Chapter 2

Bobby walked calmly back to his desk. Alex was sitting across from him. "What was that phone call about?"

He breathed in deeply, and before he could exhale, he heard Deakins shout "Goren!" across the squad room.

"I'll tell you in a minute," he said as he got up. Eames made to get up to follow him but he held out a hand and said, "I'm pretty sure this one is for me only."

He walked into Deakins office, leaving a confused Alex Eames standing by their desks.

He closed the door behind him.

"Close the blinds," Deakins spat.

He did as he was told. "Sir, I-"

"Stop, Goren, just stop. Let me get this straight. Youwork for the Smithsonian. One of their big-ass jewels got stolen, and they want to pull you away from work so you can go chasing after it leaving a full caseload inyour tracks!"

He just stood there.

"Why can't they kick it to the PD!"

"I believe it's a publicity issue. It's all very hush-hush."

"Hush-hush?" Deakins said incredulously.

"Sir, I can't explain it to you- I don't think even I know the full scope of it. They just arranged it with the Chief of Ds some time ago and they pull me out whenever they need me. It hasn't been a problem in the past because I didn't really have a steady partner before- that's why they kept me solo in Narcotics."

"I know your service record, don't spout that off... What the hell am I supposed to do about Eames!"

"I... I don't know. Gary said you'd take care of that."

Deakins raised his eyebrows in annoyance. "Don't you care about that!"

"Sir, please- don't yell at me... This is how it's been for ages. I can't explain it to you. Marty said it was ok-"

"You will address your superior's by rank, Goren, do you hear me?"

"Sorry, sir." Goren bowed his head.

Deakins agitatedly picked up the phone and dialed the Chief of D's. "Marty, is there anything else you haven't told me?"

Over the speaker a voice said, "Yes- Detective Jones will be there in the morning."

"Sir, I must protest," Deakins began.

"You don't have a choice, Jimmy. This is what Detective Goren does. Detective Eames is free to take the time off as well, but she cannot know where Detective Goren is going or what he is doing. This goes all the way to the top, Jimmy, do youunderstand me? As of now he is on leave to serve his country."

Deakins sighed. "Thanks Marty," he said, turning off the phone. He then looked up at Bobby. "Go tell Eames."

Bobby silently left Deakins' office and went back to where Alex was sitting.

"Eames, I have to go away for a while. I don't know how long I'll be gone-"

She cut him off with a barrage of questions. "Does this have something to do with that call from Gary? Who's Valdez? And you've done this before?"

"How-"

"I saw you in the interrogation room," she said, calming down.

"OK," he said, thinking. "I can't tell you where I'm going, or what I'm doing. Just... read The Smithsonian."

A muscle in her eye twitched. "What! You're about to leave and all you can tell me is read a damn magazine!"

"Damnit Eames!" he said, slamming the table. He quickly brought his voice back down, realizing that everyone was watching and listening. "Just read the magazines..." He was leaning in very close to her. She could feel him breathing he was so close. "Your temp will be here tomorrow. I have to leave tonight. Here is a key to my apartment. Tomorrow morning, go there and get all of my old Smithsonians. I can't tell you what to look for..." his voice was almost pleading now. "You're a smart girl, you'll figure it out... I have to go..." and without thinking he reached up and stroked her jaw with his hand, got out of his chair, grabbed his coat, and headed towards the elevator.

Alex sat in her confused silence, watching Goren get into the elevator.

"Eames!" She heard shouted from across the room.

She quickly got up and crossed the room to Deakins' office. She walked in and closed the door behind her.

"What did he tell you?" Deakins asked.

"He told me that he had to go away for a while, told me my temp would be here tomorrow... and told me to read The Smithsonian magazine," she added in an annoyed tone.

Deakins sighed and shook his head. "I am going insane?" he finally shouted.

He calmed down and looked up at Eames. "Chief of Ds gave permission for you to take time off as long as Goren's gone. Since he told you to read the magazine there's probably something in there he wants you to know related to what he's doing, which you're not supposed to know..." He paused to think before saying, "As of now you are on paid leave until Goren gets back. He wants you to know, so chances are he wants you involved..." He turned back to his desk, dismissing her with the action.

"Captain," she said tentatively.

"Yah?" he answered in a tired tone.

"He…" she stuttered, raising her hand to her jaw where Goren had touched it. She shook her head. "Never mind…"