Author's Note: Thanks for all the positive reviews. Here's part two of this story - look for the companion piece in a few days.
Disclaimer: Like I said before, I don't own anything related to LO:CI, not even the DVD's. Don't shoot the writer.
Bobby Goren
I was as excited as I would let myself be. This was going to be our most important date in the one year, six months, one week, and four days since I had asked her out. I had wanted to ask her out the minute that she passed the six month mark, but I figured that I had a good thing, and I really didn't want to screw it up. Even after I knew that she was interested, I kept my distance. It was nice to have someone flirt with me, try to catch my attention. Needless to say, she already had it.
Eames had everything that I needed in a partner. She knew when to back off, she knew when I needed help, and she knew how to keep me from losing my edge when things got rough. You had to admire her when we had a case that really got to me – like Nicole Wallace. I felt so stupid when I continually lost to her, lost the razor sharp edge that I never lost with anyone else. But Eames always knew, when to bring me back, how to help me stay sane. We were a team, and now we were in more ways than one.
I imagine that she is pacing her apartment, trying to figure out what makes this date that much more special than all of the other ones. She won't like the fact that I still have the power to make her squirm, while I relish it. Over our partnership (both professional and personal), so much has changed, it is almost impossible to determine who has the upper hand. But now the ball was in my court, figuratively speaking. And I was determined to make the most of this opportunity.
I went into the closet and pulled out my best suit. It was one that Alex had helped me to pick out last month. I haven't worn it yet. I know that she sees it in my closet every time she comes over, and wants to ask why I paid so much if I wasn't going to wear it. But she won't. That much I know about her.
I pull out the suit, and lay it carefully on my bed. I follow it with a perfectly pressed white shirt, a royal blue tie with silver stripes, black socks, and my dress shoes. Which, I must say, have picked up quite an impressive shine. Then, I undress. I have to take a shower and shave, though she says she loves the stubble. But I see the beard burn when we kiss. And while she might not mind, I don't want to do anything that would cause her pain.
After a quick shower, I wrap a towel around my waist and stand in front of the mirror. Taking my badger brush, soap mug, and razor, I carefully lather my face. Normally I just use the electric razor that Deakins bought me for Christmas last year (I think that might have been a hint.), but it never did as well as an old fashioned razor. Once I had finished shaving, I wiped my face carefully, making sure that I got all of the foam. I even checked inside my ears, because men have a tendency to get shaving foam there. I'll admit it.
I brushed my hair and my teeth, being as meticulous as always but a bit faster, I splashed on some aftershave and headed into the bedroom. I wanted everything to go perfectly, wanted this night to be perfect so badly that it hurt. Dressing quickly, I made sure that I had everything that I needed. Flowers, check. Reservation at Tiomaggio's, check. Feeling in my jacket pocket, I smiled and headed out the door. It was a quick drive to Eames' apartment, made even quicker by the limousine that I had hired for the night. When I said this night was going to be special, I meant it.
I let myself into her apartment building. In the elevator, I started to seriously re-consider my decision. Stop it Goren. You're freaking ridiculous. I chuckled, a sound that evidently startled the little old lady in the corner, because she started to tip over. "Oh, I'm so sorry ma'am. Let me help you." I straightened her up and then got off.
Breathe Goren. Breathe. But when she opened the door, all thoughts of breathing left my head. "Wow" I managed, knowing that it sounded weak even as I said it. I could feel my pulse quicken, and my heart was pounding loudly in my head. As she went to put the flowers in a vase, I found her wrap and held it open for her. I liked to think that I would have done all this for any other woman, but I knew the truth. I would only do it for Eames – I was only loved by Alex Eames.