To appease her partner, Barek chose a nearby deli she knew he liked. They sat at a table in the back corner, and Barek asked, "So, did you two work everything out?"

"I'd say yes," Logan muttered.

Barek looked at him. "I didn't ask you."

Goren didn't look up, but Logan knew he was grinning. For a change he didn't say anything. Eames answered, "Not everything, but some of it."

"The important stuff, right?" Logan asked.

"That depends on what you consider important," Goren replied.

"All right, well, I don't think I want to know what you consider important, Goren. So since you're not a grouch and she's not pissed, how about we change the subject and if Barek needs details she can talk to Eames later."

Goren's eyes got wide and he looked at his partner. Eames smiled. "Relax, Bobby. Eat your lunch."

She met Barek's eyes and smiled.

On the way back to the squad room, Eames and Barek walked together, far enough ahead of the men that they couldn't hear what they were saying. Logan noticed Goren's nervous look. "Come on, you have to know they talk about us. Weren't you paying attention at all this weekend?"

"I never really gave it much thought."

"For someone who does so much thinking, there's a helluva lot that you don't think about. We're near the top of the list of their favorite topics, man. But look at the bright side. The way folks usually talk about you, this should be a nice change." Goren just looked at him, still unsettled. Logan laughed. "I can guarantee you, Eames won't say a bad word about you. She never does."

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It was almost time to go home, and Eames kept looking up at her partner. He hadn't said much since lunch, and he seemed troubled. Finally, she leaned toward him. "What's wrong with you?"

He looked up, tapping his pen against his right hand. "I…was just thinking."

That wasn't what he'd intended to say. "What did Logan tell you?"

He noticed the frown she shot in Logan's direction. "It's not him," he assured. "I just…I was thinking about women."

"Women in general?"

"No. About you and Barek."

"And what we talk about…" Now she understood. "Bobby…"

She started laughing, and he looked even more confused. "What's so funny?"

"You are. Are you ready to go home?"

"Yeah, I guess."

As he shoved papers into his desk, she walked over to Logan and Barek. "We'll see you guys tomorrow."

Barek nodded toward Goren. "What's up with him?"

Eames nodded at Logan. "He is, that's what."

"What did I do?"

"That's what I plan to find out. He was fine until he talked to you."

"All I did was let him know you two talk about us. But he already knew that, or he should have." Barek glared at him. "What? I swear that's it!"

Eames shook her head. "The last thing you do with Goren is give him something more to think about."

She waved good night and headed for the elevators with her partner. Barek looked at Logan. "Why do you enjoy tormenting him?"

Logan leaned back and grinned. "He makes it so easy."

"You know, one of these days he really is going to kick your ass."

"I know. I just want to make it worthwhile."

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The elevator was crowded, so they remained silent. As usual, Goren ignored the nervous looks people gave him, and Eames gave them a glare that made them look someplace else when they looked at her. She didn't care what anyone thought. She liked being his partner. She knew him like no one else did. Yes, he was weird, and she would be the first to say that, but there was more to him than being odd, and it was those deeper layers that had eventually won her over.

When they got into the SUV, she turned to look at him. "You know, Logan doesn't always know what he's talking about."

"Are you saying you don't talk about us?"

"Of course not. You know we do. Don't you trust me, Bobby?"

"You know I do."

"Then what are you so worried about? What's private between us stays between us. Ok? I've never been one to kiss and tell," she smiled.

"It's not the kissing that worries me."

She laughed. "It's all right. Besides, don't you think they would have figured it all out after yesterday anyway?"

"I guess."

"They knew first thing this morning that we worked it out. That's all they need to know. We worked it out." She started the engine. "We're going to stop at your place so you can get some clothes, and then we're going to my place. I have fish to feed."

He smiled. "Whatever you want, Eames."

Fin.