The World Kept Turning.

Rating T for language the odd word.

CHAPTER 6.

Getting out of the car, Alex stretched; she really needed to go for a run or to the gym.

But right now a walk would have to do, she passed people doing normal things, sometimes it was a necessity.

Their partnership had always been claustrophobic; insular in the nicest possible way, but part a big part of that had always been levity and laughter, she sighed they were little seen now.

These days it took effort to try to negotiate their way round each even without stepping onto a crack and falling through, into anger or silence.

It had gotten better of late; well it couldn't get gotten any worse than after his suspension.

Maybe what they'd needed then was a good old fashioned stand up, knock down row to clear the air. But they were Goren and Eames and that was never going to happen both of them were too contained to do a Logan as Bobby had succinctly put it.

Yes they'd had words at 1PP after his undercover op, but as soon as she'd stormed out; no before that as soon as the words were spoken, both knew that was the wrong place for them to disagree. They had always been tight and airing their differences, on a floor full of major case detectives was not a place for keeping anything private.

She'd waited in the car for him. He'd gotten in without a word and she'd driven to the park away from prying eyes, and they'd taken a walk.

Without continuing the argument they needed to know they were able to be together. She'd accepted his makeup offer of a hot dog and coffee, and although both were still raw it was a start. Silence had been a big part of the air clearing, the fact they were still comfortable enough to be quiet allowed them both to breathe. That they could both still be alone together was enough. No it hadn't been easy but then nothing worth having ever was. Was it?

And they you are worth keeping

Their first case it had been hard to get back in the groove then it had gotten better, well worn shoes were easy to walk in. Then suddenly the old Bobby was back, his love of magic gave her a chance to let him make her smile. It was a shame the old Alex hadn't

been there to play, but they were getting there, now this. She tried to stay away from thinking about Gage her mind travelled to Brady…

Oh great, choice Alex.

Mark Ford Brady. Oh yes he was a charismatic man, 100% evil but hey; there's a down side to everyone, it was easy to see why women fell had fallen for him. From the start the way he contacted them she had felt uneasy. That was compounded when she saw how interested in her partner he was. But the way he looked at her, made her skin crawl.

Admit to yourself. He scared you.

She wrestled that thought back into its box.

Don't open that box again. He'd dead.

She'd kept her face neutral while Bobby had told her about what Frank had said about his Mom spending the weekend with Uncle Mark, and that he did remember the car crash story.

Alex's kept her expression the same as he'd explained what his Mom had said about not knowing who his father was. Her heart would have gone out to him, but he didn't want nor need it. He'd survive, shit happened, they both knew that.

But equally both of them knew that Frances must have been subjected to severe beatings, torture and Alex suspected as she knew Bobby did, although never spoke of it, multiple rapes, over that weekend.

Bobby really believed that had been the start of her schizophrenia, and so did she. Frances Goren would already have been under stress, what with two small children, an often absent womanising husband who beat them all when home. Gambled and drank throughout their marriage then wham bam ….Mark Ford Brady came back into her life and maybe she thought, hoped a little happiness and fun had arrived back with him a distraction to humdrum sadly she'd gone from humdrum to hell.

Bobby was attracted to him like a moth to the light. She'd fought, trying to make Bobby step away but she'd lost. She could have tried harder, she could have won but at what cost.

Not without playing with fire I couldn't. Plus To win she'd have to have offered him….don't go down that road. But I'd never play his emotions; too many have done that to him. Like now with Gage.

She knew he desperately wanted to know, and tried to understand. Hence his obsessive fascination with Brady.

But she knew he never would. She did, it was obvious at least to her, Frances Goren had been, maybe still was even to the end in love with Mark, his father. The man who beat her that weekend and killed the other women was a serial killer Mark Ford Brady. Frances had wanted to recapture her past. What she found she didn't or couldn't understand.

Brady had played them, and played them well, he'd even goaded Bobby into attacking him.

And now they had Gage, trying to do the same thing. It looked very possible he was responsible for Frank's death, and Nicole's murder. And what was worse he was setting Bobby up for the fall. She hoped Jo could give him the answers he needed.

She saw him coming back, something was wrong very wrong. His pent up anger was obvious, he reached the car before she did and as he did he smashed his fist into the door. Passers-by sidestepped him and stared. She quickened her pace and as she was within range he almost shouted.

"She bit her own tongue off"

He smacked the door again, "Damn him to Hell."

Now here they were in the interview room. Bobby was sitting behind the table the information spread out in front of him. Alex leaned against the wall so Declan was in the room before he saw her. Ross offered her a small smile as he left.

Bobby's eyes were locked with hers as she spoke to Gage. Words had flown quickly….

"I was just telling him how you thought I killed his brother…"

Bobby's eyes spoke only to her.

Thank you for this.

She'd left and as Declan pushed the door shut in her wake. Bobby knew they'd be alright.

The whole interview was almost surreal, Bobby as he'd promised her remained facing the glass so she could see him and he her. Although technically they couldn't, the intent was there.

Then he'd said it "Who will you miss more Bobby, Frank or Nicole?"

You don't know me anymore old man. If you were lucid you'd know. Frank meant me no harm and Nicole was purely an entertaining distraction. But neither had an impact

on my daily life, or my happiness. Since my Mom died there has only been you and Eames. And as much have you have being trying to make me question my sanity, she's been there making sure I could find the answers.

Ross glanced at the woman by his side and he wondered if they really had a telepathic link because when Goren stumbled, paused or hesitated he felt something in Eames. But she showed no outward sign of emotion but it had to be there the Captain knew that. She was offering him her support, and Ross wondered not for the first time how close his detectives were.

As Gage was taken away, she surprised him instead of going into Goren she turned on her heel and collecting her coat she said "I'm calling it a day Captain see you tomorrow."

Ross looked to the interview room where her partner sat seemingly desolate and the now fast retreating back of his partner. He shook his head maybe they weren't that close or maybe recent events had led to this. He turned back wondering how much time Goren needed by himself, he hoped the big detective would notice his partners absence and it wouldn't fall to him to explain she'd gone.

Bobby stood and then clearing his head walked into the squad room. He saw people in groups talking. Ignoring him mostly in a way that told him he was far from being ignored.

Ross smiled and approached him "Detective, Good work."

"Thanks Captain."

Before he could say any more Bobby spoke. "Okay if I call it a day, we can do the paperwork tomorrow?" Goren grabbed his coat and his folder and left.

Relief washed over Ross and he agreed. Not realising till he was in his office that Goren hadn't asked for Eames or to her whereabouts.

Then a thought flashed into his head, and he buzzed down to security.

"Its Ross here 11th floor, has Detective Goren left the building yet?"

"Just now Sir, he just got into the car with Detective Eames. She's been waiting outside shall I stop them for you sir?"

Ross smiled this time it reached his eyes, of course they would air their washing here.

"No its okay, thanks." He moved the blind and looked out of his window to see the car drive off. He suddenly recalled his detectives' last words…. "We can do the paperwork tomorrow"

Of course, never an I; with them always we.

He just wondered what the conversation would be………….

TBC

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