Title: The Ex-Wife

Author: Python

Fandom: Law & Order

Pairing: Briscoe/Green

Series: In the same universe as Under Pressure, the Family Strife Trilogy, This Is Good, and An Anniversary Plea, which can be found at my website. 1st part in the Can't Live with 'Em, Can't Kill 'Em Trilogy. My Ed muse has a thing for trilogies.

Disclaimer: These guys don't belong to me. This is just for fun. Please don't sue me.

any feedback is appreciated, in fact, I'm begging for it.

The Ex-Wife
By Python

Lennie woke up early. He stared at the ceiling. The only sound in the room was Ed's soft, even breathing. The older man had been retired for almost a month, but he still couldn't sleep late. He was conditioned by almost forty years on the force to get up for work, except for when he'd been drunk. He wasn't about to start drinking again just so he'd sleep later. He felt Ed shift closer to him.

"You've got to learn how to sleep past seven o'clock," Ed said groggily.

He didn't want his lover to get out of bed, leaving him alone. He put an arm across Lennie's chest and put his head on the older man's shoulder. Soon, he was asleep again.

Lennie stroked Ed's hair. Then he closed is eyes. He didn't think sleep would come back to him, but it eventually did. A couple hours later, he woke up but didn't move. Ed's position hadn't changed and he wouldn't disturb his young lover.

The alarm clock's blaring broke the silence. Ed groaned, rolled over, and turned it off. He stretched and got out of bed. The he flashed Lennie a smile. "Morning."

"Morning," Lennie said, returning the smile. Then he went into the kitchen to make some coffee, while Ed disappeared into the bathroom. He heard the shower running and his lover's deep singing voice. He sat at the small table, with the newspaper and a hot cup of coffee, and listened to Ed's voice.

When the younger man finished getting ready, he glanced at his watch. He sighed. At least, I'm not running late, he thought, but I've gotta go or I will be. He went into the kitchen and stood behind his lover. Then he put his hands on Lennie's shoulders and gave the other man a quick kiss on the side of the head. "I've gotta go. Linda and I are meeting to put the finishing touches on the latest script, before we have to see Jeremy."

"All right. See ya later," Lennie responded.

"Don't let yourself get too bored," Ed said lightly.

"Oh, just get out of here," Lennie replied in mock exasperation. Ed gave him one last grin and left. He finished reading the paper and drummed his fingers on the table. "What now?" he asked the empty room.

Ed may have meant that last comment as a joke, but Lennie was having trouble finding things to keep himself occupied. His life had revolved around work for so long. Before getting together with Ed, it was the only thing he had and now it was gone.

Ed assured Lennie that the situation would get better and said that the older man would get used to it, but Lennie wasn't so sure. You have to find something to keep yourself active, he told himself.

Lennie went into the bathroom to take his own shower. The mirror was still steamed over from Ed and the scent of the younger man's aftershave hung in the air. He took a quick, cold shower and mutter, "Ed, you and I are going to have a little talk about you using all of the hot water."

The retired detective was dressed and drying his hair with a towel, when the phone rang. He sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Hi, Lennie," a feminine voice greeted.

"Maggie?" Lennie asked in surprise. Maggie was the ex-wife that he still actually talked to. They managed to part well and stayed friends. She'd even helped in through rehab, even though they were divorced at the time, but he hadn't heard from her in the last eight months. "I thought you were working in Japan."

"I was, but the company sent me back here a few months ago. I wanted to get in touch with you sooner, but I've been really busy," Maggie explained.

"It's ok. I'm sure that calling your ex wasn't one of your top priorities," Lennie said lightly.

Maggie laughed and asked, "Are you busy this afternoon?"

"No, my schedule is completely open."

"That's a first."

"Well, retirement brings those kinds of changes," Lennie replied.

"Really? I thought that you'd go on forever," Maggie stated, not meaning anything negative by the statement.

"One year behind a desk was enough."

"I can see how you'd feel that way," Maggie said, "You want to get together for lunch this afternoon?"

"Sure."

"Good. I'll see you at out usual place at noon."

"Hey," Ed greeted, sitting across from Linda. "Have you been here long?"

"No, I just got here myself. I haven't even ordered a drink yet," Linda answered.

"Ok," Ed said, settling into his chair.

"How's Lennie?"

Ed sighed. "He's all right, but he's going out of his skull with boredom."

"It's only been a month and he's already bored?"

"He's used to getting up and going to work every day. It's a tough adjustment for him. I can't even get him to sleep late."

Linda nodded. "He'll be ok once he finds something else to do all day. I know that you have the nights taken care of."

Ed couldn't help but blush. His writing partner always had a knack for embarrassing him.

Linda smiled and continued, "I remember my father was the same way. He got so frustrated that he opened his own bar."

"Was it a success?"

"It's still open today and, at seventy, he's still tending bar," Linda stated.

Ed laughed. "I'm impressed."

"And Lennie will probably be the same way."

Ed thought about that for a second. Then he nodded. "I think you're right."

"I know I am. Besides, I don't think you would have it any other way.

Lennie will get off his ass just to keep you from bitching at him," Linda teased.

"I never bitch," Ed responded with mock indignation. "I'm very sensitive."

"Yeah, whatever," Linda retorted. "Come on, Mr. Sensitive, let's get to work, so we'll be done by the time we have to meet with Jeremy."

Lennie stood up as his ex-wife came and put her purse on the table.

Maggie gave him her hand and he gave her a peck on the cheek. After sitting down, she said, "You look good Lennie."

Lennie smiled. "Thanks. You to."

"How's Ed?"

"He's good. He's at work right now."

"How long's it been for you two?" Maggie asked.

"Five and a half years," Lennie answered. When he'd first told Maggie about Ed, she said that it would never last. He was glad to have proved her wrong.

For once, Maggie was happy to have been wrong. "I'm happy for you. When you talk about him, I see a light in your eyes that I didn't see before."

Lennie sat back and nodded. Then he asked, "So, what about you? What's been going on?"

Maggie shrugged. "Work is work, although I might be up for a promotion soon." She paused and her face flushed. "I've also met someone."

"What's his name?" Lennie tried to suppress his amusement when Maggie face turned a shade redder.

"Mark Crawford. He's from Connecticut."

"He sounds loaded," Lennie commented.

"Mark's well off," Maggie responded.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks, and he's asked me to marry him." Maggie showed her ex-husband her left hand, with a sparkling diamond ring on her finger. "I said yes."

"That's a big rock."

"Mark insisted on this one. I actually picked a smaller ring."

"I hope he knows what he's getting into," Lennie teased.

Maggie snorted and then said, "And I want you to do something for me."

Lennie's eyebrow rose. "What?"

"I want you to come to the wedding and give me away."

The retired detective was speechless. This was one of the last things he he expected to come out of Maggie's mouth. He saw her smile and found his voice. "Why me?"

"Because you're my friend and my ex-husband. I think it's oddly appropriate," Maggie responded.

"When and where will the big event be?"

"Next month at Mark's home in Middlewood, Connecticut," Maggie answered.

"You guys aren't wasting any time are you?" Lennie asked with a smile.

"Neither of us is getting any younger," Maggie said seriously. She reached across the table and took Lennie's hand. "I want Ed there to. I want to meet him in person. You've told me so much about him that I feel like I know him already and want a face to go with the description. We'll put you up at the small inn at the edge of town, near Mark's house."

Lennie would have to run this by Ed, but he didn't think there would be a problem. His lover liked seeing new places and Ed hadn't been to Connecticut. Ed had been planning a lot of traveling for them to do in the future, now that he knew what to do to make Lennie agree to traveling on planes, even though he still hated it. At least I won't have to fly to Connecticut, he thought. The older man nodded. "Ok, Maggie. I'll see what I can do."

"Good. You can even come up a couple weeks early, make a vacation of it."

"We'll see," Lennie responded. Later that day, he told Ed about his lunch with Maggie.

"I wouldn't mind going," Ed said, "I think it would be fun and I'm looking forward to talking with Maggie."

"Never mind. Maybe this isn't such a good idea," Lennie responded, but couldn't suppress a smile.

"I'll have to see when Jeremy can spare me. I know I can get the week of the wedding, but I don't know about the week before that." The next day, he spoke to his boss. As he predicted, Jeremy gave him the week of the wedding, but couldn't give him anything before then. "The start of the fall season is coming up soon, so he can't let me go," Ed explained.

"That's ok. I'll tell Maggie that we can only be there that week," Lennie stated.

"Why don't you go up there a couple weeks early?" Ed suggested. He thought a change of scenery might do his lover some good. Lennie still hadn't really found anything to keep himself busy. At the very least, it would help the older man get out of the apartment.

"Are you sure?"

"I think I can get along without you for two weeks," Ed said with a smile.

Lennie shrugged. "Ok. Why not?" A couple weeks later, he left for Middlewood. That morning, Ed saw him to the door.

"I'll see you in a couple weeks," Ed said.

Lennie smiled and gave the younger man a soft kiss. When he felt Ed pull him closer, he pulled away. "See ya in two weeks."

As Ed watched his lover disappear, he called, "And you always call me a tease." He chuckled and closed the door after Lennie vanished from sight.

*
"Lennie Briscoe, meet Mark Crawford," Maggie said, introducing the two men.

"So, you're the old model," Mark stated, shaking Lennie's hand.

"Yup. Now, you can see what Maggie does to a man," Lennie responded.

Mark laughed but it sounded forced and Maggie replied lightly, "You two just met. There will be no double-teaming me."

"Of course not," Mark replied, putting an arm around her.

Lennie spent the rest of the day with Maggie and her fiancé. Mark seemed nice enough, but was still a rich, white man. Lennie got the feeling that Mark looked down on a lot of people, which left a bad taste in his mouth.

Don't jump to conclusions, he told himself, you just met the man. Maggie really likes him. Give him the benefit of the doubt.

After four days, Ed really missed Lennie. He thought that after almost six years together, he'd be able handle the separation better. The worse part was having to sleep alone. The bed was so cold without Lennie there with him.

The younger man still thought that the change of pace was doing his lover good. Lennie called him the night before to say that he was enjoying himself. Ed could tell that the other man was more relaxed from his tone of voice on the phone. "But I wish you were here," the older man had stated.

"It's only been a couple of days," Ed replied.

Lennie knew that the younger man was just covering up, but let it slide.

"You're right."

"But I will be there as soon as I can."

"I know."

Maggie kept Lennie busy for most of the two weeks. She knew that he still missed his lover, but at least she was making it bearable. She went to her ex-husband's hotel room the morning that Ed was supposed to come. "Is he here yet?"

"He should be here soon," Lennie answered.

"That's quite a drive," Ed stated from the doorway. He grinned and went over to hug his lover when Lennie turned to face him. Then he noticed Maggie. "You must be the ex," he said half-seriously.

"And you must be the lover," Maggie responded. She swallowed her surprise at seeing that Ed was black. Lennie had never told her, but it didn't really make much of a difference. She'd already decided that the younger man was good for Lennie. Why should skin color change that?

Ed chuckled and gave the room a once over. He'd never stayed at what one would call a country inn before. It was...different.

"What do you think?" Maggie asked.

"I don't know yet," Ed answered truthfully.

It was Maggie's turn to chuckle. "Fair enough. I'll give you some time to unpack. Then you can come out to the house for the afternoon and meet Mark."

After the two men agreed, she left and closed the door behind her.

Ed walked over to the window and looked out onto the small street below.

"We're a long way from the hustle and bustle of New York or Cairo," Lennie said lightly.

"It's too small," Ed responded. He turned his back to the window to stare at his lover.

Lennie nodded and slowly approached the younger man. He put his arms around Ed's waist and leaned in close to the other man's ear. "Small isn't necessarily bad. Small can be quiet and intimate," he said softly.

Ed cupped Lennie's face in his hand and leaned in to softly brush his lips against the older man's. His tongue explored the familiar, moist confines of Lennie's mouth.

After Ed thoroughly kissed him, Lennie pushed the younger man away. To cut off any protest, he put a finger to Ed's lips. "Later. Maggie will be back soon. She only wants to give you enough time to unpack before lunch."

"Can't I do it later?"

"Do it now. We'll have more time tonight."

As Lennie had said, Maggie came back a half-hour later. She took the two men out to Mark's house. When she first introduced her fiancé to Ed, Mark tensed. He quickly pushed it aside and played the part of the good host for the afternoon. He'd have a talk with Maggie later.

Maggie invited Lennie and Ed to stay for dinner, but the younger man really didn't want to. He'd had a long day and he was getting a weird vibe from Mark. Plus, he wanted to be alone with his lover. Maggie and Mark knew about them, but he still felt uncomfortable around them.

Lennie felt Ed's hand rubbing his lower back. He glanced behind him and read his lover's dark eyes. Then he shifted his attention to Maggie. "I'm sorry, but we can't stay."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes. It's been a long day for Ed. We'll just get something quick at the hotel."

"Ok," Maggie said and threw Lennie her keys. "Take my car. I'll pick it up tomorrow."

Lennie nodded and followed Ed to the door. The younger man stopped and faced him.

"Is the hotel within walking distance?" Ed asked.

"Yes, it's a little over half a mile," Lennie answered.

Ed took his lover's hand and grabbed the car keys. He stopped one of the maids and gave her the keys. "Tell Maggie that we decided to walk."

Lennie let Ed lead him outside and they began the walk back to the hotel.

"Ed, I think you're a hopeless romantic."

"Shh. I've got a reputation to maintain," Ed responded.

When they got back to their room, Ed gave Lennie a quick kiss and said, "I'm going to take a shower. You want to join me?"

"No thanks, but I'll play with you when you get out."

Ed finished his shower in record time. Then he found his lover laying on the bed and watching tv.

Lennie heard the bathroom door open. He glanced in Ed's direction without moving his head. His cock twitched at seeing the younger man completely naked and dripping wet.

Ed crawled onto the bed. He took the remote from the older man and turned the tv off. Then he rested above Lennie on his hands and knees.

"Oh, is it time to play now?" Lennie asked, trying to get a rise out of the younger man.

Ed ran his hands under Lennie's t-shirt and rested them on either side of the older man's body. Then he leaned down and probed his lover's mouth with his tongue. "Does that answer your question?"

Any words flew out of Lennie's head when Ed's tongue left a trail from his jaw to his neck. His young lover found the sweet spot on it that always drove him wild. Ed always lingered on that spot for him. He ran his fingers through the other man's wet hair. "Oh God, Ed! Right there!"

Both men heard the faint knocking at the door and both wanted to ignore it. Whoever it is will go away, Ed thought. He'd been without his Lennie for fourteen days. This was their time and everyone else was just going to have to wait.

END