Eames entered the apartment and accepted the gloves her partner held up to her. She studied the body, laying prostrate on the kitchen floor, just like... She chased the thought away. It couldn't be related.

"What do we know about her?"

Goren answered without looking up from his examination of the body. "Her name is Cindy Thorton. She's an accountant."

"Who reported her missing?"

"Uh, no one. An anonymous call gave only this address."

She glanced at Logan, wondering why he was there. "What happened to her?"

"Strangulation."

She walked around to the side of the body opposite Goren and, squatting, she moved the victim's hair to reveal the ligature marks, which were angled downward. Tall, slender, long, dark hair...very much like Nancy Vogler. "Is there something else I need to know?" she asked, her voice subdued.

Still he would not look at her, but he nodded. And she knew. She sighed heavily. Another one. "Bobby..."

"Not here, Eames."

"Does Logan know?"

"Yes."

"Of course he does."

With a dark frown, Goren finally looked at her. He opened his mouth to say something, but this was neither the time nor the place. Snapping his mouth shut, he returned his attention to the victim. Logan remained off to the side, watching the other two detectives work in an uncomfortable silence, and he wondered what was wrong. But he kept quiet and stood by in case he was needed. This was not his case, and he wasn't comfortable stepping in unless invited. Goren seemed fine with his presence, but there was something in the way Eames had looked at him that told him to stay out of the way. For once, he listened to the little voice of caution that his brain sometimes threw at him.

When they were done at the crime scene, the three of them left the building while CSU finished up and the medical examiner removed the body. Logan asked, "You need a ride to the squad, Bobby?"

Before Goren could answer, Eames said, "He has a ride, thanks, Mike. We'll see you later."

Logan looked at her, wondering at the chill in her voice. He raised his hands and backed off. "Okay, fine. See you later."

As he headed off to his car, his mind searched for what he'd done wrong. He wasn't surprised to come up empty. It happened all too often that he couldn't figure out what he'd done to piss off a woman. Some things never changed.

Goren slid into the passenger seat of her car and remained silent, struggling to get a handle on an anger he didn't exactly understand. Eames was also angry, and he didn't get that either. It wasn't like he'd killed the woman, even though he seemed to somehow be involved, thanks to this killer. She drove in silence for several blocks before she finally said, "Why didn't you call me?"

He was confused. "I did call you."

"But you called Logan first."

"That was before I knew it was a crime scene. I needed a ride because my car is still at work."

"But you didn't call me. You should have. I'm your partner, Bobby."

He bit back his reply and remained silent for a minute, trying not to take out his frustration on her. "Eames," he finally said. "First of all, I cause you enough grief with your husband, just by being your partner." His voice became softer. "And second of all, you're pregnant. I'm not going to get you out of bed without a good reason. I don't..." He stopped himself. I don't need you that badly...but he did. The only problem was that her marriage, and now this baby, took her beyond his reach. "I had no idea it was what it turned out to be when I called Mike. He lives a lot closer to me than you do."

"He...is...a lot closer to you these days."

He lost his temper at that. She was jealous because he had a friend to turn to other than her? She wasn't jealous of Lewis or his other friends; why Mike? She stopped at a red light on the next block and he got out of the car without a word, slamming the door and walking off in the opposite direction. He heard her call to him, and he ignored her. She wasn't being fair, but he was not going to take his anger out on her. So he walked away. By the time she got around the next block and came back to look for him, he was gone.

Logan was puzzled when Eames arrived at the squad room alone. He waited a good twenty minutes, and when Goren didn't show up, he approached her desk. Holding his hands up in a gesture of surrender, he said "Truce?"

"Don't be an ass, Mike. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."

He sat down at Goren's desk. "You want to tell me what that was all about?"

"I don't know. I guess I just feel...left out."

He frowned. "Left out? Left out of what?"

"His life."

Logan sighed. He had a funny feeling he was inadvertently caught in the middle of something, and yet, it didn't bother him as much as he thought that maybe it should have. And why? Because he had found out, over the last eight months, that he really did like Goren and he enjoyed being his friend...most of the time. "Don't you think you kind of left him behind when you got married? What do you expect from him? He has to get on with his life, Alex." Such that it is right now... "He's walking a tightrope here—caught between his desire to keep you in his life and his reluctance to cause any problems in your marriage. Have you missed the fact that Bobby isn't exactly Ricky's favorite person?"

"That's something he should leave for me to deal with."

"Whatever. That's for you and him to work out. But don't begrudge him his own life. That's really unfair. You're married now. He can't include you in a big part of his life." He leaned over the desk and lowered his voice. "I swear, I am not trying to interfere in anything between the two of you. I'm just trying to be his friend."

He got up and went back to his desk. He didn't feel it was his place to tell her how her partner was struggling, how much he needed a friend who could be there for him when she couldn't, a friend he could confide in when he couldn't confide in her. Logan was fully aware that no one would ever be more to Goren than she was. But there was a secondary need in his life that Logan was able to meet. He didn't pretend to understand him, because a lot of the time, he didn't. But he accepted him, he was honest with him, and he stood by him, and that was what Goren needed. Whether Eames liked it or not, Goren needed his friendship, and the sooner she realized that, and accepted it, the better.

She looked up when he dropped down into his chair. She didn't say anything; she just watched him. He scrubbed his face with both hands, and she couldn't help noticing how haggard he looked. Finally she said, "I'm sorry, Bobby. I...I'm not being fair to you. I just...I feel left out of your life an awful lot these days."

He looked at her with weary eyes. "What do you want from me, Eames? I'm trying not to make your life any more difficult than it is."

She sighed, frustrated. There was really no way for him to accomplish that. How the hell could she ever tell him she'd been about to leave Ricky when she found out about this baby? She had a feeling Bobby resented the baby as it was for securing the knot that tied her to Ricky. He would get over that in time, she was sure. But not if he knew that it really was the baby that was keeping her in this marriage. "Don't punish me because my husband is immature, Goren. Just let me handle him, all right? I can deal with his temper tantrums, but I can't handle your withdrawal."

"Can we talk about this later?" he asked, eyes scanning the desks around them.

Reluctantly, she nodded and turned her eyes from him. A few minutes later, Deakins breezed past them, touching Goren's shoulder as he did. "Now."

Goren got up and headed toward the captain's office. He didn't look at anyone.

Closing the door behind him, Goren turned to face Deakins. After what had happened last week, he was surprised to see concern and not anger on the captain's face. "What's going on, Bobby?"

"I...I don't know."

"Sit down." He waited then continued, "One death I can accept as coincidence, but not two."

Goren nodded. "I know."

"I do not want to interfere in your personal life, but what am I supposed to do?"

Goren looked at his hands for a minute. "I didn't kill them."

"I know that. But they're still dead, and you're the last one who was with them before they died. No matter how you look at it, you have to admit that it doesn't look good for you."

"Do you want my badge?"

Deakins was surprised by that. "No, I don't. Bobby, I will stand behind you. I always have. But we need to catch this bastard."

A dark look settled on the detective's face. "You think I don't want to get him? But we have jackshit to go on, Captain. The only trace at either scene is mine."

Deakins ignored his outburst. He needed to focus the man. "Would you say that whoever this is, he seems to be familiar with you?"

"I guess that would be a fair assessment."

"Any idea who it might be?"

"Not a clue."

"How did he know you would be with those women?"

Goren shrugged. "Logan and I go to a little bar in mid-town on Sunday nights. I...uh, I didn't know either of those women before that, Captain. Nothing was planned."

"Nothing but your visit to the bar. Is that routine?"

Goren nodded. "For the most part, yes."

The captain sighed. "Get Eames in here."

It was with a feeling of dread that he did as Deakins asked. Once Eames was seated, the captain said, "All right. We're going to run with the idea that Goren is the one being targeted here. Follow your normal routine, Bobby. Eames is going to be your pick-up Sunday night."

He felt as though he'd been sucker-punched. "No."

They both looked at him in surprise. "That wasn't a request," Deakins warned.

"Captain..."

Before he could say any more, his partner turned on him. "What do you mean 'no'?"

He met her eyes, his own gaze hard. "Eames, you're..."

Her eyes got wide and she shook her head. She wasn't ready to tell anyone about her pregnancy yet. Bobby and Ricky were the only ones who knew; she hadn't even told her family yet. She did understand his reluctance. But she wasn't going to let him get away with it...not this early in the pregnancy. "I'm your partner, or I'm not," she threatened.

He was torn, but he had enough sense to know this wasn't a battle he could win. It wasn't the undercover work he minded; he never did. This time it was the risk to a pregnant partner he wanted to fight, but couldn't. His hands were tied, and that made him angry. He hated feeling cornered. "Fine. Sunday, then." He met Eames' eyes as if daring her to object. "I'm going for coffee, and Logan's going with me."

He left the office and Deakins looked at Eames. "What was that all about?"

"That was personal. Don't worry. We'll work it out."

"See that you do. Today."

If only it were that easy. "I'll do my best, Captain."

Goren stormed out of the captain's office and motioned to Logan. "I'll be back," Logan muttered to Barek.

He met Goren at the elevators. "What's wrong?"

He waved a hand as they got into the elevator. They were alone. "Eames and I have an undercover assignment."

"And you're upset? You like those assignments."

"Not this one. You and I are going out like we always do on Sunday, and Eames is going to be my pickup."

Logan was silent as the elevator doors opened and they headed out of the building. "Is there going to be a back-up team on stand-by?"

"Of course. And I want you on it."

"That's not a problem."

He looked at Logan. "I trust you, Mike. You won't let anything happen to her. I...I am not comfortable putting her in that situation."

"Oh? And who would you prefer to put in it? And if you suggest I dress in drag, I swear I'll punch you."

That got a smile from Goren. "No. I...I'd prefer not to put anyone in that situation. I was going to tell you that I'm not going out any more."

"Oh, that's gonna solve a lot. I can't deal with you being a hermit."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Pick up Eames Sunday night and let her beat the shit out of the weasel who's gotten her stupid partner in such trouble. Then we can arrest him and everyone will be happy."

Goren laughed softly. He couldn't help it. Logan had a way of turning an untenable situation around and making it seem all right. But his partner was pregnant...and he couldn't tell Mike that...and it changed everything...but there was nothing he could do about it. Eames was willing to take the risk. He wasn't, but he had no say in the matter. It wasn't his child. So why should he care? Maybe he shouldn't but he did. She was his partner and his closest friend, and this was her baby. He would come to accept the child because it was her child, something she had always wanted. This baby would make her happy in a way no one else ever could. And that, ultimately, was all that mattered.

He was pacing the living room restlessly, the way he always did when he was agitated. Logan had offered to have dinner with him, but he'd turned him down. He wanted to be alone, and he'd come right home after work. He'd barely spoken to Eames over the course of the day, not because he was angry at her, but because he was furious with himself and he didn't want to turn that rage on her. After all, he was the one who had brought this all down on them, and now...

There were so many ways this could go south. They had no idea what they were dealing with here... Eames might very well get in over her head and by the time the team got in there it could be too late, for her and for her baby. He couldn't stay with her. He had to leave so the perp could strike... He would come back, but there was no guarantee that he'd make it in time. He had to trust her to Logan, and he felt okay with that...but he'd feel better if she were in his keeping. He trusted himself, more than anyone else, to protect his partner and keep her safe.

A knock at the door drew him from his troubled thoughts, which both relieved and annoyed him. He pulled open the door, surprised to see Eames in the hallway. She watched the confusion linger on his face. "Are you going to let me in, or are you just going to stand there and look at me like I'm a ghost or something?"

With a deep sigh, he stepped away from the doorway. "Why are you here, Eames?"

"Because my best friend needs me, and I am determined not to let him down any more."

"Any more? When did you...?"

"Let's not go there, okay. I know I have, and I'm sorry. Things...got complicated for me, and I became very self-involved. And then I got mad at you for making friends with Mike. That wasn't fair." She sat down on the couch. "Bobby, I will not let Ricky cost me the most important relationship in my life. So I'm here to fix it."

A divorce court might fix it...he chased that thought from his mind. That wasn't going to help anyone. "There's nothing to fix, Eames."

"That's why you haven't spoken to me all day?"

"I don't want to..." He paused to gather his thoughts. "This is my fault, and I'm angry about that. I didn't want to take that out on you."

"Your fault? How is this your fault?"

"How is it not? Apparently I am the reason those two women are dead. And now you...you're putting yourself into that same situation..."

"Knowing what's coming, yes. I will be prepared, Bobby, and we'll have back up. We'll get this guy. Don't you trust me? I'm not going to leave you, partner. Not ever. You got that?" Silence. "And I am not going to risk this baby either." She hesitated. "Do you care about that?"

"About your baby? Of course I do. This baby...is something you've always wanted. I can't begrudge you something that will make you happy. You should know that by now. Besides, it's not my place..."

She launched herself off the couch in one swift sudden movement, catching him off guard. Stepping close to him, she placed her hand against his lips. "Never tell me what your place is. If I ask you something, then it's important to me. Just accept that. Okay?"

He nodded, not quite able to get past the hand covering his mouth. Her touch was gentle, like her manner, and he crumbled. No one could get to him like she could. Her hand came away, and his brain re-engaged. "I don't want anything to happen to you," he said softly.

"I know. And I feel the same way about you. That's why I want to get this guy. I don't want this perp to cost you your badge. Do you know how much I would lose from my life if you weren't in it every day?"

"No, I don't."

Slowly she shook her head. "How can you be so good at reading people, and yet be so clueless about the people closest to you? You have to know that you're important to me."

"I do," he said softly. But he had no words to tell her what she meant to him, how lost he would be without her.

"It's going to be okay. We'll get this guy and it'll be over and done with. We'll have our perp and the answers we need. You tagged Logan for the back-up team, didn't you?" He nodded. "And you trust him, don't you?"

"I do trust him. He'll watch out for you until I get back."

"Which will take what? Ten minutes?"

"If that..."

She smiled. "Listen to me. I've given this some thought. I was mad at you for withdrawing from me and shutting me out of your life, and I blamed Mike for that. That was wrong. I should have discussed it with you. I'm glad you and Mike are friends. I think you're good for one another. He draws you out and you calm him down. Nothing but good can come from that. But I want you to understand something and make me a promise."

Apprehension clenched his gut. "What is it?"

She rested her hand on his. "Stop punishing me for getting married. Relax and be my friend, like you always were. I do love you, Bobby, and I always will. It hurts when you shut me out."

He closed his hand around hers and raised it to his lips, contenting himself with placing a soft kiss on the back of it. There was no way she could know how much she had hurt him, and it wasn't her fault. She had never meant to. He nodded. "I'll do my best, all right?"

"Don't worry. I'll remind you."

He let a smile touch his lips. "I don't doubt that."

"Come on. You can buy me dinner. Sunday I'm going to pull your ass out of the fire; it's the least you can do."

Finally, he laughed, and they both felt the tension subside. He pulled her close and held her in a warm hug. She rested her head against him and slid her arms around him. She had always loved his hugs. "Let's go, Goren," she said lightly. "This baby's ringing the dinner bell and I'm not too nauseous to eat at the moment."

He released her with reluctance and followed her out the door. "Italian?" he asked as he locked the door.

"No. Baby says Chinese."

He laughed again, feeling more relaxed with her than he had in far too long. "Chinese it is then. Whatever the baby wants..."

"Spoiling him already?"

Something about her question made him feel...good. He really wasn't expecting to have much to do with this baby. Ricky would probably see to that. But sometimes it was the illusions in life that made the rest of it tolerable. "Why not?" he responded with a smile as they stepped into the elevator at the end of the hall. After all, who else did he have?