A/N: None of the LO:CI characters are mine. Thanks to Dick Wolf for sharing.

A Symbol of Love

Bobby stepped from the shower and reached for the fluffy blue bath towel, quickly dabbing the droplets of water from his body and vigorously rubbing the moisture from his salt and pepper curls.

He stood in front of the vanity, looking at the reflection of his upper torso in the mirrored medicine cabinet.

He sighed and shook his head slightly. He couldn't even use the excuse that his friends got him drunk and he didn't know what he was doing. Hell, it used to happen all the time, back in his Army days –the Private who got a weekend pass, went into town to get plastered with his buddies, and woke up the next morning to discover his altered state.

Six months ago, he hadn't given it any thought. Well, any forethought, that is. Some feeling had been nagging at him; some idea that wouldn't go away. So when his good buddies, Lewis and Johnny "Dawg" dared him, then egged him on, it really didn't take much convincing –because deep down, Bobby knew it was something he wanted to do. But that was back then. Six months ago, in the midst of a freezing cold winter and hidden under shirts and suits and ties and bulky sweaters and overcoats.

And it was just over two months ago, while the chilly, rainy early spring days lingered on, that Alex invited him to the Eames' Family Reunion. This wasn't to be just a regular family get-together. This was the entire Eames/McCormack clan –all the brothers, sisters, spouses, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews –the whole extended family. A party so big that it couldn't be contained in any family back yard. This year's Family Reunion was being held at Darlington. It sounded like a fancy place –maybe a country club. It seemed like it would be fun, so he accepted Alex's invitation.

And it was just two weeks ago that Alex reminded him, "Don't forget Bobby –two weeks from Saturday is the Family Reunion."

He smiled, at the time. "I remembered. As a matter of fact, I've been meaning to ask you, where is this Darlington place? What is it?"

He was still staring at himself in the mirror, scrutinizing the image looking back at him. He remembered how Alex's eyes lit up –like those of a little girl, eager and full of anticipation at the thought of an approaching party.

"It's in Jersey, a mile or so away from my aunt's house in Ramsey. Aunt Helen—she's on my mom's side –you've never met her. Anyway, it's this County Park, with acres and acres of lawns and a few man-made lakes."

That grabbed Bobby's attention.

"L-lakes?" he remembered questioning her.

"Yes, lakes …as in water…swimming, diving," Alex answered a bit sarcastically. "It'll be great!" She had gone on. "We'll have a few bar-b-ques going, a bunch of picnic tables reserved, softball, volleyball, Frisbee, and, of course, swimming."

"Ss-swimming," he had repeated, prompting one of "those" looks from his partner.

"What's with you today, Bobby?" she had asked, teasingly. "The thought of me in a bathing suit too much for you to take?"

Actually, that was his first thought –hoping that Alex would be in a bikini.

His second thought was less appealing.

X X X

He raised his hand, letting his fingers gently glide over the pectoral muscle on the left side of his chest, over the smooth skin and soft hairs – over his heart.

He dreaded the fact that the day had finally arrived. And, of course, as Bobby's luck would have it, it was going to be a sweltering hot and humid day in the mid-90's. He'd have to go in the water and cool off; he'd have to go swimming with Alex. He knew she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

He sighed and headed for his bedroom, putting on his swim trunks under a pair of shorts. He yanked a tee-shirt over his head and pulled a spare one from his bureau drawer. As he bent into his closet to get his sandals, he heard his doorbell.

He was always happy to see Alex, yet his stomach almost knotted with the bell's announcement of her arrival. Yesterday, he had almost considered canceling, but couldn't bring himself to do that to her.

So, this was it. Today was going to be the day. The first time Alexandra Eames would see her partner's tattoo.

End – Part I