The phone stirred Eames from a good sleep, but it stopped ringing before she was fully awake. She heard a voice quietly speaking, a familiar man's voice that didn't belong to any of her men: father, brothers, partner. "Okay, I'll have her call you this morning...Yes, sir."

The room fell into silence. She drew herself further from sleep, enough to be aware of the easy breathing of the sleeping man beside her, enough to recognize the voice belonging to the man who answered her phone. "Mike?"

She heard the rustle of his clothes. "Good morning. How'd you sleep?"

She sat up and stretched. He offered her a hand to help her from the bed. "Pretty good." She looked out the window. It was still dark out. "What time is it?"

"Uh, just after five. Sun'll be up soon."

"Did you sleep in that chair?"

"No. I left a little while after you fell asleep. I woke about three, couldn't get back to sleep, so I came back here. Funny thing—he hasn't make a sound. He usually snores when he crashes on my couch, or when I crash on his."

"He only snores when he's drunk."

Logan chuckled. "Well, that explains it. Why don't you run and get something to eat? I'll stay here. They just gave him his medicine, so I guess he'll be out for awhile longer."

She nodded and yawned, walking to the bathroom. When she came out, she asked, "Did you answer my phone?"

"Oh, yeah. I didn't want it to wake you. I answered it when I saw that it was Sutter."

"What did he want?"

"He was asking how Bobby's doing, and he wants another get together. He sounds kinda desperate. I told him I'd have you call."

"Thanks." She looked at Goren, sleeping soundly on his injured side. "I don't know what to do about the colonel's request. The last time I talked to him, her paranoia was getting worse. He says it's been awhile since 'they' were after her."

"I know you want to protect him. So do I, but there's only so much we can do. This is his decision. No one can make it for him."

She nodded and moved to the head of the bed, looking at his face. He looked so peaceful, but she knew the turmoil that roiled just beneath the surface, behind that sweet, sleeping face. She reached out and gently played with his hair. "He's torn over what to do. He wants to do the right thing, but he doesn't always look out for himself."

"Maybe he just needs help with that."

She gave that some thought before nodding in agreement. "Mike, do you mind if I run home for a shower and a change of clothes?"

"Not at all."

"I'll bring back some bagels."

"Sounds good. Think you could manage some lox?"

"I think I can do that."

She grabbed her bag and got as far as the door before she realized that her car was at home. "Uh, Mike..." she said as she turned around.

He was standing a couple of feet behind her, smiling and holding out his keys. She took the keys and gave him a hug. He tucked his arm around her to return the hug. "It's right near where I parked when the ambulance brought him in."

"Thank you," she replied.

He watched her leave, then sat down and turned on the television.

As she left the hospital, she called Sutter. He answered on the second ring. "Hello?"

He sounded frustrated, and she wondered if his wife was the cause of it. "Hello, colonel. This is Alex Eames."

"Detective! I'm happy to hear from you. I spoke with Detective Logan earlier. He said Robert is improving."

"Yes. He's much better."

He paused and she heard a door closing on his end. "Is he still at home?"

"No. He collapsed at my place the other night and had to be put back in the hospital."

"Honestly, I'm glad to hear that. Not that he collapsed but that he's back in the hospital. I was very concerned when you told me he'd left the hospital. He was not ready to leave."

"No, sir, he wasn't."

"And again, I am very sorry that my wife drove him to leave."

"So am I. He really set back his recovery."

The colonel was silent for a long time, to the point that Eames checked to see if the call had been dropped. "Colonel?"

"I'm still here, detective. I...I wish you would ask him to consider seeing his mother again."

She sighed. "I will talk to him, colonel. But it may not go the way you hope it will. Bobby is a gentle, sensitive man, but he harbors a great deal of anger for what your wife did to him and his brother. If he does agree to see her, and it doesn't go well, that's too bad for her. Do not ask me to do this ever again."

Sutter let out a heavy breath. "You don't understand how fragile my wife is. She once had an episode because my son broke a cheap vase in the living room when he was a toddler. The doctors have added a mild sedative to her medication regimen to calm her and they've changed the dosage of others, but we won't know how effective those changes are for several weeks. She remains agitated about her sons and she needs to see them. She's heading for another psychotic break if I can't make that happen. This is the first time in over 30 years I've had any control over one of her breaks."

Eames felt badly for him, but she would not allow her sympathy to cloud her responsibility toward the man she loved or his brother. "Colonel Sutter, consider what she put my partner and his brother through and then ask yourself why they should give her another chance to hurt them. Neither of these men particularly want to see her at all, but Bobby will probably agree to meet with her one more time. Before you start doing a happy dance, don't count on him giving her anything more than that. Frank might consent to a visit if his brother asks, but don't expect a happy reunion and family dinners around the tree singing Christmas carols. They are hurt and angry and I don't blame them one bit. If they agree to this, it will be her chance to have her say, and that's about it. They were lost to her when she abandoned them as children and that, sir, was her fault, not theirs."

"Her illness drove her to do what she did. No one seems to take that into account," Sutter said defensively.

"They were boys who were forced to abandon their childhoods much too soon and that's something they will never get back. That wasn't fair to them. I understand that her disease causes poor judgment, but it doesn't give her the right to do what she did."

"Didn't the foster care system..."

She made a bitter sound. "If they had chosen that path, there's no telling what would have happened to Bobby. The boys would have been split up, shuffled from home to home because no one wants teenagers, especially not angry teens who have a tendency to act out." She shook her head. "The bottom line is: she had a responsibility to her sons and she walked away from it and from them. You don't have to ask me to choose sides. I stand by Bobby and Frank and nothing you could possibly say is going to change that."

Sutter was quiet for a little while longer. "I understand their anger and I admire your loyalty. Please understand me. I am trying to do what is best for my wife."

"I understand that, but I won't let you coddle her at the expense of her sons. How long do you think it's been since they had anyone but each other to do what was best for them?"

"They have you now, Detective Eames. I'm sure they appreciate that."

She was definitely appreciated by the brother who mattered to her. "I will talk to Bobby and let you know. That's all I can do; it's all I will do."

"I'll ask no more. Thank you."

She ended the call, pocketed her phone and got into Logan's car.

Eames returned with half a dozen bagels, a tub of onion and chive cream cheese and a container of lox. She also had an overnight bag and a drink tray containing three coffee cups. She wasn't surprised to find Goren still sleeping. Logan got up and took the bags and the coffee from her, and she set her overnight bag in a corner. "How is he?" she asked.

"You've only been gone a couple of hours. He's fine."

"Did he wake up?"

"For a few minutes. I doubt he'll even remember it. Feel better?"

"I'm fine. I talked to Colonel Sutter."

"Yeah? And?"

She looked torn. "I think he's in a very difficult situation and he's unsure about the best thing to do. That goes against his decisive military personality. He wants to do what's best for his wife, but he's developed a deep affection for Bobby and he doesn't want to cause him any pain. Unfortunately, there's no way to do what's best for everyone without someone getting hurt. I told him I would talk to Bobby."

"You gonna talk him into seeing his mother?"

She shook her head. "No. It's his decision. I just promised I would ask him to consider it. I'm going to talk to Frank, too. If I can convince him to stand by his brother, maybe it will help Bobby deal with it better."

"Frank made it clear that he doesn't want to see her."

"I know, but he might do it for Bobby."

"That would be the only reason he would."

Logan chose a bagel from the paper bag they were in and spread it with cream cheese. He opened the plastic container of lox and draped two pieces over one side of the bagel. "Does Bobby really think that highly of Sutter that he would consider putting up with that woman again?"

She nodded. "Yes, he does. But his emotions are all over the place." She chose a bagel of her own and spread it with cream cheese as she talked. "He's so conflicted and I don't know how to help him. I don't want him to get hurt."

"What's he conflicted about?" He took the coffee cup with his name on it. "She deserted him when he was a kid. I'd have no problem telling her to get lost."

"But you're not Bobby. He's very sensitive. She's still his mother and part of him feels some kind of responsibility toward her. He reminds himself that she's sick and it's not entirely her fault."

"That's a bunch of crap, a useless excuse. She's a grown woman with a mind of her own. She abandoned her sons and she knew what the hell she was doing."

Before Eames could reply, Goren spoke. "Do you really think so?" he asked. "You really think she did what she did completely in her right mind?"

Logan was surprised, but he didn't regret what he said. "Yeah, I do. That's why I've got no sympathy for her. She had none for you and Frank."

Goren shifted himself in the bed and raised the head, rubbing his side. Eames moved the tray table to him and set his coffee on it. She kissed him and handed him a bagel with the tub of cream cheese. She gently swatted his hand away from his healing wound when he began to scratch it. "Leave it alone," she scolded.

He moved his hand away from his side. "Do you agree with Mike?" he asked.

"I don't know what to think, Bobby, but I will support whatever decision you make."

"I want your opinion, Alex."

She took a bite of her bagel and looked at Logan as she chewed it. "We need to stop having these discussions when we think he's sleeping."

Logan grinned. Goren pushed his hand through his hair. "When did you talk to the colonel?"

Eames spread the cream cheese on his bagel since he didn't seem inclined to do so. "You only heard part of the conversation, then?"

"I guess."

She sighed and pushed the bagel toward him. "Eat, Bobby. You missed your dinner."

Logan moved a chair closer as she sat on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on Goren's thigh. "I went home early this morning to shower and change. I talked to the colonel while I was gone."

He paused and shifted restlessly. "How is she?"

"First, take a bite of your bagel."

He knew she was watching out for him, but he was annoyed. She gently rubbed her hand over his thigh, smoothing over his irritation as well as the sheet that was drawn to his waist. He did as she asked, and she rewarded him with an answer. "She's okay. The change in her medicine seems to be helping her. But ultimately, she's going to suffer another psychotic break if she doesn't see you soon."

"Honestly, Bobby," Logan said. "I don't get why you give her the time of day. She hasn't done a damn thing for you in the past thirty-three years. If you feel like you gotta owe something to someone, then owe Frank."

"I know how much I owe Frank. But she missed out on more than half our lives. I want her to own up to that."

"And if she won't?" Eames asked.

Goren shrugged, but she could tell it bothered him. "I have to try," he insisted.

Eames scratched his thigh through the sheet. "So you want to see her?"

He shifted his gaze to her hand. "I...uh, yeah. Yeah, I do."

She stopped her hand from moving. "When?"

He took a minute to let his mind clear. "S-Soon. Before I'm discharged. Today, maybe."

Logan stopped chewing. "You sure about that? Remember what happened last time."

He nodded. "I'm sure. It's neutral ground here, and I'll be expecting her. I don't want her to know where I live, or you, either."

Eames moved to get off the bed. "Okay, then, I'll call—"

Goren grabbed her before she slid off the bed and pulled her back toward him. "Bobby—"

He silenced her with a kiss. Surprised, she struggled for a second before she relaxed and went limp in his embrace. Her fingertips caressed a path down his face, around his ear and into his hair. When he finally sat back, she remained prone across his lap, looking up at him. She slid her hand along his face. "I never know what to expect from you."

He smiled. "Expect...the unexpected."

With a laugh, she pushed herself up to kiss him again. "I'll call the colonel and set up the visit, if you're sure."

"Will you be here? Both of you?"

Eames nodded. "Of course I will."

Logan also nodded. "Sure."

"Don't get yourself in trouble..."

"Me? In trouble? Just how hard did you whack your head?"

Goren smiled and seemed to relax. Eames took his hand and gently played with his fingers, knowing that he liked that. She caressed his palm with her thumb and he softly groaned. "There's one more thing..." she said. "Frank. She wants to see Frank."

"That's up to my brother. You'll have to talk to him."

"I'll need his number."

"My, uh, phone," he said as he looked around."I don't, uh..."

"You left it at your apartment when you ran away from St. Vincent's."

"I did? Why would I...?"

"You weren't exactly in your right mind," she answered.

Logan pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. "It's in there. You were paranoid, buddy, and looking for a safe place to hide. You didn't want anyone to find you."

His memory of the time was very fuzzy. "So I went to Alex's?"

Eames squeezed his hand. "You knew I would find you and you would be safe. You knew I would take care of you."

"I...I, yeah, I can see that."

"I'm glad you think that way," she said. "But are you absolutely sure you're ready to see her again?"

He shifted uncomfortably and scratched his side. "No," he answered honestly. "I'm not sure. But it's something I have to do."

She tried one last time. "You were dead to her for over thirty years. Why not let her go back to her delusion and leave you alone?"

He knew she was just trying to protect him. "I-I want her to know that she was wrong...about me. She left us, and never tried to find us. She moved on with her life and left us to flounder through ours. She could have given us a father, a good life. I want to hear from her why she didn't."

Logan snorted. "You think she'll come clean with the truth?"

"That doesn't matter. I don't care if it's the real truth or not. I want to hear her version of it because that's what's real to her. I want to hear what she has to say so I can move on."

Eames began to withdraw from him so she could make the arrangements for his meeting with his mother. He pulled her toward him with a sudden jerk of his am. Catching her, he kissed her again. "I, uhm, I...want..."

With a knowing smile, she teased his lips. "Later," she promised as she slid off the bed. "Once all this is over. I'm going out in the hall to call the colonel. You two behave."

The two men looked at each other as she left the room. "What does she think we're gonna do?" Logan asked.

Goren looked around the room and scratched his head. "I, uhm, I don't know. Got any ideas?"

"Let's see if we can come up with any."

Goren was out of bed in a chair when Eames returned. Logan was by the window, watching the rain. She looked at them with suspicion. "What did you do?"

Logan turned away from the window and shrugged. "Nothing."

"But don't think we didn't try to come up with something," Goren said with a smile.

Smiling, she shook her head. "Mike, can you go get Frank at Bobby's and bring him here?"

"Yeah, sure."

"The colonel and his wife will be here at 12:30."

Goren scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, do you think you could get me some clothes while you're there, Mike? I mean...it was bad enough facing Ross in my pajamas with no shirt. When I see my mother again, I would prefer to be fully dressed."

"Sure. I'll be back soon."

"Thanks," Eames said as she walked to Goren.

He took her arm and pulled her down into his lap. "You made me a promise," he reminded her, rubbing his hand over her thigh.

"Yes, but later."

He slipped his hand under her shirt. "I don't want to wait," he said.

"You never want to wait."

He pulled her shoulders down and cradled her against the arm of the chair, nuzzling her neck. "It'll help me to settle down before she gets here."

She laughed as he tickled her, squirming in his arms. "No matter what we do," she giggled. "You won't be settled."

"Let's try," he implored.

She squirmed her way out of his lap. "Just sit there for a minute."

Before he could object, she left the room. He was still trying to calm himself when she returned with his nurse, who gave him a kind but knowing smile. "Your girlfriend says you want to wait a little while before we remove your IV."

Her naming of Eames as his girlfriend gave him pause, and he hesitated before he answered, "Uhm, yes, please. I, uh, my m-mother is coming to visit, and she's kind of...difficult. I need to...to keep this as an option, just until this afternoon, after she leaves."

"If you're afraid she'll upset you that much, maybe you should wait to see her."

Goren shook his head. "I...I, uhm, it's complicated. As long as I can keep it as an option...well, this is the best way for me to do it."

She studied his face and finally nodded. "I'll give the doctor a call. Right now, I'll give you the pain medicine you have due and we'll see how it goes this afternoon."

"Thank you."

She injected the medicine into his line. Then she looked at Eames with a smile and a nod and left the room.

Goren missed the exchange between Eames and his nurse. He'd closed his eyes and rested his head back to ride out the rush as the medicine hit him. Eames settled on his lap once more and lightly scratched his side. With a soft groan, he lost himself in her embrace.

A/N: For those not familiar with American food (thank you for the reminder!): Lox is is a fillet of brined salmon. Served on bagels with cream cheese, it is very popular in New York!