The Dual
Rating: K
Summary: attempted buying of a drink for a stranger
Disclaimer: not mine
Author's note: Not sure where this one came from, either.
The Dual
Goren and Eames were perched on barstools because, of course, Goren owed Eames a margarita, and he was too much of a gentleman to let her drink alone. They were discussing Carver's cross-examination of an alibi witness, and how they were glad that the only person left to testify was the defense's expert witness, which meant the jury might go into deliberation tomorrow if both sides had time for closing arguments. The bartender approached during a lull in the conversation during which Bobby reached for a pinch of peanuts. "Excuse me," he said. The peanuts were hallway to Goren's mouth and they paused.
"Yes?" Eames answered for both of them.
"This woman," and he indicated subtly to a table Goren calculated was just out of earshot, "would like to know if she could buy you a drink."
Eames looked at her partner with a smirk that could almost pass as a smile, and he stole a look before glancing at the woman over her shoulder. This wasn't the type of bar where the patrons regularly bought each other drinks, or even interacted at all if not to cheer at the game or form drunken bonds which would be forgotten in the morning, or to help someone off the floor. He looked back, more at the bar itself instead of the tender. "Tell her," he said, and paused. "The gesture is appreciated, but no thank you." He finally looked up after the bartender left with a curt nod.
It was difficult to make out in the dark, but Eames, knowing where to look, could just discern a blush creeping up upon her partner's features. "Beer and an ego boost. It's a two-fer," she teased, the smile no longer smirklike. He finally ate the peanuts waiting in his hand.
They continued the small talk, work, weekend plans, a new book. On at least three separate occasions the woman obviously gestured in their general direction. "For crying out loud," Alex said. "She's just embarrassing herself." Goren nodded almost imperceptibly. "I'll buy the drinks if you just go talk to her."
He raised his eyebrows at her. "Will you call us a cab?"
"If needs be, yes, I'll call the two of you a cab." She enjoyed the mirth that danced in his eyes. He took a deep breath and pushed himself up from the bar.
Alex pulled her purse up from by her feet, and rummaged for her wallet and cell phone. She set a few dollars on the counter and was checking her messages – there was an almost daily baby report – when he returned. "That was quick," she said as he retrieved their coats.
"With good reason," he said, and waited till she'd closed her phone to continue. "She was interested in your number."