Free

Title: Free

Disclaimer: don't own 'em.

Spoiler: Frame

Chapter 1

"You're free…you're free". Declan seemed proud of himself. He spoke as lovingly as a father. Bobby didn't move, didn't blink and almost started weeping. He didn't understand. What did he mean? Free. His brother was dead. His mentor, who he confided about Brady, his mother, brother, Donnie, and everything, was insane. Mad…mad like the mad hatter.

Flashback

He remembered back to his mother's funeral. There were not too many people in attendance; a few doctors and nurses from Carmel Ridge, Captain Ross, Logan, Wheeler, Rodgers, Eames, and Declan. It was no surprise that Frank didn't show up. Bobby was upset and Eames was even more so because Frank wasn't there. Bobby didn't leave Eames's side the whole morning and afternoon. He clung to her arm during the service and her hand during the luncheon that was hosted by Carmel Ridge. He felt very childish and a little embarrassed but she didn't mind. This was the most physical contact they ever had. Ross looked the other way. Declan watched with interest.

The same day, Eames dropped Bobby off at his apartment in the evening. She tried to coax him to stay at her place through the weekend but he refused. He would call her for lunch on Saturday. An hour after getting home, Bobby was on his way to getting good and drunk when Declan knocked. That was the time he confided in him about his suspicions about Brady and what his mother said.

He answered the door and made his way back to his couch but not without tripping over some clothes and the ottoman. "…want something to drink?" Bobby said, slurring his speech and rocking slightly.

Declan looked at the mess of his apartment and drunkenness. He had seen Bobby drunk before but not like this. He was shaking with exhaustion. His eyes were red rimmed and it looked like he was crying. Declan didn't doubt that he was crying. He didn't as much as weep at the funeral. That was just his way. He would always wait until he was safe; when nobody was looking.

"No thanks…I wanted to see you. It's been a while. Eames wouldn't let me talk with you today. I don't think she likes me too much. I was concerned about you." Declan sat on the coffee table across from the couch. "You have always been like my son and I worry about you. I know Frank wasn't there and that was upsetting enough." Declan sounded genuine; like a father. He was right. Eames wouldn't let Bobby do anything alone today. He couldn't even go to the bathroom without Eames standing outside the door. He was also right about Frank not being there. Bobby was so upset that he threw up in the bathroom after the luncheon. He was hoping Eames didn't know about that.

"…ma said she never knew for sure" Bobby started, "sh…she loved Frank, always wanted Frank…dad…dad didn't care…and Frank knew Brady…Uncle Mark he said….and Brady…Brady knew. I-I could t-t-tell. He w-w-was looking at m-m-me…he said I had it in me." He was starting to stutter. What did Bobby have in him? Declan wondered. When Bobby was younger he would stutter when he was really upset. Declan found out after Bobby received a letter from his mother many years ago. He didn't think anyone knew that but him. He was pretty sure Eames didn't know that. "I don't think she l-loved me…" Bobby started to sob, "…she never wanted me…sh-she…"

"Bobby, Bobby listen to yourself, son" Declan sighed and continued "you know that's not true. You're exhausted and need some sleep. Come on…come on now…shhhh…it's time to sleep." He pushed Bobby back so he was lying down on the couch. "Shhh, my boy. Sleep…everything will look better in the morning." He took his drink.

"Now you sound like the Captain," Bobby mumbled. His eyes were closed and he was no longer crying. "He's always after me…always wants me to…" He was snoring softly.

Declan looked at the man who was like his son…was the son he never had. He thought back to when he met Bobby and how young and boyish he was. It's no wonder that Jo had such a crush back then. Declan never noticed that about his daughter until after her incarceration. Bobby was now older; mature and it showed in his gray hair and tired lines on his face but he still looked like a boy in his sleep. He ran his hand over Bobby's hair and down his face as if feeling for a temperature. "Shhh…that's it, sleep, my boy." Declan pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and spread it gently over him. He put the glass in the sink and left the apartment quietly. He decided he would catch up with Bobby on a different day.

Declan was right, when morning came, despite the hangover, Bobby was feeling a little better. He slept through the night without any nightmares. He called Eames for lunch at a nearby diner. Afterwards, she had to do some shopping. He didn't want to go home, nor did he really want to be alone. She didn't mind him tagging along.

Present

"Free…." Declan was repeating.

Captain Ross opened the door and went across the room. "Declan Gage, you are under arrest for the murder of Nicole Wallace and Frank Goren." Ross jerked Declan out of the seat and snapped the cuffs on him. He seemed happy to do it.

He was led out of the room by the uniformed officers. "Free Bobby…you're free!" Declan was shouting and repeating down the hall. "I did it for you my boy! You're free!"

"Detective," Ross started. Bobby didn't move and continued to stare at the spot that Declan just vacated. "Detec…Gor…Bobby?" He grabbed Bobby's shoulder which caused him to startle.

"Y-yes sir?" He looked up at Ross.

"Take as much time as you need." Bobby nodded and Ross left the interrogation room passing Eames at the doorway. "Eames, I suggest you take him home. Let me know when any arrangements have been made." Eames agreed and nodded her head.

"I will, thank you sir," she replied.

Bobby still sat trying to contemplate what Declan meant by being free. He was starting to mumble to himself. Eames came around to Bobby's right and leaned her hips against the table. She touched his face and cradled his cheek in her right hand. "Free…" Bobby looked up at her. "What does he mean? He said I'm free…what does he mean?" He looked at her like she should have all the answers in the world.

Eames continued to cradle his face as a tear slipped from his eye. She signed heavily, "I don't know Bobby…I don't know" she said as she caught the tear with her thumb. He moved slowly forward and leaned his head on her stomach. "I'm so sorry," she said quietly as she wrapped her arms around his head and shoulders. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart." She was surprised about the term of endearment that slipped out but doubt that Bobby heard. She could feel him feel trembling and his shoulders shaking. He slowly brought his arms around her waist and cried into her stomach for several minutes.

As soon as Bobby started sobbing he seemed to calm down. "Eames…I'm tired." His eyes were closed and he talked into her stomach. He looked up, "I wanna go home. Can I go home?" He looked innocent and childlike and his eyes were shining with tears.

She cradled his face in both of her hands, "Sure, Bobby, you can go home. How about I drive you?" He nodded. He started to loosen his hold around her waist and slowly stood.

They exited the interrogation room. Bobby could feel the eyes of the squad room on him. He kept his eyes to the floor as he followed Eames to the elevators.

TBC…