Disclaimer: I'm just taking them out for a test drive. I promise not to hurt the Hulk™ or the Waif™ in any permanent way. Just ask CC, I was nice to his creations, and I'll be nice to DW's too, maybe.
Thanks: To all the people who I have now hooked. And to my betas, for reassuring me that it didn't suck.
A/N: We now present, for your reading pleasure…
It's all too familiar; I've been here before – Finger Eleven
"So, I've attracted the attention of the local head shrinker? Wonderful."
"Look, Goren, she works with Victims' Assistance. She's one of us."
"Bullshit. She's an outsider. Have you ever worked with her before, Deakins?"
Jimmy shook his head. The hospital had not been good for Goren. He was surly, annoyed that he had lost valuable time hooked up to machines and badgered by medical professionals. Jimmy did not envy the woman they were going to meet.
In less than twenty-four hours the wrath of Goren had become common knowledge in the hospital.
"Deakins, are you even listening to me?"
"Yes, sir. Sorry. No, I haven't worked with her. But I know agents who have. She comes highly recommended."
Goren stopped, turning toward Jimmy. He stared hard at Jimmy's face, his head tilting slightly as he searched for any deception. He saw Jimmy swallow hard, his mannerism having its desired effect.
Satisfied that nothing was being withheld, Goren nodded and began walking again. He heard Jimmy jog to catch up with him, taking up position slightly behind and to the left. Goren smiled. Jimmy had good tactical instincts. That could come in handy.
Approaching their destination, Goren paused to read the name on the door placard.
"Alexandra Eames, Psy. D. Wonderful."
Goren straightened his tie and ran a quick hand through his hair and over his cheeks. Confident that he looked halfway presentable, he knocked on the door.
"Come in, " the muffled voice called.
Lowering his head, Goren opened the door and strode through. He extended his hand as he approached the desk. Putting on his most professional smile, he brought his head up to look at the room's occupant.
And stopped cold.
Before him stood the most beautiful woman he had seen in years. At least a foot shorter than he, her presence filled the room. Her brown eyes and her professionally tailored suit offset her short blonde hair.
Jimmy watched Goren stare at Dr. Eames and grinned. So, the amazing Agent Goren was a normal man after all. Won't people be surprised. Deciding it was time to set the room in motion again, Jimmy cleared his throat.
It was enough to goad Goren back into action. No longer faking his smile, he took the last step to the desk.
"Hello. I'm Supervisory Special Agent Robert Goren. You asked to see me?"
After shaking his hand, Alex smiled and gestured towards one of the chairs in front of her desk.
"And you must be Agent Deakins. Glad to be able to put a face to the name." Shaking Jimmy's hand, she gestured towards the other chair.
Seating herself, Alex admired the man sitting across from her. She had heard rumors of the stubbornly brilliant Goren from her colleagues in Washington. But she was unprepared for how impressively large and stunningly handsome he was. Remembering that he was here in a purely professional capacity, she started the meeting.
"Agent Goren, do you prefer to be addressed as Agent or Doctor?"
Hearing Deakins' swift exhale of air, Goren smiled. He kept his doctoral status under wraps but it was in his file. Apparently Deakins hadn't had time to read it yet.
"Whichever you are comfortable with."
"Well, if we are talking about comfort levels, how about I address you as Robert?"
Goren thought a moment, his hand straying to his cheek to rub the stubble growing there. Coming to a decision, he looked across the desk.
"Only if I may call you Alexandra."
"Actually, I prefer Alex."
"And I prefer Bobby."
Alex smiled, notching a win for her side. From reading Goren's file, she knew he was secretive, frequently playing his hand close to the belt. But he was also competitive, which she could use to her advantage.
"Shall we begin, gentlemen?"
TBC