A/N: Here's the second chapter of 'Future days', hope you'll like it and forgive me my mistakes…

Ready, steady… Read!

Once arrived home Bobby was restless, he was literally counting the minutes separating him from tomorrow, Monday. The day he would go back to work in the morning and see his partner again. In this week they managed to close the bank DOA with the help of the Feds and the only thing left was paperwork… tons and tons of documents waiting for them to be filled in, Goren had never particularly enjoyed writing reports and filling in blanks but if that meant being able to be close to Eames well…. That was a completely different story.

During the whole ride home from Gyson's office he couldn't stop thinking about his session, his progresses and about how he finally felt confident in Gyson enough to confess his feelings for Alex 'but probably she already knew that' he thought 'she's a good reader and she didn't sound too surprised… Hell! Am I really that easy to read?! I also believe she didn't buy the "brotherly love" story since the beginning. Maybe my reaction to her question has been a little too much revealing…'

After a long and troubled night Monday morning finally arrived; he was at work earlier than usual,useless trying to sleep when your already hyperactive brain is filled with so many new thoughts. However he was already at his desk working on his stack when she entered the bullpen at eight a.m. sharp…

"Morning" Alex muttered almost under her breath with a still drowsy voice

"Good morning!" he replied with a more cheerful tone.

"I'm still waiting to see the day in which you'll arrive late at work… Or however later than me…"

"Nah, it's not worth the wait, it's already happened Eames. You don't remember?"

"Goren, if you are referring to that couple of times you arrived late because the subway train was delayed well, that doesn't count…"

"If you say so…" That said Bobby returned the stare to the paperwork, she noticed what he was doing and commented:

"I'm also waiting to see the day in which all our paperwork will be done by small and gentle pixies who show up at night and write down all our reports for us…"

Goren chuckled slightly, enjoying her morning sarcasm

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you again Eames but pixies do not exist…"

"Umphf you spoiled the magic!"

"Besides the 'Always-early-ogre' bought you coffee this morning, black coffee with an amount of sugar considered dangerous for health from the 85% of American doctors …"

"Geez Goren thank you! I do really need it."

"You're welcome"

Alex lifted the lid of her cup to smell the strong aroma of that hot, delicious and still slightly bitter mixture 'Where that man buys this nectar it's still a mystery to me… Ah Alex…What would you do without him? You'd be lost, that's for sure!'

"So, in your opinion, pixies don't exist but ogres do?"

"Yep."

"And on the strength of what did you build this theory of yours?"

"Oh well, I don't know what about you but I never found my paperwork done in the morning and I'm the living proof that ogres do exist."

Eames laughed really hard this time, absolutely indifferent to her colleagues' sideways glances…

'I made her laugh… On early Monday morning! If the day continues as it started it's definitely going to be a good day. I just hope to have enough time to set up my plan…'

By the time Goren and Eames wrapped up all the reports Captain Hannah called them both in his office in order to assign them to a brand new case; the case itself wasn't anything special: dead body found floating in the Hudson River's waters initially named as Jane Doe. The presence of New York's finest became a vital necessity when the poor girl turned out to be the youngest daughter of a rich and important oil trader.

Once the detectives arrived at the crime scene they were immediately reached by ME Elizabeth Rodgers and filled in about the corpse. Apparent COD was strangulation but there were signs of rape as well, if the rape was confirmed the case would immediately pass to SVU's team.

It was an awfully hot June day and the smell of the decomposing dead body combined with the humidity coming from the water were making the whole atmosphere unbearable, but in a record time Rodgers confirmed the rape and Eames grabbed her cell phone in order to contact SVU "I'm going to call Hannah to let him know we're passing the case…"

"Sure"

'Timing's perfect, it's now or never Goren, don't be a coward. Oh God! She's already back, since when our phone calls with the Capitan are so short?!'

"So? What did Hannah say?"

"Oh, same old stuff we have to wait for the SVU guys, fill 'em in and then we can go home earlier since it looks like there's nothing else for us to do today… You ok?"

Eames noticed the discomfort in her partner's eyes

"Yes sure, why?"

"Because it looks like something is bothering you…"

'Oh Eames, if you only knew…'

"No, there's nothing wrong… M-must be this heat…"

"Yeah, I was feeling pretty uncomfortable myself before, you know. But now that I'm no longer near the water and the body I'm already feeling better. Sometimes I wonder how it's possible for an open space like this to look so claustrophobic…"

"You know Eames, I was wondering… Do you… Ah… W-would you like to stop for an ice cream on our way back? I'm buying."

'Why all my rhetorical skills are suddenly disappeared?! I need them now because I'm feeling like a damned teenager asking out his first crush! Get a grip Goren…'

When her response didn't arrive he began thinking she was just finding a gentle way to refuse his offer

"B-but if you don't want it's ok, I mean, I just thought it may be a g-good idea because of the heat and, and…"

"Bobby!" Alex really hated to snap or scream at him but sometimes it was strictly necessary, it was the only way to draw his attention back and pull him out from his own mind when he got too lost in thoughts; Bobby abruptly stopped talking and lifted his look from the polished tips of his shoes to her beautiful face framed by honey strands of hair

"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you but sometimes when you start rambling like that it's just… Well, it's not easy to catch your attention…"

The little smile she wore while talking gave him hope and appeased his unquiet heart

"By the way what I was trying to say is that I'd really like an ice cream right now… Especially if you are buying my dear partner."

Alex nudged him playfully in his ribs, even if her touch was delicate and she didn't intend to hurt him she hit a particularly ticklish spot which made him jump in surprise at first and then grin amused by her contact

'Bobby, Bobby, Bobby…. I hope you finally understood what I want from you. Sorry for my new found freedom in touching you, and I really do hope you don't mind, but sometimes looks like you need a little help…'

Her reverie was interrupted by the arrival of the SVU's guys; Bobby, Alex and the ME filled them in about the case and eventually jumped in the department SUV. Alex was behind the wheel as per usual…

"So? Where are we going?"

Goren gave her the address and Eames started the engine up driving quietly trough the city streets. Bobby remained unusually silent and still during the whole twenty minutes ride. When they finally arrived in front of the ice cream parlor without muttering a word he jumped out of the car and ran at her side of the vehicle in order to open her door

"You are wrong."

"Uhm what?"

"I'm just saying that you are wrong, you can't be an ogre. You are too gentle to be one of them… So ogres don't exist!"

Goren only managed a weak nod in answer to her statement and that worried her…

"Hey, I'm serious now, what's gotten into you today?!"

"No-nothing… Why?"

"C'mon Goren you won't fool anyone! You are strange today, this… stillness and this numbness… You have to admit it's unusual for you. Even before at the crime scene you weren't acting like you usual self. Are you sick and you wanna go home?"

"No, a-absolutely…"

"Then what? Are you hiding something from me? Another secret perhaps?" The sympathy and the concern in her voice vanished leaving space only to rising anger

'No no no no no! Don't get there Eames, please don't! I'm still not ready for this. Don't be mad at me, I'm not fine, I'm just… confused… No, I can't explain you why right now. I'd only scare you… God, why is this so fucking hard?! Think, think hard Goren, use that big brain of yours and find something believable…'

"Eames, Eames please, believe me. T-there's nothing wrong with me today it's just…" 'a half-truth might be a nice start toward the truth… Eames I'm sorry, forgive me this little lie, it's going to be the last one I'll ever tell you, I promise!' "I-I haven't slept very well tonight and this weather, this dampness it's not helping. It's suffocating. Right now something refreshing could really help."

Eames was still staring at him perplexed with furrowed brows and arms crossed over her chest.

"I swear, I'm fine… Not sick however…"

"Whatever Bobby, whatever…"

'Are you mad at me Eames? Was that anger? Or frustration? Irritation? God, I wish I could read her like she reads me… Even Gyson seems to know her better. Damn it!"

'Please Bobby, don't shut me out again, I really care for you, you bloody idiot! Why can't you see it?! I care for you more than I should… I need you to trust me. Tell me what's wrong, I hate to see you so torn apart… I want to help you… I love you, but I'm not ready to tell you yet, I need a sign from your part, make me understand I mean something to you…'

Once they exited the shop, ice creams in hands, Goren was the first to break the uneasy silence that settled between the two of them the whole time they queued up waiting for their turn to arrive

"Shall we take a walk? Or you'd rather sit somewhere?"

"Walking is fine…"

"I want to tell you something, I... uhm, I decided to continue my therapy with Doctor Gyson…"

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"That's good Bobby, really, I'm happy for you! Honestly I'm also surprised, I'd never thought you would do something like that…"

"Yeah, me too, but there are some… goals I wanna reach and I'll need some help… What about a walk in the park?" He said pointing with his pointing finger to the other side of the road

"Good idea! Maybe the shadow of the trees will provide some shelter from this scorching heat…"

They walked for a long while alternating moments of chatting mostly about her family, their 'good ole days', the gossips around the office and stories about friends; to moments of simply walking in silence enjoying their closeness in that kind of urban locus amoenus. Goren and Eames didn't even realize that it was almost dinner time by the time they reached the parked SUV

"Maybe we should get the car back to 1PP. Hannah might be worried."

"You mean about the car or about us?" Inquired Goren

Eames pretended to be thinking about the question with intensity…

"Mmmmhh… I'd say the car. Yep, the car definitely."

And then the same awkward moment they already experienced just a little longer than a week before was back, they kept staring at each other speechless, hoping to be the other one to make the first move or say something…

"It's been a great idea Bobby. Thank you."

'You've always been the bravest between the two of us Alex, I never had doubts about it…'

"No, thanks to you for company and… you know, everything else…"

'I sound like an idiot… Great… Fuck! Are you back in high school again?!'

"In all honesty I have to admit that I's been a while since I had so much with an adult…"

"Yeah, me too… I, I really had a lot of fun with you. You know it's been a while since we… Got together after work. "

"I know Bobby, I know…"

"I was thinking… Since we enjoyed our-self so much today why don't we, why don't we try this again?"

They both climbed in the car closing the doors in unison

"You mean like today? Just me and you? Talking about everything but job?"

"That was pretty much my idea…."

"Ok"

"Ok?"

"Sure, why not."

"It's… It's hard to explain but I want to feel more, I want a life outside Major Case and be more than my job. That's why I keep seeing Gyson."

Alex felt truly touched by his sincere confession. She decided she'll treasure the memory of this moment like one of the most precious she's ever had. Her eyes were almost glistening with tears

'God Bobby I can't even imagine how hard was for you this confession. Thank you, you have no idea how much it means to me. I hope one day I'll find enough courage to tell you'

"I bet you'll make it."

"Good. Thanks."

"Shall I consider our rendez-vous a date?"

Her unexpected question made him almost choke on his own saliva and raised an unwelcomed sensation of panic, he was frightened by the answer he was going to give her, and, most of all, was frightened by her possible reaction. He found himself babbling and stumbling on his own words in order to give her the correct answer…

"I-it can be whatever you want Eames…"

"What would you like it to be?"

"I…. uhm… Ah, actually I was hoping for a date but I understand that you maybe…"

"Ok, let's consider it a date."

"Really?"

"Did you hear me Goren?"

"Yes, yes loud and clear."

"Perfect! So? When?"

"What about next Saturday? We both won't be on call…"

"I have a play date with my nephew Saturday afternoon…"

"That's ok because I was thinking about dinner"

"Good"

Alex stopped the car in front of the 1PP parking lot entrance

"I didn't see your car this morning, wanna a lift home?"

"No, no thank you. I'd rather take the subway. See you tomorrow morning Eames…"

"See ya Bobby. Goodnight."

Whit a muttered "'night" Goren left his partner and headed toward the nearest subway station and fumbled with his pockets in order to find his metro card.

At home that night Bobby neither ate nor slept. He spent almost the whole night pacing in his living room thinking about the nice day he had and about his upcoming date…

'She said yes, she said yes! And she wants it to be a real date. If I've not misread her I'm in the "luckiest bastards on Earth club". I hope she really wants to give it a try. Maybe she doesn't feel for me the same I feel for her, maybe she just needs a good friend and not a lover. I'll be whatever she needs me to be, everything to keep her close…'

Sleep eluded him that night too 'God… 'I'll need some rest, if it keeps going this way the whole week I'll be exhausted by Saturday'

But this morning he wasn't tired at all, he was full of energy and ready to face another full work day.

"You're early!" Came Eames' voice from the elevator doors at his back

"You seem surprised…"

"Nah, after twelve years I got used to it…"

"Good because I brought you your favorite breakfast from the diner around the corner…"

Bobby retrieved a brown bag from his left side third drawer and handed it to her

"Beware, it might be dangerous offering me food like this; I might get used to this too…"

Goren's reply was silenced by the barked roar coming from Hannah's office

"Goren, Eames! My office!"

"Sounds like a case."

Inside the office the Captain filled them in on a homicide case and wrote them down an address on a post-it

"Talk with the detectives of the local precinct for other information. Have fun guys!"

The case they were assigned to was the usual MCS case with lots of politics and diplomacy involved which usually caused a delay in the case filing. This was no exception, Bobby and Alex were still far from the conclusion by the end of the week.

Friday night eventually came and Bobby and Ales were still at their desks trying to put together the pieces of this puzzle; they had to wait until Monday to interrogate the main suspect because he was abroad attending an important medical conference…

"Do you think he'll show up?" Alex asked while getting ready to go home for the night

"If he's telling the truth and has nothing to hide… yeah, I think he'll be here Monday morning. But even if he's guilty I believe he'll come here just to perform his 'look-at-me-I'm-not-guilty-you-are-wrong show'. His behavior and his character match the profile I drew up about the offender: arrogant, manipulator in his forties with a steady job and a high paycheck, he's satisfied with his life but keeps looking for experiences that make him feel alive…"

"The only problem is that he has an alibi, he was ad still is in Belo Horizonte in Brazil… Miles and miles away from New York."

"You're right but don't forget what I told you, he's a manipulator, he could have easily convinced someone close to him and subservient to do the dirty job for him..."

"My money are on his wife."

"I can't but agree, she's totally dependent on her husband."

The weariness of the whole week was overcoming him, Eames noticed her partner's fatigue because he started rubbing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose with his long fingers

"Bobby I'm going home, why don't you do the same? Looks like you could use a mel and a long night sleep…"

"I wanted to stay here a little longer, you know… adjust a good strategy for Monday."

"We can do that together tomorrow morning, you are more that exhausted Goren. Do me and yourself a favor, go home and rest…"

Bobby thought about the idea for a while

"Ok. I'll go home."

"Thanks, I owe you a favor"

"You don't owe me anything Eames…" 'I owe you everything'

Alex smiled back at him and her smile someway warmed and softened his tired soul

"And talking about more serious matters…"

"Uhm?" Goren turned in his chair to see eyes, a puzzled look appearing on his face

"About tomorrow…"

"Yeah?"

"What are we going to do? I mean, I want to dress properly…"

"Oh! Don't….just don't worry about that…" He began explaining waving a hand in the air "I told you, I'd like to take you out for dinner, you can wear anything you like, and I-I'll pick you up at seven, is that ok?"

"Perfect but the dress…"

Goren raised both his hands palms up in a surrendering gesture

"Wear a dress you like."

"Great, Goren the Enigma is back in town Ladies and Gentlemen! I give up, but if I'll hear you complain about my attire I swear to God I'll..."

"I won't, I won't, I promise."

"You better keep that promise. Fine, I'll go… See ya tomorrow Bobby."

"Goodnight Eames, see you in the morning."

Alex was already in front of the elevators when she called back

"Goodnight and sleep once in a while! It won't hurt…"

And with that she disappeared behind the closing doors of the elevators

'She's right, I definitely need some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day and I'll need all my strength… Yep, tomorrow it's going to be an important day. Let's hope I'll prevent myself from screwing it up.'

Bobby collected his binder and few others belongings on his desk and finally, at half past ten, exited the bullpen bracing himself psychologically for his 'confession-day'.

A/N2: How was it? Good? Bad? Horrible? Let me know in your reviews. A special thanks to all those who read and reviewed the first chapter of this fanfiction. To Sell (who asked me in which language I prefer her reviews): I'd rather read your comments in English, thank you.

As usual next chapter will be up soon… STAY TUNED!