He glances up from his desk, and happens to find a kid sitting in the empty desk across from him. Her furrows his brow as he scrutinizes her. The truth is, she isn't a kid. Once reaching a certain age anyone under the age of thirty looks like a kid. She's got golden brown skin, and dark wavy locks of shoulder length hair. She is tall, and slender. He stops gawking when she locks eyes with him. Something about her is completely familiar though he's certain he's never met her.
"Can I help you?"
"I would certainly hope so. I'm your new partner," she extends a tattooed arm in his direction.
"I'm detective Goren," he responds apprehensively.
"Detective Garrett," she flashes a toothy grin.
"No offense, but you look like you're fresh out of the academy."
"I spent two years in narcotics, before that it was two years in vice, and one miserable year in some hole in the wall on Staten Island."
"Listen, I admire your enthusiasm, but my last partner didn't even make it six months. I am sure that you're trying to further your career, but this is not the place to do it."
She offers him her ID badge, "You're barking up the wrong tree with that speech."
He glances at the ID badge that reveals she is in fact Sargent Bailey Garrett. He relinquishes the badge.
"My apologies."
"I understand that you returned to Major Case after a lengthy hiatus," Bailey pulls no punches.
"My other endeavors were far more lucrative, but some habits die hard."
Before their small talk can be furthered Goren's phone rings. After a brief exchange he hangs up, and glances up at his new twenty something partner.
"We've got a case."
Bailey grabs her coat, and follows him out. As they wait for the elevator she grins as she watches him.
"What's so amusing?" He queries as the elevator doors open.
"The office pool says that I'm out of here in a week."
"Do you gamble?"
"My entire life has been a game of odds," she winks.
They manage to wrap up their case in less than a week. Goren is impressed by his young partner's skills. As he sits at a bar waiting on someone to join him he examines every piece of evidence he has on his partner. He is drumming his fingers on the surface of the counter when a familiar figure appears before him. Without a word she slides onto the stool beside him. He orders her a drink, as she waits for him to break the silence.
"What are we doing here, Bobby?" His former partner cracks.
He looks up to meet her gaze. His eyes lock with hers. His heart skips a beat.
"Can't I just buy you a drink?"
She furrows her brow, "Typically not unless you are in trouble."
"I'm not in trouble."
"The look on your face says otherwise."
"It's my new partner."
"They all have flaws."
He shakes his head, "I actually like her."
"So what's the problem?"
"There is something familiar about her that I can't put my finger on."
"And you think I can help you?"
He purses his lips, "I am not expecting help. I suppose that sometimes when they slap me with a new partner I start feeling…" he pauses, "disappointed."
"Very few people are willing to put up with your crap," she responds directly.
He exhales, "Because they're never you."
She grins as she polishes off her drink. "It's been a long week I think it's time to head home."
The following Monday when Goren rolls into the squad room he finds his partner casually sitting at her desk. He places a cup of tea on the desk in front of her.
"You're here early," she comments.
"It seems that you've beat me here."
"I wanted to get my desk squared away. You are aware that I'm not going anywhere, right?"
"Garrett being my partner is a gamble. I don't want to see you throw your career away for an old crusty guy like me."
"I notice that you don't have anything personal on your desk," she avoids the bait.
He glances at his desk stacked with books, and last weeks' crossword puzzle.
"I strive to keep my work, and personal life separate."
"A profiler might suggest that is because you have an unfulfilling personal life."
He rolls his eyes as he lowers himself into his office chair, which is fairly certain is older than his partner.
"Of course I applaud anyone who strives not to publicize their every move. As you know I am quite adept at my job, and I know there is always more to the story than meets the eye."
"Human beings are not one dimensional," he seems to agree.
"And I know how to do research. How is your research coming along?"
He arches a single brow, "Research on what? We had a surprisingly quiet weekend, and haven't caught a fresh case yet."
"Your research on me."
"Do you honestly think that…"
She shakes her head, "Cut the crap, detective. I am sure that you are dying to find out what makes me tick. Have you ever considered just being direct? Not everything has to be a puzzle."
"Everyone I've talked to says that you play it so close to the vest all that your superior officers know about your life, other than being a superb is the name of your emergency contact."
"That's simply not true. I also make it widely know that I have a dog."
He grins, and shakes his head, "A geriatric mutt named Trixie."
She winks, "And that is just the tip of the iceberg."