Title: Skating Mystery

Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Dick Wolf does. All figure skating events are owned by the ISU.

Author's Note: AU. Idea came to while I was watching figure skating competition reruns on TV. What if Alex and Carolyn had gone to watch a figure skating competition? Bobby is a skater in a tight position. His partner deserts him and while searching in the stands for a replacement he sees her. Carolyn is Alex's partner in this story.

A/N 2: I know that Bobby's birth year is 1961 but I did my research and the oldest male skater as now the oldest male skater is 36, so tweaked his birth year to 1970, just for this story; and Alex's year has been adjusted to 1972. Hey this is AU fanfiction right?

Spoilers: None

Beta'd by: xushi

Rating: T

Genre: Romance/Drama

Chapter 1: Destined Meeting at the Rink

-Story begins February, 2008-

It was just another day of paperwork at the Major Case Squad room. Detective Alex Eames and her partner, Detective Carolyn Barek had recently solved a bizarre theft case where the suspect was inconspicuous until he began boasting, which lead to his arrest.

Alex's brain was about to fry if she had to fill out another piece of paper.

Suddenly she heard Carolyn call to her, "Hey Alex since we have the hard earned weekend off, want and watch the Figure Skating Finals? A friend of mine gave me hard to get to tickets."

Alex thought about the offer from partner and best friend. She remembered the short time she did figure skating it was the only sport that set her apart from her brothers.

Hey it would beat a TV dinner and sappy movie.

"Sure, what time does it start?" asked Alex.

"7:00pm, if you want we could at 5 get a bite to eat before heading the indoor ice rink

"Sure why not?"

Little did she realize her life was about to change.

Right at five both Alex and Carolyn bid adieu to their captain and Mike and Daniels who were on the on-call rotation.

A few hours later as Alex and Carolyn had found their seats and were awaiting the start of the show, problem was brewing nearby.

Robert "Bobby" Goren was getting anxious; his partner Autumn Shaw was nowhere to be seen.

At 34 he was named one of the most eligible bachelors and was ready to retire and find someone to start a family with.

Suddenly his coach, Ryan Richards shows up and gives him a note.

"Bobby I found this in Autumn's dressing room."

Bobby grabbed it and opened the note and read it

February 15, 2008

Bobby-

Please don't come after me.

Autumn Shaw

Bobby crumpled it up after he read it.

"How could she do this to me? This is my last competition before retirement and she walks out on me Now what am I going to do?"

"Let's not panic. I know that if you can find a quick replacement you won't forfeit."

Bobby started to fret as he thought who am I going to find now and teach the routine in a short period of time?

The moment he turned around his heart leapt.

"Coach I think I see someone who can fill in. Look over there in the stands, the audience member with honey blond hair wearing the black leather jacket."

Coach looked at the direction Bobby was pointing and saw where he was pointing.

"Bobby, my boy, you're brilliant. Hold on I will go get her and inform the people that need to be informed."

Alex and Carolyn were immersed in a conversation when he heard some on call her.

"Excuse Miss, the one in the black leather jacket?"

Alex a bit surprised turned to the sound of the voice and saw that someone was talking to her.

"Are you talking to me?" Alex asked inquiringly.

"Yes you. Could you come with me please? It is rather urgent that you do."

Alex looking perplexed realized maybe it was pressing even if she was a little suspicious.

Coach Richards realized the stance and said, "It's okay I am not going to hurt you."

Alex relenting shooting Carolyn an 'ok I will go with flow' look.

As she made her way out of the stands and followed the coach, that was when the coach made quick introductions.

"I am Ryan Richards, coach to Robert "Bobby" Goren. You've heard of him right?"

Alex gave the coach a surprised look.

Know him? I, like every female out there have a crush on him.

"Yeah I have," Alex answered casually.

"Well Bobby's in a big dilemma, this is his last competition before he retires and his partner Autumn Shaw has walked on him."

"She WHAT?" asked Alex.

Alex knew all along that Autumn girl was a bad match for him.

"So, I am to assume her place?" asked Alex.

"Yes, that is it and you have to quickly learn the entire routine. Can you handle that?"

"Yes I can." acknowledged Alex confidently.

When the couch had led her to skater in need of a partner and the two made eye contact invisible sparks flew.

Oh my, he is so much more handsome in person; none of the pictures do him justice.

Wow...she is beautiful; she is the example of classic beauty.

Richards could tell that the two are smitten with each other but he had to say something, and the show had to go on road right?

"Um Bobby it took me a bit to convince her so meet your partner, um, uh, sorry I didn't get your name."

Alex said in absent-minded voice, "Alexandra, Alexandra Eames."

"Okay Alexandra, Robert will teach whole routine and get you to hair and makeup and wardrobe. From the looks of you might the same size as his previous partner. Robert, I will go make the essential notifications."

With that he turned around and left.

The two stared at each other before Bobby came to his senses and said, "Uh okay, I will teach you the show whole routine and then get you prepped."

Bobby led her to where the skaters do final practice and after teaching the routine and seeing her do every jump and spin perfectly he was amazed and he knew he made right choice for a replacement.

After they had rehearsed the whole routine a couple of times and gotten into their costumes they waited their turn; however, found that he couldn't stop watching her.

She is absolutely breathtaking.

When she looked at him and saw him watching her she smiled which caused his heart to flutter a bit.

Once all the pairs ahead of them had performed it was their turn. After experiencing some minor nerves and getting some last minute reassurances from Coach Richards the two joined hands, smiled and made their way out to the center of the ice as the announcer said, "Representing the United States, please welcome Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames."

As soon as Carolyn saw Alex on ice she nearly choked on the soft drink she purchased. However, she overcame it and yelled, "Good luck Alexandra!"

When Alex heard it she smiled and knew just who it was.

They got through the short program perfectly as she landed each jump and throw perfectly. It was their ending pose when they gazed intently to each other's eyes; it was then she knew.

Uh-oh, I am done for.

When they came apart they bowed and curtsied and they each picked up a gift thrown on the ice on their way to the sitting area to await their scores.

After a few minutes of silence their scores came up and Alex's mouth dropped after the short program they were in second place; not bad for not skating for some time.

They stood and waved to the audience and when they turned to each other Bobby gave her a quick hug surprising her.

As they made their way back to their respective changing rooms he quickly asked before he lost courage.

"Um Alexandra..."

"Please call me Alex."

"Alex I was wondering if you are free this weekend."

Oh boy, there goes my hard earned weekend.

"Yeah I am."

"Uh the Long Program is this Sunday and um I was wondering if..."

"If I would stand in again on Sunday, yes I will."

Bobby's eyes widened but also added, "I would also like to take you out after practice tomorrow."

Oh my word, did the most eligible and handsome figure skater just ask me out?

Alex could barely get out her answer. "I um would uh like that. Wait here is my address and number."

She managed to find a piece of paper and a pen and wrote down the details.

"Just give me a call before, okay?"

"Okay I will see you tomorrow 5:30am right?"

"Yes."

A half hour later Alex had met up with Carolyn and Carolyn was pumping Alex for details which she gladly told; hey had it not been for Barek then her life wouldn't potentially be this good right now.

After Carolyn dropped her off, she went took a quick shower and got ready for bed.

That night all her dreams were filled that one eligible bachelor.

A/N 3: Thanks for reading chapter 1 of "Skating Mystery". As always reviews are appreciated!