It felt strange for Eames to be in downtown New York in the middle of the afternoon, away from work.
Goren had sent her a message saying he'd giving hera date around three o'clock.
This had come as a great surprise to her.
He'd never taken such an initiative.
After was it, since today was Goren's birthday, maybe he wanted to spend some time with her.
But Eames would have preferred it to be in private.
An evening in a hotel.
And not in downtown New York.
But hey, if he felt like seeing her outside, why not.
Maybe it meant their relationship was progressing in the right direction.
And that it was becoming much more than a rehabilitation.
Arriving at the rendezvous point, she looked left and right, searching for him, and her gaze was drawn to a group of three, including a tall man with ashen curls who was none other than Goren, a slightly shorter but dark-haired man was Logan, and a petite woman with curly brown hair standing beside them was Barek, and they were deep in conversation.
Logan and Barek were there, too.
Eames had expected everything...
Except this.
She'd thought Goren wanted to be alone with her.
But that didn't really seem to be the case.
Eames had even dressed for the occasion, putting on a little dress and putting her hair up in a bun.
For she'd thought of everything but that.
If she'd known, she'd have dressed like every day.
And she wouldn't have wasted her time doing her hair like that, especially for what it was going to be used for, nothing.
Goren would not be able to remove remove his clips like last time, much to her regret.
But then, what was done was done, and she couldn't go back.
On the other hand, the idea of seeing Barek again made her very happy, because with their respective posts and units, the two of them she hadn't had the chance to see each other.
- Alex...
At Barek's voice, Eames snapped out of her thoughts to see her, wave her hand and tell her to join them.
So, she headed for them.
My God...
Maybe Goren should have told Eames that he'd organized an outing for four.
But he'd wanted to give her a little surprise.
That Barek and she could finally see each other again.
He knew that Barek was one of the people Eames had liked the most, considering her a friend, and that she hadn't really had the chance to see her anymore when she'd become captain.
So he'd wanted to fix that.
But the outfit Eames was wearing was really more reserved for something intimate.
A little dress that was far too easy to lift for some very pleasant.
And her hair, which she'd pulled up into a bun again, made him want to undo it, just to see it spread over her shoulders, like the last time, or this was all she wore.
At the memory, he blushed violently, and his blood boiled in his veins.
Did Eames she think, he'd take her to the hotel.
It was quite possible.
The outfit she had on was very subjective, and confirmed it.
But he had to pull himself together and stop thinking about what had happened last time.
But how could he...
When he was in Eames' arms, with her naked little body, against his own so big one, and passion surrounded them, all he could think about was the magic that had earned them over.
- Stop undressing her with your eyes.
At Logan's whispered words in his ear, Goren almost choked, turning red.
- You're making yourself of...
- Oh Alex... I'm so glad to see you.
When Eames arrived at their side, Barek took her in his arms, hugging her gently.
- Goren has a really good idea for the four of us to spend an afternoon together.

- Look at them...
At Logan's words, Barek turned his gaze to Goren and Eames, who were walking alongside, but still keeping a good distance.
At believe, that nothing was going on between them.
Whereas Logan had assured him that the tall brunet and the petite blonde had getting down to serious business.
Maybe she should give them time, and little by little, she'd see them get closer in the afternoon.
- I'm curious to see how things develop between them this afternoon.
Barek wasn't wrong.
When they looked at them, it was as if nothing had happened between them, even though there was palpable sexual tension between them.
In addition, knowing Goren, he'd never dare make the first move, especially in public.
He still remembered all those evenings when Goren didn't know how to react to Eames' request to go out with him.
And the way he'd reacted like a virgin, even though he'd slept with the little lady.
So that he could behave like a boyfriend in the middle of New York, surrounded by people, wasn't a given.
Maybe he should try talking to her, and make her realize that there was nothing wrong with affectionate gestures for the girl you were dating.
Yes, that would be a good idea.
- Watch...
Goren turned his attention in the direction Barek was pointing, to see Goren and Eames had stopped in front of an old toy store, and they were looking at the window.
- I had the same toy when I was a kid. But I'd broken it. But it meant more to me than anything else. It was the first toy my mother had ever given me.
At her words, Eames' heart sank.
Even though Goren's mother had passed away a few years ago, Goren still felt sad.
She knew how much he had cared for his mother.
And how hard it had been for him when she died.
And seeing this toy was bound to reopen wounds, and nostalgia too.

So why wouldn't she buy it from him.
True, it wasn't an adult toy.
But if he wanted it, why not.
- Would you like me to buy it to you.
Pardon.
Eames wanted to buy her this toy.
Wasn't he too old.
Sure, it reminded him of his childhood, but still.
- Thank you, Mom, for buying it for me.
At the words of the little boy who was holding his mother's hand and walking out of the store, so happy that she had bought him a toy, Goren's heart stopped.
Wait...
But no, it couldn't be possible.
And yet...
So this was what their couple looked like.
He was the little boy, and Eames was the mommy.
Oh, my God...
Her blood ran cold at the thought, shocked to realize this.
- Is it me, or is Goren thinking of something unpleasant...
Logan shook his head in denial.
- Goren just realized when he saw the little boy with his mother... That this is what their relationship looks like.
Oh...
Barek opened his mouth but closed it again.
So that was it.
Carolyn had taken a good look at them, and she had to admit that what Logan had just told her wasn't entirely untrue.

Goren, who was the oldest and tallest, despite Eames she being the youngest and smallest, had always let him control everything, more often than not.
And Eames had always taken care of him, like a mother, even during his years as a partner.
So how could they change overnight, they needed time.
And especially for Goren to realize this.
And given his reaction to the little boy, he had just realized it.
- Come on, Barek... Let's join them. Or Goren will soon have syncope.
At his words, Barek nodded.

- Maybe you should try to show him your affection in public.
Of what.
Show Eames his affection in public.
Logan wasn't serious.
It was far too embarrassing.
But when Goren's gaze fell on Eames, who was just ahead of them walking alongside Barek, Goren realized Logan might not be wrong.
Eames was always she one who showed him tenderness.
So maybe he should do the same.
But could a few affectionate gestures show Eames how he felt about her.
- Come on... A little help.
Logan put both hands on Goren's back, and pushed him towards Eames.
- Wait…

Oh no, not this time.
If no one helped these two, nothing would change.
So Logan decided to act.
When he reached Eames and Barek, Logan pulled away from Goren, grabbed Barek's wrist and, pulling her gently, forced her to follow him.
- Follow me.
Follow him, but why.
She was talking with Eames, and about her relationship with Goren.
And she would have liked to know a little more, but this idiot had just pulled her away from Eames.
- Just follow me. And you'll see.

But why had Logan done this.
Goren didn't need him, as far as Eames was concerned.
But on the other hand, if he hadn't pushed him towards her, he probably wouldn't be here, looking at her little hand, and having the idea of taking it in his own.
Taking a deep breath, Goren moved his hand towards Eames', but she turned towards him, and hurriedly withdrew his hand, his face flushed red.
- What are you...
What he was doing...
How to tell her.
This was definitely too embarrassing.
He absolutely had to find an excuse.
- I have to go to the toilet.
Really...
That was really his excuse.
Had Goren not tried to take her hand.
Or had Eames she mistaken Goren's intention.
She had to know, so better ask him directly.
But when she met his fleeing brown eyes, she knew he was going to run away.
- Wait...
But too late, he was already running away at full speed, under the shocked gaze of Logan and Barek.

Logan slapped his head with his hand, despairing because of what he'd just seen.
As a man like Goren, who could have a strong personality, be very impulsive, how could he have so much restraint in front of a woman like Eames.
Especially since they'd known each other for over ten years.
It was really hopeless.
- His two were really together.
Much to Logan's dismay, yes, Goren and Eames were together.
But the big idiot had no idea how to handle his emotions with Eames, and it was hopeless.
- Goren is just like that, because he wanted to take her hand from Eames. He's nervous.
Nervous...
Barek would say scared at the thought.
Like Eames is going to eat him.
- They really did it...
Of course they did.
He was even the first to discover it.
And Logan still remembered Goren's reaction.
- Because if they did, why is Goren so nervous, just to take his hand.
Ah, that was Goren.
He might have slept with Eames, but taking her hand was quite a story.
- It's cute and frustrating.
At Barek's last words, Eames, who still had his back to him and had heard everything they'd said, bit his lips, his face tense.
- You're lucky you're going to the toilet.
And for good reason, Goren hadn't heard what Logan and Barek had just said.
He'd been that lucky.
But Logan and Barek were right about one thing.
If Goren had no qualms about sleeping with her, why would he have any just to hold her hand.
It didn't make sense.

Why am...
Why am I fooling around again.
I want Eames to treat me like a man, and I behave like a little boy.
Just to shake his hand, it's pathetic.
Even kindergartners can hold hands.
So why couldn't he.
- What's wrong with me.
He'd abandoned Eames, not daring to face him, preferring to run away.
All because he couldn't take her hand.
But why couldn't I.
Goren put his hands on the sink and looked at himself in the mirror, trying to understand what was blocking him.
If he continued to behave like a child, Eames would drop him sooner or later.
And Goren didn't want that.
He was good with her.
And he wanted that to continue.
So he was going to try harder.