A/N: One last transition chapter before the confrontation. I had to bring Carver in...we don't see him enough. Next chapter...Nicole!

Ron Carver sat at his desk, looking from one detective to the other. "I don't think I have to tell either one of you how uncomfortable I am about you meeting with Ms. Wallace."

"You should know by now, Mr. Carver, that we would not do anything to mess up your case against her," Goren argued.

"Do you remember the Tagman case, detective? Or Father McShale?"

Goren shifted uncomfortably. "That was different."

"Given your long history of animosity toward Ms. Wallace, I'm afraid I cannot accept your guarantees."

"Then take mine, Mr. Carver," Eames offered.

"Detective Eames, this woman kidnapped your children, injured your daughter and your father, shot you and two other detectives, and nearly killed your partner. And you want me to put you and your loose cannon of a partner in a locked room with her and trust that neither of you will tear her apart?"

"Yes. I can control my loose cannon here."

Carver started to shake his head, knowing how close Goren was to his daughter and how unpredictable he could be. He didn't want to add fuel to this particular fire. Goren huffed impatiently. "Fine," he said. "Have the guards remain then. I don't care. I need this closure, Mr. Carver. I need for her to see, once and for all, that she didn't win." He hesitated before adding, "We're trying to do this right, coming to you to set this up. We want her in prison, where she can't harm anyone else. We won't jeopardize your case."

"Even if I seek the death penalty?"

"That's your call. I won't interfere. She has no remorse for her crimes. She carried them out with cold, calculated premeditation. I have no doubt that Nicole belongs on death row."

"So I have your word, then, detective?"

"Yes, sir. You do."

Carver tented his fingers in front of him before finally sighing. He had given in to Eames on the phone and set up the meeting, but second thoughts had plagued him. That led to the two detectives coming in to see him. "Very well, detectives. Tomorrow at 2. But I am coming along with you, and Ms. Wallace's attorney will be present as well."

"That's fine." Goren had no fears about confronting Wallace in front of Carver. He had no intention of losing his cool. That's why Eames was going to be with him. "Thank you, Mr. Carver."

The front door opened and, as usual, Maggie burst into the room. "Grandpa! We're here!"

He looked up from his chair, where he set aside the paper he was reading. "Come here, princess."

He held his arms out and she ran into them. He held her close. "I missed you, Grandpa."

"I missed you, too. Did you like Boston?"

"We had fun with Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn, but I'm glad Daddy gotted outta the hopsital."

"So am I."

He set her down and got up from the chair, taking Tommy from his mother when he threw himself toward his grandfather with an excited squeal. "Here's my happy little guy." He kissed his daughter's cheek and held a hand out to his son-in-law. "How are you two doing?"

"We're fine, Dad. How are you?"

"Good as new." He set the baby down to play with his sister. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"We have to do this," Goren said quietly.

John met his eyes. "Be careful, Bobby."

Goren nodded. "I know. She's not going to cause any more harm, John. I promise."

"She knows just how to make her words cut you."

"I have armor this time."

He kissed his wife's head and John smiled. "I hope so."

Eames turned to the children. "You guys behave. Daddy and I will be back later."

Maggie ran over to them and kissed her mother. Then she jumped at her father. He caught her, lifting her into his arms, and she squeezed his neck. "Don't let the mean lady hurt you again, Daddy."

"Don't worry, mouse. She won't."

He kissed her cheek and set her down. She went over to the toybox and knelt beside her brother. "Tell Mommy and Daddy bye, Tommy."

The baby waved his hands in the air and babbled. Eames walked over to him and picked him up to kiss him. Goren leaned over her shoulder and the baby touched his mouth. He let the little fingers slip past his lips and the baby giggled. He kissed his son's head and Eames set him back on the floor. "Let's get going." She kissed her father. "I'll call you, Dad."

"Just be careful."

"We will."

They headed out of the house and closed the door behind them.

They checked in at the prison, handed over their weapons and made certain their badges were in plain sight. They were taken to an interview room, where Carver was quietly talking to Bernard Shaeffer, Wallace's court-appointed attorney. Carver looked up when they came in. He came forward to shake their hands, followed by Shaeffer. Carver studied Goren as he greeted the defense attorney. He looked calm. He knew how Goren got when he was agitated, and he didn't seem that way at all. He looked tired, but he often did. His eyes shifted to Eames, always calm and composed. She seemed more nervous than her partner, but not unreasonably so.

They took their seats and waited for Wallace to be brought in.