I forgot to mention that I don't own anyone, Dick Wolf and the network brass do.

Chapter -2

Alex Eames was standing over the body of a young brunette girl. Her hair was shoulder length and she looked to be in her early 20's. Alex tried keeping her focus off the protrusive purple tongue and the expression of finality in the dead girl's face. She kept her mind to the business at hand.

Same body type, same flex cuffs, same MO.

Where the hell is Bobby?

As if on cue, she caught sight of the large frame of her partner as he appeared at the mouth of the alley, backlit by flashing lights, making him look slightly ominous.

"Hey! Hell of a way to wake up in the wee hours, huh? Looks like we have the same MO, flex cuffs and everything." Alex noticed Bobby seemed somewhat distracted, looking behind him, and rubbing his neck, instead of focusing directly on the crime scene. She furrowed her brow a little.

"Yeah Ross told me." He felt Alex's annoyance and redirected himself. Leaning into the crime scene for a closer look.

"Looks like no outward signs of sexual assault, same as the others. She's got hemorrhaging around the eyes pretty bad."

"This one took awhile." Alex concluded. She gazed behind Bobby for a second and noticed a tall blonde woman she'd never seen before walking purposefully toward the scene. Ross was on her tail.

"Detectives Eames and Goren, this is Dr Julia Michaels." Ross exclaimed as he worked on catching up with her. "She's a forensic psychologist and the brass want her here because the media is screaming serial killer"

"And the media would be right Captain Ross…." Julia interjected. "A serial killer who gets off on the suffering. He likes this to take awhile." She gazed over toward Eames and Goren. But I'm sure I don't have to tell either of you that. She sauntered over to Alex and extended a hand. "Your work proceeds you detectives. In all honesty, I'm not really sure why I'm here."

"I'm not either." Eames stated as she shook Julia's hand.

"Fair enough, Detective Eames, I will stay as far as I can out or your and Detective Goren's way. Just use me when you need me." Julia smiled at Alex and tried to reassure her she wasn't about to interfere with the rhythm of Goren and Eames.

"Don't let these two scare you Dr Michaels." Ross appeared behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "They like to play in their own little sandbox, but every once in awhile they have to learn to share their toys."

Goren scooted forward, floundering for words.

"Um…no problem Dr Michaels, we can share the forensics reports with you when they come back. Maybe you should stop by the precinct." Bobby strained to look at Alex in the dark, desperately hoping for her approval and ignorance of the "goings on" of he and Dr. Michaels. "1 o'clock sound good?"

"Sure Detective Goren…. 1 o'clock." Julia turned. "Captain Ross, I'll leave these two to do what they do best and I'll check in tomorrow."

"Very well Dr. Michaels, thank you." With that Julia turned and headed out of the alley.

Ross corralled his two best detectives for a moment. "Play nice kids. She's here to help, not step on toes." He glanced down at Alex. "Seriously Eames, I thought Goren would be the one with the problem…"

After Ross stepped aside, Goren and Eames continued their assessment of the scene in uncharacteristic silence. Only breaking the quiet to exchange a few facts and observations. By 6am, daylight danced upon the alley.

Goren and Eames parted ways to collect a few hours of sleep before returning to the precinct.