Title: Partial Payment

Author: Python

Fandom: Law & Order

Pairing: Briscoe/McCoy

Email: flairswench@hotmail.com

Series: Deleted Scenes 2002-03 season. Inspired by the ep "Suicide Box"

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

Partial Payment
by Python


Jack sat in his desk chair, facing the window and staring out at the darkness. He was going to lose the Thomas case and he knew it. Steven Thomas shot a cop, confessed, and he wouldn't be able to convict him. All because the Thomas family thought that Steven's older brother, Eric, was murdered and that the police wouldn't do anything about it. He heard Lennie come in. "What do you think? Was Eric Thomas murdered or was it a suicide?"

Lennie sighed and pulled the door shut behind him. "I'm not sure. Hendri says that he killed Thomas but he could be lying. I wouldn't put it past him to lie just to fuck with us...Or maybe the ME made a mistake. But, I'm telling you one thing. I knew Detective Helms. He wouldn't have covered anything up."

Jack turned to face Lennie. "I'm gonna lose this one, Lennie. All the jury sees is a kid who's been jerked around the past eight years."

"He still confessed."

"After Green threatened him."

"It wasn't a real threat."

"Still. Halpert made it seem like Steven only confessed out of fear of Detective Green."

Lennie grunted. "It wasn't like that."

Jack frowned. "I know."

"Besides, even if Eric Thomas's case got messed up, that doesn't give Steven the right to take shots at cops."

Jack let out a long breath. "I know, Lennie. I don't like this any more than you do."

Lennie shook his head. "It's so popular for people to hate us. We deal with the crap that no one else wants to handle and all we get is grief."

Jack stood up and went over to Lennie. He wrapped his arms around Lennie and Lennie pulled him close. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"I know."

Jack hated seeing Lennie unhappy and said lightly, but sincerely, "If it's any consolation, I don't hate cops."

Lennie chuckled. "I'm delighted to hear that."

Jack gave Lennie a squeeze. "And there's one I'm very fond of."

Lennie's eyebrow rose. "Really? Who?"

"You," Jack answered and gave Lennie a kiss. Then, he stepped away and grabbed his jacket. "Let's go home and relax."

"Okay."

Jack went to the door and opened it. He motioned for Lennie to precede him. "After you."

Lennie inclined his head and stepped into the hall. Jack fell into step next to him and they walked to the elevators. He pressed the button and jammed his hands into his pockets. "Thanks, Jack."

Jack grinned. "Consider it partial payment for all the times you've taken care of me."

Lennie laughed quietly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Jack shrugged. "I don't know either. I think it's best not to think about it."


The End