-1Bobby takes a vacation--- Book Worm 38- a pale imitation of book worm 37.
Bobby drummed his fingers on his desk as if to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb. Humph, Bobby sighed, it really was too bad that Deakins would never put a piano in the bullpen, at least that would spice things up a bit. He didn't really know what was wrong with him; it just seemed that his life had become so hum drum. Even his cases, which he had always taken so much pride and gratification in solving, had become tedious work that expended so much of his energy that he wasn't sure that they were worth it anymore. If it wasn't for Alex, Bobby was sure he would have already left, but he just didn't feel right leaving without explaining things to her. The trouble was, he wasn't sure that he could even explain things to himself. Perhaps it was time for a vacation. As his mother always said, if you can't change the situation, you can at least change the scenery. Generally that meant she would buy new curtains or kick out his dad, but Bobby felt that her advice was equally applicable in this situation. He knew that he had at least four months of vacation time saved up and he wasn't getting any younger. The only things that he had to decide now was when and where.
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Deakins stared at the vacation request form on his desk. Of all people, he never expected Bobby Goren to put in a request for a month of vacation. Sure, Deakins knew that Bobby had the most saved vacation time in the history of City employees but Bobby just wasn't the type to take a vacation from his work--- it was his life. Bobby, Deakins reflected, had been acting a little strange lately. Perhaps something was wrong with his mother, but why wouldn't Bobby use some of his family sick leave? A month just seemed so extreme for such a homebody like Bobby. Deakins scratched his head, maybe this was just somebody's idea of a joke and Deakins just couldn't figure out the punch line. Ah, the only thing he could figure to do was to ask Bobby himself… if not, someone had a lot of explaining to do.
Deakins stepped out of his office and he spotted Bobby drumming his fingers on his desk but looking noticeably happier than he had in months. Deakins looked around to make sure that Eames wasn't anywhere near, if this was a joke, he didn't want to look stupid in front of his whole team. "Goren, did you put in a request of leave for a month of vacation?"
Bobby's head shot up and he let out a laugh. Deakins had actually startled him. Him! Robert Goren who was always, always so aware of his surroundings and who was around him. This whole idea of a vacation just had him so excited that he was positively giddy. "What's that Captain? I didn't quite catch what you said."
Deakins rolled his eyes, maybe Bobby needed to see a doctor more than he needed a vacation, " I asked if you put in this request for vacation. " Deakins showed Bobby the paper, knowing that if he hadn't actually put it in, Bobby could figure out who did.
"Ah yes, I decided to take a little vacation, Captain. The last time that I can remember taking a vacation was when I was 15 when I went to visit my cousins in Minnesota. No one else is scheduled for vacation right now, are they? I guess I could put it off for a little while. " Bobby replied as he counted the years since his last so called vacation. As if you could call taking care of a drunk aunt and two mentally confused cousins a vacation.
Deakins shook his head, "It's fine Bobby, I was just double checking. What are you gong to do on your vacation? Does Eames know?"
Now it was Bobby's turn to shake his head, "No, I haven't told her yet. But," Bobby looked toward the hallway, "It looks like I'll have the opportunity now. Here she comes."
Deakins turned and walked away as he saw Eames coming towards her desk. It seemed to him that this was a private moment that only the partners should share with each other. Besides, the view of their conversation would be better from his office.
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Alex nodded and smiled as Bobby told her his plans to take a vacation. Personally, she thought he was long overdue and that a change would do him good. She had heard it said that two years were all a body could abide for things staying the same---- but it seemed that Bobby's two years of staying the same had turned into fifteen. Frankly, she wasn't sure how he had lasted that long. She and Joe had always made a point to at least get away for a few weekends every year even if they couldn't get away for longer than that. Since he died, she had kept up that tradition. Maybe people called her romantic, but she called it practical.
"That's great, Bobby. I'm happy for you. Do you know what you are going to do on your vacation? Finally figure out how Lynne Andrews works her sewing machine so well?" Alex joked while she thought about what she was going to do while Bobby was on vacation. She figured she might as well move their desks around, something that she had been wanting to do for a looong time.
" I think I'm going to go up to the Maritimes and do some fishing. I've always wanted to go up there, but I never quite made it. " Bobby's voice trailed off and as he started to remember his time in Minnesota. That episode alone was enough to turn anyone off of a vacation for good.
Alex nodded her head in agreement for she knew all about Minnesota, "Don't worry Bobby, it's not like your family will be there. I'm sure that you'll have a great time. When was I was 10, my parents took me up to PE Island- land of Anne. It was really quite fun."
Bobby smiled, "That's nice Eames, but I think I'm going to spend most of my time on Nova Scotia. If I get too lonely, I'll remember that once you were only a hop and skip away."
Alex laughed, sometimes Bobby said the strangest things. "Well, I hope nothing too major happens while you're gone or Deakins is sure to assign me a temporary partner." Alex shuddered, "Personally, I think you got pretty lucky with Bishop, I've heard about some real nightmares."
He laughed, "You know, Alex, I hadn't even thought of that. Maybe I should extend my vacation for another month so that you can have as much fun with a temporary partner as I had with Bishop. Good times, good times."
Alex just stared at Bobby, he was acting so differently than he normally did. She hoped that a vacation would help him keep this happier state of mind. "Well, you do realize, that if it gets too complicated, we'll have to call you so that you can help, dear Robert." Alex smirked as she lifted one eyebrow.
"Don't worry Alexandra, I'll leave my beeper on just for you. " Bobby assured her as he patted her on the head.
"But Bobby, you haven't kept a pager in years." Alex protested as she glared at him icily for using her full name and petting her on the head like a little child.
"My point exactly." Bobby said as he straightened his papers and walked out the door. When he'd almost gone, he turned back and said, "Don't forget to tell Deakins that I want two months instead of one."
Alex just looked at him as she tried to suppress a very strong urge to stick out her tongue.
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