A/N: I could not find exactly what I wanted as far as a restaurant in Times Square, so I invented one. The joy and flexibility of fiction :-) I do want to thank everyone who has reviewed this story. Your encouragement has made it more than what it was first planned to be and I am having a blast writing it! Thanks!

Logan studied the outside of the restaurant as they approached it. "'Trattorio Milano,'" he read. "Just the name makes me feel underdressed. Should I run home and put my tux back on?"

"You look fine, Mike," Barek answered.

Eames looked up at her partner. "What do you think?"

He almost smiled. "Good choice."

Logan looked at the big cop as Goren reached for the door. "Let me guess. This is one of those times we let them have their way."

Goren nodded as the women entered the restaurant. "Unless you want to find yourself eating at McDonald's."

Logan hesitated close to Goren and leaned in, softly saying, "I can afford McDonald's."

Goren smiled. "Don't worry about it."

"Goren…"

"It's fine. Just show your partner a good time, ok?"

"I don't want to owe you…"

"You won't." He gave Logan a gentle push through the doorway.

Eames and Barek were waiting. "Problem?" Eames asked.

Goren shook his head. "No."

They headed through a second set of doors into the restaurant proper.

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They were shown to their table, given menus and told, "Antonio will be your waiter. He will be with you shortly."

They opened their menus and after a moment, Logan shot a look Goren's way. The big cop was waiting for the look. He nodded at Logan and went back to the menu. Eames poked her partner and leaned toward him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just let it go."

She looked at him for a second before returning to her menu.

The waiter approached the table with a smile and announced, "My name is Antonio and I will be your waiter tonight. May I suggest a nice wine for your dinner?"

Logan winced. "I'll have coffee, thanks."

Goren agreed. "Coffee for me, too."

Eames and Barek laughed and ordered the wine. "Lightweights," Barek teased.

Goren just raised his eyebrows. Logan retorted, "I am not going in to work with a hangover, thank you. Goren can get away with not looking hungover. I can't. And I don't particularly want my ass hanging on Deakins' wall."

Antonio returned with their drinks and took their dinner orders. He said, "Our dance floor is now open. Feel free to take advantage of it. Our band is one of the best in the city."

It was Logan's turn to raise his eyebrows. "Didn't you two get enough dancing in last night?"

"Say what you will about either one of you," Barek answered. "You are both great dancers and we wanted to enjoy that again tonight. Problem?"

Logan shook his head. "Nope. That's fine with me."

"Good, then come on."

He took a drink of his coffee and got up, following his partner toward the dance floor. Eames looked at Goren. "What's wrong with Logan?"

"Nothing."

"Is he up to something?"

He was quiet for a moment. "He was a little concerned about coming up short, that's all. This place is a little on the expensive side."

"What did you tell him?"

"I just told him not to worry about it. It's fine, Eames."

She nodded. "I do want to ask you something, Bobby."

"Ok."

"Last night…when we were talking about those rumors Mike nearly got into that fight over…"

"What about them?"

"I hadn't heard that one rumor before."

"I know."

"What did you and Deakins do?"

"You really don't want to know."

"Yes, I do."

"Eames…."

"I want to know."

He looked down at his place setting and remained quiet for a few minutes before he said, "It was about a year, maybe a year and a half after we'd been partners. Deakins asked me about it. I told him I couldn't cross that line. Not with you."

"Why? Is something wrong with me?"

"No," he frowned, looking at her. His frown faded when he saw the teasing in her eyes. But he didn't smile. "I told him I would not put our partnership in jeopardy. I like being your partner, and it was good to find someone who would stay with me, who…understands me. I don't know if there's anyone else out there who can do that."

"Bishop liked you."

"Not enough to stay. I don't think I'd give her six months. I could see that in her eyes. I'm a lot to take over the long haul and I know it."

"It's not that bad, Goren."

"Not for you."

"So what did Deakins say?"

"He was relieved to finally find a partner I could work with. He's happy with our solve rate and the attention it brings to him. We're good for his career. He said…" He paused, looking around the room. "He said if we ever did cross the line, he didn't want to know about it. But as long as we continue to work like we always have, he's ok with turning a blind eye. I…I never approached the line because I can't read that part of you, Alex. So I left well enough alone, and I'm happy with how we are." He shifted uncomfortably and would not look at her. "He told me he talked with the COD, just so he would know any rumors along those lines are untrue. Big mouths and gutter-bound minds never put our partnership in jeopardy. The rumors about me, I ignore. The rumors about you, I can't."

"So you've spent the last, what, four years defending my honor behind my back?"

"I told you you didn't want to know."

She didn't know what to say. She wasn't angry with him…but she didn't quite know how she felt. As a woman, it was kind of nice to know the men who were the biggest part of her life watched out for her. As a cop, it made her furious that they had to. But she had no time to reply because Logan and Barek returned. "He was right," Barek said. "Their band is great. Why don't you guys give it a try before the food comes?"

Eames got up and nudged her partner. "Come on, Bobby."

He stood up and followed her from the table. Barek frowned after them. "Something just happened between them."

"What makes you think that?"

"I don't know. He looked troubled."

"Geez, Barek, he always looks troubled."