"Ugh, I've gotta get out of these shoes." Eames was leaning against the elevator wall as it climbed up to Goren's floor.
He grinned and glanced at her outfit. They were undercover, and both had dressed like they might if they were on a date, or as two people might be dressed if they weren't cops and happened to be sitting in a car together at night. She wore a knee length skirt that flared slightly, a sleeveless scoop neck t-shirt under a fitted sweater. Her shoes were something else entirely. They were a baby doll style, black velvet with a faux diamond studded buckle, and three inch heels.
"Want me to carry you the rest of the way, or do you think you can manage?"
"You wouldn't carry me, anyway."
"You're right. If you want liquor, you'll just have to crawl."
"You're a cruel man, Goren. Anyone ever tell you that? A cruel man, with a nasty mean streak."
"You're just grumpy because I'm threatening to deny you alcohol."
"You know me too well."
The elevator dinged to a stop and the doors slid open.
"Come on, soldier." He put out his arm and she leaned on him, walking slowly towards his apartment together.
"Wow, I'm beat."
"It's been a crazy week."
"I think 'ridiculous' is a more appropriate description."
"Talbot?"
"Bingo."
He unlocked his door and she leaned against the wall, looking up at him.
"Hey.. were you serious about your theory?"
"Which one?"
"About small guys?"
"And why they like petite women?" He laughed. "Yeah. Actually."
Eames shook her head, laughing quietly. "So.. what's your excuse, then?"
"Ah ah.. we aren't drunk yet."
"OH. I forgot, there's a procedure to asking inappropriate and potentially regrettable questions."
"Of course."
He ushered her inside, where she immediately plopped down on his couch and took off her shoes. He went into the kitchen, returning moments later with a pack of cigarettes, and the take out menu.
"Oh shoot.." Eames took the folded menu from him.
"What?"
"We forgot the frozen pina colada stuff."
"I'm sure we'll manage. I've got stuff in the fridge."
"Listen, Bobby, you're a great detective, but making things from scratch isn't your strong suit."
"Fear not, my patient and lovely partner. I have daiquiri mix."
"Can you hand me the remote? I want the Aloo Gobi and samosas."
"Yes, your highness. Right away your highness."
"Don't mock me, you've yet to pour me that promised drink."
"A drink you may have. The remote, not so much."
"A gentleman on the surface, but underneath it all, a regular man." She stretched out on the couch and yawned.
"No falling asleep. You can have the remote until I come back. Use it wisely."
"Oh calm down, I'm not going to try and eat it or something. I can wait for the food to get here."
"Maybe you shouldn't be left alone with my possessions."
"Get out of here."
He pretended to watch her suspiciously until he disappeared from view into the kitchen and called in the order. She channel surfed in the mean time. Goren had all the fun channels, like SciFi, Discovery, a handful of the HBOs and some of the more adult channels, like Cinemax. She grinned as paused on a stand up routine, and then switched to a crime drama.
"I love this show."
"Which one?"
"Crime and Punishment: Major Case."
"Ooh yeah I always get a kick out of that. And Columbo--" He paused as an operator picked up. "For delivery. Sure."
"You like Columbo?"
"I love Columbo. I used to watch it all the time with my dad when I was a kid."
"I was a Columbo nut. I want the dvds."
"I have-- Yeah, a number fourteen, a number 37 ... yeah."
She tuned him out as he finished the order and watched the beginning of the show.
"Alex? You fall asleep on me?"
"Noo.. I just tuned you out while you were on the phone."
"Do you want daiquiris, or pina coladas? I have both mixes, as it so happens."
"Oh yay! I vote for pina coladas."
"Shocking."
"I know."
The blender began to whirr and she stood up to use the bathroom. When she came out, he was sitting on the couch and her drink was on the coffee table, his in his hand.
"You are the best partner in the entire world." She ruffled his hair, then leaned over the back of the couch to grab her glass.
"Sheesh."
More? You know the drill.. Please R&R!
