Strange...
Eames had found Goren strangely calm all day, even when he had questioned the suspect.
This was not his habit.
Admittedly, since seeing the psychologist Paula Gyson, Goren had seemed better, much more relaxed and calmer.
But he couldn't have changed completely.
So Eames wondered what could be going on with Goren.
Was there something...
Something he was hiding from him.
And if so...
What that something was.
- Eames...
At his name, Eames put down the pen, stopping to write the report she was doing, and raised her gaze, to rest on Goren, who was standing there, sitting at his desk.
- Are you free this evening...
Pardon.
If she was free tonight.
What kind of crazy question was that.
Was Goren forgetting that no one was expecting her home in the evening.
Besides, why was he asking her that.
Eames didn't understand.
What did it mean.
- As you know... No one waits for me in the evening...
As he knew...
No one waited for Eames in the evening.
Yes, and no.
Goren didn't know whether or not anyone was waiting for Eames at home.
Not that he wouldn't have been curious to know if she was with someone at the moment.
But Goren preferred not to know that sort of thing.

He still remembered the history with former prosecutor Kevin Mulrooney.
And that his only obsession had been to find out whether or not she had slept with him.
Because even if that question was very personal, and Eames might never have answered it.
The idea that Eames might have slept with him had displeased, him greatly.
So, it was better for him if he didn't know any more about this sort of thing.
The idea of imagining her partner...
No, Goren couldn't bear those kinds of scenes in his head.
But despite everything, Goren preferred to ask her whether or not she was available.
Because there was nothing to tell him that she hadn't planned something.
And that she wasn't going on a date with a man.
After all, Eames was a very pretty woman, so it was quite possible that she was already on a date.
But the answer, which Eames had just given him, told him that maybe tonight she would be free, and could spend the evening with him.
Which would be a good thing.
Especially, for what he had to do, and especially to tell her.
- But why do you want to know if I'm free.
Why did he want to know if she was free...
But what a question.
Eames hadn't she understood that if he'd asked her, it was because he was planning to spend the evening with her.
She should have known him by now.
After all, they had known each other for eleven years.
- I'd like to...
He put his hand to the back of her neck, massaged it, looked away, his face flushed.
Oh... Oh…

But yes, Eames hadn't made a mistake.
There was definitely something there.
And judging by the way Goren was rubbing the back of his neck, as usual, when he'd done something stupid, or something she wasn't going to like, Eames knew that what he was going to say was probably going to displease her very much.
- I'd like to tell you something... But...
So that was it.
She had guessed right.
This habit Goren had with his neck, she knew it too well to be wrong.
Goren didn't need to say anything, she knew exactly what to expect from him, just from some of his idiosyncrasies.
- But you're afraid of my reaction.
Afraid of her reaction...
Yes, and no.
Because for once, what he had to say to her was really important.
And it wasn't so much Eames's reaction that he was afraid of, but the way she would accept it.
- I'd like you to come and eat with me in my family restaurant. Especially for what I have to tell you.
Pardon.
Go and eat with him.
And especially in his family restaurant.
Oh, yes.
It didn't bode well.
Goren had never even thought of taking her there.
And tonight, yes.
Besides, what he had to say to her...
He couldn't tell her here.
It was undoubtedly something she wouldn't like.
- What if I told you I couldn't tonight.

At her words, he moved his hand away from the back of her neck, let it fall again, and looked at Eames.
- What I have to tell you... Can't wait.
What he has to say to her...
Can't wait.
Really, it can't.
And what did he have that was so important to tell her, that couldn't wait.
Besides, he could very well have told her there, here at Homicide, but no, he preferred to tell her in his family restaurant.
Even there, they wouldn't be alone.
So why not tell her now.
- Alex... He looked around the room, at each of the detectives. I'd rather tell you in private.
Oh, the clever.
Goren knew that by using this little nickname, she would give in more easily.
And as usual, it worked too well.
Very well then.
She would go and eat with him.
But Goren was going to have to be very careful what he said if he didn't want to have to deal with her wrath.
And it didn't matter if it was in Goren's family restaurant.
If she didn't like what Goren had to say, she wouldn't mince her words or her cries.
Even if it meant that the whole restaurant had to hear everything.
- Very well... I'll come and eat with you.
When Eames accepted, Goren nodded, his face serious.
Having managed to get Eames to agree to come and eat with him was already a success.
But what he had to tell him was quite another.

Because what Goren was going to say to Eames, was very likely not to please the little blonde sitting opposite him, but above all, it was very likely to hurt her, given that he had done it behind her back, and without telling her.
But how could he have told her.
With Eames, Goren never knew where he stood.
But tonight, he was going to have to summon up all his courage and tell him.
Even if Eames was angry with him for doing so.
Goren had let things drag on too long, and there was no turning back now.