Work Text:
Jack McCoy was at his Upper West Side condo, indulging in his favorite drink while contemplating what he would do next. He has just spent the last thirty years as the EADA and DA. Now that Jack had a lot of free time, Jack had time to spend with Rebecca, her children, grandchildren, and other family members. He could also travel and see what the world has to offer. Jack could also open a law practice later. He would want to wait for the hubbub from his last case to die out; he knew it would be better that way so Jack didn't attract the unwanted attention he was trying to avoid.
Just as Jack was comfortable in his chair, enjoying his scotch, when he heard a knock on the door. He thought, who could it be at this hour?
He wanted to relax before bed early, so he ignored it. But then there was another knock. Jack set down his drink and went to answer the door. He had hoped that whoever it was, once he had told them he was uninterested, would leave him alone.
That all changed when he opened the door and saw Nolan's predecessor, ex-EADA Mike Cutter, standing there with a big smile. Jack had been following Mike's career after Mike had left the DA's office, and McCoy knew Mike would do well at the U.S. Attorney's Office. He wasn't there by himself. Natalia, his adorable surrogate niece, ten-year-old Lila, and surrogate nephew, six-year-old Mike Jr "MJ." were there too!
When Lila and Mike Jr. saw him, they ran to him and hugged him, "Uncle Jack!"
Jack hugged each kid and asked Mike and Natalia, "What are you doing here?"
Natalia said, "Well, the kids are doing so well in school, so we promised to take them to dinner. They wanted to invite Uncle Jack along."
Jack thought it was weird that his adoptive niece and nephew wanted to include him in their festivity. But since it had been some time, he spent time with Mike and his family. Setting his drink glass aside. He got his hat and coat, and they headed on their way. Several minutes later, they arrived at a different restaurant, Roey's. Jack heard of the pizza that had a bar and was kid-friendly. Just as they entered the restaurant, he heard, "Surprise!"
Jack was taken aback. He saw everyone he had ever worked with from the 2-7: Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun, a few members of the SVU squad, Olivia Benson and her son Noah, Fin Tutuola, the current ADA Carissi, and his wife, Amanda Rollins, and of course Detective Stabler. He looked at the Cutter family, who all smiled and shrugged. They got him good.
Jack began chatting with everyone there, including Connie, Lupo, and their children Mercedes and Christian, Mike Logan and Carolyn Barek-Logan and their children Hailey, Rian, and Aleksandra, and Bobby and Alex with their two children, Carolina and Jayden. Jack knew why they came to Roey's instead of their usual Reade Bar--most of the attendees were children (except Hailey Logan, of course).
As the night wore on, Jack continued chatting with everyone who came, including the children there, even if it was just a hug or a fist bump. Then Jimmy Deakins said, "Jack, how your career had to end the way it did is shameful. If you ever start a law practice, let me know. I will be more than willing to refer clients to you."
This was when Alex Eames, Bobby Goren, Carolyn Barek-Logan, and Mike Logan agreed. Bobby Goren added, "You're a good man, Jack. You deserve better and have our support."
Jack nodded. While he didn't get support from the higher-ups, he was glad that he had the support of his former co-workers. As the night wore on, he talked with Connie Rubirosa-Lupo. Connie said, "Jack, I'm so sorry how everything turned out. You poured your heart and soul into the job, and this is how they reward you."
Jack recognized Connie's sarcasm and smiled. Connie added, "Please let me know if and when you start a law firm. I know of three potential interns. My nieces and nephew are interested in law enforcement; Esperanza is fifteen, Gabi is thirteen, and Dominic is eleven."
Jack acquires as Connie brings out a photo and shows it to him. He had heard about Connie reconnecting with her long-lost identical twin sister, who now lived in Connecticut, and thus, her newfound nieces and nephew. Jack said, "I would gladly help your nieces and nephew."
Connie nodded her thanks.
At the night's end, Jack promised himself that he would achieve something he had never done, to only please those who supported him.