The Surprise of a Lifetime

Coffee for The Soul

Fin woke up the next morning wondering how he was gonna spend his day. Should he play video games or should he maybe try to be social. About that time he hears his phone go off. Looking over at it he smiles when he sees who it is.

Manda: Hey would you want to grab a coffee or breakfast this morning?

Fin: Sure! Where do you wanna meet?

Manda: How about Black Press on Columbus?

Fin: Sounds great! What time?

Manda: 9:30?

Fin: That works for me! See you there!

Fin had an hour before he had to get there so he decided to shower then head that way. He wasn't sure what traffic was going to be like and he didn't want Amanda to be left waiting on him. He walked out of his place at 9.

When he got to the location he grabbed a table outside to wait for Amanda. He hadn't seen her since she left to teach at Fordam. He would never admit it out loud but he was really glad maybe even excited that she asked him to grab a coffee with her.

Amanda got the the shop around 9:20 and spotted Fin at one of the tables. She couldn't help but smile even with the knot in her stomach that felt like it was pulsating. She pulled herself together and approached Fin.

"Hey! I'm so glad to see you!" The blonde said excitedly.

"Hey Baby Girl! I'm glad you asked to to grab a coffee. It's so good to see you!" Fin replied back sounding just as excited. "What do you want from here? I'll go in and order if you'll save our table."

"Fin you don't have to do that, I invited you I can get it!" She said.

"None sense. I've got it! You just stay here. This one is on me! So just tell me what you want."

"Thanks Fin. I'd like a vanilla latte and a chocolate croissant please." She said with a smile.

"Ok I got it!" Fin said smiling back.

A few minutes later Fin returned with all the items. He got a  macchiato and a ham and cheese croissant.

They sat and talked for awhile drinking their respective drinks and eating their croissants. It was just like old times back at the precinct. Like nothing changed. They smiled and laughed and just throughly enjoyed each other's company.

"So what's bothering you?" Fin asked.

Amanda slightly caught off guard but also wasn't surprised when Fin asked the question. She had a feeling he would ask that based on what she said last night.

"Ever since I left the 1-6 everything has changed. I know it was supposed too but even things that shouldn't have changed... well changed. Especially Carisi..." She dropped her head as tears started to form.

Fin knew something wasn't right, as much as he liked Carisi something was always off with that dude.

"Manda do you need help? You know I'll do anything for you.." Fin said with a serious but sincere tone.

Amanda looked Fin in the eyes and told him that she wasn't sure what she needed. She wanted out but knew that she couldn't do it alone. Carisi was an ADA and she was now just a professor. She also had to think about her girls. At this moment everything terrified her.

"I've got you Manda. Have you talked to Liv?" Fin asked.

"No. I'm afraid of how she will react. What if she thinks I deserve it for leaving the 1-6? What if she hates me for leaving in the first place and refuses to talk to me?" Amanda said trying to keep her emotions at bay.

"Manda as soon as you get everything sorted in that pretty head of yours I think you need to talk to Liv. I promise you she doesn't hate you and that she would be more than happy to help you. We are family. Never forget that!" Fin reassured Amanda.

"Thank you Fin. I should probably go before Carisi thinks I'm doing something I'm not supposed to be doing."

Amanda looked defeated while saying that. It took everything in Fin not to follow her home and beat Carisi himself. The only thing that stopped him was knowing that Amanda would do what was best for her girls and that she would reach out if it got out of hand for her.

They hugged before parting. Fin knew he would see her soon, hopefully it was before shit hit the fan.