Disclaimer: I don't own the CI characters, but you can ask me and I'll let you borrow mine, Mr. Wolfe.

A/N: This one is for Confused One, Patcat, Infinity Star and ObsessedwithStabler. You guys are great and I enjoy all of your stories.

The Overweight Murders

In the spring thoughts turn to love, adventure, summer activities and murder? That just didn't seem likely. It was all twisted and backwards and happening with startling regularity. And it was happening where the Governors wife wanted to go to lose weight so it had to be solved even if she wasn't involved. The local police department wasn't able to figure it out so Major Case was called in and Ross was that person.

Honestly he had been the Captain long enough to know who could fit in and benefit from the treatment that would let them nab the killer, but he wasn't sure if the people who could benefit most from it would be able to take the case on. He watched them move around the bull pen. He spotted several he'd like to send but the ones he thought were best suited were already slender and up to their eyes in cases.

So he could send Chester Duncan, who was a good if not very imaginative detective, and Goren? Not that Bobby Goren was fat, big yes, but not fat. But he also had the necessary skills to solve this case. And who else? He obviously couldn't sent Alex, since she set the department standard for fitness. Logan and Wheeler were slender enough that they'd feel out of place, Jack Collins had a wife who was fighting cancer and couldn't leave her for a week and no one else had the experience to do this.

So Bobby Goren and Dunkin' Duncan it was. He dialed Gorens extension and called him in then Duncans and called him in. He was already aware of the fact that he would be getting the evil eye from Gorens partner, but this was police business after all.

Bobby and Alex entered the office and shortly thereafter so did Duncan and Sorkin. Ross eyed the two men intended for the assignment and realized this wasn't going to be easy. They didn't like each other. Duncan considered Goren a hot shot and an oddball. Goren just ignored the other man, trying for harmony in the department. He just let such things roll off his back.

"What's up, Cap?" Duncan asked. He was so blatantly disrespectful that Ross was tempted to dress him down right there, but he would soon be gone for a couple of weeks anyway.

"We have a case in upstate New York. I need you and Goren to go on."

Bobby looked startled and he quickly hid his surprise. "Why us, Captain?" he asked.

"It's a weight loss facility that has had a series of unsolved murders. I need two people who will fit in and still be able to work this case. You two fit the bill." He said bluntly.

Alex bristled at the implied criticism. "Is this a department decision, Sir?" she demanded.

"This, Detective Eames, is a murder investigation. And both Goren and Duncan will be able to do from the inside what the locals from the outside could not. We need to find this murderer." Ross told her sharply. His voice and use of her formal title made it clear he wasn't intimidated by her questioning.

"H-How long is his for, Captain?" Bobby asked.

"The program runs a week."

"A week? Captain, I have cases here that need me…." Duncan began.

"That, Detective Duncan, is why you have a partner. I have a copy here of the brochure that will explain the program and any other information you need. I also will be sending the information you need on the case to your account. Read it and get familiar with it. You're already signed up, you leave next Sunday at 2:00. You have until then to clear up any cases you need to or delegate them to someone else. That's all for now."

To say that Alex was livid was like saying that a hurricane was a gentle breeze. She was furious. Not only was the captain sending Bobby away for a week, but he was saying that Bobby was fat. (Of course, Duncan was fat and he admitted it.) It was unbelievable. She slammed her chair out and slammed her canter drawer open then slammed it shut, in fact she slammed pretty much everything she could reach.

Bobby eyed her for a few minutes and told her mildly. "He's right, you know."

Alex eyed him angrily, but in astonishment. "He's right?!"

"I-In a way. These murders do need to be solved, I am overweight and I've been thinking of doing something about it anyway. This-This way the department is paying for it and it's only for a week. It's not like we haven't been separated for that long before."

"That isn't the point." She hissed. "There are plenty of detectives here who could use the time at one of those facilities. And he's sending you with Duncan? I'm your partner."

"You're not fat." Bobby pointed out reasonably.

"Stop saying that!" Alex snapped at him. "You're big, but you're not fat."

"It's semantics, Alex, and you know it. Besides, it's in Upstate New York. It's not like he's sending me into exile or something."

"So you want to go?"

Bobby shrugged. "Not want to. I'll go because it needs to be done, but want is too strong of a word. And just imagine, how much fun we'll have when I get back." He gave her a sly look.

Alex was torn between wanting to throw something at him and wanting to smile at him. She balled up a piece of paper and threw it at him. He caught it and tossed it back. He'd never done that before. She smiled inspite of herself.

Chester Duncan wasn't so complacent about it. He spent the rest of the week trying to convince Ross to change his mind and send someone else. Ross steadfastly refused to budge. All the names submitted were shot down and Duncan was left with the realization that he was stuck with the assignment.

Bobby and Alex made the best of it and spent the time they had together before Bobby left by going over their cases, going over the case that he'd be involved in and making love all night long.

On Sunday morning, Bobby made Alex a big breakfast and took it to her in bed. She smelled the bacon and waffles and sat up sleepily. Bobby gave her her coffee first and set the table on the mattress between them. He sipped his coffee leaning against the headboard next to her. He was already packed so they spent the time together. They ate breakfast off the tray and then he put the tray on the floor next to the bed. "I'm going to miss you next week." He told her, uncomfortably.

"Then do leave me yet." She told him and pulled him down so she could make his leaving memorable.

At 1:45, the SUV from the department pulled up outside of Bobbys apartment. He turned to Alex one last time and gathered her in his arms and gave her a passionate kiss. "I'll be home before you know it." He told her.

"You better be. And come home whole." She told him fiercely.

Bobby picked up his duffle bag and got into the vehicle. The windows were dark so that was the last glimpse she had of him as it pulled away.

TBC