Beautiful
By EmyJB
Disclaimer–all rights reserved to Law and Order CI
**This is the first writing of any kind I've done in like 10 years. It's not great. But I'm rewatching CI from the beginning and I'm thinking I will probably have some one-shots to contribute depending on what strikes me or if you guys think this is even worth it. 10 years. Just remember that when you review…**
Once Henry Talbot was dragged kicking and screaming back to booking, Eames took off like a shot to the ladies' locker room. Goren followed her with his eyes briefly. Deakins had taken Mrs. Talbot downstairs to get her a ride home. Goren sat for a moment, eyes closed, thinking about her- how crazy she must have felt all these years. Waiting, wondering, thinking the worst but not wanting to acknowledge it. Covering it up with pills and money. He sighed. He hoped he would never be so blind.
Opening his eyes, he saw Eames approaching. She had changed her blouse and as she grew closer he could faintly smell…oranges? She looked much more relaxed than the pinched face she had when he ushered her out of the interrogation room and away from Talbot. She sat down at her desk with a huff.
"You changed your shirt", he observed. "Yes", she said. "Washing off the slime, remember?" Goren winced. "What else did he say to you? In there? I turned off the speaker". Eames rolled her eyes. "Ugh. Talking about how he really listens to women, his wife doesn't understand him, that he could help make my dreams come true, that he wants to take me away from all this". She shuddered just thinking of him. Goren shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I-I'm sorry we made you go in there, it's just…". But she interrupted him. "You didn't MAKE me do anything. I knew what we needed and we got it. It's fine. It's just…" She trailed off and sighed. "I thought my days of playing an undercover woman of the flesh were over with since Vice. But the hits just keep on coming when you're a woman in the NYPD".
"Especially a beautiful woman like you".
Goren said it so absently, as he'd been doodling away on his notepad while she was talking. Eames narrowed her eyes at him. She wondered when his brain was going to catch up to his mouth. Because he certainly wouldn't say something like that on purpose. He did NOT think she was beautiful. She sometimes wondered if he even saw that she was a woman, or just some androgynous being meant to play along with his games and keep him from getting in trouble. She accompanied the narrowed eyes with a raised eyebrow and waited. But she couldn't help the blush that creeped up her cheeks, and she cursed this character flaw that had plagued her all her life.
His whole body went rigid when the realization hit. He took two short breaths, but kept his head down. He had no idea what to do now. Take it back? Yes, a great idea, tell a woman she's NOT beautiful. Apologize? For what? Pointing out what should be obvious to every man with eyes? The truth was, Alex was gorgeous and the fact that there was no one in her life telling her that every single day was just outrageous and made him hurt for her.
He finally looked up. She was sitting down now, and averting her gaze, staring at her empty coffee cup like she was willing it to throw itself away. He leaned over to find her eyes. When he did, they both sat up straight and held a look.
"Hey", he said, praying he was about to do the right thing. He grinned at her. "Just take a compliment ok?"
She visibly relaxed and once again rolled her eyes. "Ok", she said, laughing. "I can take some of that paperwork too if you want." "Mmm, not yet". He pointed to her empty coffee cup. "One for me and one for you and then the paperwork." She nodded in affirmation, grabbed their cups and they shared another smile as she left her desk.