Authors note:  Hey guys, thanks for waiting FOREVER for this next chapter. I know it has taken me a while and I hope all of you guys forgive me!! J

Disclaimer:  Goren, Eames and the entire cast of Criminal Intent; I don't own them; they are Dick Wolf's.

"Mmm, that was delish!" Eames said while rubbing her stomach. She stood up off the couch, and headed into the kitchen, where she opened the cupboard directly under the sink where the plastic bin was. She dropped the white Chinese food boxes with chopsticks into the bin.

She returned into the lounge room, and saw Goren looking at one of the magazine covers that was sitting on the coffee table.

"Enjoying that?"  Alex asked quizzically.

Goren looked up quickly, and saw Alex standing there next to him. He smiled "of course."

She plopped down next to Bobby and looked at him for a bit, she thought handsome, even though he hadn't shaved this morning he sure looks fine. 

"Would you like a drink, Goren?"  Alex asked nervously while looking down.

"Bobby, and yes thankyou."  He corrected her.

She smiled, rose from where she was and headed to the kitchen doorway,  "what would you like?"

Goren thought for a while then said,  "just a beer thanks."

Eames then disappeared into the kitchen, she returned not to soon afterwards.

"Here," She handed Goren a beer and she sat.

They talked about their case and past cases for hours, with more drinks in between. 

"Oh, Goren, I will just grab your shirt I'll iron it for you, so you can wear it tomorrow."  Eames just thought of it then.

"Alex, you don't have to, I'll do it tomorrow morning, I'll do it now." 

"I'll do it now, it's okay," Eames rose from where she was sitting and went into her room where a clothes dryer had been standing.  Goren followed. 

Eames grabbed his blue shirt and turned, surprised to see Goren standing directly behind her, she gasped.

"Did I scare you? Detective Eames getting scared?"  Goren teased.

"No, you didn't scare me, I just wasn't expecting you to be standing behind me."  Eames was looking straight up; he was standing so close to her that they were nearly touching.

Eames blushed, she looked down and slid passed him.  Oh My God, what the hell am I thinking?!  Partner, remember PARTNER.   

She walked over to her cupboards where she had placed her portable mini-iron board. She grabbed it and left her room.

Goren sighed gently, she smelt nice, and she looked divine. But there was something inside him that wouldn't let him kiss her.  Respect.

He turned and saw her walking out of the room holding a mini-iron board in one hand.

Darn it.  He thought to himself.

He walked out of her room, and went into the lounge room where she had set up the mini-ironing board.  Goren stared at her for a few seconds before tearing himself away.

"Eames?"

"Yes?"

"Thankyou for ironing my shirt."

Eames turned her head to look at him, she searched his eyes for a moment, but then quickly smiled and said honestly "It's okay, Goren."  She turned back around and continued ironing his shirt for him.

"You can call me Bobby you know?"

"Yeah, I know."  She said quietly.

He thought that he'd better not ask why she called him Goren. It was better off left alone.

He silently walked up behind her and hesitantly put his hand on her waist. She flinched but he guessed it was because he had scared her a little. 

Alex felt warm where Goren had placed his hand, she smiled to herself and thought why does he do this to me?!  She didn't stop ironing the shirt what ever the distraction maybe, she couldn't let him know that she actually wanted more!

She looks so beautiful, and her hair smells nice. I can't believe that I'm resisting her, why am I NOT doing anything about how I feel? Goren thought as he was inhaling the scent of her peachy shampoo.

"All done!" she exclaimed as she held up his shirt with pride.

Goren took his hand off her waist and smiled. "Thankyou!"

Goren lightly placed a kiss on top of her head, and took the shirt from her upheld arm.

Alex smiled with glee, she wasn't sure if she was smiling because Goren had just kissed her on the head or if it was because she had successfully ironed his shirt.

"I'm just going to put this in your room, okay?"  Goren asked, he hated going into peoples rooms without telling them, although he had to do all the time it was someone he knew, well.

"Sure" Alex replied with a smile.  He is so damn polite.

Goren headed to Alex's room; he placed the shirt on the coat hanger that was hanging on the back of her bedroom door.

He turned to go out of the room and Alex was standing right in front of him. In front of him to the fact that they were nearly touching, again. He gasped. 

"Detective Robert Goren getting scared, are we?!"  Alex said with a chuckle

"No! I just wasn't expecting you to be standing in front of me" Goren replied with his heartbeat racing. Exactly what Eames said to him.

"Yeah, sure."  She replied sarcastically, while looking up at him with a smile.

Their eyes locked, they both gazed into each other's. 

Goren clasped her to him and slowly lowered his mouth to hers.  He took his time in an exploratory, gentle kiss.

Alex whimpered softly.  I should not be doing this, she thought. But it feels so right.  Alex pulled away, staring at Bobby's auburn eyes.  "I'm sorry" she whispered.

Goren let go of her waist.  Alex turned and left her room, heading towards the lounge room.

TBC…