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

Rating: T (minor language, some suggestive scenes)

Summary: A not-canon-but-not-not-canon take on Mike Logan and Claire Kincaid's relationship through seasons 4-6; acknowledgement of Jack McCoy/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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"So, who is she?" Lennie asked, bringing the car to a stop behind a garbage truck in a midtown traffic jam.

"Who's who?" Mike asked distractedly through his hand, leaning on his elbow as he stared out the window at the other faces in the traffic.

"The girl. The one who has the moon hittin' your eye like a-big pizza pie," Lennie replied with a smile showing his teeth.

"You're way off the mark, Lennie," Mike assured him hollowly.

"My mistake," Lennie surrendered after a meaningful pause.

"Well, not completely. I could go for some pizza. Stop at Romano's."

They pulled in to the pizza place a few blocks down, deciding to wait out the traffic with lunch.

"Mikey, I only asked what I did before because—," Lennie began again over his sausage slice, before shaking his head. "Never mind."

"It's not a big deal, Lennie. Just a girl," Mike finally admitted, sighing. Why he even felt compelled to lie about something he would normally have mentioned on his own, he didn't know. Maybe it was because he hadn't, and Lennie had figured out himself, that spoke volumes he was trying not to hear.

Lennie smiled again, knowingly this time.

"Just a girl with the power to indict you if you piss her off."

"It's after school hours, only," Mike said sternly.

"Sure," Lennie agreed. "Look, I'm happy for you."

"You just don't want me to screw it up," Mike finished the thought for him, looking away at anything other than his partner's meaningful gaze.

"Call me an old softie. She reminds me of my oldest."

Mike wiped his mouth and dropped the napkin on his plate gruffly.

"Is there some kind of fatherly advice coming my way right now?"

"I wouldn't dream of it," Lennie said, dropping the issue. "You're lucky she's Irish."