Mike Logan hated research. Right at this very moment he hated his computer, all of the internet and a perp by the name of Marcus Duncan. His existence was non-existent, at least according to Google.

The elevator bell made him look over his shoulder again. But only Captain Ross stepped out of the elevator and Logan turned back to his computer.

Disappointed, Logan studied his partner Megan Wheeler who was engrossed in her own search of the elusive Mr. Miller.

Although she seemed friendlier these past few weeks, Wheeler was still a bit distant. Something, or someone, was occupying her time these days but he wasn't going to ask. Logan had already learned his lesson.

Just as he was about to refocus his efforts on his prey, Alex Eames appeared from the elevator bank with Goren trailing behind her, his head buried in his notes. He was saying, "If you looked at the bookshelf closely, you'll see that three of the four books are upside down..."

But Eames wasn't paying attention to him or anyone else for that matter. She was already at her desk, setting down her purse and switching on her computer. Turning to hang her coat on the back of her chair, she glanced over at Logan, his dark head bent over his paper and fiddling with his pen. But she looked just a moment too long. As she was about to sit down, she caught Wheeler's eye.

There was a thud behind her and she heard Goren say her name. "Eames? Did you hear what I said about the books and the cigarettes?"

She turned. "Yes, that there were ashes found in the spine of the books and they're being sent to the lab for analysis. We might be able link the killer to the victim if we're able to find DNA evidence of said killer in the apartment. I'm going to get coffee."

And with that, she grabbed her mug and walked out.

Ever since Eames had told him about her relationship with Goren, he finally clued into the fact that things weren't right between them and hadn't been for a while.

Logan resisted the urge to go after her. Not that he should really care; besides, a person's relationship with their partner was closer than a marriage and tougher to navigate than the Bermuda Triangle. No one had the right to interfere. He sat there for another moment, contemplating his inner rant. Then again, a friend could comfort another friend. He grabbed his coffee cup and walking out, unaware that two other parties watching him go.

She was sitting at a table; her hand wrapped around her coffee cup like it was a life preserver completely oblivious to the hubbub around her.

"Hey," was all Logan said. He didn't bother to sit down; there were too many eyes in the station.

Eames looked up, tossing her head slightly to move the hair out of her eyes. She didn't look like she was in a chatty mood but Logan tried anyway.

"I tried that Thai place you told me about," he said. Food was way to get her talk.

"Did you like the pad thai?"

"Mm, no, not as much as that place on West 57th."

"Really? That vermin trap?"

"The Chinese place you love has so many code violations that even the rats have written them up."

Eames laughed and he was satisfied to see her relaxed, even for a moment. She always seemed so serious. It wasn't until he started hanging out with her these past few weeks that he realized that she rarely smiled.

She gestured towards the chair next to her. "Would you like to sit?" Eames needed a distraction from Goren and his brain.

"Nah, I've got to get back to finding Duncan. I can't leave all the fun to Wheeler." Logan gave her a grin and left.

It had been on the tip of her tongue to call after him but the number of people in the cafeteria made Eames think twice and no doubt someone had taken notice of the two of them. She paused and realized she liked the sound of that. The two of them.

She wished she had asked him to dinner tonight and she wished that the whole room had heard her so that it would make its way back to Bobby. He would probably analyze the hell out of it, let it fester a bit and then study her for the rest of the day. But it wasn't about his attention; well, not completely. Truth be told, it was mostly about a pixie-ish woman with red hair.

Realizing that she couldn't hide from her partner forever, Eames made her way back to the office. As she got out of the elevator, she caught Logan's eye and smiled.

Then it hit her. That was the first real thing that she felt that whole day.

/to be continued

ooOoo

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