A/N: Sorry for the wait guys! I was camping for a week and couldn't update, but here it is! And another thanks to my amazing beta! Please enjoy!
NYC Wellness Center
Alex met Bobby on the sidewalk after parking beside a grey building. The large building, once past the glass doors, opened into a large, expansive gym full of machines and equipment. The two detectives had to admit it was impressive, almost as good as the gym the NYPD officers trained in. Walking up to a front desk, Alex caught the attention of a tall red head sporting a casual flowing shirt and black yoga pants.
"Excuse me. Is the manager here? We need to ask him some questions," Alex said, pulling out her badge to show the wide eyed young woman. She seemed especially impressed by Bobby's identical gold shield, as well as every other aspect of him.
"Um...yes, Jason's here. Let me get him," she said, smiling widely as she moved away from the desk and walked into an office just steps behind it. Alex turned with a crooked smile, her hand on her hip as she leaned against the front desk.
"What?" Bobby asked, looking down at her in confusion. Alex laughed to herself. He looked quite adorable standing in his nice black suit and tie, blue button up shirt, and his large black overcoat to protect him from the rapidly chilling weather. His dark hair was slightly wind blown, and he had a slight shadow covering his cheeks. Scratch adorable, he looked down right sexy. Alex definitely thought so.
"Bobby makes all the women go crazy," she said in a teasing tone, though she definitely knew it to be true. Bobby looked at the door where the young woman had disappeared, shaking his head with a smirk on his lips.
"In one way or another," he replied, switching his binder into his other hand and rocking back and forth on his feet. "Which is it for you, Eames?"
Alex turned with her mouth open, stuttering on a reply. His knowing smirk didn't help her situation any as embarrassment settled in.
"Thanks, Eames," he laughed, nodding his head in satisfaction at her answer, in the lack of an answer.
"I did't say anything..." Alex stated, quirking a brow and the edge of her lips curling into a smile. The look of shock she gave him was still fresh in his mind. He would have that tell-tale look of shock she had given him in his mind for the rest of his life. He found great satisfaction that his partner found him attractive, and he hoped it was a little more on her part as well.
"You didn't, but the look in your eyes said enough," he said with an affectionate look that for once was meant for her to see. She felt herself starting to melt under his gaze.
"Get a hold of yourself!" Alex thought to herself, reprimanding.
But even as she thought it, a blush colored her cheeks and she had to look away from him. Luckily, the red head receptionist appeared again to save her from complete and utter embarrassment. Behind her, an African American man with a slight, athletic build left the office to see them. Alex didn't know if she could trust herself to speak yet.
"Good afternoon, officers," the man greeted, offering his hand to them. "I'm Dr. Jason Berg, the manager and owner of this center."
Bobby stepped forward first, shaking the man's hand.
"Hi. I'm Detective Goren, and this is my partner, Detective Eames," he said, taking a step back to let Alex shake the man's hand. As Alex shook his hand, her eyes fell on the woman standing next to him, the red head. The woman had to be in her late twenties, and her eyes were glued on Bobby. A pang of jealousy hit Alex, and suddenly she was feeling like an overprotective girlfriend. Jason Berg noticed the sliver of hostility coming from the woman detective, but he sensed the majority of it coming from his secretary.
"Jamie, why don't you leave the detectives and I to our business?" he suggested, facing the red head. The woman, Jamie, left without a protest, but Alex swore she saw a pout on her face.
Alex furrowed her brows. Was she always like this when a woman suspect or witness had their eye on Bobby? She desperately hoped Bobby hadn't noticed, but knew that he had with his skills in profiling and human nature.
"We can talk in my office," Jason said, leading the two into a small room consisting of file cabinets, a desk, and a computer. Two chairs were situated in front of the desk.
"Please, sit," Jason said, gesturing to the seats as he sat in his. Alex took his offer, but as always Bobby chose to stand and introduce himself to the surroundings.
"Dr. Berg, we are investigating the murder of one of your staff members, Thomas Adamson," Alex said, cutting to the chase. Jason's brows raised only slightly, but Bobby noticed the panic that passed over his face. Alex noticed as well, but didn't show Jason any signs of knowing.
"Damn...I had expected the worst when he disappeared, but...I had hoped desperately he would turn up. He's my most popular trainer, and since he's gone missing, I've had a lot of angry customers on my hands," Jason said, shaking his head. Bobby looked up at his chance to enter the questioning.
"Was Patty one of those clients?" he asked, sidling up to the desk to finally sit next to Alex. Jason looked up, nodding with a slight grimace.
"What's her real name? And can we get her contact information?" Alex asked, sitting forward in her chair. They were incredibly uncomfortable chairs.
"It's confidential..." he started, looking between the two slowly. Seeing the looks on their faces, he continued, "but this is a murder investigation, so I suppose I can give you her info."
Alex and Bobby nodded in approval, watching as the nutrition doctor swiveled his chair to face his computer.
"You asked about her real name; it's Patty Goodman. She started coming to Tommy's sessions in December, last year. She fell hard for poor Tommy, and it started to freak him out. I remember him telling me he felt like she was stalking him, but she never approached him outside of the gym," Jason said. Alex reached to scratch behind her ear as she glanced at Bobby.
"That's sort of what stalkers do..." she said sardonically, referring to his 'but' statement. Bobby smiled at the dry humor.
"Here's the information you asked for," Jason said, ignoring the detective's smart comment as he rolled his chair to his printer that jumped to life.
"Did Thomas have any family? A girlfriend?" Alex continued the questioning, waiting for the papers.
"No. He didn't have anyone. He bounced around in foster care all his youth, and he isn't dating, as far as I know."
"Thank you," Alex said, standing at the same time as Bobby, who gave a quick nod. Taking the still warm paper from Jason's hands, she added, "Is there anything else we should know?"
Jason looked skeptically at the woman detective. Was she threatening or suspecting him?
"No, I don't think so," he answered, looking between the two.
"Alright. Well, we'll be on our way. Thank you for your time, and if you think of anything else, here's my card," Alex said, handing him the card and following Bobby out of the office.
Alex immediately tensed as she exited the doorway, when a strong arm found its way around her shoulders. She turned her pissed off expression to the owner of the arm, ready to deck the man and cuff him. However, she was greeted with a face full of Bobby's coat, and his scent worked as a drug, subduing her. He smelled of manly musk and fresh pine, and Alex found herself weak in the knees.
"Bobby—"
Then she noticed the dirty look that Jamie, the secretary, gave her. Alex smirked when she realized what Bobby was doing, and she wrapped her arm around his waist beneath his coat and slid her other hand to his hip closest to hers. As discreetly as possible, she punched as hard as she was able to in her position. Bobby grunted, tensing up and tightening his grip on her. Alex smiled in satisfaction.
"Ass," she said under her breath, but loud enough for him to hear. Bobby just smiled at her as if the sweetest words had just passed from her lips, and she couldn't help but return it. Bobby only let her go when they reached the doors, where he opened one and held it open for her. As a rush of cold air hit Alex, she whirled around to face Bobby, her hair blowing wildly around her.
"I know. I owe you," Bobby said immediately, putting his hands in front of him for peace.
"Damn right, Bobby," she answered, taking a strand of hair stuck to her lips and tucking it behind her ear.
"How about I buy you lunch, huh? Or a milkshake?" he asked, walking down the sidewalk with her at his side. Alex shrugged with a crooked smile and looked up at him sweetly, stuffing her hands in her pockets.
"And I'll even make the call to Patricia," he added, raising his eyes hopefully. Alex chuckled, shaking her head.
"No, I will be making that call," she said with a smile.
"Alright then...how will I make it up to you? Your wish is my command," he said with a charming smile, turning to face her then becoming distracted again by the sights on their walk to the SUV.
"Can I save that wish for a drink after this case? I have a feeling I'll be needing it," Alex said with a sigh, taking the keys from her pocket as they neared the SUV. Bobby smiled, opening the passenger door and climbing in.
"Yeah, me too," he said, looking to his left as Alex started the car and buckled her seat belt. "After this case I promise I will take you out for dinner and a drink. Sound good?"
Alex met his eyes, her hands poised on the steering wheel. Those deep brown depths of mysteries, puzzles, and knowledge stared warmly back at her. One look of his made her heart melt, burning straight through her and warming her heart. Every time he looked at her this way, he never failed to make her fall harder for him.
"Sounds perfect."
A/N: Please review and let me know what you think! I love feedback, good or bad! Thanks and next chapter to come soon!
~Love
