Disclaimer: I have no claim to L&O CI ... Aw shucks! For my friend Liz! Love ya!

Summary: I read on The Reel that in the up coming season, Alex has drinks with her sister Liz ... Why? What's that about? This is my made up conversation ...

A conversation with Liz

Chapter one: An unbalanced balance

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Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood. ~Louisa May Alcott

Alex's POV

My sister Liz called me today, she knew that I have been out of sorts lately. It's usually Bobby … out of sorts, that is. Lately. It is a direct causal effect … Bobby's out of sorts … I'm out of sorts. You could say that we're a teeter totter. Bobby's long legs could hold us in a balanced state or leave me hanging in the air … I'm hanging while he's sitting on the ground … so … yeah … we're both out of sorts. Heavy sigh … Anyway, Liz called today and asked me to meet her for a drink after work, I agreed. One thing about Liz, she should have been a cop, once she gets that scent … she's like a hound dog, you might as well give in or up. If I didn't agree to the drink, she would have been waiting on my door step with Chinese food and a bottle of booze … probably a better idea. I called her and made that suggestion but for what ever reason, she preferred going to a bar. I met her … we drank … we talked … superficially … at first.

Here it comes, I can tell by the look on her face.

"Alex, you seem so … defeated."

"Defeated?"

"I don't know … tired, worn down, burned out. You need a break … from … him."

"Him who?"

"Your Partner. He's draining the life out of you. Look honey, I know he's gone to hell and back and back to hell again but do you have to keep going with him?"

I take a long slow drink from my Martini … whoo … not easy on the Vermouth. I'm thinking … do I? I think maybe I do. I'm hanging in the unbalanced balance … that's how it's suppose to be with Bobby and I … the unbalanced balance. I'm in the air and he's on the ground … he's looking up and I'm looking down … that's different … considering our height. I'm speaking … ah … thinking metaphorically of course. Bobby and I are collectively manic depressive … I'm high, he's low. Okay, enough … you get it … Liz doesn't. She's thinking that I'm depressed.

"I'm not depressed Liz, I'm not tired or burned out or worn down … I'm a cop with rotten hours and I'm not getting any younger. None of which has anything to do with him."

She puts her hands up. "I think you're not telling me or yourself the truth."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Are you in love with him?"

I love him … I order another Martini. He's my best friend. I love him.

"I'm not in love with my Partner Liz. He's my Partner."

"And you would do anything for him … I know partners … I grew up in a cop's house too ya know."

"Eww Liz … what did Dad do for Tony O.?"

"He paid off his gambling debts."

"He did?"

"You didn't know?"

"No."

"Don't you remember when you were twelve and you wanted that bike with the banana seat for Christmas?"

"Yeah, I didn't get it."

"That's why."

"Well, none the less, Goren doesn't have a gambling problem."

"Sissy … he's like that stray puppy … you know if you take him to the pound they'll put him to sleep if they can't find him a good home … you want to bring him home and take care of him."

"I don't think he needs taken care of Liz. I believe he's a grown man."

I'm pissed now … I realize that she's looking out for me but to compare Bobby to a stray dog? She's gone too far. The fact remains, I do love him, he's my best friend … I am tired. I need his long legs to balance us … the unbalanced balance thing isn't really working for me anymore and my family can see that … Liz is the family spoke's women. She was sent on this mission.

I throw some money down on the table, I'm so glad she insisted on the bar, now I can leave. I ask the valet to call a cab for me. I give the cabby Bobby's address. I let myself in … I have the key and he's happily surprised to see me. It kind of reminds me of my friends that keep telling me to buy a dog … "They're always so happy to see you when you come home from work. They wag their tail and give you kisses … it's unconditional love." Oh shit … was Liz right?

"Eames … how was Liz? Didn't you have drinks or something tonight?"

"Yeah, yeah. Bobby … I need some balance in my life." I just blurt it out ... as if he knows what I mean.

His expression changes, he sighs and crosses is arms over his chest.

"Time for a new Partner … okay … okay …"

He looks down … his tail's not wagging … that's not what I meant.

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Should this be a best friend story or a shipper story? I won't know unless you review! Thanks for reading!