Goren was glad to get home from work. It had been a very long day and he was feeling on edge. He took a long, hot shower, dressed in a pair of sweat pants and headed into the kitchen. After grabbing a beer from the refrigerator, he dropped onto the couch and picked up the remote. Not ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door. He swore softly to himself and got up to answer it.

When he pulled the door open, he was surprised to find his partner standing in the hall with the baby. He searched her face for any sign of upset, but found none. "Is something wrong?"

Quickly drawing her attention from his bare chest, she shook her head. "Uh, no. Do you mind if we come in?"

"What? Oh, yeah, sure...come on."

He backed out of the doorway and reached out to take Maggie from her arms, holding her over his head and smiling. "Hey, there, Maggie. How's my girl?"

Maggie gurgled at him and smiled. He pulled her against his chest and looked at Eames, who set the diaper bag on the couch and turned to watch him with the baby girl as he asked, "When did she start smiling?"

"Smiling? She smiled?"

"Yes."

He met her at the end of the couch, easing the baby back to lay on his arms. She looked at Eames, then back at Goren, who said, "How's my baby?"

Again, she broke out into a wide grin and Eames looked at him. "Her first smile," she said softly. "She gave you her first smile, Bobby."

He watched the baby kick and wave her arms, her eyes locked on his face, and he smiled back at her. Drawing her closer, he kissed her little nose and she smiled again. There were no words in his vocabulary to describe what he felt at that moment.

As Eames watched him, there was no doubt in her mind that her gentle partner loved her daughter. Maggie drew out the best in him and she was the one person in the world who was able to touch his wounded heart and soothe his pain. And she was only two months old. Eames laid a hand on his arm, noting the reluctance with which he looked away from the baby. "Are you busy this weekend?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"Ricky wants to take me upstate for the weekend, so we can talk and hash out some things. He assumed Dad would be able to take care of her, but he's busy." She smiled. "He's going on a fishing trip with some old buddies from the force."

"Good for him." He knew what she wanted but he waited for her to ask.

She shifted uncomfortably. "I told him I would see what I could do. You were my first choice."

"So you drove all the way back to Manhattan with her, instead of calling to ask...?"

She shrugged. "My back up is here anyway, so I'd have to come into the city with her regardless. Look, if it's an imposition..."

He raised his eyebrows. "An imposition? Give me a break." All this time, and she still didn't know him. A brief impulse to say no flash into his mind, quickly chased away by his deep desire to spend as much time as he could with the little girl in his arms. "Go on, Eames. I'll take care of her."

"Thank you, Bobby."

"It's about her," he muttered, not concealing his annoyance, even if he wasn't quite sure what he was annoyed at. He was starting a laundry list. And yet...when had he ever been able to tell her no? His was a cursed existence, and this baby brought the only joy he was able to find into it.

Eames touched his chin, guiding his face up so she could see his eyes. "If it's a problem..."

"It's not."

"Did you have plans?"

"None that can't be changed. Go on. Maggie and I will be fine."

She'd never heard a more true statement. Leaning down to kiss her daughter, she paused as she stood back up to give him a brief hug. "I appreciate this."

"Not as much as I do."

She smiled and started for the door. "Eames?" She turned and he asked, "Who was your back-up?"

"Carolyn."

"Does Ricky know..."

"That I planned to leave her with you? No."

"He thinks she's staying with Carolyn?"

"Actually, he has no idea who she's with. When I told him I would find someone to watch her, he didn't ask for details."

His eyes narrowed. "What did he say?"

"Bobby..."

"Tell me."

She sighed. "All he did was tell me to make sure I did."

She watched his back stiffen as a surge of anger hit him, but it didn't last. "Does he ever...spend time with her?"

"No, Bobby, he doesn't."

He turned dark eyes back to the baby, studying her round face. Her dark hair had thinned since birth, but it still curled around her ears and on her forehead. Maggie frowned, sensing his tension, and waved her arms more. Slowly he relaxed, settling her on one arm against his chest so he could stroke her cheek with a light finger. Her motions once more fueled by happiness, she smiled and gurgled at him. He shifted his eyes back toward Eames. "I know it's not the way you wanted it, but she'll never question the fact that she's loved."

"As long as she has you, no, she won't. Call me if there's a problem."

"There won't be. Enjoy your weekend."

She gave him another smile and left. As she headed for her car, she found herself wishing the events in her life had followed a different timeline. If she'd only gotten pregnant a few months later, then she wouldn't be struggling to save a troubled marriage. She would have a failed one behind her...and her baby would have a real father as well as a devoted dad. Bobby wasn't her father, but he willingly stepped into the role of dad, even if he didn't realize that was what he was doing. She found herself harboring no concerns as she drove away from his apartment, leaving her only child, and her heart, behind her.

Goren picked up the phone and dialed, cradling the baby in his right arm. He paced restlessly as the phone rang on the other end. Finally... Hey, what's up? I was in the shower.

"I, uh, I'm not going out tonight, Mike."

Why not? Something better come along?

"As a matter of fact, yes."

A moment of quiet followed by a soft chuckle. Denise?

"No."

Okay, then, what's her name?

"Maggie."

You're ditching me for a baby?

"Not completely. I'm just not going out. You can still come over."

How much beer do you have?

"Two six-packs, I think."

Tell me it's not that German stuff you like.

"Okay, but you'll be disappointed when you get here."

Fine, I'll bring my own. You won't be drinking with me, will you?

"Not while Maggie's here, no."

Fine. We can drink milk and watch Sesame Street.

"If that's what you really want..."

Bite your tongue, asshole. I'll bring Commando. See if you can't get the kid to sleep.

"I don't want her to sleep. Try getting to know her, dumb ass. You might actually like her."

She's only two months old. When she starts to do something interesting, then we'll talk.

"She started smiling today."

Really? With you?

"Yes."

Now there's a shocker. I'll be there in an hour. You got popcorn?

"I don't think so."

An hour and a half then. See ya.

Goren closed the phone. "Don't mind him," he told the baby. "He's harmless. You'll be laughing more at him than you do at me before too long."

She gurgled and waved excited hands. He laughed. "I wish all the girls got as excited with me. Which reminds me, I have one more call to make."

This number he had to look up. Her soft voice came over the line when she answered. Hey, there, lover. Tell me you're ready for me tonight.

Her tone was seductive and inviting, and he found himself ready for her any damn time. "Uh, n-not exactly, Kristin. I, uh, I need to cancel tomorrow."

He could hear the pout in her voice. Aww, come on. It's been almost a month, Bobby. What's her name?

Why did they always assume it was another woman? He didn't play those games. God, he wished he could rely on a few more of his dates, besides Denise, to care enough to get to know him and seek more than just sex from him. "Sorry. Something came up at the last minute."

Her name, Bobby.

"Maggie."

Wait, isn't that your partner's baby?

"Yes."

If she was your kid, I could understand, but dumping me for someone else's brat...

Anger flared white-hot in his gut and he struggled to contain it before he responded. Reluctantly, he said, "Maybe we just don't see things in the same light any more."

When was the last time we needed any light?

The seductive purr of her voice got to him, but he knew it was over with her. Too bad, too. She was wild in bed. Oh, damn..."I'm sorry, Kristin. Really, I am."

Wait one minute. Are you dumping me?

"I guess so."

Because of a baby? Are you out of your mind?

"Apparently. If you can't understand the appeal of a baby..."

Babies are very appealing, but to give up a night with me for one...that's not normal.

He had never pretended to be normal, and it was a lot to give up...but for Maggie, he would give up breathing. Kristin was very self-centered, but she made up for it in spades in bed... "I will miss you," he said truthfully.

You have no idea, she purred. I got some really good stuff, and I was going to...

"I'm still a cop, you know."

Don't be a hypocrite. How about you tell me where you live and I'll...

"No. Get over yourself. I'm done. Good-bye, Kristin."

She had few inhibitions when she was sober, but get a few drinks or a joint into her and...wow. The first time he'd gone to her place and discovered the lingering odor of pot, the narcotics cop in him had gone nuts. But she'd quickly gotten him past that. He stared at the phone and absently kissed the baby he held. No, Kristin wasn't the type of woman he'd want around if Maggie was going to be spending any amount of time with him. But Denise...she was a different story...and she liked Maggie.

He dialed again, this time from memory. Damn Kristin. Well, hello, she answered lightly.

He smiled, pacing and bouncing the baby gently. "Hi," he replied, smiling. "Am I bothering you?"

You never bother me. I'm glad to hear from you.

"I was wondering if you're busy tomorrow night."

As a matter of fact, no.

"Can I talk you into joining us for dinner?"

Us? Do you have Maggie?

The hopeful tone of her voice warmed his heart. "Yes, I do."

Then count me in.

Again he was struck by a deep sense of remorse that he was unable to give more of himself to her. Under different circumstances, he would have loved her. "Do you want me to come to pick you up?"

What are your plans?

"Nothing specific."

Suppose I come over and make us dinner?

"If that's what you want to do."

Yes, it is.

He smiled and pressed his lips against the baby's soft head. "How does six sound?"

Perfect. I'll bring what I need.

"Uh..."

Don't even start, she teased. I want to surprise you and I need more than beer, cold cuts and baby food.

"Okay, I can take a hint."

Sometimes. Good night, Bobby.

"Good night, Denise."

Sliding the phone into his pocket, he shifted the baby around so he could see her face. "Uncle Mike tonight, and Denise tomorrow. It's gonna be a good weekend, princess."

Another smile for him melted his heart. Pulling her against his chest, he gave her another kiss as he hugged her. "I love you," he whispered, and for the first time in recent memory, he really meant it.