Dredging up the Past: Chapter 10

By: The Confused One

A/N: Well, I wanted them to have a little fun. Sorry, apparently I can't stay with the fluff for a full chapter with this fic. LOL Enjoy and please review. Thanks.

Laughing, Alex sipped her beer. She was relaxed, something she hadn't felt much of for days. She quipped to Mike, "You're lucky she didn't throw that beer in your face."

Mike smiled sheepishly. In that moment he had no doubt that Alex would have. He tried to defend himself, "Hey. I was just trying to get her number. I can't help it if I wasn't very smooth when I was young."

Carolyn laughed. She teased him a little more, "I certainly hope you've improved since then."

Bobby even laughed a little when Mike looked at him like he was trying to get some support. Bobby shook his head and replied, "I know better than to argue with the two of them."

Mike even laughed now. Looking over at Bobby again, he suggested, "You want to shoot some pool?"

Bobby shrugged and nodded. He agreed, "Sure, if you're willing to risk it."

Alex smiled from her seat. She warned Mike, "Be careful Mike. He's very good."

Mike nodded and replied, "Ah. I can handle it, and I'll keep it in mind."

Carolyn laughed as the two guys walked away. Looking back over at Alex, Carolyn commented, "Bobby is going to cream him, isn't he?"

Alex laughed now too. She nodded and agreed, "Probably. Bobby is pretty much the best pool player I've played against, even better than all of my brothers."

Carolyn smiled and nodded. She could see that. With a sigh, Carolyn asked, "Another beer?"

Alex shook her head no. She replied, "No. Four is definitely more than enough." Alex then watched as Carolyn walked over to the bar. Turning her attention to Bobby and Mike, she smiled as Bobby sunk a couple of balls at once. She watched him miss the next one.

Sitting back down, Carolyn watched with Alex for a moment. Carolyn finally looked at Alex and asked, "You seemed a little suffocated most of the day. How are you doing, really?"

Alex sighed and leaned back in her chair. Looking at Carolyn, she admitted, "Mostly, I'm OK. Bobby's been great. He's been there when I needed him, very supportive."

Carolyn nodded. She looked at the guys again. Bobby sank another couple of balls. She added, "I saw that. It's good. I'm glad you have him."

Alex nodded. She watched Mike playfully move Bobby's cue, trying to throw him off. She agreed, "Yeah. Honestly, he's gotten me through this."

Carolyn looked over at Alex and smiled. She watched Mike take a shot and sink a ball. She assured Alex, "He cares about you a lot. He'd do anything for you."

Watching Bobby sink the eight ball, she nodded and added, "Well, Mike would do anything for you too. We have two good guys. We're lucky."

Carolyn nodded. She smiled as the guys returned to the table and agreed, "Yeah. We are."

Bobby smiled as he sat down and asked, "What are you guys talking about?"

Alex smiled and agreed, "You two."

Mike laughed and questioned, "What did we do?"

Carolyn laughed and assured him, "Nothing. We were actually saying good things about you both."

Alex sighed. Getting up, she announced, "Well, I'm getting a cab and going home."

Bobby grabbed her arm. As she turned to face him, he suggested, "I've only had one. I'm good. Let me take you home."

Alex didn't have to ask where the extra chivalry came from. She knew why he wanted to take her home. She understood why he wanted to make sure she got home safe. Turning to face him, she was about to turn him down, but she saw the look in his eye. She nodded slowly and agreed, "Sure. Thanks."

They both ignored the looks on Mike and Carolyn's faces as they left. Carolyn smiled and commented, "They're going through a lot, both of them."

Mike nodded. Taking a sip of his beer, he agreed, "Yeah." Changing the subject, he asked, "Where do you want to start tomorrow?"

Carolyn shrugged. She suggested, "I guess we start with Aiden Carmine's parents and from there."

Mike nodded absently and finished his beer. He still hated the idea of letting the guy take a plea, but he'd go along with it, as long as it was what everyone else wanted. He finally asked, "When are we going to tell them what you're planning?"

Carolyn took a deep breath. She suggested, "Once we're done?"

Mike shook his head. He wasn't comfortable with that, and he voiced his concerns, "She's going to have a fit when she finds out, especially if we do this behind her back."

Carolyn nodded. She finished her second beer and allowed, "Yeah, but she'll get over it, and I want to help."

Mike shrugged. He pointed out, "I think this helped more than the disastrous try at a plea."

Carolyn sighed. Leaning back in her chair, she argued, "What do you want from me Mike? It didn't work out, but I don't want to give up. We can save her the trouble."

Mike insisted, again, "She doesn't want to be saved from this. If she did, then I'd be more behind it. You know I'm in Barek, but don't think this argument is over or that I'm really completely behind this."

Carolyn sighed. Exasperated, she stood and replied, "I think I'm going to head out too. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Mike sighed. Feeling guilty, he called out to her, "Barek, Carolyn, he's scum that deservers to die."

Carolyn nodded. Closing her eyes, she agreed, "Maybe, but that result worth Eames?"

Mike sighed. With a nod, he asked, "What is it you and Goren are seeing that I'm not?"

Carolyn shrugged. She admitted, "It's her eyes Mike. She's not dealing well. She's barely holding on, thanks to Goren."

Mike nodded. He accepted her words and let it go, "Night Carolyn."