CHAPTER TWO ... A Major bump in the road and she may no longer want Bobby back!

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All's Fair In Love and War

Eames POV

Did I just say that? Why does everything always have to be such a war with Bobby Goren? Probably because I do love him. There I go again … admitting it to myself … damn, what a realization that is. I need to focus, I need to harness that energy that I used to tell him off way back when … reverse psychology. He uses it all of the time, he'll never guess that I'm using it on him. It helps that my Dad is on board and that I have the support of my family. Well placed calls from Liz and who's your daddy … I'll have my Bobby back in no time at all … I think. Bobby is so much better at playing these games than I am but I've been watching and learning for eight years now and it's about to bite him in the ass.

We're on our way to the scene of the crime … not the one where Bobby lost his compassion but the one where I hope he'll or I will find it again … our next case. I wish Bobby didn't have such a keen sense of smell because I would use an onion cream under my eyes to provoke more tears … you know … the cherry on top. That man's nose could teach a German Shepherd a thing or two about distinguishing this drug from that so the onion thing is out so I think of the worst possible thing that has ever happen to me. The tears begin to fall. I realize that he will have some feelings for me … this is not the compassion I'm looking for … I'd rather have passion … shit! There I go again. Anyway, I want him to show compassion towards others but he has been cold towards me as well … artic cold … my nipples are peaked near him and it has nothing to do with my sexual desires toward him … damn it … maybe it does. The point I'm trying to make is the man has been cold … frigin cold. The ride has been silent and cold … frost on the windows cold. He reacts to my tears by fidgeting in his seat … again the hanky comes out. The old Bobby would have stuttered some words of encouragement … words of affection even … nothing … just the frigin hanky. I thought I was making progress. We'll see at the crime scene.

We arrive at Murray Hills. The victim is the twenty two year old son of a prominent lawyer in the DA's office … that's why Major Case is here. Murder is usually Homicide's gig, unless someone important happens to die … hey… I never said I was the one that had compassion. This is not a roll I'm comfortable with. So, lucky me … Mom and Dad are here. Let's see if he keeps his promise.

"Goren and Eames, Major Case." He shows his badge I show mine. I almost smile … I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours. I'm gonna kill Liz for pointing out the obvious to me.

"Officer Kilpatrick … the victim is Mark McNabb, son of Attorney McNabb of the DA's office.

Goren mutters under his breath … "Great … just great." He heads to straight to the body.

Already I'm not getting that warm and fuzzy feeling. Kilpatrick shrugs and leads me to the parents … why they're here or the victim at this seedy apartment is beyond me but I'm about to find out.

"Mr. and Mrs. McNabb. Alexandra Eames, Major Case. I realize that this is a very bad time, however, I have some questions … are you up for it or would you rather come down town later and answer them there?"

"You'd like to know why we're here, Detective?"

"Yes among other things." Smug son-of-a-bitch. Not a good test for the return of compassionate Bobby. Damn … here he comes.

"I'm Detective Goren Ma'am … sorry to meet under these circumstances … Christopher, we'll find who did this."

"See that you do Bobby."

Oh … that went well … they know each other.

"So … why are you here?"

"I was just about to explain that to your Partner?"

"Yes, she's my Partner."

"My son called us and said that he was in trouble."

"And you thought it was wise to bring your wife to Murray Hill at this time of day? You should know as a leading attorney for the DA's office that this is a bad time of day to be taking a stroll."

"What are you saying Goren?"

"I don't know … what am I saying McNabb?"

"Okay, okay … our son was a drug addict and he needed his mother … I called my husband on the way here … he had no choice but to come after me."

"Laura … shut up!"

This is not going well … the compassion thing but Goren does have away of knowing when something is just not right … of course I knew that too but he loves to provoke and I must admit … I love to watch.

Goren sighs and looks over at me … he leans over and whispers in my ear … "I can't even pretend that these people are your family Eames. Sorry."

I can deal with that.

McNabb's wife looks away and starts to cry.

"Look, there's no shame in someone having a disease but if we're going to find who did this, we need the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

I so loved Bobby throwing that phrase back in McNabb's face. So … they knew each other but I'm getting the feeling that they didn't like each other much. I could tell by the sarcastic tone that this questioning, on both parts, was taking.

We wrapped it up and headed back to the SUV. I was hoping that it wouldn't be a silent ride back but his usual routine would be to write down some notes and then we would review back at 1 PP … I may have to say something … anything.

"Bobby?"

"Hmm?"

"How do you know McNabb?"

"He almost ruined a case for me when I was back in narcotics."

"You had a perfect record in narcotics."

"Yeah … almost didn't."

See … frigin cold.

"Bobby?"

"Yeah?" This time with a heavy irritated sigh.

"Never mind."

"No, what?"

"What's your fucking problem?" I ask this question because he has once again taken on that, curt … good night Eames, tone again, I'm not going to stand for it anymore. I don't care if he hates the world or McNabb … it's not okay if he hates me too.

"I don't have a fucking problem Eames."

"Look … I'm not in the mood for your crap Goren."

"Do you think I'm in the mood for you're family drama, Eames?"

And just like that … there was deafening silence. By the way … the thing that made the tears flow … that thing I was thinking about in the SUV … losing my Bobby. I think I just did and I think I don't mind.

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Next up: A miscommunication or a misunderstanding ... Bobby grovels. Reviews are always welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading. Judy:)