~~~

It had been a long day in the office for Jack McCoy, but when he turned the key and walked into his lover's apartment, he had gotten a second wind as he mentally put together his plans for that night.

It was Lennie's birthday, but the detective hadn't mentioned anything for the past few days. While Lennie may have thought that he had gotten out of celebrating the day, Jack was more than happy to remind him that birthdays weren't really about getting old, even if the both of them were getting on in years.

It was almost midnight when Lennie Briscoe staggered into his apartment find a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed assistant district attorney waiting for him.

“I thought you’d be asleep already,” Lennie admitted with some surprise as Jack efficiently took his cuffs, gun, coat and keys and led him into the bedroom.

“Nope. Serena and I were burning the midnight oil over the Masterson case.” Jack smiled, undoing his lover’s tie and going to work on the buttons of Lennie’s shirt. “I almost didn’t get here in time.”

“In time?” Lennie raised an eyebrow. “For me to collapse into bed, you mean?”

Jack shook his head with an impish smile. “Nope.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but that’s what I’m about to do in a minute, Jack.”

“I’m sure you can wait--” He threw a glance to his wristwatch. “Thirty seconds.”

“Thirty seconds?” Lennie blinked. “What happens in thirty seconds?”

Jack checked his watch again, and grinned. “Oh, just this.”

Before the detective could protest, Jack claimed his lips in a passionate kiss, sending heady waves of warmth through them both. After what felt like an eternity, Jack pulled back and indulged himself by giving Lennie a small peck on the lips.

“Happy birthday.”

Lennie took a deep breath, trying to recover from what those dark brown eyes did to him, and muttered almost to himself, “I can’t believe you remembered my birthday.”

“I have a good memory.” Jack shrugged. “Any plans for today?”

Lennie gave his lover a look that clearly said, ‘you know better than to ask’. “Looking for leads on the girl who was stabbed in Battery Park, and looking into the guy who took a header off the Brooklyn Bridge. Not exactly the kind of occasion for cake and ice cream. I probably won’t be home until late.”

Jack nodded. He had to deal with Judge Stein on some motions that the defense had a decent chance of having granted, as well as some witness prep for another case. “Well, how about we pop a bottle of champagne and start celebrating…” He leaned in close to nibble on Lennie’s neck as his arms stole under the man’s unbuttoned dress shirt and around the slender waist.

“Mmmm…” Lennie purred, tilting his head back and just absorbing the feel of Jack’s ministrations. His mouth seemed to be working independently of his brain by noting, “We don’t have any champagne…”

“It’s in a bucket next to the bed.” Jack’s mouth had traveled up his neck to nibble lightly on his ear, dragging a groan from the detective. “Any other objections?”

Lennie cocked his head to one side, pretending to think it over for a moment before shooting his lover a smoldering look. “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

Jack snorted, puffing a breath into Lennie’s ear and causing the man to shiver. “Birthday presents are supposed to be unwrapped.”

“Oh, so you’re my birthday present?”

“Mm-hm.” Jack buried his smile into the detective’s neck as he felt the man’s talented hands travel down his shirt, undoing buttons along the way. A hand pulled him back before a pair of lips closed over his. Jack managed one thought before his brain shut down for the night.

//This looks like the start of a very happy birthday.//

END