The Lies We Defend

gorenrocks

A/N Something a little different. Bobby and Ross talk about why Ross was so mad at Bobby from Day One. Bobby gets an explanation, but is it enough? Spoilers for the entire series. Takes place sometime in 8th season, right around Family Values. Rated T to be on the safe side, for language.

Disclaimer: I don't own them, just having fun.

Collar turned up defending against the cold, Bobby Goren's breath billowed in little white puffs on this raw winter night as he strode down the sidewalk. His gray hair formed short curls, almost ringlets, from the bursts of icy wind that dampened all it touched.

Just a couple blocks from his Brooklyn apartment, Bobby shoved his hands deeper into his coat pockets, shivering and quickening his pace. It'd been after nine when he got off his subway stop; another late night. Another very long week and they were nowhere closer to finding the killer, a vicious animal who killed and raped two young women, one a mother of two children under five.

The streets were dark, visibility low. Bobby looked up at the murky sky, starless and lined by strands of opaque clouds. He wanted a cigarette and needed sleep, but doubted he'd get either any time soon.

Shadows up ahead caught his eye – and something moving, too. Someone. And although it seemed ridiculous there was something familiar about…about what? The outline of… of a man bent, no, kneeling by a car that was slightly off kilter. Goren hurried his step until he was almost running – and now this was just impossible, but—

"Captain? Captain Ross?"

The man in the long coat stood, dropping the tool and raising his palm to his forehead, shielding his eyes from the frigid, wet spray.

"Goren?"

Bobby reached his Captain, impulsively pulled a cold hand into his warm one and shook it. The he gripped the man's shoulder and tilted his head, peering into troubled green eyes.

"What are you doing here, Captain? You're freezing."

The big detective bent and grabbed the wrench and then took a good look at the jacked-up car, and then back at his boss, raising an eyebrow.

"What are you doing here, Detective?" Ross countered.

"I live here," and Bobby motioned with his free hand, "a block and a half down."

"Well I had…business earlier, and then when it was finished, I got delayed." Ross folded his arms across his chest, turning his back to the abysmal weather. "I returned here to find I have a flat tire, and I can't get the lug loosened."

"Mind if I have a go at it, Sir?"

"I appreciate your offer, Goren, but before you arrived I was just about to call triple A."

"Captain, sometimes they take a couple hours to get out here on a night like this and, well... Just let me have a go at it first, okay?"

Ross said nothing, and for all-the-world looked like he grimaced, but then nodded his head. "Alright, then. Go ahead."

Bobby knelt and positioned the wrench on the lug, put all his weight on it and pushed. The nut loosened easily but Bobby huffed a little and said, "I managed to get it, Captain. I'll do the rest if you want to get out the spare."

Bobby watched Ross as they made quick work changing the flat. The Captain favored his left shoulder, and though the signs were subtle they were there – he was in pain. The smaller man kept his left arm stiff, his eyes and mouth turned down and for the most part stayed unusually quiet.

Goren tightened the last nut, grabbed the jack and stood. Ross reached for the tools.

"No, no. I'll get them." The freezing mist had subsided and both men had undone their coats, despite the bitter wind.

Bobby took in Ross's pale complexion and slight shortness of breath. He turned and neatly stowed the tools, and then closed the trunk.

"Bobby, thank you very much—"started the Captain.

"Wait." Bobby held up his finger, and stopped his boss with one word. "You shouldn't drive just yet. Come home with me, I'll make a pot of coffee. Take it easy for a bit." Ross looked skeptical. "It'll be fun - I'll make you a sandwich." Bobby looped a long arm around his Captain's shoulder, and smiled. "I won't bite, I promise. Come on."

Ross rolled his eyes, but he started walking along side Bobby, who then laced his own fingers behind his back as he guided his injured Captain home.

TBC