Title/Author: "Between the Bars: McCoy" by n.s.

Rating: T (minor language, some suggestive scenes)

Summary: A not-canon-but-not-not-canon take on Jack McCoy and Claire Kincaid's relationship through seasons 5-6; in the same universe as "Between the Bars: Logan," so implied Mike Logan/Claire also.

Disclaimer:I don't own any of these characters. This story is brought to you by 20-year-old repeats of Law & Order that happen to coincide with my daughter's nap time.

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"I'm going to Attica."

Her voice had the same tension he felt in her muscles without even having to touch her.

"That's your choice," he said without opening his eyes.

"That's it?" she demanded weakly, her voice cracking.

"What do you want me to say, Claire?" he said, opening his eyes and turning his face towards her.

Her eyes were open and the street lights outside made the tears in them shimmer.

"I don't know. I thought you'd be happy. You told me to accept it," she continued, her eyes accusing him, as they had been for almost four months with no end in sight, especially as Scott's execution neared.

"I told you to accept that in your role as a prosecuter in the state of New York, which as of last year, is a death penalty state, you may prosecute someone who will be eventually executed," he explained, sternly at first, but then softening when he added, "I didn't say you need to watch it happen."

She wiped at her eye with the edge of his sheet.

"I wouldn't even make it through the first round of voir dire if I was called for the jury, but somehow I'm supposed to prosecute without taking any issue," she said bitterly, rolling onto her back.

"Yes, because you're voir dired as Miss Kincaid, and you prosecute as New York Assistant District Attorney Kincaid."

"Convenient compartmentalization."

"Necessary compartmentalization," it was his turn to turn away from her. "I don't know what else I can say to convince you."

"Maybe there is no convincing me."

Neither of them spoke, and neither of them slept. They both knew they weren't just talking about Mickey Scott.