Chap 2

"Dance?" she asked, though she knew what was coming.

"Yes, Dance."

"Just my father. He was on the force as well, so I guess I have seen an old cop dance."

"Then you're quite aware of what a treat you're in for," Martin said smugly.

"My dad was a bit younger than you when we last danced," she said.

At this Martin laughed madly. "Oh ho! Quick one, you are. You'll have to watch out for this one, Bobby. She's sharp."

Goren smiled. "You were talking about dancing, Jack? What kind of music, then?"

Detective Jack Martin rubbed his hands together with an evil grin on his face. "Ballroom."

Deakins choked on his glass of wine. Bobby's smile widened in amusement. Alex's look of total surprise was indescribable. Reynolds had an evil grin matching that of Martin.

The two old detectives looked at each other and smiled. "So, when does the circus start?" Alex asked.

"After Dinner- ah, speaking of which," he looked up at the plate descending by waiter's arm in front of him.

"Holy Crap," said Reynolds at the sight of the steak in front of him. "So this is where our budget for the year went."

"You're the ones who asked for steak and ballroom dancing," Bobby said smiling.

"You're going to take pleasure in this, aren't you, Detective?" Alex asked Bobby, smiling.

"I just like watching people," he said simply.

"Oh, so you're going to watch me fall on my ass, are you?"

"Heavens no," he said, looking up from his plate. "Chances are I'll contribute to the disaster as well."

"That's my boy, Bobby," Jack said, giving Bobby a hearty slap on the back.

They went through dinner discussing each other. Alex was asked all about her history with Vice, something the older men took great amusement in listening to. Alex was careful to watch Goren as she mentioned the various things she had done and witnessed. The only problem was that she could get no response from him. She didn't know why, she just wanted to see what his every reaction was like. It was almost a quest or game to her. What would he do?

Martin and Reynolds took turns reminiscing about life at Major Case, which, through their embellishments, almost seemed to rival that of Vice.

Bobby only said so much to give that he had just gotten to Major Case a few months ago and had served in the army some time ago. He was in no way shy; he just didn't seem as interested in himself as a subject of discussion as he was interested in others or others' past cases.

Deakins was enjoying himself too much not to join in the reminiscence about old cases and some of the weirdoes they had arrested. For some reason with cops it's all about the craziest dude they've ever dealt with. Alex, of course, had them all beat. Everybody loves to talk about sex.

Alex was not feeling so nervous now, especially since she seemed to have the two older detectives wrapped around her finger. She was starting to enjoy her power. For some reason though, she didn't seem to have Goren's attention either way- whether under her thumb, or a rebel. She just couldn't get him to respond. She was annoyed, but also too shy to pursue it, which puzzled her as well.

While she sat there puzzling about her fascination with Detective Goren, she was totally unaware that he was sitting there puzzling about his fascination with her. He noticed that she had gained her feminine power and was flexing it. It was true; he really did like to watch people.

Soon the music started and Martin was up and asking Alex to dance with him. "Dear, Detective Eames, this may be the only chance you get to dance at a police function with an older, handsome man."

"You sound like a greased pig, but I like it," she said with a grin. She kicked off her shoes and walked out onto the dance floor with Jack.

Bobby watched her walk off and said, "She took off her shoes."

Deakins just smiled and shrugged. He had to watch Eames too, you know. He had to see what she was like in order to try to find a good partner for her. Deakins was curious to see what he was getting. Eames made him laugh. It was going to be interesting to have her around.

Both men tried to watch her dance, but soon lost her in the crowd.

She came back several minutes later, looking thoroughly flushed and as if she had enjoyed herself.

"Bobby, she's all yours," said Jack Martin, holding out Alex's hand.

"Oh, no, really. I couldn't," she tried to say with a smile as she attempted to resist having her arm transferred to Goren's. She was almost sure he wouldn't take it. But then, she felt his hand close on hers, and her wrist released by Jack.

Goren slid smoothly from his chair and walked with Alex towards the crowd of (amateur) dancers. He placed his hand on her hip and they began to dance. This was by no means the fast paced expert ballroom dancing that people had come to expect; it was simply ballroom music, that didn't mean that the people dancing were pros.

"You're much better at this than Jack," she said.

"You're lying," he said, smiling at her.

"How can you tell that?"

"Because you looked me in the eye."

"Isn't that the sign of the truth?"

"But I bet you already knew that," he said.

"I did," she said looking him straight in the eye again. "And I wasn't lying."

They continued to dance, but they didn't say anything. They shamelessly took this as an opportunity to examine the other. They tried to analyze the other at the same time, which didn't really work. They just ended up looking at each other. The funny thing was that neither of them realized this is what was going on. All Alex could see was that Bobby was looking at her, watching her, following the curve of her dress with his eyes. All Bobby could see was Alex looking at him, listening to him, following his feet, and occasionally looking at his eyes with an odd fascination.

The music stopped, and Bobby and Alex stood where they were. Soon, they were greeted by a tall man in one hell of a tux. "Commissioner Rice," Bobby said.

"Nice to see you again, Detective Goren. Detective Eames, you have very pretty feet,"

"What- oh god." Alex blushed.

"It's ok. I totally understand," he said smiling. "So, met your new captain, yet?"

"Yes, sir, but if you don't mind my asking how you knew my name."

"Oh. I handled your promotion personally. I never forget a face- it was in your file. That and it's on your name tag," he said with another grin.

"Oh," she smiled. "Yes. I've met captain Deakins. He's really nice. Really smart."

"You bet your life on it. Man didn't get there for no reason," he said with pompous agreement. "Detective Goren, you got a partner yet?"

"No, sir."

"Ah, don't worry. Not everyone can think you're weird for ever."

Bobby forced a smile.

"Well, I'd better go mingle some more. Nice to talk to you both," he said before bouncing off to the next pair of Detectives.

Bobby looked at Alex. "You ok?" he asked.

"I can't believe I met the Commissioner with no shoes on," she said, gasping for breath.

"It was rather amusing," he replied. Alex looked at him through her gasps and suddenly smiled.