Disclaimer: No claim to any of it and Oh yeah ... this is the story with the talking dogs! To make things worse ... Lassie shows up in this Chapter! I hope you all get my warped sense of humor ... if not ... call in the white coats ... for you ... laughing is GOOD FOR YOU!!!! Besides, they already have me ... where do you think I write my stories????????

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

CHAPTER SEVEN: A first fight leads to a new love for Rin.

Love Is In The Air

Caro was all about having sex with Mike but she was also all about sisterhood and since the opportunity arose, she thought teaching Mike a lessen was first and foremost. Boy would Mike be surprised and pissed … he was waiting for her with her silk three quarter length red bathrobe on … her an unbeknownst to him … seven of the guys he drank with and played ball with the other night … he would not recover from this.

"Hey Mike, we're back." He's thinking … she means Lolly

Mike comes out of the bedroom looking all "perty."

"I hope you're ready for me baby.! Oh SHIT!"

All the guys start hooting and hollering … whistling and cat calling at him. He runs back into the bedroom and they all start laughing even the dog.

Nice legs, dip shit.

He comes back out fully clothed and glaring at Caro. She just shrugs it off. He knew why she did it and she knew that he knew that she knew that he knew why she did it … follow? Yeah, me neither.

"So Logan, you're a cross dresser now?"

"Funny Jackson. I heard your wife makes you wear her thongs on the job so you won't be tempted to cheat on her."

"Yeah Jack … I heard that too but it was for a different reason."

"Yeah Tony … he likes it up the ass.'

"Oh you guys are a laugh riot."

The conversation went on like this for about two hours with Carolyn catering to eight men like she was Mike's wife on game day. Her little plan backfired, Mike was having a ball with his buddies but then again did it really backfire? He had confessed to her that he and Bobby had grown close until Alex came into the picture and Mike was in need of a friend, now he sat in his very own living room laughing it up with seven of his buddies. She felt better about telling Mike that she was leaving the next day.

Back at Bobby's apartment …

Bobby and Rin are walking back toward the apartment.

"So Rin … things maybe a little different around here from now on." Yeah, you gave away my side of the bed.

"Eames … ah …Alex will probably be staying over more often … you're gonna have to get used to the couch." Yup … I knew it. What does she do for you that I don't? After all … I'm man's best friend!

"I don't want you to get jealous of her … I still love you. You helped me get through a rough time … you and Mike … Mike and Lewis. Oh yeah … good old four eyes … and I love you too Big Guy.

"Besides, Alex loves you too … remember how upset she was when she lost you in the park and she brought you home and gave you that nice warm bath?" Yeah … Big Guy … you need to get lost and have someone find you … that nice warm bath … ooh those hands, oooooohhhh.

"Rin? Are you okay buddy?" Oh yeah … just remembering.

Bobby looks down and sees a dazed look in Rin's eyes.

"I wish I knew what you were thinking Rin … sometimes I think I do." Oh no you don't, if you did … you'd smack my nose … if she did … she'd cut my balls off!

Bobby and Rin finally made it back to Bobby's apartment.

"What took you guys so long?"

"We were having a heart to heart talk."

"Aw look at my little Rin Tin Tin … you wore him out. Come here my little baby." Well someone had her coffee.

"Hey, how about me … my knee hurts." Take an aspirin Big Guy … she's rubbin my tummy.

"The aspirin is in your medicine cabinet." Told ya … and you don't think I listen.

"Told ya she loves you more than me Rin!" I am cuter.

Alex stopped rubbing Rin's tummy and stood up and wrapped her arms around Bobby's neck. She stared deeply into his gorgeous brown eyes looking for the love and passion that she felt for him.

"Do you love me Bobby? Really love me?"

"Of course I do … how can you even question that after last night?"

"So, last night was real … as real for you as it was for me?"

"Yes Alex … real … really real." Bobby has a smile on his face that Alex hasn't seen … has never seen.

"The things we said?"

"Real."

"Good … because I have something to tell you."

"Alex … we made love last night … you can't be!"

"NO … Jesus Bobby … not that."

"Than what?"

"I want another dog!" WHAT!?

They both notice Rin stand at attention.

"Alex … what does another dog have to do with our relationship? I don't understand." You tell her Big Guy.

"I just think that, we, as a couple, should have a more permanent relationship … two dogs … two cars … you me …"

"Whoa, whoa … are you talking … move in together?"

"If that's what you want."

"NO! … I mean … don't you think we're rushing this … a little. You and I have a good thing here … you have your place, I have mine. I mean we work together, now we play together. Maybe moving in isn't such a great idea." Yeah, and I have my couch if she wants another dog … bathroom floor baby!

"Fine! If that's how you feel … maybe I should let you and your dog have some privacy RIGHT NOW!"

"Alex … that's not what I mean."

"No? … what did you mean … exactly?" Alex is grabbing her belongings and heading for the door.

"Lex … please … stop. Your taking what I said all wrong."

"Okay … Bob … explain better … I'm reasonable … I'll listen." You better make this good Big Guy … she's pissed at you … I think I'll go cuddle up against her leg and help you out here.

Eames sits down on his couch and Rin hops up and puts his head on her lap … he gives Bobby a very satisfying look.

"You know me better than anybody else … I tend to push people away … hell, I've pushed you away on more than one occasion. Moving in together is a huge step for me … I have a hard time living with him." He gestures towards Rin. Wait, hey … what did I do?

"Okay, I see your point but the fact is, I do know you and you know me … we should be able to tell when to BACK OFF … not to bring up a sore subject or anything …"

"Alex!"

"No seriously … we do know when to back away from each other when we need our own space."

"Then why don't we keep our own space … for a little while. I don't want to wake up without you in my arms but … well … you know how I can get during a case … my mind is focused … I stay up all night … my brain won't shut down. You're the opposite, you fall asleep and start fresh the next day."

"How do you know?"

"We've worked together for eight years … you fall asleep at your desk." I bet she looks cute too … drooling … does she drool? Does she?

"Okay … I know you're right, I'm just afraid that you're gonna pull a Goren on me."

"What's that suppose to mean … like my father!?" Uh-oh, the Big Guy is pissed now … I thought the leg humpin went really well … what happened?

"NO! Like Bobby … Bobby Goren … Mr. I'm not good enough for anybody and she 'd be better off without me. Mr. I should have transferred out of Major Case so that she could make Captain some day. Mr. I …"

"Okay … Okay … I get your point but you know what? I amgood enough for you Eames and you know why?"

Alex sits there in shock, barely able to make a sound come out of her mouth.

"Wwwhy?'

"Because I love you and I always will and not only that but I'll buy you that damn dog even if you want some stupid little poodle. Ooh, now your talkin And not only that but no man will ever love a woman as much as I love you … if you want to move in … then move in … put girly things in my bathroom. Put frilly curtains in my kitchen, I don't care. I'll even learn to put the God damn toilet seat down for you. Whatever you want Eames … just don't ever think that I'm going to change my mind about us. I may think that I'm not good enough for you but I'm not going to let the best thing that has ever happen to me walk out that door … so NO … fuck it … we are perfect for each other."

"Are you finished?"

"Maybe." I think you should quit while you're ahead brother.

"I don't think we should move in together yet."

"WHAT!? WHAT!?

"I don't think you know me at all … I don't want a poodle."

Bobby plops himself down on the couch and covers his face with his hands. Women! What's wrong with poodles? He throws his hands up in the air and they land with a heavy clap on his thighs. He looks up at Alex grinning at him.

"What?"

She straddles him on the couch.

"When we're both ready to move in together, we'll know. I just wanted to buy a dog. You're the one that went off on a tangent about moving in together and I must admit … you kinda hurt my feelings for a minute or two but Robert Goren, if you're not the most handsome man in the world when you get your dander up, I don't know who is."

"So, we're good." She's on your lap and smiling dummy … I think your good!

"Very very good and you'll always be good enough for me. The best Partner and the best lover … THE best Lover!" That's code for … time to go a humpin.

"Do you want to …"

"Yes I want to …" I know, I know … I'm out here on the couch.

Back at Mike's …

The guys are filing out of the apartment while Carolyn is washing dishes and Lolly is hiding out in the kitchen with her mommy.

"Sorry Loll … I know you're not used to smelly guys around." What is that smell? Do they know how to wash?

Mike walks in the kitchen and wraps his arms around Caro.

"Thanks doll. I needed that."

"See, you have more than one friend in the world."

"What, those guys? Nah … they're not like Bobby. Bobby is a real friend, there is a difference you know." Do you know the difference between your ass from your elbow? I don't know what that means but my mommy likes to say it!

"I do know, I'm sorry … lets call them and ask them to dinner … a civil dinner."

"Okay … Eames and I will play nice."

"Promise."

"Well … I promise … I can't speak for Eames."

Bobby's Bedroom …

Bobby and Alex are tangled up on Bobby's bed when his home phone rings. They both glance over at it and choose not to answer it. His cell buzzes on his night stand … they ignore that. Then Alex's phone.

"Christ … Eames."

"Hey Alex … I just tried Bobby … weird … he didn't answer his home phone or cell."

Alex smiles at Bobby … "Yeah … weird. What's up Car?"

"I was wondering if you and Bobby were free to have dinner with Mike and I tonight … before you say no… Mike promised to behave."

"Hold on … she whispers to Bobby but Carolyn can hear her … now she gets the picture. Yeah … sounds good. Where do you want to meet?"

"Mike's, I'm cooking and bring Rin. Around seven-ish."

"Great … Bobby wants to know … red or white wine?"

"Red."

Alex hangs up with Carolyn and Bobby draws her closer and breaths in her scent. He sighs heavily, contently and grips her tighter.

He whispers … "Don't let me screw this up."

"Buy me that dog and we'll be fine."

He starts to laugh and Alex loves the feel of the vibration of his body beneath her.

"You know … It's still early … we could go look before dinner with the "Logan's."

"Don't let Carolyn hear you say that!"

They got dressed and took Rin with them to the pound … he had luck finding Rin so they thought they would try there first. As they approached the entrance, Rin stopped … he could smell those familiar smells … no way was he going back. What? Wait … I'll do better … you said you loved me … you can't take it back. No … please … I won't hump her leg ever again …

He started pulling on his leash and crying and thrashing. Bobby got down on one knee.

"Rin, calm down buddy … he looked up at Eames, I think, Rin thinks, we're taking him back!"

"No … no … he's a dog Bobby … dogs don't think."

"Look at the way he's reacting … they have an extraordinary sense of smell, I bet he remembers this place."

"If anybody understands a sense of smell, I guess it would be you."

He gives her that crooked smile of his.

"Rin … you're not going back … we're here to find you a friend, okay." Okay.

"Oh my God Bobby, I think you have finally lost it."

"Hmm, I wonder why."

"Don't look at me."

Rin finally lets them go into the pound, not one of his friends were left. I hope they all got Big Guys. He was still very nervous, he had his head down and his tail between his legs … he was still just a puppy.

Hey, Shepherd … they bringing you back?

No … they want another dog … for her. He cocks his head towards Eames. How long you been here Jack?

Oh, I don't know … a dogs age … what are they looking for?

A bitch … I think.

Good for you … there's a bitch on the end … foxy little number … a mutt … you know what that means dude!

Ooh Baby … Thanks Jack … I'll get on that.

I'm sure you will … hey puppy … pace yourself!

Rin hightails it down to the end, pulling Bobby all the way.

"Rin … gees … what's the rush?"

Eames followed behind and that's when all three saw Lassie … no … not kidding. She was a mixture of Collie and Shepherd … and she was beautiful … it was love at first sniff. Please … if I had knees … I would get down on them … ooh … I'll beg … he doesn't know that I can beg.

Rin sits back on his hind legs and brings his front paws up and proceeds to beg.

"Bobby look … I think Rin is trying to tell us something."

"Yeah … I know exactly what he's trying to tell us … he won't be humping your leg anymore Eames!"

"Just as long as you do … I'm fine with that."

Mike's apartment is about to get very crowded …

"Who was that on the phone Doll?"

"It was Alex … she just wanted us to know that they're bringing another guest for dinner."

"Who?"

"Lassie."

"Lassie as in … Timmy's stuck in the well … Lassie?"

"I guess … Alex just got a dog and they don't want to leave her alone."

"What is it with you guys and dogs?"

"They're great companions."

"What is Bobby to her … do you think that things aren't what they appear?"

"Don't look so happy … things are more than what they appear."

"What does that mean?"

She shrugs … "If they want us to know … they'll tell us."

The door buzzer rang. They thought there was going to be problems with Mike and Alex … triangles don't just apply to humans. Woof!

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

For Banjo, my "Rin." Thanks for reading! Love to all my animal loving friends! Judy :)