When they got to his apartment, Logan headed into the kitchen while Goren paced the living room impatiently. Coming back into the living room with two beers, he handed one to the other cop and asked, "Do you ever settle down?"

"I can't…I just…I have to keep moving."

"Why?"

Goren just shook his head. Logan wouldn't understand. Hell, Eames didn't even understand his restless energy. Logan opened the bottle and said, "Pacing a hole in my floor isn't going to make the phone ring any sooner. Did you sleep at all last night?"

"No."

"You'd better sleep tonight. If we're gonna confront your psycho tomorrow, you'll need to be sharp. Besides, I have orders from the captain to make sure you get at least a few hours before we take off half-cocked for the damn shore."

Goren sat down on the chair near the couch. He studied Logan, who was uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "What is this to you, Logan? It's not your fight."

"I told you yesterday, I like your partner. She's a good cop and face it, man, you need her. I'm not sure if I like you yet or not, but I do know I like you better when she's around. You're too damn fidgety."

Goren understood that. Even Eames had not taken to him immediately. They'd had their share of misunderstandings as they got to know each other. He knew that more than once she had been ready to pound him. That still happened…but it was rare. Goren sighed. "I'm not comfortable dragging you into this. You don't know Nicole Wallace."

"You're not dragging me anyplace, Goren. I'm coming along willingly. You always have Eames to back you up, and facing Wallace alone is simply a very bad idea. I don't want anything bad to happen to Eames, or to you, because you didn't have the backup you needed." He took another drink. "Besides, she's going to expect you to come alone. That will give us an edge, maybe even enough of one to come out of it with our skin intact."

Goren looked at the half-empty bottle in his hands. "Promise me one thing, Logan."

"What's that?"

"Promise me that when it comes down to the wire, you'll watch out for my partner. I don't really…It doesn't matter what happens to me, as long as she's okay."

Logan studied him for a long time. "You're serious."

"Of course I am. I mean, I'm not looking to not come out of this, but if it comes to a choice between Eames or me, don't hesitate. Protect her, no matter the cost to me. You got that?"

"I don't like this."

"Neither do I. But Wallace is unpredictable. And she's got it in for me. This is a battle of wits that just is not going to end well. I expect to walk away from it, but with Wallace, you never know." He met Logan's eyes. "I have to know that you're watching out for Eames. If you're going to come along, that's what I need you to do. You said you like her, and you're not sure about me. That's fine. I'm giving you a job you can do."

Logan was uncomfortable with this conversation. "I guess until this minute I didn't realize that maybe I do like you. I'm not comfortable walking into the lion's den with orders to let you fall, Goren."

"Then stay here. I don't need your help."

"Bullshit."

"I want your word."

Logan took a deep breath. "All right. I promise. I'll watch out for your partner. I just hope you realize she's going to kick my ass all over the Tri-State area for not watching out for you."

Goren almost smiled. He was right about that; Logan did know his partner. "Fine. Get her to safety, then you can help me out, if there's any way for you to do that. Can you live with that?"

Logan smiled. "Yeah, I can live with that." He got up and went into the kitchen, tossing his empty bottle in the trash. He pulled another out of the fridge and returned to the living room, handing it to Goren. "Drink that, and maybe you can unwind a little. Get some sleep and we'll get rolling as soon as we hear from Fish and Wildlife. And don't you dare take off without me, or I won't give Wallace a chance to get you. Got it?"

Goren nodded. "Got it."

Logan leaned closer. "If you want to save your partner's life, you have a better chance with me than without me. And if you want me watching out for her, I need to be with you."

The big detective nodded. "I'll be here when you get up."

"You gonna sleep?"

"I'll try."

He hit Goren in the shoulder, a gesture of friendship. "See you in the morning. Blankets are in the hall closet if you need one."

He headed down the hall and disappeared into his bedroom. Goren sat back with the fresh beer and frowned. Maybe Logan understood him better than he thought, because it had crossed his mind to take off before he got up. But he had a good point. This wasn't about him, or even Wallace, at the moment. It was about finding his partner and bringing her home alive. And like it or not, it looked like he would need Mike Logan to do that.