Title: A Time to Bitch

Author: Python

Fandom: Law & Order

Pairing: Briscoe/McCoy

Email: flairswench@hotmail.com

Series: Deleted Scenes 2002-03 season. Inspired by the ep "Shangri-La"

Archive: My website: http://www.geocities.com/bikertaker2000/Python.html

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

any feedback is appreciated

A Time to Bitch
by Python

Lennie felt Jack shifting in bed next to him. He rolled over onto his side, facing the far wall. Jack continued to shift. "What are you doing?"

"I can't get comfortable," Jack complained.

"Jack, it's two-thirty, what is your problem?"

"I told you."

Lennie yawned. "I know what you said. Now, what's your real problem?"

Jack should have known better. He couldn't fool Lennie. Lennie always knew when something was bothering him. Plus, he realized that he was making it difficult for Lennie to sleep. He turned on the lamp on the stand by the bed. "I can't stop thinking about Fiona Reed."

Lennie grunted. "You're just upset that she fooled you."

"She fooled you, too."

"Yeah, but I'm not hung up on it."

"She's a con artist and thinks that she can fool everyone. She won't get away with it this time," Jack stated in agitation. Lennie hadn't turned to face him and that annoyed him. He nudged Lennie's shoulder. "Are you listening?"

"Yes," Lennie answered and rolled onto his other side to face Jack.

"A psychiatrist got on the stand today and said she was disassociative because of an early childhood trauma. It was a bunch of bull."

"Did you roast him on the stand?"

Jack shook his head. "No, he had an answer for everything and I think some of the jurors might have bought it."

Lennie rubbed Jack's arm. "She's bound to make a mistake and we'll catch that."

"How can you be so sure?" Jack asked sourly, not really in the mood to be comforted. He wanted to bitch and complain. It diverted him from the fact that Reed had outsmarted him and he was in danger of that happening again.

"They all make mistakes," Lennie said and it was true. Reed would give herself away. There were too many lies for her to keep straight. "Jack, we've both been at this a long time. She'll slip up. It's only a matter of time."

"And what if it's too late?"

Lennie sighed. He wanted to get back to sleep and Jack was just being difficult. He sighed. "If anyone should be upset, it should be me. After all, I'm the one who had to get out of bed at four-thirty because Reed decided to commit a murder. And now you're keeping me up complaining about her." Despite his best effort, he cracked a small smile.

Jack stared at Lennie for a minute. He shook his head and chuckled.

"Can't you take anything seriously?"

"Not at two-thirty."

Jack switched the lamp off. "I guess I can take pity on you and let you get back to sleep."

"Thank you," Lennie said and rolled onto his back.

Jack laid his head on Lennie's shoulder and Lennie put an arm around him.

"I know I shouldn't let this get to me but it's hard sometimes."

Lennie kissed the top of Jack's head. "I know. We just have to keep doing the best that we can."

"Okay."

"Good night, Jack."

"Night." Jack lay still, listening to Lennie's heartbeat. It settled into a slower, comfortable rhythm as Lennie drifted back off. Jack let that steady beat and the comfortable heat from Lennie's body put him to sleep.

END