Title: His Claim/Her Claim

Author: thousandmiles

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Don't own these characters… all own by DW. I did make up Leo and Peter. That's something, isn't it?

Summary: there's a new cop on the block and he's set his eyes on Alex. Bobby isn't too pleased with that. B/A

Spoilers: None, but they might still come.

A/N: The title for the fic was actually what came first. I liked the title and liked the possibility of it. And so an idea came to mind and this is the first chapter. I haven't written more chapters and have no ideas for the next chapters. If you have any idea as to how Leo is going to try to conquer Alex's heart, please do share. I'd love to read those ideas. Well enjoy and I'd love to know what you think. As always grammar stuff is also welcome.

Chapter one

It was a well known fact that Detective Alexandra Eames was off limits. She was not to be approached. Every detective in Major Case Squad knew that. It was unknown if Alex knew about that 'arrangement'. The 'back off' signs after all, weren't coming from her. They were from her partner, Detective Robert Goren. Early in the partnership, when a detective would approach Alex to ask her out, that detective would be on the receiving end of a deadly glare from Goren. Soon everyone knew that Alex belonged to Bobby. It was an unspoken, yet widely known fact.

It worked the other way round also. The women on the squad, in the beginning, sometimes flirted with Bobby. Soon though, after a hard glare from Alex, they knew better. To be honest, the flirting wasn't much fun when the other party clearly only had eyes for a short blond detective.

And so it was that everyone at MCS knew Bobby Goren and Alex Eames were off the market. Everyone but newbies. Nobody warned the newbies. It was simply too much fun to watch.

As it so happened Alex was alone at her desk when Leo Anderson, the current newbie, spotted her from the other side of the bullpen.

"Who's she?" He asked his partner, Peter Michaels.

Following his partner's direction he answered with a smile. "Alex Eames."

"Mmmm…"

Peter knew that mmmm and he was going to enjoy the ride.

"Is she single?"

"Yeah, you could say that."

With a lot of confidence Leo walked up to Alex's desk. Casually leaning against it he greeted her. "Hi."

Looking up from her work, she saw a blond man with blue eyes leaning against her desk.

"Hello." She gave him a friendly smile.

"Leo Anderson, new cop on the block." He stuck his hand out to her, waiting for her to accept it.

"Alex Eames, queen of the block so to speak, but you can call me Alex." She shook his hand.

Just as Leo was about to speak again, Bobby interrupted. He had quietly walked up to the two and had watched the other man closely.

"Something I can help you with?" He asked the blond man who was watching his partner too closely.

Somewhat startled, Leo looked behind him. He saw a broad chest and looking up he met two glaring brown eyes looking down on him. To be on the safe side he took a step back.

"Leo meet my partner…" Alex started to introduce the two men.

"Detective Goren." Bobby finished.

"Hello." Looking at Alex and back to Bobby he went for a funny remark. "If she's the queen of the block, are you the king or her servant?" Leo's big smile was met with a hard glare. "Leo Anderson, new guy." Hoping he hadn't insulted the other detective Leo held out his hand.

Bobby ignored the hand and the joke. "I ask again, is there something you want or is this spot just comfortable for you?"

"Eeeuuhh…" Temporarily confused by the tall detective's hostility towards him, Leo faltered a bit. "I… I just wanted to… introduce myself. I must admit this is a nice spot, with a beautiful view." He said, looking at Alex. Even though she didn't look up from her paperwork, Leo didn't miss the small smile that appeared on her face. All was not lost.

"Unlike you, we have actual work to do. Go back to your desk and stay there. If you want a nice view I suggest you put your desk next to a window, but don't stand here. Is that clear?" Bobby's military training made a short appearance in his tone of voice.

"Sure, want me to salute you too. Jeez, relax man." Leo held his hands up in surrender and turned back to his desk. "Bye Alex, talk to you later." He said before actually walking away.

Back at his own place in the bullpen Leo sat down at his desk. "What's up with that Goren guy?"

"What do you mean?" Peter had truly enjoyed the whole introduction.

"What's wrong with him? All I did was introduce myself and he acts as if I committed a felony."

"Really? Mmm… that is kinda odd. You just have to give it some time. Goren is a good time once you get to know him. He's probably trying to intimidate you."

"Alex, she seems nice and she looks beautiful. You think she'd go out with me?"

Peter sure wasn't going to curb Leo's enthusiasm. "Maybe, you take one step at a time okay, you hardly know her. She's a tough lady."

Leo seemed to consider his partner's words. "Tough, huh? She has to, to make it in this profession. However I think she's going to be worth the effort. Small steps huh, no problem." With not much to do he had plenty of time to think about his next move.

TBC...