They took the SUV again, and Eames slid behind the wheel. "So, Goren, why do you let your partner do the driving?" Logan asked.
"Because she likes to," he replied simply.
"And you always let her do what she likes?"
Goren smiled and looked sideways at Eames. "Yes, I do. She puts up with me; the least I can do is let her have her way." He looked over his shoulder at Logan. "It's not a bad idea to keep your partner happy."
Barek crossed her arms and looked at her partner. "I think he makes good sense."
"Ok," Logan replied. "You can do all the driving from now on."
Goren raised his eyebrows and looked at his partner. She was trying not to smile. "Keep it up, Logan," she said. "You'll be taking the subway."
"I'm feeling a little ganged up on here. Jump in whenever you feel like it, Goren."
"Mike," Goren said. "You have a lot to learn about working with your partner."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? I never heard any complaints from my past partners."
Goren turned in his seat. He looked at Barek, then back at Logan. "She looks just a little different from your past partners."
"How so?" Barek asked.
Eames smiled. "His past partners have been men."
"Now I am being ganged up on," Logan complained.
"Oh, quit whining," Barek retorted. "You asked for it."
After a moment, Goren said, "It's not the same, having male partners."
"What makes you say that, Goren?" Eames asked.
Sensing he was entering a minefield, he backed off. "Never mind."
"No, I want to hear your rationale."
He looked out the passenger window, but he didn't answer. Logan said, "I get your drift. A male partner won't kick your ass for not answering him. Ow!"
Barek had smacked him. "Damn straight, and don't you forget it."
"Well, there goes your good night kiss."
"My what?"
Goren started laughing. Logan frowned. "What the hell are you laughing at?"
"Ever have a conversation like that with Lennie?"
"Shut the hell up, Goren."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Eames parked the car and Goren looked at her, eyebrows raised. "Times Square?"
"Why not?"
He shrugged in deference to her choice. "Where are we eating?"
"Want to take a guess?"
Logan leaned forward. "You guys play this game often?"
Goren looked at him. "All the time." His eyes shifted back to Eames. "Who chose the restaurant?"
"Carolyn and I both did."
"Want to take a guess, Logan?" Barek asked.
"No. I'll watch the genius at work here."
Goren looked at his partner. "Italian."
She laughed. "You know me too well. Want to guess the restaurant?"
"Surprise me."
Logan opened his door. "As if that's possible. Do you know what she's going to order, too?"
Barek looked at her partner. "Jealous, Mike?"
"Of?"
"Their relationship."
He leaned back in to look at the trio still in the car. He looked like he was about to say something, then changed his mind. "Not at all."
They got out of the car and Barek confronted him. "That's not what you were going to say."
"Yes, it is." She looked at him warily, and he smiled at her. "Let's go eat."