Title: A Long Day's Night

Author: Python

Fandom: Law & Order

Pairing: Briscoe/McCoy

Series/Sequel: N/A

Archive: My website

Disclaimer: These guys don't belong to me. I'm not making any money off them.

A Long Day's Night
by Python

Lennie sat on the couch, watching Jack pace his small livingroom. He could see and feel the lawyer's nervous energy and frustration. "Either sit down or find somewhere else to walk. You're giving me a headache," he said, trying to break the tension.

Jack stopped, looked down at the detective, and started walking again. He didn't feel like talking or sitting. He just wanted to focus on his movement until he could organize the thoughts in his head.

Lennie rubbed his hands over his knees and stood up. "You go ahead and continue brooding. I've got an early morning tomorrow. He moved around Jack, went into the bedroom, and closed the door. He turned on the small tv while he began unbuttoning his shirt.

Lennie sat on the edge of the bed when the reporter began talking about Latiph Miller's trial. He shook his head in disgust. Miller had killed a cop who'd gone to the wrong address looking for a witness.

The trial turned into a racially charged circus. Miller pleaded self-defense, that in his mind, the cop was out to get him because he was black and formerly part of the Black Panther Party.

Lennie sighed. It was always hard when a fellow cop went down, especially when the killer got off, but he knew it was going to be a hard trial. Those kind always were.

"I should've gotten him," Jack stated from the doorway.

"You did your best. It's just that the jury could relate to him. It's sad but true that most people don't like us," Lennie said, turning to face his lover.

"Fear of cops doesn't mean that you can murder them," Jack answered. He couldn't keep the slight edge out of his voice.

"No one knows that better than me," Lennie stated.

"You don't seem very upset about it."

"I am but there's nothing I can do about it. I'm just gonna keep doing my job."

Jack sighed, "You're right."

Lennie stood up and switched the tv off. He looked at Jack, who hadn't moved out of the doorway. "Are you just gonna stand there all night?" he asked lightly.

The detective's small smile helped deflate Jack's bad mood. "Is that an invitation?"

"Make of it what you will Counselor but I've gotta get some sleep," Lennie answered. He finished undressing, got into bed, and curled on his side, not facing Jack.

Jack chuckled and switched off the lights. He quickly shed his clothing and crawled under the covers.

Lennie felt Jack lay next to him and a warm arm around him. Jack's breath was hot on the back of his neck. He was comfortable in the silence, just letting the other man hold him.

Jack still had something on his mind. He didn't think he was going to be able to sleep until he got it out. He was hesitant to break the comfortable silence and he could feel Lennie totally relaxed in his arms. Finally he said quietly, "Lennie."

"Yeah Jack?"

"There's a reason why I was so upset about losing Miller."

"Besides the fact that you hate defeat?" Lennie asked good naturedly.

"Yeah."

Lennie could tell that Jack wanted to be serious. The lawyer had something on his mind but this was one of those rare occassions when he couldn't find the words. The detective waited in the dark silence, feeling Jack's grip tighten slightly.

Jack finally voiced his thoughts, "It could've been you."

"Jack..."

"I know it's irrational but I live with that fear in the back of my mind every day. If anything ever happened to you, I'd fall apart. What if I coudln't put them away?"

"Jack calm down," Lennie said. He rolled onto his other side to face Jack and the other man's arm stayed around him. He ran a finger along his lover's cheek. "I'm right here," he added in a soothing tone.

"I feel like I failed you."

The two men were close enough that Lennie could see Jack's face in the dim light. He brushed his lips against the lawyer's and pulled away. "You didn't fail. This was an extreme case Jack. We knew that it could either way. We've put a lot of other murderers, including cop killers, away for a long time."

Jack let out a slow breath. His lover was right but it was so frustrating. He couldn't help but smile when Lennie grinned and said, "Nora told you not to beat yourself up over this. Now, I'm making it an order."

Before Jack could have a chance to disagree with him, Lennie turned back over onto his other side. Jack's arms was still around him and he pressed back into the other man's body. He closed his eyes, ready to leave that day behind.

Jack nuzzled Lennie's neck and whispered, "Yes sir." He focused on the sleeping detective's soft, even breathing as he drifted off to sleep.

THE END