The Talk
Gorenbaby

Intro:
Three weeks after "Purgatory" a fairly simple murder case turns the riff between Goren and Eames into a battle of silence. Now it is up to Capt Ross to become a mediator for the Major Case Squad best detectives.

Goren's passive personality was making Eames see red. He was walking around like he was on broken glass. It seemed to Eames and everyone else that Goren had turned into a yes man. His fight was gone, the last several months have been traumatic on both he and his partner. Now that he has gotten his badge back he has fallen into a cycle of not wanting to get in Alex's way and he couldn't or wouldn't question any of Eames decisions. The case they were working on nearly cost them a conviction, because of missed communication and neither was on the same page. Goren knew Eames was wrong about the perp, but never said anything. It was a simple case, they certainly had more difficult cases that took less time than this one did. Eames actually knew she was wrong, she tried on several occasions to go to her partner and mend the fences, but Alex realized you actually have to talk to your partner to convey that message. As with this case Alex knew that son wasn't the murderer, but her test to get Goren to react failed. What she wanted more anything was a reaction, a rant, angst directed at her anything, all she got was. Your the lead detective Eames. It was all to come crushing down in Capt. Ross's office on that Monday morning.

Eames looked up and barely acknowledged Goren as he was ready to sit down at his desk. A pin could drop and it would split eardrums. Before Goren could plant his ass on the chair, Capt. Ross opens his office door and yells out, "Goren, Eames my office now". Everyone in the office knew this was coming except Goren and Eames. Major Case Squad has the two best detectives in the western hemisphere, maybe even the world. Right now they were acting like two pre-schoolers fighting over a toy.

Goren held the door for Eames as she flies past him. Capt. Ross was pacing around his desk, which only meant one thing. The Chief of D's had gotten word about the two detectives. Nothing and I mean nothing would please the Chief more if he could split these two up. The logic, well there isn't any. The Chief of D's to put it simply is an external rectal opening.

"I'm not going to sugar coat this if at all possible, so could you two please tell me what the hell is going on", says Capt. Ross demanding.

"You haven't talked to each other in weeks and you almost screwed us on a conviction and now the chief of D's is on my ass, he wants something done, not today, but yesterday."

Capt. Ross looks at the two of them and blank eyes are staring back at him. Goren looks like hasn't slept or eaten in days. He was drawn and pale, as for Eames she mirrored her partners appearance and of course they didn't realize it.

"You know I don't share the Chiefs opinion on what should be done, but you two! better clear the air soon or you will find yourself with new partners. Don't force my hand, get me!"

He looks at them, going back and forth, searching for a response, nothing. But the can of worms was ready to be opened, when Capt. Ross said with a pause as he put his hands on the desk in a presidential poise."Goren I know this rat thing has you stressed out".

Eames blurred out, "so it was you, damn it I should of known you wouldn't tell me". Capt. Ross looks at Eames with a pair of burning eyes and responses with "Eames get over it, Now"!

Eames with the appearance of tears in her eyes and trademark pout, she knew then that Goren's silence was justified. It wasn't the office politics. He probably did protect her from possible harm during his undercover sting. Stoats and his associates were bad and capable of anything. They were cops don't forget.

Capt. Ross continues his rant, "As of right now you have two days off to rectify the situation. "When I see you again I want to see two detectives as happy as clams, is the paperwork done on the last case".

"In stereo they both say yes".

Capt. Ross puts one hand on his hip and points the other at the elevators. Eames opens the door and Capt. Ross changes his body language in a changed tone he looks at them and says,"look guys do this, Ok! not for me or the goddamn office. Do this for your partnership, you have alot invested in it, please. This is only time I am going to beg".

"Yes Capt.", the in stereo response was only one they could muster. They leave the office. They grab there coats and head to the elevators. The door opens, they enter and they are gone.

The office is abuzz with chatter and staff going from desk to desk. No two detectives in the Major Case or even all the departments and Precincts in the 5 Burrows have ever caused more conversation that Goren and Eames, mostly it is are they aren't they and that kinda died down awhile ago, but not forgotten. They get away with so much that most of the office agrees that if they were seeing each other the brass already knows about it and has given it's blessing. As far as the rat, well Goren might not know this, but he has more people on his side than he thinks. I mean Goren's reputation is of legend, one of Deakins first comments about Goren was at a function with alot of the top brass were there and it was after his first year at Major Case, he says MI6 has James Bond we have Bobby Goren, the funny thing is they thought he was joking. After 8 years no one thinks it is joke. First he was with narcotics, then with Major Case he has always been feared, not for his imposing size and the imitation he causes it's his intelligence that they were mostly afraid of. Because if you go head to head with Goren only one is coming out bloody and it ain't the Big Guy.

Logan sees Capt. Ross, and says, "Do you think that those two will realize how important they are too the team". Logan then adds, "you know I don't want to sound like a sophistic pig, but Eames is acting just like a woman".

Bobby enters his apartment and walks over to the stereo and puts on Al Green's, "Let's Stay Together". While it's playing he sits down and stares at the phone. Bobby gets out his leather binder and pulls out the picture that he has kept there for years. It is of him and Alex at the coffee bar. Bobby never thought it would come down to this, with all that has happened in his life. He was always good at making important decisions, but this could change his life and the risk was huge. All he could think about was the shiny gun barrel belonging to his partner.

Alex walks into her apartment and puts ABBA's, "Take A Chance On Me" on her stereo and she sits down and she also stares at the phone. Alex sees the recipe that Bobby gave her for Veal Parmigiana and she kept telling him instead of you eating a Sal's every night of the week. I'll cook your favorite dish, she still hasn't yet. The day she cried in the office with Bobby ready to open the file on Joe and his supposed killer, everything changed that day. It was like he was trying to help her with closure and help her move on. Subtle Bobby.

While Bobby is catnapping on the couch his long legs draped over the edge, he falls into a dream. Someone is telling him, he can't see who, it is a male voice he can't recognize and he is saying, "Stop being such a proud idiot and make the first move for once in your life, fight for what you believe in", a booming voice.

A couple of hours pass and Bobby is startled out of a sleep. Almost immediately starts rubbing his eyes and he picks up the phone not to Alex but to Lewis.

"Hey! how's it going Bobby boy", he says. There is a pause.

"Well not that great", Bobby replies. "The hammer came down today, I saw it coming".

Lewis interrupts, "Bobby! Look man I have never and I mean never told you how to handle women, but you are seriously whacked when it comes to Alex and if you don't fight for her you will lose the best thing that has ever happened to you".

Bobby softly says, "I guess your right", another passive response. "Talk to you soon man".

Lewis says. "Take care". After he hangs up, Lewis senses Bobby urgency to come to grips with what he has to do. For all the years he has known Bobby he has never been like this. There talks about Alex are always partnership related and as soon as it gets more personal, Bobby always changes the subject to cars.

Alex gets on the phone to her mom. "Hi! Mom", Alex says.

"Hi Alex dear", "what's wrong", Mom replies.

She hated it that she was so easily read. "Have you patched up things with Bobby yet", Mom says.

"Well I don't", Alex says getting agitated.

Mom interrupts. "What! that you should make the first move".

"He should Mom", Alex says raising her voice, "I have covered his ass for 8 years, I'am not doin it anymore".

"Then why call me for advice", Mom says sternly.

"Well I guess I needed to hear a voice on the phone and Mom I wish I knew something, anything about my partner", Alex says pleading.

"Alex... Alex! you know him, he just doesn't want to give you more grief", Mom says trying to make Alex understand.

"Don't tell me your siding with him", Alex says surprised that Mom would say something like that.

Mom replies being careful. "No, I'm not, I am telling you something you don't seem to see".

"Ok Mom, whatever! I love you and talk to you soon", Alex says knowing she isn't feeling any better.

Bye dear", Mom says sadly. When the phone goes dead Mom soon realizes something all along. There is something more to this and now Alex and Bobby realize it too.

Bobby pours himself a strong drink and brings it back to the coffee table he looks at it and he lifts it up and throws it into the kitchen area, under his breath he says sonuvabitch. He picks up the receiver and dials, hangs up. He repeats and the same result, then for no reason starts to laugh. He starts to think, getting Lewis's prom date to go out with him was easier that this and he remembered how difficult that was. He dials the number again, he swallowed hard and closed his eyes, one side hoping she wasn't at home and the other the important side, was to bite the bullet. On the second ring she picks up.

She starts to talk at the same time that Bobby started talking, then there is a pause.

" Well! that is most we've talked in three weeks". Alex says Bobby smiles on the other side of the phone and Alex let's him talk.

"I don't want to talk about this over the phone, can we meet. Eames we are going to settle this". Bobby says somewhat forceful.

"Yes, I agree Bobby we do need to talk, but are you going to talk". Alex says, with a dig at Bobby.

"Eames I am going to talk and well, your going to listen and you can take it from there. Sal's in the lounge at 9:00 ok", Bobby says with conviction.

"Ok! bye". Alex says looking at the receiver.

When Alex hung up she was happy that Bobby called, but she was sadden that he sounded like he has decided something about there partnership.

Bobby was looking in his closet and he had kept 3 suits from a couple of years ago. He was looking down at himself standing in his boxers. Do I dare try those on and depress myself even more. He had felt like a slob, he had let himself go. Not that he wanted to of course, but comfort food has played a big role in his life since he was a boy. He never had trouble with weight till now. He was an athlete and a lot of nervous energy. That energy was gone. When Donny disappeared, he stopped eating and smoking more. Talking to Frank the way he did, didn't help him emotionally either. Bobby didn't want to keep saying to himself that he was a mistake. He knew better. Bobby picked a suit and closed his eyes as he pulled on the pants. damn! they fit. My life and the wonder diet it causes, he thought. Of course puffing on his third cigarette might be helping the diet.

As he stood naked in the bathroom after his shower. The water still beading of his broad shoulders. He kinda felt good for once, that 50lb block that had been sitting on his shoulders, now felt closer to 10. He shaved and as he looked in the mirror. If you didn't have gray hair and some extra pounds you'd look like the day you first started at Major Case, sort of. He put on his beautiful dark navy armani suit. Even if he didn't think it, he looked like a million bucks and smelt it too.

Alex was spending forever trying to figure out what to wear. She had settled on a dress that Bobby has never seen. A striking black and white number with shoes to match. She found this dress makes her breasts bigger. Just what the hell am I thinking. I worried about how my breasts look, when my partnership is on the brink.

Alex walked into the bar which was really crowded for a Monday night and looking for Bobby who she thought would be dressed in his now customary flannel shirt and black T was no where to be found so she thought. Her ears hear, "Eames over here".

She turns and she'd hoped her face didn't show it, but it did her amazed approval on how good he looked. He was sitting in the lounge area with big comfy chairs and automans. It was dark, she could see him. She loved and hated how good he looked. But Bobby when he wanted too could be and is the most gorgeous man in the room. She walks over to him, there is a small table between two recliners and matching automans, a scented candle burning a beautiful orange flame. Making the cold brick behind them feel very warm.

Bobby stands up and greets her. "Hi Eames, you look great", in Bobby's usual nervous manner he says, "You want a couple of margaritas to start". She lowers her head and laughs. She sits down and he follows suit.

"Yes I would love a drink and could you please call me Alex, please Bobby", she says with a smile.

He doesn't even realize how much he calls her Eames. Finally he says, "would you like a drink Alex", she replies, "I would love a drink thanks Bobby".

A waitress comes over and she recognizes it's Bobby who should have part ownership in Sal's since he spends most of his time here. "Hi! Bobby", the very pretty blonde says.

"What would you like Alex? I'll have what your having". Again catching Bobby off guard.

"Ah! hmmm! 2 Glenlivit on ice, please". Bobby says gentlemanly.

"Coming right up handsome", she walks away and Alex has to chime in.

"So handsome is it", Alex says jokingly.

"I come here a lot you know that". Bobby says thinking Alex should know better.

"Oh I know, but I was expecting something more along the lines, Yo oh!, stud"! Bobby laughs. The ice is brokened, they get there drinks and nervousness sets in. Just like he said Bobby starts.

"I know that your probably wanting a fresh start, pause. I mean a new partner". It was now Bobby's turn to catch Alex off guard.

"You really think that is what I want, she says looking right at him".

"Yes, he says with no hesitation".

"Bobby that is not what I want", she says sadly.

"It's just and she looks down there was a lot at stake on that undercover sting than you realize and I can't really stay mad at you". Bobby scoffs.

"So that three weeks was laryngitis gone a rye"! Bobby trying to joke.

Alex laughs again. "I am not that hard to get along with am I", she says thinking she might of been.

"No! I also hear Atilla the Hun was a good dinner guest too". Bobby says like he rehearsing for last comic standing.

"Boys! Bobby your on a roll", she says thinking Bobby got these jokes from someone.

"I am just trying to be more responsive and talk to you instead of nodding and saying yes Eames, I mean Alex". Bobby says sounding more like himself.

"Telling jokes and conversation are two different things", she was sensing he was nervous, but he was trying.

"Why the change Bobby", Alex says in total wonder.

"Well, if I don't you'll find another partner without so many issues". Bobby says.

"Your issues do keep me up at night". she says with a smile. There you go! sometimes Bobby gets her humor sometimes not.

Bobby knew Alex had something to get off her chest. He didn't know what, Bobby's intuitive skills which borders on psychic. He knew in his heart it would be something that would push all the boundaries. Years of being Bobby's partner she knew better, that hiding was futile. By the third drink the tie was loosened and the legs were stretched out on the automan. After several moments Bobby was ready to dive into the deep end.

"What bothered you the most about me going undercover". Bobby says knowing he was one step from the deep end of the pool.

Alex thought to herself for a moment and inside her head she was thinking goddamn he reads me as good as my mom does. Alex looks at Bobby and she ready to join him for the swim.

"Well if you must know and this is only recently, but why didn't you tell me about the rat". Alex says with one finger scratching her temple.

"The rat thing, all I know is one of Stoats buddies on the force must of did it, I guess, I don't really care". Bobby is looking at Alex now pondering whether he should continue, because he knows where it will lead.

Alex stayed quiet, watching her partner, he looked like he didn't care, but you could hear in his voice he was worried. "I am not going to stop living because of it and if I ever", he stopped because he was getting angry.

"You haven't gotten threats", Alex says with concern.

"No", pause, "I'm not the most popular individual at Major Case", "Case in point", he looks at Alex. "So someone else might want to join the hate squad".

"You don't think", Alex says concerned that Bobby might actually think something like that.

"No I don't, but bringing you into it might". Bobby tries to reassure Alex.

"Let's change the subject ok". Bobby didn't want to talk about it anymore and that matter Alex.

"Look Bobby as far as the politics of the office is concerned. I've realized that you not telling me was part of procedure. I get it, I do, but. Alex paused, she looked down and she apologized for what she said about the wounds being self inflicted".

She hadn't got to what she really wanted to say. As Bobby was looking at her, she was becoming upset.

"But you staring down my gun barrel", she says with the tears started streaming down her face. "I swore I wouldn't cry over this, sorry Bobby". As Alex starts to sob noticeably.

Bobby starts to fidget and look around the bar for some booming voice to guide him through this. He knew what to do, should he or shouldn't he that was the question. He got up from his chair and went over to Alex's automan and sat down he pulled out one of his handkerchiefs and he gently raised her head to help dry her eyes. She took the handkerchief and said thank you.

"If it makes you feel better, I felt the same thing". Bobby says softly.

"Alex still sobbing says, "what did you feel Bobby"? If Bobby was going to cross the bridge to the other side he had to really open up for the first time in his 8 years with Alex. Bobby only divulged what was necessary and Alex spilled her guts.

"Alex the reason I call you Eames, it's, it's a defense, a defense against this". "Right now my defense isn't doing all that good. "My feelings for you changed when we stared down gun barrels". "I've been fighting it for so long and all I kept thinking about was I was seconds away from hurting you or never being around to tell you how I felt".

"But Bobby", Alex interrupts.

"Alex don't say anything, let me get this out ok", Bobby continues.

The whole time that Bobby was talking a sudden warmth fell over her. They were only inches from each other and the other patrons sitting around were looking at them. They didn't notice or care.

"Alex once we cross this line, we can't go back". Alex stared right through him. "Right now I don't care about the line, I just care about you", he says very passionally.

Alex smiles through the tears and he says, "I will carry your water anytime". Alex laughs and looks up with her cheeks wet from tears in a joyous voice so everyone in the section can hear she says.

"Can I say it, please let me say it". she says with her hands in the air.

"What"! Bobby says dumbfounded.

She says in a happy voice and beaming, "I love you so much". She is still crying but the smile lit up the room. Now a smile crosses over Bobby's face and he says holding onto her hands.

"Well I didn't plan on this, I mean loving you". Bobby says in a softer voice.

She cups his beautiful face in her hands and kisses him gently. She felt it, the power of that one kiss was like the man himself, full of mystery, softness, passion and bravery, her knight was here. He looks at her and several chairs with couples start to gently clap around them and Alex says to Bobby, "Let's see if we can get away with this now".


The End

I love love love me my fluff - but, I'm not a shipper, so I don't get with whole the A/B pairing, but it's an interesting story and you had me until then.

It does seems a little rushed and it was hard to follow the dialog in block paragraphs as it was posted. Was that a choice or did it just post that way?

I'd like to see more though, it's sometimes difficult to get a sense of someone from just one story.

I hope this does not come off as being discouraging, I so don't mean it like that and I hope you don't take it that way.

I'm just trying to be honest and gentle at the same time.

Thanks Kat
I am a home care nurse and I wrote this at work, and yes I do agree it is rushed. I have written so many fanfics. I wrote an ER fanfic that I can't find anymore since I moved from Otttawa back to Saint John. My ending to the Mash series. I have another LOCI called Happy Ending based on Mika's song. I am working on another LOCI fanfic based on Dirty Dancing because I would love see our Bobby dance some more! Thanks for the comments and I have a thick skin, job related of course.
Gorenbaby

I liked it! I'm not a shipper. I have been deemed a swiss among the board members, though. All the same, I liked it. Not bad for your first fic.

L

Yes, I am Swiss also. I actually liked this. Very cute. Glad they made up, so to speak.

I have a story out there somewhere, page 3 probably, that I am co-writing that is somewhat shippy, more so than not.

Ooh, I didn't expect it to be shippy at the end there, gorenbaby! Good idea about the name "Eames" being a defense, and I liked their conversations with Lewis and Alex's mother. I liked the story, it was cute. It was hard to read with the quotes in the wrong places, though

As big of a shipper I am, though, I still need a "talk" to resolve things in my head...as well as letting shipping happen. I started writing a story about them "talking", and it was called the Talk, as well (non-shippy). I'll have to come up with something else, lol.



Are you still writing it, cifan? Can't wait to see the rest : )

That was a cute first story, gorenbaby! You might want to hit the Beta thread and find someone to breeze through your fic before it's posted. The changes in tense from past to present and back were just a little bit distracting.