I just want to say that I'm totally making up all the legal stuff, I always research some things when I write (I just found out there are no conjugal visits in Georgia) but it's just a fic so I'm taking a lot of liberties with the judicial system.
Carl Patton was one of the only subjects that didn't come up in their conversations. They talked more about work, their families, almost everything but him. Nick was curios, he wanted to know what happened after he left, he hoped so badly the guy never hurt her, never lay a finger on her. But he never asked, not wanting to bring up the painful memory of the night that pulled them apart.
"They arrested her for the murder of Carl Patton" Alice said and Nick wasn't sure what to think "Nick?"
"I'm here" he walked from his desk, needing some privacy "what happened?"
"I don't know everything, I saw her yesterday and she was fine. But she called me a few hours ago, they arrested her, I already got her a good lawyer and I'm gonna bail her out but you have to get here, she asked me to call you"
"Alright, I'm gonna book a flight and…"
"Call me, I'll pick you up from the airport"
Nick hung up, the conversation seemed like a bad dream, how could this happen? Amanda was arrested for murder? He rushed to the captain's office.
"I have an emergency, I have to go away for a few days, I can't say much now cause I don't know…" he wasn't sure what to say, how to explain it. Even with the pieces of information he gave her, Berg could see it all over his face, he looked terrible and she told him to leave but keep in touch. He drove to his apartment and packed a bag while he called and booked a ticket. He texted Alice the details and she let him know she'd wait for him there. Nick's movements were automatic, he wasn't really thinking, all he wanted was to see her, hold her. What was going on?
"Nick!" Alice called him and he ran to her.
"Tell me everything" he said as they walked to her car, the hours felt like days and he had to make sure Amanda was alright "when did this happen?" he talked to her yesterday, she didn't mention a thing.
"I didn't even know he's dead until she called me" Alice started.
"Wait a second" Nick was confused "when did he die?"
"I don't know"
"What do you mean?" he needed her to start from the beginning "what happened after I left?"
"I'm not even sure what happened between all of you that night" she looked at him, she never got much information about the event that occurred "Amanda was really quiet and upset, Carl stayed away from her as far as I know. But after summer vacation he didn't come back to school. We all knew he was flunking so it didn't surprise anyone, and most people weren't bothered or upset about it, and now he's dead"
Nick needed to see her "where is she?"
"I got her a good lawyer, one she absolutely hates, I already posted the bail and he's gonna take her home"
"They let her out?" he was surprised.
"Tried no to, but this lawyer is good, Amanda once told me they can't stand him, we'll be at her place soon"
Alice parked the car and Nick jumped out of it and rushed to her floor. He spotted her at the entrance, standing next to a man, the lawyer probably.
"Amanda" he said and ran to her, wrapping his arms around her, she looked both numb and angry.
"I take it this is the boyfriend" the lawyer said when Nick pulled away, he noticed the front door was open and there was a man walking around in the apartment, it was messier than usual and he figured someone went through it.
"Nick Amaro" he introduced himself.
"Isaiah Washington" the lawyer shook his hand and the man walked out of the apartment.
"It's clean" he let them know "no bugs, you can speak freely"
"Thank you" Washington nodded at him and he left "the locksmith will be here in a few minutes to change the locks"
Alice joined them and she hugged Amanda.
"I didn't do it" she looked at Nick and then at the lawyer.
"That's nice, but it doesn't really matter" he said "and you won't say anything else to your friends here, ok?" he looked at Alice and at Nick "I'm your lawyer and we're best friends from now on detective"
"Yeah, ok" she mumbled, looking around, the drawers were open and there were so many things on the floor.
"I'll clean it up, ok?" Nick touched her shoulder, he could tell it bothered her.
"Good idea" the lawyer nodded and saw the locksmith walking towards the door "I will take the detective to my office where we will talk about everything"
"I'll take care of the clothes, start here, ok?" Alice walked to the bedroom when the locksmith was done and Amanda and the lawyer took off.
Nick nodded and started picking stuff up. He couldn't even imagine how she was feeling, someone went through everything in her apartment, touched her things, her clothes. Alice made a good decision washing everything. They were done a few hours later and waited for Amanda to get back.
"I know it's not the right time to say this" Alice sat down, the place has never been so clean "but I'm glad you're back together, I had a feeling you two are meant to be"
"Me too" he smiled, he was glad Amanda asked Alice to call him, wanted him to be there for her.
The door opened and Amanda walked in, her expression was still the same, a mixture of anger and numbness.
"Hey" Nick got up and embraced her tightly.
"How about I get us something to eat?" Alice offered. She wanted to give them some time alone.
"Alice" Amanda turned to her "I don't know how to thank you, I can't pay you back…"
"Shut up, that's not a problem" she grabbed her purse and walked away.
"Come here" Nick wrapped his arms around her again. It wasn't time for words, he needed her to know he was there.
"Nick" she had tears in her eyes "I didn't do it"
"I believe you, I'm here, ok?" he held her tighter.
"Thank you" she pulled away after a few moments and looked into his eyes.
"What happened?" he asked quietly, touching her arm.
"I'm not even sure" she shrugged and walked to the couch, she noticed everything was in place "I was working and then…the lieutenant called me. He was in his office…"
"He?" Nick figured there was another person in that room.
"Chief Patton" she whispered "Carl's uncle. He arrested me…I didn't do it…and, I called Alice, I needed her help, asked her to call you"
"I'm here" he grabbed her hand "whatever it is, I'm not leaving you alone, whatever happens" Amanda rested her head against his chest and Nick caressed her back. They remained like that for a while, Nick had a feeling this is what she needed right now, he'd ask her more questions later.
A knock on the door interrupted them and Amanda pulled herself away from him to open the door for her friend.
She showered while Nick and Alice set the table as if everything was normal, old friends who met up for dinner.
"So you two are detectives" Alice tried to lighten the mood "I think it's kind of cute. I'm glad you're together after all this time"
"So are we" Nick smiled at Amanda, but she just nodded "how's Alaska?"
"I like it" Alice said "it's home now. Ben and I are doing great, we have twins, a son and a daughter, Henry and Jane"
"I'm glad to hear that" Nick glanced at Amanda, she was chewing slowly and dragging her fork on the plate.
Alice looked at her too and Amanda raised her head, feeling two pairs of eyes staring at her "what?" she asked.
"I was just telling Nick about my kids"
"Yeah, they are cute" Amanda nodded and put her fork on the plate "I'm gonna go to bed" she stood up and was about to take her dishes to the sink.
"I'll do it" Nick took it from her "go rest"
"You're the guest" she tried to protest.
"No, I'm not" he looked into her eyes, he wasn't a guest in her life "come on"
"OK, thanks Nick" she said and walked to the bedroom.
"The lawyer is really good Nick" Alice could see how concerned he was "and she didn't do it so I'm sure it will work out" she helped him clear the table and left the apartment.
Nick washed the dishes, thinking about what Alice just said, it made sense, an innocent person won't be convicted…but Nick was a detective for a few years, he knew how these things worked, knew that justice was not always served.
Amanda was lying under the blanket and he tried to change his clothes quietly, not to wake her up.
"Hey" she said and he noticed she wasn't asleep.
"Amanda" he joined her under the covers and she moved closer to him "it's going to be ok, try to catch some sleep" he hugged her "we'll talk more tomorrow"
Amanda didn't get a lot of sleep, she tossed and turned the entire night and Nick kept on waking up because of her movements, he tried to sooth her. She felt guilty for waking him up and ended up moving to the other side of the bed.
When morning came he noticed her eyes were a bit red from the lack of sleep. He made her coffee while she was in the bathroom and was greeted with a smile when she walked into the kitchen.
"Thanks Nick" she grabbed the mug.
"I'll go get groceries later" Nick opened the fridge, it was empty, only a couple of eggs and a few pieces of stale bread. When he came over for the weekend Amanda used to buy things so he could cook for her.
"Yeah" she shrugged.
"Amanda, do you want to tell me what you can?" the lawyer told her not to talk, but she could probably tell him some of the details "do you know when he died?"
"They think it's been a few years, they found his body in a construction site a few days ago, I don't know anything else. But Nick, I didn't do it"
"I know" he leaned closer "I know. And we will figure this out, you have a good lawyer, he got you bail…"
"He's a good lawyer" she shrugged "the prosecutors hate him, but it doesn't make me look less guilty"
"It doesn't matter, as long as you're cleared, who cares what anyone thinks?"
"I care, the people in the department care. Have you seen the car outside?" she asked.
"What car?"
"They have a vehicle here, to follow me, make sure I'm not going anywhere interesting. I can't leave the city…even if Washington finds a loop, I'm not coming back to work, everyone thinks I killed him"
"We'll figure it out" he promised.
Amanda shrugged and didn't feel like finishing the coffee, she poured it into the sink and washed the mug. Her phone rang and she answered.
"Yeah?" she answered "ok, I'll be ready"
"What is it?" Nick asked.
"The lawyer, they want to question me, so he's gonna be here soon and brief me…I already know what he's going to say – plead the fifth"
"Do what he says" he patted her back "and tell him to give us everything he has, we need to check it out ourselves"
"What?" she asked.
"The best way to fight this is with the evidence, find the real killer and if we can't do that – we will find a proof you didn't do it"
"Yeah, you're right" Amanda smiled and walked over to kiss him "thanks Nick"
"I love you" he moved a stray hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead.
"How are you doing?" Isaiah Washington walked into the apartment. It was clear he wasn't used to defending anyone who's been living in a small place like that.
"I've been better" she shrugged and gestured on the couch "you want something to drink?"
"No, thank you" he sat down. Nick joined them and the other man gave him a questioning look "you realize I need to talk to her alone"
"He can stay" Amanda said.
"I'm sure you're ok with it" Washington looked at her "but he can't listen in, not now"
"I can help" Nick offered "leave us everything you have, I want to check it out"
"Fine, I'll give you what the DA has" he made sure it was fine with Amanda "but you still can't stay"
"Ok" Nick stood up, he walked to the bedroom and grabbed his things. It was an opportunity for him to go get groceries for them. He walked to a nearby store and wondered what they were talking about. Why all the secrecy?
Amanda said she didn't kill him. He believed her, he had no doubt she was innocent. So what couldn't he hear? What couldn't she tell him?
As he walked through the aisles with the cart Nick tried to figure it out. Alice said he stayed away from her, but what if he didn't? The thought horrified Nick, the fact that this guy may have done something to her. If he wasn't already dead Nick could kill the guy himself.
Amanda wasn't there when he returned, she left a note saying she was going to be at the station. They were going to question her.
Their time together was usually so pleasurable, they'd go out to eat, watch something on TV, they could spend hours in bed, just lying there, being close to each other. Ever since they got together things between them were so good. His mother was right, he was smiling most of the time, even though he was missing her a lot.
Seeing her like that hurt Nick, he wanted to do more, to make her feel better, fix the problem. But this one wasn't easy.
Nick placed the groceries in the fridge and turned on the TV. He didn't even realize he was tired when he closed his eyes. Maybe he didn't get enough sleep too.
Nick woke up when a bizarre sound came from the TV, it was a music video and he rushed to turn it off. The bathroom was lit and he realized Amanda was already back, she must have let him sleep.
Nick knocked on the door and heard a quiet come in.
"Hey" he walked into the room and sat on the edge of the tub, letting his fingers touch the water to make sure it was warm. Amanda was looking a little pale and he didn't like it "you ok?"
She shrugged and he caressed her cheek, feeling her tilt her head into his head. A tear ran down her cheek and Nick stepped into the water, making some of it spill on the floor.
"It's gonna be fine" he looked into her eyes "we will figure it out, I promise"
Amanda nodded, not looking very convinced. She chuckled and Nick gave her a questioning look "you're completely dressed in the bath"
"No shoes" he raised a foot and leaned back "this is not that bad, maybe I'm gonna do this again"
"Very funny" her fingers tickled his feet "maybe this is a new way to shower, something you brought from New York"
"A real time saver" he smiled at her.
"You have anywhere else to be?" Amanda kept her hand on his foot.
"Only here, with you" he replied softly.
"No work?"
"I'm in no hurry" he let the captain know he had to stay away for a while, he was glad his boss was supportive He figured Amanda didn't have that, her lieutenant asked her to come to work a few days after her sister's death and now...
"The water's getting cold" she mumbled, letting go of his foot.
"I'll leave you to it" Nick got up, his clothes were completely soaked and he grabbed a towel.
Nick changed his clothes and decided to cook something for them.
"Need help?" Amanda walked into the kitchen.
"You sure you want to? A source let me know you are not too good in this field" he grinned at her.
"Very funny" she crossed her arms "come on, I don't want to be rude"
"If you insist" he placed his hand on the small of her back and kissed her lips. He loved kissing her, loved the way her lips felt against his. Nick allowed himself to kiss her again, caressing her back. He was about to deepen the kiss when Amanda pulled away.
"What can I do?" she moved to the counter and gave him an apologetic look, feeling bad for pushing him away "I'm sorry, I'm just not in the mood"
"Don't worry about it" Nick smiled.
"I brought the file" she let him know when they had dinner "it has the coroner's report, some evidence"
"It can't be enough to charge you" he got up to go through it quickly.
Amanda chuckled and Nick sat back down "you know, I don't think they care, they just want to charge me"
"Even someone straight out of law school could handle this" Nick was pretty sure of it "and your lawyer is far from it"
"I thought so too" she shrugged "but…"
She went quiet for a couple of minutes and Nick gave her a questioning look "but?"
"Do you remember asking me how I got to homicide?" she placed her fork down and he nodded "I really thought that I was doing a good job, that what I did mattered"
"I'm sure it did" his words didn't seem to help.
"But it wasn't like that, Chief Patton and the lieutenant are good friends and that's why I'm there, he wanted to keep an eye on me…"
"Amanda, what are you talking about?" Nick wasn't sure what to say, why would he do that?
"At least this is a proof I didn't sleep with anyone to get the job" she stood up and placed the half full plate on the counter.
"I…" Nick followed her, staying close "you didn't do it and we will prove it, we will find something, and I'm going to be here with you, ok?"
Amanda nodded and tried to smile at him "thank you Nick, I love you" she wrapped her arms around him and Nick pulled her closer.
"I love you, and I am here"
Nick walked out of the apartment to get some air. He hated seeing Amanda like this, he could tell she was keeping something from him but he wasn't sure if he should push or not. Was she really placed in homicide just so they could keep tabs on her?
Nick didn't want to think that, he didn't want to believe someone would do something like that to her.
He meant what he said about helping out, she wasn't alone.
"Hey!" Nick heard a voice and turned to see a man standing there, he wasn't wearing uniform but seemed too young to be a chief "you Amaro, right?"
"Who's asking?"
"A friend" the man took a few steps towards him.
"What makes you a friend?" Nick had a bad feeling about him.
"I have a friendly advice Amaro" he said.
"I don't think I need it, thanks" Nick wanted to go back inside. He wasn't afraid of this guy but the last thing he wanted was more trouble.
"I'm gonna give it to you anyway" the man looked up and then back at Nick "you should go back to New York"
"What?" Nick didn't blink "is that a threat?"
"As I said" the man turned away "just a friendly advice"