Chapter 3

A few days later Alex finds Dan pacing in the kitchen when she gets home. He rushes over to hug her when she walks in. "What's wrong?"

"Where were you this afternoon?"

"I was in the squad room all day, working leads with Bobby on this murder."

"I tried to call you around 3 this afternoon and you didn't answer. I was sick with worry thinking something had happened to you. I was just getting ready to start calling hospitals."

"I'm sorry you were worried. Bobby and I had a meeting with Captain Ross about a potential suspect around that time. Why didn't you leave me a message? I would have called you back."

"Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. Is he all you can talk about? He is obviously the most important person in your life. I bet he never has to wonder where you are."

"You are the most important person in my life Dan."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

"What is this all about?"

Dan drops down on the couch and Alex sits down next to him. "I was worried about you Alexandra. You are a cop for God's sake. Who knows what could have happened to you."

"It's sweet that you worry about me but I'm fine. Really…I can take care of myself."

"But I do worry about you. Something could've happened to you. You could be in some shootout and I wouldn't know about it until I saw it on the news."

"Sweetheart I'll make sure the Job knows to call you if anything happened to me. Okay?"

"I'd rather not have to wait to get a call. Please…just answer your phone when I call. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course I can. I'm sorry I missed your call today."

"My worry disappears when I hear your voice. You promise to answer your phone?"

"I promise."

XXXXX

The next day, Alex's cell phone rings for the third times since they arrived at the suspect's office…not that Bobby is counting. Okay, he's counting.

Alex excuses herself from the room to answer it…again. "Hi honey. Yeah, we are still here." It's Dan…again.

Bobby tries to concentrate on what the suspect is saying but he can't help himself. He listens to the conversation in the other room. "I really can't talk now…I promise…as soon as we got back to the squad…I love you too."

Bobby wishes she would just let it go to voicemail but he can't really complain. He remembers taking calls from his mother at inopportune times and Alex never complained.

The drive back to the squad is quiet with both lost in their own thoughts. Bobby is the first to speak.

"Alex, I never really thanked you for the support you gave me when Mom got really sick."

"It was no big deal. What brought that up?"

"I was just remembering all the times I had to leave suddenly, all the calls Mom made to me. You never got mad, you never asked for an explanation. I just wanted you to know that I appreciated that."

"So you are saying is that you'd like me to explain why Dan is calling me so much?"

"That's not what I said. But you've got to admit, he calls a lot."

"He worries about me, is that so hard to understand? This is a dangerous job."

"You don't have to tell me that Eames. I would just think that if he was so worried about your safety, he wouldn't want you to be distracted by a constantly ringing phone."

"So you don't think I can do my job now Goren?"

Softly Bobby answers her. "I think you are a competent police officer and an excellent partner. Would I put my life in your hands every day if I had doubts? Alex, you are purposely twisting my words to shift the focus from Dan to me."

Sighing, Alex lowers her voice too. "Bobby, Dan loves me. It's been a while since someone felt that way about me. Love requires some adjustments on both sides. Dan doesn't understand the Job so I need you to cut him some slack while he works out how to deal with his worry."

Bobby fights the urge to set her straight about how long it's been since someone loved her but instead he says, "I can do that for you."