Disclaimer: no claim to L&OCI!

Chapter 2

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Motionless

Goren was on the floor, face up, eyes open, arms crossed over his chest, ankles crossed. He didn't move a muscle or blink his eyes when Eames walked into his apartment, he was almost catatonic like. She approached him cautiously and knelt down by his side and placed a hand on his chest … she swore he wasn't breathing, she was about to call 911.

"What are you doing here Alex?"

She nearly jumped out of her skin. She could count on one hand the number of times in their eight year partnership that he has called her Alex … using one finger. He picks this time for number two, the time that she thought he was dead. She used that very same hand and hit him with it, then stood up and kicked him lightly in the side.

"Jerk! I thought you were dead."

"Thought or were hoping?"

A single tear trailed down her face as she stood looking down at the still, motionless Goren. How did they get to this place? Why would he think that she would feel better in a world without her partner in it. More tears followed and now Eames was motionless and speechless as her mind was taking flight re-living the past two years of Goren's life, her life. Their lives were so intermingled that she couldn't see his without seeing hers or see her life without seeing him … it made her happy and sad all at the same time. Neither one of them had a life outside Major Case or each other.

Goren finally shifted realizing she never answered his question, did she want him alive or dead? After all, he just needed a break from her. He glanced up at her and saw the tears, a rare sight on Detective First Grade Alexandra Eames. In his state of mind, he wasn't equipped to deal with a woman crying … even her. His thoughts were callous, he was sick and tired of taking care of other people's needs, he had needs of his own, at the moment they were to lie there on his floor staring at the ceiling, not thinking, not giving a shit about anything or anyone.

"Eames, do me a favor … don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out … okay?"

That comment broke her out of her reverie and she went on a tirade of sorts, acting more like a woman scorned than a partner kept in the dark like she did to him in the observation room.

"What did you just say to me? I came over here to mend fences. To get my partner back. I'm concerned about you and this is the thanks I get. Don't let the door hit me in the ass. Why don't you just slap me in the face, Goren? … Okay?"

Still motionless … other than the roll of his eyes. He says nothing. She walks to the door.

"If you let me walk through this door, our partnership is over. I'll put in a request for a new partner and I'll get it, you know I will!"

He makes no attempt to stop her.

"Fine!"

She goes through the door and leans up against it. Hands covering her eyes, tears streaming through her fingers, Goren metaphorically, slapped her right across her face. She almost wished he physically did it so that she could have kneed him in the groin.

Goren rises up on his elbows and looks to the door. Regretting his actions or lack there of, he stands up and walks over to the door in hopes to catch her at the elevator. He opens the door and she falls backwards into his chest. Surprising her, she turns and pounds both fists into his chest. He grabs her wrist and places them on his forehead.

Looking down and speaking quietly he apologizes.

"Eames, I'm sorry, do what you have to do. I wasn't ready for your visit, I need time, I need not to think, I need to go back and lie down and stare at the ceiling and shut off my brain and just not think … about anything … or anyone … or us."

He let her go, turned and went right back to that very spot that she found him in. He crossed his arms over his chest, crossed his ankles and stared at the ceiling. He heard the door shut. Eames walked around to his left side. She got down on her back, crossed her arms over her chest, crossed her ankles and stared at his ceiling. Goren shifted his eyes to the left.

"Eames?"

"This is what I have to do."

"Okay."

He shifted his eyes back.

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Please, I would love to hear your thoughts on this one. Trying to not ship it!! Thanks for reading, judeey-- ;)