They met Goren in the lobby at 1PP. Dani slipped into the restroom to freshen up one last time, giving Goren and Eames a brief moment alone.

"Well?" Goren asked.

Eames was thoughtful before responding, "I think you can trust her. You're right that she's not telling everything. Corner her like you do a suspect in interrogation and I think you might get the whole truth. If you're still not comfortable, we'll drop the whole thing and she'll just have to sink or swim on her own."

Goren nodded. He wasn't ready to give up yet but he had to know that he could trust Dani if the situation got bad.

Dani joined the two detectives and they made their way up to the office of Captain Danny Ross, Major Case Squad. He was waiting when they appeared.

"Goren, Eames, my office, please." Although phrased as a request there was no doubt it was an order. Dani slowed her pace, allowing the other two detectives to proceed to the Captain's office.

"Are you Cantrell?" Ross froze Dani in her place.

"Yes, sir."

"You're in on this, too. My office, please." Again, another command, without doubt. She followed the captain towards his office and took a seat on the other side of Goren, placing him between the two females. Ross took his place behind his desk.

"Imagine my surprise," the captain began, "when I got a phone call from the DEA thanking me for allowing my Detective Goren to help on an undercover drug investigation." He then pinned Goren with a firm stare.

"Well, Captain, it's…" Goren began, but Dani interrupted.

"It's my fault, sir." Dani felt all eyes on her. "Your Detective Goren walked into the middle of my drug investigation. I had no choice but to make it appear he was involved. At the time, I had no idea he was a cop. I just knew I had to keep a civilian from getting hurt or killed."

Goren shifted uncomfortably in his seat. That wasn't quite the way it happened but he wasn't ready to correct the impression. It signaled something about Dani's character that he had already suspected – loyalty.

"Well, I wasn't very happy to hear from your captain, either, Detective Cantrell. He wants you back in Texas right away. I suspect you're as much of thorn in his side as Goren is in mine." Ross returned his glare to the big detective who seemed to sink a little deeper in the seat. "I was also surprised to get a call from Internal Affairs, Goren. Only this time, they were pleased to have your help with this situation." Ross paused, looking at the three detectives in front of him, "You, Eames, seem to be the only one not on anyone's radar."

"No one ever accused me of being stupid, Captain," Eames replied, charmingly.

Goren and Cantrell both hid a smile as Ross turned his attention back to the two of them.

"Okay, you two, you're in it up to your ears, as per usual, but it appears for the right reasons this time. Take the assignment but be careful. Goren, you and Cantrell, can leave. I need another few minutes with Eames." The two stood and headed for the door but before they could leave, Ross spoke again.

"Cantrell, get my officers hurt, I'll have your badge."

Dani turned back to the captain and leveled her gaze to meet his dark eyes, "Captain, if either of your officers get hurt, I'll give you my badge."

Ross nodded, pleased at the response, and waived the two out. Goren looked back at Eames before closing the door.

"Alex, the powers that be want you to run this investigation."

"Me?" Alex replied, shocked.

"Yes. I don't have to tell you what a coup this is. Given some of the recent events around here, this would be a stellar career move." She started to interrupt but Ross wouldn't let her. "I know you've never been interested in climbing the career ladder but this kind of thing looks good. You call the shots. Goren and Cantrell answer solely to you as does the support from IA and the DEA. I really think you should take it."

Alex thought about the opportunity. It was going to be a big responsibility but she would be able to exercise a great deal of control while making sure her partner was completely protected. "I'll do it, Captain. Thank you."

"You'll do fine." Ross stood from his desk and Eames rose with him walking to the door. "Keep me informed as you can."

Eames nodded and left to join Bobby and Dani, waiting by the elevators.

"Okay, you two, guess you know I'm in charge?" Alex announced, walking up.

"It was my suggestion." Goren said simply.

Eames nodded; again, not entirely surprised he would recommend it. "Well, I need to go back to my apartment to pick up a few things and then I'll meet you back at your place. I'll bring supper and a few groceries, too."

"Sounds good." Goren nodded. "Dani, you're with me. We'll move your things to my vehicle and head back. We can go over your files before Eames gets back and then bring her up to speed."

Dani nodded her agreement and followed the two to the elevator.

This had suddenly gone from her operation to a full out DEA/IA/NYPD nightmare, in Dani's estimation. She knew she was in over her head and she didn't really want to be alone with Goren anymore than she had to be. The next couple of hours in his apartment were going to be tough. Deep down, she knew that he wasn't going to be satisfied with superficial responses. He was going to dig to the very core. It's what she would do if the positions were reversed. How to keep it from sounding as bad as it really was, that was going to be the trick.

Yeah, the next couple of hours were going to suck for Dani Cantrell.