He took her to a nice dinner once they closed Helene's case. It hadn't been a particularly difficult one. He'd been able to slip into the perp's mind right away and he'd nailed the profile within a few days of the assault. Aside from her aborted attack on Eames, it was pretty much an open-and-shut case.

She reached across the table with her fork and speared a piece of his broccoli. He smiled at her. She could clearly read the love in his eyes, and she had no doubt that it was real. After dinner, they went for a walk in Central Park. She slipped her hand into his as they walked. "So," she began. "Have you given any thought to where Emily is going to stay while she's here?"

He looked at her. "What do you mean? She's your guest, Eames."

"Well, I thought she could stay at your place."

She watched the color drain from his face. "You what?"

"What's the matter? Bad idea?"

It sure as hell was! "Eames..."

She couldn't help it. She burst out laughing. He looked confused. "Oh, Bobby...you idiot. I wouldn't do that to you. She's staying with me."

He didn't smile. "That wasn't funny, Eames."

"Sure it was. You should have seen your face."

"Dammit..."

He stepped toward her and she took off running. He was right behind her. Damn, she was fast! He caught her after a short chase, pulling her back into his body. She was still laughing. He buried his face against her neck. "I'm gonna be in deep shit with the two of you together, huh?"

"You know it, partner."

She found his mouth and kissed him. "Are you sure you don't want to take the time off with me?"

He backed her toward the trees along the side of the path. "I'm sure. I think after work and the weekend is going to be about all I can take of the two of you."

"Friday night we're taking her out to dinner, and Mike and Carolyn are going with us."

He nodded. "Whatever."

He was more interested in what her lips and her hands were doing than making any plans at the moment. He kissed her again.

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"Bobby?"

"Mmmm?" he muttered sleepily as she played with his hair.

"What would you have done if I was serious about her staying here?"

He opened one eye and looked at her. "I'd have given her the key and let her stay."

"Really?"

"Really. And I would have gone to stay with Logan."

"Logan? Not with me?"

"No, not with you...for putting me in that position in the first place."

"You mean I'd have to go the whole week...?"

"That's right."

"That's mean, Goren."

"It'd serve you right."

"You'd be missing out yourself, you know."

"A sacrifice I'd be willing to make..."

She nuzzled his neck. "Oh?"

"Yes..."

She moved her lips down to his chest. "You think so? All week?"

"I...uh...well maybe not all week..."

Playfully, she nipped him, laughing when he turned toward her and nipped her back.

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She watched him pace as they waited for Emily to join them in the baggage claim area once she disembarked from the plane from Austin. She was amused at his nervousness. It increased his energy dramatically and he didn't really know what to do with himself. "Will you settle down? Everything is going to be fine."

He nodded tightly, not sure he shared her optimism though he wasn't sure why. He had no way of knowing how well the two women had hit it off, since neither of them told him they'd been talking alot. He talked to Emily probably twice a week; Eames talked to her at least twice that often, and for longer periods of time. She enjoyed talking to Emily...the woman loved to laugh and she was good at making her laugh, too. The better she came to know her, the more she understood her partner's attraction to her. And knowing him as well as she did, she understood his guilt as well.

She knew the moment he saw her, and for an instant she was uneasy. Maybe this had not been such a great idea after all. But then she recalled several conversations, and she knew it was all right...whether he thought so or not. She watched as he caught her in a hug and gently kissed the top of her head. Gentle and affectionate...that was her Bobby.

Goren was a bit taken aback. He had only seen her in hiking clothes and boots before. Now she was dressed in a lightweight white cotton dress with large peach-colored flowers on it and white sandals. And she looked...great. She stepped back from his arms and fingered the lapel of his suit jacket. "Wow...Armani. You look great!"

He touched her cheek. "So do you, counsellor."

She smiled at him, holding his gaze for a moment, then she looked past him and exclaimed, "Alex!"

She pulled the petite detective into a warm hug. Eames was touched by the smile of pure delight on Emily's face. Chatting happily, the two women headed toward the baggage carousel that was receiving the luggage from her flight. Goren followed behind, content to watch them and happy they seemed oblivious to him, at least for the moment.