Everything
by AmandaB
Summary: Eames and her date enjoy a weekend together. Set between Betrayed and Assassin.
Disclaimer: Law and Order: Criminal Intent belongs to DW and USA, not me.
A/N: Thanks to cifan for giving me some inspiration for this story.
One year. That’s how long they had been together. Detective Peter Lyons had phoned Alex after the investigation into her husband’s murder, and had offered a sympathetic ear. Dinner had led to more phone calls, and three months later, Alex had found herself waking up in his arms. She smiled.
“Well, I’m glad you’re in a good mood. You’re going to love this trip.” Peter turned in the airplane to face her. Alex yawned slightly. This was their second flight after a red eye from New York last night.
“Why are we going to Wyoming? That seems a long way away for just a weekend.”
“The scenery is spectacular. Have you ever been to Yellowstone Park?”
“No.” she had to admit.
“Then you’re in for a treat, Alexandria.”
“Attention passengers. We’ll be arriving in Jackson in about twenty minutes. Local temperature is 50 Farenheit, and the time is 9:07 AM. Thank you for flying American Airlines, and have a nice day.”
“I’m glad I brought my jacket.”
“Well, it is March.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean that everyone shares your passion for the outdoors.”
“You never went camping as a kid? My parents never actually took me, but I do remember some camps growing up. I think they wanted to make sure I wasn’t treated differently, that I wasn’t seen as the one with the deaf mom and dad.”
“Did it work?”
“Mostly.” Peter looked at her closely. “You know, I think you’re just as good as your partner when it comes to getting people to talk. You have a different style then Goren, but I still wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of one of your interrogations.”
“That’s how we met, remember?”
“I know.” He smiled fondly.
Once they rented the car, Peter handed Alex the keys, and she headed into the town.
“Where to?”
“The Inn on the Creek. Turn right here.” Peter’s a good navigator, Alex thought as she parked a few minutes later. Maybe some men don’t have to look for ‘shortcuts’ all the time... Once they had checked in, Alex quickly checked out the room. Oh, a jacuzzi... I like that.
“So, ready to explore the town? Then I booked an expedition to view some wildlife tonight. Shall we?”
“Lead on.” Alex didn’t usually like leaving things up to other people, but she trusted that Peter knew what he was doing.
“That was wonderful. I think I got some pictures of wolves.” Alex replied, standing on the balcony. She looked over the mountains, and smiled. Peter wrapped his arms around her.
“It’s a lovely sunset.” he mused, then kissed her hair.
Next morning, Alex was awoken by a hand on her shoulder. That smelled like coffee... She opened her eyes to find Peter and breakfast.
“I ordered some room service.”
“Thanks. That looks great.”
After eating, Alex stood up, then looked back at Peter. “I’m going to have a shower. Want to join me?”
“Absolutely.”
“So, what next?” Alex asked some time later.
“We have a road trip, then it’s back to New York.”
“I’m driving.”
“Of course.”
“Wow, this is quite a house.” Alex replied softly as they played tourist.
“Well, it does belong to the governor. Somehow I don’t think you would like to have this much extravagance.”
“Maybe growing up, but not now. What about you?”
“Not at all. I grew up in a modest bungalow in Queens.” Peter looked at his watch. “We should probably leave soon.”
“Can I look at the guns in the museum before we go?”
“All right.”
“You know, it’s amazing that these things actually worked.” Alex mused.
“Yeah, but what’s the wild west without a shootout or two?”
Alex grinned. “You actually watch westerns? Will wonders never cease?”
Peter looked down sheepishly. “Yeah, they’re my guilty pleasure.”
Alex wrapped an arm around his waist. “Relax, Peter. There are lots of other things that are worse.”
“What, kung fu movies? I noticed you had a few Jackie Chan movies when I was over there. As long as you don’t try to practice any of those moves on me, that’s all right.”
“I would never do that.”
Peter nodded in relief. “So how are you and Goren doing?”
“I- well, we’re not bad. Not great, but getting better.”
Peter wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they left. When Alex had left the station after yelling at Goren, she had spent the night on Peter’s couch. His support had helped Alex see that she needed to try and repair what remained between her and her partner. Eight years of work was not something she wanted to throw away. Alex couldn’t imagine working with anyone else. Despite all his quirks and how he sometimes drove her up the wall, Goren got the job done and was a friend.
On the taxi back to her apartment later that night, Alex was startled by her cell going off.
“Eames. All right. I’m on my way.” She turned to Peter. “I have to get to a crime scene. Can you drop off my suitcase?”
He nodded, and Alex gave new directions to the cabbie.
“Drop me off here.” Alex leaned over for a kiss from Peter. She pulled away first reluctantly.
“I- I really have to go. Thanks for a wonderful weekend. I’ll call.”
“Likewise.” Peter replied.
“All right, Goren, what do we have?”
Her partner turned from where he was crouched over the corpse.
“Her name’s Betty Lendenson, 35, according to her driver’s license. Nice clothes, so maybe she was out on the town.”
“It’s almost midnight, so she could have been heading home early.”
“You could be right. I’m done here. Let’s go back to the station to see if we can find out more.”
In the SUV, Alex looked at Bobby as he stared out the window. His hair looked more mused then normal, and his tie was quite loose. She smirked.
“What?”
“Nothing. I’m just glad that you and Carolyn are doing all right.”
Bobby flushed slightly, but there was a slight grin on his face, and she returned it.
“What about you, Eames?”
“Me?”
“You don’t usually um-use after-shave.”
Right, Peter was using it this morning after we... Alex pushed that thought away and returned his look.
“You know, Goren, I’m surprised that it took you this long to notice.”
“Who is it?”
“Why, are you going to run background checks on him?”
“I-” Goren started, then shook his head as he realized she was joking.
“His name is Peter.”
“Detective Peter Lyons?”
Alex nodded. “So, what was a well dressed middle aged woman doing in the middle of the street on a Sunday night? Any more theories, Goren?”
“Well...”
