Disclaimer:All of the characters are the property of Dick Wolf. I thank him, the writers, the directors and all the great actors who brought them "to life" for our benefit. Any "liberties" I have taken with them stems from my fond admiration (and a few personal quirks I will seek "help" for).

AN: This story is not set within the accepted "canon" for the characters as it is only officially portrayed by the TV series. So I get to "fool around" with them in ways in which they've never been seen, stretching that to the limit and suspending the "reality" that is "fiction" to start with…now there's a contradiction in terms!!!

(And yeah Goren I know the proper word for that is oxymoron…now stop hogging all the bedclothes)

Alex needs Bobby to be at his most sensitive and kind to her…

THE INCIDENT

When Bobby Goren went into the private room they had given her Alex Eames was still in one of the institutions robes and shaking slightly. He saw the visible effort she made to control that as soon as she realised it was him standing there. The way she instinctively clutched it round her neck so he not see the extent of the damage. Though it was fairly evident from her lower legs and on her arms below the sleeves of the robe.

He tried hard to pretend he'd not seen it as he shifted awkwardly not certain what to say for the best.

"Sit down Bobby" she said dully "You make the place look untidy"

Bobby did as he was told hoping that maybe this hadn't robbed his partner totally of her sense of humour and grit. She'd need as much as she could muster in the days to come and even the weeks to come were not going to be easy.

"I…um…I'm sorry Eames" he said

"Don't blame yourself Bobby" she sniffed softly "It's not your fault. You did warn me about the risks. I should have listened to you"

"Have they done…um…you know…everything they need to for you?" he asked painfully aware no matter how sensitive a guy was by nature and how much he tried to be, it was impossible to know what really to say in this situation.

She nodded "And I've scrubbed myself in the shower back there…three times…like it…as if it will…"

"I know" he said quietly reaching out his hand to pat hers. She withdrew like he'd been about to hit or hurt her.

"Perhaps if I…um…had checked the place out myself first…not let you…on your own…this wouldn't have happened"

"Don't be silly Bobby" she said "You would have stuck out like a sore thumb and been blushing as red as that tie. There's certain places…situations…well a guy like you doesn't fit in"

"You should take a couple of week's leave" he suggested "I'm sure a doctor would…um…maybe a psychologist could help…"

"What difference will that make?" she snorted suddenly seeming to pour her anger out on him "Everyone will know what happened. Some of it will still show"

She pulled back her hair even he'd noticed she'd brushed more forwards "Look Bobby! Just look what that lunatic did to me"

"I know Eames" he said looking at the floor too awkward and embarrassed to look his partner in that face.

"He'll lose his licence I swear he will. I'll make sure of it"

"His licence!!" she almost screamed "Is that all? There's barely an inch of my body he hasn't had his hands all over Bobby"

Eames shuddered "Or are you about to find another of your psychobabble excuses for what he did. His Mommy didn't love him enough or too much or…or…" she broke off literally speechless with rage

"He wasn't wearing his contacts Eames" he said knowing the explanation wasn't going to satisfy her "He didn't dilute the fake tan in the right proportions with body lotion"

Goren glanced at his watch "Anyway when you're ready I'll be waiting for you outside the beauty salon. Just tell people you've got a bad case of jaundice"

He ducked through the door before copy of "Cosmopolitan" hit it with such force and accuracy where his head had been, Eames really should consider trying out for the starting rotation at Shea.

Maybe next time she'd stick with his plan of just going for a hot dog at lunchtime?