Disclaimer: CI...if I owned it I'd be sitting on set, drooling over Vincent D'Onofrio like an idiot...but I don't and instead I'm here and it will likely be years before I can ever go to NYC again. Unless of course, NBC likes my story and decides to hire me... yeah so anyways, I own nothing.

Note - I just have to say I loved 'Endgame'...yeah that's all... :0) This story has nothing to do with that.

Goren smiled at Hannah cheerfully. "What?" She leaned against his car

She shrugged, keeping the smug expression on her face. "It's just a new side of you…camping."

"I have done this before."

"I know but I'm not used to seeing 'Rugged Bobby.'"

He smirked. "And now that you've seen him?"

"Meh."

He raised his eyebrows and laughed.

She smiled and put her hands on his chest. "Actually, I have to say I like it a lot."

"Really?"

She bit her lip and nodded slowly. She let her lip free. "Very much."

He grinned at her. She always had a way of making him feel wanted. His original surprise and uneasiness about that had worn off. Goren was starting to feel like their relationship might last and any fears he had were beginning to ease their grip on him. It allowed him to enjoy himself more and more around her.

He leaned in and kissed her. Hannah kept her hands on his chest comfortably as the kiss deepened.

Though he and Hannah were only dating a month, they had gone out about four or five times a week. Generally in the past he was only able to date a couple times a week. But luckily for him Hannah didn't mind a simple dinner at his place or meeting up for lunch if they could arrange it. She was also patient with him and understanding when he had research to do, and the one time he was called away so far, she had been disappointed but she hadn't blamed him.

The politics of dating was something he understood as a teenager, but nowadays everything was so grey that it got confusing. Goren knew that Hannah's ideas were a little more old fashioned than other people's, like; for instance, she considered having lunch with him, a date. Some people would say that since it was lunch, it meant nothing.

He was glad Hannah didn't play dating politics and he loved how flexible she was when it came to the type of activity they would do.

The only thing she wasn't flexible on was how often she had Max baby-sit. She didn't want him forced to do so more than once a week. It had only been a problem once. Max was out at his friend Ty's for the night and the babysitter that Hannah hired backed out at the last minute. No other sitter was available for the night so they had to cancel their plans and make new ones.

The couple ended up watching movies and ordering Indian food. Noah had eaten a couple hours earlier and he stayed with them during the first movie, which was child friendly. That had been a surprise to Hannah. Goren had specifically made sure to rent a movie that he might want to see, which ended up being the second Shrek movie. Not that Goren really knew what was good or not but the clerk at the video store recommended it. Noah had fallen asleep near the tail end of it.

That was how they spent last weekend. And this weekend, Goren was going on his annual get together with some old friends. He was going to miss her.

Groren cupped her face as he kissed her goodbye. He loved that Hannah made him feel like he was the only person on the planet, sometimes even when the kids were around.

The sound of a throat clearing caught their attention.

Hannah broke the kiss, blushing. Goren turned to see his friend Lewis smirking at him. "Did I interrupt?"

Goren looked down, grinned, and glanced at Hannah. "Uh, Lewis, this is Hannah."

Lewis smiled. "Hi."

She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled sheepishly. "Hi."

"So uh…we should…" Goren fidgeted and rubbed the back of his neck.

She smiled. "Okay…call me when you get back?"

He nodded and motioned to her car. "I want to see you drive off." He wanted to make sure she was safe.

Hannah started towards her car. She turned to him. "Have a fun weekend."

"How can I if you're not there?"

"Always a charmer."

Goren stole a kiss and waited for her to get in. He went around to the curb and waited until she drove off.

Lewis went up to him and clapped him on the back. "Sorry but if I didn't interrupt I doubt you would be leaving at all."

He smiled and scratched the side of his face. "Yeah…"

Goren sat at the fire, roasting a marshmallow. A few of his buddies from high school made it as well. They were held up at a cabin in the woods outside the city. It was peaceful and they got to do everything one wanted to on a camping trip.

Lewis came over with a fresh beer and handed it to him. "So how's detective Alex?"

Goren smiled but said nothing. He knew Eames wasn't interested in Lewis, and he doubted his friend would want to know that Eames had started to date one of the cops they had worked with a couple months before.

"Forget that. I want to hear about this girlfriend."

Goren removed the marshmallow and blew on it to cool it. Everyone was looking at him for a response.

"Well?"

Goren smirked but remained silent.

"Oh is that how it's going to be?"

"Lewis you saw her, what's she look like?"

"She's hot…for a brunette…and she's younger."

"Younger, Bobby you robbin' the cradle?"

"I-it's not like that…Hannah is a...a lady."

"She's got a great body too, if-"

"Hey." Goren scowled at him.

"Oooh, quick on the defensive…it must be serious." A couple of the guys laughed.

Lewis opened his beer. "They almost gave me a show. They were on the verge of making out on top of his car." The guys chuckled at how uncomfortable Goren looked.

Kevin asked curiously, "Is it serious?"

"Well it's…" he fidgeted. "It's been a month."

"So? Bobby none of us are exactly young here…one of us is divorced and two never married…and let me tell you from experience that waiting doesn't really mean anything. Staci and I were together 7 years before we got hitched and there was still a ton we were learning about each other…marriage isn't some big obstacle. It's simple. As my wife says, as long as you've seen each other at their worst then you're going in with your eyes open."

"Way to kill the fun Kev." Marcus threw a marshmallow at him and hit him in the forehead, giving them all a good chuckle.

"So how often do you see this girlfriend?" Jason asked, taking a sip of his beer.

"You know…i-it's none of your business."

"Answer the question Bobby."

Goren sighed and rubbed his face. It was payback. On more than one occasion he had been the one asking them questions just like this. Now he had to put up with it. It really was quite irritating. "4…on average, 4 times a week." He wished it was more to be honest but he didn't want to seem too clingy or desperate.

"Oooh!" A couple of the guys teased.

"He's got it bad."

Goren shifted uncomfortably and for the next little while he had to put up with the teasing his friends gave him.

It was a Friday night and here he was with his friends, something he was looking forward to for awhile; yet, he just wanted to be back in the city with Hannah. He had started to get used to spending time with her and Fridays was one of the nights he and Hannah spent just the two of them.

He missed her.

Goren zoned out a little, getting lost in his thoughts about the night he and Hannah went to the movies. He wasn't the best date that night, constantly commenting on the ridiculousness of the romantic comedy they were watching. He had come out of it, ranting in irritation at how the movie portrayed the topic of bipolar disorder as something comical.

It just wasn't funny, and portrayals like that movie were why there was such a stigma for that particular disorder.

He waved his hands around, "…and bipolar disorder hasn't shown any link to multiple personality disorder as they were trying to imply and-"

"Bobby…breathe. It was just a movie."
He looked at her uneasily and took a deep breath. "S-sorry I...I was…distracting wasn't I?"

"A little…but the movie was dull. If you weren't going on about it I'd probably be falling asleep."

"I shouldn't…it's a habit, sometimes I just-"

"Bobby it's okay." Hannah slipped her arm in his. "Besides if I ever get annoyed by it, trust me, I'll let you know."

Goren blinked. There were so many reasons as to why he loved Hannah, but one of the best qualities she had was how understanding she was of him. She took care of those she loved and though they had never said 'I love you' she treated him like she did. He hoped she did love him and he couldn't wait to hear her say so. It was understandable that she was a little guarded. The only man she had been in love with, and intimate with had treated her like a maid as opposed to a wife and lover.

"Hey do you remember that party over at Lisa Wilkes' place?"

"Her dad wanted to kill me." Jason said, taking another sip of his beer.

"Didn't he chase you out of the house with a rifle?"

Goren chuckled. "It was a BB gun…and he tripped over his pants and f-fell down the steps…on the front porch…it was hilarious."

"Yeah and you were just standing there laughing your ass off while he shot me in the back."

Everyone cracked up laughing.

Hannah swept her hair from her face and sighed as she stared at the computer screen. "Penny for your thoughts." Goren smiled as he entered her office.

She glanced up at him and smiled. "Bobby…hi." She got up and went around her desk and greeted him with a kiss. Or tried to. He dodged her lips and kissed her on the cheek.

She looked at him curiously. "What was-"

"Just in case." His voice was a little hoarse.

"You're sick?"

"F-fighting a cold…that's all."

"You must feel awful."

He smiled. "I'm okay." He lifted himself onto the balls of his feet briefly. "Actually, I was hoping…did you want to have lunch? I have a good…half hour free."

"Only if you let me treat you."

He bit his lip. Goren always liked to pay.

She smiled. "Bobby…"

"Okay…okay if those are your terms, then you can pay."

Hannah found it curious that Goren barely ate anything during lunch. "You look tired."

"I got in real late last night." He rubbed his face. "And I got called in at four thirty."

"I'd be a zombie if that happened. It can't be fun..." She paused, studying him. "You have the flu don't you?"

"Hmm?"

"It's not a cold otherwise you'd be eating."

"I'm fine."

"Can't you get Alex to cover for you so you can go home and rest?"

"I'm fine besides I h-hate… pawning work off on Eames."

"Well what about Logan?"

He smiled slightly. "I'm okay. I've taken something for it and I'll be better tomorrow."

"Noah's got a playgroup at our house this evening but if you wanted to come over…they should be gone by eight."

"No it's okay…I have some research to do anyways."

"You'll try to get some sleep tonight though?"

He smiled, trying to convince her to stop worrying. "Yes I'll try." He was fine. Or rather, he'd survive. Having the flu wouldn't kill him even though he really felt like shit. Besides, he couldn't think of anything more awkward than asking her to take care of him. He just wasn't used to people fussing over him. Part of him wished she would though.

"Well okay…" Hannah took a sip of her water before placing the glass back on the table. "Let me know if you change your mind."

"I'm okay." 'Geez Goren how many times can you say it? She's being sweet, just take her up on her offer…but she'll think I'm weak and she shouldn't take time from the kids just to fuss over me. That's just more work for her.' "I should feel fine by tomorrow. We can go out tomorrow night."

"Okay, but only if you feel alright."

Goren looked at himself in the mirror. If he wasn't so out of it he might have noticed how terrible he looked.

He had spent all day covering up his flu symptoms as best he could but he felt like he had swallowed a jigsaw. Captain Ross had glared at him a few extra times today so Goren was certain that he had said something to displease the man. That or he'd been a little short with him. He couldn't really remember. 'What the hell are you doing? Just stay in and sleep…no. I won't cancel on Hannah, I will make this work…I'll be fine.'

He pulled off his suit jacket and hung it up in his closet. He sighed and sat down on the bed, trying to muster up the strength to change.

The phone rang. He reached across his bed and picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Bobby? You sound terrible, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Well you don't sound it. Did you want to do this when you're feeling better?"

"I am better."

"You sure could fool me."

He sighed. "I'm a little…t-tired but I'm okay…I probably shouldn't drive though."

"Well did you want to just stay in at your place? That way if you feel you need to you can just go to bed."

"No I'm okay."

"No we'll do this some other time."

"Hannah…I-I want to go out with you."

"I'll come over and we'll do something else."

"No I'm-"

"I'll be there in an hour."

"Hann-" Goren sighed heavily as she hung up on him. He hung up the receiver and stared at the closet. 'Stubborn…why is it irritating all of a sudden? Because I feel like shit, that's why.' He felt really warm and was a little glad that at least he could wear something even more comfortable.

Before he knew it, Hannah was knocking on his door. He smiled a little at the sight of her, feeling weak and tired.

She smiled and adjusted the bag in her hands. "Hi."

"What's all this?"

"I'm cooking for you."

"You are?" He asked surprised.

She nodded. "Can I come in?"

"Oh." He moved aside, letting her in.

Hannah went into the kitchen. "I figured since you feel so terrible that it's the least I can do."

"W-why do you think I'm so sick? I'm not…we can still go out if you want."

"Nope. We're staying in." She started unloading the bag. "Which noodles do you want, alphabets or tiny squares?" She held one bag in her right hand and the other in her left.

He raised his eyebrows curiously, crossing his arms over his chest. "For what?"

"Chicken soup." She smiled. "I thought you'd pick up on that…you really are sick."

"You make me sound like an invalid. I am capable of functioning you know."

"So you do feel horrible?"

He scowled. "Are you trying to...to get me to confess or something? Because, under duress anyone would."

She smirked. "Are you saying my cooking is as welcome as a beating?"

He smiled slightly. "And if I say yes?"

She went up to him. "If you say yes I might have to spit in your food."

His smile broadened.

Hannah kissed him on his cheek and held up the noodles again. "Pick one."

He pointed to the left hand, which held the alphabet noodles. "You don't have to do this you know. We could just order something to eat."

She shook her head. "Nope. Not going to happen." She put the noodles aside and took his hand. She dragged him over to the couch. "Sit."

He tilted his head and gave her a defiant glare. "I'm not gonna…I can help you."

"No I said I would make you dinner and I will. Now relax. Watch a movie, by the time it's done the food will be ready."

"There's nothing on tv."

She rolled her eyes, turned, went over to the bag on the table and pulled out a couple DVD's and brought them over to him. "Anything else?"

He looked at her surprised then took the movies. They were two movies he loved. Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and the Clockwork Orange. "You…you didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to."

He raised his eyebrows and held up a Clockwork Orange. "I thought you said you hate this movie?"

"I do." She smiled and rolled her eyes. "BUT you said you like it…though I've no idea why."

He sat down. "It's…" He blinked, moved that she put so much thought into this. "T-thank you."

She smiled softly and ran her fingers through his hair. "Anytime."

He took her hand and kissed the inside of her palm gratefully.

Hannah gave a nod. "Okay I'm going to get started. Need anything? Water? A bucket to throw up in?"

"Uh, no." He smirked.

"Okay good." She turned and started to prepare dinner. It turned out to be a chore because Goren kept getting up and insisting on helping her.

She shooed him for the millionth time. "Get out of here…relax."

"But I'm hungry…and it smells great."

"I thought you said you felt queasy."

"I never said that. You deduced it."

"Whatever."

"And I haven't eaten anything today. I'm starving."

She stopped stirring the pot and looked at him shocked. "You haven't eaten anything today?"

He shrugged. "I had to go to the m-morgue I doubt I would have been able to…i-if I ate…besides, I could do with a diet." He ran a hand over his face.

"Why? What do you mean?"

"Well I know I've lost a few pounds the past couple weeks but…come on…I'm big."

She frowned at him. "I didn't know you felt this way." She put down the spoon and went up to him. She put her hands on his chest. "I happen to find you incredibly attractive."

He slowly let his eyes meet hers.

"Robert…" She sighed. "I can't believe you're self conscious." She paused. "Is this because we haven't…you know…?"

"No I…" He sighed. "It's never been…a…a problem…for me before."

"I bet everyone goes through it eventually."

"I know a few who wouldn't."

"I mean real people…ones who actually eat and don't get liposuction or have the luxury of personal trainers."

"Well…" He fidgeted. "I doubt you have…look at you…you're perfect."

She smiled. "You think I'm perfect?" She blinked and tried to force the smile from her face. "I mean…of course I have."

He looked at her incredulously. "When? I-I saw your photo albums remember? You always looked beautiful."

She fought to keep from smiling at the comment. He really thought she was beautiful. Hannah put her hands on her hips. "It gained 27 pounds when I was pregnant with Max…though granted some of that was because I was still growing anyways, you know, 'cause I was still a kid, but still…it took about 4 months to get rid of it all. Then when I was pregnant with Noah I gained 18 pounds and let me tell you, when you're 9 months pregnant, can't see your feet and have to pee every twenty minutes you hardly feel attractive…and then afterwards I had to do about 30 ab crunches and 30 lunges a day on top of walking and it still took me 2 months to lose that weight."

He studied her then looked down and shifted his feet. "I…" He cleared his throat. "I hadn't…t-thought about that."

Hannah sighed. "Bobby, you could gain 200 pounds and I'd still think you were attractive." He was trying to figure her out. He had that look. If she didn't change the subject now he would likely keep going on about the topic until it ate at him.

Hannah stood on her tip toes and kissed him on his lips. For a moment Goren froze. She just kissed him again. Goren gave in and began kissing her back for a moment.

He broke the kiss. "No…you'll get sick."

"I'll risk it." She smiled and kissed him again. When she drew from it Goren was smiling. She gave him a nod. "Okay sit down and I'll bring the soup over to you and we can pop in one of the movies."

He finally listened to her and sat down.

They put in the Clockwork Orange. Goren couldn't help but laugh whenever Hannah made a comment about the movie. He explained why he liked it, mostly about the crazy style of the film, the brainwashing sequence and psychological effects of it, and the socio-political statements the film held. Hannah still hated it.

By the time the second movie was put in, they were done eating and Goren coaxed Hannah to lay down on the couch with him.

"I feel like I'm going to fall off." Hannah said uneasily. She wasn't used to laying side by side on the couch like that.

Goren slipped an arm around her stomach. "Better?"

She smiled. "Much…" She paused. "Bobby?"

"Yeah?"

"If you need to throw up, please give me a heads up…or in the least aim away from me."

He chuckled. "Okay…but I'm starting to feel better."

Note - Sorry for the delay in posting. I'll try to put up the new chapters a little more often from now on.