Law and Order: Criminal Intent

High Maintenance

Chapter 11

Relieved Of Duty

Goren's hands shook as he lowered his gun and cautiously stepped forward. Dickson's body lay crumpled on the floor, a gunshot wound visible on his left temple. Goren frowned, repulsed by the smug smile still plastered on Dickson's face. He could hear shouting from the police officers now entering the farmhouse, but the voices were pushed to the back of his mind, silenced by the sight of his partner.

Eames' arms were limp, suspended by the wires around her wrists. Her legs were no longer tucked close to her body, rather curved lifelessly in front of her. Eames head hung between her elbows, face covered by bloodied hair. Goren took a deep breath, fighting back tears as he noticed the bullet hole in the wall next to her head. A decent amount of blood trickled from its small opening.

"Alex?" Goren hesitantly knelt in front of Eames and carefully pushed the blood-matted hair from her face. She moaned softly and turned her head in his direction. He noticed a long wound across her shoulder. It lined up perfectly with the hole in the wall. He released a grateful sigh.

"My shoulder," Eames whispered in a wince.

"It's okay. It's okay," he soothed. "It's just a flesh wound. The bullet didn't go through." He ran a finger under his eyes wiping his tears. "It didn't go through," he repeated, more for his sake than hers.

Ross and Nichols stepped through the doorway, holstering their weapons when they saw Dickson's body on the floor. Nichols moved to the middle of the room, assessing Eames' condition from a distance. Ross turned to one of the officers entering the room. "Get the medics in here now."

Eames opened her eyes, tear-stained and red, and met Goren's. He loosened the wires, carefully unraveling them from the places where they pinched and cut her skin. Her arms fell loosely across her lap.

"Bobby…" Eames mustered the last of her strength and wrapped her arms around Goren's shoulders. He held her tightly, taking care not to hurt her battered body. He kissed her forehead as she cried.

"It's all right." Goren ran his hand over the back of her head, trying to calm her as her body trembled in his arms.

"Wait." Nichols held up a hand, stopping the passing young medic. "Give them a minute. Take care of that guy first," he said, pointing to Dickson's body. The medic nodded, motioning his team to follow.

"We should get her to the hospital," Ross said pointedly, looking at Nichols.

"Yeah," he nodded in agreement. "Give them a minute. Partnership is a strong bond, Danny. You know that." Nichols regarded his former partner with a raised eyebrow. "If this was us, I'd be concerned for your well-being, too. Though, I wouldn't have kissed your forehead," he said, scrunching his face in feigned disgust.

"Don't you have something to do, Detective?"

"Yes, Sir." Nichols smiled and disappeared into the crowd of officers. Ross turned his attention back to Goren and Eames. He understood the unique relationship between partners. Having lost three of his own partners over the years, he knew all too well the angst and despair of such a situation. Though, he had a feeling the bond Goren and Eames shared was stronger and far more rooted than that of partners or friends. Ross waited as Dickson's body was removed, giving a second team of medics room to enter.

"Bobby," Ross said softly, placing a hand on Goren's shoulder. Goren looked up. "It's time." Goren nodded. He gently pushed Eames back, leaning her against the wall. Ross stepped back as Goren whispered in Eames' ear, carefully wrapping his fingers around hers before rising. The medics gathered around her as Ross led his detective from the farmhouse back to the SUV.

Goren leaned against the vehicle watching as the medics emerged from the house, Eames secured to the stretcher. Nichols walked alongside, gently holding her hand. He smiled softly when he let go, allowing the medics to move her into the ambulance. Nichols closed the doors, tapped on the back, and watched it drive away.

"I'll wrap everything up here," Nichols said, joining Goren against the SUV. "I can hitch a ride back to 1PP." Nichols put his hand on Goren's shoulder. "She's going to be all right. You got to her in time." He shook Goren's hand and returned to the farmhouse.

0-0-0-0

Goren paced the length of the waiting room, restless for word on Eames' condition. Ross stood by the chairs, phone to his ear as he watched Goren's movement.

"All right, thank you." Ross closed the phone. "That was Nichols. Dickson's lawyer paid Millward a visit. Cousin Vinnie shot Millward then turned the gun on himself." He titled his head to one side. "You're going to wear a hole in the carpet." Goren offered Ross a small apologetic smile.

"Captain Ross? Detective Goren?" Ross turned towards the door.

"How is my detective doing, Doctor?" Ross asked.

"She took quite a beating, but she'll be fine. We stitched up the wound on her shoulder and a few other cuts, the ones around her wrists being the worst. Fortunately, they were not deep enough to cause significant blood loss. There is some bruising I would like to keep an eye on, but most of it looks worse than it is."

"How long will she be here?"

"I'd like to keep her overnight for observation. She can go home tomorrow afternoon. I've dealt with Detective Eames before. I know I won't be able to keep her here longer than that. She'll tear the room apart," the doctor laughed. "She will need someone around for the next few days, though. The pain medication mixed with her overall physical state…She shouldn't be alone." Ross nodded and looked at Goren.

"You are officially relieved of duty for the next week, Detective Goren."

"Thank you, Captain."

"Detective, you are welcome to see her." Goren followed the doctor into the hallway. Ross hung back, dialing a number he never enjoyed dialing. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, Captain Danny Ross for Chief Moran."

0-0-0-0

Though he had been assured of a quick recovery for Eames, Goren still felt a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he approached her bed. She looked much better, the dried blood having been washed away, but she would be dealing with many physical and emotional scars that could not be as easily removed. He stopped at her side, tilting his head as he met her eyes.

"Hey," he whispered, lightly touching her arm.

"Hey," she returned. "You look like shit," she smiled softly.

"Yeah, well, I've had a rough day, Eames," he teased. "I can't be the good-looking partner all of the time."

"Enjoy it while you can, Goren." She closed her eyes and stilled a laugh. "When I'm able to move, I'm going to kick your ass for that."

"You'll have to catch me first," he smiled, happy to see the smart-ass side of his partner alive and well. He knew the whole ordeal would have an effect on her well-being, but this portion of her personality was a crucial coping mechanism. Goren grabbed a chair, dragging it to the side of her bed.

"I'm so sorry, Alex," he said, sitting on the edge of the chair. He took her hand in both of his and moved it to his mouth, brushing a soft kiss along her fingers. "I'm so sorry," he breathed, studying the white gauze wrapped around her wrist. He could only imagine the look of the sutures that were hidden underneath.

"It's not your fault, Bobby," she said turning her head towards him. "It was twelve years ago. You couldn't have…have known." Eames winced and adjusted her body. "Just try not piss off anyone else."

"No promises, but I will do my best." Goren reached up and brushed Eames's hair from her forehead. He repeated the motion several times, though no longer necessary. "I…uh, last night. I didn't mean to…" His voice drifted off.

"It's all right, Bobby. I know you didn't mean anything by it." Eames closed her eyes. "Geez, Bobby. How many times have we fought before?"

"Quite a few times," he answered.

"Sometimes that's what I need to let out the steam. You know that."

"I do," he said slowly. "I've never been…never touched you like that before." He smiled slightly returning his attention to her hand. "Not the way I would want…that to happen," he whispered. Goren cleared his throat and replaced her hand by her side. "Guess who gets to take care of you when you're out of this place?" he laughed, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck. "You better not be a pain in the ass. I'll withhold the meds," he threatened. Eames opened her eyes to him and smiled weakly, the best she could offer under the medication now taking full effect.

"Don't worry, Bobby. I'm a low maintenance gal." Goren shook his head slowly. As he thought them over, the last three days seemed like two weeks' worth of time. Eames' detachment towards the end of the Waterton case, her increasing anxiety during the beginning of the Hales' investigation all seemed so long ago. Their fight…Screaming and swearing in the parking garage of 1PP, the same in the middle of her front yard, in her apartment. Never, though, had she tried to take a swing at him; she fought with words.

Goren suffered through a nine-hour heart attack while searching for his partner. Eames had no idea how fully lodged in his throat his heart had been, how uncontrollable his mind had become, fighting to concentrate when all he could picture were the horrible 'what ifs'. She didn't know how empty his life would be if she wasn't around to be a part of it.

He played out the likely scenario for the following days. Eames would be sore and tired, and angry over the abduction. She would grow restless, being forced to stay in the apartment by the strength of the pain meds. She would yell and throw things to cope. She would remember that she threatened Goren with an ass-kicking and would no doubt look to make good on her word.

Standing, Goren leaned over Eames, hands on the bed to either side of her shoulders. She was almost out for the count. The medication, nearing the end of the battle, was winning. He smiled, knowing Eames would not have to strength to stop him and since she already planned on kicking his ass, he planned on making it worth his while.

"What?" she slurred.

"Low maintenance, my ass." He bent down kissing her lips softly.

a/n: Thank you to everyone who has read this story. A super thank you to everyone who has left a review. Your responses were so much more than I expected, being a first-time fic-er. I enjoy reading fanfiction and hope that I have left a good spark on this site. Thank you to all who write for LOCI, keeping these wonderful characters alive in all our hearts! ~ Autumn