Author: Python
Fandom: Law & Order
Pairing: Briscoe/Green
Email: flairswench@hotmail.com
Series: Sequel to Under Pressure. 2nd part of the Family Strife trilogy, following Revelations
Disclaimer: These guys don't belong to me. This is just for fun. Please don't sue me.
Warnings: Beware of Angst
any feedback is appreciated
Bad Mistake
By Python
"Let go of me, Denise," Robert demanded.
Denise did as he asked only after getting him out of Ed's hospital room and down the hall. "Keep your voice down," she said, "This is a hospital."
"I know that," Robert retorted, still in a loud voice.
"Then you shouldn't be behaving like an overgrown ape."
Robert looked at his wife in frustration. He knew she was right and it was irritating. He grudgingly nodded. "Ok, but why do you insist on dragging me out every time I try to talk to our son?"
"You've been talking at Ed all day. He needs a break," Denise answered, trying to hide her amusement.
"I wasn't talking at him," Robert said defensively. "We were having a discussion."
"I love you Robert, but I don't think you know the difference between talking with and at someone."
Ed's father couldn't tell how serious his wife meant that last comment.
"If Ed needs his rest, why didn't you make his partner leave to?"
"I didn't say rest. I said a break and I've never heard Ed complain about Briscoe badgering him," Denise stated.
"I get an odd feeling from that guy," Robert said with distrust.
"Briscoe?"
"Yes. I don't know what it is. I get the feeling that he's hiding something."
They're both hiding something, Denise thought. She'd made a point of trying to get to know Lennie better since she found out about the relationship between him and Ed. She found herself liking the older detective and she could tell that his feelings for Ed were as strong as Ed's for him. She also knew that it would be hard for her husband to accept. "I'm sure you're just imagining things."
*
"I never thought your mother would take the news about us so well," Lennie said after Denise dragged Robert from the room.
"Me neither, but she's turing out to be one of the best friends we could've hoped for," Ed responded.
"And your dad?"
"I think it would be best if he stays in the dark."
Lennie nodded. "Ok."
"What's going on with the case?" Ed asked.
"Collins tried to cut a deal, but McCoy's out for blood this time. Collins will be going away for a very long time."
"Good," Ed stated in satisfaction.
"Has Dr. Yeager said anything more?"
"My first physical therapy session will be in a couple of days," Ed answered. He looked at his almost completely useless right arm.
Lennie followed Ed's gaze. "It'll work out. You'll be able to use that arm again," he said without a hint of uncertainty.
Ed tried to keep his spirits up. He had a naturally upbeat personality, but even he needed some encouragement from time to time. "Thanks, Lennie."
He grabbed the older man's tie and, with his good hand, pulled his partner toward him for a soft kiss.
*
Robert finally succeeded in losing his wife. He left her in the gift shop while he found a lounge with a tv. There wasn't much on and he took a magazine from one of the small tables. A nurses's station was near him and he heard some of them joking and rolled his eyes.
Robert's ears perked up when he heard one of them start talking about his son.
"Hey Deb, did you see those two in Room 325?" Nurse 1 asked.
"Yeah, Peg. Detectives Green and Briscoe," Deb replied. "I've been watching them since Green came in. They've got it bad."
"They're so sweet to each other," a third nurse added.
"When I asked Green about them, he said they've been together a little over six months," Deb stated.
"He actually told you that?" Peg asked.
"He couldn't avoid it after I caught them," Deb explained. "It's really no big deal."
"Not really, as long as they make each other happy. What right do we have we to judge," Peg agreed.
"But the other one is so old," Nurse 3 said.
"Green said that doesn't matter and I believe him," Deb replied.
"You don't really have room to talk, June. Your man is almost your dad's age," Peg added to the third nurse.
June snorted but admitted, "You're right. You're right."
Robert sat back and tuned out the rest of the nurses's chatter. It can't be, he thought, not my son. But after thinking about it for a while, it made sense to him. That explained the weird feeling he got when Briscoe and his son were in the same room.
Robert's shock turned to anger. He resisted the urge to march into Ed's room and confront his son. He discarded that idea. Ed would just get hostile...but what else could he do?
"There you are," Denise said, sitting next to him. She looked at his red face. "What's wrong with you?"
Robert couldn't tell his wife that their baby was...was gay. "Nothing."
"You sure?"
Robert smiled. "Yes."
Denise looked at him skeptically, but said, "Ok. You ready to go?"
"Yeah. Let's stop by and say bye to Ed and go home for the night."
As they approached the doorway to Ed's room, Lennie came out. The detective nodded to them and went on his way. Denise noticed Robert's eyes follow Lennie down the hall. She'd never seen him look like that. "Robert."
"Yes?"
Denise eyed him. He was trying to look innocent and she couldn't really accuse him of anything. "Come on. Let's see Ed."
*
Robert bided his time, trying to decide what to do. Confronting Ed was out. His son was too much like his mother and wouldn't listen to reason. Plus, he didn't want Denise to find out that Ed was gay if she didn't have to.
Robert decided that his only option was to talk to Lennie, but the very thought turned his stomach. He was convinced that the relationship was all the older detective's idea. Ed couldn't have wanted it at the beginning.
Ed's father spent the next couple weeks waiting for an opportune time.
He'd also worked out what to say. This would be delicate. He couldn't verbally jump down Briscoe's throat, which is what he really wanted to do.
He wished he could do more than that, but didn't want to get arrested for assaulting a cop.
*
Ed was ready to get out of the hospital. He'd only had physical therapy for three weeks, but he felt a lot better. Yeager told him that he'd be released soon. He'd have to go back to the hospital three times a week for therapy sessions.
"Hey," Lennie greeted, coming through the door.
Ed grinned. "Hey."
"How do you feel today?"
It took a great effort, but he raised his right arm enough to wave.
"Great!" He watched Lennie sit down. "So, what's going on in the outside world?"
"Same old stuff. And I assume that you're still driving the nurses crazy."
"I just can't help it. It's so easy," Ed replied, with a sparkle in his eye.
"Brat."
"But I'm a cute brat."
Lennie couldn't help but laugh. "Granted."
They both looked to see Ed's parents. "Hello boys," Denise said.
"Hey mom, dad," Ed greeted.
Lennie's pager went off. He looked at it and stood up. "I'd better check this."
Ed nodded. He smiled at his mom as she sat next to him. He glanced at his dad, who was standing in the doorway, staring down the hall. "What are you doing, dad?"
Robert shoved his hands in his pockets. He was watching Lennie on the phone at the nurses's station. He briefly looked at Ed to answer, "Not much." He shifted his attention back to Ed's partner.
Ed and Denise exchanged shrugs. Ten minutes later, Robert saw Lennie hang up the phone and head to the restroom. He excused himself. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Ed stared at his mother. "Dad's been acting weird lately."
"I know," Denise agreed. "But I can't get anything out of him. He's up to something."
"Why does that worry me?"
Denise rubbed her son's hand in support. "It'll be ok."
*
Lennie was washing his hands when he saw Robert in the mirror. He nodded. "Mr. Green."
"Detective," Robert answered and went to the urinal. "Was everything ok?" He asked, making small talk. He glanced around to make sure they were alone.
"Yes. My lieutenant just needed to talk to me."
Robert finished and went to the sink beside Lennie. He waited until the detective passed him to leave to say, "I know about you and my son."
Lennie froze. He stared at Robert's reflection. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb with me Detective. I'm not stupid," Robert stated.
"No. No, you're not."
"It's been going on for about six months."
"That's right," Lennie said warily. "But how did you know?"
"That's not important, but if you don't mind my asking, who anniciated it?" Robert asked. He believed that it was Lennie and wanted to see if the other man would take responsibility.
"It was mutual," Lennie answered. He had a sinking feeling that he wouldn't like where this was going.
I find that hard to believe, Robert thought. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Do you really love him?"
"Yes," Lennie answered sincerely.
"Then I'm surprised that you're doing this to him," Robert said.
Here it comes, Lennie thought. He didn't think Robert would take the news about his relationship with Ed well. Just leave, he said to himself, just leave before this can escalate. He was about to continue on his way when Robert spoke up again.
"I can see how you'd be attracted to Ed. He's young and virile. I suppose that appeals to gay men."
Don't lose your temper, Lennie, the detective ordered himself. "If you'll excuse me..."
Robert turned around. He mentally scolded himself fro letting his hostility show. He switched attitudes. "Please, don't do this to him," he said, sounding like a concerned father.
If there was one thing that got to Lennie, it was a concerned parent. He knew what it was like to have to worry about a child. He let go of his anger over Robert's earlier hostility. "Don't you get it? I'd never hurt Ed."
"Maybe not intentionally, but if you stay together, you will."
"What do you mean?"
"We're both older men Detective. Things may be fine between you now, but what about ten years from now? We both know how the body deteriorates," Robert said. He saw he was getting to the other man. "I know my son. If he loves you, he'll stay with you. You'll end up stealing his youth and, he may not mean to, but he'll hate you for it."
Lennie felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He didn't want to admit that Robert had a point. Ed was convinced that age didn't matter, but how would Ed feel when he did get older. Lennie began to wonder if if he really would steal Ed's youth.
Robert put a hand on Lennie's shoulder. "If you love him, set him free." He left that thought with the detective and left. When he stepped into the hall, he smiled, but he didn't feel as good as he thought he should. You're just getting soft, he told himself.
*
"If you love him, you'll set him free," Lennie echoed. He wished he could just dismiss what Robert had said, but it wasn't that simple.
The detective began thinking about things he'd rather not have to deal with. How many good years could he possibly have left? What would he eventually reduce Ed to? He thought about those questions every time he looked at his young lover after that.
Ed noticed the change in his partner's demeanor. One day he asked, "Lennie, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Come on."
"It's really nothing. I've just got a lot on my mind," Lennie said, giving Ed a weak smile.
"Ok," Ed responded, far from convinced.
Robert's comments stayed in the back of Lennie's mind. He finally made one of the hardest decisions of his life, but would hold off until Ed was out of the hospital. He took Ed home the day the younger man was discharged.
Ed unlocked his door and went inside his apartment. It was just how he left it and it felt safe and comforting. He turned to Lennie and grinned.
"It's nice to be back."
Lennie smiled back but it quickly faded. Just tell him and get it over with, a voice in his head said.
Ed took his lover's hand. "Please, tell me what's been bothering you. You've been acting strange lately."
Lennie motioned for Ed to sit down. "There's something I have to tell you."
"Ok. Go ahead."
"I...it's..." the older faltered. He didn't know if he could go through with this. It's for his own good, that voice in his head urged. "Ed, it's over."
"Wait a minute," Ed responded, trying to keep the panic from rising in his throat. "What's over?"
"Us," Lennie answered, exercising all of his control to keep from backing down.
It took a minute for Lennie's statement to register in Ed's brain. No, his mind screamed. "Why?"
"I have to leave, Ed."
"Why?" Ed asked again.
"Because I love you."
"You love me, but you're leaving me? That doesn't make much sense."
"We're not good for each other, Ed. I'm too old for you. There's so much more you could do without me," Lennie stated.
"You sound like you're trying to convince yourself of something that's not true," Ed responded.
"It is true," Lennie said quietly.
Ed couldn't take this. It was tearing him up inside. Lennie was part of the reason he'd fought so hard to come back from his injury. "Fine. Go then."
"Ed, I..."
"Just go," Ed yelled. He watched the other man leave and forced himself not to run after the man he loved. "I'll always love you," he whispered.
Lennie got into his car and slammed the steering wheel. He felt like he'd just ripped his own heart out and stomped on it. "It was for his own good. Now, he can have a normal life," he said out loud, as if hearing the words would make his heart believe them. "I love you, Ed. Just be happy."
END