NYPD Blue Fanfiction

Tina's Fanfic
Hearts On Fire 
A Continuation of the Season 9 Episode “Jealous Hearts” 

Rated: PG-13 (for sexual situations) 
This story takes place the day after Connie’s cell phone call to Andy. This story is intended to take the place of the eventual kiss in “Oh Mama” after their date to see Monsters Inc. and proceeds directly to the gutter. 

I’ve taken liberties and done a 360 degree turn away from the direction the series took. In this story, Andy and Connie get to the heart of the matter. 

So you know what that means! Happy swimming A & Cers!!! 

Enjoy! 

Your VP, 
TC 

Previously on NYPD Blue: The Last Scene from the Episode “Jealous Hearts” 

Andy and Connie’s telephone conversation at the end of “Jealous Hearts”. 

Andy: Hello? 
Connie: Hi. 
Andy: Are you all right? 
Connie: I just wanted to check in. 
Andy: Your date go OK??? 
Connie: I bailed out in the middle of it …(her voice trailing off) 
Andy: Did I sour it? 
Connie: That’s sort of why I’m calling. Are we fighting about something? 
Andy: Hang on….(and Andy tells Theo to go get ready for bed and then gets back on the line with Connie) 
Andy: Listen, Connie…I’m sorry about this afternoon. I got no right making you guilty about having a social life. 
Connie: I didn’t call looking for an apology. 
Andy: I know but (waits a beat)…I had a wrong reaction. 
Connie: Well, is that maybe on the account of you considering me a good part of your lives… 
Andy: And not wanting to see it go away. 
Connie: That’s good to hear. 
Andy: Where are you? Do you need a ride home? 
Connie: I got my car. I just wanted to make the call.
(She let out a sigh of relief…) I needed something to make me feel good. I’m gonna head home. I’ll see you tomorrow. 
Andy: See you tomorrow. 
Connie: Bye. 

The line went dead on the other end and Connie shut off her cell phone. With a smile on her face as she walked back to her car, she headed for home. Andy, on the other hand, went to sleep that night and tossed and turned all night long. He couldn’t get their conversation out of his head. 

Setting: 15th Detective Squad Room

Early, Early the Next Morning 

He saw her as she came into the squad room the next morning. He had come in early to catch up on some paperwork and was hoping she might come in early as well. He was sitting at his desk typing yesterday’s 5’s when she walked in. They’d beaten everyone else into the squad. 

“Good morning, Andy.” Connie said cheerfully as she walked to her desk. She was in a good mood this morning. Their brief conversation last night had given her hope that Andy might finally be turning a corner in their friendship. 

“You’re in bright and early.” Connie teased him. 

“Just trying to catch up on the paperwork.” He replied. 

“Any coffee??” She asked. 

“Just made a fresh pot.” 

“Want a refill. I’ll buy.” 

“Sure.” 

She took his cup from his desk and walked casually into the coffee room. Andy followed her into the room closing the door behind him so they wouldn’t be disturbed. 

“Anything come down from night watch yet?” as she poured them coffee. 

“No…not yet. Rodriguez should be in pretty soon.” 

She handed Andy his coffee cup. As she did, Andy gestured for her to sit down so they could talk. 

“You got a minute.” 

“Sure…what’s up?” 

“I just wanted to apologize to you again for being an ass yesterday. I was way out of line. I had no right…” his voice trailed off.

“Andy, it’s fine. I just don’t want us fighting. Our friendship means too much to me.” She touched his shoulder. 

“Would you have dinner with me tonight?” He blurted it out rather abruptly before he lost his nerve. 

“I’d love to have dinner with you and Theo tonight.” She told him as she turned to face him. 

“How about just me? Theo’s having a sleepover at a friend’s house tonight.” 

“Even better.” As she smoothed the top of his shirtsleeves with her hands. 

Just then, John Irvin knocked on the door with a message for Detective Sipowicz.

“Telephone for you detective.” As he gave a pink message slip to Andy. Andy took the message slip from John’s hand and cleared his throat. 

“Maybe I ought to take that.”


Setting: The Squad Room

Later That Afternoon 

As night fell on the city, the detectives finished up their paperwork for the day and got ready to head home. 

Connie got up from her desk and shut off her desk lamp. 

“Goodnight.” She waved to Junior. 

“I’m headed home. I’ll see you at 7:00 p.m.” She smiled at Andy. Andy and Junior were sitting at their desks finishing their paperwork. 

Junior was sitting there at his desk redoing the 5’s on their case today. He took a piece of paper and rolled it into a ball and fired it at Andy as Connie left the squad room. 

“And the big man shoots and scores! Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building!!” Junior grinned wickedly at Andy happy that his partner was finally acting on his feelings for Connie. He knew that Andy liked her even if he had trouble admitting it. 

“I’m not gonna tell you again.” And Andy threw the paper ball back at Junior’s face. 


Setting: Connie McDowell’s Apartment Building
Early Evening 

Andy stood nervously at her doorstep. He straightened his tie, wiped the sweat from his brow, and cleared his throat and then knocked on her door. Connie opened the door. 

Andy couldn’t believe his eyes. There she stood, dressed in a low cut black dress with spaghetti straps. She looked beautiful. Andy stammered for something to say but had trouble finding the words. 

Finally he said…”I hope I’m not too early.” As he wiped his forehead again. 

“No. You’re right on time. Come on in.” 

Setting: A Small, Intimate Italian Restaurant in Connie’s Neighborhood 

They walked a few blocks to a nice little neighborhood Italian restaurant close to Connie’s apartment. They had a long, leisurely dinner just sitting and enjoying each other’s company. 

Andy had told her several funny stories about Theo’s day at school. Kids always kept you laughing. You never knew what they would think of next. 

“I’m glad we did this tonight.” Andy confided to her. 

“Me too.” Connie answered back. 

Then the conversation turned serious. They’d been dancing around each other for most of the evening. Finally, Connie decided it was time to get her feelings out in the open. 

“Andy, can I tell you something?” 

“Sure…what’s on your mind?” 

“To be honest about last night…(she waited)…I….as I was on that blind date last night, all I could think about was you.” 

“So I did sour things for you.” 

“No, you didn’t. That’s not why I told you. Andy…you’re easy to be around and to talk to. I can be myself with you. I enjoy being with you so much.” As she touched his hand. 

“I want to be with you.” She told him with conviction in her voice. 

“But you should be out and seeing other guys…not me.” 

“Believe me…dating is highly overrated.” 

“I’m old enough to be your father.” 

“Andy, I don’t care about any of that. I like you…a lot…and I don’t mean just as a friend or partner.” 


Setting: Later On in the Evening

Back at Connie’s Apartment 

They walked up the stairwell to her apartment. Connie nervously got out her key and unlocked the door. Andy had been rather quiet on their walk back from the restaurant. Connie feared she’d blown it. 

“You want to come in for some coffee.” 

“Sure, I guess.” Andy was getting nervous. 

“Let me take your coat.” And she took his coat and hung it on the coat rack by the door and then walked into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. 

Andy started to become very uncomfortable as he sat down on the sofa.

“Connie…I meant what I said at dinner tonight. I’m just not sure I’m ready for this.”

She came out of the kitchen and sat down next to him on the couch. 

“Andy…I told you. We’ll keep it simple. Let’s not label it anything. I love being with you and with Theo and being a part of both your lives. Let’s just leave it at that and see what happens, OK??” She reached over and kissed him on the cheek. 

“I won’t hide my feelings, Andy. I enjoy being with you. That’s what matters most to me. I’ll take what you can give…for now.” 

“I just need time, Connie. It’s not that I don’t want anything to happen. It’s just that every good thing in my life has always been taken away.” 

“But you can’t live your life that way. That’s no way to live.” 

“Sure it is.” 

“How can you say that?” 

“Because I’ve loved and lost too many people I cared about. And I care about you.” He wrapped his arms around her and held onto her for dear life as he began to cry. 

“Ssshhhh, Andy, it’s OK. I just want to be a part of your life.” As the tears fell, she wrapped her arms around him and held him close to her. 

“Just hold me.” She told him.

“I will.” Andy whispered into her ear. 


She tucked herself into the curve of his embrace as they struggled to find the freedom to let their hearts be heard. They sat there for endless minutes just holding one another cherishing the silence knowing no words were needed. An intimate moment between good friends with a hint at becoming something more. 

God, how he wanted to feel those feelings again but doing so required that he care and he did care, maybe too much, about Connie McDowell. She made him examine his fears and uncertainties. She made him feel alive again. The saying was true. Love can hurt. 

He pulled away from her then just for a moment and looked into her eyes. There he saw this beautiful woman who was his friend and wanted to be so much more. She looked up at him questioningly. He’d give anything just to be with her. Andy knew he needed her tonight. 

And that’s when it happened. He slowly reached up and undid her hair freeing it to fall to her neck. He sought her mouth and kissed her passionately. Then he worked his way down her neck punctuating each journey with a kiss until he reached her shoulder. He untied the spaghetti straps of her dress and watched it fall to the floor. 

Connie stopped him for a moment and put her hand on his. 

“Andy, are you sure this is what you want?” 

“What I want is you.” 

“You have me. Always.” 


Setting: Much Later That Evening in 
Connie’s Bedroom

The clock read 4:15 a.m. Connie awoke to find herself safe within Andy’s arms. She pulled the down comforter up tighter over their bodies. Even now in the aftermath of their passion, she could still feel him deep within her. Connie hadn’t felt this content in a long time. It felt wonderful to be able to finally share herself with him. He was such a good man. One whose heart needed tender loving care. She wanted to be the woman to keep that heart in her care. If only he could see the man she saw everyday. 

She clung to him and never wanted to let go. She almost wanted to weep with joy. She’d finally reached into his soul. She’d finally connected. He’d been so tender and gentle tonight. She felt his love for her within the deepest part of her soul. Their lovemaking tonight only solidified the emotional connection she knew they already felt for one another. 

Andy felt something damp against his chest. He woke from slumber to find Connie lying there in his arms with tears in her eyes and love in her heart. He bent to kiss her. 

He was counting his blessings tonight. God had given him a gift that he knew he needed to treasure until his last dying breath. 



The End