Goren came to expect a call from his partner every two or three days, asking if he was up to a visit with Maggie. He never turned down an opportunity to spend time with the little girl. Eames welcomed the opportunity for a couple of hours of good sleep while he spent time with her daughter. It did not pass her notice, either, that the books on his coffee table had been replaced by titles like Goodnight, Moon, Green Eggs and Ham and Where the Wild Things Are. She also noticed a small box near the couch that contained an assortment of baby toys and the wicker basket in his bedroom with little clothes in it. In the kitchen, a cupboard near the sink now contained a can of formula, several baby bottles, a little bowl and sippy cup adorned with scenes from Beatrix Potter and a silver baby spoon. Each of those little things, which he had probably never given a second thought to, warmed her heart and reinforced her decision to continue allowing them to bond. Her mother was right. Nothing bad could come of it...for either of them.

Eames had not hesitated to call Goren from outside the emergency room at Bellevue Hospital when they brought her mother in by ambulance after suffering a bad stroke. She knew he would come right over and take care of Maggie, and she had no reservations about entrusting her daughter to his care. She placed the baby in his arms as soon as he arrived. "Thank you, Bobby. I didn't want to take her into the hospital. I don't want her getting sick."

He nodded. "That was smart thinking." He leaned over so he could see her face. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know. I…I'll call you when I know anything, okay?"

"Okay. If you need me, let me know. I can get Carolyn or Mike to watch Maggie."

"Thank you, Bobby." She kissed his cheek and hurried in to the hospital.

He turned and walked back to the car, gently placing the baby in the car seat that was now always in his back seat. He sat there for a minute, worried about his partner. Well, she'd call him. He started the engine and headed for home.

On the way to his apartment, he realized that she had forgotten to give him Maggie's diaper bag. She had been really rattled by her mother's sudden illness. He also remembered that he had a date that night. First he called Denise. "I, uh, I'm going to have to cancel tonight, Denise."

Did you get called out?

"No. Alex's mother had a stroke and I have Maggie."

Do you think I would have a problem with her? Or that Alex would have a problem with me?

"Well, no. I just wasn't sure..."

So you ask. I really would like to meet this baby that has you so enamored.

He blushed at her teasing. "All right. Uh, I have to stop at the store for a couple of things. Do you want to meet me at my place at..." He glanced at the time. "...six-thirty?"

I'll see you then.

He closed the phone and dropped it into his jacket pocket. Stopping at the store, he carried Maggie in his arms as he got the things he needed. Not certain he had enough diapers, he grabbed another package, along with a can of formula and a couple of things he needed for dinner. He'd gotten a cradle last weekend and he'd assembled it Sunday night; Alex hadn't seen it yet. He never stopped to consider that this little girl, still a newborn, was quickly taking over his apartment the way she had his heart.

He was in the middle of preparing dinner when Denise arrived. He let her in and she leaned up to kiss him. "All right, Bobby," she said with a smile. "Where is she?"

He nodded into the living room. "In the cradle."

He returned to the kitchen, smiling as he listened to Denise talk to Maggie. She appeared in the doorway, holding the baby. "Oh, Bobby...she's adorable."

"Isn't she?"

"I can see why you're so taken with her."

He wished it was that simple. He couldn't explain why he felt the way he did. He only knew that it had nothing to do with her appearance...or her mother. He simply...loved Maggie.

After dinner, he let Denise give her a bottle, but Maggie wouldn't take it and she began to fuss. So Denise handed her back over to him and the baby quickly calmed down, taking the bottle without a problem. Denise smiled. "It seems she is just as taken with you, dear."

She didn't miss the small smile that touched his mouth as he looked down at the baby, and she was pleased to see it. To love someone like that, and have that love returned, was a wonderful thing that he had not really known before in his life. Even with her...for complicated reasons she only partially understood, he was unable to love her. But he was always kind and gentle, always considerate, and she enjoyed being with him enough that it had come to not matter.

Some of her girlfriends did not understand why she harbored no resentment toward his partner, and she didn't understand it herself, but she had no animosity toward Eames. Maybe that was why he continued calling her. ..or at least part of the reason. Denise knew cops, and she understood partners. Bobby was particularly close to his partner, and she accepted that. Perhaps it was her generous nature, or the fact that she was not a jealous person. Or maybe it was simply that she didn't love him in a possessive way. She knew she had no claim to his heart, and she found herself perfectly content to lay claim to his body whenever one of them had the need. But she knew they were not exclusive. She dated other men, hoping to find one she loved enough to marry. And he dated other women, searching for whatever it was that was missing in his life. She couldn't help him with that. But she was not a person who ever exploited his weaknesses. She always worked toward his strengths. She saw his devotion to Eames as a strength every bit as much as his skill as a lover. And she didn't have it in her to begrudge him for one while she enjoyed the other. She accepted him as he was, and she knew he appreciated that.

Once the baby was asleep and settled in her cradle, he turned his attention to Denise. Twenty minutes later, they were in his bedroom, where they satisfied one another's needs. When Maggie started fussing, he dressed and took care of her, returning to Denise once the baby was again sleeping. He was surprised and a little concerned to find her getting dressed. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Not at all. But you have Maggie to take care of and you're worried about Alex. I really should be going."

She gave him a soft but lingering kiss and headed out of the bedroom. She was a smart woman. She knew where she stood, and she accepted it. He walked her to the door. "You really don't have to leave."

"And what will your partner think when she comes by to get the baby and I'm here?"

He frowned. "She won't think anything. I'm entitled to my life."

"I know you are, and I am happy to be part of it. But I don't want to cause any trouble for you. I was a diversion, Bobby, but I have no desire to become a distraction. I'll see you soon. Call me."

She leaned up for another kiss and then she left. He stood there for a moment, confused. What kind of trouble did she think she could possibly cause? Eames had no right dictating who he could see and when. Denise had no bearing on his ability to care for Maggie or his devotion to her. He didn't see a problem, but he acknowledged that he also didn't view the world through the same eyes that women did. Why tempt fate? He trusted Denise and he appreciated her. Making a mental note to show her his appreciation next time he saw her, he turned away from the door and picked the baby up from her cradle. Settling on the couch, he flipped through the channels, but he couldn't concentrate, concerned that he had not heard from Eames. He alternated between The History Channel and Discovery until Maggie was hungry again, then, after she ate, she settled comfortably on his chest and they both went to sleep.

The phone rang, jarring him from a fairly comfortable sleep. He leaned over and grabbed it, answering on the third ring. "Goren."

Where the fuck is my wife, Goren?

He sat up, settling the sleeping baby into the crook of his arm and trying to chase the sleep from his brain. "What? Ricky?"

How many other wives are you sleeping with?

"I'm not sleeping with anyone's wife. Your wife is at the hospital because her mother had a stroke this afternoon."

There was silence on the other end for a minute before Ricky asked, Why didn't she call me?

"You'll have to ask her that."

She's not there?

"No, and she hasn't been." He hesitated for a moment before he added, "I am not sleeping with your wife."

Silence again, then, Whatever.

The line went dead. He'd tried. He wished there was a way he could make things easier for Eames. He closed the phone, more than just a little irritated that Ricky hadn't even asked about the baby. He lay back down on the couch, readjusting Maggie on his chest. He gently stroked her soft hair, kissing her forehead. She sighed and, searching in her sleep for something to suck on, found her fist and settled back down. He wished sleep came that easy for him.

Watching Maggie sleep helped to settle him, but he was unable to settle back into the comfortable sleep he'd been in before. He slept because his body needed it, but his mind would not calm down again, and it fueled troubling dreams. But he was not restless. Folding an arm over Maggie in his sleep, he softly sighed and slept a little better because she was there.

He didn't hear the door open, but the gentle hand that touched his arm woke him. He looked up into his partner's face. The first thing he noticed was that she had been crying. She gently rubbed the baby's back, smiling sadly when she sighed in her sleep. "Eames…"

She laid her fingers on his lips, silencing him. Softly, she said, "She died about an hour ago."

He sat up, shifting the baby into his right arm and pulling his partner into his embrace with the other. She settled against his chest and cried.

She slept on the couch, nestled against him. He did not return to sleep. Maggie wanted to eat at about four, and he managed to get up without waking Eames. With the baby tucked in the crook of his right arm, contently watching, he prepared her bottle, then returned to his place on the couch to feed her.

Maggie was almost done eating when Eames woke. She looked at him and smiled. "You really don't have any trouble taking care of her, do you?"

"Of course not. Thank you...for letting me."

She watched as he returned his attention to Maggie. He talked softly to her, telling her what a beautiful baby she was, and she watched him with attentive eyes. She was totally content and by the time her bottle was empty, she was sleeping. He set the bottle on the coffee table and settled the baby against his shoulder. When she burped and spit up on his shirt, he grabbed the kitchen towel from beside him and cleaned her face before he cleaned his shirt. Eames rested a hand on his arm and gently caressed it. He shuddered a little, then said, "Do you mind if I make a suggestion?"

"Of course not."

"You have a lot to do, don't you? I mean arrangements and helping your dad and things like that."

"Yes."

"Why don't you just leave Maggie with me? I'll take the day off and take care of her so you won't have to worry about her."

"Oh, Bobby...that's a lot to ask."

He settled Maggie into the crook of his right arm. She sighed and snuggled into him. Tipping his head, he met his partner's eyes. "I want to," he murmured.

She studied his eyes and she knew he was being sincere. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"How can I..."

"Thank me?" He shook his head. "There is no need, Eames. Letting me take care of Maggie is enough. You trust me."

"Of course I do. Bobby, look around. You have infant toys, children's books...a cradle. I forgot to give you the diaper bag, and when I realized it...I just knew that you would deal with it. I didn't give it a second thought. Yes, I trust you."

It was about as good as he was going to get from her. "I don't need anything else, Eames."

She nodded. "I'll be at Dad's, and I'll have my phone."

"We'll be fine."

Leaning over, she kissed her daughter. "I know. I'll see you tonight."

He studied the sleeping baby's face, and then remember the phone call. "Oh...by the way, Ricky called."

"He called you?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because he couldn't get in touch with you and he thought you were here." When she closed her eyes and shook her head, he added, "He thinks I'm sleeping with you."

She looked at him. "Bobby, I..."

He raised a hand. "Do not apologize for him, Eames. If he wants to start something with me, fine. I'll deal with him. I don't want you involved."

She gave him an incredulous look. "You don't want me involved? It concerns me..."

He frowned. "Am I sleeping with you?"

"No."

"Does he get on you about it?"

"Not usually."

"Then it's something between him and me. Let it go."

"You can't protect me from everything."

"Maybe not, but I do what I can."

Shaking her head in frustration, she got up and headed for the door. Stopping there, she looked at him. He had returned his attention to the baby, but she could tell he was still uptight, and so could Maggie. She had begun to shift in her sleep and he was talking softly to her, settling her...and himself. "Bobby?"

He looked at her with a frown. "What is it, Eames?"

"You have another girl to worry about. You can stop worrying about me."

He studied her for a moment. "What makes you think that will ever happen?"

She didn't move. He cared, and protecting her was the only way he knew to express that. "Thank you."

He frowned, confused at her sudden change in attitude. "For what?"

"For caring. Just don't let it take you down, okay?"

"Don't worry. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can. I'll see you tonight."

"Eames?" She turned in the doorway. "I am sorry about your mom. She was always nice to me."

"She always liked you. Thanks. I'll tell the family."

He nodded, and she was gone. He settled back on the couch, gently rubbed the baby's back and calmed down until he was able to return to sleep for a little while.

He called Deakins when he woke to feed the baby again, and at lunchtime, there was a knock at the door. Pulling the door open, he was surprised to find Logan standing there. "What are you doing here?"

"That was my question...but..." He nodded his head at the baby in the crook of Goren's arm.

"Eames' mother died last night and I told her I would take care of Maggie so she could take care of business."

"And that's why you didn't come in today?"

Goren nodded and turned away from the door. Logan followed him. "What do you have for lunch?"

"I don't know. Take a look."

He sat down on the couch, shifting the little girl to his shoulder to burp her while Logan rummaged around in the kitchen. He came out with a sandwich and dropped down on the couch beside Goren. "Okay, pal. Let's see her."

Goren eased her back into his arm so Logan could see her face. "She's cute. Alex makes nice babies. What's with all the hair?"

He shrugged. "Some babies are born with hair."

"Does the captain know why you stayed home?"

"Yes. Do you want to hold her?"

"Um, no, thanks. Not right now. Let me get used to being around her first."

Goren shrugged. He was content to hold her. He propped his feet up on the coffee table and leaned his head back. Logan studied him. "Long night?"

"Not really. I've had a lot worse. I...uh, I like...being around the baby."

"Why? She's not yours."

Goren frowned and looked away. Logan bit his tongue. "Hey, man...I'm sorry...I didn't mean anything by it."

"You'd better go back to work, Mike. I...have to give Maggie a bath."

"You're totally into her, aren't you?"

Without answering, Goren got up from the couch and headed down the hall, returning with a couple of towels and a small stack of baby clothes. He went into the kitchen. Logan followed him and watched as he spread a towel on the counter and filled the sink with warm water, talking to the baby the entire time. Leaning against the refrigerator, he watched as Goren undressed the baby and set her in the warm water. He kicked himself for his insensitivity. He really did not realize how much this baby had come to mean to Goren. He'd fallen hard and fast for the baby girl. "I'm sorry, Bobby."

"Forget it. It's something I remind myself of all the time. But you know what?"

"What?"

"It doesn't matter because it doesn't change how I feel. Not one bit."

Logan grinned. "You're a better man than I am. Is it all right if I come by tonight?"

"If you don't mind being around the baby."

"You gonna be spending a lot of time with her?"

"As much as Eames will let me."

Logan smiled. "If she's smart, she won't let you get far. See you later."

"Okay, Mike."

He heard the door close as he rinsed off the baby's hair. Once she was clean, he lifted her out of the bath and set her on a clean towel, wrapping her up and settling her against his chest. "It doesn't matter, Maggie. Not to me, and not to you." He kissed her forehead under the soft towel. "I love you, and you'll never question that I do."

He got her dressed and she snuggled into his chest, making small, content sounds. And Goren smiled. He had finally lost his heart, to a baby girl with soft brown curls and a six-foot-four cop wrapped snugly around her little finger.

A/N: Goodnight, Moon is by Margaret Wise Brown, Green Eggs and Ham is by Dr. Seuss and Where the Wild Things Are is by Maurice Sendak.