Disclaimer: Goren and Eames aren't mine. Emily Dimitrio is. Thank you, Dick Wolf.

Goren picked up the envelope, his hands shaking, determination etched into his face. He looked much older than his years, but on inspection, one could see the appeal in that face. The warmth behind the pain in those eyes. Eames came up behind him, blind to the attractiveness others saw, seeing only her partner's pain. She waited silently for him to finish reading.

"What is it?" she asked when he looked over at her.

Reading aloud, "I knew exactly how to get you here, didn't I? I amaze myself sometimes... it was sheer brilliance, as you would say, Bobby. Bringing your greatest adversary into the picture. Upping the stakes... I'm sorry I had to make you believe I was hurt... but, maybe I am hurt, Bobby, in ways that your best detective work could not figure out. If you still have it in you to face me, I'll be at the Hotel St. Francis at 7 pm. Come alone or I won't show my face." Goren finished, his entire demeanor changing. "Son of a BITCH!" he yelled, causing Eames to jump back.

Deakins appeared in the doorframe behind Eames. "What's the story?" Eames quickly filled him in, her attention half on Goren, who was pacing the room, ducking his head to examine objects on the shelves. Eames knew this dance - but never before had she been scared to see it commence. "What are you going to do, Goren?" Deakins asked, gently but as always, business-like.

"I'm going to solve the case. I'm going to solve the god damn case."

Goren strode into the lobby of the St. Francis at 6:58, his pulse racing but his head quite clear. Eames sat outside on a bench, at her own insistence. "Eames, you have no business here. You're taking a risk that's not necessary," Goren had pleaded. She had brushed off his concerns. "I'm your partner, Bobby. We're in this together." Goren had expressed his discomfort, but inside he was relieved. He had strength somehow, knowing that Eames would be there for him.

Goren took a seat on a bench, discreetly flashing his badge when approached by a security guard. The guard nodded and continued on his way. The minutes crawled by, but a calm patience had overtaken Goren. At 7:05, a woman crossed the lobby, her curly hair unkempt, her steps quick and determined. Goren was staring at the floor, seeing only a pair of shining combat boots approaching him. His heart leapt at the sight of the woman he loved, but he kept his face impassive. She sat down next to him on the bench, staring straight ahead and not speaking. Goren turned his head slightly, taking in her face and steadying himself.

"Emily." At the sound of his own voice, Goren startled. He wasn't aware of it, but he spoke.

"Bobby," she countered, turning to face him. He drew his breath in sharply as his eyes met hers, that mish-mosh of green, gray, and brown. The eyes he had seen so much in. He pulled himself out of his reverie, forcing himself to look at her as any other perp - forcing himself to forget the sight of sickening red, split skin, pink water.

"What are we doing here?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You're solving a crime." she answered, a smile playing at her lips.

"What are you doing?" he asked, gaining his footing at last.

"Ah, Bobby... excuse me, Detective. Why should I just offer that information up? Shouldn't you work for a confession?" Emily turned away from Goren again.

"We really shouldn't talk without your lawyer. Why don't you accompany me down to my office?" Emily smiled, and at the sight of it Goren almost relented, almost cried 'Whatever you did, I don't care. Run now.'

"Why, that sounds splendid, Detective," she answered, the smile fading somewhat as Goren stood and grabbed her arm, pulling her up beside him.

Eames sat outside, wondering what was happening inside the lobby, wishing again that Bobby had worn a wire. Her eyes stayed trained on the hotel entrance, but she didn't expect what she saw. Bobby was exiting the building, his hand around a brown haired woman's arm. Eames was struck by the woman's appearance. She was a good seven inches shorter than Goren, medium build, unexceptional in every way. She had been expected a raving beauty, given the power she seemed to have had over Goren. It wasn't until they got closer that Eames saw the woman's eyes. Eames stood to greet them as they got closer.

"Emily Dimitrio, this is Detective Alex Eames," Goren introduced them. Eames extended her hand, but Emily did not. Eames shrugged and led the way back to the SUV. Goren climbed into the backseat with Emily. He sat on the edge of his seat, Emily on the edge of hers, Eames noted. They didn't look at each other or speak as Eames eased the SUV into traffic.