Author's Notes: Before I start, I'd like to say a few things. This is my first effort (and hopefully not my last) at a Law & Order: Criminal Intent fan fiction. I just recently became a fan of the show (I can't resist Vincent D'Onofrio's portrayal of Detective Goren) so, everything may not be cannon. This story is divided into Acts and Scenes. I hope it's not too weird. And lastly, to help this story work, please review and tell me what you liked and didn't like. Oh yeah, I'm really glad that I'm writing in this category with so many talented writers (hopefully my stories are just as well written).

This story is told from Goren's POV. (His narration and thoughts are italicized.) He's retelling the story several weeks after the events of the story.

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Surveillance

By CJSpooks

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ACT I, SCENE I

"Surveillance Headquarters"

Friday, 10:38 PM

"Surveillance Headquarters", as Eames had called it, was located on the third floor of a dilapidated building on a crooked street. It was an abandoned apartment that was formerly a drop off point for some sort of drug ring. Just a few months ago, the NYPD had seized it for their purposes. It was the perfect place for our stake out since it was located across the way from our suspect, one Jim Darkly. He had done something illegal and we were positioned there to catch him doing that something. Well, the details were sketchy. Deakins just sent us there and said, "Detectives, do a good job." I guess he didn't really know why we were involved either. So, Eames and I took turns watching our perp from the telescope positioned at the window.

"Come on. Come on. I'm waiting…" –I said. This was really becoming a pain in the ass.

"Hey, are you waiting for our perp to do something incriminating or for his girlfriend to come and take her clothes off." –Eames said from somewhere behind me.

I smiled and let out a small chuckle. Eames always seemed to make even the worst case scenarios better.

"Well, which one?"- Eames urged

"Incriminating act. I guess it's something about catching a perp red handed…it seems more satisfying than even the best porn." She's either thinking I'm gay or I'm a real dork with no life.

It was Eames' turn to let out a chuckle. "Well, catching Darkly in the act while his girlfriend's clothes are off would just be the icing on the cake, right Bobby?"

"Sure…why did we get stuck with this anyway? This is not our case."

"Well…I kind of hinted to Deakins a few weeks a go that surveillance was my strong point…"

"You did?"

"Yeah…but this was not how I imagined my weekend."

"Me neither…I was supposed to…" …Visit my mother.

"You had plans?"

"Yeah…sort of."

"Sorry I rained on your parade, partner."

"It's okay…I'll reschedule…"

Eames came closer to me. "Is there anything interesting going on across the street?"

I looked into the telescope. "He and his girlfriend are…watching 'Space Balls'."

"At least we know he has a sense of humor."

That's the only thing we know about him. The whole case is really vague on the details …something about it doesn't make any sense… "Um…do you want to watch him now?"-I asked Eames.

"Sure."

I get up out of the chair and start toward the door. I need some time to figure this out.

"Where're you going?" –Eames asked

"Nature's calling…" –I said. More like lied…My suspicions are a little too premature to tell her.

"Okay…don't wander too Far." –She smiled as she took over the watch.

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ACT I, SCENE II

One Police Plaza

Saturday, 10:03 PM

Deakins had called Eames and I in to speak with us the next morning. I hoped he would give us more on the person we were watching. From his tone of voice and his hurried ushering of us into his office, his news did not seem good.

"Detectives, I have something to tell you." –He said as he gestured for us to sit.

Eames sat, I chose to stand. At this, Deakins began, "Detectives…the higher ups are coming down on me."

Eames spoke first, "What for?"

"They say you aren't following procedure up to par."

Before Eames could protest, I spoke up first. "Sir, with all due respect to you and your bosses, you are all wrong. Our jobs don't always call for exact procedure. We do whatever it takes to get the job done. Isn't that the point? Anyway, I'm usually the one who likes to bend the rules a little. Eames, being the great detective and partner she is, just tries to protect me. If you're going to punish someone, punish me. I don't care. Just don't bring Eames into it."

After I finished, Eames looked at me in complete shock. I could probably guess what she was thinking. I was taking the blame for both of us. Which made me whipping boy for the higher ups…I was in some pretty hot water.

Deakins paused and then nodded in agreement. He didn't care who he had to punish…as long as he got to punish someone and look good. I know he hates having to answer to the higher ups and looking like a bad guy. But well, he didn't want to lose his job, either.

"Eames, you can go. Goren sit down now." –He said.

Eames got up slowly and walked towards the door. I felt like screaming, "Eames, don't leave me alone with him! He'll kill me!" All I could do was give her a small, reassuring smile and a look that said, 'Don't worry about me…I'll be fine.' She and I both knew I probably wouldn't.

"Close the door behind you."- Deakins told her as she left. I wouldn't be surprised if he had added, '…to minimize blood spatter' or '…to save your partner from the total humiliation of getting chewed and spit out by the captain'.

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ACT I, SCENE III

"Surveillance Headquarters"

Saturday, 8:09 PM

I could feel Eames' stare on me. I figured she was concerned about me since I hadn't said much after the reprimand by Deakins this morning.

"Hey Bobby?" –Eames said

"Yeah." –I said simply.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

I looked at her. Her eyes showed serious concern. "Not much. I'm on probation until a review meeting on Wednesday. Deakins told me to straighten up my act or …I'll be in deep trouble."

"Harsh."

"Yeah."

"What're you going to do about it?"

"I'll try to be on my best behavior while I've got them breathing down my neck."

"Bobby…"

"It's okay…I'm fine."

"Why did you take the heat for the both of us?"

I thought for a moment. "Because it's true what I said. I'm usually the lenient one on the interpretation of rules and such. Whatever happens, I probably deserve it one way or another. I didn't want you to get punished for something that's my entire fault. "

"You didn't do anything wrong. You're a better detective and partner than anyone else working at the NYPD. You'll get through this."

Eames words helped a little. She always had that way to soothe me and keep me calm, cool, and collected. I paced for awhile until I stood in front of the far corner of the room. I stared at the floor for awhile, thinking. Something was not right.

I paused, looking between Eames and the corner. After a minute, I spoke in a whisper, "Eames, can you come over here a minute? I want to show you something."

Eames reluctantly came over and replied, "Why are you whispering?"

"Look," –I said, pointing at the floor.

"What is it?"

"A microphone and camera…someone's watching us."

"Who?"

"It doesn't make any sense." Not that anything up to this point made any sense…

"No it doesn't…" –replied my partner.

I walked toward the window and looked out. Nothing…absolutely nothing was going on. Though, I was not really sure what I was expecting to see. I frowned and went back to the corner. I then pulled out the microphone and camera from the corner. Inspecting them, I saw that they were the size of a pencil eraser, black, and very well hidden amongst the shadows. I wonder how long it had been there watching our movements and listening to our conversations…

As if they were the most dirty and evil items in the world, I suddenly dropped them. Giving one last look at them on the floor, I stepped, crushing the equipment instantly.

"There…problem solved." –I remarked in a low voice.

Eames gave me a questioning look and then went back to the telescope positioned at the window.

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ACT I, SCENE IV

Deakins' Office

Sunday, 9:46 AM

Deakins was not a happy camper the next morning. When I came in, he tried his hardest not to yell at me before he got me trapped inside the confines of his office. He was red and probably was cooking up a storm. After I had sat down, he started on his tirade.

"Goren! What the hell is your problem? You destroyed expensive equipment belonging to the NYPD. This is going to come out of your pay check!"

"My problem? You're asking me my problem? What's yours? What was I supposed to do upon finding it? Stand back and let you listen in on our conversations? Is that how you plan to make sure I follow the department status quo?"

"Goren, this wasn't even my idea. I'm just-."

"Yeah, I get it. You're just the messenger for 'the powers that be'. You're a lackey, right? Don't shoot the messenger! Right?" At this point, I'm seriously angry and really socking it to him. I'm not even sure why I'm mad at him.

"Goren…listen to me. I'm on your side here."

"Sides? There are sides? I bet the whole damn department is against me, isn't it? Well, at least I have Eames on my side."

Deakins turned even madder and redder than before. He glared at me and said, "Goren, I'm putting a detail on you. I want all of your movements watched. Wherever you go and whatever you do, I'll know. Don't try to pull anything. I don't care if you object. You asked for it with your behavior."

"You can't do this! It's an invasion of privacy. They have laws against this!" –I replied

"You're just being paranoid. I guess your family history of schizophrenia is setting in. Keep yelling and you'll end up in a straight jacket."

Oh, that's it. That was definitely the last damn straw. I glared at Deakins from across his desk. Then, I must have snapped. I leapt out at Deakins, and before I could get very far, he called for assistance. Two uniformed officers grabbed me and dragged me out the door. Oh shit…

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ACT I, SCENE V

"Surveillance Headquarters"

Sunday, 6:59 PM

"Bobby, you're lucky that Deakins didn't press charges."

"So? His bosses are going to have my ass anyway. They're probably going to send me to a shrink for an evaluation once they get a report form Deakins."

"You know you can run circles around those department psychiatrists any day."

"Alex, If I don't follow procedure, they're going to have to fire me."

"It's a game. You just have to play your cards right. Don't worry."

"I seem to be losing it…"

"There's nothing wrong with you." Eames put a hand on my arm, reassuringly.

"So you say."

"Come on, Bobby. I'm serious."

"Yeah well…" –I trailed off. I stared at the ceiling. Oh crap…

Eames looked up also. "What? What is it? A stain on the ceiling?"

I held up a hand to silence her. "Another microphone and camera."

"Another one? Put up by whom? You don't think it's the department again do you?"

"I don't think so…" –I replied, "They wouldn't have enough time to install a new system for me to break. Someone else is watching us…But who?"

"Hold on a second." –Eames rushed to the window. "It's not the detail parked across the street…but…"

"But what?" –I asked impatiently. This was big…

"Our suspect, Jim Darkly, the scumbag we're supposed to be watching…is watching us on his TV! Sounds like probable cause to me."

"Yeah, let's go!"

Eames and I bolted out the door and ran across the street to apprehend Darkly. But, we soon realized that we also were being chased…by the detail assigned to us!

Eames quickly turned her head to see the two detectives behind us. "Oh crap, Bobby…how are we going to lose them? We can't outrun the detail and catch the perp."

I thought for a moment, "I have an idea. You get the perp. I'll lose the detail and then meet you back at the station."

"All right." –nodded Eames in agreement. We then sped off in our opposite directions.

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ACT I, SCENE VI

The Streets

I continued to run as fast as I could to outrun the detail. For some reason, I can't seem to lose them. Which is pretty odd. Don't they ever get tired? I swiftly turn a corner, thinking it might help me. Little did I realize, it was a dead end. Then, the two tackled me to the ground. Ow…worst case scenario…

"Detective Goren, where's your pretty little partner?" –asked one of them

"Oh, she's a pretty fast runner. You know, she took track in high school and-." The other detective, the much larger one, punched me hard in the gut. Well, that shut me up immediately. "Okay Detective Goren, let's take a ride." I hope Eames has had more luck.

****

Meanwhile, Eames chased Darkly into an abandoned lot nearby. Apparently, He tried to climb a chain-linked fence and got caught on it. Eames grabbed his leg and wrestled him to the ground. She's one tough cookie…no wonder she likes to play bad cop.

"Hey, Jim. You're a sneaky one, aren't you? Watching us from your apartment…"

"Hey, I love my work. You two almost didn't figure it out. I was waiting for you to take your clothes off…"

"Shut up, you pervert. You have the right to remain silent…"

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ACT I, SCENE VII

One Police Plaza

Sunday, 8:13 PM

Deakins, feeling a hell of a lot better upon hearing about the arrest, waited for her to come into the office so he could give his congratulations. She walked in, a little bewildered about the past hour or so. Deakins smiled and started, "Great work, he's being charged with-."

"Where's Bobby?" –She cut him off.

Deakins shook his head. "I don't know. Wasn't he with you?"

"No…your detail, the one that has been shadowing us, was chasing us so Bobby went the other way to distract them. They were crowding our investigation and almost cost us the arrest. He should be here by now…"

"Eames, I called off the detail three hours ago."

"What? But who…oh no, Bobby…" –Eames said as she ran to the interrogation room.

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ACT I, SCENE VIII

Interrogation Room

Sunday, 8:23 PM

"Jim, let's get down to business." –Eames said as sat down across from Jim Darkly.

"Okay, let's…lovely lady." –Darkly smiled

"Why were you watching us?"

"They told me to."

"Who?"

"Them."

"Who gave you the orders?"

"The agents."

"Stop with the bullshit, Jim. Tell me who gave the orders."

"Two FBI agents, all right? They said they'd give me a fee. I was supposed to collect today, if it weren't for you and your partner."

"Were they the ones in the car watching us?"

"Yeah, they had been watching ever since you got the case. They also told me to install the equipment that they gave me and give to give them regular reports on what you were doing."

"Do they have my partner?"

"I don't know."

"You're lying."

"They'll kill me."

"Tell me."

"Okay…yes. They wanted him the whole time."

"Do you know where he is?"

"…"

"Jim?"

"I'll tell you. Just stop staring at me like that…it's creepy, you know."

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ACT I, SCENE IX

Undisclosed, secret location

Time not recorded

The ride they took me on was not a bit pleasant. They cuffed me, placed a black bag over my head, threw me into the back seat of the car, told me to be quiet, and drove off to God knows where. They people were definitely not detectives sent by the department. And, they are not ones for being accommodating. When we got to where we were supposed to be, the roughly took me out and marched me (at gunpoint) into a building. They then pushed me into a chair and pulled the bag off my head. The room was pretty much empty aside from the chair and a few crates in the far corner.

"Some party you people throw…who are you two anyway?" –I asked

They showed me their badges.

"FBI…was all this truly necessary? Okay, I'm here now. What do you want from me?" –I asked, scared of the answer.

The larger agent came up and punched me in the jaw. That was definitely going to hurt in the morning. "We'll ask the questions."

The other stopped him from hitting me again. "Please…the bosses told us not to hurt him much."

The larger agent nodded and took a step back. The other started to speak, "We have been looking at your file quite closely, Mr. Goren. It is quite impressive…What we have here is much promise. We would like to recruit you into our ranks. Do you accept?"

"Wait a minute. This whole set up was just to listen to your job offer? And don't you have to be between the ages of twenty-five and thirty five to apply? Why me?"

"Mr. Goren, you have to understand. You have been chosen out of many for this position. Your many talents will be used often and appreciated at the bureau. This chance is not given to many. Again, I ask, do you accept?"

"Can I have more time to think about it?"

"Of course. You have twenty-four hours to weigh the pros and cons. Just keep in mind, Mr. Goren that if you let this golden opportunity slip through your fingers, and that this has been a total waste of time and energy for the both of us…you will…you may come to an untimely end."

I didn't know what to say. For the first time, I was rendered speechless…

****

At that very moment, Eames busted through the door (coming to my rescue). I fell out of the chair in surprise (and half excepting gunfire).

Eames walked over to me and unlocked the handcuffs (having found the keys outside the door.) "You okay?"

I brushed myself off and then remembered the punches that were delivered by the large agent. I moaned quietly while Eames helped me up. I looked around the room quickly. The FBI agents had disappeared.

"Yeah…but."

"What?"

"I was…taken by FBI agents."

"I know that much. Jim Darkly told me. But, what did they say?"

"They offered me a job."

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To be continued…

Hey, guess what? You survived reading Part I of "Surveillance". I hope you come back when part II is finished.

Oh yeah, PLEASE REVIEW! I need to know what you think. It helps me to be better and reviews make me happy (and write a hell of a lot faster!).

Goren: Hey Eames, what do you think of CJSpooks?

Eames: She's all right. But, there was way too much of you so far.

Goren: So what?

Eames: Why do you always have to get all the attention? And where's Carver? Deakins had a small part.

Goren: I don't know…and anyway, I'm telling the story so I have to be in the story for a substantial amount of time.

Eames: Shut up…let's get some coffee. I need some caffeine after all this.

Goren: Okay…