--

When Alex got to work the next day, Bobby wasn't at his desk but she could tell he was some where nearby. She sat down, opened her laptop, and busied herself to avoid looking upset. She didn't like the way things were left the night before, but she knew it was important to give Bobby time to digest what she told him.

"Morning."

She was so deep in thought she hadn't noticed that he had sat down.

"Hi, Bobby." She spoke softly, almost timidly. Bobby noticed pain in her voice but jumped right into work.

"I've been going over the crime scene photo's again. Something is just not adding up but I'm not sure what it is."

"Want me to join you in there?"

"Okay, sure. Whenever you're ready."

"Let's go." They got up and she followed him into the conference room.

They spent almost an hour pouring over the pictures. It was all very professional and courteous and it was driving Alex nuts. The more he acted like nothing was wrong, even when they were in the closed conference room, the more she struggled with what to say to him.

--

The next few days were exactly like that morning, all business. Alex was hurt by his lack of emotions, but she was trying to understand. Finally at the end of one day she decided to ask him to get together. They were sitting at their desks when she brought it up.

"Bobby…can we talk later?"

"Ah, okay."

"How 'bout I make dinner?"

"I can't come for dinner, I'll stop by around nine or ten instead?"

Alex was disappointed. "Alright, what ever works for you."

He heard the sadness in her voice. He wanted to tell her he wasn't going on a date, but he had to let the moment pass because Deakins stopped at their desks.

--

Later that night

"Hot date?" She eyed him up as she opened her door. He was dressed in a black sweater with dark blue jeans, black shoes, and his leather jacket.

He gave her a shy smile, "Just dinner with a friend."

His answer left her unsettled, "Well, I hope your friend appreciated your outfit, I know I would have if you took me out lookin' like that." She spoke over her shoulder as she made her way into the kitchen. He couldn't help but admire her from behind as he followed her. She was in the same soft white v-neck sweater from earlier, but she had changed into a pair of faded jeans that were torn in a few places. He noticed how well the jeans fit her as she led him to the kitchen. Stopping in front of her sink, she took two glasses out of the drying rack then felt him right behind her. His chest lightly touched her back as he kissed her hair, "I got dressed like this to see you…my friend was a guy, Alex."

She let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding as she gently pressed her back into his chest then leaned her head against his shoulder, "Thank you." Her words sounded so soft and sexy to him. "For what?" He kissed her neck while he waited for her reply. "For telling me that… you certainly didn't have to." He didn't reply. Instead, he swept her hair off of her neck and continued kissing her as he ran his hands down her arms. She brought her hands down and grasped his hips. After a few moments like that, he kissed her hair one more time than stepped back and grabbed a seat at her table.

Alex felt him move away and immediately missed him being so close to her. She sighed, then spoke keeping her back to him, "I was going to offer you some water, but would you like a beer or something stronger instead?"

"Water's good, thanks."

She got them both water then sat down opposite him at the table.

"Bobby, the past few days… you've been so quiet. Do you want to tell me how you feel about the surrogacy now that you've had some time?"

"I feel a lot of things, Alex…but the biggest thing I feel is very proud of you for offering to do this for your sister. I'm sure it was not an easy decision to make." Bobby had his right forearm resting on the table while his left arm was up and his chin was resting on his palm. As he spoke he looked straight at her, making sure she knew how serious he was. Alex was sitting back in her chair with one leg tucked under the other, her hands were folded in front of her.

"No, it wasn't an easy decision. And even after I told them yes, I did have second thoughts."

"Why?"

"Honestly? Because of us."

Bobby closed his eyes and rubbed his hand over his mouth. As he opened his eyes, he leaned over the table and put his left arm down over his right one.

"Thank you for telling me that…it does make me feel a little better."

"Because now you know I did consider you and your feelings."

"Yes." He said softly.

"Because until just now, you were thinking I didn't."

"Yes."

"Why would you think that?"

"As I said before, I was being a selfish bastard. I sorta still am, if I'm being honest."

"How so?"

"I've always been a bachelor, and my whole life I've never had to put anyone else's wants before mine. When you told me what you were doing, I immediately thought of how your pregnancy would affect me…and I didn't like it. The other night… it wasn't my finest moment."

"Mmmm," she nodded her head, "but you know that once I have the baby -"

"No, don't do that. Don't make promises you don't know that you can keep…You don't know where either of us will be in a year or so from now."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Her mind went straight to work, and wondered if he was planning on requesting a transfer to get away from her.

"Not what you think," He said quickly, then he sighed, "Alex…what I'm trying to say is that neither of us know what our lives will be like in a year from now. Like you said once, you live your life, I'll live mine…we'll have to see where we are at that point."

She didn't hear any anger in his voice, she understood he was just trying to make a point. She knew he was right but it still hurt like hell.

Alex nodded. She put both feet on the ground and leaned forward; her hands reaching for his. He unfolded his arms and took hold of her hands.

"What else, Bobby…you said you're feeling a lot of things."

"Well, I'm also scared…I'm scared that something will go wrong. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I'll be under my doctors' care…I'll be fine. Woman get pregnant and give birth all the time."

"Rationally I know that, but I still find myself worrying about your safety. Not only do I want you healthy…but… me being the selfish bastard that I am, when you first told me about this, all I could do was think of how awful it would be for me if something happened to you…See…I need you, Alex. I need you as my partner and I need you as my friend. I know it's not right to be so selfish, but I can't help feeling like that. I hope you can understand."

"I'll be fine, Bobby. Just believe that." She smiled at him.

"I really am very proud of you."

"Thank you, that means a lot me." She squeezed his hands.

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it, then she ran her fingers over his mouth. He felt the familiar surge of blood to his groin; a reaction to her that she so easily elicited from him. He knew he had to leave before he did something stupid. "I should go." He said as he looked at his watch and got up from the table.

Walking toward the door, he grabbed his coat and turned back to Alex who was right behind him.

"Stay with me tonight, Bobby."

He put on his jacket and pulled her into an embrace. Her arms wound tightly around him. One hand lifted her chin and his kissed her tenderly, letting he tongue glide over hers. Before he pulled away he left a quick peck on her nose.

"I can't."

"Are we back to this again?"

"Alex, it would be my luck that something would go wrong with the condom and because of me, you wouldn't be able to do this for your sister. You'd end up hating me."

"Bobby, that's ridiculous!"

"I'm sorry," he kissed her one more time, "you have no idea how sorry I am."

Alex just nodded and pulled him in for one more hug.

--