Misconduct: Chapter 7

By: The Confused One

Rating: This chapter is probably in the K+ range.

Warnings: None Really.

Archive: If you want it, just let me know where I can visit it.

Summary: Alex and Deakins unveil the tape to Hensley and Huffines.

A/N: I'm incredibly sorry it's taken this long to get a chapter done. I swear the next one will be soon. I like this story. It's one that has a real plot. LOL I have a couple I'm sort of aimlessly writing. Anyway, I'm back. I'm going to get this story back up and running. I have no idea how many more chapters it will be, but I have the next couple chapters in my head. One will include a Bobby/Alex breakfast that may or may not include Deakins… can't decide. Let me know if you think he should be there or not. It'll sway me one way or the other. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

There was something about the whole situation that ate at James Deakins. He silently feared it wouldn't be fixed as easily as having these two IA guys listen to the tape of Jennifer and her father. He feared it was going to get worse. Deakins was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the knock at his door for a moment. He finally called out as the knock got louder, "Come in."

Alex opened the door and slipped inside. She was quite happy and relieved to see her Captain. She closed the door behind her and commented, "I was hoping you'd be early."

Deakins nodded as Alex sat down. He explained, "I couldn't sleep."

Alex immediately understood. She agreed, "I couldn't either."

Alex was nervous. This was it. She feared this was their one chance to clear Bobby, and she didn't want to screw it up. She could tell Deakins was a bit nervous himself.

The two fell into a deafening silence. Deakins worked, and Alex resisted the urge to pace. Then there was another knock at the door. Looking at Alex, Deakins called out, "Come in."

They were both surprised to see Bobby walk in. He closed the door behind him and apologized, "I couldn't stay home. I was restless. Sorry."

Deakins and Alex both understood. It was his career on the line. She smiled slightly as he sat down beside him. It actually calmed her, slightly. She always felt better when she saw Bobby, but it was one of those things she would never ever admit out loud. She assured her partner, "We're waiting for them to get here."

Deakins explained, "Monica, in the lobby, is going to call when they arrive."

Bobby nodded. He smiled slightly and explained, "She let me up here."

Deakins shook his head slightly. He almost groaned. Shaking his finger, he warned, "I didn't hear that Goren. I don't want to know these things because then I have to deal with them."

Bobby and Alex both smiled. Bobby apologized, "Sorry."

With a sigh, Deakins took a more serious turn, "I hope this works."

That's when Bobby told Deakins what he had told Alex the night before, "I got bad vibes from the interview yesterday. They tried to disassociate themselves from the brass and IA. I'm not sure what their game is, but I'm not sure they're really after the truth. I don't like it."

Deakins nodded in annoyed understanding. He forcefully promised, "If they blow us off, I'm going over their heads. I swear Bobby; I'm not letting this go."

Alex immediately chimed in, "I'm not dropping this either."

Bobby listened. He appreciated their determination and confidence, but a part of him worried. He had images of this spinning way out of control and hurting them too. He wasn't willing to risk that. Gesturing for effect, as always, he voiced his concerns, "I don't want you two getting hurt by this…"

Alex knew immediately where this was going, and she cut him off, "Listen to me. I'm not sure I even want to be here if good cops can get railroaded like this."

Deakins, wanting to defuse the situation, commented, "Besides, we're all getting a little ahead of ourselves. We still don't know what Hensley and Huffines are going to do."

Before anyone could reply, the phone rang. Eyeing his two detectives, Deakins answered it, "Deakins. Great. Thanks." Hanging up, Deakins sighed and announced, "They're here."

Alex stood up. She anxiously replied, "Good."

Deakins stood too. Grabbing the tape recorder and checking for the tape, he headed for the door. Turning back to face Bobby, who was still facing the desk, Deakins warned, "Stay here till we get back, and hands off my stuff Goren. I know how hard it is for you to keep your hands to yourself, but please try."

Bobby smirked, along with Alex. Bobby assured the Captain, "I'll be good." Bobby then heard the door close behind him. Deakins and Eames were gone. He took a deep breath.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Gregory Hensley and Dennis Huffines walked into the interrogation room. Dennis almost whispered, "You know it is possible Goren is innocent."

Gregory rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe how naive his partner could be. He snorted and replied, "Highly unlikely Dennis. Besides, you heard our boss. He wants results."

Dennis argued back, angrily, "He wants the truth Greg."

Gregory yelled, "He wants us to take Goren down. The brass wants Goren. Why not get some recognition and make a name for ourselves?"

Dennis argued back, "We're supposed to get the truth. That's what Goren deserves and what our superiors want. This job is not about making a name for ourselves. You're underestimating how the brass feels about Goren Greg."

Before Gregory could reply, Deakins and Eames stormed in. Gregory, irritated, yelled, "What the hell?"

Deakins, exasperated, ignored Gregory and explained, "We have something you two need to hear."

Dennis warily eyed Gregory and replied, "Go ahead. What is it?"

Gregory sighed and agreed, "Play it."

Deakins pulled out the tape recorder and hit play. Dennis was horrified as he heard Jennifer Irving talk to her father and admit everything. Once it was over, Dennis assured the Captain and his Detective, "This is good. It should…"

Gregory knew what Dennis was going to say, but he wasn't willing to give in yet. He quickly interrupted, "We'll talk to Miss Irving and her father about this today. We'll take it into account. But tell me, how did you come about this tape?"

Dennis spoke before Deakins or Alex could, "That's not important Greg." Turning his attention to Deakins and Alex he assured them, "We'll deal with the tape."

Thinking quick, Gregory added, "And we'll keep the tape."

Deakins watched Alex prepare to protest. He quickly intervened, "That's fine."

Before Alex could argue, Deakins had her out the door. She angrily yelled, "What was that? They have the tape now!"

Deakins tried extremely hard to ignore the disrespectful words. He explained, "I have more than one copy Eames."

Alex closed her eyes, realizing how stupid she had just acted. Letting the worry and anxiety dissipate, she apologized, "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about Goren. I don't trust them. They're IA."

Deakins nodded. He understood her worry. He knew as well as anyone that Bobby Goren didn't have an excessive amount of friends in IA or the Brass for that matter. He tried to assure Alex, "Not everyone is out to get him."

Alex took a deep breath. She knew he was right. It wasn't as grim as she sometimes worried. Even she actually understood it wasn't so much that the Brass disliked Bobby, they just got tired of the bad attention he could bring. After Brody, Nicole Wallace, Croyden, and others Bobby just gave them all migraines worrying what he would do next. Starting for Deakins office, she softly replied, "I have to tell him what happened."

Deakins touched her arm, stopping her. He reminded her, "We have to tell him."

Alex nodded. With that, they both headed silently back to Deakins' office.