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…touch that remote again and y'all be a dead man!)

THE INAUGURATION

The morning was cold and crisp as the cops lined up on the flagstones of the Plaza. The great and the good of NYPD assembled in a phalanx on the steps of 1PP and the atmosphere was charged with excitement and optimism.

Closed circuit cameras were relaying events inside the building and on all floors every cop, CSI and civilian worker not engaged in urgent business, clustered around the screens.

Heads turned as the Chief of Police, Captain Danny Ross and Alex Eames stepped from the building. She was carrying a large and battered book and for a moment there was some shuffling around as they took up position.

Bobby Goren emerged in his best dress uniform and glanced about anxiously as he approached the official party. Eames saw him swallow hard as he flicked imaginary lint from his shirt and stretched out a long arm to place his right hand on the book she held.

His voice sounded hesitant and quiet as he repeated the oath after the Chief. Though by the end it rang out with confidence and clarity across the Plaza.

"I do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the office, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the espresso machine of Major Case"

As the assembled officers began to applaud he muttered to his partner.

"If I knew it would mean all this shit I would never have agreed to take over managing the coffee fund"

Eames shoved the accounts book none too gently into his midriff

"Good luck Bobby. You'll need it. Trust me!"

AN : I can't think what inspired me to write this one!