Title: What You Deserve

Author: Python

Fandom: Law & Order

Pairing: Briscoe/Green

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

What You Deserve
by Python

Ed woke up with a terrible pounding in his head. He brought a hand up to the back of it and felt a huge lump. "Who hit me?"

Ed slowly sat up. He saw his cell phone and reached for it, while calling his lover's name. He didn't get an answer. "Shit," he breathed. When he quickly stood up, a wave of dizziness hit him.

The younger man steadied himself against the wall. He had trouble seeing straight. He shut his eyes and shook his head, trying to focus. He resisted the urge to sink back down to the floor. I have to check on Lennie, he thought.

With unsteady steps, Ed made it to the bedroom. He immediately saw Lennie curled on his side. He turned his phone on, while kneeling next to the older man. He saw the blood coming from his lover's mouth and dialed 911. "You better work this time you stupid phone."

Ed didn't focus on Lennie while he was talking to the emergency operator. He didn't want to chance getting hysterical on the phone. He listened to the operator's soothing voice, gave her the address, and hung up. Then he examined the other man more closely.

Lennie was unconscious, but still coughing up blood. He managed to moan in pain as the coughs racked his already bruised insides.

Ed felt his lover's pulse. It was weak, but steady. "Hang on for me. Everything's going to be ok," he said, more to comfort himself. He didn't know how he was staying so calm. Lennie needs you thinking straight, a small voice in his head stated, you can cry about this later.

Then the younger man shifted his attention to Maggie. She was completely still. He knew that she was dead before he felt for a pulse. He saw the marks on her throat. "He'll pay, Maggie. I promise."

It wasn't long before the police and ambulance arrived. The EMTs secured Lennie and took him to the emergency room. Ed stayed at the crime scene to answer questions, while one of the emergency workers took a look at his head. He wanted to go with Lennie right away, but also needed to help nail Mark. He knew that's what his lover would want to.

"It looks like you have a concussion. We'll take you to the hospital," the worker said.

"After he answers a couple questions," Grady interjected.

Ed stared at Lennie's last partner. "They gave you this one huh'?"

Grady nodded sadly. "What were you and Lennie doing here?"

"Maggie called us in a panic and begged us to help her. She said that Mark was going to get her."

"Who's Mark?"

"Her husband. He beat her," Ed answered.

"That would explain the older bruises on her body," Grady said, scratching his chin. "Why didn't she call the police?"

"She was afraid to. The ones in Mark's hometown didn't believe her.

Lennie and I were going to pick her up and take her to the police here."

"Ok. We'll talk more later. Right now, let's get you taken care of."

*

The doctors told Ed that he had a mild concussion and that they'd be keeping him overnight for observation. The younger man didn't like that last part, but the doctors insisted. "How's Lennie?" he asked one of the nurses.

"They're still working on him, but I'll ask the doctor to come and see you as soon as he can," she answered.

Ed nodded and composed himself to wait. He scowled. I hate waiting, he thought. A little while later, a familiar doctor came in.

"Dr. Yeager," Ed said.

"Detective Green," Yeager responded.

"No one's called me detective in a long time."

"I like it better than mister."

"How's Lennie?" Ed asked. He'd had enough of the small talk. He knew Yeager was trying to lighten the mood to help his tension, but he wasn't going to feel any better until someone told him what was going on with his lover.

"Most of his ribs are bruised and five are broken.We've managed to stop the internal bleeding for right now."

"Is he going to be ok?"

"I think so. He's a tough old guy," Yeager replied with a smile.

Ed sighed in relief.

"We'll have to continue monitoring him to make sure the bleeding doesn't start again and that his ribs heal properly. His body's seen a lot of trauma the past six years," Yeager added.

Ed nodded in understanding. Lennie was shot six years earlier. The older man had almost died. Ed could still picture the news clipping, showing his lover lying on the courthouse steps in a pool of blood. That scene was what his nightmares were made of. But now, he had something else for his
nightmares to dwell on. "When can I see him?"

"Tomorrow," Yeager answered. "He resting now and will sleep through the night."

*

The next morning, Grady went to see Ed. "How are you doing?" the detective asked.

"I've got a headache, but other than that, I'm fine."

"Good. And Lennie?"

"Dr. Yeager said he should be ok, but Mark beat the shit out of him. He almost bled to death internally."

Grady sat in the chair next to Ed's bed. He took a deep breath and asked, "Did you see the person who hit you?"

"It was Mark," Ed stated, already not liking where this was going.

"Yes, but did you see him?" Grady pressed.

Ed grudgingly shook his head. "He caught me from behind. I never saw him."

"Ok."

"But I'm sure it was him."

"I know. I believe you, but..." Grady's voice trailed off and he spread his hands.

"What?" Ed prompted. Keep that temper under control, he told himself.

"It's only your word that puts him there. We didn't find any prints, except the victim's, yours, and Lennie's."

"So he wore gloves. I never said he was stupid. What about the weapon he hit me with?"

"We haven't found it yet."

"Get to him before he gets rid of it," Ed said.

"I don't have enough for a search warrant. I only have your word that Mark Crawford beat his wife. I checked with her doctor. She told him that all of her injuries were do to accidents," Grady responded, hoping that the detective in Ed would understand his position.

"Come on Grady. We all know what someone looks like who's been punched in the face," Ed stated. "The only accident was that he didn't kill her sooner."

"I know how you feel, Ed. I want to get this guy as much as you..."

Ed cut the other man off. "No, you don't. You're not the one that had to watch the person you love cough up his own blood," he said bitterly.

"That's not fair. I love Lennie to. He taught me what it means to be a detective."

Ed read the pain that the other man was trying to hide. That really wasn't fair Ed, he told himself, Grady's just doing his job. You remember what that's like. "I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated and angry."

"It's ok. I understand."

A light suddenly went on in Ed's head. "I think I can help you with that search warrant."

"How?"

"Our answering machine was recording when Lennie spoke to Maggie. Their whole conversation is on that tape. She said Mark was going to come after her," Ed explained. "That should give you enough to satisfy a judge."

Ed gave Grady the keys to his and Lennie's apartment. The detective said he'd get right on it and left. Shortly after, Yeager came in.

"How are you feeling today?" the doctor asked.

"I have to admit that I've been better, but it could've been worse. I have a hard head," Ed answered with a smile.

Yeager chuckled. "Are you ready to see Briscoe now?"

"Yes," Ed responded. He'd been wondering all morning when Yeager would actually show up and let him see his lover.

"A few minutes only," Yeager said, leaving Ed alone with Lennie.

After the doctor shut the door, Ed slowly walked over to the older man's bed. His feet still felt unsteady because of his injury. The younger man stared down at his lover. Lennie was sweating and moaning softly in his sleep, as if each breath caused him pain. Ed took the other man's sweaty
hand. "Lennie," he said softly.

Lennie's blue eyes fluttered open. "Ed," he responded in a dry, raspy voice.

Ed smiled. "Dr. Yeager said you're gonna be fine. Do you remember what happened?"

The older man closed his eyes for a moment. He saw Maggie's body. He saw Mark standing above him with the fireplace poker. He remembered Mark's exact words. I'm sorry, Maggie, he thought. "Yes, everything."

*

The hospital released Ed that day. The doctor told him to make sure and take it easy. His head still needed time to heal. That night, he got a call from Grady. "What did you come up with?"

"You were right. The tape gave us enough for the warrant. We found bloody clothes and the fireplace poker, we think he hit you with. They're testing the stuff at the lab right now."

"Great."

"And there's more. I talked to McCoy already. He's gonna be out for blood this time. There will be no plea bargain. Lennie saved his life. He said this was the least he could do."

"I'm sure Lennie will be glad to hear that," Ed said.

"And word on when he'll be out of the hospital?"

"A couple weeds at least," Ed answered. "The doctors want to make sure he heals right so there won't the chance of any more bleeding."

"Does he remember what happened? He'll probably have to testify."

"He remembers everything very clearly," Ed stated.

*

Lennie got out of the hospital just in time to testify at Mark's trial. His ribs still hurt, but not every time he took a breath. He winced slightly as he sat in the witness box.

"What happened when you got to Maggie Crawford's motel room?" Jack asked.

"We found the door unlocked and went in. I asked Ed to call the police and I looked for her," Lennie explained in a detached, professional tone.

Thank God for the detective in me, he thought.

"What did you find?"

"I found Maggie dead. She looked like she'd been strangled."

"And after that?"

"I heard someone behind me and turned to see the defendant, Mark Crawford."

"Was he holding anything?" Jack asked.

"Yes, a fireplace poker," Lennie answered.

"I show you the prosecution's exhibit two. Is this the poker?" The lawyer showed the witness the weapon.

"Yes."

"What happened then?"

"We chatted for a few moments and then he hit me," Lennie stated neutrally.

"Did Mr. Crawford tell you why he killed his wife?"

"Because she was going to leave him."

"Why?" Jack questioned.

"He beat her. She thought he was going to kill her," Lennie said.

"She said that over the phone?" When Lennie nodded, Jack produced the answering machine tape and played it for the court. When it was over, he asked, "What happened after Mr. Crawford hit you with the poker?"

"He began kicking me in the ribs."

"How many times?"

"I don't remember."

"Thank you."

*

Lennie sat in court as the jury found Mark guilty. He sighed in relief that it was over. Mark glared at him and Ed and his lover took his hand.

"We got him Lennie. He's paying for what he did," Ed said quietly. He'd seen guilt in his lover's eyes ever since Maggie's murder. He knew that the older man felt responsible for her death because they didn't get there in time.

"Too bad it's too late to help Maggie," Lennie replied. He shook off Ed's hand, stood up, and silently walked out of the courtroom.

"Is he ok?" Jack asked, stopping next to Ed on his way out.

Ed gave a small, brief smile. "Yes. You know how it is." The car ride home was quiet and he repeatedly glanced at the older man, who was completely focused on the road. When they got to their apartment, he grabbed the other man's arm and waited for Lennie to face him. "It's not your
fault."

"What?" Lennie hedged, not really wanting to discuss this.

"Maggie's death."

"Ed..."

"Lennie, we did our best. We got there as fast as we could," Ed said.

"But it wasn't good enough," Lennie responded, angrily fighting back tears. He hadn't cried over Maggie yet. He wouldn't. He felt that would be letting himself off the hook.

"No, it wasn't. But we're not perfect. We tried and, because of your support, she at least tried to leave him. She wasn't going to be his punching bag anymore. Maggie died her own person," Ed stated.

Lennie buried his head in his lover's chest and felt Ed's reassuring arms holding him. "I feel like there's something else I should've done."

Ed tilted the older man's head so he could look into Lennie's eyes.

"There was nothing else," he said in complete certainty. He held his lover tighter, when the other man couldn't hold his tears back any longer.

*

A couple days later, Lennie knelt down next to Maggie's headstone. "I'm sorry Maggie...but you'll be happy to know that we got him. Jack's going for the death penalty and there's not much Mark can do about it." He paused and let out a long, slow breath. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "If there's a heaven, at least you're there. Put in a good word for the rest of us."

Lennie braced himself on the stone and stood up. "Goodbye Maggie." He turned to Ed, who was standing a few feet away from him.

The younger man stepped up to his lover. "Feel better?"

"Yes," Lennie answered in surprise. He was still sad over the loss of his friend, but let go of his guilt. Maggie wouldn't want him to let her death eat him up from the inside.

Ed took the older man's arm and led Lennie back to the car. "Stay right here," he said and opened the passenger door. He took out a brightly wrapped, oblong box and handed it to the other man. "Happy Birthday."

"Ed, that was a month ago."

"But, I didn't get to give this to you," Ed replied. "Now, open it."

Lennie did as he was told. He tore off the paper of what appeared to be a carrying case. He glanced at his young lover's grin and opened it. "Ed, this is great," he said in genuine admiration, when he saw the custom made pool cue. It was made out of dark red cherry wood and ivory.

"I knew you'd like it." Ed watched in delight as his lover took the separate pieces out of the case and put the cue together. The older man ran his hands along the entire length.

"No more beating everyone with the old hall cues," Ed said. His grin got wider as he added, "Now you can beat 'em with a little more style."

"I have style."

"I never said you didn't. I said more style."

Lennie took the cue apart and put it back into the case. "Thanks, Ed."

"I'm not done yet."

"What else have you done?" Lennie asked in amusement.

"I've got two tickets for the ALCS game six between the Yankees and the Mariners. My original date cancelled, so I figured I'd take you," Ed teased.

"You didn't."

"I did."

"Ed, I don't deserve all this," Lennie said.

The younger man's smile disappeared. He backed the older man up against the car, put one hand on the hood on either side of his lover, and stared directly into Lennie's face. "Yes, you do," he stated with conviction. "You do so much for me."

Before Lennie could respond, Ed kissed him. He completely melted into it.

"Let me do this for you," the younger man whispered.

Lennie thought for a minute about all his lover said. Then he grinned and replied simply. "Ok."

"Then, later tonight, I'll do something else you can thank me for," Ed said. He ran his hand lightly over Lennie's still tender ribs. "And I'll be sure to go slow and take good care of you."

Lennie pulled his lover closer for another kiss and replied, "I'll look forward to it."

THE END