A/N: The Wishing Star is not a real book. That one is in my head. I checked.

"Okay, mouse...ready?"

She held tightly to Logan's glove with both hands. Logan was helping her to keep it up off the ground. She giggled. "'kay, Unca Bobby."

He gently lobbed the ball toward her. Logan helped her move the glove toward the ball and she scrambled along with it, giggling harder. The ball hit the glove, then rolled out onto the ground. Logan laughed and tightened his arms around her. Behind Goren, Eames laughed. She loved to watch Maggie play with these two guys. She was just a little girl, but these two big, tough cops were putty in her hands. She rested a hand on Goren's shoulder and leaned over to say, "You guys are so good with her."

He replied quietly, "It's not hard to be good to Maggie."

Before she could answer, Deakins called out from the bench, "Eames, you're up next."

As she stepped away and crossed behind Goren, her fingers inadvertently brushed across the back of his neck. He closed his eyes briefly, and then watched her walk to the row of bats, choose one and step into the on-deck circle to practice swinging. The softball hit him in the middle of his chest and he looked at Logan and Maggie. The little girl giggled again. He dropped his glove and got to his feet. With a squeal of delight, she dropped Logan's glove and ran. He caught her quickly, tossing her up into the air. As she came down, he caught her in his arms and pulled her into a warm hug. Laughing, she threw her arms around him and hugged him with all her might. He closed his eyes again.

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Eames watched her teammates pack up after the game. She really wanted to go with them to Delaney's. Bobby and Mike were a lot of fun after the games, and Bobby would be in a really good mood after spending all afternoon with Maggie. Her little daughter had a real knack for making him happy and that was the one thing she loved most about their relationship. Bobby and Maggie made each other happy.

Since the game had started late, it was already after five and that left her with no time to hang out before going home. If she didn't go home, Ricky would blow a gasket, and she was tired of fighting. Keep the peace, she reminded herself. Bobby would be disappointed, but he would understand. He always did. And just by being with her, he would assuage Maggie's disappointment. She approached the bench where he sat with Mike, talking to Maggie. Resting her hand on his back, she leaned over his shoulder. "I have to get going."

He looked at her and she saw the disappointment she had anticipated in his eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Unfortunately."

"Um, do you mind if we take Maggie with us to Delaney's for dinner? If your dad wants to come along, I'd like that. If not, I can drop her off at his place afterwards or just take her home with me."

"That's fine. Just don't get drunk around her, okay?"

He looked hurt. "Give me some credit, Eames. I never have."

She kissed his cheek and whispered, "As her mother, it's my obligation to be certain. Believe me, Bobby, I trust you with her more than anyone else in the world. Kiss her good night for me, okay?"

He nodded and she bent around him to kiss Maggie. "I'll see you tomorrow, sweetheart. Be a good girl for Uncle Bobby."

"I be good, Mommy," she promised.

She squeezed Goren's shoulder and headed toward the parking lot. Goren got up off the bench, lifting Maggie into his arms as he stood. "Let's go see if Grandpa wants to go with us."

"'kay, Unca Bobby."

She hugged his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. John came toward them and gently poked his little granddaughter, making her giggle. Goren said, "We're going to Delaney's for something to eat. Alex said it was all right for Maggie to come along."

Logan added, "Maggie keeps us bigger kids out of trouble."

With a smile, Goren said, "Why don't you join us?"

John laughed. "That sounds like a plan." He leaned forward and kissed Maggie's cheek. "Let's go feed Miss Maggie, boys."

They headed for the parking lot.

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Maggie climbed up into her grandfather's lap . She had begged Goren to come with her to Grandpa's after dinner, and he never had the heart to tell her no. John assured him he was welcome. He didn't let her beg for long before he consented, and she was happy. Grandpa and Uncle Bobby were a lot more fun than her father was. She thought Ricky was always grumpy and she really didn't like him much. He never played with her or read to her. He barely even talked to her, which was okay because when he did it was just to tell her what to do. Finish your dinner. Sit down and be quiet. Go to bed. Whenever she went home with her mother and he was there, she stayed close to Eames and wished she was somewhere else. Mostly, she wished she was with Goren. If given a chance to stay somewhere else, which was most of the time, she would always choose to go with him if that was one of her choices. A lot of the time, Eames would go with her, even for just a little while, and she liked it best when her mother was with them, no matter where they were. Along with Eames, Goren was her favorite person. He was fun and she always knew that he loved her. And when Eames had to go home without her, she always felt better about it when she got to stay with him. Once she realized it made her mother sad, she stopped begging her to stay with them and just accepted the fact that she had to go. Goren made that easier for her.

Right now he was taking a shower so Maggie snuggled with John in the living room to wait. "Do you want a story before Uncle Bobby puts you to bed, honey?"

"Unca Bobby reada Maggie!"

John laughed. He got such delight from this little girl. "I'm sure he will. Why don't I read you a story now and then Uncle Bobby can read to you after he tucks you in."

The best of both worlds... "'kay, Gampa!"

She jumped down and toddled over to her bookcase, returning with the book she most loved for Grandpa to read to her. It was called The Wishing Star and he had given it to her for her last birthday. Settling into his lap, she listened to the story of a little skunk called Melvin who wished he wasn't a skunk. He wanted to be a rabbit like his friend Timmy, because he was fast. So every night after the sun set, Melvin would find his special wishing star, and he would wish that he wasn't a skunk...until the day an angry bear happened upon the group of friends. With a ferocious growl, he ran at them. In a panic, Timmy got his leg caught in a tree root and he couldn't run away. Everyone else scattered, leaving the terrified rabbit to face his fate with the bear alone. Everyone, except for Melvin. Melvin stood his ground and defended his friend. After that, Melvin was happy to be a skunk and he thanked his wishing star for showing him what a good thing it was to be himself.

John closed the book and Maggie looked up at him. "I hava wishy star, too, Gampa."

"You do?"

She nodded. "Ev'ey night I talka it an' I wish. I even wish inna daytime."

"But the stars aren't out in the daytime, honey."

"I know. I look at my star inside--" She tapped her head. "--and I talka it."

"That's very smart, Maggie."

"Know what I wish, Gampa?"

"You aren't supposed to tell."

"You telled me about the wishy star. I wanna tell you."

He smiled. "Okay, Maggie. What do you wish for?"

"Ev'ey night I tell my wishy star I want Unca Bobby for my daddy."

"Oh, honey," he sighed softly, pulling her closer into a hug and kissing her head. That was something he had always wanted for her, from the very first moment he had seen his daughter's partner with the newborn baby girl. Behind them, standing in the hallway where it came out by the kitchen and opened into the spacious living room, leaning his shoulder against the wall, Goren had heard what she said. It saddened him deeply that she didn't have the kind of father she deserved. It was just one more thing about Eames' marriage that troubled him. But this was one thing he could do something about. He couldn't do anything for Eames, but for Maggie...he was determined to be everything to her that Ricky wasn't, even if he wasn't her father. She deserved at least that much, and Eames seemed willing to let him do it. Pushing off the wall, he strolled into the room. "Hey, mouse...got one of those hugs for me?"

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After reading another story to Maggie and tucking her in, Goren went out into the living room to join John. The older man smiled. "Is Maggie sleeping?"

"Yes."

"I've said it before, Bobby, and I'll say it again. You have a way with that child."

Goren shrugged. "I love her, that's all."

"What about her mother?"

He didn't miss the tension that suddenly claimed the younger man's body. Goren looked away, refusing to meet John's eyes. "I-I can't do anything for her. You know that. She's the only one who can help her situation, if she chooses to, which she obviously doesn't."

"And if she did?"

Silence. Then, quietly, "What do you want me to say, John?"

"Tell me what's in your heart, son."

He thought carefully about how to respond before he said, "Maggie is in my heart. Right now, there's only room for her."

"And Alex?"

He studied his hands. He really didn't want to be having this conversation. "I, um, I had better be going, John. It's getting late."

"Why are you avoiding this, Bobby?"

"Because it hurts," he said softly. John knew he loved Eames. He wasn't sure what the older man was looking for. "I-I do love her, but I can't help her. We'e been through this before. There's not a damn thing I can do. An-and that kills me."

"So you give that love to the baby?"

He frowned. "What? No...not at all. Maggie has always had her own place in my heart, totally independent of her mother. Alex has nothing to do with how I feel about Maggie. Nothing at all."

That was exactly the answer John expected from him. "What would you do if Alex were available?"

Goren closed his eyes. What wouldn't I do? He sighed, uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. "Why are you doing this to me, John? She's not available. And speculating just..." He trailed off. It opens raw wounds, is what it does, he thought. But John can't know that. He wouldn't be pushing this if he did. He thinks he's helping...and I can't fault him for that. "I will love her until the day I die, but I can't let myself pine for her or that day will come a lot sooner than I'm ready for it to. As long as she remains married to Ricky, there's nothing I can do for her. But Maggie...Maggie needs me."

John smiled kindly. "Son, that baby will always need you."

"I will always be there for her." He smiled. "She's my girl."

"Yes, she is. More than anyone else's." He leaned forward. "Stay the night, Bobby. There's no sense in you driving all the way back to Manhattan if you don't have to. Maggie will be happy to find you here in the morning."

He couldn't argue with that, and he was happy to take any opportunity to bring a smile to her face. He hesitated, but finally gave in. Ultimately, he found himself unable to pass up an opportunity to spend time with her. He didn't spend enough time with her as it was, in his book. "Ok, John. It will make her happy."

"Go ahead and sleep in the bedroom by her. Alex won't be here tonight and I know she won't mind you sleeping in her bed. Be comfortable for a change."

Sleeping in her bed...the words hit him like a lightning bolt, but he fought down his reaction. Damn his body, anyway. In her bed...

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When he was ready to turn in, John stopped beside the couch where Goren was reading. He laid his hand on a broad shoulder. "Never doubt that my daughter needs you, son. I understand how you feel, believe me, I do. But please, promise me you won't turn your back on her."

Goren looked up into earnest blue eyes. "Never. I--I couldn't turn my back on her. She...she drives me nuts, John. I wish I could do something for her, but I can't. If she needs me, though, I will always be there for her, and she knows it. The ball's in her court now, and it has been for the last few years. When she returns it, I'll be ready...if she ever does."

"Suppose she falters?"

"I'll catch her, if I can. I...won't let her fall. But there's only so much I can do."

John sighed, knowing he was right. He squeezed his shoulder, but said no more about it. "Good night, Bobby."

"Good night, sir."

Forty minutes later, Goren got up and went to the bedroom Alex shared with Maggie. He stopped beside Maggie's bed, leaned down and softly kissed her cheek. "I love you, mouse," he whispered.

He pulled off his shirt and kicked off his sneakers, but left his sweatpants on. When he slid into the bed, he was taken aback by the scent that enveloped him--her scent--and it hit him hard, as olfactory stimuli often did. It washed over him and overwhelmed him. Closing his eyes, he took in a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Slowly, he drifted off to sleep, where he entered a world that Ricky Waters had no place in, and Maggie was never sad.