A/N: Coincides with "Improbable Truth", chapter 13 / show timeline is during "Betrayed".

Eames POV

I needed to get away, so I used coffee as an excuse.

"I'll be right back," I mumbled in the direction of my partner as I got up from my chair.

As usual – or rather, as usual of late – he responded immediately.

"Everything alright? Do you need…"

"I said I'll be right back," I repeated, this time more firmly. I held his gaze for a moment just to make sure he got the point – that I don't want him to follow me – and then I turned and headed for the break room.

I'm telling you…his over-eager kowtowing is about to drive me out of my mind.

And I know…it's kind of my fault that he's acting like this.

Well, in a back-asswards kind of way.

Because I'm pissed at him.

I mean really really pissed.

And he knows it because I certainly haven't been quiet about it.

So this is him, trying to make things right.

As far as I'm concerned, if he wanted things to be right between us, then he never should've done what he did.

That stupid undercover.

What was he thinking, keeping something like that from me?

Did he think I wouldn't be able to keep the secret?

Every time I think about it, I get mad. I can't help it.

I filled my mug with coffee and then dumped in a pile of sugar, something proportionate to my growing ire.

As I started stirring, I looked up and caught Logan's reflection in the mirror that hangs behind the counter. He's standing in the doorway, making no move to come into the room.

And he's looking at my ass.

Curious.

Because Logan might have the rep of being a ladies' man, but I think it must be an exaggeration because I've never seen any real proof.

And yeah, he likes to tease me a lot, but in spite of that being a tell-tale adolescent sign of interest, I know he doesn't think about me like that.

Which makes it fun to tease him back because I know he doesn't have any expectations.

"Are you checking me out?" I asked him, doing my best to hide my amusement.

"What?" he asked as he raised his eyes to meet my gaze in the reflection. His look alone was guilty enough and then he had to start stammering. "No. No...no."

God, he sounds like Bobby.

Maybe I just have that effect on men.

I took a little bit of mercy on him and paused for an extra moment, allowing him a second to compose himself as I added more sugar to my cup, and then I turned around and raised my eyebrow in question.

"Okay, yeah I was," he reluctantly admitted. "But not because of why you think."

Yeah, because I thought you were truly ogling my ass, I thought cynically.

Although wouldn't that be fitting?

I want Bobby to check me out and yet Logan's the one who does it.

"It's not because I'm so hot that you can't keep your eyes off of me? Thanks, Logan. You know how to make a girl feel special," I joked.

"No, it's…I mean, you are, it's just..."

He trailed off uncertainly and once again I took pity on him.

"What's going on with you?" I asked easily. "You're usually so much better at verbal sparring."

"It's…see…I met this woman."

Ah…

Which in no way explains why he was looking at my butt and yet it's still an interesting tidbit. And I like how he's so cute and flustered about it. It makes me even less inclined to believe the Casanova moniker.

"First line of every tragedy ever written," I said. My intent was to offer some empathy, but his expression remained stoic.

Not in a joking mood about the new girl, I decided.

"And every fairy tale, too," I added.

"Nice save."

"I try. So…you met a woman. Is that why you didn't sleep all weekend?"

Because I might not be an expert at reading him but he's got dark circles under his eyes and his color's a little pale.

"Wheeler's been talking to you, too?"

"No, but I've got eyes, Logan. Does she look as exhausted as you, or did you spend your weekend only wishing you weren't alone?"

"She's pretty tired," he replied, finally relaxing just a little. "And again…it's not exactly what you think, but I can't get into it."

Hmm…not what I think. So…they're not sleeping together.

Yet another bit of proof that he's not just a dog. Not that I need proof, but still…

"Okay, well…then tell me how this mystery girl relates to you checking out my ass."

As I said the words you checking out my ass, Bobby walked into the room. I knew he was in the doorway without even looking in that direction and I was simultaneously irritated and amused by his timing.

Would he be jealous of Logan?

Interesting possibility.

And maybe if he actually considers that someone else might be interested in me then he'll get off his ass and do something about it.

Because I'm not about to make any kind of move.

Like I said, I'm still pissed.

But it sure would be nice to know that it's not just me who's having inappropriate and unpartnerly thoughts. I think that's compounding my annoyance.

The idea that maybe it's only me.

I finally glanced over to where Bobby lingered in the doorway. His eyes were darting back and forth between me and Logan and he kept shifting his weight uncomfortably.

Good, I thought. He did hear the comment and he doesn't look happy about it.

He managed to mumble his way through a sentence or two, letting me know that Rodgers was ready for us, so I told him I'd be out in a minute.

Meaning…leave me and Logan alone and I'll catch up.

"Yeah, okay. Um…sure," he responded, but then he still didn't leave, and I know for a fact that it's killing him not to ask any questions, but he finally turned around and walked away.

"You could've eased his mind," Logan said. "Brought him into the conversation so that he doesn't think I'm in here hitting on you."

His astute observation caught me by surprise.

Am I being that obvious?

Does Logan really know that I've been waiting for years for Bobby to pull his head out of his ass and see that I'm…that I…that I have feelings for him?

"I could've," I retorted dismissively. "But it's none of his business if you're hitting on me."

My lame attempt at denial.

He snorted out a sound of disbelief, and then after I pointed out that he hadn't bothered to correct the misconception either, he got serious on me.

"The battle going on between the two of you is between the two of you. But for the record…you know, sometimes we do things that we think are the exact right thing to do. And then we find out later that maybe we were wrong. But that doesn't mean our heart wasn't in the right place."

There are many sides to Mike Logan, I decided. He's a lot deeper than anyone gives him credit.

"Are you getting philosophical on me?"

"I'm saying…either forgive him and move on, or…just move on."

Move on. Now there's a humorous idea.

As if I could ever just move on from Bobby.

"Of course I forgive him. But it doesn't make me less mad about what happened," I replied, and I know I sound kind of snappish, but I can't help it. This whole situation is so messed up.

I mean, I thought we were so close to having…something.

And then he went to Tates, and got suspended…then he stopped talking to me, come to find out it was all because of that ridiculous undercover…

But how long am I going to punish him for his mistakes?

How long is enough?

He's apologized. He's promised it'll never happen again.

What more do I expect from him?

And how much time is he willing to spend in the dog house before he gives up and moves on?

"I need to go," I said suddenly, feeling the need to go see Bobby and ease his mind about what was going on in here. "So hurry up and tell me why you were scoping me out."

Finding out that Logan wants to buy clothes for his new girlfriend was about the last thing in the world I was expecting.

And once we cleared up the fact that he wasn't going for lingerie, I couldn't help but look at him a little differently.

What a sweet and considerate and non-player thing to do.

As I looked at him in this new light, I saw indecision cross his face.

"Um…never mind. It was a bad idea anyway," he said dismissively, and as much as I'd like to stay here and quiz him a little while longer, I really need to go. Bobby's probably already created an alternate universe in his mind, one that has me quitting the NYPD and running off with Logan to Barbados to live happily ever after.

The really pathetic thing is that I'm not sure which would upset him more…me leaving the NYPD or me hooking up with Logan.

I headed for the door, but the sad expression on Logan's face gave me pause.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

"I'm fine. Go. Rodgers doesn't like to wait."

I watched him for another beat and then I went out into the hall.

Bobby was loitering about ten feet away. And by loitering, I mean he was intensely pacing a five-foot path.

"Okay, let's go," I told him casually as he looked at me with concern.

"Everything alright?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?"

"You and Logan…"

So he is a little jealous.

I like that.

What can I say? I'm a girl. We like knowing when a guy's interested, and up to this point, Bobby's thrown me very few hints, so I'm going to cling to each and every one.

"We were talking about his new girlfriend," I explained.

And yeah, I know. I could've kept him on the hook longer.

But he's dealt with enough game-playing in his lifetime. What he needs from me is straight-shooting. That's not to say I'm going to cough up more than he asks, but I will be honest with him.

"He's got a girlfriend?"

"Sounds like it. I don't know details. Maybe you should ask him. He looks like he could use a friend."

"Me?" he asked in surprise. "But I'm not…"

"A guy? One who knows how to listen without casting judgment? Yeah, you are," I said firmly. "It won't kill you to socialize once in a while."

"I socialize," he countered indignantly. "I had a beer with Logan two weeks ago. But we're not…"

"Uh huh," I interrupted. "And before that? Seriously, Bobby. When was the last time you did something with anyone outside of work? More than just one beer. Aside from me, I mean."

"Um…I…well…"

"My point exactly."

I let the matter drop and didn't bring it up again until Friday.

Throughout the course of the week, Bobby and I almost found our rhythm again as we solved the case of the missing trainer and his mistress.

And I'll admit it.

It was mostly because I quit eye-rolling and smart-mouthing and instead made an effort to let bygones be bygones.

And as much as I like the fact that things are more normal at work again, I'm not crazy about the idea that everything else is the same, too.

I mean, it's all just status quo.

I'm his partner.

Period.

Okay, not period.

I'm also his friend.

But still…that's it, and I don't want that to be it.

"What do you think it is?"

"What?" I asked, Bobby's voice barely permeating my ill-advised thought process.

"Logan. In Ross' office. Again," he said quietly, with an expression of mischief and curiosity and…something else. Something that does a number on me.

"You're supposed to know the answer," I reminded him. "Weren't you going to catch up with him and be his friend?"

"Yeah, but…"

"He looks like hell, Bobby. He's got something going on, and who's he supposed to talk to?"

"His new girlfriend?"

"Maybe she's the problem," I suggested, although even as I said the words, I don't think that's the case.

But if it is and she hurts him, I'm going to hunt her down and make her pay.

"I don't think so," he said speculatively. Then he flashed me a suggestive look, waggling his eyebrows as he added, "He looks tired, but happy, you know?"

No. I don't know.

Because I'm not that kind of happy.

I'd like to be.

The kind of happy that comes from extreme and utter sexual gratification.

But let's face it.

I haven't been that kind of happy in years.

Ever, maybe.

"Another reason for the two of you to hang out," I said as I reached for the file on Skip Lowe, our latest case, and I made of point of opening it up. Because I can't look Bobby in the eye while I say this. "You can live vicariously through him while he tells you about his newfound sex life."

Bobby made some kind of sound…a strangled snort of surprise and maybe embarrassment, and it was all I could do not to look because I really want to see the expression on his face, but I kept my focus on the file.

"What are you trying to say, Eames?" he asked at last. "That I don't have a sex life?"

Please God, don't let him have a sex life, I prayed silently.

Because if I find out that he's been hiding a girlfriend from me like he hid that undercover…well, that just might cause me to pull my gun on him and even though I'm annoyed with him, I still don't want to shoot him.

Although if he is schtupping someone, all bets are off.

I finally brought my eyes up to his and I found him watching me with amusement, like he's waiting for me to challenge his statement.

So I did.

"Do you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him as I leaned back in my chair. "Because I don't know when you'd find the time."

"How long does it take?" he replied with a grin.

"Depends on whether or not you're doing it right."

"Oh, I do it right," he answered, and dear God what the hell have I ventured into here because his tone was low and suggestive and his eyes are still locked on mine and I'm tingling from head to toe just from this unexpectedly salacious conversation.

Before I could respond, Logan's voice came booming through Ross' closed office door.

"…the woman you called in a special favor for - one you used to fuck - was a murderer!"

"Ooh…ouch," I said quietly. It's not hard to imagine what Ross' face looks like right about now.

Red. Very red.

"I can't believe he just said that," Bobby commented as he turned and looked in the direction of our boss' office.

"I'm telling you…he's not himself," I said pointedly. "So…"

"Yeah, okay."

"I'll get coffee," I offered as the door came open and Logan entered the squad room and then slammed the door closed behind him. "You…"

I gestured towards Logan and Bobby nodded at me as I got up and headed for the break room.

He'll talk to him and make sure everything's alright.

And me…I'm going to fix some coffee and replay Bobby's words in my head.

Oh, I do it right.

I bet he does.

But was he really flirting with me? Because that has to be the most suggestive thing he's ever said to me.

And the visual that goes along with the remark…whew. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to get any work done today.

Or any day, until I manage to verify that statement for myself.

TBC...