It seemed like a typical, ordinary day; sludge substituted for coffee and everyone seemed to be consumed with their own agenda. Bobby and Alex were ruefully plowing their way through a massive pile of paperwork from their last case while simultaneously trying to unravel their present one; grumbling all the way through, like all true cops do.

Ever since their former captains resignation their relationship had gone from a rocky road to a shattering earthquake to deafening silence. The pair was struggling to grasp unto the connection they had had while at the same time trying to build off of it.

Every time they seemed to make progress another blow seemed to strike their way. Every step forward was superseded by a blow that would knock them two steps back. And now they seemed to have resigned themselves to the fact that they could never get back to what they were.

Their current relationship seemed to only consist of work dominated conversations and hesitance in any interaction they had. Each was careful and cautious of what they said and did, worried about how the other would react, not wanting to upset the other. The air around them was filled with tension and unsaid words. Each kept their emotions hidden, bottled-up, never giving a hint of what was brewing underneath their calm demeanor.

"Are you done with the Manson file?" Eames asked her partner over their joined desks.

"hmm…" he mumbled passing over the file. Eames sighed, he never lets me in, now he doesn't even talk to me…

"Do you have any plans for tonight?" Bobby asked distracted.

"Wh..n-no, why?" Eames nervously stammered, butterflies forming in her chest. Maybe there's hope yet.

"The boyfriends alibi is fully dependant on the word of a waitress, I want to see just how reliable her word is," Bobby looked up trying to catch Alex's eyes, trying to find the cause of her sudden nervous behavior, sighing when she quickly averted her gaze. She can't even stand to look at me anymore.

Eames, upon seeing Bobby suddenly snap his attention to her, quickly looked anywhere but at him, she had no intention of letting him see the embarrassment and disappointment displayed in her eyes.

"Oh. That's fine, what time does her shift start?" Eames said, getting back her footing back and trying to draw the attention away from her and unto the case. Great, no way he's going to talk to me now. I look like the person in need of help, not like the person who is willing to offer it.

"It starts at…"Bobby said as he shuffled through the numerous files lying strewn about on his desk. "It starts at 8pm and goes to 1am."

Eames looked at her watch and noted the time: 8:15. "Well, there's no time like the present. Let's go," she said while pushing herself away from her desk and standing up. Bobby followed suit after a brief pause and followed her to the elevator.

As they rode down in the elevator, Bobby couldn't seem to get rid of the bad feeling he had felt before getting up from his desk, a sense of impending tragedy. Something bad was going to happen, and happen soon.

Since when does something bad not happen, as of late, things, especially my relationship with Eames, only seem to go from bad to worse. Bobby thought sadly. I can't even talk with her anymore without weighing the pro's and cons of each comment. If I say "you look nice" one today, will she smile and say thanks or will she go off and say "so I don't look nice any other day?" or maybe she'll think that I value her looks over her mind, which is completely false, or on the other hand she might just…ughh. Bobby groaned and put a hand to his head.

Eames looked over to him worryingly and gently asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Eames nodded and resumed looking at the floor.

The elevator stopped and they both shuffled out carefully, trying to avoid bumping into the people entering the elevator who were taking up the places Alex and Bobby had just occupied.

I'm nowhere near fine, Bobby thought ruefully as they headed to the SUV. Her nervous stutter and her inability to look me in the eye earlier, the day isn't even over yet and Eames already feels uncomfortable around me. At least things can't get any worse than they are now.

If only Bobby knew how wrong he was. Things were going to get worse, a lot worse.

TBC…

Should I continue? Please tell me and review! Constructive criticism is also appreciated.