Eames dropped him back off at 1PP after picking Emily up at the airport. He got out of the SUV and opened the back door so Emily could get into the front seat. She rested her hand on his chest with a smile. "Thank you, detective. We'll see you later?"

He met her eyes and held her gaze. "That's entirely up to my partner. You girls have fun."

Eames smiled as Emily got into the car. "Enjoy your paperwork."

He raised an eyebrow and leaned over to look at her through the window. "My paperwork? Would you be referring to that pile on your desk that you've been avoiding for the past two days because you knew you were going to be off for a week?"

"It's not on my desk, Goren. I slid it over to yours before we left this morning."

"Thanks."

"Anything I can do to help."

"Get out of here," he smiled, backing away from the car and turning to head into the building.

Eames smiled as she watched him cross the plaza. "He hates paperwork."

"So why is he doing it?"

"Because he doesn't want to take time off."

"Really? I jump at any chance I can to take time off."

"That's not how Bobby works. He loves his job, and he's great at it. I've never known a more brilliant detective."

"And where do you fit in, Alex?"

"I'm Dr. Watson to his Sherlock Holmes."

"I think you're a little more than that."

Eames smiled. "We work together like a well-oiled machine...on the job and off."

Emily laughed. "I'm so glad you two worked it out."

"So am I. I do love him."

"He loves you, too, Alex. He really does. I've seen it in his face and I can hear it in his voice."

"That hasn't kept him from being attracted to you. Do you know that?"

"Attracted? I just thought it was...his distress that drove him to do what he did."

"Bobby isn't one to take advantage of people that way."

"Why didn't you tell me this on the phone?"

"This is a conversation I wasn't about to have over the phone."

"I wouldn't have come..."

"Exactly. And I wanted you to come. Don't worry about Bobby. He's not a player. And I can handle him. He's not going to attack you."

Emily laughed. "I'd have to hurt him."

"Me, too." She sighed. "The affection you hear in his voice is real, Emily. He does know how to play the game, but you aren't a suspect and he quit the game outside the job the first time he told me he loved me. It's not a game with you. I really haven't seen him this way about anyone before. You had a real effect on him, and he hasn't been able to let you go."

The smile left Emily's face. "He's not going to have much choice."

"I know." She sighed, changing the subject. "So what do you want for lunch?"

-----------------------------------------

He let himself into his apartment and slipped off his jacket and his tie. Heading to the bedroom, he hung them both up. He had just taken off his shirt when he heard voices in the living room. "Eames?"

She came down the hall and stood in the doorway, smiling. "Look at you."

He glanced down. "What?"

She laughed. "I just like what I see."

He smiled as he opened a drawer and pulled out a t-shirt, slipping it over his head. "Did you two have a good day?"

"Yes. Did you?"

"I did paperwork all afternoon and put up with Logan's harassment. Would you call that a good day?"

"I'd call it a fairly normal one."

"I suppose. Mike is convinced it's not a good idea for me to leave you two unattended."

"What does he think we're going to do?"

"He said something about plotting my demise."

Laughing, she stepped up to him and backed him toward the bed until his legs hit the side of the mattress and he dropped down onto it. Raking her nails down the front of his shirt, she whispered into his ear, "I don't need any help to torture you."

She felt him tense and catch his breath when she slid her hand along the waistband of his trousers and ran her tongue along his ear. Then she kissed him and, with a smile, left the room. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. He half-seriously considered taking another few days off and leaving town for the rest of the week. Changing into a pair of jeans, he braced himself and left the room.

Emily smiled at him. "You changed," she said. "I liked your suit."

"It gets a little hot in August, especially with Eames around."

She leaned back on the couch. "Why do you call her by her last name?"

He shrugged. "I always have."

Eames smiled. "It's never what he says, Emily. It's always how he says it. I have seen him deliver a compliment using a tone that carried enough venom to drop a man on the spot, and I've seen him deliver insults in a saccharine tone that would send a person into sugar shock."

Goren snorted and headed for the kitchen. "And I've seen the same tones whoosh right over people's heads. Anybody want a beer?"

"No thanks," Emily replied.

"What else do you have in there?"

He poked his head back out of the kitchen to look at her. She knew damn well what he had in his fridge. But he humored her. "Those wine coolers you left here last week and your coconut rum. I've also got a couple of colas and some apple juice."

Emily looked over the back of the couch. "Could I trouble you for a glass of apple juice?"

"No trouble. Eames?"

"A rum and coke."

He smiled. "Of course. Did you girls have dinner?"

"I ordered a pizza."

"Sounds good."

After a few minutes he came out of the kitchen, handing each of them what they'd asked for. He leaned over and looked at Emily. "Are you all right, counsellor? You look tired."

"I'm exhausted. It's been a busy day."

"Do you want to lay down?"

Eames smiled. "Bobby has a very comfortable bed."

Emily returned her smile. "I'm okay, thanks."

Eames lowered herself onto the couch beside her as Goren went back into the kitchen for his beer. She leaned toward Emily. "We'll call it an early night."

"He won't mind?"

"Why would he? Don't worry about offending him, Emily. He wouldn't know it if you smacked him in the face with it half the time."

"I heard that."

"Am I lying?"

"That's beside the point." He dropped down on the couch beside Emily. She looked at him. Such a...young face, bright and open. Warm, dark eyes, dark curls flecked with grey, a beautiful smile...She looked at Alex, meeting her eyes and seeing a smile there. He tipped his head forward. "Are you sure you don't want to lay down?"

She turned back to him, surprised to see him so close. But she neither flinched nor withdrew. "I'm fine, detective," she said softly.

"If you say so," he answered, sitting back. So close...he was rattled, but he was careful not to let it show. What the hell was it about her that...did that? He shifted his eyes to meet his partner's, feeling slightly annoyed with her for bringing Emily here. He would have been happy to leave her in the realm of his fantasies, but no, Eames had to bring her here and throw her in his face. But...she couldn't have meant anything by it. If these women love you...they won't put you in that position. Right, Mike. He sure hoped Logan was right. The doorbell rang and he jumped up to answer it. Eames laughed softly. "You get bit, Goren?"

He gave her a look that told her not to push it and she wrinkled her nose at him, sending a shockwave of desire through his body. Where the hell had that come from? He paid for the pizza, giving the kid a huge tip for interrupting. Interrupting what, he didn't know...and he didn't want to.

After they were done eating, Eames said, "We'd better be going, Bobby. Emily's had a very long day."

"Sure," he answered, getting up from the easy chair, where he'd chosen to sit after the pizza arrived.

Emily, looking a little pale, asked, "Do you mind if I use the rest room?"

"Not at all. It's down the hall, first door on the right."

Eames came over to him and ran her hands over the front of his chest. He groaned softly, tipping his head down and finding her lips with his. Then she stepped from his arms. "I'll miss you tonight," she whispered.

"I...uh, I will, too."

He studied her, breathing in her fresh scent. God, she smelled damn good...

She stepped toward the door as Emily came into the room. "Ready whenever you are, Alex."

He walked to the door with them and held it open. "Remember," Eames said, giving him a soft, but meaningful kiss. "Dinner tomorrow with Logan and Barek."

"Got it...that's gonna be fun."

Eames headed out the door. Emily smiled at him. "It's so good to see you again," she said.

His mouth formed the ghost of a smile. "It's good to see you again, too," he replied. "Rest well, counsellor."

"Good night."

She started to turn away and head out the door when he dipped his head unexpectedly and softly kissed her. "Good night."

She barely hesitated then continued out of the apartment, where Eames waited for her by the elevators.