Working With Two Partners

"Suit yourself" she said as she got into the drivers side. As Joe started to get in the passenger seat she pointed to him.

"You". She said and motioned to the back "Sit there".

"What? No. When you pick him up you go into the back and I'll sit in the front."

"No thanks. You may be a ghost, but I'd like to keep from becoming one if you don't mind."

"Your partner's a bad driver?"

"That's an understatement. Besides, he likes to sit and review his notes, he can't do that while he's driving."

"Fine." Joe groused and slid into the back.

//

They pulled up to Bobby's apartment and Bobby got in juggling two cups of coffee and a paper bag along with his binder.

"Hey."

"Hey, I picked up coffee and a muffin from that store down my block. I know you probably didn't have time to eat anything since you had to pick me up today."

"Oh how sweet." Joe commented sarcastically.

"At least he brings me breakfast. You never did." She looked into the rearview mirror at Joe in the back.

Bobby looked up confused.

"What?"

"Oh. Sorry. I mean…thanks Bobby. I was just thinking that Joe and I were married for five years and I don't think he even knew what my favorite muffin was".

"Banana Walnut." "Blueberry". Bobby and Joe said at the same time.

Alex took a bite of her muffin. "Banana Walnut. My favorite. Thanks Bobby." She glanced at Joe in the mirror.

"Thanks Bobby" Joe mimicked.

They continued to drive in silence, radio on when Joe said "Remember that time you were working vice and I was a narc and I pretended to pick you up? Remember how we almost got arrested ourselves when they found us in my squad car?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Alex laughed. "Oh god. That was so funny. "

Bobby looked up from his notes again. "What was so funny?"

Alex blushed. "Uh..nothing. I was just remembering the look on the Captains face when you told him during that case that Batman was a vigilante."

Bobby raised his eyebrows. "Ohhhkaay. You alright Eames?"

"Fine, why?"

"I don't know. You're acting kind of, not like you."

"No. I'm fine."

"Good. Listen, we still supposed to go to your mom's tonight?"

"Oh god. I forgot. Yeah..I guess so, why?"

"Is everyone gonna be there?"

"Bobby. C'mon, you've been with my family a million times already. You can't let my brother bother you."

He sighed. "Okay. Let's just get through this interview and we'll talk about it later."

//

They pulled into the garage and walked towards the elevator. When they got to the eleventh floor Bobby said "Eames, I'm going to check with the morgue. I'll meet you in the conference room in a few."

She walked to her desk, Joe following her. "He calls you Eames? Geez, how long has he been your partner?"

"Almost 10 years. And what's wrong with Eames?" She whispered

"I don't know. Just..why not Alex? Or another nickname?"

"Like what?"

"How about Lexi? That's what I often called you."

"And I hated it. Still do. But you never listened to me Joe."

"I guess I didn't."

"And besides. I like it when he calls me Eames. At this point it's almost a term of endearment."

"Whatever." He perched himself on the side of her desk.

"Are you going to sit here all day?" She sighed

"If you do."

"Well, don't sit on Bobby's desk. He doesn't like it when his things get messed up."

"Really? Now this could be fun. Let's move his stuff around, see how he reacts."

"Joe." She warned

"Hey. Here comes Mister Uptight. Back so soon?"

"Shut up. Don't call him that."

"You really like this guy, don't you? I mean, you like him like him." He didn't wait for an answer. "well too bad, 'cause I'm back now."

She scowled at him and turned to Bobby.

//

"Okay, so are you ready to brief the Captain?" Alex asked Bobby as they gathered their notes.

"Yes, but…I don't think we should tell him we've narrowed it down to the fiancée or the mother. Let's just be a little vague."

"Vague. Got it."

"Aren't you senior partner?" Joe asked as they walked into the conference room.

"So?" she whispered walking a few feet behind Bobby.

"So why do you let him tell you what to do?"

"Jesus Joe. We're a team. "
"When I was senior partner I never let my junior partner take the lead."

"Well, you always were quite arrogant." She said back

"And I was right."

"Arrogant. I forgot how arrogant you were. Even with me. Even in our marriage. You never let me take the lead."

Bobby stopped and turned around.

"Eames. Who are you talking to?"

"What?" She looked around innocently.

"I heard you mumbling. Who are you talking to?"

"No one. I'm just practicing what we're going to say to the Captain."

"Wh…Practicing…"

"Eames. Goren. Give me an update."

They all sat down at the table.

"Well sir…." Goren started to explain

"This is your Captain? Nice hair." Joe laughed

Alex covered her mouth and stifled a laugh and tried to kick Joe's leg. "Shut up." She hissed.

Bobby and Ross both looked back at her.

"Excuse me Eames? Did you say Shut up? And what is wrong with your leg?"

They stared at her and she felt her face turn red. "Oh god. I'm sorry. It's just that I got a leg cramp and I didn't mean to say shut up, I'm just not feeling well…."

Ross nodded and looked at Goren who looked back at Ross with a "Don't ask me" look. Actually, it was the first time in memory that Ross looked at Eames that way and that Goren appeared to be the sane one.

"Why don't you two take an early lunch and see if you can't come up with some scenarios for me. I'll expect an update end of day." With that statement Ross took his leave and Bobby just stared at Alex.

"Eames. What the Hell is going on?"

"Bobby. I'll explain everything. Can we just…get out of here?"

TBC