Disclaimer: Not mine... no matter how much I may whine and beg. Belong to Dick Wolf and co.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Semi-Detached
Category: Bobby/Alex friendship. Post-ep
Author: Traci
Summary: Alex is concerned about Bobby after he had opened himself up to a killer.
Trust
"Bobby?"
Goren merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgement of her presence.
Alex Eames remained in the doorway of the dark interrogation room. "Are you alright?"
Another silent nod.
Her warm, brown eyes studied his body language. He had opened himself up to a killer... again. While she understood he had sacrificed a part of himself in the name of justice it had still hurt him. "If you're hungry – I'm buying."
"There have only ever been three people in my life who have ever known about my mother – about my life," he whispered.
Stepping inside, Eames closed and locked the door, leaving the lights off.
"One figured it out on her own and two have managed to use it against me."
"What about the third?" Alex softly asked, waiting for him to at least turn around and look at her.
He remained silent again.
Walked around him, she stood in front of him and gently touched his shoulder. "Not everyone is out to hurt you." Her heart caught in her throat when his dark eyes looked up at her.
"I know." He paused. "The third? The third has never questioned. Has always been there for me even though I often take her for granted."
With a knowing smile, Alex knelt down and took his hand in hers. "I doubt this third person feels she's being taken for granted."
"She should... because I do."
"Bobby, I have never felt like that. Ever."
"It took me a long time to trust you enough to talk to you about my personal life... It only took me minutes to tell her."
"The difference there being 'trust'. You told her trying to break her. You told me because you trust me. It's a world of difference."
He smiled at her. "How do you know you're the third person in this anyway?"
"I don't."
Reaching out, he pulled her to him. "Thank you for everything. For keeping me grounded."
She looked at him. "Do you know how hard it is to break in a new partner? I have to find some way to keep you around." She grinned.
"So, about dinner..."
"Finally! I'm starving." She stood up and waited for Goren at the door.
"So am I but... only if dinner is on me this time."
"Bobby..."
"You can get the next one. I just want to."
"I'm not going to argue. I'm starving so let's go!"
Goren grabbed his suit jacket and followed. Alex had been right. He had told her out of trust – a trust he knew she would never break. The same trust that had allowed him to give her his heart.
The End