Disclaimer: I do not own Law & Order: Criminal intent. (Damn!) The writing, however, is all mine. No profit is gained, and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Alright, so this is a post-ep to "The Healer," which, unless you've seen it very recently, or multiple times, I suggest you watch again before reading this. Also, this is my first serious L&O:CI fanfic that I have posted, and I was trying to keep this in character.

Thank you very much to InfinityStar for a great beta-read!


"Used that lotion yet?" Barek asked as she signaled the bartender to refill her drink. Logan simply shrugged and looked away, scratching his wrist absently.

She tilted her head to one side and watched expectantly, making it clear he wasn't going to avoid the subject that easily and he shook his head and sighed, muttering, "Just haven't gotten around to it yet."

"Bull," she responded bluntly, nodding to the burly man as he placed a fresh drink in front of her and cleared away the remains of their meal.

"Hand it over," she ordered firmly when they were again alone, indicating the pocket of his leather jacket she knew contained the bottle of lotion. He raised his eyebrows, but complied, giving her an odd look as she unscrewed the lid.

"C'mon, Mike," she said in a softer tone, reaching across the table for his hand and ignoring his slight resistance. "A little calamine lotion isn't going to kill you."

Rolling back the cuff of his shirtsleeve, she frowned in concern at the severity of the rash, then poured some of the lotion into her cupped palm and began to rub it onto the afflicted area. Hissing slightly, Mike flinched and tried to draw away, but she held on, arching a brow.

"It stings!" he complained defensively, and she merely shook her head and chuckled. After a moment, she felt him relax as he allowed himself to enjoy the touch of her fingers gently rubbing the lotion into his raw skin, a soft sigh escaping him. Without much thought for her actions, Carolyn moved down, massaging his work-hardened hand, her thumbs kneading his palm.

"You need to take better care of yourself," she said quietly, simply to say something, as she fanned his fingers, tracing the deep lines in his skin, head line, life line, heart line.

"Barek," he said finally, interrupting her thoughts, and she lifted her eyes to meet his green ones. "It's late. I'll drive you home."

She nodded in understanding, letting the moment of intimacy draw to a close as she released his hand, capping the bottle of lotion and returning it to him. He paid the tab and they stood, putting on their coats. She sensed his moment of hesitation, and then he placed a hand on the small of her back, escorting her out the door into the New York night.

The drive to her apartment was spent in comfortable silence, and he parked in front of her building. She was almost startled when he spoke.

"Hey, Barek?"

She turned toward him.

"Thanks," he said simply, and she nodded, holding his gaze for a long moment.

"See you tomorrow, Mike," she stated, and he lifted a hand to graze her cheek, almost tentatively.

"'Night Barek," he replied, and she got out of the car and made her way into the lobby of the apartment building, Logan watching as he always did to ensure she made it in safely. They both knew that something had changed, and that there was no going back. Just before Mike drove off, he saw his partner turn and smile, and he grinned, then pulled away from the curb, heading home.


A/N 2: Please review and let me know how I did. Thank you!