A Good Night

(A/N: Okay, I couldn't resist. I had to give Mike and Connie the ending they deserved because I don't know when I will post a new story. What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic! However, for you purist, I've also included my original ending which aligns much closer to the show. I hope one of them works for you. ..Thank you soooo much for reading and for your support. I am forever grateful. Kindly review for the last time!)

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Chapter 17

The Cedar Street Tavern in New York City, between 11th and 12th Street, is an upscale pub style restaurant. The current crowd consists of after-work revelers from Centre Streets' various buildings, including the DA's office. Many attorneys and police officers come here in search of good drinks, sports TV, and delicious, substantial meals six days a week.

And tonight Mike, Connie and Jack gathered here for a jubilant celebration. A simple hit-and-run case had turned out to be one of the most complex and convoluted murders ever. And now it was over at last. And to celebrate their success, all three were seated at one of the tavern's dining tables, happily raising their flutes, three- fourths filled with champagne, while Jack proposed a toast.

"Here's to two fine prosecutors," he announced, "who've managed to solve an extraordinary murder case through intellect, hard work and determination."

"To us!" cheered Connie, a happy expression on her face.

"Yes, indeed," Mike smiled as they clinked and took a sip.

In no time at all, their dishes had arrived. Mike had ordered a salmon Caesar salad, Connie had ordered a tilapia wrap with fruits plate, and Jack had ordered the rib-eye steak special.

Jack seemed especially satisfied, as he should be, being that this was a win for the prosecution.

"Nothing like ending a successful day with a hearty meal!" He announced as he cut off a piece of his steak and took a bite.

"Well, Jack, there's a hearty meal, and then there's a heart-y meal," Mike pointed out, tasting his salad, "...as in it going straight to the coronary-heart."

Jack caught Connie's grin along with Mike's as he viewed their plates.

"What do you two people, with your healthy consumption habits, know about how to eat!" Jack claimed, "This meal I have in front of me? It's the type of meal that will stick to your ribs!"

"And your waist and stomach, too," added Mike, his grin wider.

Jack guffawed.

"You may not want to talk to your boss this way, Mike," Jack kiddingly threatened, "After all, I might make you pay for any contempt fines that are sent to my office after each case you prosecute," he then turned to Connie, "Couldn't he one time get along with the judge?"

Connie had finished sipping her drink, "But Jack, you should expect that of Mike by now. It's happened enough."

"He's running this office's overhead account dry," Jack stated.

"Hel-looo..." Mike interjected, as he looked accusingly at both of them, "Why are both of you talking about me like I'm not even here? It's not like I intentionally go around annoying judges," he paused when he saw Jack and Connie exchanging glances, "...not this time, at least."

He then turned to Connie, "and just for the record Connie, you could have at least backed me up on this one."

"I could..." Connie responded, allowing the sentence to purposely linger, causing chuckles from the table.

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The meal being completed, it was time to head home. As they started to get up to leave, one of Jack's friends , who was a judge in the circuit court, passed by the table to say hello. Jack decided to stay and enjoy a drink with his friend, leaving Mike to walk Connie to her car.

Exiting the restaurant together, Mike and Connie were both hit by the dark silence and solitude of the night.

It had been drizzling lightly earlier. Fog had begin to settle end, causing the lamplights to look like fuzzy balls of light. The illuminated stars could not be seen as they continued walking the deserted street to where her car was parked.

Although they had enjoyed a delightful dinner with Jack, Connie felt nervous at being alone with Mike, enveloped by the intimacy of the night.

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Mike didn't so much as glance at her, as they continued walking. Surrounded by thousands of skyscrapers and parked cars parked bumper to bumper, the sidewalk seemed to stretch for miles. And yet, to them, it seemed as if they had only taken five steps.

Despite the silence they reveled in one another's company. At last they reached Connie's car.

"Here, let me get that for you," Mike held out his hand for her keys.

She appreciatively handed him the keys to unlock her door and then handed the keys back to her.

"Thanks, Mike," she said in appreciation, but yet, she still didn't enter her car. Connie found herself leaning her back against the car as she stared directly at Mike. He gazed back, seemingly mesmerized by her, too.

Then as if remember he was her boss, she folded her arms if making a barrier between them. But as the fog slight dissipated and he stood in here facing her, all she could think of was how attractive he looked in the moonlight. And she longed to stay.

"You know," Connie said, "earlier today I received a text from Katherine Scott. She wanted to thank both of us."

"That's nice," Mike responded, absurdly aware of her presence. He noted how she made little breath puffs every time she spoke. It was somehow endearing.

"Yes AND it turns out," Connie added, "that Tim Brantley asked her out to dinner tonight."

When Mike looked down to smile at this latest piece of news, Connie saw his oft-noticed dimples. Somehow, her knees felt weak when he glanced back at her.

"I'm happy for them, Connie...It's nice when you have someone."

But Connie was not sure if he was referring to the young couple. When he didn't elaborate, she looked off in the distance before casually glancing back at him.

"Well..." she began reluctantly, "I guess...I better be going, Mike."

"Sure, it is getting rather late,"he relented, "Good night, Connie," he bid her as he began to walk away. As Connie began to get in her car, she paused.

"Mike!" she said as she held onto the driver side window.

He turned back, a hopeful expression on his face

"You're not alone, you know," she stated.

Mike, not knowing how to react, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and looked off in the distance before he looked back at her, "Don't tell me, Connie, " he began, "I'm not alone because I've got justice on my side?"

As she watched him, she felt her cheeks prickling with heat. The image of Johnny suddenly came into her mind, but it faded just as quickly. She had mistaken companionship with Johnny for love. Being with the wrong person kept her one step further from being with the right person and it took her three long years to realize that.

"No, you'll never be alone, Mike" she said it softly, "because you've got me."

When she uttered those words, she watched Mike's mouth drop slightly and his expression showed surprised.

"What..." he was struggling with his emotions now, "What are you saying, Connie?" Mike asked, his eyes intense.

Their gazed were now intricately locked, both unaware of the coldness of the New York night.

"What I'm saying," she said quietly, "is that I don't want you to fall for someone else."

There was no movement or sound from Mike. Her words sent a ripple through him. All he could think about now was that the desolation he had felt throughout theentire case had suddenly dissipated. A victory in court could not compare with the elation he was internally feeling now.

His eyes lit with happiness with the thought that his feelings were reciprocated. His hand then reached up towards hers, fingertips touching the base of her throat causing her lips to part as her heart began to beat faster.

"Connie" a breath clogged in his throat and Mike couldn't seem to say more, although he didn't need to at this moment.

His fingers then began to move up, caressing the sides and front of her throat, drawing sensations to the surface of her skin. She gasped at the warmth of his touch, as shivers ran down her back. And when his hand settled on the softness of her cheek, she felt more intimacy and love with his mere touch than she had with any other man she had ever been with.

"Mike, I don't know why I ever waited so long," Connie's stated softly.

"It was worth the wait for me," Mike stated, his eyes warm with passion.

"I think we have a lot to talk about," Connie stated as she reached up and grasped his hand bringing it down to her side. They stared at the entwined hands, as their hearts beat together in harmony.

"Connie," Mike asked, "Would you perhaps consider going somewhere for drinks... so that we could talk?"

Her heart leaped at the way he looked at her. Smiling at him, her eyes sparkled, "I would absolutely love to, Mike."

So what had once been complicated between them, suddenly became collectively simple.

The End

(...here's the original ending)

"Oh?" he questioned, not knowing how to react to her statement, "I'm not alone?"

There was a pause.

"No," she responded. There was so much more she wanted to say; there was always something she wanted to say to Mike. But then she thought of Johnny waiting for her at home and she gave a half-nervous smile, "You're not alone, I'll be there fighting justice right alongside you..."

She felt her cheeks getting hot, knowing how dumb her statement must sound to him. But Mike gave her a grateful smile.

"Well, you know what they say about justice," he said, his voice sounding light.

Connie tilted her head with an accepting smile, "No, what?"

"Justice is the only game where the most important player sits on the bench."

Connie laughed. She was glad for the lighthearted moment.

"Anyway," he said, looking down and shuffling his feet before looking back up at her, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Connie."

She nodded. No longer leaning on the door of her vehicle, she watched his departure until his lone figure disappeared into the misty street. Connie remained until she heard the last of his footsteps.

"Tomorrow, then, Mike," she said softly to herself as she got in her car and then drove away.

It's complicated, after all.

The End

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Well, there it is. I've tried something new (more focused on the plot; alternate ending.) You let me know if I was successful. Thanks again for reading!

kindly review