Disclaimer: And I still do not own Law and Order Criminal Intent, nor have the intent to use it for profit.

Author's Notes: Sorry about the long pauses between the chapters. I'm actually working to do well in school and trying to put together some sort of social life so I find myself having less and less time to write. That, and there has been a major lack of inspiration. So, here is another chapter, enjoy.

Extra note: Spacing may be a bit messed up in this chapter because hates me and I'm too tired to mess with it.

Take Three

February 2nd, 2006

3:40pm

Interview with Tara Veil

Detective Goren: Hey there Tara. Thank you for taking time our of your schedual to come and talk with me. I'm sure you have a lot of homework piled up at home.

Tara Veil: Not really, and it's really no problem. I want you to catch the guy who did this to Jennifer, so I'm always willing to help.

Detective Goren: Alright, mind telling me what went on at your study group that night?

Tara Veil: Sure. It started off as usual. We all met up at 8 o'clock to study for an upcoming Math test.

Detective Goren: Who all attended?

Tara Veil: Well, Jennifer of course...Conner Bergivin, Sam McPhearson, Stacey Waterston and Amy Bradstone. Everyone who was supposed to show up.

Detective Goren: Did anyone who wasn't part of the study group show up?

Tara Veil: Well, yeah. Amy brought this college guy. We all thought he was her boyfriend or something. We let him hang around just because he seemed pretty cool at first...

Detective Goren: What made him not seem so..cool?

Tara Veil: When he started hitting on Jennifer. She was trying to study, and he kept touching her knee...and trying to get her to pay attention to him.

Detective Goren: How did she react?

Tara Veil: Told him to leave her alone, that she was trying to study.

Detective Goren: How did he react?

Tara Veil: He took a big hit to his ego I think.

Detective Goren: Did he stop bothering her?

Tara Veil: No. He didn't leave her side the whole time. He even followed her up to the bathroom. Finally I got my Dad and Conner to..escort him off the premesis.

Detective Goren: And what about Amy, how was she acting?

Tara Veil: She seemed kind of...bothered by the way he was acting. She apologized for it and then we all got back to quizzing each other.

Detective Goren: Did you ever get the guy's name?

Tara Veil: Um..Andrew...Berkly I think. I'm not sure though, you'll have to ask Amy.

Detective Goren: Alright, did Andrew leave you guys alone the rest of the night?

Tara Veil: He never showed up in person.

Detective Goren: What does that mean?

Tara Veil: Well, Jennifer kept getting these weird text messages. Saying that whoever was sending him knew where she lived, that he'd find her, that they were meant for each other.

Detective Goren: Did you know who they were from?

Tara Veil: No...but we just assumed it was Andrew.

Detective Goren: And how did Jennifer react to the messages?

Tara Veil: She just smiled about it, didn't seem scared or bothered.

Detective Goren: About what time did she leave?

Tara Veil: Close to 11pm.

Detective Goren: Did anyone walk her home?

Tara Veil: No. Conner tried to convince her to let him walk her home, but she refused and slipped out while the boys had a little pow wow.

Detective Goren: Alright. Anything else about that night that stick out to you?

Tara Veil: Not really..

Detective Goren: Okay, thank you for helping us out.

Tara Veil: No problem.

End Interview

Detective Alex Eames ceased to type and popped her knuckles, glancing up at her partner who was doodling idly on a piece of paper.

"What, is there not enough paperwork for you?" she inquired, brows raising.

"I'm thinking." came his answer before he fell silent in concentration, continuing to doodle.

"Thinking...right." Eames shook her head and glanced over at their counterparts. Detective Mike Logan kept glancing up at his partner about every 5 minutes, while Barek simply ignored him. Alex ran a hand through her hair, trying to figure out exactly what had happened between the two. She was jogged out of her thoughts when a balled up piece of paper landed on her desk. Un-crinkling it, she gave her partner a skeptical look.

"You don't want your masterpiece?" she asked.

"No. I don't like it." and without another word he began drawing again.

"Weirdo.." Eames muttered.

"You are just jealous." Goren answered.

"Right, keep thinking that buddy." the two finally fell silent.

It was later that evening, and Carolyn Barek was in her apartment, lounging on her couch. Upon her lap was a black cat with white ears and paws who was purring contently. The brown-haired female stroked the cat idly, staring at the TV but not really watching it. She jumped and was brought out of her thoughts as there was a knock at the door. A larger cat, whom was lurking in the shadows, glanced over at the door, before looking to Carolyn as if asking, 'Are you going to get that?' Sighing, the detective gently shoved the feline on her lap off onto the couch and stood, stretching, before padding over to the door. She wasn't surprised to see Logan standing there as she opened the door. Emerald eyes met brown as the two just watched each other for a moment.

"Are you going to let me in?" he asked softly, brows raising in question.

"I guess." came her answered as she stepped back, letting her partner in. Closing the door behind him, she leaned against it, watching him. "What's up?"

"Like you don't know." came his answer.

"Sorry Logan, I can't read minds." she replied, brushing past him as she made her way to the couch, plopping down on it. The large cat that was lurking in the shadows slunk out and brushed up against Mike's legs with a rather loud, 'mrow'. The detective blinked down at the cat, bending down and stroking it a few times before he moved and took a seat beside his partner.

"Seriously though Barek." he stated after a moment of silence. "You do know why I'm here, don't you?" he asked.

"I'm going to take a stab at it and guess it's because of what happened earlier today in Deakins' office." Do I win?" she inquired, glancing down at the floor where the large cat was sitting, watching her with inquisitive blue eyes.

"Why did you take the blame for it?" he questioned.

"Because I was the one pretty much leading the whole thing. You just followed my lead."

"Are you saying I can't work on my own?"

"Oh yeah Logan, that's it. You can't work on your own, I think you need me, that's why I'm taking a chance at being suspended." she answered, tone dripping with sarcasm. He resisted the urge to growl and leaned back, blinking as the small black feline stepped up onto his lap and curled up there, purring. Sighing, he gently stroked the cat, glancing at his partner.

"Seriously though Barek...Carolyn.." he paused, "Why are you taking the heat for this?"

"Because you don't need another red check on your record." she answered softly, leaning her head back to rest on the back of the couch.

"Is that the whole reason why you are taking the full fall?" he asked.

"What more do you want me to say Mike?" she inquired, glancing at him. "I'm your partner, and I'm willing to take the fall for this one to protect you. I..." she sighed. "I care about you Mike, you are my partner..." she couldn't look at him anymore and ended up focusing on the wall, trying to ignore the pair of emerald eyes that were boring holes in the back of her head. Leaning forward, the older detective brought his mouth beside her ear.

"Thank you for doing this Carolyn." he whispered gently, his warm breath brushing over her sensitive ear. Slight amusement flickered in his emerald eyes as he watched a shiver run down his partner's spine.

"Mike.." she whispered in return, seeming slightly unsure about what was going on as she glanced back at him. Leaning forward, Logan closed the distance between the two, pressing his lips against his partner's in a gentle kiss. The two broke apart a moment later and Barek watched him, seeming a little nervous. "I.." she sighed and looked away. Mike took her chin in his fingers and gentle tilted her head back towards him, brown eyes meeting emerald as he came in for another kiss.

This time, they didn't break apart.