room. Amaro tried to hide his curiosity as he watched them. 'What was going on here today' he asked himself. Liv had already been in when he got there and she'd been somewhat secretive. He figured she might be focusing on the court appearance she had later on but there was just something… going on.
-Still no footage? Fin asked as they walked over to the back wall of the squad room. Liv shook her head. –And nothing on the search. There hasn't been a Jade in any case since she got here. –What about her old cases in Atlanta? Liv just gave him a look. –Okay I know you can't go through those. He sighed.
–Okay it's just… He started but stopped and looked at her undetermined. –What? Liv urged. –I don't want to embarrass her but she had a nightmare last night. I heard it. She said Jade. And Please and Help me. –Like 'Jade please help me' or with punctuations in between? –No it felt like she asked Jade to help her. –So not the perp then. Fin shook his head. –She hasn't given you anything? She asked and got another shake of his head as an answer. They just stood there for a while. –I guess we can't do anything then until we get the footage. Liv said finally. –I'll be in court but it shouldn't take long. I'll let you know when it arrives. Fin gave her a nod and as they saw Amanda leave Cragen's office they shattered. Fin went over to their desks. –Ready to head out? He asked as Amanda joined them and the three of them headed to Munch's crime scene.
Cragen had of course wanted to know how Amanda's lip got injured and the state of her jaw hadn't gone unnoticed to him either. She hated doing it but she lied to her boss. She told him she'd stepped in between a couple arguing last night. He told her she should have reported it. Assaulting an officer was never okay. She told him she just figured the couple had enough trouble as it was. He let her go with that. On the way down to the car Fin of course had to ask if she was okay and she gave him a couple of quick nods. Munch crime scene turned out to be rather clean cut. The victim, a woman in her late 40s, had been raped and murdered along with a male victim who had been shot. After questioning neighbors they found the woman was divorcing her husband and then the soon to be ex husband came walking back to the crime scene and gave himself up. It was always a treat when the perp came in without a fight. Munch had Fin and Amaro take him in for questioning while he asked Amanda to stay put to finish up the crime scene. Since Fin still wanted to keep an eye on her he of course asked if she couldn't ride in with them instead. When Munch withheld she should stay put he didn't push it, or to be honest the evil eye he got from Amanda made him not push it any further. This, Fin's concern, didn't go unnoticed by Nick. Of course he didn't say anything though, he'd not figured his senior partner out yet and didn't know how to address it without sounding just nosey. They got the perp in, took his statement and booked him.
Another case came in and Fin was quick to say he would take it with Rollins. He swung by and picked her up from Munch and once he had her in his sight again he felt calmer. Meanwhile Liv came back from court and soon she and Amaro was off to another crime scene. Liv called Fin around dinner time and asked if they should hook up to grab something to eat. It wasn't that often they all were able to get together and Amaro found it a bit odd as they later sat down together all four of them to have dinner. There was this strange tension hanging over them. Sure Liv and Fin spoke as they usually did, of course their respectively cases was the topic, but they were just throwing weird looks all around the table he felt. They tried to get his and Amanda's insight constantly. He tried to be helpful but Amanda seemed shorter than usual. Something was just off. Fin urged Amanda to eat, Amanda put her sleeve in the food and Olivia was just so mellow. He felt as though he was trapped in one of those Wes Anderson movies his wife had kept dragging him to. The dysfunctional family around the table and he couldn't put the finger on what it was he disliked with either the movies or this situation. He felt a bit relieved once he and Liv finally could ride back to the station to work on their case. Fin and Amanda had interviews and hit the road.