Chapter 1

It was Thanksgiving tomorrow and she didn't know what to do. His mother passed away last year, his brother was buried in August, his only remaining family that she knew of was on the run. Should she ask if we wanted to join her family? She knew her folks wouldn't mind. He had been with her family before. At least he had been with her folks and immediate brother and two sisters. Why not?

Her partner, Bobby Goren worked furiously on the paperwork from their latest case. "So, Bobby…do you have any plans for the holiday?"

He shrugged his shoulders and kept his head down. He didn't want her to know that his plans were to get drunk, eat bad chinese and pass out watching porn for four days. That's what he did last Thanksgiving so why break tradition? "Um…I-I don't know…I-I think I'll just stay in bed for a few days. Maybe watch some football and call Lewis. I'm exhausted," He mumbled. He had volunteered to work through the holiday but Ross denied saying there were no pressing cases and encouraged him to get some rest.

She stood and started to gather her belongings into her purse. "Well, you can always come to my folks for a turkey dinner?"

That sounded really good. Before his mother passed he would spend the long weekend with her. Carmel Ridge did serve the traditional turkey, potatoes and gravy but it didn't taste the same. It lacked the homemade taste and smell. "Um, I don't know Eames; I really don't want to intrude…"

She caught his gaze and scolded him slightly, "Bobby, you know you won't be intruding."

"I know…I just…"

She started shutting down her laptop, "ok, listen. If you change your mind call me. It's six and I'm going to get going. You better be going too. You know Ross doesn't want you working this weekend."

He finished writing the report, stacked all the papers, and grabbed the folder. "Yeah, ok. I'm almost done."

She stood, put on her coat, and started to walk to the elevators, "ok, I'll see you Monday if not before," she stopped and turned. "Oh, and Bobby?"

"Yeah?" he said looking up.

"If you don't come over I'm going to call you this weekend so you better not be passed out in front of the tv." She started to walk away. She had a pretty good idea what he would be doing this weekend; drinking in excess and watching whatever he watches when he has downtime and she's not around. She was pretty sure it wasn't football.

He started to gather his reports, stood to retrieve his coat, and quickly raced to the elevators before she left. "Um…um, wait Eames," she turned around just as he arrived. He shifted from foot to foot as if trying to make up his mind. "Um… can I walk you to your car?" he said, offering his arm.

She eyed him quizzically and nodded her head giggling slightly. "Sure, Bobby." His behavior was unusual but she didn't want to leave him just yet. She had a hunch that he might be a little lonely for the long weekend. They walked in silence for a few seconds. It was dark and she was parked on the other side of the lot. Ever since the Gages' came back into his life, Bobby always knew where she parked her car. When he drove, he always tried to park close to her. He knew that she could take care of herself; he just couldn't live without her.

They both stopped; Bobby held her laptop bag as she unlocked her car. "Thanks, Bobby," she said as she took the case and put it on the front passenger seat. "Are you going to be ok?" She didn't want to ask and almost wished she took it back. He just seemed so….exhausted. This was the second Thanksgiving he would be spending without his mother. She didn't know what he did last year but knew that he didn't contact his brother. But now that Frank was gone, there was no chance of the brothers reconciling.

He looked at his feat and rocked slightly, "sure Eames. Say hi to your folks, ok?" He looked up and smiled slightly.

"Ok, but I will call you tomorrow," she said pointing her index finger at his chest just before getting situated in her car. "You CAN still come if you want. Just call me anytime, ok?" She looked up and into his eyes.

He nodded still staring at his feet, "sure, Eames, I might take you up on that." He probably won't.

"I mean it, Bobby."

He looked in her eyes and nodded, "I know, drive safely. I'll call you later." He shut her car door and watched her leave the parking garage. He really wanted to see Eames this weekend but didn't feel it was right to intrude on her family.

Bobby sighed deeply and walked the short distance to his car. Maybe I'll stop by Elonzo's before going home, he thought getting into the drivers seat.

The streets were not as harried and busy and they usually were. He suspected that normal people left work early to get a jump start on the Thanksgiving Holiday. Bobby easily found a parking spot at Elonzo's. There were not too many people there on a Wednesday evening.