Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to get this up, I ended up moving in with my grandparents for a few weeks to help them out. My grandfather's in a wheelchair and their home health help is in the middle of changing people. I've been a little busier than I expected to be the last two weeks.

The Rookie

Today is the first day of the rest of my life, and that's not just a sickly sweet self-encouragement, in my case it's actually true. Today I start work as an important member of New York cities' Major Case Squad. Today I truly, truly become Detective Robert Goren's highly useful portfolio. I'm Black Leather Special Deluxe Portfolio, and I have the coolest job ever!

The Boss and I took the subway today. I thought morning would never come, but luckily for me and my extreme excitement, The Boss seems to like to be at work extra early. The Boss and I took the subway today. I'm packed way in his briefcase right now. The vibrations from the subway kind of tickled, or maybe that was my nervous jitters. Anyway, now we're walking up the stairs to our workplace, office, station, no…Sally said it was called a bullpit or something like that. Wonder what it looks like?

Guess I'm about to find out, The Boss just sat down, and seems to be opening the case. Ah…Bright out here… I think I like our desk, it takes after Goren a lot. It's half compulsively organized half messy chaos. It's kinda cosy, I think. The Boss put a bakery bad down next to me… I wonder what it smells like? I'm not exactly built to sniff.

There's not many people around yet, so I guess we won't get to do anything to interesting just yet. I hope Eames gets here soon; I like her. She's nice. The Boss is lucky to have such a good friend for a partner. Sally says they're almost always like I saw them the first day: calmly reacting to each other's actions even before they make them, gently teasing, and lots of comfortable companionable silence.

Oh! The Boss startled me there as he put a few more papers in me, with the ones he got out of Sally last night. Apparently he had been fishing them out from different places in and on his desk while I was looking the place over and I was so distracted I didn't even notice. I bet that's not what Sally meant about him being kind of startling sometimes. I wonder what my nice calm introverted boss could do that she thinks is going to freak me out so much? It seems very unlikely. I don't think The Boss is the type to get riled up by suspects. I don't think he'd be under the spell of some sexy blonde, like most guys. Although, I'll bet he pretends to sometimes. Isn't flirting with suspects required sometimes to get the job done?

I really don't know that much about cops…I hope I do a good job until I figure it all out. It'd be so embarrassing if I… Oh, I'm rambling again. Sally said it was important to stay focused. But it's all so exciting and fascinating and scary and Sooo exciting, I just can't contain myself!

The Boss is getting up now, wonder where he's going? Hey can I come? Oh, the coffeemaker, never mind. I hear spilled coffee's bad for leather, and even worse for papers. He's getting stuff out of the bakery bag now, a muffin to go with his coffee and a croissant that's made its way on a napkin onto the other desk, the one I thought must be Eames'. I guess that means she'll be here soon. Good.

I'm getting bored as The Boss works stiltingly on paperwork, alternately tapping his fingers or playing with the colorful magnets on his desk. I'm so glad I don't deal with paperwork too much, I'm mostly for case clues and notes, much more interesting. Eames! She just walked in the door, looking a bit grumpy, purse and Starbucks cup clutched in her hands. Her face softened a bit when she saw the croissant waiting on her desk. The Boss is pretending not to notice her reaction, before he acknowledges her presence. As she sits down and takes a bite of the pastry he finally speaks.

"'Morning Eames." he greets pleasantly.

"Good morning, Goren." She responds dutifully. And more heart felt "Thanks for the croissant."

He ducks his head and mumbles something to the extent of 'no big deal.' In the companionable silence they both set to work on last bit of dreaded paperwork. I've never seen human so attuned to each other before, it's really quite fascinating.

Oh look, there's someone walking up to our desks… He looks the way I always pictured cops before I met The Boss and Eames, tall, dark hair, smart-alec smirk, ruggedly handsome I think is what it's called, but then I'm no expert on human beauty. I think size is valued in males though, so I'm guessing The Boss has a better choice of females, he's got at least and inch or two on this guy. Although, why we'd want to hang out with other females when we get to look at Eames all day is beyond me… I think I'm smitten. She's the nicest human I've ever met, and she has the softest, most lovely hands…ah… I could think about them all day…

"Still slaving away at the paperwork?"

The Boss barely looks up from pretending to work on paperwork. Eames groans at the stranger though.

"Unfortunately."

"Well, if you're still bored tonight, I know this great place down on 5th that has the greatest shrimp salad you've ever tasted."

HEY! He's flirting with her! He's not allowed to do that! No flirting with our girl! Go find your own, this one's ours. Right Boss? Boss? Why aren't you making him stop? Girls like a man that will step up and defend them, at least that's what Marcy and Penny at the store said…

Eames rolls her eyes at him. "In your dreams, Mike…"

Well, I guess she can take care of herself petty well, but I'm still a little upset about the whole thing…

"You know it, Alex."

All right! That's it! No way is he saying her name like that before I even find out what it was! That's just not fair!

"Don't you have a case or something you're supposed to be doing right now, Logan?"

Finally! Just when you're sure he's figeting in his sleep or in a universe three universes over, the man actually speaks! Now make him leave my Eames alone. You tell him, Boss! The Boss has this half bored, half curious expression on his face, but the moocher's grin is much bigger now. Almost as if he did it on purpose, hoping to annoy The Boss…Why would he want to do that?

"Logan! Get your butt over here and help me make these phone calls!"

There's this short brunette making dire threats with her eyes at Mike/Logan/guy-who-flirts with-the-Boss's-girl/whatever-his-name-is if he doesn't do what she says. Good. He comes with a handler! That's nice to know. Might come in hand next time he needs teaching on good manners and not hitting on a portfolio's favorite girl.

They've just settled down to being bored again when this guy with silver hair and a commanding presence strides up to us and exclaims "Goren, Eames, Triple Homiside in East Manhattan. Both the mother and the two children are severely disfigured."

Okay, 'guess we're leaving now. Eames is bugging The Boss' boss for details while Goren is busily packing me up and grabbing their jackets. I guess now is when I find out what this job is all about.

L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O L&O

Well, I have officially seen my first dead body, or three as it happens. I suppose I ought to be more disgusted, but then it's not like a I saw a gutted folder or something, you can't forget I'm not exactly human. Although I didn't mind watching The Boss' style of 'looking' over the victims, I was a little horrified when The Boss touched me with his gloved hands after inspecting the little boy's bluish skin. I really didn't understand even half of what The Boss did at the crime scene but Eames just let him go off and do it with out pulling him back so there must be a reason behind it even if I didn't understand, maybe I'll be able to understand everything he does immediately someday, like Eames does, but right now I'm just trying not to drown in the confusion. All I know is that this is going to be an interesting job, and I expect a fun one, between Eames and The Boss, I'll certainly always be entertained!

End First Day