I don't own Bobby, Alex, Ross, or Wheeler. I might own Pete the waiter or maybe I rented him, Hmmm.


Alex let Bobby drive, which worried him some. Only on rare occasions does she do that. On those occasions it is usually because she is too tired to drive safely. This time though it seems like she just doesn't care about anything, almost like she is shutting down emotionally. He took the Captains advice and took them to a steak house well away form 1PP . He came here often, alone, so he knew it wasn't a cop hangout.

Once they were seated, a tall blonde waiter came over to take their order.

"Hi, my name is Pete and I will be your server tonight. Would you like some thing to drink to start off with?"

"I'll have a beer" Bobby said and then waited for Alex to order. When she didn't he said "Bring her a Bourbon on the rocks." Alex's eyes flashed up at him. She was pissed.

"Forget the Bourbon" she said testily, "bring me a double Martini"

"Yes ma'am. Did you need a few minutes or do you know what else you might like tonight?"

"I'll have the special." He looked at Alex and when she nodded he said, "Make that two."

"Very good sir. I'll be right back with those drinks."

Bobby waited until the waiter brought their drinks before trying to start a conversation with Alex.

"Eames, about the Bourbon.."
"Forget about it. I shouldn't have snapped. It's just that right now it's a reminder of how badly I screwed up."

"You didn't screw up."

"Right" She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's obviously a sign of a job well done when a homicidal pervert rummages through your underwear."

Pete came back then and brought their meals. Bobby watched Alex pick at the food on her plate for a while.

"Eames.....Alex"

"What?" She replied with a sad sounding sigh. When she put down her fork and looked at him it broke his heart to see her so torn up inside.

"Back in the squad room, I am pretty sure you misinterpreted my meaning about not wanting Mulroony to have a psychotic break."

"Fine, explain it to me then because right now I really don't get it. I would think that after everything else over the last few years that loyalty to me should come before any sympathy you might have for a mental defect."

Reaching across the table, Bobby took hold of Alex's hand. "It does. Please believe me it does. I don't feel any sympathy for him. True I don't want him to have a psychotic break but that is because I want him to be competent to stand trial. I want him to pay for what he did, the least of that being killing Boz Burman. I really, really want him to pay for what he did to you then and now."

"OK....OK" Alex squeezed his hand before pulling hers away to take a drink of her Martini. "I'm sorry. I believe you. I should have trusted you to be more concerned about me than his state of mind."

Bobby's cell phone rang just as they were paying the bill.

"Goren"

"Detective, I just left the DA's office. The footage from the evidence lock up is sufficient for them to file the charges and to send Mulroony for arraignment."
"Glad to hear it"

"Anyways you're done for tonight, and since it is the weekend I'll see both of you Monday morning barring a call out"

"Thanks Captain"

After Bobby ended the call he explained what Ross had said to Alex. She finished off the last her drink before replying.

"Goody, two whole days to myself to clean the mess left by CSU."

"Wheeler's there, I'm sure she won't let them make too big of a mess."
"What about the residue all over the place from the search for fingerprints?"

"OK. Good point."

"I have another one for you. I now have to wash every piece of clothing I have."

"Everything?"

Alex's phone rang before she could respond.

"Eames"

"Alex, it's Megan"
"Are they done?"

"Yeah, it looks like he was mostly interested in your intimate items. You'll want to go through your jewelry to see if anything is missing. Also looks like he was through your bathroom cabinets as well."

"Wonderful" Alex said though both Wheeler and Bobby could tell that she meant that it was anything but. "Can you leave my keys with the neighbor and I'll pick them up when I get home?"

"Sure thing. OH, I had the CSU guys leave the markers in place so you could see exactly what this guy was into."
"Thanks Megan, I appreciate you handling it for me."

Once they were outside, Alex held her hand out for the keys to the SUV.

"I guess you're feeling better." Bobby said, handing over the keys.

"Better enough to drive at least"
"Come home with me tonight."

Alex nearly dropped the keys along with her jaw when Bobby said that. Had he really suggested that?

She had spent the night on his couch on numerous occasions over the years, just as he had in her spare room. Some how though Alex didn't think that was what he meant this time. When she didn't answer right away, Bobby put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up.

"Please. Stay with me tonight and tomorrow I will go with you to clean up. Please let me help you."

Alex looked in his eyes for a minute before giving in.

"OK, but I need to get my bag from my car back at 1PP."