Alex walked up to the door, brought a hand up to knock and held it there. She couldn't go through with this, but she had to. She was the one who had screwed things up. The letter, that damn letter! Why hadn't she just told him about it? Because then they'd be in a similar position. Well, Garrett wouldn't have been able to use it in court, but the strain would still be there.
She brought her hand down and began pacing in front of his door, her hands fidgeting with each other. "Eames, come inside." She jumped at his voice. When had he opened the door and why hadn't she heard it? She followed him in, her nervousness escalating as she crossed the threshold.
"Bobby, I'm sorry—"
"Eames—"
"No Bobby. I'm really sorry. You know that, right?" He nodded and sat down on the couch, inviting her to do the same. "Then why doesn't it feel like you know?" He noticed the strong threat of tears from her eyes. Eames never cried. "All you said was that you were lucky I withdrew the letter. I don't get it, I don't understand how you can be so calm when I feel like I've destroyed the best part of my life."
"I am lucky."
"But—" He quickly held up a hand to her mouth, indicating that he wasn't yet finished.
"I was upset at first. Knowing there was a time when you wanted to push me away really hurt. But I saw how much pain you were feeling, wanting to keep me from knowing that fact and I felt reassured." Alex's protests stopped. She sat before him in dumbstruck silence. "You value me so much that it kills you to see me get hurt. This has made us stronger, Eames. I can trust you to tell me anything that needs to be said. You can hide things from me—you're your own person and you have that right. But I know now that whatever you need to tell me, you will on your own time. I don't need to know everything as it happens; you'll tell me when you need to tell me, when it feels right." Her face was still contorted in great discomfort as she stared at him open-mouthed. "Alex, I appreciate you more than I ever thought I could. It's going to take more than an old piece of paper for you to hurt me." He smiled, knowing he had to have gotten to her.
Alex was stunned. She couldn't move for several seconds, the idea that not only was Bobby unscathed, but that he thought their relationship was stronger was far more than she had hoped. She stopped staring as his hand brushed against her cheek as he pulled her in for a hug. "I'm so sorry, Bobby." Her voice was mumbled by his shoulder but he heard well enough.
"Don't be. At the time you knew me only as well as my previous partners. You decided to give me another chance. That's more than I can say for most of the people I've met." His hand gently stroked the back of her head, trying to calm her down.
"Thank you." He smiled as he laid his head on hers. She might not understand exactly what he was saying, but he knew she understood that they were stronger. Garrett could try his hardest, but nothing would ever make him hate her.
