Meeting As Kids
Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Dick Wolf and NBC/USA network do. I also do not own the song "Love Me Tender", Elvis does.
A/N 1: A part alternate universe story (with a part of reality sprinkled in) of what it would be like if they had met as kids. I shrunk their age difference to one year and two and a half months to make this story work a bit better hence her being 11 (almost 12) and him being 13. [(Bobby's birthday stays the same, 08/20/1961 and Alex is 11/08/1962) I made up the birth month and date since it has not been stated when her birth month is].
A/N 2: For awhile my muse for this chapter was not cooperating, however, after reading the ending of Metisse's "The Visit" nudged the muse in the right direction. Thanks to Metisse!
Chapter 1: The Fateful Introduction
-Story begins on Labor Day Weekend, 1974-
"Hey mom, are you sure you will be okay to go to the BBQ today?" asked thirteen year old Bobby Goren.
"Don't be silly, Robert, I have not felt this good in days, now come on the Eames' are now probably wondering where we are."
Twenty minutes later Bobby heard, "Hey Frances I am glad you could make it today."
"I would not miss it for the world. Thank you again Andrea for inviting me."
"Don't mention it," smiled Andrea.
Andrea knew she did the right thing and invited her new friend to the annual Eames Labor Day BBQ. It was much better than spending it alone.
"Oh where are my manners, Andrea this is my son Robert Goren. Robert this is Mrs. Eames."
"It is nice to meet you," said Robert who was a bit nervous for a teen who now a little bit towering over Frances.
"It is nice to meet you too, Robert. I have heard so much about good things about from your mom."
Bobby was a little embarrassed. He was the only member left in the family who hadn't walked out on his mother and was the only one who had been able to put of up with her psychotic breaks.
After another round of introductions, Bobby somehow found himself alone when John Eames went over to Bobby.
"Bobby, how are you and why are you sitting by yourself? You should be enjoying yourself."
Right after he said that, he added, "Hold on I know just who you can hang out with."
A few minutes later he noticed that Mr. Eames walking back to where Bobby was sitting and Bobby noticed a very cute girl with him. Bobby did not know what hit him but he was noticed he was feeling something he never felt before.
"Bobby, meet my oldest daughter, Alexandra Savannah Eames or Alex for short," began John introducing the pretty honey-colored blonde. "Alex this is Robert Goren. Why don't the two of you chat for a little while?"
"Okay Daddy," replied Alex barely audible apparently smitten as well.
There was a period of silence the two started getting know each other and before both Bobby and Alex were laughing hard.
When Frances saw that Bobby was enjoying himself, she felt herself relaxing.
She thought to herself, I am glad that Robert has found someone to talk, and she is very beautiful girl.
In the days following the Labor Day BBQ, the guys who had a crush on Alex and girls who liked Bobby were saddened to find out they were taken and it was obvious that they had only eyes for each other.
They spent time whenever they could whether with friends or doing homework together. As the years went by they were more and more inseparable and surprisingly enough her parents approved of them being together even with Alex's young age.
One day in early November on Alex's twelfth birthday he had a birthday present that signified the turning point.
When most of the party guests had left, they were in living room hanging out for a little bit when Bobby was ready to give the one present to show his commitment.
"Alex, I-I have something to g-give you that I know that you are going to like," said Bobby nervously.
"What is it?" asked Alex looking at Bobby curiously.
"Alex, y-you are so beautiful and I-I feel like the luckiest guy e-ever," said Bobby and he handed her a small box and when Alex removed the wrapping and opened and she let out a quiet gasp.
"I have been saving up for sometime and had been wondering when to spend it until I saw the ring right yesterday. Alex this ring will signal my steady commitment to you and to our relationship."
"Oh Bobby," said Alex in a sweet voice, "The ring is absolutely gorgeous I love it."
Bobby knew then he had made Alex's day even brighter as he took the ring out of the box and slid the ring on to Alex's fourth finger on her right hand.
As the years went by their relationship strengthened especially when Alex had first hand look when Frances had one of her psychotic breaks and what Bobby had to go through each time that it happened.
When they were both in high school they always seem to be joined at the hip. When the Homecoming dance was around the corner, fifteen year old Bobby who didn't attend these dances now had a reason to.
While the two were at the library doing homework Bobby gathered the courage to ask Alex who now was fourteen and was even more gorgeous than before (even though her tomboy side was apparent) to be his date.
"Uh Alex," began Bobby asking quietly who was nervous when asking he continued, "Seeing that is your first high school dance and I was wondering if you…"
Bobby did not even have to finish his question when he got the answer he wanted.
"Of course Bobby, my love I would love to go the Homecoming dance with you," Alex answered and then smiling one of her intoxicating smiles.
It did not take long before their plans were put into action with Mrs. Eames helping with getting Alex ready.
Then the night of the dance came and Bobby was a bit nervous. Frances who luckily had a few days where she did not have a break calmed him down before he walked over to the Eames' house.
"Bobby there is nothing to be worried about you are going with one of the most beautiful and smartest girls at the high school. I think that she is better than most of the girls in the school."
With that Bobby felt more confident and sure of how the date will turn out. He even had a surprise planned for her.
When Bobby arrived to pick up his date, he knocked on the door and Mrs. Eames opened the door and said, "Come on in Bobby, my you look handsome tonight, Alex is almost ready."
It was only five minutes later when Alex made her entrance and Bobby was speechless when he saw her. She had on a royal blue and white dress adorned with beading and hair swept up.
It took Alex's sweet voice to take Bobby out of his reverie.
"Hey there handsome, do you like what you see?"
"Yes I do Alex, you look absolutely stunning!" exclaimed Bobby as he spun her around gently.
After minutes for pictures John giving them ride to the school and reminded them, "I will be here to get two at 10:30pm okay?"
"Yes dad," said Alex as the two of them got out of the car.
The two had a great time dancing and socializing with their friends and having their pictures taken as well. The one friend Alex has come to see as an older brother was Bobby's lifelong friend, Lewis who seems to have developed a crush on Alex but respected the heck out of Bobby to stay away from Alex.
Towards the end of the dance he knew he was ready to give Alex one surprise she never saw coming.
Bobby took Alex to a more secluded part of campus where they were surrounded by beautiful flowers that paled when compared to Alex's beauty.
"Alex I had a great time tonight and I am glad you came with me."
Alex looked at Bobby and said, "Sh, Bobby, I had a great time too and even if you hadn't asked I would have agree-."
It was then Bobby decided to make his move. Alex had not even finished her sentence when he put his arms around Alex's small waist, pulled her in gently, tilted his head and placed his soft lips on her lips and kissed her gently.
Right as Bobby kissed her, Alex at first wide eyed and thought, Oh my word Bobby gave me my first kiss!
Alex then relaxed and put arms around Bobby's arm and deepened the kiss.
When air became a problem the two separated and for the rest of time they gazed into each others eyes and Bobby held Alex in his arms.
From that time that Bobby gave her first kiss he and Alex seemed more and more in love with each other and seemed to have grown inseparable, even if they did had a few arguments every now and they remained true to each other.
It seems as if time just flew by and it was her senior year. By that time had she become more popular but she turned a lot of heads as she had gotten even more beautiful. But she remained committed to Bobby every time she saw the relationship ring that Bobby had given her six years prior. Bobby by this time was attending classes at the local community college and working with Lewis at Lewis's uncle car shop
Then came the night she was looking forward to…her senior prom.
She knew that she was not going to be too glamorized just enough to look beautiful without overdoing it. As for the prom dress her dad only gave 50 dollars to spend and she managed to find a spectacular dress.
Now all she had to do was to ask, however she knew what his answer would be.
One day while they were hanging out in his pickup truck and was content just being in Bobby's arms when she asked him straight out.
"Bobby sweetheart I have something to ask you. I was wondering if…"
"…if I would go to your prom with you? Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way."
Alex looked lovingly into Bobby's eyes and smiled her beautiful smile. As her prom night approached, the two of them knew it would be a special night to remember, however, neither knew of the surprise in store for the two of them.
On the morning of prom they took time away from their normally busy schedule to get ready.
When Bobby came to pick Alex and escort her to prom he was nervous. He knew that she would be stunning especially after becoming even more gorgeous.
Bobby had been waiting for the longest minutes of his life. He had been waiting to see what his girlfriend would be wearing to her big high school night after been told it would be a surprise only for him. Finally Andrea came out and made the grand announcement.
"Mr. Robert Oleg Goren, I present to you Ms. Alexandra Savannah Eames."
Right as Andrea finished and moved to aside Alex came from out of the unlit hall and Bobby's practically felt his jaw drop when he saw her. She donned a purple spaghetti metallic sequins dress.
"Why Bobby my love, did you lose your voice?" asked Alex slyly.
Bobby found his voice and answered, "Alex, my sweetheart you absolutely should I say alluring tonight."
He went over and presented her with a kiss and a red rose corsage and she pinned a matching red rose boutonnière onto his tux lapel.
After both John and Andrea took a few photos, their limo had arrived to take them the location of her senior prom.
When they arrived at their intended destination, all the guys gawked at her but Alex paid not attention to them because she felt like she was on top of the world because she was attending the one person she is so in love with.
The night had passed by all too quickly. Before long it was time to announce prom king and queen, all the attendees except for Alex's best friend Celina Chang knew of the surprise that in store.
"Ladies and Gentleman, may I have your attention please."
After a few minutes the ballroom quieted down and the announcer continued, "It is time to announce this year's prom queen and king. As you all know it would be two a seniors male and female student who gets the crown, however, the principal has told me that there is a bit of a change this year."
The crowd started to whisper amongst themselves as they wonder what the change would be.
"Now here to announce and crown the winners is Celina Chang."
Celina went up on stage with her date, the star quarterback of the football team, Steven von Riley as Celina had talked him into it.
"Ok I will make this speech short since I know you all are wondering who the prom royalty are. The change as the announcer has mentioned is that the prom king will not be an upperclassman but a former student here and I ask the winners come up together."
That roused even more whispers.
"So without further ado, this year's prom queen is..."
Drum rolls began as Celina read from the envelope, "Ms. Alexandra Savannah Eames."
Steven took his cue from there and continued, "Ok this year's prom king is...Mr. Robert Oleg Goren."
When Alex and Bobby heard their names being called they were shocked but then Alex and Bobby hand in hand walked through the cheering crowd and up to the stage.
After they received their crowns Alex whispered to Celina's ear, "Celina did you have anything to do with this?"
"Perhaps," replied Celina mysteriously.
Celina then continued and said, "Now it is time for the prom king and queen to dance their first dance."
As Alex and Bobby took their places, their song, Elvis' "Love Me Tender" came on. Now Alex knew Celina really had something to do with this.
The two danced the night away without a care in the world. By the end of the night they had decided to skip the after party and go straight to the hotel suite that Alex's parents had given to Alex as an early graduation present. Once they were in their room with a "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging outside, the dreamy setting inside turned Alex on and she grabbed on to Bobby and kissed him wildly and passionately and Bobby deepened the kisses.
When they had to pull apart to the lack of air, Bobby looked earnestly at Alex and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this tonight?"
"Yes I am sure," said Alex eyes filled with intense longing.
With that they began the process of shedding their formal wear in between caressing and more fervent kissing.
Before collapsing onto the bed Bobby asked, "I think we need one more thing."
Alex looked at Bobby inquisitively and he reached for two things he had set aside…protection.
Alex then said, "Good thinking. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble."
With the last problem solved they gave into passionate lovemaking.
In the months following their magical night and her high school graduation the two still appeared to be inseparable. But all good things had to come to an end and they both knew it.
The two came made the realization when Bobby enlisted in the Army and was leaving for basic training first and leaving and then for Germany in mid-September and Alex was due to start at NYU just a few weeks before.
Right as Alex was to move out and into the dorms the two agreed knowing what was about to happen.
The two met up at an ice cream shop downtown that the two had frequented each a little gift for the other. The two sat in silence for a bit before Bobby spoke up first.
"Alex my love I have something I need to tell you. You know that I had recently enlisted in the Army and um I will be leaving for basic training soon and then off to Germany for awhile and I am thinking maybe it is would be good if we end our relationship you know because of distance."
"I completely agree," said Alex. She did not want this to happen but she knew it was true it would be too hard to maintain a long distance relationship."
"Although I do have two requests," said Bobby.
"What?"
"You know the ring I gave you for your twelfth birthday?"
"Yeah," replied Alex.
"Keep as a token as remembrance our friendship and of the good times we shared and to keep in touch. My mom will give you the address when you're ready."
Alex looked at Bobby with tears gathering in her eyes forgetting what she was going to say to her soon-to-be ex but then remembering.
"Bobby I would like to have my high school graduation ring as a little something to remember me by," said Alex sliding off her graduation ring and palmed it and continued, "I know what you're going to say, I worked hard to earn this ring but I really would like you to have it."
Alex then placed the ring in Bobby's palm and closed his hand.
"And I would love to keep in touch so we can keep each other posted on how we're doing."
They sat there for a few more minutes before getting up to leave. When they were outside of the store they embraced for a few minutes and shared one last kiss before each of them said the words couples dreaded hearing.
"Good-bye Alex. I will take this memento wherever I go and think of you whenever I look at it.
"Good-bye Bobby. I will always remember you as my first guy."
With that the two parted and their separate ways.
A/N 3: Ok I know that was sad conclusion to the first chapter, but at least it was a mutual breakup. Don't worry the good stuff is coming up! Your reviews are appreciated!