Dredging up the Past: Chapter 7

By: The Confused One

A/N: I was going to add Mike and Carolyn at the diner, but then I decided it would be too redundant. Everything they were going to talk about is going to come up later. So, forgive me for that. I plan to write a lot more M/C in the next chapter.

Waking up in cold sweats, Alex curled up in a ball. She couldn't shake the images of the past. They wouldn't let her sleep. Debating with herself, she finally picked up the phone and dialed a number she knew by heart, the only person she felt she could.

Waking up, Bobby reached for the phone. He sleepily answered, "Hello?"

Alex closed her eyes. Her hands shook. She almost hung up.

Looking at the caller ID, Bobby realized it was her. He was getting worried. He called out to her, "Eames? Alex?"

Alex knew she had to say something now. He knew who it was. Finding her voice, she replied, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called."

Sitting up, he tried to assure, "No. It's fine. What's wrong?"

Leaning her head back against the headboard of her bed, she swallowed and finally admitted, "I. I can't sleep."

Bobby closed his eyes. He knew. Silently cursing himself for leaving her, he replied, "I'll be right there."

Alex sat up again. The last thing she had expected was for him to come back. She was about to protest when she heard the click of him hanging up. Hanging up her own phone, she leaned back against the headboard again. She felt guilty now. She hadn't meant to drag him back out from his apartment.

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Bobby had thrown his shoes on and jumped into the car he own but rarely drove. Alex usually just picked him up for work and dropped him back off. He sped all the way to her apartment, regretting leaving her alone more with each passing minute it took him to get there. Unlocking her door with his spare key to her place, he called out, "Alex?"

Alex got up and met him in the hallway to her room. She almost smiled, realizing he hadn't even changed clothes. She didn't get to see Bobby Goren in his pajamas. It was appealing. She tried to reassure him, "I'm really OK. I. I didn't mean to drag you over here again. I just wanted to talk. I. I can't get it out of my head. I close my eyes and he's on top of me again."

Bobby took in a ragged breath. He should have known she'd have nightmares after confronting the guy. He finally walked over to her and hugged her. She tensed up at his touch. He was about to let her go when she eased some. He closed his eyes and pulled away anyway. Finding her eyes, he replied, "I'm sorry."

Alex was near tears again. Angry, she lamented, "I don't know what's wrong with me."

Moving her hair out of her face, he guaranteed her, "Nothing is wrong with you. You're finally dealing with something you; you didn't completely deal with when it happened. And you just faced him again today. It's. It's only natural that these things would resurface."

Alex snorted. Stepping back from him, she leaned against the wall. Avoiding looking at him again, she spoke softly, "I'm sorry…"

Tired of her apologizing for things that weren't her fault, Bobby interrupted, "Stop apologizing please. You don't have anything to apologize for. I. I'm going to stay, in case… I'll be on the couch."

Alex finally turned to face him again. She eyed him a long moment. She finally asked, "Could you… could you stay with me?"

Bobby stopped. Every bone in his body told him it was a bad idea for both of them. Emotions, good and bad, might get all mixed together and cause problems. Meeting her eyes, he tried to decline gracefully, "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

Alex closed her eyes. She was getting desperate. The need she had to be near him so she could get through the rest of the night was one of the few things she was sure of at the moment. Her voice was barely above a whisper and she almost pleaded, "Please. Just, beside me. It's not as bad when I'm with you."

Bobby swallowed. Trying to ignore his brain that was going into overdrive and sounding alarm bells, he found he couldn't deny her. He finally agreed, "OK. I. I just don't want to hurt you. You tensed up when I hugged you before."

Alex took his hand. She assured him, "I'm OK. I just, need to be near you."

Bobby nodded and let her lead him into her bedroom, fully aware how much torture this was going to be for him. He'd do it anyway. He'd do anything for her. He followed her onto the bed. Lying down, he let her curl up next to him. She clung to him like a giant teddy bear. He just wished he could make it all go away for her. She sighed as he stroked her hair, and after a minute, she was asleep. Taking a deep breath, Bobby tried to sleep too.