A/N: Just playing with the characters again. Let's see where this takes us! Please remember to leave a review.

Chapter 1

Food For Thought

Leaning back in his chair, Bobby rested his long legs across the corner of his desk, letting his pencil drop periodically against his blotter. He watched as his partner made her way through the maze of desks and people. He swung his legs to the floor, silently pleased with himself for remembering to pickup two coffees and one of her favorite muffins. Alex grinned at him, opening a drawer, she dropped her purse inside, pushing it closed with her foot. Her eyes fell on the coffee, her pixie face lit up as she opened the bag. "Thanks!"

Dropping in her chair, she reached into the bag and pulled out the blueberry muffin. He watched as she took a bite. Alex's eyes closed as she slowly savored the freshness of the roll. Her eyes slightly opened as she eyed him with suspicion. "Hmmm, what brought this on?"

"Brought, brought on?" Bobby was taken off guard. "I, I was just getting coffee, and...and..."

Alex set the muffin on the napkin. Taking the lid off of the coffee, she took a sip. "Goren, ….."

He cringed at her use of his last name. "Alex, I was just getting coffee and I thought you might enjoy..."

Taking another sip of coffee, she slightly cocked her head. "Bobby, just because you made dinner for me on Valentine's day, doesn't mean...."

Bobby quickly put his wave his hands in defense, as well as to stop her. He didn't want to hear the next few words. Ross watched the animation of his two top detectives as he entered the room. He grinned. How can such a petite woman get the best of such a big guy? He cleared his throat as he stopped next to Detective Eames' desk. "Problem, detectives?"

Both shook their heads in unison. Ross nodded his confirmation, knowing all too well who was going to win that discussion. Watching Ross disappear into his office, Alex slightly hissed at him. "And one of my favorite movies."

Goren leaned back and exhaled. How can I admit to her that I did have a good time. From her response, so did she. His eyes narrowed. "How's Terry?"

Alex felt like she had been gut shot with those two words. She wasn't willing to admit to Bobby that Terry's lack of memory of Valentine's Day with her was due to a make-up date he had planned with his previous girl friend. "Uhm, fine, I guess."

"Guess? You mean, you're not sure?" He took a sip of coffee, carefully watching her, as he waited for her response.

"Well, yeah, you know....." She fought to find the words to deflect any further questioning.

Bobby shook his head. His voice was soft and sympathetic. "No, I don't know."

Alex rested her elbows on her desk, burrowing her face in her hands. "He's a jerk, but he's fine." She lifted her face out of her hands and looked over the desks at her partner. "Bobby, I really don't want to..."

He leaned forward, stretching his long arms out in front of him, slowly turning the pencil he held in his hands. Bobby studied her face, watching as it slowly flushed. He knew he was treading on dangerous grounds. "You two seemed to have hit it off, why is he a jerk?"

She rested her head in one hand, slowly poking at the muffin. Afraid to look into his intense brown eyes, she chose to study the muffin. "Terry, ah, seemed to have forgotten Valentine's Day for a reason."

Bobby rubbed his chin in thought. He chose his words carefully. "Was it a good reason?"

Alex's head bobbed negatively. "Only if you're the girl he was dating before you."

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as he thought about that piece of information. He slowly exhaled. Jerk is too good of a word for him! How could he....? He glanced over at Alex, who was trying hard to cover her exposed hurt feelings.

Ross peered out his window at Alex and Bobby. He watched, slowly analyzing the body language. Whatever is going on between those two.... He shook his head, not wanting to believe that their partnership had gone beyond professional. I always thought Eames had more sense than that. He took a deep breath, knowing that he was going to have to have 'that talk' with them. Jeesh, if the Brass got wind of this.... He shook his head again. Better nip this in the bud.

Stepping to his door, he folded his arms in front of him. "Eames, I need to talk to you."

Alex looked over at the Captain. Oh, oh, this can't be good. She slowly stood, straightening her blouse. "Yes, Captain."

Feeling like she was going to slaughter, she took her steps slowly. Ross frowned, conveying his annoyance. As Alex made her way to his door, he stepped aside. "Grab a seat, Detective." He closed the door behind her. Taking his own seat, he paused, mulling over how to begin the conversation.

"Captain?" Alex's voice brought his mind back to the room.

He leaned back in his chair. "Is there anything, anything....wrong between you and Detective Goren?"

She shook her head. "No sir."

Danny pursed his lips, not believing the answer. "From what I could see, it looked like you two were ...uhm, arguing. Is there anything going on, that I should know about?"

Alex's body tightened in her chair. He thinks.... She put her hand to her mouth, partly to suppress a giggle, the other, to hide the disbelief that Ross would think that. "Goren was just being, Goren. Trying to delve into my personal life, sir."

Ross nodded, letting the breath he was holding silently escape his lips. "So, there's nothing going on between you two?"

Eames smiled. "No sir, not at all."

Danny smiled with relief. "Alright then, that's all."

Alex stood, suddenly feeling as though she had been reprimanded without actually being reprimanded. Taking a couple of steps towards the door, she stopped and turned. "Sir, if, if there was, was something going on...?"

His smile faded. "Let's just say, if you want to keep your partner, I would advise you to keep it out of the squad room."

She nodded, turning she left his office. Her mind quietly mulled over the possibility. He is loyal. Unlike some men... She shook her head, trying to removed the thought that Ross had implanted in her mind.

Bobby had busied himself with paperwork during his absence. He glanced up as he heard her step approach their desks. Pausing mid-sentence, he slightly smiled...noting the puzzled look on her face. "What did Ross want?"

Slowly sitting down, she picked up the muffin, taking a bite. For a moment, she chewed thoughtfully, studying her partner. What would he be like as.... She stopped herself. Don't be ridiculous Eames. Goren would never.... "He suspected we were more than just partners."

Bobby shot a quick look at his superior's office door, taking a deep breath. Am I that obvious? He looked over towards Alex, somewhat afraid to meet her eyes. Does she suspect how I feel? "Why, why would he think that?"

Alex shrugged, taking another bite. "I guess we were arguing like a married couple."

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. Married? He slowly exhaled.

Eames watched him for a moment, before rubbing the crumbs off her hands, onto the now empty napkin. Where does he go, when he does that? She sighed as she tucked the napkin into the bag. Shoving the bag into the trash can, she quickly got up and headed towards the restroom.

TBC