A/N: This Chapter isn't really supposed to be that funny but more like a setup for the more important chapters to come. Sorry, my funny bone wasn't working so well tonight.
Chapter 5: Assimilating With Her…and him…and him.
"If you would all please collect your bags, find your partner's and follow me to your cabins."
Goren and Eames did as instructed and followed the group; they hung out at the back of the line like they always did.
The group finally made it to the cabins and split into two groups, partners of 1-3 years and partners of 4-5 years.
The more experienced partnerships didn't have to suffer through group kumbaya singings and instead worked on more 'personal journeys' and 'trust building exercises'.
"Now since you guys aren't hormone enraged teenagers we have no problem housing you together, especially since you're partners. That will just help the trust building further. The whole point of this little excursion is for you guys to learn about each other and in turn trust each other completely which I hear is very important in your line of work. So without further ado, here are your cabin numbers, see you in the mess hall in 15 minutes. Unpack, chop chop!" Finally Bert left and the pairs of detectives meandered to their assigned sleeping quarters.
There weren't many pairs of detectives in the second group of 4-5 years so Goren and Eames cabin was pretty much a private room, all except for the two male detectives on the other side of the room.
"I call top bunk!" Eames threw her stuff on the top bunk and started to climb up. Goren didn't protest but instead set his bags down and walked over to shake the hands of the other roommates.
"Robert Goren" he extended his hand which was met by a hardy shake.
"Harold Millton" they shared a firm handshake and then an awkward silence fell in the room.
Eames jumped from the top bunk and landed with a thud next to Goren.
"I'm Alex Eames." She offered her hand they shared a more polite delicate handshake.
"Nice to meet you Alex." Millton gestured with his thumb over his shoulder pointing at his younger partner.
"That's James, Patrick James."
James broke the stare he had on his suitcase which he was trying to unzip and gave a quick friendly smile to Goren and Eames.
"So we're the only senior partners here? Well then we should ace this week no problem." Millton was a man of roughly 55, rugged looking, tough as leather but with a soft interior of wisdom and war stories from being on the force for most of his life.
His partner, James, late thirties, a kid really compared to his partner. It was quite obvious that Millton played the father figure in this relationship and Goren could see how the week could be fun for those two. Sort of like a father/son week of games and bonding.
Goren checked his watch and saw that the 15 minutes had just about passed them by.
No more standing and staring at each other, analyzing, instead all four of them made their way to the mess hall which wasn't too far from their cabins. At the door of their cabin all three men stopped.
Alex nearly ran into them but stopped just before; the three men parted and all just looked at her.
"What?" she was puzzled.
"Ladies first." Goren said it finally and all three nodded their heads towards the door.
"Oh brother…" she grumbled to herself but inside she liked that Goren was a gentlemen and was relieved in the fact that their roommates were equally as pleasant. She didn't mind being in the middle of a sausage fest as long as she was with Bobby she felt safe.
It was going to be just like when she was a kid at home with all of her brothers; she smiled as they marched to the mess hall.
Bert and the others were all gathered a cafeteria table looking at sheets of paper.
"This is your schedule for today, take it, use the map, and find your ways to the work stations designated on your paper. We break for lunch at 12:30. See you then, now scoot."
Alex and Bobby collected their papers and stood outside. Goren took out a compass and started trying to read a map.
Alex just gave him that look.
"Do you really think we need that?" she waved her hands around her and spun in a circle gesturing to the camp surroundings.
"There are only about 1000 acres here and for god's sake there are colored flags and marked trails. Put that thing away." She took the map from his hand and started towards their first station.
He put his compass back his pocket and turned his "FUN" cap backwards and followed her, always following her.
tbc..thanks for reviewing, sorry for the delay in the update, no excuses here just I was lazy and out of ideas!