Disclaimer: Law and Order: Criminal Intent and its characters are the property of Dick Wolf, Rene Balcer, countless other writers, and Universal Television. I'm using these people's brainy creations for a bit o' fun... no harm intended.

Chapter Five: When You Come Back to Me Again

Eames dropped Goren off outside his apartment. He wouldn't be much good at the office, he had to prepare to pick up the perp. He got out of the SUV with an apologetic smile, and Eames raised her hand in acceptance and brief farewell. Eames headed back to MCS to organize a team to go into the girl's house. Goren went home.

He let himself in to his small but well-kept apartment. He ran a finger across his bookshelf, wondering if he could find strength within the volumes there. But he knew he couldn't. For once, Detective Robert Goren's answers were not in a book. He had less than an hour to prepare for the interrogation of a lifetime.

Eames dropped the phone back onto the cradle and looked up at Deakins. "I've got an address, and according to the super, she's home." Deakins nodded. "Get Goren."

Goren snapped to attention at the sound of a knock at the door. He hadn't heard the buzzer. 'Maybe it's Eames' he thought, and opened the door. He was not prepared for the person standing there. "'Ello Bobby," came the familiar British twang. He took a step back in shock and disbelief.

"Nicole?" She smiled up at him, pushing past him into his apartment. He closed and re-opened his eyes, halfway hoping it was an illusion. But she stood before him, as lethally beautiful as ever. His mind raced. Yes, he'd heard of her arraignment on all charges... It does work to select an almost entirely male jury... but he couldn't imagine why she was here.

"Oh, Bobby. It's Elizabeth, don't you remember?" Her smile continued on, but he gritted his teeth and faced it.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, not nearly in the mood to play her mind games.

"I'm here to help you, Bobby. It's going to be a tough day, is it not?" Goren merely stared at her, not even wondering how she could know. She'd proven to know more about him than even he did.

"And what can you do to help me?"

"I've seen the error of my ways, Detective. And I'm here to make it up to you. You're going to need support when you see what I've done with Emily. Lovely girl, no wonder you loved her so much." again Nicole flashed her devilish smile, and Goren felt sick as the meaning of her words hit him. He had been up against Nicole Wallace before, and he had a sinking feeling that he was too late to save Emily.

"Get out of my apartment. Get out now." His voice was quiet, but did a poor job of concealing his rage. He was shaking to stop himself from lunging across the room and giving Nicole Wallace exactly what she deserved. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself in check. Nicole stood up and nonchalantly walked out, waggling two fingers at him as she cast a glance over her shoulder. He sank to the floor holding his head.

It was in this position that Eames found him when she entered the apartment five minutes later. She rushed to his side, exclaiming, "Bobby! Are you okay?" He looked up at her, his eyes dry but red. He had an ironic smile on his face.

"You'll never guess who just dropped by."

Eames swore under her breath as she pushed the accelerator to the floor. Goren sat in the passenger seat, apparently in another world. Eames felt an anger she hadn't felt in a long time. She prayed that she would be the one to nail Nicole Wallace - she didn't want Bobby dealing with that woman ever again. She pulled up in front of the apartment where Emily Dimitrio lived. Goren and Eames made their way up to the third floor, Eames with her piece drawn, Goren with his held listlessly by his side. Eames stepped aside to let Goren kick in the door, and entered before he did. The silence of the apartment was disturbed only by the thunderous beating of Goren's heart. Shaking visibly, he and Eames searched the apartment.

"There's nothing here!" Eames cried, exasperated. Goren's brain had already processed what had happened. An envelope sat on an otherwise bare table, one word etched cryptically on the outside. Goren.