Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Dick Wolf. - What's new right? A/N: Because Part 8 turned out to be so short, I merged Part 9 with it. I hope this isn't to much of a inconvenience to anyone. Read and Review. Beware of the language. PLEASE READ and REVIEW.

Part 8 Subway Sandwiches and Salads 1440 Broadway, NY

Inside the small restaurant the two detectives sat at a booth and ate in silence. Nearly finished with his pastrami on rye sandwich, Goren breaks the awkward silence. Before speaking he swipes a napkin from underneath Eames elbow and wipes his face, "You wouldn't happen to have any anti-acids on you?"

Eames at the time had her mouth full of tuna and shakes her head no.

"Terrific. I left mine in my desk drawer."

Washing down the remainder of her sandwich with a diet coke, Eames suggests; "Why don't you go next door and buy some? I don't really want to have to listen to you digest your food all the way back to the plaza."

"Hmm. I didn't think of that. Thanks." Once again flashing his signature boyish smile at her.

"Go." Insists Eames.

"I'm going. Meet you back at the car?"

"Yep. Now GO. Before I decide I don't want to drive anymore.." Eames dryly states. He was out the door before she was able to finish her sentence.

***********************

Back out at the car Eames sat with a grin on her face in the passenger seat. She knew Goren would see her as soon as he walked out of the mini- mart.

Goren feeling much better after swallowing two tablets, heads for the car. He was beside himself when he saw Eames seating comfortably in the passenger side with (her) eyes closed.

Eames briefly took note of the look on Goren's face when he stepped out of the mini-mart. It was priceless.

Goren was standing right by the passenger door. Waiting. His eyes willing her to move. Pleading.

Just a few minutes longer. Eames thought. He's going to break. Do NOT laugh. A minute or so passed by. Thinking she had won she opens her eyes, only to be disappointed. Goren was no where to be seen. Thinking he's outside still, she tries to open the door. Nothing. Great. The door is jammed. Discouraged, she slides over to the drivers side to try that door. But pauses to do something she hasn't done since grammar school - and begins to pray; it opens so she doesn't make an ass out of herself. Suddenly Goren opens the passenger side door and slides in.

"Hey thanks, for your suggestion. I feel better already. Ready?"

He got me. Eames opens her mouth to say something, but scratches the idea Because payback is a bitch. and starts the ignition.

"Back to the crime scene?"

"Yep."

**************************** Part 9 Back at the Crime Scene One week later

While pulling into the driveway Eames checks her side view mirror and notices an unmarked van parked parallel to the driveway.

On his way to the front door Goren slaps on a pair of prophylactic gloves. Upon opening the door he instantly hears commotion in the kitchen. Figuring it's CSU digging around. He proceed down the hallway to the kitchen. He unclips his gun holster for safety.

From the hallway, he calls out; "Jennifer? Are you still here? It's Detective Goren from MCS."

No response.

Waiting a few more seconds before entering he detects a faint voice speaking.

"Don't you forget what we talked about, kid. Be strong, and don't let anyone tell you you're a nothing.."

With meat cleaver in his hand he nods in understanding.

Still whispering, "On the count on three. 1.2."

Outside in the car Eames watches the suspicious van, and thoroughly surprised by the change in weather. From partly cloudy to sunny.

Goren had barely taken two steps in the small kitchen before being pummeled to the floor.

"Auuuhhhh.!!!"

Outside Eames heard her partners cry and drawing her gun before entering. She jiggles the door handle - locked. After shooting the door knob, she cautiously enters. And proceeds up the stairs.

"Shut up! I don't want to hurt you." Cockroach frantically says as he grips the knife tightly.

Goren squirms underneath Cockroaches' pin. He tries to push him off but is temporarily blinded by the glare off the hovering cleaver.

Cockroach realizes he's losing control of the situation, panics and blindly starts swinging the knife at Goren.

"Auuuhhhhhh!!!"

"Bobby." Eames runs back down the stairs towards the kitchen.

Seeing the red pools of blood starting to form around Goren, Cockroach pauses to look at his work. "I think you're gonna die soon." He murmurs.

Gasping for air Goren mouths "G-o t-o h-e-l-l, M-o-t-h-e-r f-.."

Cockroach's moment of glory trance is broken by Eames' incessant hollering. "Bobby! Bobby!"

Cockroach pulls the cleaver out of Goren causing him to groan and dashes for the door.

With her gun drawn Eames, turns the corner to the kitchen, and sees Goren on the floor gasping for air. Running over to him, she props his head on her knee and checks his pulse.

"Faint... Bobby? Can you hear me? Where the hell is the back up?!?!" she yells.

Between sharp breaths of air, Goren groans, "E-a-m-e-s, I."

"Bobby. shhh, don't talk. You're going to be okay."

Goren coughs a little and puts on his best wry smile; "Y-o-u nev' cal me B- o-b-b-y..."

"You've pick one hell of a time to be a smart ass, partner." scoffs Eames.

Eames hastily tears open his shirt to find (out) where all the blood is coming from. She sees at least 2 stab wounds and applies pressure to them. The blood pooling around her feet seemed to be growing faster by the second. "Hang on, Bobby. Just hang on a little longer. Help is on the way."

Goren's chest made a crackling/gurgling sound with ever breath. Not a good sign at all Eames thought. His chest began to rise and fall lease frequently. A mix of emotions shot through Eames, fear, anger, sorrow.

Head propped against his partner's knee with her hands placed firmly on his chest. As a stray tear trickles down, all Goren could do was think. Given the circumstances; in which these moments may possibly be my last as part of the living, I guess I should be praying...I never was a very good Catholic.Eames is reeking with fear... Hell I'm scared. It's odd, at first all I wanted to was die because I was excruciating pain. But now. as I struggle to breathe, all I want to do is.live.

Eames voice raising with every word. "Bobby, don't you die on me. Don't you dare die on me! Not now!!! Damn it, Bobby. Breath!!!"

Watching his eyes lids flutter and finally close. Eames knew her partner had lost consciousness.