She arrived at the table about the time Peter returned. She was dabbing a napkin on her face and glancing in her compact mirror. She was grateful she didn't look worse for the wear.

"Sorry, I had to step out for a call. I didn't see you so I assumed you were in the bathroom."

"That's okay. Should we go?" Eames smiled and licked the corner of her lips.

Peter opened the door and held it like a gentleman and smiled sweetly. She left with him but glanced at Goren before she left.

Goren's stomach was in knots. He felt his knees give out as he clumsily made his way back to the stool.

Goren could feel his rage and sadness at the thought of what she may do with him. He downed another glass of whiskey before he slammed the glass down. The Bartender flagged him refusing to serve him any more. He didn't argue. No amount of alcohol would change how he felt now. He wandered wobbly out the door and caught a glimpse of Eames and Peter talking, she was touching his arm. The cab pulled up.

He could help but go back to the beginning. The cab ride replayed on a loop in his head. He pulled a cigarette into his mouth, lit it, and began to smoke while he took his phone out. He squinted at the letters blurring together forcing himself to concentrate but slammed it shut when he realized he was too drunk

He stumbled and wobbled dizzly as he walked home.

Eames saw him at the corner of her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't do this.

"You know what. I'm sorry, Peter. I don't think this is going to work out. Bad timing."

"You are in love with him, aren't you?

She smiled. Was she that predictable? "Who am I supposed to be in love with, now?"

"That partner of yours."

That she most definitely was but she was not about to admit that. "My Partner?" She did her best to portray incredulousness.

"No, we are partners and good friends but that's it."

"Maybe. He sure was jealous last time we worked together. Hey, isn't that him stumbling and mumbling to himself?"

"Yeah. He's going through a really hard time, right now."

"So, I've heard. Sorry, you couldn't work it out."

"What are you talking about?"

"I heard he was begging your captain for a transfer. It was probably all the crap he was taking for the tessarossa case."

"What crap?"

"You know the usual cop hazing. Oh, someone also put a dead rat in his desk."

"I'm sure they were mistaken. Rumor mill and all. Listen, I'm sorry if I gave the impression that …"

"No. It's okay, Alexandra. I am way out of your league. The fact that you even consider me. Clearly, there's someone on your mind and I don't want to get in the way."

"Thank you."

"For what...being understanding?"

"For handling it as a gentleman," She gave her hand, "have a wonderful rest of the night. Hopefully, I didn't spoil it for you."

"Not at all," he kissed her hand politely, "goodnight, Alexandra."

"Goodnight, Peter."

She thought of Bobby. This hurt between them had lasted too long, already. She wasn't mad anymore, not really. It was just a grudge that she nursed because she wanted to hurt him the way she felt he hurt her. She couldn't help but worry for him. Her feelings never went away but she had pushed him away just like he had done to her many times. This holding pattern they found themselves in, needed to stop. How many people were they gonna drag in this mess of theirs?

She watched Peter get in the cab and then entered her car. She drove there instead of letting Peter pick her up. Her father always instructed her to have a way out if a date didn't go according to plan.