Disclaimer: Emily said I could have them! Honest! But only if I promise to put them back unharmed.
A/N1: I'm the luckiest girl in the whole wide world! I have two special betas for this chapter. And in strict fanfiction alphabetical order: Thanks so much to I-am-LMR (Emily) and Scripted Starlet (Alyssa) for wonderful beta'ing.
Ch.9 Lemniscus
The envelope itself was quite innocuous. Plain white and standard business size. Bold print... not script... in stark black on the otherwise unadorned front, labelling the contents for the attention of one Detective 1st Grade Robert Goren.
The contents, however, were a different story entirely. Bobby and Alex sat at the small table for two, tucked into a nook in his living room, looking at what Bobby had just tipped out onto the table. It tumbled out gently, a twisted slip of whiter than white paper, rolling to a stop. There was no note. The culprit obviously felt the contents would speak for themselves.
Both took a moment to stare blankly at the object. Recognition came first to Bobby.
"It's a mobius strip," he stated, flatly, looking to her for a hint of realisation.
When Alex made no immediate comment, fixated as she was on the piece of origami, he continued his informative spiel, convinced she had missed its significance.
"A mobius strip is a strip of paper which is twisted and attached at the ends, forming an 'endless' two dimensional surface..." he intoned, face carefully blank.
Alex interrupted him, mid-encyclopaedic spout. "Yeah, I know. If I remember right - it's a representation of infinity?" she proposed, unconsciously seeking approval for her insight or some other acknowledgement of her contribution, but Bobby was already lost on an extended thought-trip.
The frown on his forehead was endearing, his confusion as palpable as his need for his conference room and the whiteboard with the rest of the puzzle on it. The need to slot in the next piece fairly vibrated through him. This obviously held meaning for the culprit, who must also believe it would strike a chord with Bobby.
Infinity. Lemniscate. Mobius Strip. The word, symbol and physical manifestation rolled around his brain, searching for a link to the other pieces of evidence. Evidence he really needed to see and to touch to join the dots.
He tried picturing the whiteboard, strafed with all the information they'd collated and cajoled along the way. He imagined the gems gleaned from today's outing strategically placed alongside. His mind's eye worked hard to join the dots and he summoned the conclusions from deep in his subconscious.
And suddenly... it all made perfect sense.
But why? Why would he be the culprit? Bobby needed to understand what would drive someone to such lengths. Was it a cry for help?
Alex herself was quietly working through the import of this latest clue on the investigation. Millennia. Hypothesis. Infinity.
Her startled eyes met Bobby's newly aware ones. Surely it couldn't be! It had been at least six years. Why now? It seemed so unlikely yet obvious at the same time. She needed to know if Bobby had come to the same conclusion she had.
Shrewdly, Bobby assessed Alex's startled gaze. With a rueful smile, he noted, "You worked it out, huh?" He knew she would fit the pieces together, just as he had.
Careful in her response, Alex slowly replied, "Infinity, the End, Death." His eyes told her all that his lips didn't say, leaving no room for doubt.
She frowned, "I remember. But... how could it possibly be? Why now? Bobby, I want to be sure we're right before we go spouting our mouths off." Concerned, she worried the fullness of her lower lip, meeting his own troubled gaze.
"I want to be absolutely certain, before we go ruin his life again."
Bobby thought this over a minute or two. Alex was right. It fit but seemed inconceivable at the same time. They needed to join the dots. He thought about the evidence back at the office and the information they'd asked Logan and Wheeler to get them.
Taking her hand, he brought it to his mouth for a tender kiss. "If we're right, we'll find out why on our terms. Look, we'll get Mike and Megan to come here. Talk to them both, find out what they know a...and let them in on it. We'll work out what to do together."
He left her mulling over his suggestion. Rising, he brushed a kiss across the crown of her head. "I'll go see what I can rustle up for dinner. Logan's always hungry. Why don't you give them a call and ask them over for later?"
He left her alone with her thought and strolled off to forage in his kitchen, oblivious to the sheer domesticity of the moment and his suggestion. His actions were purely a tromp- l'oeil for his mile-a-minute brain. He looked calm, his features carefully schooled, emotions held firmly in check, but the tiniest tic along his jaw line gave him away, the muscle in his cheek jumping and flexing.
Alex knew all his tells and wasn't the least bit fooled. Cooking was a more productive than pacing, at least. Plus, she'd get to eat. Smiling her amused little moue at this thought, she decided to vocalise something her stomach at least would be happy at. Was that a 'Yay' I hear from my midsection?
Her shoulders shaking with silent laughter, Alex summoned the chef's attention. "Honey dearest, since you're in the kitchen and all..."
Her personal Novelli popped his head back into the living room, eyes narrowed threateningly, adorned in a pristine white apron... and wielding a huge chopper... (Shaking her head free of the erotic image, Alex refocused) ...wielding a large, sharp chopping knife.
"Yes, my love? You called?" Bobby meekly responded. The submissive tone did not match the wicked grin on his face, nor the devilish glint in his eye. And now she could see the apron he wore, in full. Chefs do it with... spice. The one she'd gotten him last Valentines, after having dinner at his on an all-nighter. He preferred to cook in his own domain.
The apron alone gave her a plethora of ideas. Ideas only fit for a party of two, when alone and the lights were out. She took a moment to consider this. Or 'on'! I could explore him for hours with the lights on... Parking that thought in the naughty corner of her active imagination, she stuck to wheedling her own desires out of him, responding with an all out grin at the sight he made.
"Hmm, cute, Goren! Very cute... and very sexy. "
With her most winsome smile, Alex resorted to a minor flutter of eyelashes and requested, "Could we have Fettuccine Alfredo? And Bobby? Hold the spice. For later?" she sassed.
Bobby closed his eyes in supplication, sending an entreaty upwards. Heaven help me! Lord, she'll be the death of me... but oh, what a way to go. Silently, deliberately, he set the knife back on the countertop, holding her gaze all that time. Slowly, slowly, he walked purposefully to her, marking time to an invisible drum... perfectly in sync with his steadily increasing heartbeat.
Eyes wide, Alex watched him inch closer. Bobby Goren, what the hell are you up to? Finding his determined gaze, she saw only love, laughter and intent. Deliberately, she held his eyes with her own, letting him see the sentiments reflected back at him. Soon, Bobby, soon. Relaxing at the as yet silent exchange, the playful smirk was soon back on her suddenly dry lips. Drawing an anticipatory breath, she let the barest hint of tongue slip between her lips to moisten them. Bobby tracked every move as he advanced, swallowing convulsively at her innocent action. Or maybe not so innocent...
With a sudden swoop, he dipped as she squealed. Scooping her from the chair, he carried her to the sofa and his lap, draping her over him as if she were his personal comforter.
Alex took the hint, snuggling closer to his warmth, enjoying this so seldom seen playful side to him. At least, not so recently seen. Suddenly, she felt so sensitive to his scent and his heat. Tucking her head into the crook of his neck, she inhaled the deeply intoxicating aroma, his smell. I could make a fortune bottling this... this... Bobby-smell.
Her tongue snaked out sinuously, tasting him as she sampled the length of his neck, the fleshy lobe of his ear, tracing the sinuous outer shell. About to make her way to his lips, he found hers first and revelled in them. Her heartbeat quickened, the beat thundering in her ears, whooshing in and out with her racing pulse. Her breath, taken in gulping inhalations between moments of excitement, soughed raggedly in and out to the same rhythm.
Bobby took his time, savouring each nuance, exploring the fullness of her bottom lip, biting gently and bathing soothingly. Sweeping over her perfectly straight teeth and into the warm depths of her welcoming mouth. He groaned deeply at the perfection of her, the vibrations rich against her breast, and deepened the onslaught.
Alex opened wider to accept and participate in these powerful, drugging kisses, one merging into the other. The heat and depth of his kisses seduced her, overwhelmed her... thrilled her. And she gave as good as she was getting.
Pushing him back into the depths of the sofa, Alex enjoyed wrapping herself round his solid length, feeling the heat of him from top to toe. How she loved feel of him stretched against her. Tugging gently, she encouraged him to get comfortable on the sofa – as comfortable as possible with a five foot two female draped over you! Bobby wasn't complaining, as he wrapped himself just as surely around her delicate form.
"God, I love... this. I love making out with you," she groaned, nipping the arch of his throat, sucking gently at the point where his life's blood coursed strongly through his veins, the pulse point echoing the erratic beat of his over-excited heart, thrilling to the power of his arousal, soothing with a swipe of her tongue.
Bobby, busy in turn, enjoyed smoothing his way from shoulder to hip and all the planes in between, enjoying the evidence of her response to him, all the while busily engrossed with tracing the shell of her ear with his own skill. "Alex, honey... you f... feel so good!" Unable to resist, he trailed his hands to cup and caress her amazingly taut derriere, marvelling at how it fit perfectly into his cupped hands. With gentle pressure, he switched positions with her and encouraged a more direct contact between them, bemoaning the unnecessary layers of clothing providing an unwelcome barrier, smiling at her gasp at the increased friction, feeling a corresponding heat build where her softness met his... not so softness. Bobby couldn't help grinning as Alex buried her face in the nook of his neck and shoulder, shuddering in response. Hell, thought Bobby, I feel like a damn teenager!
The golden partnership of Major Case, entwined on a sofa in the early afternoon sunlight streaming through his apartment window.
Groaning, he reluctantly drew back and set her from him even as Alex mewled, reaching for him, regretting his loss. Leaning back down, he anointed her with a last kiss, fast and hard and deliciously wet, and left her... wanting... needing... craving more.
"God, Bobby. What you do to me..." Stretching sinuously, Alex cuddled a pillow in lieu of Bobby, enjoying the zing of arousal and the lethargy of satisfaction.
As he headed back to his domestic domain, Bobby threw over his shoulder; "Alex? Call Logan and invite them over. Oh, and get them to bring along their evidence, as well as the passenger lists. We might as well confirm what we think we know."
Groaning, yet giggling at the same time, Alex hefted a throw pillow at his retreating form, raising both arms in victory when it struck his behind with a resounding "thwack", enticing her into doing the Snoopy dance in celebration... as Bobby's own laughter could be heard echoing into the kitchen.
Back at 1PP...
"Logan..."
Glancing at the caller ID, Mike grinned as he held his trilling phone to his ear.
"Hey, babe! Been waitin' on ya'! What took ya' so long?"
Throwing his trademark grin at Megan, Mike raked his hair back from his forehead with long fingers, his academy ring glinting in the bright florescent office light as he kicked back in his chair and propped his size elevens on the desk, much to Megan's chagrin.
Rolling her eyes at him, she watched as Logan the Lothario sprang into action. Smooth patter, practiced grin... endearments tripping off his tongue – all made her wince and feel equal parts sorry for, and jealous of, the recipient of his attentions. Not that she wanted Mike's attention, of course, she hastily reminded herself. Still a little of that particular type of attention from a special someone would go a long way. Not exactly a daydream type of girl, Megan couldn't help but wish someone was waiting at home for her at the moment. Mike, though single, didn't seem to want for company. Bobby had Alex and vice versa. What did she have?
Shaking her head at her unscheduled side trip into melancholy, she chose actions over thoughts and stripped a leaf from the legal pad in front of her and, making sure Mike could see her, balled it up, aimed and fired it straight at his forehead. Mike, being Mike, didn't even try to duck. He simply and cleanly snatched the missile mid-air and launched it right back at her with a bold wink.
"Sure thing. Yep. Will do. See ya' later. Dinner, right? Should I bring anything? Nope. Okay. Later, doll."
With a grin, he snapped his cell phone closed, pretending to concentrate on something immensely important in the notes on the desk in front of him, just waiting for some pithy comment from his sparky partner. She didn't disappoint.
"Another hot, incredibly young, centrefold date tonight, Mikey?" she rejoined, eyes flashing and her grin sardonic.
He knew her snark was way worse than her bite. Much like Alex. Actually, I gotta ask Bobby about that... maybe Alex is a little hellcat when roused? Hmm, maybe I won't poke the tiger, though.
"Ah, Freckles... a little jealous of my hectic social life?" Not so hectic, if truth be told, and the dates that much closer to his own age these days - but it wouldn't do to give all his secrets away. There was his reputation to uphold.
"Mikey, Mikey... what's to be jealous of?" mused Megan "You don't know everything about my social life. For all you know, I got the New York Mets waiting at home!"
Even Megan had to snort at that. Fat chance! Tivo and her best buds Ben and Jerry were the most reliable men in her life this year.
Logan knew better than to take the bait. Taking pity on his partner, he came clean.
"Look, Megan, it was Alex on the phone, okay?"
Megan perked right up. "Yeah? What did she want?" Ever since her little hunch had played out and they'd enjoyed the night out; just the four of them, Megan looked forward more and more to working with Alex and Bobby. You never knew – some of that golden reputation might rub off on her and Mike.
"Goren invited us over for dinner. Fettuccine Alfredo, according to Alex. Said to bring the wine, the info we've gathered today and..."
Impatient, Megan prompted "and..."
"...and the contents of the Conference Room. Goren and Eames..."
Mike reflected a moment, "...well, probably Goren... wants to review everything and she said we might as well do it over dinner."
"Cool." Suddenly eager, Megan bounced out of her seat, heading for the conference room, leaving a bemused Mike shaking his head as he watched her.
"Oh, the energy of youth..."
Megan smirked over her shoulder at him... "Move dem old bones, Mistah...", laughing at his antics as he pretended to dodder his way over to her. Today was looking up after all.
The fettuccine stuck to the tile... hung for a second... then slowly peeled itself from the wall and dropped to the counter-top.
"Perfect..." Bobby tested the pasta with his teeth, checking for the al dente bite, while Alex set the table for company. Four would just about fit round his dining table. He smiled at the thought of such domesticity, since he couldn't remember when he'd last had anyone other than Alex round for dinner, let alone three people. It felt like a definite step in the couple direction, even if 'their' guests were Mike and Megan.
Alex, for her part, was enjoying playing hostess. Not a role she'd ever seen herself in, having been a cop first and foremost and wife somewhat second. It was a nice feeling; to be socialising as a couple with friends who would not judge their togetherness. Standing back, she surveyed her handiwork, nodding with satisfaction at the table she'd laid with his Mother's "good" china. Yes, it felt good. Really good.
The doorbell interrupted both their musings. Arms laden, Logan impatiently hollered, "Time to behave, kids. Mom and Dad are back... open sesame!"
Megan kicked lightly at the door. "Alex... my arms are killing me here!" It wasn't like Megan to be voluble, but Mike had made her walk up to Bobby's apartment with her arms full. Gritting her teeth, she shifted her load, thinking thoughts of evil retribution, throwing a death glare Mike's way. He simply grinned, Logan-style. 'Why does that make me want to stomp my feet like a two-year old?' mused Megan.
Alex got the door, leaving Bobby to his creativity, swinging it wide to greet their colleagues. Whoa, Megan looks pissed! With an amused gesture, she invited them into Bobby's apartment.
"Mike? What've you done now? Megan – just dump the stuff on the coffee table for now..."
Megan quickly complied, groaning as her muscles protested. Logan just shot a grin at Alex and followed suit.
"The youth of today have no stamina, Alex..." The rest of his pronouncement was lost behind the sound of rolled up flipchart smacking him soundly. Alex just laughed as Megan took out her frustrations on her partner. Mike laughing along with her did not help.
Alex called out, "C'mon, you two. Bobby's got dinner ready...", leading Megan to the table.
Mike dug in one of the bags and found the wine, calling "Hey, Bobby? I went with Pinot Grigio and a Sangiovese... that okay? Got a corkscrew? And something to keep the white cold?"
Bobby stuck his head round the edge of the kitchen door, tossing the corkscrew and a chiller sleeve his way. He always had chiller sleeves in the icebox for when Alex came over, along with a bottle of her favourite wine. He knew she noticed and treasured the little things he did like that.
"Heads up, Mike," he called. Catching Alex's amused gaze, he softly invited, "Alex – do you want to give me a hand?", which of course resulted in Mike raising an eyebrow at Megan, waggling it suggestively. Alex took the opportunity to swat Mike herself as she passed.
"Pour the wine, Logan. Pinot for me."
Alex headed into the kitchen, "What do you need, Bobby?" squealing as he pounced, stealing a demanding, heated kiss. He rested his forehead on hers, breathing her in unique scent, her warmth and solidness.
"Better now. Just missed you. Want to take the breadbasket out and the plates?" Bobby strove to appear completely unaffected, knowing it would drive her mad and that she would tease him mercilessly later, testing his limits and resolve.
Gulping, Alex nodded her assent; her voice stolen by him and blindly grabbed the bread and plates, reversing out of the kitchen.
Dinner was a more than pleasant interlude. Mike and Bobby made hilarious dinner dates, each trying to outdo the other with outrageous stories and evermore obscure facts. Bobby won easily with a tale from his Army days. Who knew that rocket launchers actually came with the instruction "Aim towards the enemy"? Megan and Alex laughed and teased their partners, enjoying the rare off duty moment, their friendship definitely cemented.
Dessert over, they were savouring espresso and trying to ignore the pull of the information dumped on the sofa. Eventually, its lure proved too great to resist for Bobby as he gravitated towards it and began recreating the conference room whiteboard on the corkboard by his desk.
The others left him to it for the moment, knowing he would recall where and how each and every piece of information connected to the others, and took to clearing away the remnants of dinner instead. Megan took great delight in wrapping her partner in a decidedly feminine apron while they worked on the dishes, ignoring his protestations as she snapped his picture on her cell phone. Gotcha! A picture paints a thousand words... future Mike-control blackmail material.
He waved the knife he was cleaning wildly in her direction, sudsy bubbles dripping onto the kitchen floor, "Freckles... I'm tellin' ya'... if that picture so much as finds its way anywhere near the squad room...", he frowned, as the knife wavered vaguely threateningly in her direction. The threat, however, was somewhat spoiled by the apron wrapped round his waist. Alex took one look at the pair of them and rolled her pretty brown eyes expressively at Megan, the pair of them dissolving into laughter as Mike sulked at the sink, up to his forearms in bubbles.
Clean-up didn't take too long as a second pot of filter coffee dripped; before too long they were ready to take a fresh look at the case. Mike and Megan were eager to contribute their day's findings but for Alex and Bobby it was more about checking their deductions and, ultimately, their conclusions...
Megan commandeered Bobby's large and comfy armchair, swinging her legs over one side, sipping her coffee slowly, brow furrowed in concentration at the construction Bobby was deeply engaged in, already lost in the mystery. Alex took a corner of the sofa, curling her legs under her and looking very much at home, thank you very much! She dragged a throw pillow into her lap and used it as a rest for her very large coffee cup.
Mike opted for the floor, leaning his back against the sofa as he restlessly played with odd and ends, throwing paper clips back and forth from palm to palm, a lock of dark hair carelessly falling over his forehead as he watched Bobby in his artistry.
Impatient now, "Bobby, do you wanna know what Freckles and I found out today or did ya' just bring us over for another episode of the 'The Goren Show'...", wincing as Alex's toe made a pointed dig in his should blade. He'd made a tactical error sitting in reach of Alex... obviously.
"Hmm... what? Oh, yeah... just a minute, Mike..." Bobby made a miniscule adjustment to the board and stood back to contemplate, eyes heavy-lidded, chin resting in thinking-man profile on his clenched fist. Oh, yeah, it fits. It all fits. Man, he'd never have believed he was capable of this elaborate plan. It seemed so incongruous what they remembered of him. Turning back to his audience, he caught Alex's eye, exchanging a meaningful look; a confirmation of their earlier conclusions and watched as Alex slowly nodded her agreement and support.
Bobby turned back to Megan and Mike... "Okay... tell us what you got today..."
Mike eyed them suspiciously – something was up. Bobby was definitely holding back. He cast a telling glance Megan's way and noted the very second she realised there was a definite vibe emanating from both Alex and Bobby – her spine straightened in a New York minute and she blindly placed her coffee cup out the way, her full attention on Bobby.
"Bobby..." she asked, suspicion lacing her voice,"... what's up? What do you know?"
Bobby smiled patiently, "First things first, Megan. Why don't you and Mike fill Alex and me in before we get to other stuff?"
Mike harrumphed, as Megan scowled and Alex couldn't help but be amused at the pair of them; they really were suited as partners. She scooted towards the middle and patted the sofa, inviting Bobby to sit and relax with her whilst Mike and Megan scrambled to their feet to assemble their own evidence. He slid in behind her, cosying her into his side. As she settled, he snagged her coffee cup, taking a restorative gulp... and immediately grimaced at the oversweet, creamy taste. Alex gave him a serves you right look and snagged the cup right back, turning back to their cohorts as Mike deliberately cleared his throat.
Dryly, Mike interjected, "When you two have finished playing happy couples... we got some good stuff today, you're gonna like it... promise... "
Megan jumped in... "Passenger list came up trumps with the surname you got of the rental car people – a Mark Chamberlaine flew into La Guardia from Boston, with a ticket paid for by the same card as the flowers were..."
Mike continued the description of what they'd found. "There was a second ticket purchased in another transaction, but we're having to go back to Financial Crime and then through to the airline again to find out who for. It looks like they took the same flight but checked in separately. The airline is going to let us know who was sat round Mark Chamberlaine on the plane..."
Megan interjected, "... we asked about 16 to 17 year olds travelling alone. They're going to ask the Stewardesses on duty that day, but it was a domestic flight so passports weren't required but photo card ID was; there's a chance fake ID was used."
Mike finished off, "We managed to speak to the check-in clerk, who remembered a dark-haired male teenager travelling alone, but he showed adult ID and she can't remember what it said..." he said, trailing off and looking expectantly at Bobby. "So... what do the pair of you think... any ideas?" Megan was virtually bouncing in her seat.
Bobby and Alex exchanged glances, more convinced now than ever that the evidence was leading to only one conclusion. Alex subtly nodded her assent and Bobby took a deep breath, preparing to tell a fantastic tale.
Staying curled round Alex, Bobby gestured for Mike and Megan to get comfortable. "Take a seat, guys... Alex and I want to tell you a story... it's... it's all about something that happened way before either of you joined Major Case. Once upon a time, about six or so years ago, there was a lost, little boy. His name was..."
A/N2: Worked it out, huh? Sshhh...puts finger to lips Would you be a doll and keep it to yourself for a moment or two? You can give yourself a big 'ole pat on the back though!
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