Background: Our detectives have just about finished up another busy 
day in the 15th precinct. Ortiz and McDowell were finishing up 
paperwork on a particularly difficult and disturbing case of an 
innocent 16 year old girl who had been killed in a drive-by shooting. 
About the same age as the daughter Connie gave up for adoption when 
she was 16 years old. It also happens to be Andy's birthday and the 
gang had been teasing him all day about getting another year older 
and another step closer to retirement. Before the days events
had transpired, Connie had made plans to take Andy out for a quiet 
birthday dinner - just the two of them.

Scene opens in the squad room as Greg and Baldwin start to head out 
for the day.

Greg: 'night Andy. Have a good birthday. When you go out tonight, 
don't forget to ask if they have a "seniors" discount or early bird 
special...(he snickers...)

Andy: Yeah Medavoy, whatever...(tiring of the teasing...)

Baldwin: Hey Andy, Have a nice evening. (towards Connie, Rita and 
Jr.) See you guys tomorrow.

Jr: Yeah, Andy - Happy Birthday. uhmm, Rita, you about ready?

Rita: How about if I meet you downstairs? 

(Rita walks passed Connie and asks if she's going to be ok. Connie 
has been sort of lost in her thoughts for the last few minutes and 
suddenly realizes most of the squad has left for the day.)

Connie: I'm ok. (glances towards Andy) Nothing a nice dinner out 
can't cure. (she smiles towards Andy with a slight wink - but it 
seems a little forced.) See you tomorrow Rita.

(Rita leaves and Andy and Connie are alone in the squad room. Andy 
is walking around filing papers here and there. He keeps glancing 
towards Connie to make sure she is ok, wanting to say something but
not knowing what to say.)

Andy: (walks up behind the seated Connie) You know, I usually spend 
my birthdays at home with Theo. We could just go home and order in 
something - why don't we do that. We don't need to go out. We could 
rent that video you said you wanted to see...

Connie: (stands up and faces Andy) We are going out. It's your 
birthday and we're going to go out and relax, just the two of us. 
(She has a slight smile as she looks Andy in the face. She's
touching his tie, sort of playing with it.)

Andy: (pulling Connie closer while looking around to see if anyone 
else is nearby) You sure you're alright? 

Connie: (Andy strokes her hair while Connie moves in closer, resting 
her head on Andy's chest) That girl today reminded me of Jennifer. 
She comes into the city with her friends for a good time and 
she winds up being in the wrong place at the wrong time...she's 
gone. I mean, she'll never get to experience anything else in her 
life that she deserved to do. Her parents will never get to
talk to her again, to tell her they love her. I have so much I want 
to tell Jennifer - maybe I'll never get the chance to do so. Time is 
so short, so precious. (she starts to get tears in her eyes).

Andy: (wishing he could take all the pain away, but uncertain how to 
do that...) I know you'd like to renew contact with Jennifer but 
it'll happen when it's meant to happen, when she's ready. Don't force
it. You know she's got a good home and folks that are taking good 
care of her. (he stops for a second, continuing to stroke Connie's 
hair. He can hear someone from Anti-Crime talking in the hallway.)
Come on, let's go home. 

Connie: (she sort of bounces back, but Andy can tell it's a bit 
forced)No way, John is with Theo and Michelle and we're going to take 
advantage of this time and celebrate your birthday. (She leans over 
and gives Andy a kiss on the cheek as she goes to pick up her coat.)

The scene cuts to Andy and Connie walking out of the empty squad room.

The scene opens to a candle lit table in a small Italian restaurant. 
Nice but not extravagant. There's someone playing piano in the far 
corner. Andy and Connie are tucked away at a quiet table in the 
corner.

Andy: (half smiling and half laughing as he tells his story) So, 
that was Theo's first fishing trip. He's been hooked ever since. He 
really liked seeing all the fish the others were catching on the 
pier. I tell you, he went up to everybody there and looked to see 
what they had caught. (he pauses for a beat) Maybe that's why
he likes fish sticks so much, ya think?

Connie: Maybe. He does seem to like fish sticks!

(They both sort of chuckle at Andy's fish sticks comment. Dinner was 
almost over. The table had been cleared but they were still 
lingering, enjoying their "adult" time together. As they talked they 
were holding hands across the table.)

Andy: Maybe we should get ready to go home. I'm sure John's tired 
of playing Hungry Hippo by now!

Connie: I'm going to run to the ladies room. I'll be right back. 
(Connie stands and is met by Andy standing at the same time. Their 
hands touch as she walks by him. Andy sits back at the table and 
watches as Connie heads to the back of the restaurant. He notices a 
couple of young waiters giving Connie "the look" as she passes them. 
Connie looked particularly nice this evening and Andy knew it. He 
also realized Connie was there with him and he was lucky to have her 
in his life...he would be counting his good fortune this birthday.)

A couple minutes passed and Connie returns to the table. Andy stands 
to meet her and to her surprise takes her hand. The piano player 
starts a new song. She is singing a sexy slow, blue-sy number and a 
couple dances near the piano.

Andy: (leading her toward the dance floor) Come on.

They walk hand in hand a few steps away from the table. Slowly they 
begin to dance. Andy gives Connie a kiss on the forehead.

Andy: Thanks for the dinner. This was nice.

Connie: (smiling)I'm glad you like it here. We should do this more 
often. (She gives him a small kiss on the cheek...which leads to a 
longer, more passionate kiss on the lips.)

Andy: (in a very soft voice) This was nice. 

Connie: (smiling...wondering if Andy was referring to the dinner or 
the kiss...they dance slowly to the music.) Let's go home. 
(..stroking his cheek..)

Andy and Connie make their way out of the restaurant. Andy takes 
Connie's hand as they walk out the front door. Not a bad ending to a 
long day.