Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you recognise

Spoilers: In the Wee Small Hours and Loyalty parts 1 & 2

A/N: This is the first time I've written an L&O: CI fic in a few years. I was really upset that Goren and Eames have left the show and had to write something for it. This is my post fic of the episode Loyalty part 2.

Loyal

I've been waiting. Waiting around for a phone call that should been already. It had been three days since I fired Goren. I know I did what was best for him and for me.

I would hate it if Goren went through a hearing that could bring all those dark places again for him. I had to do it to get the Captain's job, temporary Captain's job. It had killed me for doing it so I did what I thought was the right thing to do for me.

I placed my gun and badge on my desk, which was for a matter of minutes, before I picked up the phone and dialled the number. I did not want to take a position for which I was black mailed into. The job is not the same. Not without loyalty, not without my partner of nine years. We had good and bad moments throughout the years that made us stronger and sometimes even vulnerable. I had stuck by Bobby Goren, also known as the 'whack job' to most people and I wasn't going to stop now.

I grabbed my cell phone and press speed dial one. I let it ring until it went to voice mail. I nearly froze and almost couldn't say anything.

"Hi, Bobby, it's me...umm just wanted to see if...if you know...never mind...I hope to catch up soon. I have something important to tell you," I hung up, half annoyed and half upset that he didn't pick up. He's probably at another job already or just saw my name and decided not to answer, I thought, shaking my head. I put it on the kitchen bench and looked in my fridge. I had nothing edible to eat apart from a half a block of cheese. Just as I was reaching for it I heard a faint knock at the door. I glanced at the time and saw it just after eleven pm.

Another knock came louder and this time impatient.

"Ok, hold on," I called out, in annoyance. I opened the door forcefully and almost fell backwards as I was looking at my ex-partner Bobby Goren.

"Bobby," I exclaimed.

"Hi, Eames," he replied, sort of confused, like he wasn't too sure what to call me now.

"Hi...come in," I said, pulling him in, and quickly shutting the door. I followed him to my living room as he looked around. It was almost looked like he was making sure of something.

"Why aren't you at work?" he asked, talking more to the floor than me. I took a deep breath.

I hesitated before I found my voice. "I resigned."

"You what?" he snapped, and finally looked at me. His eyes were full of anger, shame and guilt.

"Yes, I did. I couldn't do it without my partner," I explained, trying to sound firm.

"No, Eames, tell them it was a mistake. Tell them you really you letting off steam, please call them back," Goren said, angrily, looking around for my phone.

"No, I won't," I yelled.

"Yes you will," Goren yelled back.

"No, I won't, the job is nothing without -"

"You've been working your way up to the Captain's position, you deserve it," he cut me off, furiously. "You finally get rid of me and now you can live the life you want," he began pacing around. I tried to catch his arm but he shrugged me off.

"Bobby," I said, firmly. "I did it what was best for me."

"What was best for you was to stay and become Captain," he shot back.

"You don't know what the hell is best for me, Goren," I hissed angrily. He looked taken back by my reply and stopped pacing. He rubbed his eyes and looked at me.

"Sorry," He said, softly. "I should leave," he added and headed towards the door. I grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Please, don't go," I whispered.

"I should leave," he repeated and pulled his arm away. He was about to open the door then looked back at me. "Why did you do it?"

I walked up to him, looking into his eyes. The eyes that I have been staring at for the past nine years with respect and friendship.

"I did it because I couldn't do the job without you. Those people...those bastards have always wanted to destroy our... partnership. I did it because I chose to leave," I told him softly.

He stared at me, like he was trying to see if I was lying or not. I felt like we were back at the very start of our partnership. All those years ago were when I first tried to understand the mind of Robert Goren.

Eventually I realized he was great partner and decided to withdraw my letter requesting for a new partner. I always hoped he wouldn't know about it but then the Judge Garret case fucked that up and the bastard decided to use it against us.

Goren stared back at me, waiting for any indication to say more but I felt my throat close up and tears began to form. I hated showing emotions in front of anybody; I had let my guard down before in front of Goren before.

Suddenly Goren embraced me in his arms. I tears began to fall down my face, dampening his shirt where my head reached. It felt strange but it felt right to be in his arms, all these years that I felt something more than a partner came rushing back. It wasn't a sure thing that it would happen because I know what would happen if I became involved with another police officer. I knew the risks of the job, how cases consume you and the long hours drained you from reality. Now that we weren't partners maybe something might happen now. I didn't want to get my hopes up that Goren felt the same but all I had to do was try. He was after all one of my closest friends and I knew him better than anyone.

"I'm sorry I should called you sooner," I heard Goren say to me. I looked up from his shirt and smiled.

"That's ok," I replied, putting my hand on his cheek. He returned the smile and kissed the top of my head. I felt his hand grab my other hand. "Would like something to drink?" I asked, squeezing his hand. He nodded to me and I realize this was the beginning of the loyal partnership that has now grown into the beginning of a relationship.

End

A/N: Thank you for reading. I am hoping it so not OCC much. I haven't written CI in a while so please be gentle. Please review