Chapter Two of Sick and Tired ...

Finding A Dark Room

Goren came into work with a renewed enthusiasm, although he wasn't sure if what happened the night before really happened. He had a lot to drink … that he was sure of by the hangover. Eames wasn't there when he woke up, so was it all a dream? But it seemed so real … he scratched his head in the elevator heading to the eleventh floor. When the doors opened, no Eames at her desk. Okay, not unusual … I'm always here before her.

He managed to meander over to the coffee maker and pour himself a much needed cup of the lifesaving, "nectar of the Gods," as Eames calls it, when he heard the familiar ding of the elevator. Eames stepped out and had two cups of the "real" nectar from Starbucks in hand.

"You didn't think I was going to make you drink that sludge after getting you drunk last night, did you?"

Thank God … it wasn't a dream. "Ah … no?"

"No … I wouldn't do that, Bobby."

"Why don't you have a hangover?"

"I'm not a lightweight like you."

Goren started to laugh, but stopped abruptly because it hurt his head, which in turn made Eames laugh. She reached into her bottom drawer and produced a bottle of aspirin. Bobby grabbed for it and downed two with his coffee.

"Thanks."

"My pleasure."

"I thought for sure I could out drink a hundred or so pound girl."

"Girl?"

"Cop … sorry."

"Yeah … you bet you're sorry."

"I, I am … very. I mean … I had a lot to drink and I … I said and did things I shouldn't have said and ah … did."

"I was there too, Bobby and I fully intend on looking for that dark place."

Bobby nearly choked on the coffee he was sipping.

"You were serious about that?"

"I've wanted to get you into a dark place for a very long time, Goren."

He became solemn.

"I've been in a dark place most of my life, Eames … are you sure about that."

"Your dark place and my dark place are two different dark places entirely."

"Then tell me on thing … why couldn't we just turn out the lights last night at my place?"

"Because this is fun and behind Ross' back right in front of his face."

Bobby had a confused look on his face as he watched Eames wander off.

He sat back in his worn out office chair and stared at the ceiling … behind his back in front of his face ? He shook his head. Moments later his cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Eames.

"Hey … where did you go?"

Whispering, "Third floor, come down here … don't tell anyone."

"Oh … okay … be there in a minute."

Looking suspicious, he got up from his desk and headed for the elevator.

"Hey, Bobby!"

Startled … which he never is … he turned around to see Jeffries holding a Santa's mug.

"Jesus, Tom … are you trying to give me a heart attack? I'm in those heart attack years you know."

"Christ, Bobby … I just said your name … what's eating you?"

"I dunno … nothing. Sorry. What do you have there?"

"Remember your old Santa's mug … the one you and Eames always fought over and eventually you broke?"

"Eames broke it."

"Yeah … that one. Well look. I found one just like it. I thought Eames would get a kick out of it. I know she really loved that thing and got really pissed at you when you broke it."

"EAMES broke it! And yeah, I'm sure she'll love the sentiment."

"Where is she?"

"How the hell should I know?" Snapped Bobby

"Gees Louise … What is up with you, Goren? I mean, she is your partner."

"Partner … we're not joined at the hip, Tom."

Jeffries held his hands up in defeat, "Okay, okay … got it … you don't know where Eames is. If you see her, will you tell her that I was looking for her?"

"Fine."

As Bobby walked to the elevator, Jeffries stood there wondering what he did to set the eccentric detective off. It must be the Santa mug … maybe he broke it on purpose.

"SHE BROKE THE DAMN MUG!" Bobby yelled from a distance.

Damn, he can read minds now too? Jeffries started to bite his nails.

Once Bobby was in the elevator, he felt relieved. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm cool as a cucumber … I deal with serial killers for Christ sakes … what is she doing to me? He smiled … What is she going to do to me?

He stepped off the elevator at the third floor and he heard, "psst … psst." He looked around and heard a door shut. The door was marked, "Dark Room."

He smiled and entered.


Writer's block is a funny thing ... not LOL funny. Thanks for reading and thanks to Paige for the inspiration :)