The usual disclaimers. Please leave a review.

With Valentine's Day almost upon us, I couldn't resist a short story for our two favorite detectives.

Chapter 1

Forgotten

Slapping her snooze bar for the third time, she moaned and rolled back over, putting the pillow over her head. Three minutes later, the alarm sounded again. Throwing the pillow, she knocked the squalling box to the floor. Groaning, she moved over to the edge of the bed and searched for the box by sound. Grabbing it, she turned off the alarm. Sitting up, she swung her legs to the floor. Sighing, Alex stood, and slowly moved to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and then stepped into the shower. I don't hate this day. She tried to convince herself. I really don't. I just hate all the flowers, candy, cards, that others will get. Why not me? She furrowed her brow.

Stepping out of the shower, she toweled herself off. I should have stayed with that lawyer. She snorted, shaking her head. Bobby spotted that snake a mile away. It just took me a few weeks to do the same.

Stopping at Star Bucks, while waiting for the coffee, a thought struck her. I wonder if Bobby remembers that it's Valentine's Day? A smile crossed her face.In less than twenty minutes, she was walking out of the elevator into Major Case Squad Room. Bobby was at his desk, busying himself on one of their recent cases. He looked up and smiled as she set the cup down next to him. "Morning."

Morning? That's it? Alex tried to smile brightly waiting for more. Bobby looked back down at the file, with his head resting on his hand. I guess that was it. She skewered her lips and flipped open the file in front of her.

Bobby cleared his throat. Alex looked over at him expectantly. "From the interviews we've done, I think it was an inside job."

She nodded, and waited. He lifted a brow, looked at her questioningly. "What?"

"I, I was waiting to see if there was more to your surmise." And to see if you remembered what day it is.

He rubbed his forehead, puzzled. "No. But what do you think?"

She pursed her lips and tilted her head. "I suppose it could have been an inside job."

"Suppose? Why would you think otherwise?"

Exasperated, Alex leaned back in her chair. "An inside job is an easy answer, but what do we know about their friends?"

Bobby studied her for a moment, tapping the end of his pen on his portfolio. Tossing down his pen, he began clicking them off on his fingers. "Well, there's the doctor, but he is in his late seventies. His wife, in her mid-seventies. The neighbor is a close friend; but he has an alibi, and then the..."

"His nephew?" Alex interrupted him.

Bobby shook his head. "He's been out of the picture for years."

"What if he made a re-appearance?"

He shook his head again. "Doubtful. There were no photos of him in the house. In talking with with Mr. Butler, there was no indication that they had settled their differences."

Oh sure, you notice photos, or lack of photos in a stranger's home, but you can't see on your calendar what day it is? Alex's thoughts drifted back to the lawyer. He may have been a snake, but he would have remembered.

Bobby tapped the end of his pen against the portfolio. "Earth to Alex."

She blinked, her annoyance was apparent. "What?"

"You seem out of step today. Anything wrong?" Bobby's head was tilted and his eyes showed concerned.

"No. Nothing is wrong."

He pursed his lips. "You still dwelling on that...what was he?"

"A lawyer."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, lawyer. You still hung up on him?"

She furrowed her brow. "No, I'm not 'dwelling', nor am I 'still hung up' on him." Her annoyance with her partner was growing.

"Uh huh." He wasn't convinced.

"Drop it Bobby."

"Sure." He looked back down at the file, apparently fixated on what he was reading.

Alex sighed. Picking up her coffee cup, she went to the coffee room. Pouring out the cold coffee, she refilled the cup. Dumping in the sugar. He's suppose to be a genius. Some genius. Taking a sip, she leaned against the counter, tapping her index finger against the cup. How can I remind him, without looking like I'm trying to remind him? I mean, even if he is only my partner, it sure would be nice to be remembered on this day. Damn, I sound desperate. For what? A card, a box of candy? Jeesh Alex, it's not that important.

Entering the coffee room, Bobby quickly noted Alex deep in thought. Clearing his throat brought Alex back to the room. "Any more thoughts on who the perp might be?"

Can't you give the case a rest for at least ten minutes? "Ah, no." She shook her head.

"For spending a lot of this morning in thought, you sure are hitting a wall."

She angrily stepped past him. "Well, not all of us are geniuses."

Somewhat stunned, Bobby watched her leave the room. Mike walked into the room, slightly turning, he watched Alex sit down at her desk. Looking back at Bobby he grinned. "Do I sense discord among you two?"

Bobby scowled. "She just seems out of it today." He shook his head, looking through the doorway. "I don't know what's bothering her."

Logan's grin broaden. "Maybe this will help." Stepping over to the calendar, Mike tapped it. "Does February 14th mean anything to you?"

Bobby swiped his face with his hands, lightly moaning. "I didn't realize... I kept going on and on about her last boyfriend."

Logan laughed. "Looks like if you don't come up with something good, you might be in the proverbial dog house, old man."

"But we're not... I mean..." Bobby looked at Mike for sympathy.

He shook his head. "Doesn't matter. You're her partner. What matters now, especially since she unloaded her boyfriend, is that someone remembers." He poked his index finger into Goren's chest.
"And Bobby, that someone is you."

"But..."

Logan shook his head. "No buts old man."

Bobby narrowed his eyes at Mike. "What about Felicia?"

He smirked, spreading his arms wide. "Hey, I'm off the hook. She's married. If I do anything, I might be stopping her husband's fist with my face."

Goren growled as he left the room. Taking his seat across from Alex, he twirled his pen in his hands. "Want to do lunch?"

Alex shook her head without looking up. "Can't. I'm going to lunch with my sister and nephew. Which reminds me, I need to get going."

Bobby watched as she left. He rubbed the back of his neck. Glancing at the clock, he picked up his coat and left the squad room in search of the ultimate Valentine's gift.