NYPD Blue Fanfiction

Vicki's Fanfic

KEEPING CARE

This is a follow up to Jealous Hearts. I know its been done before, but I went a different route. Enjoy.

It was 9pm when Andy finally got Theo down for the night. He settled himself in front of the TV in hopes of catching the early news while he folded the wash. Just as he picked up the remote, there was a soft knock at his door. He looks through the peephole and sees a vision standing there.

Andy: (Opening the door with a worried look on his face) You ok? Something wrong?

Connie: Everything is fine. I, ah…I was driving home when I realized I’d hadn’t eaten all day. So I stopped to get some take-out…and the thought of standing over the kitchen sink and eating just wasn’t cutting it with me.

She looked absolutely ravishing in her little black dress. Andy tried to focus on what she was saying. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. When her lips stopped moving he invited her in.

Andy: Tough day?

Connie: (Taking off her coat and handing it to Andy) Yeah…it was. I guess I just wasn’t up to having dinner with a self-absorbed idiot tonight. I shouldn’t say that…he was nice enough…(looking over and seeing the laundry basket) I see you were in for a big night too huh?

Andy: Yeah…

Connie: So…want to join me at the sink?

Andy: Sure. What’d ya get?

Connie: Oh, some sweet and sour chicken with a side of pork fried rice and…some wonton soup and…sautéed mixed vegetables…want something?

Andy: (To himself: there’s a loaded question) Sounds like you got enough for the week, ah…some rice sounds good. Whaddaya say…since you’re all dressed up nice and all…we ah…sit at the table? (Shyly) You ah…look too pretty to be eatin’ over a sink.

Connie: (Slightly blushing) Thanks…

Andy: Ok then…let me get us some plates and stuff.

Connie: Can I help?

Andy: Nah…(walking into the kitchen and thinking to himself: you’ve done enough) I got it…

Connie: (Standing in the doorway) How’s Theo tonight?

Andy: (Getting the dishes) Good…

Connie: He was so cute tonight…I knew it was gonna happen as soon as I said it. He’s a funny kid.

Andy: (Getting knives and forks) Yeah…he does make me laugh when I seem to need it.

Connie: And how are you? How was the rest of your day?

Together they set the table and sit to eat.

Andy: Ok…

Connie: Just ok…something happen?

Andy: It’s just…I don’t know…seein’ Julian got some things stirred up is all…tell ya what…I think I did a great job today restrainin’ myself from cavinin’ in his head.

Connie: Caving in his head for what he did…or for yankin’ your chain all day?

Andy: Both…but more for getting me stirred up. I don’t like getting stirred up like that.

Connie: Truthfully…I don’t like to see you like that. (Thinking for a minute) Is that where all those comments about my date tonight came from?

She was not looking to start something with him. Nor did she want another apology. But she was absolutely going to call him out on this. Andy puts down his fork and looks over at her, rather embarrassed by his behavior and what he said to her.

Connie: If I remember correctly…Sylvia was a lawyer. You had some pretty nasty things to say about lawyers.

Andy: (Clearing his throat) Sylvia aside…I don’t hold much fondness for lawyers…any lawyer. (To himself: especially one that might have taken away a friend like you…)

Connie wasn’t sure if this would piss him off or not, but she was going to do it. If they were going to remain friends, he should know that her hurt her.

Connie: (Wiping her mouth) Some of the things you said…it hurt to hear.

Andy: I want you to know…I would never do anything to hurt you. You’re too good a friend…I don’t ever want to loose this. (Swallowing hard and putting it all out there for her) It wasn’t all Julian…it ah…was the rose.

Connie: The rose? (Suddenly dawning on her) You were jealous?

Andy: (After a long pause)…and afraid.

Connie: Of?

Andy: Of loosin’ you…of loosin’ your friendship.

Connie: That’s never gonna happen Andy. I can count on one hand the number of people I call friends…and you’re right up there.

Andy: Spendin’ all this time together…workin’ together…you seein’ me through some rough patches…I saw that rose and thought…

Connie: What? I’d dump you cause some guy sent me a rose?

Andy shrugs his shoulders and looks down at his food trying to hide his embarrassment. It was not easy for him to say this to her. Maybe some other feelings were beginning to come to the surface. All he knew right at this moment is that liked her very much. She was good for him. He went a step further.

Andy: (Looking at her) Lookin’ back…seems like every time I find somethin’ good, it goes away. And I didn’t want that to happen…

Connie: So you tried to push me away?

Andy: Ok…so I don’t have a degree in friendship psychology…I’m new at this…

Connie: (Reaching across the table and taking his hand) Andy…look at me. I’m not goin’ anywhere. I promise.

Andy: Don’t do that…don’t promise…(pulling his hand back) cause you never know what could happen.

Connie: (Trying to let him off the hook) You are new at this…

Andy: (Looking deeply into her eyes) I’ve only had three or four people in my life that I could call a friend…all promisin’ in one way or another they’d always be there…and where are they now? Gone…or dead. So don’t promise…cause you never…

Connie: Ok…ok…how about trust? Will you trust me?

Andy: Yeah…I will. And I do…trust you…

Connie: Good.

They return to eating. After a few minutes, Andy breaks the silence.

Andy: So this guy tonight…not ah…

Connie: …what I was expectin’…I mean he was nice and all. Seems to be the kinda luck I’ve been having with datin’ lately. (She lets out a large sight) Once they hear you’re a cop…its…can you fix a ticket for me?…or…you ever kill anyone? It gets to you after a while. First I’m a person…then I’m a cop. And after a day like today…you kinda just want to be able to be…I don’t know…

Andy …understood.

Connie: Yeah…like I was tellin’ this guy about my day and he wants all the details of the case…not thinkin’ ‘bout how…I feel…I don’t know, maybe I’m askin’ too much right away…want some veggies?

Andy: Yeah…let me try some…hard to find that balance…

Connie: Yeah…(as she puts some of the veggies on his plate) a little give and take…how was your day, and mean it…not just for sake of conversation. Its like…hurry up and tell me so I can go on about me…ever get that feelin?

Andy: (To himself: not with you) Yeah...once or twice…these are good…good choice.

Connie: Thanks…Oh, how’d you make out with Mrs. Hornby?

Andy: (Waving his hand at the question) Later…Did you and Ortez hear from the ME yet?

Connie: Yeah…I checked in with Rita while I was waiting for the food. Louise’s mom died of natural causes. Poor Louise…she just wanted to do somethin’ good for someone. Sad.

Andy: (Looking over at her, making sure she’s looking at him) You know…this wasn’t your fault. Case like this…you do the best you can.

Connie: Yeah, these are the ones that keep you second guessin’ if you had done something different, would she be where she is now?

Andy: What you did for her today…tellin’ her she saved a mans life before she went out of the picture…maybe that’s all that needed doin’. Sooner or later…she was gonna get hurt. You bein’ there the way you were…sometimes that’s all you can do.

Connie: But still…

Andy: I saw how upset you were at the scene. I know you’re gonna beat yourself up…all’s I’m sayin’ is…not too much, ok? Did you learn somethin’ from the way you handled this case?

Connie: Yeah…

Andy: So next time you’ll do better by that person. Sounds harsh…but these are the things they don’t teach at the academy…lessons we gotta learn on our own with help from each other. I’m here if need be…ok?

Connie: Thanks…I’ll keep it in mind. Did you finish all the rice?

Andy: (Looking down at his plate) No…want some?

Connie: Yeah…(as he puts some rice on her plate) so…Mrs. Hornby? How’s things there?

Andy: (Letting out a large sigh) She wanted to have a sock hop instead of listenin’ to how this twerp Cory is funneling all her money into a bogus account.

Connie: You know this for sure?

Andy: Yep…had a guy who owed me a favor look into it for me.

Connie: Gonna do anything with it?

Andy: Yeah…but its gonna be a little dicey. He works security at a bank. He did all the diggin’…

Connie: Not exactly legal, huh?

Andy: He really put himself out on this…but I can’t just sit back and let this jerk Cory take advantage of her. She is definitely missin’ a few marbles…but I not gonna let Cory get away with this.

Connie: How you gonna do this? With out getting your buddy in trouble?

Andy: I’ll do my best to keep him outta the loop…maybe I’ll talk to Haywood and see what she thinks.

Connie: Good thought…want some soup?

Andy: Just a little…

Connie: Well…whatever you do…I think you’re doing a good thing Andy. Sometimes you gotta bend the rules a bit in order to get the result you want. If you need my help with anything…let me know. (Smiling) How’s ah…my ‘ol partner Eddie doin’ these days?

Andy: (Shaking his head) Fine…he was released today…

Connie: Good for him. You and Theo have plans for the weekend?

Andy: Yeah…we were thinkin’ of goin’ to the park and just takin’ easy.

Connie: Sounds nice.

Andy: You? Ah…what’s up with you this weekend?

Connie: I, ah… have slippage this weekend. Other than that…you know, laundry and catch up on the bills and stuff. Here…let me give you a hand with the dishes…

Andy: (Getting up and clearing the table) Nah…you’re all dressed up…just relax.

Connie: Well at least let me do the drying? If it weren’t for me…you wouldn’t have this mess.

Andy: It’s a welcomed mess…thanks for stoppin’…this was a very nice surprise.

They gather all the dishes and bring them to the sink. Andy washes and Connie does the drying.

Andy: How you makin’ out with Ortez?

Connie: Good…she’s s good cop. She likes doin’ detective work…happy to be out of vice.

Andy: Jr. tells me her and her husband had a little altercation this morning.

Connie: She didn’t mention anything about it. What happened?

Andy: I don’t know…all’s Jr. said was he was all in her face ‘bout where she was and what she was doin’…he said while the husband was waitin’ for Ortez, he was sorta grillin him ‘bout stuff.

Connie: (Smiling and then nudging him with her elbow) So…you guys do gossip…learn something new about you every day.

Andy: It’s not like that…he wanted to know if I knew the guy and then mentioned what happened.

Connie: (Smiling)…yeah…gossiping…

Andy: (Shaking his head) Whatever…so…she seems to be ok?

Connie: Yeah…

Andy: You two workin’ together this weekend?

Connie: No, ah…I think Greg is up this weekend.

Andy: Now there’s a good time…listen to him go on ‘bout his ex-wife and his allergies and…

Connie: (Nudging him again) You old lady you…

Andy: What?

Connie: Standing at the sink…gossiping about the people you work with…

Andy: That wasn’t gossiping…it was information…

Connie: (Smiling) Whatever…

Andy: (Clearing his throat as Connie drys the last dish) Ah…maybe…if you want…me and Theo can meet you after work Saturday and ah…grab a pizza or somethin’? If you’re up for that?

Connie: (Thinking while she dries) Ah…yeah…sounds good. I’ll ah…give you a ring when I’m done. Maybe try that place over on Mulberry?

Andy: Yeah…sounds good. Ah…no dessert tonight? I think we have some ice cream if you’d like?

Connie: Nah…I’m stuffed and its ah, getting late. I should go.

Andy: Sure? It’s chocolate?

Connie: (Biting her bottom lip and thinking) Ummm…alright…not too much though…

Andy: Go ‘head an sit down in the living room…I’ll be right in.

Connie sits down on the couch and sees the laundry basket. Without thinking, she begins to separate and fold the laundry.

Andy: Hey…hey…whaddaya doin’?

Connie: Nothing…just folding the t-shits and underwear.

Andy: (Handing her a bowl of ice cream) No…no…

Connie: Believe me Andy…I’ve folded underwear before…

Andy: (Removing the basket) Yeah…maybe so…but not my underwear…

Connie: (Smiling as she looks at him) You are one strange man Andy Sipowicz…

Andy: Yeah…that may be…just keep your hands off my underwear…

Connie looks at him and bust out laughing.

Connie: (Catching her breath) That was good…that was a good one Andy.

Andy: (Smiling and a tad embarrassed) That’s me…a laugh an minute.

Connie: (Suppressing her laugher) Thanks for the ice cream…(letting a small giggle escape her)

Andy: Glad I could make your night…

Connie: (Smiling) You did…on many levels…I should be thanking you. This is just what I needed.

They sat and ate their ice cream and watching the news. When the news was over, Connie got up to go.

Connie: Well…now I’ll call it a night.

Andy: (Helping her put on her coat) I’m ah, glad you stopped by.

Connie: Me too…so…we’re good right?

Andy: Yeah…glad we got that all worked out. Last thing I wanted was to put ah…strain on…

Connie: Me too…

Connie reaches into her pocket and feels for her keys. She instead feels the fortune cookies.

Connie: Oh…I guess I did have dessert…here…(handing him one) Night Andy and…thanks again…I had good time.

Andy: Good. Be careful goin’ home.

Connie: (Looking over her shoulder as she walks away) Will do.

Andy takes his place at the window and waits to see her get in her car. Connie sits and lets the car warm up. As she waits, she opens her cookie.

Connie: (Reading to herself) The one you love is closer than you think…(as she drives away) That right?

As Connie sits in her car, Andy opens his cookie.

Andy: (Reading to himself) A new friend will bring unexpected joy to you. (As she drives into the night) Got that right.

Two people. Two cops. One man. One woman. Both keeping care of each other.