Chapter Ten: Catching Up

Disclaimer: I don't own L&O. I own Emily's character. She's growing on me.

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but I've got a lot going on with the new quarter starting at school. Thanks for the reviews and such.

Eames, Deakins, and Carver all stood in the observation room, looking once again at Emily Dimitrio sitting in interrogation. This time, she was with a different lawyer, and Goren was nowhere to be found. Since Eames had tried to comfort him on the roof, he'd disappeared. She tried to tell herself he was just embarrassed at being seen crying, but she knew there was something more - something he couldn't find it in himself to tell her.

"What's the move, Mr. Carver?" Eames asked, breaking the silence between them.

"I suppose we can't wait for Detective Goren." Eames sighed and nodded. She knew he was right, but making a deal with Emily without Goren present made her uncomfortable. Deakins looked at her.

"Alex, I know how you feel. But we have no idea where he went. The guy was a wreck. Work probably isn't first on his list right now." Even as he said it, Deakins knew it wasn't true. Work was always first on Goren's list. Eames didn't respond, but left the room with Carver on her heels. They entered interrogation and took seats at the table, each of them less than enthusiastic. Emily looked back and forth between them.

"Where's Detective Goren?"

"We don't know. Now, let's talk about your confession."

"Uh.. Okay. Well, I already made my statement. I killed him because he was using me and treating me badly."

"Why didn't you just tell us that when we first brought you in?"

"I thought I might get away with it… I thought I could live with myself. But I can't. I don't want to be unpunished."

"That's very noble," Carver interjected. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Look, let's talk about a deal. She's confessed. She's tried to be cooperative."

"Cooperative? She's made a game out of it! She's tortured the best detective in this department!" Eames exploded.

"My client admits that she has a personal history with Detective Goren, and for this reason her dealings with him should be forgiven."
"Forgiven? She murdered someone and then strung us all along for her own amusement! She's put him through so much, I'm not forgiving anything!"

"Detective," Carver warned. Eames took a deep breath and tried to focus. She wasn't going to make the captain very happy carrying on like she was.

"Detective Eames, I know what I did doesn't make much sense to you - it doesn't make much sense to me, either. Believe it or not, I care a great deal for Detective Goren. I didn't want to hurt him, I only wanted him to realize a few things. I'm sorry that I got carried away. But I have admitted it now, and I would like to resolve this whole matter so I can be punished and forgotten." Emily delivered this speech in measured tones, as if she were on the verge of tears. She stared down at the table. Eames looked over at Carver, who nodded.

"Murder 2, 25 to life."

"Okay." Emily answered before her lawyer could open his mouth. Deakins rapped on the glass and Eames stood up, casting a glance back at Emily, who met her eyes and shrugged. Eames shook her head. Figures Bobby would be in love with a crazy woman. It would be a constant challenge for him. Maybe that's why she played games, Eames mused. Maybe she wanted to keep him interested. Eames whirled around and stared at Emily. "Did you murder Damon Sanders to play with Bobby?" Emily looked surprised. A cynical smile came to her lips.

"No, I didn't."

"What the hell was that, Alex?" Deakins asked as Eames came into observation.

"She didn't do it, Captain! She's lying."

"Oh, god, are you developing Goren's gut now?"

"No… look, everything she's done has been to get Goren. She staged being suicidal on the roof to get him to come there, she brought in Nicole Wallace to throw him off… she's totally fixated on him."

"So maybe she murdered him to get him on the case," Deakins said.

"You just heard her. She said she didn't."

"Well, maybe she was lying. Look, Alex, I know you don't want to hurt Goren - I don't either. But, the facts stand."

"What facts, Captain? We have no forensic evidence, we have no clear motive. There's not even a strong connection between the victim and Emily. He apparently used hundreds of girls. The only thing going for her is a confession."

"Exactly. Why would she confess to a murder she didn't commit?"

"She's protecting somebody."

"And I bet Goren is off finding out who."

"Captain, get in there and tell Carver not to make any deals!" Eames sprinted out of the room.

"Where are you going?"

"To find my partner."