Hi everyone, I'm new to the boards. I came up with a B-A or B/A casefile fic idea that I will NEVER write, so I decided to make a challenge out of it. I hope someone gets inspired, although it's a bit complicated. Please feel free to cross-post - I don't know the fandom very well so I don't know where challenges get posted.

Premise:

Time: current or near future
Relationship: B-A partnership or relationship, your choice (I'm a recent shipper, but I know lots of people aren't)
Rating: Any

As she has every year, Eames heads off for a week-long national conference of women police officers. Then Goren and Ross get some heavy news: Eames is being held as a material witness in a murder after she woke up to find her roomie at the hotel dead in the other bed. Goren flies out to help her, but finds out some things about his partner that disturb and perplex him.

The twist? Every year since her husband died, she carried on a brief, "Same Time Next Year"-esque fling with a man who helped organise the event. Last year (Season 7), she turned him down, and the room-mate who died this year was his new girlfriend.

Questions:
Why did Eames break it off last year?
How much will it disturb Goren to know what Eames has been up to?
Will he be able to reign HIMSELF in if it's his own partner he's interrogating?

Have fun!

This is a GREAT idea! I don't know that I can do anything with it because I'm no good with procedural stories, but I can see lots of possibilities for this. I hope someone does because I really, really like this. I would be tempted to incorporate it into my own fanfic, but I don't think it would work.

Ohhh, that's an very interesting scenario - why wouldn't you write it? I haven't written a case based story in awhile (the show wasn't alone in getting caught up in the personal drama - LOL)

Hmmm, after the story I'm working on is finished - maybe.....

I will take up the challenge. Does anyone want to be my beta reader? Any assistance is thankfully received. Now I had better get writing.

I think I've just taken this up too.... I was going to work on my current story, but this kind of took over. This is what I have so far - for now, it's simply,



Ohmigod, what time is it? Alex Eames woke with a start, head pounding in time with her heartbeat. I shouldn't have had those last two margaritas...

She listened intently for any sounds coming from the other bed. She slowly opened one eye, testing the brightness of the room. Thankfully, the curtains were drawn and very little daylight seeped through the small gap at the center of the drape. Angling her line of sight to see the alarm clock on the nightstand separating the two beds, she could see that they were good on time. Breakfast wouldn't be served for another hour and the first seminar of the day another hour later - and breakfast could always be skipped. After the sudden and jarring awakening, her heartbeat quickly returned to its more normal rate. Glancing across to the other bed she could make out the shadowy outline of her roommate curled up, facing away from her.

Even though hung over, she was awake now and knew from past experience she wouldn't be able to sleep again, so she kicked the blankets off. The energy expended to remove the blankets had sapped all she had in reserve. She lay still, unmoving, breathing deeply, gathering her strength. Today is really going to suck.

Slowly she sat up, and reached down to pick up the robe that had fallen from the bed when she kicked off the blankets.

"Laur..." Eames coughed, her voice rough and cracking. Try it again Alex. "Lauren, it's time to wake up. I'm going to take a shower; do you need in the bathroom first?"

A soft groan came from the other bed.

"I know how you feel, believe me, I do; but we have to get moving. They're not going to hold up the seminar just because we drank too much last night."

Another soft groan issued from the bed. "All right, I gave you your chance. I'll hurry. Why don't you make some of that horrible in room coffee, I think we're both going to need it."

Alex walked into the bathroom and quietly closed the door before turning on the light.



Lauren Chambers forced herself to scream when she heard Alex moving around in the bed next to hers. Forced herself to scream out, 'HELP ME!'

Why doesn't she answer me? Why isn't she helping me?

She felt the warm stickiness of her blood cooling on the sheets. She tried to roll over and reach out for Alex; it was frightening to discover she didn't have even that much strength. Once again, as Alex spoke she called out over her words, 'HELP ME, PLEASE...'

Why can't she hear me? Then she knew. There hadn't been a cry for help. She could hear it in her head, but just as when she tried to roll over to see Alex, she realized she didn't have the strength to raise her voice above a whisper. Nothing was going to save her. No one was going to save her.

Alex was speaking to her again, "All right, I gave you your chance. I'll hurry. Why don't you make some of that horrible in room coffee, I think we're both going to need it."

The last memory, the last sound Lauren Chambers heard was the soft closing of the door.

Off to a good start, Kat! My heart is already breaking for Lauren...and for Alex when she comes back from her shower.

I hope you'll go ahead with yours, Amamda. I think it would be interesting to see how 2 or more people write a story based on the same scenario. Sorry I can't beta right now....I think my job is about take a left turn and I don't know what I'll be doing in the next few weeks and months.

Sorry this took so long.
For reading ease, I will post this in two posts, with more to come.

Encounters
by AmandaB

Disclaimer: I'll put everyone back where they belong afterwards.

Part 1: Liaison

Albany, New York. This was where Detective Eames found herself for the next week. Well, her about and about three hundred other female cops from the state. They had booked most of the rooms at the Crowne Plaza and were holding workshops during the day with a speaker in the evening. When Ross had mentioned she was going to be the Major Case representative, Eames had thought about objecting, but she had learned to pick her battles with him.

"Hey Alex. Me and a few of the others are going to the Holywood Tavern tonight after the talk. You want to come?" Nicoletta Green offered. She was Alex's roommate, a member of the criminal investigations unit in the Albany County Sheriff's department.

"No thanks. Have a good time." Truthfully, Eames was relieved. She hadn't slept well the last two nights, and she needed the rest. Maybe if she turned in early, she could avoid him...

That proved impossible. Thirty minutes later, Eames was waiting for the elevator when she felt a tap on the shoulder. She turned slightly to see Harshad Misra, the organizer for this event. He's still handsome, she thought. Eames, what are you thinking? You know why you have to do this. They were silent as they got on the elevator, then he turned to her.

"So how are you enjoying the conference so far?"

"I really like the main speaker. She has some interesting insights."

"Yes, she's great. It was wonderful to have her come." The elevator continued to climb. Only two more floors, only two more-

"Alex. I-" Harshad cleared his throat. "If you're not busy tonight, I'd love to come for a nightcap."

She finally looked at him. He looks hopeful, which makes this worse.

"Harshad, I'd really like to, but not tonight."

"Then how about tomorrow? I've missed you, Alex. I was really looking forward to seeing you again."

"I-" Deciding she didn't want this to happen in the corridor, she quickly grabbed his arm once they got to her floor and swiftly lead him inside the room. He let her stand, staring out the window for a long moment before speaking.

"All right, Alex, what is going on? Are you all right? Look, I can understand why you turned me down last year. After you explained about how your husband's murder was reopened, I realized that must have been hard for you. That's why I found someone else."

"Are you still with her?"

"I broke up with her right before coming here. She didn't take it well, I'm afraid." He paused then placed a hand on her shoulder. "If you want to talk, or you want something more, I'm here. I know what we had wasn't anything permanent, just- well, I care about you, Alex. Even if we're just friends now, I want you to know that."

Eames had to swallow. "Thanks. What we had meant a lot. To know that someone thought of me as a woman, not just a cop..." She turned to face him. "But I think it's best if we just leave things as they are. Sometimes you can't go back."

"I see. Well, like I said, my room number is 346, if you want anything. Good night, and take care."

"You too."

It was only after he left, with the door clicking shut, that Eames was able to sit down. That went better then I thought. Finally, she was able to sleep well.

Eames decided to go out for a late dinner after the talk the next day. She didn't really know Albany that well, so getting back to the hotel took later then she thought.

"Nicoletta, I'm-" Eames broke off as she saw how the room had been ransacked. It was easy to tell who they had been after. Walking closer to the bed, she froze. The chill Eames felt had nothing to do with the open window.

Part 2: Driving Forces

“Yes, Sheriff, I understand. I’ll inform Goren. Thank you and good day.” Danny Ross hung up and sighed. This was the last thing he needed. Today looked like a quiet week, he thought with chagrin. Standing up, he walked out of his office to Goren’s desk.

“Detective, I need a quick word.” He paused. “Ah, Nichols and Wheeler, I need to talk to you too. In my office.”

Ross didn’t say anything until Goren and Wheeler had sat down. Nichols was leaning against the windows.

“Detective Goren, I’m not sure if you’d met Detective zach Nichols, Wheeler’s new partner.”

“Nice to meet you.” Goren got up to shake Nichols’s hand.

“Likewise.” Ross could tell the two men were sizing each other up. He cleared his throat and Goren sat back down.

“What is this about, Captain?” Wheeler wanted to know.

“Wheeler, I’d like you to work on Richie’s new case. It’s taking him and his partner longer then I would like to solve it, and a fresh perspective may be useful. Richie can tell you the details.”

“Yes, Captain. I was getting bored of paperwork anyway.” Wheeler smiled and got up slowly. Nichols opened the door for her and Ross was sure Wheeler would talk to her partner about that afterward. She didn’t want to be show special consideration now that she was pregnant. Ross grimaced as he remembered how she had made that clear two weeks ago.

“Now, gentleman. There’s been a complication at the conference up in Albany. Eames’s roommate has been found murdered in her hotel bed. As Eames was the one to find her, she’s being held as a material witness.” Ross saw Goren about to interrupt, but he continued, “Now, officially the jurisdiction belongs to the Albany County Department, and as one of their own has been killed, they will be keen to solve this on their own. But I know that you will want to go up there, and you can as long as you agree to only observe, because they believe you can’t be impartial as Eames’s partner.” The detective nodded reluctantly.

“What about me, Captain?” Nichols asked.

“I want you to go with Goren and see if you can offer your assistance. It will have to be unofficially, but someone may tell you something that will be important. Tread carefully, both of you.”

“Well, I’d better go home and pack. I’ll meet you back here in an hour, shall I, Goren?”

“Fine, Nichols.”

Nichols had been driving for about thirty minutes when he decided to break the silence.

“The one hundred and sixty miles to Albany will go really slowly if you aren’t going to talk.”

“Hmm, oh sorry, Nichols.” Goren turned his full attention on the other man, and Nichols had to admit he found it somewhat unsettling. I bet he’s fantastic in the interrogation room, he thought.

“So how are you liking Major Case?” Goren questioned.

“It’s good so far. Wheeler’s a smart cookie, and it’s good to see Ross again.”

“You know Ross?”

“Yes, he used to be my partner. I think sometimes I frustrated him.”

“Join the club.” Goren smiled slightly, and Nichols thought he looked quite different. Goren became aware of Nichols looking at him.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Nichols glanced back to the road. “Occupational hazard. It comes both from being a cop and the son of shrinks.”

Goren merely nodded.

“So how are you handling Wheeler’s pregnancy?”

Oh, smooth, Nichols thought. He saw I didn’t want to talk about my parents, and I think Goren doesn’t either.
“Well, she doesn’t have any strange cravings that I know of. Though she was very annoyed two weeks ago when we were going to take down an armed gunmen and Ross asked her to stay behind because the bullet proof vest wouldn’t fit her anymore. I haven’t heard such anger since- since my divorce.”

“That reminds me of Eames during her pregnancy. If you ever need some chocolate, I have some in my desk.”

“I might take you up on that.” Nichols looked at Goren. Whatever happened in Albany, he was looking forward to getting to know this detective better.

Goren’s cell rang. “Hello, Eames. Where do you want to meet? Right. The Empire State Plaza, by the reflecting pool. See you soon.”

“I know where that is. I’ve been to Albany before.” Nichols replied.

Getting out of the car a short time later, Goren noticed another man standing beside Eames, who was staring down the street. He approached the pair.

“Hello, you must be Detectives Goren and Nichols. I’m Richard White, Nicoletta’s partner.” He briefly shook their hands.

“Eames, are you all right?”

“Just fine, Goren. Nice to meet you, Nichols.”

“Likewise. Do you have the autopsy report yet?”

“No.” White replied, handing him a file. “But here are the crime scene photos, if you’d like them.” The two men looked at them in silence.

“What do you think, Nichols?”

“Well, Goren, by cutting off the hands and feet, he’s sending a message that she’s not going to go anywhere, as well as making it harder to identify her because of no fingerprints. That’s part of the reason he also made multiple cuts to her face.”

“That could also be a sign that her beauty is some kind of power. This photo taken before the murder shows he might just think that.”

“But Nicoletta wasn’t dating anyone, so we can’t be thinking of a boyfriend.” White interrupted. “There has to be more going on.”

“Did Nicoletta have any family?” Nichols wanted to know.

“Only a sister, Irene. Nicoletta didn’t say much about her other then she was living in Manhattan.”

“Can we use your computer at the Albany County Sheriff's building, White? If we find out more about Irene, we might find our motive.”

“Be my guest, Nichols.”

“Wait a minute. Where’s Eames?”

Here's the rest, in case anyone is still interested. I don't like leaving things undone. This will be divided into two parts for ease of reading.

Part 3: Shadows

Eames normally wouldn’t have left the three men there, but she needed a walk. She was relieved that after having a statement taken, the detectives investigating Nicoletta’s death hadn’t wanted anything more for now. Immediacy, that was it. Usually when Eames dealt with death, she knew what to expect, how to prepare herself for the grieving families and the body of evidence to see to. But when it was the last thing you expected, the sheer finality of it all got to her. She shook her head. I’m good at what I do, and I’m not going to let this stop me. Reaching the crest of a hill that looked over the city, she paused. Someone was already there. About to turn back, she stepped on a twig, and he turned to face her.

“Alex. I wouldn’t mind the company.” Harshad replied. The two were silent. Then she turned to him.

“Did you love her?”

“I’ve been asking myself the same question. I think I did.”

“I’m sorry, Harshad.”

“I know.”

“Then if you loved her, why did you split up?” He smiled slightly.

“What?”

“You never stop asking questions, do you? Not until you get to the bottom of things. But if anyone deserves an answer, it’s you. Nicoletta was wonderful, but she wanted to get married. I just couldn’t see myself making that sort of commitment to her.”

“You wanted something different. Comfort, the knowledge you weren’t alone, and companionship, but nothing deeper.”

“Yes. That might change, but not right now.” He sighed. “I think I’m the detective’s number one suspect.”

“Except that you don’t have a motive.”

“Tell the detectives that.”

“I intend to. Look, I should get back. I know things didn’t go as you planned, but I hope things work out for you. Take care of yourself, Harshad.”

“You too, Alex.”

Eames headed to the Best Western, where Goren and Nichols were staying. They might not be there, but it was as good a place as any to start looking. She was halfway there when she heard it.

“Hey, Eames. Over here.” She turned her head to see someone she never thought she would again.

“Dalia? What are you doing here?”

“Come on.” The other woman motioned Eames over into an alley.

It had been several years since Eames had last since her former informant, who had been very helpful to her during her time in Vice. The time had not been that good for the other woman, who appeared to be shivering slightly, and who looked very nervous.

“Look, I don’t know how long I have. But that woman who was killed, Nicoletta Green? I’ve met her sister’s husband, Olivier Bell. She fled up here and put out a restraining order on him.”

“Restraining order? He sounds violent.”

“He can be, especially if he’s been drinking. Anyway, Irene got pregnant, and she wants to leave. But like I said, Olivier is really possessive, and wouldn’t let her go easily.”

“I see. But what does that have to do with Nicoletta?”

“Her sister has been helping Irene to get away from Olivier. He must have found out and couldn’t stand it. If she couldn’t be his, then she couldn’t be anyone’s. You have to help her, Eames. Irene is somewhere only I know. With police protection, she could finally get rid of Olivier.”

“Look, until he has committed a crime, there’s not much we can do. We’ll keep an eye on him, though.”

“But you gotta do something!” Her body shuddered, and she turned away.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah, just withdrawal symptoms. Meth is nasty stuff.” At Eames’ look, she continued, “Look, it helps me forget, all right? I don’t have anything else...”

Eames decided not to argue about coping tactics with a prostitute. She knew full well what those women went through. Besides, she owed Dalia a favour.

“All right. Come with me to meet my partner, and we’ll discuss what to do next.”

Eames thought that Goren was likely going to be at the police station. After asking directions from a convenience store clerk, she was headed in the right direction. It was when they were four blocks away that it happened.

Suddenly, a man grabbed Dalia and pointed a knife to her throat. Eames had her gun out and pointed at him the next second.

“Let her go, Olivier.”

“How does she know my name, Dalia? Have you been talking to the wrong people again?” he growled. Tall and muscular, with fierce eyes, Eames could readily believe Olivier capable of violence. If there was anything she had learned as a cop, it was never to underestimate people.

“I haven’t said anything. Please, Olivier.”

“Then why is your police friend ready to kill me?”

“I just want to ask you some questions. Now put the knife down, and let’s talk. I’m not giving you another warning.” Eames pleaded.

“Yeah, I heard about Nicoletta’s death. So sad. Now if you don’t mind, me and Dalia have got to go. She’s the one I want to talk to, not you.”

“Why is that, Olivier? Is it because you really are guilty of killing Nicoletta?”

“Irene is mine. How dare she get pregnant with another man’s child and then use that as an excuse to run away? Somehow, I had to make her pay.”

“How did you know it was another man’s child?”

“Because we hadn’t had sex for almost a year. When she started throwing up and eating more, I put together the signs. I’m not stupid, you know.”

“If that’s the case, then put down the knife. Good- Dalia!” The other woman pitched forward, the knife in her back. Eames caught her and placed her gently down.

“I’ll call an ambulance.” she replied, putting away her gun and grabbing her cell.

“Too late. Irene’s at... in Rochester at the Hilton.” She moaned, and coughed up blood.

“Dalia...”

“Just promise me something.” Dalia took her hand. “Arrest Olivier. I want to know that bastard’s in a jail cell somewhere.”

“You’ll get to testify at his trial. I promise.”

“You’re a good cop, Alex, but right now you’re a bad liar. Goodbye.”

“Dalia? Damm it, Dalia...” Eames felt for a pulse, but found none. Slowly, she let go of Dalia’s limp hand, and slowly got up. Her fingers felt stiff as she phoned.

“Goren? It’s Eames. We need to talk. Oh, and I need a crime scene unit three blocks from police headquarters. I’m all right. Just get down here.”

Hanging up, Eames leaned against the wall beside Dalia.

Part 4: Resolution

Leaving Nichols and White to talk to the coroner and forensics team, Goren walked over to Eames.

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

“What do you think?” Eames sighed. “I just want this to be over.”

“Look, I know Dalia was close to you; she saved your life-”

“How did you know that?”

“I- ah...” Goren rubbed the back of his neck. “I read your Vice file a week after you became my partner.” At Eames’s look, he hastily continued, “You were my third partner in three weeks, Eames. If it hadn’t worked out with you, my transfer to Major Case wouldn’t have stuck. I needed to know who I was dealing with.”

“Just don’t do it again.” she replied wearily. She could feel anger toward him, but right now other things were more important. “Can we go to Rochester now?” she directed toward Nichols.

“Ready to go when you are.” The three police officers piled into Goren’s van, listening to music to fill up the silence between them.

They found the hotel readily enough. A knock on the door of Irene Green was answered by a petite pretty woman in her mid thirties. She glanced behind her to the dark haired man sitting on the sofa.

“I have company, otherwise I’d invite you in...”

“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. You’ve heard about your sister?” Nichols asked.

“Let them in, Irene. We should always co-operate with the cops.” the man replied, standing. He turned to face them. Perhaps he wasn’t conventionally handsome, but there was something striking about him. Yes, it was the way he moved, like a graceful cat, alert and poised, Eames decided as he moved closer.

“Close the door, please.” After that was done, he continued. “It shouldn’t surprise you that I’m Victor Edwards, the father of Irene’s child.” He put an arm around her waist. “I’m willing to do what it takes to ensure she is free of Olivier, so that we can get on with our life together.”

“Good. Then tell us what you know about him, so we can find him.” Goren demanded.

“Not much. We only met once, at a Christmas party that Irene invited him to. Frankly, I didn’t understand what you saw in him, Irene.”

“I don’t know either. But he wasn’t always like that.”

“Listen, if you agree to testify against your husband-”

“Ex, actually.” Irene interrupted Eames. “I mailed him divorce papers last week, though he hasn’t signed them.”

“Good, then this can be over quickly. We’ll bring him in for questioning.”

“Just let me know when you need to talk to me.”

“Here’s my card.” replied Goren. “We’ll be in touch.” The three left them and headed back to New York.

“So Nichols, are you going to help us arrest Bell?” Goren asked.

“I’d love to be there, but I should probably make sure Wheeler hasn’t annoyed Richie yet. Good luck.”

“Thanks. We should go out for a drink sometime.”

“I thought you weren’t the type, Goren.”

“Not usually, but I wouldn’t turn down a good Glenlivit.”

“In that case, I’ll find a quiet place. You can come if you want to, Eames.”

“Thanks, but I won’t intrude on the male bonding this time. Maybe later.”

Eames looked at Goren. Finally, at Bell’s house, this was coming to an end.

“Mr Bell, New York Police. Open up.” demanded Goren. There was a rustle, then a door slamming. Eames quickly ran out back, but Bell had a lead on her. She pulled out her gun, then Bell stopped as Goren’s van blocked off his exit out of the alley.

“Nowhere to go, Bell.” Eames muttered.

“So, Detective, what now? Are you going to psychoanalyse me like a shrink, try to find out my motives for what I did? Or are you just going to lock me away?” Two days later, in the interrogation room, Bell leaned back in his chair.

“Motive is important. You were seen at the hotel, so we know you were there.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The hotel in Albany where Nicoletta was staying. Did you really think you could sneak into a hotel full of cops and no one would notice that you didn’t fit, you didn’t belong?” Goren pressed.

“Fine. I was there. Is it a crime to see my sister in law?”

“No, but it is to kill her.” Eames stated.

“My quarrel is not with her, it’s with my wife. Or soon to be ex wife.”

“I don’t think so, Bell. We checked the bank records. Nicoletta was giving Irene thousands of dollars in savings so that she could move elsewhere.”

“Irene was my wife. Mine. No one was going to take her away from me. No matter what.”

“Why? Is it because your mother left you? Oh, you still lived with her, but she left your father and spent her time with other men. They gave her a fun time, made her feel special, while you were just a burden to her, something that took her time and money away from her. Is that why you moved out of the house at sixteen, because you couldn’t stand it anymore? I bet you made a vow that no woman was ever going to desert you again, that if they made a promise to stand by you, they would be held to that, no matter what happened.”

“Did my mother tell you all that, Detective? I wasn’t even sure if she was still alive. Not that it matters.”

“Yes, she did. But I’m not finished.”

“At first, Irene was faithful. Until your father died in a car accident. Here was the person who you had hated for leaving you, but who you never got the approval of either. Now it was too late. So you tried to hold on even tighter to what you had. But Irene resisted that, so you turned to alcohol to get some of that control back, so that you could be in control of something. Then the unthinkable happened. Irene left, and she isn’t coming back.”

“Shut up, Detective. You don’t know anything.”

“Maybe I don’t and you’re right. But even if you don’t confess to killing Nicole, you still killed Dalia because she tried to help. You’re going down, Bell.”

“No.” he quietly stated. Before anyone could react, he was holding Eames with her gun to her head.

“Take one step further to get help, Detective, and I’ll kill her. Now, put your gun on the ground. I said now!”

Goren slowly did what Bell wanted, keeping his eyes on him all the time.

“We still have witnesses to testify against you.”

“By the time there’s a trial, there won’t be any witnesses left. What’s one more dead woman? Sorry, Detective Eames.” He shifted his weight slightly and tightened his grip on the trigger, and that’s when Eames acted. Soon, he was down on the ground with Eames holding her gun to his head. Goren cuffed Bell and led him away.

“Are you all right, Eames?” asked a concerned Ross as she walked out of the room.

“Just fine, Captain. Really.”