TITLE: Those who burn twice as bright Chapter 4
RATING: T or what used to be PG or now K9
The rating is longer than the story
BETAed by: Linda (thank you, again )
ARCHIVE: Anyone who would like. Drop me a line so I can visit.
SYNOPSIS: A Bar. A match. Two minds.
COMMENTS: Alex listens to a drunk and brooding Bobby.
DISCLAIMER: Everything relating to Criminal Intent is owned by Dick Wolf and NBC productions. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.

Part 4

Meanwhile Dave had taken to doodling on a sketch pad. He just had to get that look, that feel, down on paper before it fluttered away. Drawings, it seemed to him, were superior to photographs many times. There was a vision that could be told if the artist wielded the right tool and had the correct mind set. He glanced up and saw the man enter the building. Questions, they always had questions. He glanced at the clock. Especially at this time of night. Just three steps before the man was at the counter, Dave rose to greet him.

"Evening sir. Anything I can help you with?"

"I believe this evening is turning into early morning." He let out a sigh of one who was out way too late. "I can't seem to reach a friend by phone. I just wanted to check on him."

"Okay." Dave reached over to grab a pen and a scrap of paper. The man's eyes followed the movement and caught sight of the drawing.

"Who is that?" He indicated the picture.

Dave picked up his pad and set it in front of the newcomer. "Someone you know Captain?" It was more of a statement than an inquiry from David.

"Yes, that's one of my detectives." Deakins was looking at an amazing pencil drawing of Eames. It was not only an extremely good representation of her but also projected a powerful emotion evoking quality. That was quite a vibe from a drawing.

"Sir." David's voice broke his pondering. "My name is David Collins. Here is the apartment number." He handed Deakins the bit of paper.

"Thank you David, I'm… how did you know I was a captain?"

"The way you carry yourself says police, the recognition of the picture of Alex, your detective, says captain."

"I'm Jim Deakins." The captain nodded his head, but was thinking how odd this brief encounter was. Deakins looked at the apartment number on the paper.

Before he could ask, Dave answered with, "Since you recognized Alex, your friend must be Detective Goren."

"Is he home, now, Dave?"

"Yes, he came in about two hours ago. He seemed just fine when he arrived."

Dave seemed to have answers before the questions. The captain shook that thought off as silly. Surely it was due to the lateness of the hour.

"Thanks. I must say you have some talent there Dave." Pointing to the drawing he added, "What inspired you to do this piece?"

"Just killing time. I was trying to capture the essence of the last time I saw Detective Eames."

That essence was like the Mona Lisa smile. Who the hell was that expression meant for? That look was not meant for you, Dave, Deakins thought. "Oh, Well I better get going." He had turned and started walking towards the elevators, then paused. "When did you say you last saw her?"

Always with the questions, cops, so predictable. "Uh," Dave shrugged his shoulders. "About two hours ago."

Deakins seemed to break his stride with that answer. He recovered his pace and ventured onward. Goren's ever ready phone turned off. Arriving home late even for Bobby, not much to do at this time of night except the bar circuit, Alex showing up this late here as well, not much to do at this time of night ex… He really didn't want to process any of this. He should call his wife. She and the kids were out of town and he should call. No, he shouldn't call her this late. He hated it when his routine was broken. Normally he would have been home hours ago. But, with no one there, he had stopped at the bar for a quick nightcap. One of his college buddies he hadn't seen in years was there. One drink turned into many shots and the stories each had to tell the other of life since school were many. It was late and his mind slowed from the rigors of the day and too much liquor. Don't make this complicated, just check on Goren. His detective had a hard time with this case. Dave said he was home and fine. As long as I'm here. Deakins push the elevator button and just wished he was home asleep.

The torrential water flow had knocked Booby and Alex both down and shoved them against the opposite bathroom wall.

"Shut off valve! Where is it?" Alex choked out, feeling like a drowning rat.

"Under the sink." Bobby raised one arm to block the water in his face and was using his other to help himself crawl toward the sink. "Come on."

Bobby turned his back to the water flow and put himself between Alex and the downpour. This allowed her to move unencumbered to the valve and spin it closed. They both lay on the floor trying to catch their breath.

Bobby started laughing.

Alex smiled at him. "You know for a guy who has tried to relax all night, I think the fates have conspired against you. You look like a wet mop."

"Thanks, you look like you could win a wet T-Shirt contest."

Alex reached over and smacked him for that comment across his chest. The water splashed off him and back into her face.

Bobby laughed heartily and was rewarded with Alex scooping and tossing handfuls of water at him in rapid succession; fast enough that he knew he couldn't match her scoop for scoop. He held his hands up to block some of the water attack and waited for the right moment. There it was. When her arms were in the farthest motion from her body, he grabbed her by the waist. Her surprised look was one he would always remember. He then pulled her into a bear hug as he rolled onto his back, ending the water fight.

"Serves you right," Bobby teased. "The fates must be conspiring against you too." Feeling safe from the wet onslaught, he loosened his grip and she pushed herself up, but did not roll off of him.

"Well that's a partnership deal." Alex surveying the flood they are lying in. "For better or for worst, conspiracy fates or not. I could be home dry and cozy and asleep. But no, I have to save you from drowning in your own bathroom," Alex said with a grin.

"I'm sorry Alex. You are right. You deserved a better night than this."

"Stop that Bobby. Tonight has been a little weird, bit it's been a great night anyway."

They both lay there for a moment, just gazing at one another. She was looking into his eyes and found herself moving in to kiss him. He closed his eyes and kissed her back.

She pulled back to look at him; smiling she said, "Bobby we can't, you know it just…"

He put a finger to her lips. "One of us always says that, Alex. I think we might want to change our stand on this issue. It's not getting resolved from our current approach of this subject."

"I agree. I will give it some serious thought. We both will, when we sober up. But, for now we need to get out of these wet things." Alex looked over to her nearly floating bag. "Which is going to be easier for you to do than me."

Bobby followed her line of vision to the bag. "Oh, I've got a washer and dryer, which will take care of your wet stuff. In the mean time I'll give you a shirt to sleep in, and we can call it a night."

"Deal"

Alex followed him down the hall. Bobby opened the door to his bedroom and tossed some towels on the bed. "Take any shirt from the top drawer, while you dry off and change I'll take care of your wet stuff." Alex opened her bag and pulled out a medium sized Ziploc bag, then handed the duffle bag to Bobby. He raised an inquiring eyebrow.

"Dry underwear. Should have packed my scuba gear too."

With that Bobby muttered, "Always prepared," spun and left down the hallway, making little squishy sounds as he went. By the time he returned Alex was dry, and had donned a blue long sleeved work shirt that almost reached her knees. She had also retrieved some more fresh towels for him.

He smiled and teased, "You could have worn the pink shirt." Before either said another word the doorbell rings.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Alex asked.

Bobby shook his head then remembered, "There is a pizza joint around the corner, the guy across the hall from me orders from there twice a week. Every time they get a new delivery guy..."

Alex nodded. "Get out of those wet things before you get sick and I'll take care of it."
After Bobby left Alex unlocked, opened the door and began, "You've got the wrong apartment, you want…"

That's where her mind went Huh? as she was looking at her… "Captain?"

That was definitely a reflex vocalization.

Deakins crossed his arms and had that look that her father would have given her. The look that would make one involuntarily respond in the classic deer caught in the headlight expression.

"Right apartment. And I want answers."

Alex opened the door wider, dropping her head down. Conspiring fates indeed.

Deakins eyes swept over the apartment. Candle lit only, open and empty liquor bottles, Alex in one of Bobby's shirts, her hair wet. As he entered, he leaned back on to the door frame, arms still crossed and noted a table overflowing with photos of Alex in very non-department approved attire. So much for Don't make this complicated. Captain Deakins really, really didn't want to process any of this.

"Sir." Alex had somehow found her voice. "Why are you here?"

"Funny that was my next question."

"Sir, please don't make me say it. It is just so cliché."

"Ok, I'll say it for you. This isn't what it looks like, I can explain."

Alex answers physically with the you-got-it-on-the-nose hand gesture to the face.

"Try me." Deakins realized Alex is fairly drunk. Hopefully drunk enough to miss the fact he himself was pretty far from sober as well. Just look stern and bluff on through. He really thought it best to just leave, but he was curious how far she could get with an explanation of this.

"I could fill you in Monday morning, before shift."

"I'd prefer now.'

Alex braced herself and tried to piece it together.

"There was a game of 'I never,' and Bishop's date went bad, Bobby with the matches and all, and she called me, I guess she couldn't handle him, but he was too much for me alone, so Bishop drove and there are photos..."

"Stop." Deakins left hand was covering his eyes and forehead as he shook his head.
Shaking the head, ow, not the best move. "The hole your digging is getting deeper." He put his hands out as if to block more unwanted information from coming his way. Now he was way confused. He did not want to know anything right now. But the detective part of him had to ask. "Bishop? Bobby and fire? Lynn and you and… Bobby! And… is Bishop here now?"

Alex shook her head no.

"It's okay, you're drunk, you're off duty, I believe everything is fine." Deakins began his retreat to the front door. I'm drunk and hallucinating and need to leave before this becomes any worse. His mind tried to forget everything since he had arrived.

Alex nodded and asked, "Why were you here sir?"

"I was out late myself. Since Bobby seemed to take today's events to heart, I had been trying to call him, but his phone seems to be off. I needed to know if he was fine. Goren is all right?"

"Yes. Earlier today his phone was damaged. He won't have a replacement phone until Monday."

Deakins was almost out the door when he heard Bobby's voice from down the hall. There was a teasing sing song lilt to his words, a tonality and word combination the Captain never expected to hear from his top investigator.

"Alex, you forgot to tuck me in."

Deakins stopped dead and looked straight at Alex. The world had never been quieter. Ever.

"He… talks in his sleep when he's over tired." It sounded like a good save in her head before the words actually formed.

"You know that how?" Deakins shook his head, put his hands back up, and continued his retreat. He was talking to himself as he went down the hallway. Nope, nope. Never drink tequila, Jimmy, it messes with you, soon you will wake up and forget about this screwed up dream. Like last time. Should have known with the psychic night clerk character and your inner fear the best duo on the force would… stop thinking this stuff. You had to eat the worm this time, yeah that did it.

Alex closed and locked the door. She leaned against it. That was a surreal encounter. The captain seemed more disconcerted than she felt. Maybe the fates were easing up a bit.

Captain Deakins exited the elevator in the lobby and passed the reception desk.

"Sir," David called out to him. "There is a cab ready to go out front."

Okay, that's it. "How did you know to call me a cab?" Deakins demanded.

"I didn't sir. My friend Tony is always out front at this time on his coffee break. I'm sure you wouldn't be driving in your current state, sir." David sounded confused to Jim. This evening's strange events must be the effect of too much drinking.

"I'm sorry David, I'm not mad at you, it has just been a long and rather weird night."

"I understand sir. You should leave the wife a message she can check on at the home phone."

"What?" Maybe paranoia was an after effect of tequila.

"That's what I would do. When I'd been out later than I thought I'd be, and didn't want to wake her, but didn't want her mad at me either, I'd leave a short message. Let her know everything was fine. You know?

"Yeah, that is a good idea David. Excuse me. I'm just over thinking everything tonight. You know you get over tired and you can't sleep. You get overworked and you can't shut it off."

"Yes sir, you have a good evening or morning sir."

Damn, she was starting to feel cold now on top of being tired.

"Alex." Bobby wondered what was taking so long.

She headed to the bedroom and decides to not tell Bobby about the captain's visit. A small burden she could withhold for now. She appeared in the doorway

"What did you do? Set up a date with the pizza guy?"

She sat on the side of the bed. "No, he was cute." She sounded exhausted. "But not my type."

"I left a message with maintenance about the water. Probably won't get taken care of until Monday."

"You can stay at my place till then. I'll sleep on the couch there too."

"You don't have to do that. But, I guess I should shave once this week. So, okay you got yourself a house guest. I see you've come to tuck me in."

Trying to stifle a yawn Alex quipped "You look tucked in to me." She then visibly shivered.

"Alex you're cold, get in here." Bobby tossed the covers back.

She saw a pillow and her mind said must sleep. She climbed in and Bobby wrapped himself around her. The warmth soothed her worn mind and body.

"Did I mention I sleep in the nude?" Bobby whispered.

She wanted to laugh, but could only manage a smile. "You do not, I think I read that in your file. Besides its fine if you do, I don't care, just try not to talk in your sleep. Night Bobby," she mumbled as she drifted off.

"Night Alex," was all he could say before being over come by sleep as well.