A/N: Thanks to Kim (chlark4) for her extra pair of eyes, much appreciated.

Chapter Eight

Sunday Evening

The Home of Michael and Theresa Eames

Alex enters the kitchen followed by her father, John. "You made the right decision in taking that letter back." Alex nods her head in agreement as she sits down between her sister and brother at the kitchen table. "Now I can see why," he says.

"Letter? What letter?" Her sister Laurie asks.

"I wrote a letter to Deakins," she pours a smidgen of milk into her coffee, "Asking for a new partner."

All seated at the table frown, Michael asks, "When did you do this?"

"Almost a year ago," she takes a quick sip of coffee. "Ok," she sets down the cup, "First, he doesn't know anything about it but when I first met him he," she swallows hard. "I didn't understand him at all." She looks around the table. Five sets of eyes are fixated on her, she continues. "What I saw was a man who was erratic and antisocial. But what really lead me to believe that he was mentally unstable, was his bizarre interrogation techniques. I had some serious doubts about his judgment and mental stability."

No one has taken their eyes off her, Sara asks, "Are we speaking about the same friendly, helpful man who was just here?"

Alex chuckles, "Yes Mom," she says as she nods her head. "That was the impression that I first had of him. I wasn't sure if I could trust him but Deakins told me, give him another few weeks, or until this case is closed. Now in that period of time, I came to understand him. His style is defiantly unique but I came to see that his approach was based on a deep understanding of human behavior. He is an ethical person and an effective police officer and I knew that he would always have my back." She picks up her cup as she sits back in the chair, "And he is also a very warm and caring man. Probably the best partner I've ever….or will ever have."

A Few Weeks Later

One Police Plaza

"Jesus what a day, my feet are killing me."

"Your feet and my back," he rolls the chair back to prop his feet on the desk. "Eames if I fall asleep," he yawns as he lays his head back. "Please don't wake me up."

"Ok, I won't," she mumbles from her side of the desk. The room is quiet with only a handful of detectives mulling about. The ringing of the phone does not motivate either one to move. From across the room Detective Samuels calls to Bobby, "Goren, phone."

He tries to reach the receiver from his current position, "Damn," but he can't. He sits up, "Goren," he snaps.

"Detective Goren this is Doctor Rodgers, I have an unidentified young male here with your card in his wallet. The name in the wallet is Anthony Fisher." Alex jumps when she hears the receiver being placed noisily on the desk. "Bobby," she puts her feet down, "What's the matter?"

He rubs his eyes as he picks up the receiver, he takes a long cleansing breath before he speaks, "Sorry, Doctor."

"It's alright, I understand."

"How? Do you know cause of death?"

"My preliminary workup suggests a drug overdose."

"Did you...did you call his mother?"

"No not yet, I thought it best I call you first for a positive I.D."

"Thanks…." He rubs his eyes, "Thanks for calling," he says with a shaky voice. "I'll be right there." He replaces the receiver softly on the cradle and leans back in the chair. He scans everywhere in the room but at his partner, "Bobby?"

"That," he points to the phone, "That was Rodgers." he looks up at her, she can see tears welling up in his eyes. "Tony," he hits the top of the desk with his fist, "Son of a bitch!" The handful of people in the room turns their attention to the sound, "Stupid kid."

She immediately rises from her chair, a few steps later and she is by his side, "Bobby," she sits on the edge of the desk. "You did all you could."

"I did all I could," he says mockingly. He stands abruptly and it startles her, he begins to pace around the desks. "Did all I could," he repeats, "No," he shakes his head feverishly. "No….because if I did….he'd still be alive."

"Bobby," she reaches for his arm to stop him from pacing. "It's not your fault." He stops pacing and stares her down but she doesn't shy away, "Bobby he wasn't your responsibility."

"I made him my responsibility, can't you understand that? And I failed him." He brushes past her and she follows him with her eyes. He turns suddenly, "Well," he exclaims, she turns to face him, "You coming with me or what?" She nods, "Yes, yes I'm coming." She jogs to catch up.

They stay silent on their way to the morgue. "Doctor," Bobby says as he walks toward the covered body on the table. "Detective, I'm sorry," she hands him the wallet. Rodgers walks slowly over to the body and pulls down the sheet. Bobby and Alex exchange a glance and a smile; Rodgers notices and gives them a scowl. "That," he shakes his head. "That's not Tony."

"You and I both know Detective that time in the elements can cause," Bobby interjects, "I don't care if he's been in the elements for a month," he opens the wallet. "That is not Tony." He points to the ID card inside, "See this," he turns the wallet in Rodgers direction. "It says 5 – 10," he scans over the unknown young male on the table, "Does one shrink in the elements also?"

"Bobby," Alex calls to him to break up the tension between her partner and Rodgers. "I'm sorry," he holds up his hand. "It's just that..."

"It's alright Detective, I understand." Bobby walks closer to the body, "How long do you think he's been dead?"

"I'd say about a week." The ringing of his cell phone startles all three, "Excuse me," he hits the talk button, "Goren."

"Bobby its Cheryl, Tony...he's not...I didn't see him this morning and I'm afraid that he's been out all night."

His elation is short lived, "Maybe he's still at work, did you call?"

"Yes, I did. As a matter of fact he told me that he was going to work late, but," she takes a cleansing breath. "Knowing his past….sometimes I don't trust him." He can hear her sniffle. "No one is answering the phones there. Where can he be?"

"I'll go to his job and see, I'm sure he's there."

"I don't know if I can...if he's using again I...he's not...I'm not going to let him come home this time!" She exclaims.

"Cheryl I understand, don't panic, ok, please calm down."

"I can't….I won't go through this again with him!"

"I'll check it out. I'll call you back as soon as I can." He ends the call with a push of a button, lifting his head slowly to catch his partner's eye. "Tony's AWOL," he stuffs the phone in his pocket. He stares at the young man on the table, "That's not Tony, but then...where the hell is he?"

"Maybe he mugged Tony." Alex says.

"Come on Alex," he scoffs. "You know as well as I that the two of them were together getting high and this poor slob wandered away with Tony's wallet and dropped dead."

"You shouldn't suppose Bobby, you don't know the facts."

"Experience Alex, experience, that little prick, he fooled me into believing that he was clean. I trusted him and he betrayed me….us." He stuffs the wallet in his jacket pocket.

Alex grabs him by the elbow, "Come on," she says as she removes a set of keys from her pocket. "I'll drive."

"You sure?"

She nods her head, "Very, besides I think you could use some backup."

TBC

A/N: Yes I know what you're thinking….practically word for word of what she said in TWSH. Hey, can't tamper with perfection. Later….The Mominator.