He'd fucked up ... big time.

The fury with which Alex threw open the hospital room door said it all.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Her lips thinned, hazel eyes flashed as she approached his bed.

Despite his aching head, Bobby tried to gather his wits, searching for a way to defuse her anger.

"Don't you dare, Bobby. I know your tricks – planning on pulling the 'Goofy Goren' on me, huh? Hoping that while I'm mopping up the mess and marvelling at your bumbling incompetence, I'll forgive this latest episode? Forget it." She tilted her head and there was no humour in her smile.

Bobby's hand stilled above the water glass he was about to 'accidentally' fumble, while the other hand tightened on the newspaper that was threatening to slide from his lap. He resisted the urge to mimic her movement. Blushing, he dipped his head and looked up at her through lowered lashes, a shy smile forming. He nervously fingered the pages of the paper as he attempted to speak.

"I ... uh ..."

"Ah! Role number two in the playbook – 'Bashful Bobby'. Well, I'm pissed, pregnant and a police officer and therefore immune to boyish charms. And speaking of charm, forget number three. 'God's Gift Goren' needs Armani, not a hospital gown and I've seen you sniffing corpses..."

"Eames, please! Sometimes I just don't know..." With a deep sigh, he buried his face in his hands, inwardly wincing as he made contact with the darkening bruises. Alex perched on the side of the bed and matched his sigh. She pulled his hands gently away and stared into those warm brown eyes, eyes that threatened tears.

"Number four, Bobby." She spoke, softly. " 'Guilt Laden Goren' weighed down with the burden of his family and cursed with the emotional intelligence to look deep into the darkest souls. Well look, Bobby, look."

Abruptly, she dropped his hands and rose, pulling herself to her full height. From his disadvantaged semi prone position, she seemed to grow a foot taller and was now towering over him. Bracing one arm on the metal headboard, the other on the bed beside him, she leaned forward, biceps flexing. With her face barely an inch from his, he could feel the force of her glare.

She held his gaze.

Just as it became intolerable, she began to speak, her words precise, the tone low and measured.

"Thought I'd borrow number five,' Bobby the Bulldog'." She thrust her herself upright, whirled around and strode to the other side of the room. Gesticulating wildly now, her voice cracked as she shouted.

"What on God's own earth gave you the notion that it would be a good idea? Haven't you learnt anything from our partnership? Did you think it was a way of establishing control? Did she put you up to it?"

Rage now spent, she sank back down on the bed beside him.

"Eames...Alex." There was no guile now, the Goren Playbook was safely tucked away and there was just her partner. "I'm sorry. I guess I learned this lesson the hard way, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess so." This time the smile was genuine, but there was still flint in her eyes. "In future, when you're working a case... never, ever drive."