Title: Playing Cupid

By Willows

Rating: G

Disclaimers: LOCI and its characters don’t belong to me but I love them, anyway. Dick Wolf and others are the genius behind the show.

Notes: I’m writing another fic, but last night I have a dream that inspired me to write this short one. I hope you enjoy it. There are A/OC and G/OC. What if Alex is married and decides to find a date do Goren?

Archive: Here, at my site (yes!) and at ff.net. If you want to archive it, please let me know.

Chapter 1: Alex Gets An Idea

Derek was sitting on his favorite chair watching the news. It was really nice to be home after a boring long working day. He noticed she was standing behind him and closed his eyes when he felt her hand touching his nick.

"You know, honey, I’ve been worried about one thing..." – her voice was gentle and soft and he pulled her closer when he felt her breath near his face.

"What, beauty?" – He asked while he kissed her.

"It’s Bobby. He’s been so quiet lately."

Derek pulled Alex’s body and held her in his arms.

"Honey, you know Bobby’s a grown man. He doesn’t need us to find him someone."

"Maybe"- She kissed her husband. – "But I think he’s not okay and he doesn’t notice why."

"Don’t you think he’s smart enough to notice he’s feeling lonely?"

"Maybe he doesn’t want to admit it." – She held Derek’s neck and brought his face next to hers. – "I was thinking of inviting him for a diner one of these nights you know, and maybe,"- She gave him her most charming smile. – "Maybe we could invite Amanda, too."

Derek tried to picture it for a moment, then said doubtful:

"Bobby and Amanda? Do you think this could work? I mean, Bobby is a great guy, but he can be weird sometimes. And Amy, you know, Amy has her problems..."

"Derek, don’t you think it’s about time for Amy to forget the past and face the future?"

"Allie, it’s hard for her. It was hard for the whole family!"

Derek raised and went to the kitchen, followed by his blond wife.

"Sorry, sweet." – Alex said. – "I didn’t want to upset you. But don’t you see? You and your family have been too overprotective about her all these years. Bobby is a great guy, you just said it, and I’m sure he’d be good to Amanda. And as far as I know them both, I can say with no doubt they’d get along truly well. Please, Derry, just think about it! Maybe one day we can be one big happy family!"- Alex smiled and her husband could not avoid smiling back.

"A blind date? I don’t think Amy will agree."

"That’s why we’re going to have diner here, at our home. It will be like a little party."

"Ah, that’s right! I’ll talk to her."

"Oh honey! Thank you! I love you so much! You won’t regret. I’m sure!"- She jumped to his arms and kissed her tall handsome husband deeply.

"So can we have our private party now?"- He asked holding her close to him.

"Yes, honey! It’s party time."

*****

Next day at work Alexandra Eames-Nichols and Bobby Goren were busy filling forms about their most recent case solved. Bobby was centered in his work, wrinkling his forehead every time he faced what he considers a foolish or useless question. Once in a while Eames could hear him muttering something to himself.

She waited a bit, them decided it was the best hour to tell him her plans. Well, at least a small part of them.

"Bobby? – Alex said it low, trying not to call other’s attention.

"Yes?" – He answered without taking his eyes out of the papers

"Bobby, can you forget this bore bull shit for a moment? I know how much you hate paperwork."

Goren let his papers and pen fall to the desk and looked to Alex intrigued.

"Okay. My attention is all yours."- He smiled.

"Well, I don’t know if you remember Amanda Nichols, Derek’s cousin."

"No, in fact."

"She was at my wedding but, anyway, she moved to New York months ago and she doesn’t know anyone from here. Derek and I were thinking about inviting her for a diner and we’d like you to come with us."

"What the hell, Alex!" - He opened his eyes wide. – Are you trying to find me a date?"

"No, Bobby! Of course, not!"- She lied, trying to calm him down. – "It’s just that she doesn’t have any friends here and I believe you two can get along well."

Goren sent her a suspicious look.

"Alex, if you and Derek are trying to..."

"Please, Bobby. Trust me. She is a nice and intelligent person. You’re gonna like her. Please?"- Alex winked and Bobby slowly nodded.

"Great! I’ll see you thrusday night at my house, right? Let me see, by 8? You bring the wine."

"Sure. Now, can I come back to my work now? I’d really like to finish it soon. I just wonder if the one who created all these forms had ever gone to the streets."

"Calm down. You’ll finish it quickly and perfectly. You always do."

And after a last thankful smile from Alex, Goren was free to focus his attention back to the forms.

Chapter 2: Too Curious

Alex planned all details for the dinner. She wanted it to be perfect. Bobby asked little about the other person who’d be there. Alex described Amanda as a pretty and smart girl who teaches History at St. Vincent University. She also told him that Amy was once married but she was now divorced.

"Any kids?" – He asked but not really interested on the answer at first.

"No kids. And this is a rated subject, okay?"

"Why?"

Then he became interested. One thing is not having or not intending to have kids. Other is: not wanting to talk about it. That sounded strange.

"All I can say by now is that she passed through hell once."

"C’Mon, Allie! Can’t you really tell me?" – He used his sweetest voice and smile.

"Bobby, if I tell you now what happened, you’re going to fill her with questions and it’s suppose to be a pleasant night."

"You know I can discover it anyway."

"You won’t do that, Bobby! You won’t dare!"

He raised his hands opened, as giving it up, but she knows she shouldn’t trust in his gesture..

*****

Bobby Goren is an intuitive and brilliant detective, and he couldn’t avoid himself from his own curiosity. He tried to control himself, as Alex seemed sincere in asking him not to get into that children subject. But it was also told him that there were something wrong there. He wrote on his notebook all information he had: the girl’s name: Amanda C. Nichols, her profession and her place of birth: Chicago. He knew that as she was divorced her maiden name wouldn’t be useful, but he’d try it anyway.

He stayed looking at his notes for a long moment.

Goren left Eames a note explaining that he was going for lunch and left the HQ straight to the library.

*****

There was a room at the library where one could research old newspapers. He decided to start looking at Chicago Post from five years ago. He knew Derek’s family was famous and important in Chicago, so if something happened to one of them, that would be a headline on main page.

After a couple of hours of research he did not find a big headline as he was expecting but a small note a kidnap of the 3 year old James, son of James and Amanda Eads. She, as the news said, was part of Nichols’, one of the most prominent families of the state of Illinois.

On a three days later edition, Bobby finally found his clue. The Eads’ baby was found dead, buried in a playground near his parent’s home.

For a moment Goren felt miserable and cursed himself. Eames asked him not to be so curious and now he wished he had heard her. He was looking at Amanda’s picture. He was going to be introduced to her later that night, but by now she was there right in front of him, completely devastated.

Guilt hurt him and he decided to go for a walk before coming back to work. He’d have to hold his feelings and that disgusting sensation or Eames would discover what he had done.

*****

When Bobby arrived at Alex place, he found him face to face with the woman he saw on that old newspaper earlier. He felt his cheeks burn as remembering what stupid thing he had done. She was there, with her hand on the air expecting him to compliment her. Amanda was a very attractive woman, with red hair falling on her shoulders and sad blue eyes. She was tall, not as much as him, and had a soft and low voice that made him hold his breath for a second, or maybe two.

Alex noticed Bobby’s reaction immediately and sent a small grin of approval to her husband, as saying: didn’t I tell you?

Chapter 3: A Long Walk at Night

The dinner was fine. They all had a good time, although Bobby was more quiet than usual. They talked about their jobs, how Alex and Bobby started working together, how she, as everybody else thought Bobby was a pain in the ass, and as she slowly changed her mind. Amanda finally listened to the whole history about Alex and Derek meeting, as he was defending a man accused of murder and all the evidences were pointing to him. As Bobby and Goren investigated, they discovered that the man ex-boss was planing to have him convicted and then, get rid of him. After everything was solved, Derek invited Alex for a date, and that was how everything started.

Amanda remembered Goren there, at wedding. She also remembered all her cousins and her brother annoyed because someone outside the family was going to be the best man. And there he was, that handsome so tall man, a complete stranger to the whole family. It was a year ago. And was the first family celebration since everything happened to her.

When Amanda said she needed to go home, Bobby offered her a ride. They discovered they’re neighbors, living two blocks from the other. The way back home was silent. Bobby was even more quiet than earlier. Unexpectedly, he asked if she wouldn’t like to go for a walk. Amanda took a glance at him, then finally decided to accept that sudden invitation. She could see he wanted to talk. She just didn’t know about what.

Bobby parked his car near a café he was used to go and was surprised by the fact that Amanda enjoyed that place, too. They started walking down the street, Bobby saying almost nothing, always looking to the ground or to the sky. It was a beautiful night and they could see some stars shinning. The was a single reflection of the moon, and they could feel the weather was going to change.

"So... What’s bothering you?" – Amanda finally decided to ask.

"Why?" – Goren was still lost in his thoughts.

"You know, you’re probably not as quiet as you were tonight. There’s something going on your mind and it’s not letting you have peace."

"What are you? A psychologist or something?"

"No, but I spent a good time of my life with them, so I can say I’m almost graduated." – Amanda smiled, a genuine pretty smile. She also held his arm, as a gesture of encouragement.

He finally sigh and than started talking, with his breath suddenly becoming hard.

"I did something stupid this morning and I really would like to apologize."

"Yeah?"

"Alex told me that we shouldn’t talk about children, that it was a forbidden subject for you, and I, I couldn’t resist and tried to discover why." – Bobby was again looking to the ground, feeling totally embarrassed and at the same time, comfortable for feeling her close to him. It was becoming cold, but she didn’t seem to be bothered by it.

Amanda took a minute in silence, then she asked.

"What did you discover?" – He voice was clear but low.

Goren felt uncomfortable again. She was a nice person, a nice company, and now she was going to hate him forever.

"I found old Chicago Post issues. I read about your son’s kidnapping. And how he was found three days later."

Again, the long silence. Bobby tried to figure out what to say next, but he didn’t find the words. It was not usual for him. His mind was always working, he always have something to say, even something totally different from the subject. But now he was speechless. And it was not only because he was ashamed of himself. He glanced at her now and then. Her beautiful red hair sometimes covered her face because of a soft wind. He couldn’t see her eyes, but he wondered how they were now.

"What else did you discover?" – Amanda finally said, without looking at him.

"Just that. I felt so ashamed of investigating you."

"You shouldn’t be ashamed. You were just following your instincts. I heard you’re the best detective in town."

"But you’re not a murder or something. I had no right to do what I did."- Bobby was upset, and Amanda noticed that.

"Would you feel better if I say you don’t know the whole history?"

"Did they catch what did that?" – They stopped walking and now Bobby was facing her. Her blue eyes seemed even more fascinating and, even more sad.

"No, they never did. But it was just the beginning of the tale. After my son’s little body was found on that stupid garden, I simply collapsed and my family sent me to a Institution, where I stayed for six months, and there’s where I graduated in Psychology..."

An Institution. Goren felt his heart break into pieces. He knew what an institution means. He was used to go to once a week to see him mom. And he knew how his mom feels alone when she is okay. But she still prefers to be there, where people are used to her problem and won’t look at her as she was an alien or having a contagious disease.

"You can’t imagine how was that when I finally left that place..."

They were now walking again, with no destiny. He didn’t want to go home. In fact, he didn’t want to leave her alone.

"In fact, I can really imagine..."

Goren was surprised to himself. He knew her just for hours but he felt the urgent to tell her everything. Everything about him, about his family. About his mom.

"No, you can’t. Don’t think my lullaby finished then. When I came back home things were no longer the same. And two months later, my husband left me. He found someone stronger where he could find support. You know, I was too busy collapsing to take care of his needs."

That hurt. He could feel by her voice. How can somebody be so selfish and cruel to do such a thing?

Bobby found himself bringing Amanda closer to him. They were now close to her place.

He hold her closer and could feel her heart beating together with his, as he could feel the sweet harm that came from her slender body. Bobby touched her face gently, leaned his head and finally kissed her.

Chapter 4 – Epilogue

It was a warm Sunday morning. Bobby took a deep breath before knocking at the door. It was going to be the first time he would do something like this. Take someone to go with him visiting his mother. Bobby was nervous, as he was when he first met Amanda. Now they’ve been seeing each other for three months and he was happy. Truly happy.

He knew she would understand his mother’s situation and she actually did. And she never complaint for spend Sunday mornings alone, as it was the day he usually went to see his mom. Then finally he decided it was time to them to know each other. But he was nervous. He was afraid of how his mother would react. He told her about Amy and about everything she had passed through, but he never knew. If she was on a crisis, he would not stand her cursing Amy or trying to hurt her. He was never able to know what to expect. And it would follow him for the rest of his life.

The door suddenly opened. She smiled at him, and then took a step forward, kissing him. She was just beautiful in a dress, yellow with small flowers on it. She looked as she was going to a picnic. He held her waist and brought her close to him. Bobby thought he could stay there forever, but Amy reminded him that they had an important meeting to go. So she slipped from his arms, went back to her apartment to take her purse and then finally closed her door, holding his arm pretending she was forcing to go.

*****

It was Thanksgiving day, usually an ordinary day to Bobby. That time, by the way, it wouldn’t be ordinary. He had planned everything. He and Amy were going to have dinner at Alex and Derek’s house.

Alex had never seen Bobby so absent-minded. He was acting in a strange way, so she knew he was planning something. She just wondered what would it be.

When Bobby and Amanda arrived at Alex house, she was sure he was really planning something. It was written on his face. He was talkative, smiling all the time, telling jokes, but never taking his eyes out of Amy.

"You know what? I was wondering about Smelly and Charlene."

"Why were you wondering about my cats, Bobby?" – Amy asked, with an amusing look in her eyes.

"I was wondering how will they feel having to move. Of course it will be for a larger apartment, but you know how cats can be."

"Honey, what are you talking about?"

Alex and Derek, who were around, walked silently to their bedroom, intending to let their friends alone.

"What on earth is he doing, Allie?" – Derek asked his wife in a whisper, astonished.

"Didn’t you notice? He is trying to propose!" – Alex was grinning and jumping.

"I should agree. You’re a perfect cupid!"

"Didn’t I tell you? We will be a big happy family!"

On the other room, Amanda was looking at Bobby with suspicion.

"Bobby, all this foolish stuff means that you’re proposing me?"

"No! Of course not!" Bobby looked at her, seeming offended.

"Okay. Now I am confuse."

"You don’t need to. All this foolish stuff, as you said, didn’t mean that I was proposing you..."- Bobby said it and then, he went down on his knees. "Amanda Marie Nichols, do you wanna marry me?"

"Robert Oliver Goren, of course I do! And don’t worry about Charlene and Smelly, they also love you. Not as much as I do, of course."

They lost themselves in their kiss for a long time. When they freed each other searching for air, they found Alex and Derek looking at them.

"You see, folks! Alex is here rejoicing herself for being such a good cupid." – Derek messed with his wife.

"Shut up!"- Alex said, between her laugh.

"Alex, can I ask you something?"- Bobby said, while Derek was serving champagne.

"Sure. I hope it’s what I’m expecting, and not a question about taking care of cats while you’ll be on honeymoon."

Bobby held his neck and sighed. Alex always went direct to the point.

Suddenly he raised his hands and giving up.

"You’re right. You’re totally right." – Bobby opened his most beautiful smile, the one he just shared with Amy. – "You know what I want, okay? Can you be Amy’s maid of honor and you Bobby, be my best man, just as I was yours?"

Amy broke in a laugh, letting everybody curious.

"What was that, Amy?" – Derek asked.

"Yeah, honey, what’s so funny?" – Bobby said while he held her waist.

"You know what? Derek, definitively our cousins will hate us forever."- She laughed again. – "And it reminds me: Why didn’t you invite me to be your maid of honor, when you two married? I’m not sure I’ll invite you, you know?"

They all laughed and finally cheered.

~Fin~

So, what did you think?

I hope you enjoyed it.

Hugs.

Willows