Dani walked cautiously down the alleyway. She knew Goren was parked just a few feet away and all she had to do was say the words and Alex would have the cavalry there in an instant. It didn't matter. Dani still got apprehensive when she was working like this; always had. She could see Carlos, her contact, waiting just down the way.

"Showtime," she said under her breath. Then, aloud, "Sorry to keep you waiting, sugar." The southern charm oozing as she sauntered closer to her contact.

"It's okay. You're not too late," Carlos replied, a slight accent coloring his speech. "So, where's Jefe?"

Dani shook her head, "That's not how we play this, Carlos. I meet your guy, first, then we meet Jefe."

Carlos shook his head in response, "My people don't trust you, CT. Once I see your man is for real, then I arrange the meet."

Alex was listening and keyed Goren, "Get in there, Bobby. They're not budging until they see you're for real. Just take it easy."

"Got it," Goren replied and left the car. Drawing himself to his full imposing six foot frame, Goren entered the alley. His stride purposeful. He could hear the two of them arguing. When he spoke, Dani and Carlos both jumped.

"What's the problem, CT?" Goren's tone was no nonsense, short and to the point. Dani turned at his voice, still very much in character.

"Why, sugar, they don't believe you're real." As Goren stopped beside her, she reached up, draping herself seductively over Bobby. "But I tried to tell him you're VERY real." The look she turned on Carlos, accusing. Goren's reaction was instant. He grabbed Dani by the arms and threw her roughly against the alley wall.

"I ask you to do one thing, you stupid bitch, and you can't even do that right." And with that, he backhanded Dani, knocking her down to the ground. Dani didn't flinch. She looked back up, the proper tone and respect in her voice.

"I…I'm sorry, sugar. I…I promise, I'll do better next time." But she stayed on the ground.

Goren looked back to Carlos, "Sometimes, you've just got to remind them what they're real use is." The smile he gave Carlos was lascivious and malevolent all at the same time.

Carlos had been watching the by-play quietly. His eyes had widened at Goren's rough treatment of the hooker he knew as CT. He then spoke very humbly. "Si, Jefe. It is good to keep a woman like that in her place." Carlos looked to where CT still sat, the bruising already beginning on her cheek.

Bobby's voice redirected Carlos' attention back to him, "So is this real enough or do I need to give you the same proof I've given CT?"

Carlos shook his head quickly, "No, senor, that's not necessary. I will report back to my boss that you are very real and that CT's story is also very real."

"When can we expect your call?" Goren asked again, the tone of his question evoking just the right amount of menace.

"CT has the phone; We've always contacted her." He motioned to where CT still sat on the ground.

Goren reached down and jerked CT to her feet.

"You still got the phone?" he asked as he shook her furiously.

CT swallowed, "Yes, sugar, you know I do." She replied timidly.

Goren turned back to Carlos, "Make sure you call."

Carlos nodded, "Si, Jefe. You'll get a call."

Goren nodded curtly and then turned back to CT. Shoving her ahead of him, he spoke crudely again, "Get your ass back in the car, CT. Maybe, if you take good care of me when we get back to the apartment, I'll forget this ever happened."

"Of course, sugar, whatever you want."

Goren turned back slightly, making sure Carlos watched the interaction. Then he disappeared. Dani made it around the corner of the alley first, Goren close behind. They quickly got in the car. Once Goren got to the driver's seat, he started the engine, locking the doors as he did so. He then keyed the two way to Eames.

"Get everything?" Bobby asked.

Eames answered, her tone slightly disapproving, "Yeah, Goren, everything. Dani ok?"

He turned to look at Dani. She'd been ominously quiet since getting back in the car. She finally made eye contact with Bobby. He could see the bruise that covered the lower part of her cheek. She smiled slightly, grimacing as she did.

"You really need to learn to pull your punches."

Eames chuckled quietly as Goren answered, "I think she's fine. We'll see you back at the apartment. Give us some quiet, will ya?"

"Sure thing," Eames answered and turned off their receivers in the van.

Dani reached up and pulled the ear piece and receiver from her clothes. She also slipped off the garish red wig and turned to look at Goren. His face was a mixture of emotions. Dani spoke for him.

"Do not apologize for doing what was called for. It's okay."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, you're the one who's going to have to look at me." She smiled again as Goren drove back to the garage and parked the car. The two of them covered the vehicle and went back up to Goren's apartment. Eames was already there, bowls of steaming soup waiting on the table. She also handed Dani an ice pack as she sat down.

"That's gonna be a doozy!" She turned Dani's face to get a better view.

"Think that's good; Look at these." Dani unzipped the top of her suit and pulled her arms out of the tight sleeves. There, just about the elbows, mid upper arms, several bands of purple had already started to form on both arms.

"Damn!" Bobby exclaimed, "I did that, too?"

Dani nodded and smiled. She shrugged as she replied, "I bruise easily."

"I'll say," Eames responded.

Goren was still uncomfortable with the physical marks showing all over Dani's face and upper body. He ate quietly, glancing over at the little Texas ever so often.

"Lord, would you stop it!" Dani replied after she caught Goren's pitiful glance for the tenth time. "I will be okay. I…" Dani stopped in mid sentence as an idea came to light. She cocked her head and looked back at Goren.

"It might make your position even more secure if I looked a little worse than I do now."

Alex put her spoon down on the table. "Makes him a standout with them that he knows how to treat a lady," Eames nodded in agreement.

Bobby shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm not going to hit you again."

"Even if I pester you until you do?" Dani replied, the impishness evident in her voice.

She finally got a small smile from Goren, "Well, if you pester enough, maybe. But then you'd deserve it."

Dani and Alex both relaxed in their seats. Goren had finally eased up on himself and realized he had done what needed to be done to preserve their cover. They discussed the idea of how to make Dani look like she'd really taken a beating and had a few ideas when they finally decided it was time to call it a night. Once again, Alex took the bed and Goren the couch. Dani had changed and showered and hovered near the recliner.

"Will it bother you if I sleep in the chair again?" Dani asked quietly.

"It will bother me more if you don't sleep in the chair," Goren replied easily. Dani sat down and reclined the big comfortable chair, covering up with the heavy down comforter Alex had left. Once he knew she was still, Goren spoke again.

"You sure you're alright?"

Dani smiled, "Yes, Bobby, I'm fine."

"You did well, Dani, really well."

"Thanks."

"I mean it. I've worked with a lot of narcotics officers in my time. You're cool under pressure. You don't freak when things go wrong. You did really well."

Dani beamed from the praise, "Thanks, Bobby, but don't speak too soon. We're only half way there."

"I know, but, we're going to be fine." He yawned, not realizing he was quite so tired. "We're going to be fine." She let him think she was asleep and soon she heard him snore.

"God, I hope you're right, Goren." Were Dani's last words before she, too, went to sleep.