L&O fic: "Chances"
Title: Chances
Fandom: Law & Order
Characters: Mike Cutter/Connie Rubirosa
Rating: PG
Word Count: 487
Summary: Post-ep for 20x03 “Great Satan.”
Author’s notes: Inspired by discussion over at johnjmccoy, including remarks from inanna7 who said she wanted to see Connie having words with Sameer.
“Thank you. Thank you so much,” the man told the attorneys gratefully.
From across the table, Mike Cutter and Connie Rubirosa eyed the would-be deportee with trepidation.
“You’ve been given a second chance, Mr. Armed,” Mike said seriously. He was about to go on about civic responsibility when Connie interjected.
“Don’t screw it up,” she said. Though her arms were crossed and her tone was a bit harsh, Connie’s eyes were concerned. “People make it in this country every day without doing things illegally.”
Mike glanced at her and knew she was thinking of her own parents, who’d worked hard to provide for her family after immigrating from Spain.
“I won’t take it for granted,” Sameer assured them both.
“Good, because there won’t be a third chance,” Connie said, wondering if the man was truly sincere.
“You have my word.” Sameer looked at her with such conviction that Connie couldn’t help believe him, at least for a moment.
Later that evening, as she and Mike walked to her apartment from dinner, Connie wondered aloud, “You think Sameer meant it? About not screwing up again?”
“He damn well better have,” Mike said, arm around her waist as they went.
“You still wouldn’t have minded seeing him kicked back to Syria,” Connie looked over at him.
“No, I wouldn’t have minded,” Mike said plainly. “We put our asses on the line for him, our office looked like idiots-along with the NYPD-because of him.”
“And yet you argued pretty ardently for him in court today,” Connie said.
There was a brief pause as Mike searched for what to say. “It’s not always about what I want or what I think is right.” He sighed. “The case law was a bitch to go through, getting the hearing was a pain and I’m not sure our guy won’t be out selling illegal electronics again…but…”
After a lengthier pause, Connie asked, “But…what...?”
“You thought it was worth pursuing,” Mike finally said. “If you thought it was the right thing to do…it…probably was.”
“Everyone makes mistakes,” Connie said, “Where would any of us be without someone giving us a chance or two?”
Mike nodded, “There was that, too.” He didn’t elaborate on the fact that he’d also been moved by remembering the chances she’d given him over the course of their relationship. He did add quietly, “Besides…your face…when Sameer gave up his citizenship on the stand…”
Connie looked up at him questioningly.
“It was the right thing to do,” Mike said, “But...I also hate to see you unhappy, you know.”
With a little smile, Connie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He kissed her back a bit sheepishly.
“I’m sure it won’t be long before you can figuratively kick someone else’s ass. I was kind of surprised you didn’t indict Lupo and Bernard like you threatened, actually,” she teased.
He smiled. “You have no idea how tempted I was…”
Fandom: Law & Order
Characters: Mike Cutter/Connie Rubirosa
Rating: PG
Word Count: 487
Summary: Post-ep for 20x03 “Great Satan.”
Author’s notes: Inspired by discussion over at johnjmccoy, including remarks from inanna7 who said she wanted to see Connie having words with Sameer.
“Thank you. Thank you so much,” the man told the attorneys gratefully.
From across the table, Mike Cutter and Connie Rubirosa eyed the would-be deportee with trepidation.
“You’ve been given a second chance, Mr. Armed,” Mike said seriously. He was about to go on about civic responsibility when Connie interjected.
“Don’t screw it up,” she said. Though her arms were crossed and her tone was a bit harsh, Connie’s eyes were concerned. “People make it in this country every day without doing things illegally.”
Mike glanced at her and knew she was thinking of her own parents, who’d worked hard to provide for her family after immigrating from Spain.
“I won’t take it for granted,” Sameer assured them both.
“Good, because there won’t be a third chance,” Connie said, wondering if the man was truly sincere.
“You have my word.” Sameer looked at her with such conviction that Connie couldn’t help believe him, at least for a moment.
Later that evening, as she and Mike walked to her apartment from dinner, Connie wondered aloud, “You think Sameer meant it? About not screwing up again?”
“He damn well better have,” Mike said, arm around her waist as they went.
“You still wouldn’t have minded seeing him kicked back to Syria,” Connie looked over at him.
“No, I wouldn’t have minded,” Mike said plainly. “We put our asses on the line for him, our office looked like idiots-along with the NYPD-because of him.”
“And yet you argued pretty ardently for him in court today,” Connie said.
There was a brief pause as Mike searched for what to say. “It’s not always about what I want or what I think is right.” He sighed. “The case law was a bitch to go through, getting the hearing was a pain and I’m not sure our guy won’t be out selling illegal electronics again…but…”
After a lengthier pause, Connie asked, “But…what...?”
“You thought it was worth pursuing,” Mike finally said. “If you thought it was the right thing to do…it…probably was.”
“Everyone makes mistakes,” Connie said, “Where would any of us be without someone giving us a chance or two?”
Mike nodded, “There was that, too.” He didn’t elaborate on the fact that he’d also been moved by remembering the chances she’d given him over the course of their relationship. He did add quietly, “Besides…your face…when Sameer gave up his citizenship on the stand…”
Connie looked up at him questioningly.
“It was the right thing to do,” Mike said, “But...I also hate to see you unhappy, you know.”
With a little smile, Connie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He kissed her back a bit sheepishly.
“I’m sure it won’t be long before you can figuratively kick someone else’s ass. I was kind of surprised you didn’t indict Lupo and Bernard like you threatened, actually,” she teased.
He smiled. “You have no idea how tempted I was…”