The usual disclaimers. Please read and review!
Chapter 1
She's Back
Alex was back into the swing of things at work. She and Goren had already worked two cases with one more sitting in the wings waiting their attention. October was just around the corner. The crisp Fall air was invigorating. She stepped into the squad room carrying 2 cups of Starbuck's coffee. Setting one in front of Bobby, she went to her desk.
Without looking up from the file, Bobby acknowledged the delivery. She set her coffee on her desk. Dropping her purse in the drawer, she took off her coat and slung it over the chair. She was so glad to be back, and so glad she was at her desk.
Sitting down, she opened a file. She looked up at her partner. Tilting her head she chewed on the end of her pencil. She noted that his hair needed a cut, and that there appeared to be more gray around his temples. Feeling her stare, he looked up and smiled. Alex slightly blushed and looked back at the file.
Bobby studied her face. He had been noticing an increase of stares and side glances from Alex. He tapped his chin with his pen. He reached in his drawer and pulled out some papers. Glancing through them, he smiled. Hormones.
Alex had seen the movement and watched him as he flipped through the papers and smile. "What's that?"
He quickly gathered the papers together and shoved them back into the drawer and closed it. His quiet eyes met hers. "A study."
Alex felt herself blush slightly again. "About...?"
He cleared his throat. "About the hormonal shift women go through after birth. I, I thought I'd better be prepared, for, for when you came back."
Alex's face revealed her annoyance. "Every woman experiences things differently."
Bobby looked down at the file. "Yeah, but there are several things that all women go through. One thing in common, is the hormonal shift."
Alex's blush deepened. Feeling her temper rise, she bit her tongue. She didn't want her bodily functions to become the topic of the squad room. Bobby waited for a retort. He noted the deepened blush, he smiled slightly and went back to studying the file.
By 5 PM they were shutting down their computers and heading towards the elevators. The bite of the early evening air nearly took Alex's breath away, as she wrapped her coat tighter around her. Bobby headed towards his and Mike's favorite pub. Alex had begged off, stating she had laundry to do.
Opening her door to her home, she kicked off her shoes and headed towards the kitchen. Digging through the fridge, she found the remains of last evenings dinner. She popped it in the microwave and headed down the hall to her bedroom. Dunning a jogging outfit, she padded back to the kitchen and checked her dinner. Resetting the timer, she went to the hall closet.
Opening it, she smiled. "Hello old friend." Taking it off the hanger, she walked it to the washer and plopped it in. Putting the machine on gentle cycle, she went back to the kitchen and ate.
By 8, she had the jacket over her lap, and she was studying it. It had been fraying around the edges of the cuffs. Holding a needle and thread, she tentatively began repairing it. She skewered her face, not quite sure how it was going to work out.
The jacket relaxed on her lap, feeling the first hesitant prick of the needle, it's weaves tightened up. The second prick was even more hesitant. He shifted on her lap, trying to move out of harms way. Alex grabbed the sliding jacket and moved it back in place. Before she could take her third stab at it, she heard a knock on her front door. She sighed. Carrying the jacket, needle and thread, she went to the door.
Opening it, she saw Bobby standing on the porch. She smiled. "I thought this was to be 'the boy's night out on the town'?"
Bobby grinned. "It was, until Mike got a better offer." He looked down at the jacket and furrowed his brow. "Cross stitching, Eames?"
Alex looked down at the jacket, and frowned. "Some minor repair, before it gets worse."
Bobby shook his head, lightly touching the stitching. "It'll never hold like that."
She moved aside to let him in. "Okay Betsy Ross, show me how it's done."
Bobby stepped in and removed his coat. Alex shoved the jacket, needle and thread into his hands. He smiled, taking care to grab hold of the needle before he was stuck. Following Alex into the living room, he asked, "Ah, where's your sewing box?"
Alex stopped suddenly, and Bobby, studying the jacket, nearly walked over her. "Ah, I really don't have a sewing box."
Bobby raised a brow. "Well, then get what you do have."
Alex trotted off, and moments later came back with a shoe box. Bobby had already sat down on the couch. He had kicked his shoes off, and had his heels resting on the coffee table. She set the box next to him on the couch. He picked it up and began digging through it. He found a curved needle and heavy thread.
He glanced at Alex, who was perched on the couch's arm. "I'll need scissors."
Alex disappeared again. She came back with one. Placing it in the box, she resumed her position on the arm of the couch. She watched as he took out the stitching she had just put in. Carefully putting the needle away, he threaded the curved needle, and began working.
The jacket rested calmly on his legs as the steady and sure hand maneuvered the needle and thread around its cuffs. One done, Bobby duplicated the work on the other cuff. Finishing, he held the jacket up and gave it a shake. He frowned and put the jacket back on his lap. Taking another length of thread, he began working on the edge of the collar.
Alex watched silently. Each stitch taken matched perfectly to the previous one. She shook her head in amazement. Bobby caught the movement, and gave her a side glance. "I learned in the army."
"Most men wouldn't have admitted to learning it at all."
Bobby grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Finishing, he stood up and shook the jacket out. Holding it up, he eyed not only the repairs he had just completed, but also the previous ones. He sighed. "I just can't quite tell."
He handed the jacket out to Alex. "Put it on, I want to make sure I didn't miss any needed repairs."
Alex stood up, and put it on. Before she could secure the front, he ran over the stitching near the opening of the jacket. He felt where the lining met the outer shell. He pulled it out and studied it. Alex caught her breath when she felt his hand brush against her side. She felt her heart begin to race, she was almost sure he could hear the pounding against her chest. After what seemed like forever, Bobby let go of the edge of the jacket. Alex slowly exhaled.
He reached over and felt the front of the jacket furrowing his brow, he asked, "How is it repelling water?"
Alex blurted out the words. "Just fine!"
He gave her a quizzical look, suddenly realizing that his hand had stopped on the repair over the heart, he quickly let his hand drop. Embarrassed, he let his gaze drop to the floor. He rubbed the back of his neck, not quite sure to how to apologize. Lifting his head, he looked into Alex's eyes. For a brief moment, he saw the teenage girl from years ago standing in front of him. Bending down, he gave her a kiss on her forehead.