The FBI had contacted him in the middle of the night.
Asking him to come, because they had information on the man who had killed his partner.
So Goren didn't hesitate to go to the meeting place.
Since Eames had left this world, nothing was more important to Goren, and even his work no longer interested him.
Goren couldn't get over his loss.
And attending her funeral had made him realize that she wasn't coming back, and that he'd lost her for good.
He hadn't even been able to tell her how he felt about her.
And how could he.
If he hadn't been blind all those years, when she was right there in front of him, he could have told her how he felt, even if it meant rejection.
But now it was too late.
The most precious person in his life was gone, and nothing could change that.
Arriving at his destination, he stopped his suv to see that two other suvs were there, and the FBI men waiting for him in front of their vehicles.
He was going to have the information he needed, or at least some of it, to finally avenge Eames' death.
So he didn't hesitate for a second, and got out of his vehicle, and headed towards the FBI men, but in particular towards one of the men who was standing right next to the rear passenger door of the vehicle, and who was beckoning him to come towards him.
When Goren reached the man, he opened the door and saw a small blond woman get out of the vehicle.
At the sight of the little blonde woman, his heart stopped.
My God...
It wasn't possible.
It couldn't be her.
He'd attended her funeral.
His imagination must have been playing tricks on him, so much did he wish she were alive.
But from the rueful smile on the little blonde woman's face, Goren knew he wasn't dreaming, and that she was alive and well, right in front of him.
- Alex...
At her name, the little blonde woman nodded.
My God...
So she was alive, not dead.
And he, who'd thought he'd lost her forever.
That he'd lost the will to live.
But she was very much alive.
- Bobby... I'm sorry... She lowered her gaze to her small hands, which she squeezed nervously. But I couldn't help it.
Eames was sorry...
She couldn't help it.
But why...
Why hadn't she told him she was alive.
Why hadn't she told him?
She knew she could trust him.
- I was under FBI protection... And I...
So that was it.
Eames was a witness under FBI protection, and she'd had to fake her death.
My God...
If he'd known.
Knowing she was still alive would have saved him so much pain.
But Goren knew that Eames couldn't have done otherwise.
And that if the FBI had done this, it was so she could live her life.
But Goren also knew that if Eames was in witness protection, she'd have to change her life and her name, and move to another state.
So even if she was alive and well, he was still going to lose her.
- You're going to have to leaveā¦
Eames nodded, a sad little smile on her lips.
As always, Goren finished his sentences, and if it wasn't her doing it, it was him.
But knowing she'd never see him again broke her heart.
Lying to her had been very hard, because she could see by the look on his face that he'd been deeply hurt and bruised by her death.
He had such a face, and he'd never had such a face.
- You look awful... Bobby.
Eames raised his hand to Goren's face, placed his little fingers on his cheek, brushed against it.
Of course he looked like shit.
He'd thought she was dead, even attended her funeral.
And as he now understood it, a fake funeral.
Couldn't she see that the idea of her disappearing forever from his life had bruised him to the core, to the point where he no longer wanted to live himself.
- You were dead... Goren's voice broke, and his brown eyes shone with sadness. And I attended your funeral.
At the deep distress and pain on Goren's face, Eames' heart sank.
Unwittingly, she had hurt Goren deeply, and she regretted it.
But there was nothing else she could do.
She'd been forced to pose as dead, so that the FBI could finally give her a new life, a new name, and a new place to live.
And Eames knew it wouldn't be near New York, or in the same state.
- I didn't want to hurt you... but I...
- ..had to. I know you did.
Good God...
Why was Goren so understanding with her, and what had just happened.
He should have been angry with her, but he wasn't.
By changing her life, she was going to do just fine without him.
Despite his tempestuous nature, Goren was a part of her.
And not having him around was going to be hard.
- Eames... We've got to go.
We have to leave...
At the words of the FBI agent who was still at the door, and seeing Eames, who was turning away from him, to enter the svu, Goren felt panic overcome him.
No.
Eames couldn't leave already.
Not like this.
He needed to spend more time with her, and above all, tell her how he felt.
- Alex... He brought his hand to Eames' wrist, stopping her in her tracks. Don't go. She turned to him, shook her head, sorry. Not that way.
My God...
What Goren was asking of her...
Was simply impossible.
She couldn't stay.
Until the members of the Russian mafia who had threatened her life were all behind bars, she couldn't see him again.
And that meant it could be forever, so it would be good-bye.
If only there were another way.
But there wasn't.
And so, she couldn't stay.
- I can't do otherwise.
Can't do otherwise...
No.
This defeatist, docile Alex was not his Alex.
Goren wanted to find this woman who rebelled, and wouldn't let her conduct guide her.
But on the other hand, Goren knew that Eames couldn't do otherwise.
As long as the members of the Russian mafia were after her life, Eames wouldn't be able to live a normal life, unless she changed her identity.
But wasn't there another way...
Another way.
But Goren knew there wasn't.
So if these were their last moments, wasn't there the possibility that he could at least enjoy Eames for a few more hours, before she left him for good, for a new life.
Yes, he had to go for it, even if it meant only a few more moments with her.
Proud of his idea, he turned to the FBI agent.
- Let us stay until morning.
At Goren's request, who had turned with a grave face to the FBI agent, who was still against the car door, Eames looked at him surprised at this request, her heart beating violently in her chest, ready to explode.
So Goren wanted to spend his last hours with her.
She, who had secretly wanted to enjoy Goren's company before her new identity, hadn't dared to ask, but Goren hadn't hesitated.
But would the FBI agents, or at least their superiors, agree to Goren's request.
Eames saw the agent turn to his superior, who nodded, granting Goren's request.
- But only until sunrise.
At his superior's words, Goren didn't waste a second, still holding Eames' wrist in his hand, he pulled her gently, forcing her to follow him towards his vehicle.
- Inspector Goren...
At the superior's voice, Goren stopped, turning to face him.
- We're counting on you.
Counting on him.
Yes, Goren understood what that meant.
That even against his advice, they would come for Eames by any means necessary.
And so Goren couldn't amuse himself by running away with them, no matter how tempting it might be.
But for Eames's safety, he would do whatever was necessary.
Goren nodded and headed back to his vehicle, with Eames following obediently behind.
