Okay, here it is, peeps! The sequel to Lines In The Sand! YAY!

This chapter is all for Confused, for all her advice and help! Muchos gracias!

Disclaimer: They ain't mine. Damn...

Bobby Goren quietly slipped out of his daughter's room, padded down the hall, and into the living room.

Alex looked up at him from her seat on the couch, smiling as he slid onto the couch beside her. She scooted against him and laid her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her.

"She finally fall asleep?" she asked softly, and he nodded. She snuggled closer against him and kissed him gently. He tugged her into his lap and returned the kiss with equal fervor and passion.

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Later that night, Bobby watched his wife as she slept peacefully in his arms. As he watched her breathe deeply, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.

She stirred slightly and mumbled something, then relaxed again against him. He pulled her closer against him and kissed her hair, running his hands over her body.

"I love you, Alex."

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After spending the day with his daughter, Bobby carried Jessica into the apartment, laying her gently on the couch. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he realized that Alex would be home soon, so he walked into the kitchen and began to cook dinner.

Five o'clock came and went, and when Alex had not come home, he began to worry.

"Daddy?" a small voice interrupted his thoughts, and he looked down to see Jessica tugging on the bottom of his shirt. "Where's mommy?" she asked, and he scooped her up in his arms, cradling her against his chest. She laid her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck.

After a bath and a short story, Bobby tucked Jessica into bed, kissing her forehead. "I love you baby girl," he whispered, and she hugged him, saying, "Love you too, daddy."

He smiled and kissed her forehead again before walking out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. In the living room, he grabbed the phone and dialed Alex's cell phone number with trembling fingers.

"We're sorry, but you've reached a number that's been disconnected or is no longer in service-"

He ended the call and hit redial, only to hear the same message. The gnawing worry that had occupied his stomach since the previous night increased tenfold as he began to pace the living room floor.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Bobby looked up anxiously, only to see Mike walk into the apartment, a frown on his face.

"What are you doing here, Mike?" Bobby asked, and as Mike approached him, Bobby could see the distress in his eyes as he got closer. "Mike, what's wrong? What is it?"

"Bobby, sit down," Mike said quietly, and Bobby's heart began to pound against his ribcage as he did what he was told. After he sat down, he looked up at Mike expectantly, who sat down beside him.

"Bobby, it's Alex," Mike started slowly.

Instantly he was on his feet, saying, "What's wrong, Mike? Where is she? What hospital is she in?"

Mike looked up at him sympathetically, twisting his hands in his lap. "Bobby, I'm so sorry. She's… she's gone, man."

At first the words didn't register. There had to be some kind of mistake. Alex couldn't be dead. Not his Alex. Mike couldn't be right.

Mike stood up and touched Bobby's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Bobby," he whispered, and Bobby turned on him. Suddenly he saw red, and he lost it. With a growl, he ran at Mike, his fists swinging.

Mike foresaw the attack, and he was ready for it. Grabbing Bobby's arms, he pinned them behind his back and forced him down to the ground. Even though he was no match for the bigger man, Mike managed to keep him pinned to the ground until he finally relaxed and stopped fighting.

"It's okay, Bobby. It's okay," Mike mumbled, and he felt Bobby shudder and sob loudly. Slowly he released the bigger man and stood up, helping him to his feet. Bobby collapsed onto the couch and buried his face in his hands, and Mike walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water, handing it to Bobby.

After several minutes of silence, Bobby finally cleared his throat and asked hoarsely, "What happened?"

"There was an explosion. She didn't suffer," Mike offered, hoping to offer his friend some solace. "God, I'm so sorry, man."

"How do they know it was her?"

Mike sighed and reached into his pocket, producing a small plastic bag. "They found these at the site." He handed the bag to Bobby, and he immediately recognized Alex's wedding ring.

"God, no," he moaned, letting the bag fall from his hands. "Not Alex. Not Alex." Before Mike could stop him, Bobby ran out of the apartment and into the stormy night. Mike ran after him, shouting his name over the roaring thunder.

Finally he caught up to his friend, and he grabbed Bobby's arm. "Bobby, I'm sorry man. But she's gone. She's gone," he shouted over the thunder.

Bobby shook his head and ripped his arm away, but Mike grabbed him again, forcing him to face him. Mike could see the crazed look in Bobby's eyes, and he knew he had to do something desperate.

"Bobby, you need to get back inside. There's a little girl in there that needs her daddy right now," Mike shouted, pointing to the apartment building. He saw some of the craziness leave Bobby's eyes, but he still looked furious and miserable. "Come on, Bobby. You don't need to be getting sick on top of all of this," he growled, tugging on his friend's arm.

Bobby meekly followed his friend back into the building and into his apartment. Mike watched as he disappeared into the bedroom, then reappeared several minutes later in a pair of sweatpants and an NYPD t-shirt. Silently he sat down on the couch, picking up the small plastic baggie off of the floor.

"Daddy?" a small voice called, and Mike went to the little girl, crouching in front of her. "Hi, sweetie," he greeted her, and she ran into his arms, saying, "Unca Mike!"

Bobby stood up and walked over to where Mike was cuddling the little girl. Mike felt a tap on his shoulder, and he turned around and gently placed the little girl in her father's arms. Bobby cradled his daughter in his arms, and Mike could see the rest of the anger and pain disappear from his eyes.

"Go home, Mike," Bobby said softly, kissing the top of Jessica's head. "Go take care of your wife and son"

Mike nodded slowly and walked out of the apartment. But before he reached the door, he turned and said, "Take care of that baby." Then he was gone.

When the door closed, Bobby sank onto the couch and cried softly, rocking his daughter back and forth.

TBC...

A/N: Okay, now that you are all sobbing and setting fire to your shoes, I'd like to say please don't forget to review!