Disclaimer: I do not own, nor have i ever, nor will i ever own any of the characters, themes, or ideas associated with Law & Order: Criminal Intent. I just borrow them. I also do not own Indiana Jones (see the title- it's a quote from the movie). AndI own nothing associated with the Smithsonian Institution,I don't know the director's name, Gary is just a figment of my imagination. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Robert Goren sat at his desk quietly sipping coffee and reading over a case file. He was reading anything and everything he could to get inside the criminal's head, but he was kind of relaxed about it. He was enjoying it almost as if it were a show. This guy was interesting and getting in his head would definitely help with the interrogation (it always did), but Goren was very much past being melodramatic about the importance of it...

His partner was sitting across from him, her blonde hair in her eyes like it always was. For as much of her vision as it obscured, it somehow had no affect on her ability to keep tabs on her partner's ever-curious behavior.

Suddenly, his desk phone rang, wiping the slight smirk off of his face as it surprised him from his concentration (no matter how relaxed it was). He quickly grabbed the phone and held it to his ear. "Goren."

"Robert, it's Gary."

He sat up in his chair as a knowing smile spread across his face. "Hey Gaz, what's up? Oh wait- let me guess-"

"Robert, the Margo Sapphire has been stolen."

Bobbywas very excited now. He had a boyish grin until... he looked up and saw his partner, sitting across from him. Shit, he hadn't thought about that... and the call must mean... His face sunk almost immediately. "Valdez?"

"Probably. He had been seen at the museum recently. We were keeping tabs on him and had boosted security, but he managed to get it anyway."

"Figures. He gets harder to catch ever single time."

"Yes, and it's been over 5 years since you last went chasing after him, too."

"Don't remind me," he said, giving another look towards his partner, who had now sat up in her chair and was attempting to glean information out of his words.

"When can you get off?"

"Whoa- hold it!" he replied, bolting upright in his chair and holding out his hand in a 'stop' motion. "I can't just take off- Gaz, let me call you back."

"When?"

"Just a minute. I can't discuss this in the squad room."

"Alright, Bobby. Call me back- and make it quick."

"Yah, all right," he said agitatedly as he hung up the phone. "Shit!" he exclaimed.

"Bobby, what's up?" Alex asked, leaning across the desks in her chair.

"Uh, nothing. Just something I need to sort out," he said, making to get out of his chair.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He quickly left the squad room and holed himself up in an interrogation room. He pulled out his cell phone, dialed a number, and put it on speakerphone on the table so he could walk, talk, and listen all at the same time without having to hold his phone up.

"This is Gary."

"Gaz, you bloody bastard! Calling me at work!"

"Sorry Robert, it was the only contact info we could find."

"That's a damn lie and you know it," he retorted, thinking about the kind of access to information the Director of the Smithsonian had.

"Ok, so it is, but Robert- We really need you to take this one."

"I can't just pick up and leave- I actually HAVE a partner now," he shouted at the cell phone sitting on the table. "And Deakins doesn't know about this!"

"Yes he does- or, he will as soon as he checks his messages."

"You-" he steamed. "You knew what you were doing! You KNEW I had a partner! And you KNEW that I would want to do this anyway! This is no way to treat me if you want me to do this type of thing! You can't mess with me like that!"

Bobby was still pacing around the table in the interrogation room. In his hurry and fury he had failed to remember that those rooms held1 way mirrors and mics that streamed to the observation room. He partner was silently watching him prom behind the glass- as was his captain.

"Robert, and YOU know why we had to call you. Valdez is a sneaky bastard and you're the only one who has been able to catch him in the past."

Bobby steamed around the room, rubbing his forehead. "Deakins knows, then?"

"Yes."

"Will he believe it?"

"We told him to talk to Marty."

Behind the glass Deakins said "Marty? The Chief of D's?"

"What about Eames?"

"That's your captain's concern. Tell him to put you on medical leave or something- they'll find him a temporary partner. You won't be gone long- as I recall it only took you 2 weeks last time."

"It's a her- Alexandra."

"Oh, so it is... So, you're on then." It wasn't a question.

"Damn it Gaz."

"We'll see you tomorrow morning for the briefing. The airline tickets are already in your mailbox at your apartment."

Bobby let out a long sigh. "Ok, bye." He reached over and picked up the cell phone and flipped it shut. As he bent back up he saw it: the mirror.

A surge of horror went through him. He raced out of the room and into the observation room, but it was empty. He was relieved, but only temporarily. It was only a matter of time before that little red blinking light on Deakins phone told him to check his messages, and it was only a matter of minutes after that that he would have to explain to his partner, who he cared very much about (though he wasn't quite aware of it), why he had to leave unexpectedly and for an indefinite amount of time...

And yet, in the pit of his stomach a sense of excitement filled him...