Disclaimer: I don't own them I just feel a need to fill in the blanks on some of Dick Wolf's characters!

This story is rated T, however be warned that in certain chapters I will be changing the rating to an M+. Readers discretion ;-) I will give plenty of warning of said chapters!

Chapter One!

Acceptable Loss.

Alex POV.

Alex Eames had never been happier, she was back in sync with her partner of 13 years and thanks to his therapy he had overcome his issues and was sharper than he had ever been. She had once again noticed how women started to flirt with him again.

No wonder as he had obviously brushed off the moth balls on his treadmill. She noticed he had stopped smoking, he was eating very carefully and healthily and on the occasions when they had stopped for a drink after work he had ordered only bitters and soda instead of his usual Glenlivet. He was even working admirably well under their Captain Joe Hannah.

Things had run so much better since the Chief of Detectives Moran had been reassigned and replaced by Chief Lawrence.

One thing though bothered her. She hated the attention that he was now receiving from other women; yes she was even resentful of it and did her best not to let it show. Although Bobby flirted back she had not heard that he was dating anyone else, which intrigued her greatly. One thing was looming though and this saddened her greatly. In a few weeks it will be Bobby's 55th Birthday and he would be retiring from the NYPD, thus ending their partnership. She was finding it hard to come to terms with this not knowing whether Bobby would keep in touch with her. It had given her many sleepless nights.

She had long since come to realize that she had fallen in love with him and even though she felt he held no mutual feelings towards her, she settled for the fact that they saw each other daily and were a part of each other's lives, all of which would soon be coming to an end.

She was so deep in thought that the next thing she knew a paper clip had bounced off of her head, lifting her gaze she looked into a very mischievous grin of her partner.

"Earth to Eames, anyone home? I have been calling your name 4 times and you haven't noticed. You ok?"

As he looked at me with mirth twinkling in his eyes, I felt so busted, as if he could have read my thoughts and I couldn't help myself from blushing. I saw him furrow his brow and nervously start to nibble like a frantic chipmunk on his cheek.

"Just thinking about the case Bobby, what's up?"

He held my gaze and nodded to something on my desk. It would also seem that I hadn't noticed that I had gotten mail. So I thanked him and opened the letter. Bobby was watching me curiously as I read it. My face must have fascinated him with all the myriad of emotions that this letter evoked. Looking up at him, I smiled and carefully folded the letter and placed it in my bag.

"Bobby let's go to lunch, you're buying!"

He got up and helped me into my coat and we both walked down to our favorite Deli. I could tell that his curiosity was killing him. So I reached into my bag and handed him the letter so that he could read it and I placed our order to the waitress, watching his face as he read.

Bobby POV

It took all I had not to leap up and cry for joy as I read the letter. My Eames has been offered the rank of Lieutenant and her own command with Homeland Security. I really had to contain myself as all I wanted to do was stand up and take her in my arms and hug her to death!

This was amazing news and thoroughly deserved as she was indeed New York's finest, she was finally getting the recognition she so richly deserved after all she had been through. I know my career would be ending in 18 days and this was bittersweet to me. Sweet in that Alex has gotten her deserved promotion, bitter that our partnership would end and she would move on in a life that no longer included me. I'm happy that she had overcome the stigma of having been my partner. Things can only improve for her once I leave the NYPD that was all that was important her happiness.

Thankfully the waitress had returned with our food which we ate. It gave me time to respond to her letter and compose my feelings. Although I had lost my appetite half way through my club sandwich and started to fiddle with my napkin and shredded it to pieces. Alex looked at me then picked up her phone and called our Captain and got us the rest of the day off.

Alex POV

We walked over to O'Malley's our favorite bar, and took up our usual booth at the back. When the waitress came to take our order I was surprised that Bobby ordered a Glenlivet. He hadn't said a word since he read my letter, I knew he needed his space and time to think so I didn't press him for his opinion.

Bobby POV

When our drinks arrived I downed half of my scotch in one go. I could tell alex was worried and waiting for me to speak about it, I just didn't know where to start. Dr. Gyson had always advised me in personal matters to go with honesty, there was no way I could be totally honest with Alex though she had already turned down the Captaincy of Major Case Squad because of me, there is no way I will give her any reason to turn this down. This was a huge offer for her a great leap in her career prospects and something she would totally master. No way on this earth would I screw this up for her. After I had finished playing with my half empty glass of whiskey I took a deep breath and shot a prayer to heaven that I would not ruin this in any way. When I looked up at her face I was momentarily speechless by how beautiful she looked.

"The letter says they want you to start in 4 weeks time. This is a fantastic offer Alex, are you going to accept it?"

Bobby searched her eyes for any doubt and was glad when he didn't find any.

Alex POV

I breathed a sigh of relief when Bobby said he was happy for me. I, however, had my own doubts after having been a detective with the NYPD for so many years. In the letter they said that I would not lose any pension benefits. I was on uncertain territory, after having worked with Bobby for so long it would feel like a part of me would be amputated. I in no way had any doubts of my ability. It was an incredible loss that I was experiencing in no longer working side by side with Robert Goren and not knowing whether or not he would keep in touch. So much was happening way too fast. He had not discussed his retirement with me or his plans thereafter. So I put on my brave face and smiled and told him that I would be accepting the offer.

T.B.C….