This is a short conversation at the end of ITWSH. I wrote this and then realized that the reason it didn't work out the way I wanted it to was that Logan talked to Eames instead of Goren, like I'd originally planned. LOL! I must be losing it - cause I can't even remember my own plot ideas! Oh well maybe I'll go write the Logan/Goren conversation. . . Didn't write a Logan/Goren conversation, but I did follow up with an Eames/Goren conversation that works even better.- Dix

No copy write infringement intended or implied. These characters belong to Dick Wolf et al.

Lucky

Detective Mike Logan watched her from across the courthouse foyer. He thought this scene might rival the one he'd witnessed in the courtroom, but he couldn't hear what she was saying or see the look on her face.

He watched as ADA Carver spoke to Detective Eames and when he left, he saw Detective Goren take his place. Logan watched his body language with interest and wished, not for the first time, that he could read lips.

Eames was standing quite still watching her partner walk away when Mike Logan approached from behind.

Logan leaned in and said into her ear. "What did he say?"

Eames spun to face him. She was startled by his quiet approach and took a minute to process his question. He stepped back to a more comfortable distance. His arms were crossed loosely across his chest.

"Lucky" she said after a moment. "He said that he was lucky I withdrew the letter."

Logan nodded and turned away.

"Why?" she asked brushing Logan's sleeve as he turned away from her.

He swivelled back. He looked her in the eye and considered how much to say. "I asked around," he said, "before I got to Major Case. I wanted to know who the players were. I didn't want to screw up the chance Deakins gave me."

Eames nodded once. "And?"

"Goren went through a string of partners at Major Case before you came."

"So?" He was telling her nothing she didn't already know. She shrugged, dismissing him.

"Lots of cops lost money when you hung around."

She raised her eyebrows slightly and said nothing aiming for a look of incomprehension. Now it was her turn to walk away. Logan bridged the gap in one long stride.

"You know what they call him?"

She stopped and turned to face him. Her eyes were cold.

"Major Head Case. " He said it in a whisper but she felt it like a body blow.

"I've heard it." She said quietly through clenched teeth.

"So why stick around, Eames?" He asked.

She shrugged, rapidly scrolling through possible replies; calculating how much to say and how much to leave out. She looked him in the eye. "You were in the courtroom, Mike. You heard what I said."

"You just changed your mind about him? That's it?"

"You wouldn't understand." She said, edging away from him.

"Try me."

"He has my back and he understands the chain of command."

Logan was quiet for a long minute. He held her gaze and thought about her words. "He hasn't noticed you're a woman, you mean." Logan's grin was wide.

"Yeah." She matched his smile.

"And that's a good thing?"

"It means Mike that I get to do the job. I don't have to wonder if he'll let me take a bullet cause he has issues with his mother. And I don't have to wonder if he's thinking about screwing me when he should be working the case."

Logan nodded. "So it's a good thing you're not my partner, Alex."

"Oh Yeah? Got issues with your mother, Mike?"

"No." He shook his head and smiled. "I'd definitely have the other problem. "

Eames rolled her eyes. "Well keep it to yourself." She turned on her heel and walked away. Logan's laughter floated after her.

Goren watched her cross the room towards him. She smothered her grin.

"What did he want?" Goren asked her when she reached him.

"Mike thought I might need consoling."

Goren's looked down at her with raised eyebrows and then across the foyer at Logan's retreating form.

"What did you say?"

She glanced up at Goren. "He should be so lucky."

Thanks for reading. - Dix.