Learning Curve Chapter 1

A/N: Hiya all you people in fanfic land! I've been out of action because of school, but I'm back now!

Disclaimer: I don't own Eames & Goren

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Eames woke to the piercing sound of her phone. She was laying face down, nice and warm under the covers. She was hesitant to move, but when the caller hung up and tried her mobile, she knew it must be important. She dragged herself out of bed and stumbled to her phone. The caller ID read 'Goren'. She sighed and answered.

"Why are you awake?" she groaned.

"Good morning to you too!" he answered. "I need a lift to work. Can you pick me up on your way?" he asked. She nodded, then realised he wasn't there to see it, so she voiced her answer.

"Uh huh. No problems. Go back to bed," she said, making her way back to her comfy sleeping place.

"Well no wonder you're always late for work, you're still in bed," he said.

"Did it ever occur to you that you're just early?" she questioned. There was no answer on the other end. Victory!

"Whatever. I'll see you in exactly 2 hours and 15 minutes," he said and hung up. What time? Alex thought. She would usually know straight away, but it was too early for her brain to work. Suddenly her phone rang again.

"That's exactly 8:15am just in case it is too early for your brain to work," he said, a laugh in his voice. Alex had to smile.

"Smart ass," she giggled. She hung up and went back to bed, lay there for 2 seconds and decided she was too awake, so she got up.

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Goren and Eames walked into work earlier than usual. The floor was already buzzing, and they felt late. They went to their desks, but noticed something out of place. Another empty double desk was joined next to the side of theirs. They looked at each other questioningly.

"Detectives," Deakins said cheerily as he walked up behind them. "I see you've noticed the extra desk."

"Yeah, we were wondering about that," Goren said.

"They are for the work experience students you two will be looking after," he informed them. The detectives looked at each other, then back at Deakins, demanding more information.

"Two high school students from different high schools. Some new programme they have going. They choose a field and the city places them. They hope it will get kids to stay in school," he explained. "Oh, and here is one of them," he said as he spotted a student of about 18. He looked lost. He carried a large box with the essentials he'd need for work. He wore thin- framed glasses and a suit. It looked like Armani.

"This is Elliot Walters from Riverdale College," Deakins introduced. Elliot put down the box and shook their hands.

"Wow, an honour to be here," he said. He came across as confident, excited and eager. He wasn't the stuck-up rich buy, but rather considerate and full of life.

"Eames, I've assigned you to look out for Elliot for the next two weeks," Deakins said. She smiled and nodded. She liked the kid.

"Do I get one?" Goren asked expectantly. Deakins nodded as he craned his neck over the crowds of people.

"There," he said as he pointed. Goren looked and saw the second student. A 17-year-old girl who carried a backpack and had headphones that produced blaring music. She wore black pants, red top and a denim jacket. She wore her hair up, with Japanese style sticks and a layered fringe over her right eye. As she approached them, she took her headphones off and extended her hand to Deakins.

"Armelle Rosewood, Blakeview Community School. Sorry I'm late, got caught in traffic," she apologised. Goren couldn't believe he could get stuck with her. She was a bit rough, but overall a nice girl. She looked like she did things her way and didn't care what anyone said about her.

"Well I'll leave you all to get acquainted then," Deakins said as he left. Eames and Elliot were already deep in conversation, so Goren decided to try and talk to his little project.

"So, I guess I'm looking after you then huh?" he said. She flicked her hair off her face as she looked up at him, and nodded.

"Seems so, could you hold this?" she asked as she handed him her discman. He popped it open and looked at the CD. Matchbox 20. Armelle took out a laptop from her backpack and placed it on the desk. She took out a pencil case and a pad of paper and out them next to the laptop. Next she took out her CD's and placed them in the top drawer, along with her discman. She put her bag on the floor, and then kicked it under the desk.

"So, what do you want to be when you leave school?" Goren asked. Armelle leant on her chair with her other hand on her hip.

"I wanna be a circus clown. Ya know, with the big red nose and the floppy shoes?" she said sarcastically, and then smiled. Goren smiled. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.