Goren snored softly on the couch as Eames came out of the bedroom early the next morning. She watched him sleep for a few minutes before she went into the kitchen to start the coffee. She heard his phone ring and she came back into the living room as he answered it. "Goren," he said groggily.

"Aw, did I wake you, Bobby?"

He sat up, stifling a groan as the sudden movement flared the pain below his ribs. Eames saw his reaction and felt her heart start to pound. He motioned for her to come closer, to listen in on the call. She sat beside him and rested her head against his, listening. "Are you there, Bobby?"

"I'm here."

"Did you think I'd died in the ocean?"

"No. We wouldn't be that lucky."

"Now that wasn't very nice."

"I'm through with nice. You stabbed me, Nicole."

"Yes. And I saw that you survived. How did that happen?"

"I got lucky."

"Really? Just how did you get lucky? That should have been a lethal wound."

He looked at Eames before he answered, "She didn't leave, and she's…not going to."

He could hear the wicked smile in her voice. "You did surprise me, Bobby, bringing that other detective with you. What ever possessed you…?"

"He insisted."

"You've made another friend. How nice for you. I'll have to remember that. Say hello to your partner for me. I hope she…enjoyed my 'hospitality.' Good-bye, Bobby…for now."

The line went dead. He snapped the phone closed and dropped it on the coffee table. "Well, now we know."

"I'll be sure to let Logan know she wasn't shark bait."

"I'm going in with you."

"Bobby…"

He met her eyes. "Until we get you moved into a new apartment, I don't want you going anywhere alone."

"Bobby…"

"I mean it."

She thought about it for a minute. "All right. But I don't want you being alone either." He studied her and she leaned closer. "Remember, you agreed."

"I knew that was going to come back to haunt me. I just didn't think it would be so soon." She smiled, but he could tell she was worried. "I let my guard down once. I won't make that mistake twice."

"I know that. Bobby, I became a target because I'm close to you. Is Logan going to be a target, too, now?"

Goren nodded. "Probably."

"We'd better get into the squad and let him know."

He nodded. As she got up to head toward the bedroom to get ready, he slipped his hand into hers. "I…I am sorry. I would have preferred being her only target."

"I know you would have. But why not spread the wealth? Maybe we'll get her next time."

"I…hate that there has to be a next time."

"So do I." She laid a hand on his scruffy cheek. "We'll just have to be ready, never let her catch us off guard again."

She headed down the hall. He sat on the couch, his head in his hands. Like a demon cat with nine times nine lives, Nicole Wallace was out there, and he dreaded their next encounter, because she had more blood on her hands now…his blood. And he knew there was nothing she wouldn't do to exact more revenge on him…on his partner…and now on Logan, who was the sole reason he and Eames were not dead, and by extension, his partner. Damn…

Fin.