Far From Home [Chicago PD]

Chapter 6: Scenes From an Italian Restaurant

    “Hey Liv,” Jon spoke as he looked at his laptop screen in his cozy apartment. “How are you?” Cragen made it a point to try to reach out to Olivia at least once a day, even just to say hi. It brought him comfort while he was settling in here in Chicago and it no doubt brought Benson comfort as well.

    “Jon you know I'm just fine.” Olivia Benson was on video chat from her apartment in NY. “I wanna know how my godson is doing several states away.” she spoke in the caring maternal tone of hers. The she squinted as she saw that Jon was dressed up for dinner. “It looks like someone took Fashion 101 from the school of Sonny Carisi.”

    “I'm doing quite well. I've been getting more involved in the unit. They've really accepted me as one of their own.” Jon was glowing with excitement. Trying to ignore Olivia's comments about his attire.

    “I'm so proud of you Jon..” Liv said as she sipped her wine. “I know your father would be too. You had a vision and you followed it.” Benson's words of encouragement made Jon proud of his recent accomplishments.

    “Hey Liv I hate to cut this short but I have dinner plans so I'll talk to you soon okay?” Cragen hated to cut the one maternal figure he had off.

    “Jonathan Elliot Cragen do you have a girlfriend that you are not telling your godmother about?” Benson laid on the concerned parent act pretty thick. She leaned in closer to her webcam with an eyebrow raised.

    “No, just my partner Officer Kim Burgess. Got to make sure that we build that close partnership and learn what we can about each other.” Jon tried to cut her off quickly. He was getting embarrassed.

    “Alright Jon,” she didn't sound convinced. “you enjoy your dinner. Please stay in touch, I do worry about you.” She really did care deeply about Jon.

    “Goodnight Liv, I will. Keep Fin in line will ya?” Cragen joked before closing his laptop he stood up from his small table and looked in the mirror on his wall. He straightened his red tie and tucked it back under his black vest. He reached into the back pocket of his black dress pants to grab his comb and ran it through his sandy brown hair. A few minutes later there was a knock at his door. He opened his door and saw his partner standing there in all her beauty.

    “Hey there Jon.” Her voice was so sweet. “You clean up quite nice.” She was wearing a slim black dress. Her brown hair was done in slight bouncy curls, and her lips were a light shade of crimson. She was wearing black heels and had a black purse with her.

    “Whoa.” Jon was at a loss for words. “Who are you and what did you do with Kim Burgess.” he joked with his partner. He shot her a mischievous grin.

    “Oh shut up you jerk. Come on we're gonna be late.” Kim laughed as she pulled Cragen out of the apartment. They took the elevator down to the parking garage in Jon's building where his leased black sedan was parked. He opened the passenger door for his partner and shut it after she was safely in her seat. After getting in the drivers seat he input the restaurant's address into the cars onboard GPS. They pulled out of the parking garage and drove off into the night.

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    The black sedan pulled up to the valet stand in front of the restaurant, and the young men at the podium opened the doors helping Jon and Kim out. Jon tossed his keys to the one man and then met up with his partner on the curb. Jon held his elbow out offering it for Kim to hold. At first his partner appeared shocked at his quite gentlemanly mannerisms. Then she grabbed hold of his elbow and the two walked down the red carpeted entrance to the eatery. Jon's eyes turned to saucers as they entered the gold framed glass doors. The high ceiling was exacerbated by the crystal chandeliers. A string quartet and candlelit tables created a peaceful ambiance.

    “You were not lying Burgess this place is fancy.” Jon said as he looked down into his partners eyes.

    “Oh I'm sorry rough tough city boy from the streets of New York.” Kim joked. “If you want we can go back to your place, get some bagels and forget about it.” She continued, throwing on a fake Brooklyn accent. Jon chuckled and the two continued to the hosts desk. 

    “Cragen, table for two.” Jon spoke to the well dressed man whom was staring at the reservation book.

    “Ah yes, very good.” The host spoke. “Please follow me this way sir and madam.” He grabbed two menus and began to walk down the stairs into the recessed part of the main dining floor. The two followed the host to a very nice table near the center of the dining room. “Only the best for Chicago's finest.” The host smiled as he pulled out a chair for Burgess. Then the host walked away.

    “Did you tell him we are cops?” Kim shot a look to Jon. He was unsure if it was one of anger or not.

    “Actually long story short once you know one Italian you know 'em all.” Jon joked. “The other day after you texted me the address something clicked. The last time I was out here one of my ex-partners Sonny Carisi mentioned that his cousin married into the family that owns this place. So I may have had him call in a favor for me.” Jon explained to his partner which seemed to lighten her up. Then the waiter approached the table .

    “What can I get the lovely lady to drink tonight?” The server asked.

    “I'd like a glass off pinot noir, please.” Kim didn't seem like a wine person, which surprised Jon. 

    “Yes, very good choice. And you sir?” The server turned to Cragen. Jon knew he had to drive tonight so he was going to have to drink light.

    “I will have a gin and tonic please. With a slice of lemon.” The waiter nodded and rushed off. The night progressed rather quickly with Jon ordering a filet mignion and Kim ordering shrimp fettucini alfredo. The two laughed frequently over stories of either Jon's days in SVU or Kim's days on patrol before she was promoted to intelligence. They shared stories of their childhoods, and stories of their time in the academy.  

    “Want to go back to your place. Maybe watch a movie, or something?” Kim was glowing with that same mischievous grin as that night. Jon quickly got hot around the collar.

    “Check please.” Jon quickly placed his hand up in in the air to call over a server. They brought the bill and Cragen put it on his card, and left a quite generous tip. The duo made their way back curbside where the valet brought his car around. The valets were also tipped before the partners took off back towards Cragen's apartment.

    The two were barely through his front door before Burgess had pressed her body against his. She began to kiss Jon passionately. She pushed him through the door frame and kicked the door closed with her heel. He had put his arms around her and placed a hand on her lower back as he pulled her closer. She unbuttoned his vest and shirt, he worked with her and his shirt dropped to the floor. She pushed him back onto his couch and she reached behind herself to unzip her dress. Just then Cragen's began to ring. He slid the phone out of his pocket and looked at the screen.

    “Shit it's Voight.” he sighed. Then he answered the phone. “Cragen.”

    “Jon get your ass to Burnham Park. We have a third victim.” Voight's tone was cold. “Also I can't get a hold of Burgess. See if you can reach her and get her down here too.”

    “Yeah Sarge, no problem.” Cragen replied. He then looked Burgess dead in the eye. “We've got to go, victim number three just turned up.” Burgess looked confused.

    “But Polsca is still in custody.” 

    “I know” Jon showed nothing short of concern.