Title: Hurricane Katrina
Chapter 26 – Last Day
Characters: Goren, Deakins, Eames, Logan
Rating: K+
Goren and Eames were up and out the door early. She had an 8:30 a.m. appointment with her ob-gyn and Bobby had offered to come with her.
Jeez, why did I let Logan suck me into the vodka shots thing last night at Kelsey's? Owww…Hopefully those Advil I downed will kick in soon. I don't want Eames'….ooops! Alex's doctor looking at me like I'm some wastrel. Alex, Alex, Alex. I will call her Alex. Not Eames. Alex, Alex, Alex.
I am absolutely astounded that Goren was able to get out of bed this morning and that he didn't bail on coming with me. His head must be pounding. That's what happens when you do vodka shots and beer. I'm just glad he is here. Not sure why he asked if he could come with me, but I'm glad he did. An ob-gyn's office is a lonely place when you have no baby and no husband.
They were now outside the doctor's office building, the visit completed. Alex had received a clean bill of health and been discharged from her doctor's care. Bobby was standing very close to her, but that was not unusual for him.
"Thank you, uh..Alex, for letting me come with you. Can I ummm…come over after work? I'll bring dinner."
"Sure, Bobby…that would be nice."
He hasn't called me 'Eames' once. Maybe it's the vodka? Whatever it is, I like it.
Goren put her in a cab, so she'd get home safely. And when he did it, he lightly kissed the top of her head.
Alex was surprised. She looked up at him. But he just closed the cab's door and said, "I'll see you later, Alex."
When the cab pulled away, Alex Eames had a silly grin on her face.
Thank god the Advil has kicked in. I can only hope Logan's head hurts worse than mine, since it was his stupid idea. Like to see Katayeva with a hangover, too.
When Goren arrived at Major Case it was nearly 10:30 a.m. He'd cleared it with Deakins the day before. Bobby was delighted to see Logan looking a little green around the gills. Barek seemed fine. Captain Deakins looked relatively unscathed. But, Katayeva…she looked bright eyed and bushy tailed, for god's sakes.
"Whatever you're …uh..on, Kat, I want some of it," said Goren.
Katayeva pulled a small plastic bottle out of her purse. Handed it to him. Activated charcoal capsules.
"I had a couple of these last night before bed and another dose this morning. It detoxifies all the bad stuff in your body. Like vodka."
Goren opened the bottle, shook out four capsules, and downed them with his bottled water.
"Have you had breakfast, Goren?"
"Please…don't uh…mention food just yet."
"OK, OK."
"You guys doin' drugs over here?" asked Logan in a soft voice.
"Uh…yeah….want some?" asked Goren.
"Definitely."
Goren dumped some charcoal caps into Logan's palm, handed him a bottle of water. Down the hatch they went.
"Thanks, guys," said Logan and walked slowly back across the room, sat down and put his head on his desk.
They turned around to find Deakins standing next to them.
"Apparently my detectives can't hold their vodka," chuckled the Captain, "Well, except for one Russian detective."
"You look pretty …ummm ..chipper, sir."
"Angie's a fan of charcoal capsules, too. They're a staple in our house. Otherwise, I'd look a lot more like you and Logan, Bobby."
"Detective Katayeva, we won't be working you too hard today. I need you to finish all your paperwork, turn in your weapons, etc."
"I know the drill, sir," replied Katayeva.
Deakins moved on to bust Logan's chops a little. The moaning could be heard across the room.
"When's Alex's doctor's appointment?" asked Kat.
"Been there, done that," replied Goren, pleased with himself.
"You've already been? You actually were able to get out of bed this morning and go to the doctor's with her?"
"Yes and …yes, thanks to a handful of Advil."
"And….?"
"And what?"
"What did the doctor have to say?"
"Oh, Eames…I mean Alex has been released from her doctor's care. And she can return to work on Monday," smiled Goren.
"Oh, Bobby, that's wonderful! I'm glad for you both."
He looks happier than I have seen him the entire time I've been here. Maybe it's just because he's getting rid of me today. But I'm guessing that it's thanks to Alex. I've done everything I can do in that direction. They have to figure it out for themselves.
Katayeva brought her guns to the weapons officer. Worked on filing papers so Alex Eames' desk would be clear.
Right before 1 p.m. Goren announced that his stomach could now handle food.
"C'mon, Kat, I'm taking you out to lunch," said Bobby.
"The miracle of charcoal caps," murmured Katayeva.
The two detectives went back to the Thai restaurant where they had eaten that first day they met. Goren and Katayeva shared various dishes, ate with their chopsticks. No pending case pressures, just two colleagues enjoying a meal together, chatting about cases they'd worked, their military experiences.
When they returned, Captain Deakins asked to see her in his office.
"You've done a damn fine job here, Katayeva. You kept Goren functioning, which is no small feat, and removed Nicole Wallace from the face of the earth. If you ever want a job, I'd love to have you permanently here in Major Case."
"Thank you, Captain. It's been a pleasure working here. You have a fine group of people. Not sure where I am headed after West Point, but I will keep Major Case in mind, sir.
Deakins stood up and shook her hand, "And I have an idea of what you're doing for Goren and Eames. I hope it works," he said with a wink.
Later that afternoon Katayeva received a phone call from Alex Eames.
"Hi, Kat. I just want you to know that I made my first visit to the New York Athletic Club this afternoon. They worked up my post-partum plan. I started on the exercises. Every muscle I own now hurts, but it's better than feeling like a slug."
"Well, I bet I know someone with very sensitive hands who could give you the most exquisite massage, Alex."
"I think I know someone, too," laughed Alex.
"Don't hesitate to ask him. Your wish is his command."
"Do you really think so?"
"Most definitely, Alex. Let him do things for you. He needs you to need him."
"I can do that…and, Kat, I want to thank you for taking care of Bobby. I know what you did when Lance Brody's arrest went down. You kept him from spinning out of control, from losing his job."
"I just followed the advice you gave me that day we had lunch, Alex. It worked perfectly."
"And thanks for taking out Nicole Wallace. She's been haunting Bobby for a few years now. It's never been a pretty sight when those two were in a room together."
"I witnessed enough of their routine. I never like discharging my weapon, Alex, but for that woman, it wasn't hard to make an exception. I'm glad it was me and not Bobby shooting that day. He'd feel guilty about it, while I just don't give a crap."
"Bobby told me that you're headed up to West Point next."
"Yeah. I like the Point. My husband likes it because no one will be shooting at me. Jack considers that a real plus."
"I'm sorry we've never had a chance to work together, Kat. I just wanted to thank you for everything. If you ever need anything, please call me. I mean that."
"Please keep in touch, Alex."
"We will. Take care, Kat."
"You, too, Alex."
It was nearly five o'clock. Major Case had emptied out. Goren suddenly reappeared carrying a tubular package. He handed it to Katayeva.
"It's …uh…a little something to remember us by."
Kat opened it, unrolled it. It was the poster….NYPD…the best detectives in the world.
"I love it, Goren. Thank you."
Then Katayeva reached under her desk, pulled out a small shopping bag, handed it to Goren.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
Bobby unwrapped the package to find a large dark blue ceramic mug. It was inscribed:
I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I don't think you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.
Goren just laughed out loud, "Perfect."
"It's time for me to go," said Katayeva.
"Can I…can I hug you goodbye?" asked Goren.
"Of course."
The big detective enveloped Kat in a bear hug and she hugged him back. She was surprised when he kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"If it wasn't for Alex and Jack….I'd have my eye on you, Kat."
"And if it wasn't for Jack and Alex….I'd have my eye on you, Bobby."
Katayeva kissed Bobby on his cheek.
"Bye, partner."
"Bye, partner."
NOTE: There will be one more chapter.