Disclaimer: no infringement intended. I do not own L&OCI just playing with their characters ... Thank you.

Title: This Too, Shall Pass

A one shot ... a quicky

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This Too, Shall Pass …

"When I feel satisfied I'm afraid that it won't last. And when I don't, I am afraid my sorrow will go on forever. Find me the ring that will ease my suffering." he demanded.

-- King Solomon

He was free. Robert Goren walked out of One Police Plaza a free man. He had walked the streets of Manhatten many times. For lunch with his partner. To grab a coffee or the paper by himself. On several occasions, he and Logan would leave their cars in the parking garage after work and walk to a bar. The streets of Manhattan was his playground. Bad for the criminals of New York, fun for a guy like Goren that lived for his job. He loved the city that he promised to protect and serve.

As he walked, he reflected on the words of his mentor, his old demented friend, Declan Gage … "you're free."

He was conflicted. He and his Brother were not friends, but he loved him. Would he miss him? He missed knowing that he was out there, somewhere, breathing. Did he miss his Mother? He did. He had no one to take care for anymore. Did he miss taking care of her? No … it exhausted him, but now, he was alone.

Reflection was not always a good thing. He felt numb, not free. He walked for hours trying to make some sense of his life. When he finally stopped walking, he found himself at the door of his friend, his only true friend. He reached up to knock on the door. He didn't want to burden his friend … the one person that stood by him. He pressed his back against the door and slid down. He didn't want to be rejected, though this friend never would.

Solomon sent out all of his advisors, and eventually one of them met an old jeweler who carved into a simple gold band the inscription, "this too shall pass." When the king received his ring and read the inscription, his sorrows turned to joy and his joy to sorrows, and then both gave way to equanimity.

As Mike approached his apartment door and saw Goren sitting with his head in hands … knowing through the grapevine, the events of the day. He slid down next to his friend and wrapped his arm around him.

"Hey Buddy … This too, shall pass."

Bobby looked up with tears in his eyes and Mike cocked his head towards the door.

"Come on … cold one's in the frig."

The end___________________________________________________thanks for reading_______________________________________ Judy :) _____________