A/N: First and foremost, a big thanks to poppyfoxcroft and Ordinary for their help with this chapter. They are so generous to share their wisdom! Also, the "Magnum's" that I refer to in the last paragraph are, ahem, a brand of condoms that are especially for men of Bobby's stature. (Wink, wink, nudge, nudge!) Please read and I welcome your reviews!

Same disclaimer: Wolf Films… blah, blah, blah…

Chapter 6: Plans and Preparations

As soon as he hung up the phone, Detective Robert Goren started formulating a plan. He may no longer have possessed the physical prowess of years past, but he still knew how to woo a woman. And he had every intention of wooing and winning Anna Haversham.

Bobby went to his desk and began flipping through his rolodex. Somewhere with great food and intimate ambience… she likes dancing and Italian… A-HA! He pulled the business card for Antonia's out of the file and started looking for a florist.

Alex returned with fresh coffee and snacks from the deli next door. She took one look at her partner and knew his call had been successful. She hadn't seen a grin that big on his face since she didn't know when. He turned from his task and looked at her, eyes sparkling like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Well, I am assuming that I don't need to make a phone call," she said, handing him his coffee. "And that you got the answer you were hoping for."

"She said yes, if that's what you're assuming," Goren replied, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice. "She said yes!"

"Good for you, Bobby. Now, where are you taking her? Somewhere nice, but not too posh for a first date. Romantic… but not over the top. And, of course, you are planning for something after dinner?" Alex winced at the way that sounded. She glanced over to see her partner turning six shades of red and attempting to stifle a laugh.

"I didn't mean… you know what I meant… some sort of public activity…" God, that's even worse, Alexandra. Come on, I'm sure your whole foot will fit in your mouth… Now she was the one turning red.

"Yea, Eames," Bobby cleared his throat and attempted to control himself. It didn't really work. "I was thinking of Antonia's, they have great food and…uhm, live music and a dance floor. And, of course, uhm… flowers when I pick her up."

He's so excited, he's going to wet his pants…, Alex thought, looking across the desk at her partner. Goren was now practically fidgeting himself out of the chair. Geez, it must have been longer between dates than I thought. Better get him to use up some of that energy or he's going to lose it when she opens the door.

"That sounds perfect, Goren. But," she pointed to the conference room and stood up from her desk. "We should get started on the witness statements in there, set up appointments for the re-interviews on Monday, start going over the…"

"Yea, yes…okay," he put his hands up in his patented "No Mas" gesture and nodded. "Just let me call the florist and I'll be right there." He looked up at Alex from across the desk. He wasn't laughing anymore, but he was still smiling and the sparkle in his eyes was still there.

"Okay, I'll get started," she smiled back and patted his shoulder as she headed for the conference room.

"Oh, and Bobby…," she said as she reached the door. "You know the more we get done today, the later we can come in tomorrow…" Alex winked and went inside.

Bobby started dialing. Hell, if we can get enough done, he thought excitedly, then maybe we won't have to come in at all…

They put their heads down and plowed through the witness statements. After they had whittled the stack down to a manageable number, Eames started calling and setting up interview times for the following Monday. Goren spent the afternoon going back over the case notes that he and his partner had written, as well as the notes from the patrol officers that found the victims and the homicide detectives that had originally been assigned. Both he and Eames agreed they had accomplished a lot, but there was still so much more to do.

"I know I've had enough for one day," Alex rolled her eyes and stretched. "How about you?"

"Yea… I think it's best to stop here. I don't want to get caught up in the financials," he glanced up at the clock – it was already four thirty. "And then have to leave."

"Leave… for your d-a-t-e!" Alex smiled slyly at him and wiggled her eyebrows.

"Okay, now, leave it… leave it alone, Eames," he blushed and smiled softly as he closed up his binder.

"Bobby, if I had left it alone earlier, you'd still be sitting there staring at the phone." She watched as her partner got his things in order.

"I would've called her… eventually," he seemed serious for a moment and Alex began to wonder exactly why asking Anna out had been so nerve racking for him.

It's not as if asking a woman out is new to him… He's always been able to turn on the charm and have women fall at his feet, she thought. Why is he suddenly so self-conscious with Anna? She opened her mouth and then quickly closed it. Now isn't the time. Let him go out and enjoy himself… He'll probably be fine once the first date jitters are over.

"As long as you relax and enjoy yourself tonight, Bobby… I'm sure you will both have a great time."

"That's what I'm planning on, Alex." He looked down at her, his smile returning.

They left the conference room and Bobby waited as Alex gathered her things. As the elevator doors closed, he turned to her, a curious look on his face.

"Alex, uhm… do you know anything about…," he stammered and shuffled his feet.

"What is it, Bobby?"

"Do you know anything about… ice hockey?"

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He opened the door to his apartment and made his way to his desk. Bobby put the binder in its usual place, unhooked his badge and weapon and locked them in the top drawer. He turned, walked into the small kitchen and made a sandwich. Don't want the gut growling just as I pick her up, he said to himself, glancing down at his belly.

Bobby Goren had always been fit. From his days of junior varsity basketball, to the Army, through the Police Academy and even his first years at Major Case, he had maintained the body of a man several years younger. But over the past couple of years, he had managed to gain around fifteen pounds and had slacked off on his exercise. He reasoned that all men in their mid-forties began to lose some of their tensile strength, resulting in a more rounded physique. But he also knew that lately, more often than not, he'd awakened from one of his nightmares or came home after a stressful visit with his mother and found comfort in his ice box and cupboards. At least I'm not drinking the pain away… he thought as he carefully removed two pieces of pastrami from the bread and returned it to the fridge.

He finished his sandwich and headed for the bedroom. Bobby pulled out one of his best dark blue suits and a soft grey silk shirt. He hung them on the back of his bedroom door and brushed them, making sure they looked 'just right.' He checked to make sure his dress shoes were polished and headed for the shower.

Ten minutes later, he wiped the steam from the mirror and took a moment to gaze at his reflection. Damn, I look old… and tired. He brushed a hand across his ever present stubble and frowned. Should I shave? What would she like, smooth or rough? Rough, it adds dimension and character to old and tired. He dried himself off and put on his robe. He still had an hour before he had to leave for the florist and then pick up Anna.

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Anna surveyed her living room and smiled. She had always kept her home clean and tidy, but even she had been surprised by her voracious housecleaning since Bobby's call. The hardwood floors gleamed, the windows glistened, and every surface had been polished to within an inch of its life. She walked into the freshly scrubbed kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and headed down the hall to her bedroom.

The master bedroom with ensuite bath had sold her on the apartment. Large and open, with a skylight and huge walk-in closet, her bedroom had become her haven. Soft, comforting blue walls were complemented by the smooth white sheets and coverlet with hand embroidered edges. A mahogany four poster king sized bed with matching dresser and chest of drawers anchored the space and behind the headboard hung her most prized possession, her great grandmother's quilt. A chaise lounge, angled from one corner next to her bedside table, completed the room.

She entered the closet and moved several hangers down the rod. There, in the back, was "The Dress." Anna removed it from the protective garment bag and beamed with pride as she ran her hands over the luxurious, cream colored silk and the soft pink and green embroidered lace. It had started as a simple slip dress, inspired by Elizabeth Taylor in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." She had added boning to the bodice so she wouldn't have to wear a bra, and had lined and flared the skirt so that it swished around her legs. She had made it over a year ago and had often wondered if she would ever have the opportunity to wear it. I hope it still fits, she thought, as she removed her t-shirt and jeans to try it on. Yes – it's perfect! She couldn't resist taking a moment to twirl in front of the full length mirror before carefully returning it to the bag and making her way into the bathroom.

She turned on the water and began to prepare her bath, adding her favorite lilac scented bath salts and making sure her shampoo, conditioner, and soap were within reach. She slid the Vivaldi cd into the player on the vanity, removed her underwear, and slid into the warm, relaxing water. I want to look beautiful for him tonight… I want to feel beautiful… She found herself wondering where he would take her for dinner, whether he had planned something afterwards, whether she should or would invite him to stay. She sighed as she considered her last thought. I don't want him to think I am some sort of slut, picking up my brother's co-workers… But I am attracted to him, he seems attracted to me. He is intelligent, kind, obviously not a felon…and a gentleman… A damn fine looking gentleman! Anna pulled her hair out of the bun and placed the bobby pins on the table next to the tub. "We'll just have to wait and see," she decided as she slipped her head under the water.

An hour and a half later, she was moisturized, perfumed and made-up. She slid her hair from the rollers and brushed it out, flipping it back to curl softly around her shoulders. She checked the clock – six thirty already! – and went to get dressed.

She chose her sexiest undies – cameo pink silk and lace that almost exactly matched the embroidery on "The Dress." She decided to forgo stockings. Anna returned to the closet and once again removed the dress from the garment bag. I hope he likes it, she thought nervously. She stepped in and zipped it up. Turning around she checked herself over in the mirror. She grabbed the matching silk wrap from the bag and wrapped it over her shoulders to make sure it looked perfect.

Okay, looks good… shoes… handbag… okay… She had just reached the living room when the intercom buzzed. Deep breath, Anna.

"Yes?"

"A-Anna? It's Robert Goren."

"Come on up."

She buzzed him in and took the pocket mirror from her handbag. She checked her hair and make-up and added a little lip gloss. Good, you look good… Relax, smile, don't fidget… Relax… The door bell rang.

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Bobby heard the buzzer and pulled open the door with his right hand. In his left, he cradled a bouquet of six stargazer lilies arranged with a half dozen white roses. As he entered the elevator, he patted his right back pocket. He had felt a little embarrassed buying the Magnum's at the bodega outside the florist, but he had forgotten to grab condoms at home and figured he should be prepared for anything. He checked his hair in the steel elevator doors and tried to relax. Right… just take things easy, try not to interrogate her… Another deep breath. Don't fidget… give her that smile… relax… The doors opened and he turned to the right, towards the rear of the building. Her apartment was the last door on the left side. Okay, deep breath, Goren. He rang the doorbell.