Name of God...
Goren hadn't wanted to be present at this meeting of the entire NYPD.
But he couldn't help it.
Goren would have so much preferred to be somewhere else right now, rather than here.
In addition, given what three-quarters of the force thought of him, and above all, his superiors, it wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't been there.
But it was for his clumsy little partner that he'd come.
He couldn't leave her alone, especially with her clumsiness, at the risk of everyone discovering this detail, and she could find herself the laughing stock of everyone present.
He didn't care if people talked about him behind his back, if there were rumors about him, but he wouldn't tolerate the same thing being done to Eames.
Thinking of his partner, Goren lowered his gaze to the little fingers clutching his jacket.
Eames' fingers.
Eames hadn't let go of him since they'd arrived, and it was better for both of them.
That way, he wouldn't fall, and for once, he'd have to rescue her.
For this was exhausting, and Goren felt tired.
But even so, Goren hoped nothing would trip Eames.
Because even if she held on to him, there was nothing to stop her from falling, and knowing her, that could very well happen.
- Goren...
Logan beckoned Goren to join him.
So Goren looked around for Barek, and when he found her, he headed for her.
Barek was a petite woman with ebony curls, a slightly tanned face and slightly shorter than Eames.
She was the new inspector who had just joined Homicide, and was Inspector Logan's partner.
She and Eames had hit it off right away.
So he was going to leave Eames with Barek, because he knew that with her, Eames would have very little chance of going down.
Especially since she knew how clumsy Eames could be.
When he reached Barek's level, Goren stopped and placed his long, slender fingers on Eames' small ones, making her pull her fingers away from his jacket, but keeping her small hand in his.
- Eames... You'll stay with Barek... He squeezed her little fingers in his. I've got to go and see Logan.
What.
Goren was going to leave her with Carolyn...
And he was going to see Logan.
No.
Goren couldn't do that.
He couldn't abandon her.
No, not that she wasn't happy to be in Carolyn's company.
But if by some misfortune she fell...
Staying close to Goren, clinging to his jacket, made her feel safe.
But if he left her, she wouldn't be.
So, no.
Goren couldn't leave her.
Even if Barek knew of her clumsiness, Goren was the only one who could stand it, and above all, still try to catch her.
- Bobby... Don't leave me.
At Eames's words, and the panic in her voice, Goren knew it would be hard to leave Eames with Barek.
But he knew that with Barek, Eames would be safe.
Or at least, he hoped he would be.
- Everything would be fine... Alex.
So reluctantly, Eames nodded, then Goren, pulling his fingers away from hers, walked away, leaving her in Barek's company.
- Goren... You'd better look this way.
At Logan's words, Goren turned his gaze to where Logan was pointing.
And as he'd guessed, it was to indicate Eames.
An Eames who was walking with Barek.
And who, to his great misfortune, stumbled and fell to the ground.
Name of God...
It couldn't be.
And yet...
It wasn't his imagination.
Eames had tripped again, falling flat on his face to the floor.
Goren should have known better.
And he'd better not have left her alone.
If he'd stayed with her, she'd never have fallen.
Or at least, it could have been avoided.
Then again, Goren wasn't sure.
So, not hesitating for a second, he left Logan in the lurch and set off at a brisk pace towards where Eames had fallen.
And worst of all, all eyes were on her.
And nothing could have been worse.
It was such a humiliating situation.
Goren noticed that a tall, dark-haired inspector was also walking towards Eames.
And if Goren remembered correctly, this inspector was Inspector Eliott Stabler of the Special Branch.
He saw him stop in front of Eames and extend his hand, but Goren, who had just arrived in front of Eames, crouched down at Eames' level, interposed himself and placed his arm in front of Eames, stopping Stabler's gesture.
At his gesture, there were murmurs all around them, and Stabler let his hand drop, surprised by Goren's reaction.
At the murmur, and at Stabler's surprised look, Goren realized his mistake.
By interfering as he had just done, he had made it clear to everyone present, and especially to Stabler, that he would not tolerate anyone touching Eames.
And it couldn't have been clearer to those present that this was more than just a partnership, at least in Stabler's eyes.
But Goren couldn't bear the thought of that blue-eyed hunk rescuing Eames.
He was the only one who had to help him, as he had always done.
But Goren absolutely had to pull himself together and forget his possessiveness towards Eames.
And above all, find a valid excuse, so that no one would suspect anything.
- So I'll deal with the situation.
Goren gently put his hand on Eames' arm, helping her to her feet, who was still looking at him surprised by his reaction, but also ashamed to have fallen in front of everyone, her face flushed.
But Goren saw Stabler look away, red-faced, and put his hand to the back of his neck, all embarrassed.
What was it that made Stabler so self-conscious.
Goren turned his full attention to Eames, and his gaze was drawn to something in Eames' lower back, and to his great embarrassment, Eames' skirt was torn, and not just anywhere, and his white panties were showing.
My God...
No.
Anything but.
Everyone could see Eames' panties.
But more importantly, they didn't hide her curves at all.
And that didn't please her at all.
Then he brought his hand to the tear in Eames' skirt, inadvertently brushing his little buttocks through the fabric, which made him swallow hard, and more importantly, made Eames jump and blush violently.
Name of God...
But it wasn't right to react like that, and especially in front of all his people.
But he had to admit, in his defense, that Eames really did have a nice ass, and he'd love to put his fingers there to caress them, just to find out if they were as soft, as they looked.
Good God...
He absolutely had to pull himself together.
His priority right now was to help Eames hide her panties from everyone present.
Because Eames was going to feel humiliated, or would feel humiliated.
And that was simply out of the question.
So he tightened the two flaps of his torn skirt, hiding Eames' panties.
He tucked his head under Eames' arm, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her forward.
- Come with me Alex... He brought his lips close to her ear, brushed against it. You've torn your skirt. And you can see... Goren blushed violently. Your panties.
We could see her panties...
My God.
No.
It was the worst thing that could have happened to her.
Not only had she tripped again, but this time, not only were all the members of the NYPD present, but she'd ripped off her skirt, showing off her panties for all to see.
It couldn't have been worse.
But Eames couldn't forget the gesture Goren had made, interfering when Stabler had tried to help her, as if Goren couldn't bear to have another man lay a hand on her, and she was his property.
And at that thought, her heart raced.
So maybe she counted for Goren.
But she must be mistaken.
Goren was always reproaching her for her clumsiness.
But strangely enough...
Not tonight.
He hadn't reproached her at all.
On the contrary, he'd come to help her, without even shouting at her.
What's more, Eames couldn't forget that Goren had brushed his long, slender fingers against her little bottom through the fabric, which inflamed her whole body.
So who is it...
But maybe Goren had done it just to help her.
And to make people understand that he could handle the situation on his own, since he was used to her falling all the time.
But Eames couldn't help wondering whether or not Goren liked her.
She hadn't forgotten the words he'd said to her in the interrogation room, when he'd held her in his arms.
His words told her that she was important to him.
At least, that's what she'd thought.
But above all, that's what she hoped.
Arriving at the bathroom door, Goren opened the door, let Eames in with him, and closed the door behind him.
- Why did you bring me here?
Without answering, Goren put his hands to his jacket, in front of an Eames who blushed violently, and stepped back, getting ideas.
- You're not going to...
Goren took off his jacket and handed it to her.
- Take this...
Take this...
So Goren hadn't had bad intentions, taking her to the bathroom.
And she, who had thought...
My God.
How could she have thought for a second that he could have such ideas.
When he'd never taken advantage of the situation.
- Alex...
At Goren's insistence, waving the jacket in front of Eames' eyes, she moved forward with trembling fingers, and took the jacket in her hands.
- Thank you, Bobby.
Eames slipped on the jacket, which, as Goren had thought, concealed Eames' tattered skirt.
Eames was so small, and so thin, compared to him.
It was normal that his jacket was too big for him.
And the timing was right.
But on the other hand...
It wasn't good for Eames either.
Because in her jacket, Eames really was too cute.
Goren could take a good look at the slenderness and length of her legs, something he hadn't done all evening.
And what a sight.
At the sight of her legs, Goren went wild.
His only thought was to put his hands on them and brush against them.
No but oh.
What was he thinking, reacting like that.
He really wasn't well.
In addition, he needed to calm down.
And above all, stop obsessing over his clumsy little partner.
Goren had to admit that, despite his clumsiness, Eames was obsessing him more and more.
So he pulled himself together and took a deep breath.
Goren took Eames' hand in his, making Eames blush at the gesture.
- I'll take you home.
Eames nodded, red-faced, letting Goren guide her out of the bathroom.
Yes, he was going to take Eames home.
And as soon as she was on his doorstep, he'd leave right away.
Because it was better for him if he didn't stay, and especially if he didn't go home.
Goren was afraid he'd lose control and do something stupid.
Proud of his resolution, he made his way out of the building, holding the hand of an Eames who let him guide her.