DISCLAIMER: L&O CI NOT MINE ...

CHAPTER NINE

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He Sure Can Paint

Calling her bluff, Bobby stops chewing his nail and rolls his eyes. He pushes himself away from the door frame and although he wants to put that infamous Goren smirk back on his face, he holds it back.

"Well then, since the sex wasn't that good, I guess you don't want to do it again, so I guess I'll just go finish that spare room of yours. I'm good at that … ya know … reaching high places."

He turns on his heels and heads to the spare room, with his back to her, the smirk is on … with a devilish tilt to it.

This leaves Eames sitting there flabbergasted. Did he think the sex was bad? Is he playing me? She starts to smile. Oh my God … this is the old Bobby … he's back … and playful. Two can play this game and maybe I can get my room painted in the process.

She retreats into her bedroom and puts on some sexy painting clothes. Short shorts, a tank top and she pulls her hair back in a ponytail. She checks herself in the mirror. Cute, this should do him in. She joins him in the spare room.

Bobby can't help but notice Eames enter the room, not very difficult, since she trips over a paint can and falls on top of him.

"Sorry Bobby, I didn't see you there."

"You didn't see me, Eames?"

Sarcastically "No I didn't!"

He raises his hands in defeat. He certainly notices her painting attire and has to look away. He wants to wrestle her to the ground but the game is on! He will not give in this easily. He finishes mixing the paint and starts pouring it into the paint tray, totally ignoring Alex. He can feel her eyes on him and he's really trying hard not to smile, he has to keep turning away from her which aggravates her even more. She starts to set up the ladder on her side of the room, making sure to make lots of noise to get his attention.

"Eames, be careful with that. Make sure it's flat on the ground, I don't want you to fall off."

"You can come over and hold it."

"Nah, you'll be alright. Just make sure it's flat."

He turns away again but he's ready to crack … she's making it to easy.

God damn Goren! He's good, I forgot how good he is, it's been a long time since I've seen a playful relaxed Bobby. Time to turn up the heat.

"Bobby, do you want some coffee or tea or me or something?"

"What was that after the tea?"

"Nothing … nothing after the tea … I said nothing … oh, maybe something … I said something. Anything … do you want anything?" Damn did I say that out loud?

"Ice tea … if that's alright."

"Yeah, great, coming right up."

She makes them both ice tea and brings the glasses back into the spare room. She puts her glass down and hands him his. He leans over and kisses her cheek.

"Thank you Eames."

She doesn't release the glass and they lock eyes.

"The sex was really great Bobby."

"Yeah, I know."

He takes his ice tea and once again turns his back to her.

"You are the biggest jerk I've ever met in my entire fucking life Goren!"

His whole body is shaking from laughing.

"Yeah, I know that too Eames.'

"Is that all you have to say for yourself?"

"No … you missed a spot."

Eames should have known not to spar with the champ. He may have gone into semi-retirement but playing this game, was like riding a bike.

He drank his ice tea and went right back to painting. At least her room was getting his attention.

"Fine, be that way Bobby, just don't forget … payback's a bitch!"

"Who's a bitch?"

"Keep it up Goren."

"Not right now Eames, I'm busy. I guess the sex was good after all, if you want me to 'keep it up."

Eames' aim is legendary at 1pp, she has the highest score amongst Detectives at the firing range … it's not limited to guns, she hit Goren square on the back of the head with a paint roller.

He charged for her, she ran. He chased her around the kitchen table and back out to the living room where he tackled her on the couch. A very strange sound was coming from the two detectives, riotous laughter. She pushed him off and he fell on the floor, still laughing she got on top of him and started kissing his neck. He ran his hands underneath her tank top and pulled it off. She did the same to his t-shirt. He rolled her over onto her back and they started to make out, interlacing their hands, his right her left.

"Alex, I love you … no more games … k?"

Number five … one hand down … making progress.

"I love you too Bobby but I like playful relaxed Bobby … it's nice to have you back."

"Oh … you don't know boyfriend Bobby."

He hoists her up over his shoulder and smacks her on the butt, more laughter from Alex, and carries her off to the bedroom. He drops her on the bed and climbs on top of her. Foreplay was not as cautious this time and lovemaking was not as routine. They were finding their way with each other as lovers, the partnership thing though, was still in crisis … an e-mail sitting in Goren's inbox from the captain, was just about to test that.

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Home early on a rainy Friday, thought I'd post chapter 9. Please post your thoughts ... I truly dig them! Thanks for reading ... Judeey ;)