Title: Worn-Out

Author: Python

Fandom: Law & Order

Pairing: Briscoe/McCoy

Series: Deleted Scenes 2002-03 season. Inspired by the ep "The Ring"

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

Worn-Out
by Python

Lennie came home late and worn-out. "Hello," he called.

"In here," Jack called back from the bedroom.

Lennie locked the front door and turned off the small lamp in the front room on his way to the bedroom. He found Jack lying in bed, watching the news on TV.

"How was work?" Jack asked.

"I've gotta quit with the overtime," Lennie answered with a tired smile.

"What about you? How was your day?"

"All right."

Lennie hung his suit jacket up in the closet and sat on the bed to take his shoes off. He only half-listened to the news story about the arrest of Bradley Hagan for murder.

"The judge decided to allow Hagan's old e-mails into evidence," Jack said.

Lennie looked over his shoulder at Jack, who was frowning. "That's good, right?"

"It helps our case, gives us motive for him to kill her."

"Yeah, they were having an affair and she was going to end it."

"But," Jack began and stopped.

Lennie stood up and began to strip to his boxers and t-shirt. "But what?"

Jack flipped the TV off and threw the remote on the stand next to him.

"Is it right that we can use Hagan's e-mails? Did we go too far in invading his privacy?"

"No," Lennie stated.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Jack, he deleted the e-mails. As far as he was concerned, they didn't exist any more. He has no right to complain that we managed to find them."

"But I had to argue in front of a judge that the framers didn't intend personal privacy in the Constitution," Jack said in frustration. "I don't believe that. The framers may not have mentioned privacy but I think it's in the spirit of the Constitution. It's a living, evolving thing. It's not
static."

"Jack, this isn't going to unravel the fabric of the country," Lennie replied. He rolled his eyes but his voice was tinged with humor.

Jack stared at Lennie and couldn't help but crack a smile. Then he shook his head. "I just don't know."

Lennie crawled onto the bed and got under the covers next to Jack. "Well, I don't have a problem with it. Hagan deleted the e-mails over a year ago. He's got no more claim to them."

"Why is it always me who wrestles with the ethical questions?" Jack asked half-seriously.

"Because you're a little more self-righteous than I am," Lennie teased.

"Gee thanks," Jack said sarcastically. "Can't you ever take anything seriously?"

"Most of the time, but I don't have to when I'm about to drop from exhaustion," Lennie answered and laid back with a grateful sigh. "You can continue to brood, but would you please turn off the lamp?"

Jack turned off the light. He lay in the darkness, listening to Lennie's breathing. "Lennie."

"What?"

"Sometimes I wish our jobs were easier."

"Me too, Jack," Lennie said and yawned. He felt Jack shift closer to him.

"Good night."

Jack put his head on Lennie's shoulder. "Good night."

END