Okay, here's the story. A few months ago, The Confused One and I started a storyline beginning from Endgame. Out of it sprung several stories, and a few more that had nothing to do with that timeline. But somehow, they disappeared, so we're working on recreating everything from memory. The original version of this was a oneshot, but we decided to make this version much, much longer, filled with more fluff and angst. Deakins is still captain, and Carolyn is still Mike's partner. We don't know exactly where this is going, but we hope everyone reading will enjoy it. And we're warning ya'll right now: there is MAJOR angst and misery in store for our favorite detectives. But then again, what kind of writers would we be if there wasn't? Mwhahaha...

Disclaimer: Not ours!

CICICICICICICICICICI

"Bobby, we'll be fine," Alex repeated firmly. "We're just going to visit my family. We'll be back tomorrow night."

Bobby sighed. He nodded. "I know. I'm just going to miss you both." He wished he could go with them.

She shifted Julie to her hip and touched his cheek. "We'll miss you, too. But you were the one who didn't want to go." She traded the baby for her diaper bag so he could put her in her car seat.

Julie squealed happily at being placed in his arms. "Daddy!"

Bobby held her close. He kissed her cheek. "Hi, sweetheart..." He sighed softly and carefully moved her into her car seat. "There we go..." He kissed her nose. "Be good for Mommy, and I love you." He couldn't say that enough.

She giggled and kissed his cheek sloppily, then patted the spot with her hand. "M'daddy!"

Bobby grinned. He hugged her again and kissed the top of her head. His life revolved around Alex and Julie. He sighed heavily and stood up again. Turning to face Alex, he met her eyes. "Please...be careful." Something was nagging at the back of his head. Something wasn't right.

She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. Resting her cheek against his chest, she said, "We'll be fine, baby. I'll call you as soon as we get there. I promise."

Bobby nodded, a little relieved. "Please do..." He sighed. "You know I'd come if Mike hadn't insisted I come with him today..."

"I know." She leaned up for a soft kiss. "We'll be back tomorrow night."

Bobby kissed her again. "And I'll be here when you two get back."

She smiled. "I know." Hugging him again, she climbed into the driver's seat and started the car. She started the engine, then looked at him and gave him a little wave.

Taking a deep breath, he watched as the car disappeared. He really didn't want them to go. Finally turning back to the house, he went inside and grabbed his phone to call Mike.

CICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICICI

Carolyn frowned deeply, her hands resting on her hips as she said, "Mike, you know what my doctor said. I can stay on desk duty for another two weeks!"

Frustrated, Mike met her eyes. He didn't back down. "You're a month from your due date, Carolyn! You should be taking it easy, not here doing field work, desk work...anything." She was the most infuriating woman he knew, but he loved her in spite of that.

"Children, children," Deakins interjected.

Carolyn ignored him. "It's not up to you, Mike. I'm fine, and so is this baby. We're not going to break."

Mike shook his head. "Yeah, well, excuse me if I put a little more stock in what I hear from doctors than what you want to be true. You were supposed to be on leave months ago!"

Deakins snickered, sitting on the edge of his desk when the phone rang. He held up a hand to silence his feuding detectives as he grabbed the phone. "Deakins." His smile faded a little. "What? Are you sure?" He reached up and loosened his tie, the color fading from his face. "Y-Yes, I'll tell him. Thank you..."

"What's wrong, Captain?" Carolyn asked, her anger forgotten.

Mike studied Deakins for a moment before chiming in, "Captain, what is it?" Something was very wrong.

Deakins ran a hand through his gray hair. "Alex and Julie... There was an accident..."

Carolyn pressed a hand to her mouth. "Are they okay?"

He shook his head, sliding off of the desk. "Highway patrol found her car on the side of the road. There was an explosion..."

The color drained immediately from Mike's face. He shook his head. He felt utterly sick. "No... Oh God..." He closed his eyes. "Bobby... Has anyone told Bobby?" He was worried about his friend.

Carolyn reached out and grabbed his arm to keep from collapsing.

Deakins shook his head. "No...I have to go tell him." He grabbed his jacket and slung it over his shoulders.

Mike nodded immediately. He hadn't even noticed Carolyn grabbing his shoulder. "I'm going with you..." He had to be there for Bobby.

She nodded shakily. "I am, too."

He wanted to say no, but thought better of it. "Okay."

Relieved, Mike looked down at Carolyn. The fight a few minutes ago felt like nothing now. Moving to their desks, he grabbed his jacket. Glancing at her, he nodded again and followed her and Deakins to the elevator.

TBC...

A/N: (ducks rotten garbage and right shoes)