A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews!

The first time their lips touched was not how she had imagined it would be. She at least thought he would have been conscious.

"Hey."

His mind goes blank as soon as she opens the door.

He's doesn't usually see her with her hair up. It rests on the top of her head in a messy bun. She stands before him wearing an NYPD t shirt about two sizes too big, covering most of her black athletic shorts. She's not wearing socks or shoes either. He never pegged her for a pink toenails kind of girl.

By the way she's dressed (not that he's complaining) and her lack of makeup (not that he's complaining), he can tell she wasn't expecting to have visitors after she dropped him off at home. Not that he cares. She still looks so pretty. She could be wearing a trash bag and he'd still feel the same.

Then, he sees her expression.

She's tense.

After a few seconds, he's finally able to get himself to speak. "Sorry, is this a bad time?" He looks easily over her head and into her apartment but doesn't think anyone else is inside.

She shakes her head and steps back to let him in. "No, no, it's not a bad time."

"I was wondering if I could treat you to take out tonight." When she snaps her head up to look at him but doesn't say anything, he gets a little nervous. "T-to say thank you." Maybe he should've actually asked her out. "Or we could do something else if you'd like."

Her eyes quickly fall to the floor and she moves to the sofa. "Oh, Bobby, you don't need to do anything thank me."

"Of course I do." He sits down beside her but he knows something just isn't right. "Alex?" He tries out her first name and it obviously comes as a surprise to her. He head perks up but she still doesn't look at him. "Is something wrong?"

She shakes her head. "No, I'm fine."

Bull.

"I don't think you are. You haven't looked me in the eye since the beach."

"Leave it alone, Bobby." Her voice is stern. She's using her detective voice but he's not about to 'leave it alone.' He came here for a reason.

"Eames."

"Please. Just-"

"Something changed with you between the beach and the hospital. What was it?"

"Nothing." Her voice cracks and so does his heart. He notices that she's blinking faster.

She's fighting off tears. What the hell happened?

He desperately wants to reach out hold her shaking hands but he knows he'll probably scare her off.

"Eames, come on. Talk to me." He says softly.

She tenses even more. "Nothing happened, Bobby! It's none of your business anyway. You're my partner. Why do you even care?"

Why wouldn't he care?

He was beginning to think they should postpone this conversation for a later date but it's out before he can stop himself.

"I love you."

So much for trying not to scare her.

A/N: One more chapter to go!