AUTHOR'S POV  

How Larry and Laurent wish they could "unhear" every grim detail from that monster. It got to a point where they hurriedly left the courtroom as they just couldn't take the dagger to their hearts anymore and each second that went by listening that dagger dug deeper. To know that she was so frightened and all she wanted was to be rescued by her papas before her life was taken so violently surpasses pain yet can't be described. Detective Brunet watched from a distance and the sight was so saddening that he nearly became emotional himself. His mind was scattered trying to think of words to comfort them though comfort couldn't possibly come so easily after that. Spectators walked by and their faces showed deep sympathy as well. It didn't matter at all that they didn't know the reason for such emotions...just that two people are deeply in pain and holding onto each other was enough. They eventually pulled away to begin to wipe the other's tears away as both of their faces are soaked in them and there's an unspoken agreement that they need to leave. They just can't be inside this place anymore and need to be in the comfort of their home as they try to grasp this. Laurent looks towards the courtroom as he could feel the detective standing there gazing at them and once they connect Brunet begins to walk over. Now that he's in front of them words don't come out as he's looking into their somber eyes. Having known them for months now he's felt somewhat of a friendship between them steadily growing and anything he can do to help them through this he will. In a soft tone he says, "I'm sorry you both had to hear that". Larry and Laurent can only nod as fresh tears fall. He then hears Larry's shaky voice breathe out, "Kaylee" and Brunet again discovers that words have stalled as he again feels himself on the brink of his own tears. He continues to look on with deep sympathy as they wipe tears away then finds his words...

Brunet: "I know you both want to get out of here and get home but if you need me for anything, and I mean anything, please don't hesitate to call me. Day or night". 

Laurent: *nods* "We will. Thank you detective". 

Brunet: "You're very welcome". *pause* "Did you drive here"?

Laurent: "No we used the Uber service today".  

Brunet: "Please, allow me to take you home. I insist". 

Laurent: *nods* "Yeah oki", he whispers. 

Brunet leads the way outside and on the way to his car he can hear the sound of their sniffs behind him and as a father himself he couldn't imagine going through their painful ordeal and it makes him want to be there for them all the more. He makes an internal vow that he will be for as long as they allow him. They arrive at the car so he opens the back door for them to get in. Laurent breathes out a "thank you" then allows his love to get in first and after a gentle shutting of the door he gets in the driver seat to head for the direction of their home. The car ride is soft and quiet as it coasts along the smooth city streets where certain parts of it are busy with pedestrians going to and fro. Other areas are quiet as there's barely anyone in sight. There's a deeper silence inside. The detective can't help but look in his rear view mirror ever so often and it seems as though they're crying harder than they were as they stood in the middle of the courthouse lobby comforting each other. He feels for them...but it also enrages him as this is all because of Ramos. The varying emotions between the three of them were tough and when he finally pulls up in front of their home Larry thanks him then gets out of the car to rush towards the front door. Laurent feels a piercing in his heart at the sight of it and lowers his head. Several moments go by before he's able to look up to also thank Brunet for bringing them home who softly nods. Laurent then gets out and quietly shuts the door then Brunet watches him walk towards the home with his head held down and just as he's about to pull himself away from the heartbreaking sight to take off he feels his phone go off. It isn't a phone call, rather, a text and it's from the department of internal affairs requesting his presence now so he cranks the engine with the thought in mind of checking on the Bourgeois family as soon as he's able to then takes off for the precinct...

Laurent arrives at the front door but has yet to go inside. He checks his watch and notices that it isn't quite time for the kids' naps so he knows Emma has already seen her papa Larry's face. There's also deep concern from mama and she will feel the same for Laurent once she catches sight of the deep emotions spread across his face along with proof of the heavy tears that fell from his eyes. He still attempts to straighten himself up and look presentable before going inside. He turns the corner and there is mama on the couch holding Ayden while he grasps his bottle with Emma sitting next to her. Mama sees him first and as he expected she's instantly concerned at the sight of him so his attempt to look presentable was futile and his heartbreak precludes him from saying anything for the time being. Mama understands and mouths, "it's oki" so Laurent nods as he fights back tears. Emma finally sees him so she quickly gets down to run over to him. He picks her up and they embrace then she pulls away to look at him as she tells him, "I think papa is sad" in her own saddened voice. Laurent gulps at the sound of Emma's voice who never wants to see her papas so down and he's about to give her a kiss to her cheek when she asks, "are you sad too papa"? Larry and Laurent have always taught their girls to be open about their emotions just as he very recently told Emma that it will be ok if she ever feels sad when she thinks about Kaylee being gone so he will be open and honest with her...

Laurent: "We are sad right now, princess but we will be oki. I'm going to talk to your papa now for his feelings". 

Emma: "Oki papa". *pause* "I was good while you were away". 

Laurent: *smile* "We know you were my love". 

Emma comes back in to embrace him in a tight yet gentle hug which a loving hug from their princess is just what he needs. They're embraced for nearly a minute before Laurent pulls away to give her that kiss on the cheek then gently places her back on her feet. She goes back over to the couch to continue watching her cartoons while Laurent looks at mama who gives him another nod signaling that it's ok to go talk to his love and to take all the time he needs. Something tells Laurent that he doesn't need to go to their bedroom as his love won't be in there. After hearing the details of their little girl's final moments there's only one place Larry could be. Laurent is already emotional thinking about the anguish his love feels. He feels the same. He arrives at Kaylee's room...but before going inside he presses his ear to the door. He can hear the faint sound of his loves sniffs so he closes his eyes, blows out a silent sigh and has to take a moment to himself before quietly walking in. The sight of him is just as hard as listening to him cry. There he is in Kaylee's bed curled up with one of her pillows. Worried that mama and Emma will hear his cries he steps in and shuts the door then walks over. He climbs in bed and the moment Larry feels Laurent's arm drape over him his cries deepen. Laurent's gentle tears are beginning to flow as he lightly kisses the back of Larry's neck. Larry gently places his hand on Laurent's arm when he feels the tenderness of those kisses and this comfort is just what he needs...what they need from each other. Larry tries to talk but it proves difficult as his chest heaves out of control and he's seemingly crying harder as he tries to get even a single word out. Laurent begins to rub his arm while whispering to him to take his time. Larry hears that and takes his hand to lock fingers with him. Laurent continues the repetitive kisses to his neck and gently tightens his grip on him. Now he's hearing that weakened voice speak...

Larry: "She called for us baby". *sniff* "She was so scared and she called for us so much". 

Laurent: *sniff* "When I heard that monster say this I started to hear her calling for us and I keep hearing it". 

Larry: "It's all I can hear too and...the dream I had. She called for us in my dream. I knew she would and she did. She wanted her papas to save her". 

A split second of silence falls and Laurent isn't at all expecting for his love to burst into tears as he blurts out in a pain-filled voice, "we're so sorry baby". Laurent touches Larry's shoulder to gently nudge him to turn towards him. Larry doesn't waste a second and once he's facing him he wraps his arm around him as Laurent does the same. For moments it's just them...the comfort of their tight embrace and the raw emotions that bind them...

~meanwhile~

Detective Brunet has arrived at the precinct and heads directly for the boardroom where his presence was urgently requested. When he walks in he sees a long table and at each seat is a member of the internal affairs board. Seated at the center of the table is the chairman of the department who instructs the detective to have a seat at the table complete with a microphone placed in the middle of the floor in front of all of them. This scene would typically be a bit unnerving for anyone in his position but since he knows what this meeting is for he sits down and merely waits for it to begin...

Navarro: "Detective Brunet, my sincere apologies in the delay". 

Brunet: "It's ok sir". 

Navarro: "You recently filed a complaint against your former partner, detective Lane, citing prejudice against Mr. Laurent Bourgeois and his subsequent, unlawful arrest for the murder of his seven year old daughter". 

Brunet: "That is correct sir".

Navarro: "The purpose of this meeting is to ask you some questions to make sure we have your side of things. Now you should know that this will also require the internal affairs board to speak with detective Lane to obtain his side before we can make any decisions". 

Brunet: "Yes sir. I understand that". 

Navarro: "Ok then let us begin". *pause* "Our records indicate that you've worked on several cases with detective Lane over the last five years. Did he ever show any prejudice in any case prior to this one"?

Brunet: "No, he did not". 

Navarro: "So how did he show prejudice in this case"?

Brunet: "First it started out as not so subtle comments that made me raise an eyebrow so to speak. I recall a time earlier in the case where he and I went to the Bourgeois home. It was my first time meeting them and I never got the sense that they were involved. They're a same sex couple and the whole time we were there detective Lane gave them strange looks like he was bothered by their closeness. We left and everything he said regarding the investigation I understood and agreed with as a fellow detective but then he made a comment that didn't sit well with me". 

Navarro: "What was the comment detective"?

Brunet: "Well I asked him what reason they would have for kidnapping their own child and his response was that you never know with people of their kind. I asked him what he meant and he didn't answer. He just drove away and the look on his face appeared to be of disgust". 

Navarro: "Any more comments of that nature"?

Brunet: "No sir. From that point on he had already convinced himself that they were responsible and it became a personal vendetta so the moment he saw an opportunity to take things a step further he took it". 

Navarro: "And that's when the unjust arrest happened". 

Brunet: "Yes sir". 

Navarro: "Were you present at that time"?

Brunet: "I was not. I was, however, led to believe that he and our team were just going for a search of the home. I was also told by detective Lane directly that he would let me know when that occurred but he never did and by the time I arrived I saw him leading Mr. Bourgeois out in handcuffs". 

Navarro: "Did you speak with the detective after?

Brunet: "Yes I did. I went back to the precinct and directly to his office. I confronted him about the arrest where I reminded him of his claim that it was just a search". 

Navarro: "His response"?

Brunet: "That he found evidence. The first was the shoes in his closet matching the size that forensics determined. There was also a girl's sweater in his car but neither of those were solid evidence in my professional opinion. The sweater was in his car because he and his husband took their children to an ice skating rink so it was extra protection from the cold temperature. I knew long before then that he was fishing for reasons and once he thought he had something he acted on it". 

Navarro: "And the killer has since been found, with connecting evidence, who is also currently on a continued trial".

Brunet: "Yes sir". 

The questions are back to back so detective Brunet is expecting a continuance of them...but silence ensues as he looks down to write. The other members of the board had been writing since the meeting started with the occasional looking up at him as he answered certain questions. It becomes a bit unnerving as the silence lasts longer than he would have liked but finally the chairman looks up...

Navarro: "Ok. That's all we need from you at this time. Please wait outside as we will need to speak to you again after we speak with detective Lane". 

Brunet: *nods* "Understood".

Detective Brunet stands to his feet to leave and when he walks out the door he runs into none other than his former partner. Lane didn't appear bothered by his wait as he oddly never suspected that Brunet had something to do with the department of internal affairs requesting to speak to him. His expression becomes that of anger now that he's aware with he and Brunet looking directly at each other. Brunet can't help but flash him a sarcastic smirk as he walks by him and gets more satisfaction by watching him walk inside as Lane's nerves are getting the best of him. Now that the door is closed he takes a seat on the bench then leans back to wait...

Inside Lane is indeed a ball of nerves and as he's instructed to take his seat his eyes dart between all of them trying to get a read of their faces. They all are the same. Deeply curious with many of them shocked that such an allegation has been brought against him having known him for some time. His eyes then go straight to chairman Navarro when he brings this part of the meeting to order...

Navarro: "Detective Lane, this meeting was called because there's a very disturbing claim made by detective Brunet regarding your involvement in the Bourgeois case. That claim is of prejudice against his same sex marriage in which he states that you falsely arrested Mr. Laurent Bourgeois when you had no evidence to do so. What do you say about this"?

*brief pause*

Laine: "I say that the claim is ridiculous sir. I'm a fifteen year criminal detective and everyday I work hard at my job. I've never been prejudice against anyone including those in same sex relationships". 

Navarro: "According to detective Brunet you made the statement, and I quote him verbatim, you never know with people of their kind. Now if that wasn't directed towards their sexual orientation, what were you referring to"?

Lane: "I don't recall ever making a statement like that sir". 

Navarro: "Are you suggesting that your former partner made that up"?

Lane: "Yes sir. That's exactly what I'm suggesting". 

Navarro: "Why do you think he would do that"?

Lane: "I'm not sure why". 

Navarro: "Detective Brunet also stated that the arrest of Mr. Bourgeois was unjust and that the evidence against him was weak. You based it off of his shoe size and his daughter's sweater being in his car". 

Lane: "That isn't all sir. What it seems he didn't inform you of is Mr. Bourgeois being in close proximity to the crime scene and that a witness called into the precinct to give me his description so as part of my job I followed up on that lead". 

Navarro: "You are correct. He did leave that out because it doesn't hold any relevance here since the killer is currently on trial and the evidence put him there. What we're trying to determine is if detective Brunet had cause for making these claims against you. I find it difficult to believe he would do so without sufficient reason so if there's something you're leaving out now is the time to inform this board". 

Lane: "I'm not leaving anything out sir. I was just doing my job like I would in any other case". 

Navarro: "So you stand by this allegation being completely made up"?

Lane: "Yes I do". 

Navarro: "Ok. Then you are excused for now. Please inform detective Brunet that he can come back in". 

Detective Lane nods then stands up to exit the room where he finds detective Brunet sitting in plain sight of him. Now it's his time to smirk and he does while gleefully telling him that he can go back in now. Of course Brunet isn't bothered by his antics at all because while Lane was inside he went to his office to collect what's been locked in his desk so he merely brushes past him to go back inside. Navarro seems to be a bit annoyed and right away he can tell that detective Lane gave him a far different account which was expected as he would never admit to his horrible actions...

Navarro: "Detective, as I suspected, this has turned into a situation of his word against yours and as such it's hard to determine if action against him needs to be taken. We will need something to corroborate your claim, otherwise, we will have to dismiss it".  

Brunet: "That won't be necessary sir. I have what you need". 

The detective stands up and retrieves the recording device from his pocket then takes his seat again and looks forward...

Brunet: "I knew he would be upset when he found out Mr. Bourgeois was released so when he came to my office I captured this recording". 

He hits the button for it to play and the members of the board are about to receive an earful. As it plays Brunet scans the entire row to get a look at each of their faces and they all show an obvious one...shock though there's one part that will far surpass that...

~snippet of recording~

Lane: "I can't believe that you're actually in support of married brothers instead of seeing it for the filth that it is and I don't care what you say or how you feel detective. Gay couples are always into some weird shit".

Brunet: "I don't even want to know what kind of weird shit you've convinced yourself happens between two people in a committed relationship who just so happen to be same sex and no one gives a fuck that they're brothers. What I see are two people in love who are doing an excellent job in raising their children. I've seen heterosexual couples far worse than these two and one of their children was brutally murdered then dumped in the woods but you're so filled with hate and prejudice you've lost sight of that. You just sent an innocent man who is her loving and grieving father to jail".

Lane: "You're damn right I did and I'll do it again". 

Several faces have gone from shock to contempt that someone who has been so respected and considered a veteran in the police department can say such vile things. When the recording stops there's nearly a minute of utter silence before the chairman speaks up to request that the device is handed over to him. Of course Brunet is all too eager to give it to him so he stands up to walk over. Once it's in his hands Navarro informs the detective that he can continue with the rest of his workday and his device will be brought to his office to return to him shortly. He then requests to see detective Lane for the final time and feeling far more than mere satisfaction Brunet's voice indicates that once he communicates the message to him. While Brunet walks away Lane walks inside the board room and immediately gets a bad feeling from the way they're all looking at him. He cautiously takes his seat and no sooner than he does...

Navarro: "We were prepared to dismiss this case as we received two different accounts of what happened while you two worked on the case. You stated that detective Brunet made this allegation for an unknown reason, but this meeting just took a major turn".  

Lane: "How so, sir"? 

Navarro: "Well I have something that you need to hear".  

Lane's eyes slowly lower to the device on the table and when it begins to play he's stunned to hear his own voice. At first he's confused where this was recorded...even more so who he was talking to and why. It only takes a few seconds to realize it's a heated discussion between him and Brunet. Now that he's hearing more it comes back to him. He just listens and when it's finished...

Lane: "I...I didn't know I was being recorded". 

Navarro: "I'm pretty sure that was the point detective and since you don't deny that this was you what do you have to say for yourself"?  

*brief pause*

Lane: "I was wrong to say those things about them and I regret it deeply. It was very wrong". 

Navarro: "It wasn't just hateful and disgusting words. You arrested a man that you knew was innocent and was furious about him being released. Mr. Bourgeois spent days in jail which meant time away from his family and who knows what other areas of his life that were affected because of your actions. To make matters worse, he's still in the grieving process so I think it's pretty safe to say that the only thing you regret is going to your former partner's office that day because now you're caught". 

Lane: "I do regret it sir and if I could somehow rectify all of this...."

Navarro: "You wouldn't". 

Navarro was all too quick to cut him off and finish his sentence for him because he knows that it would have been a complete lie to say he would. He's about to say more when Lane speaks up...

Lane: "Sir I'll go through diversity training again and I'll even issue a public apology to Mr. Bourgeois". 

Navarro: "That man deserves more than an apology and diversity training? For something of this magnitude"?

Lane: "Yes sir. I'll do whatever it takes". 

*brief pause*

Navarro: "There's a final step in this process. You are excused for the moment but we will get back with you regarding the decision. You are officially on unpaid administrative leave so you are therefore dismissed". 

Lane: "Sir...."

Navarro: "You are dismissed". 

With such a stern voice detective Lane can only stand up to leave the boardroom. When he steps outside he discovers that detective Brunet didn't go anywhere at all even though he saw him walking away and judging from the evident smile on his face he's here to gloat. Words aren't exchanged. Brunet just looks at him then shakes his head as he chuckles lightly and now he can truly walk away...  

------------------------- 

A/N: Hey my loves. I hope this made up for the wait and I will do my best to not keep you all waiting too long for the next one. I do need to let everyone know that this story is wrapping up within the next couple of chapters so please be prepared. What do you all think will happen to detective Lame? Did anyone get annoyed when he suggested going through diversity training again? Please share your thoughts and I'll reply soon. Love you guys. ❤️