Don't own. USA Network…blah blah blah.

Confessions and Coercions

This was all so new.

So weird.

Bobby woke up this morning feeling like he, himself, was dead. His partner ashes. His life over.

Now it's approximately 5:30pm and he's kissing Alex,, holding Alex, pleading with Alex.

Alex….

Who was dead about an hour ago. Dead and gone like any hope Bobby had built over the past year.

Over the past year they were getting closer again, he and Alex. The ramifications of his secret undercover sting and the betrayal of his partner faded. He helped her avert a personal crisis. An old boyfriend, emerging from the past to frame and harass his beloved Alex. He put the brakes on that jack ass. No one would mess with his Alex. He felt she knew this like never before after the Mulrooney case.

They were laughing again on an almost daily basis. And he treasured the gestures and slight touches that occurred. He banked them in an account in his heart. Always grateful to gather any affection he could from their daily crime fighting regimen.

But here it was folks….

After thinking she was dead and finding out she was indeed alive. All bets were off.

No more protocol

No more Mr. Manners

No more putting his feelings, physical or emotional, in box, hidden deep within his soul.

He loved her and he was going to tell her.

He was going to tell her everything.

************************

"Alex just listen to me a second." Bobby had let go of her and started to pace the office.

" I know you think this is crazy but I need to tell you something…. Please just listen and ….."

Bobby looked at her and saw the furrowed brow of worry fall across her face.

" Alex I love you." Bobby tried to keep his voice very matter of fact as not to scare her.

"I've loved you for a long time, and maybe you knew that and maybe you don't care……"

He looked for some sort of response, an acknowledgement…something.

Alex just stared at him.

"I mean….. I know you care about me, or you would never have done this. But I don't want to pressure you, I just don't want to be without you. You're all …."

"I have." Both detectives spoke in unison. "I know." Alex added.

"I love you too Bobby, and you know that. Don't kid yourself. We've both always known." Alex produced her trademark nervous laugh.

"But how can you be sure you want to leave it all for me. I'm not even sure you could…"

"I was there Alex. All I have to do is claim my safety is in question." Bobby interrupted.

"And leave what Alex??!! There's nothing… nothing without you."

Suddenly the back door of the office opened and a tall, burly blond stalked inside.

"Rachel….. Alex" She looked irritated. "We have to wrap this up."

"Bobby, this is Agent Crawford." Alex motioned towards the blond, almost as tall Bobby.

"Hi Detective Goren." Agent Crawford muttered. "I broke protocol to do this…. I know and understand how you both feel but we should get going Rachel."

"Using her new name. Getting her used to it." Bobby desperately looked from the agent to Alex and back again.

"Look… I want to be re-located as well." Bobby pleaded with Agent Crawford. "I was there that day too, during the explosion. I have close ties to Alex and I feel that it's best if I go with her."

"Oh Detective Goren, that's a very unusual and rather hard to grant request." Agent Crawford responded.

"Why?!" Bobby was being more abrupt than he wanted to be, but he was grasping.

"You place husbands and wives together all the time. How is this any different?"

Agent Crawford was taken aback by his inquiry.

"But you're not married to Detective Eames, Detective Goren." She tried to keep a gentle tone sensing Goren was getting agitated. Agent Crawford sought Alex for a response.

Alex intervened. "Look Agent Crawford, I have no issue with you re-locating Bobby. I just have my concerns that it's not what's in his best interest."

"My best interest!"

Here it comes thought Alex, that high pitched tone Bobby takes when he's on the verge.

"My best interest is with you Alex." He cooled his tone a little. "I realize this is all very sudden. Hell, an hour ago I thought you were dead!" Bobby started to pace again. "I just know I love you Alex. You're all I have. You're my family. I understand if you don't want to live with me or be that close with me, but I want to be where you are going. I want to be in your life."

Bobby looked down at the floor, while rubbing the back of his neck.

Agent Crawford felt like she was in the midst of a soap opera or a domestic dispute or both.

"Look, we can't stay here guys. Detective Goren, I can smuggle you out to Alex's current location, if she grants me permission to do so. Maybe you can figure this thing out tonight. Meanwhile I can talk to my superiors about making this happen. But a lot will depend on Alex." She glanced at Alex who was now also staring at the floor scratching her forehead.

"If she is uncomfortable or doesn't want to sell my superior officers on the fact that you two are boyfriend and girlfriend, then it's likely a no go."

Alex raised her gaze from the floor to Agent Crawford and then to a sorrowful and desperate Bobby.

"Let's get going guys." Alex grabbed Bobby by the hand as the agent led them out the back of the warehouse.