Thanks as always for the reviews and support of this fic. :) Can't believe we're past the fifty review mark. :) And for a little experiment of a story it's past forty pages

Neglected to mention in the last chapter….many thanks to Saru Sasori for her great suggestions on Ryan's gifts to Alexis.

Title: Detectives and Dustbunnies
Author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and summary: I don't believe anything about Kevin's family has been mentioned so I created siblings. :) If there has been anything cannon please let me know and I'll change it.

A knock at the door drew Alexis's attention away from the hardcover book in her lap.
She had given up on tv talk shows and had retreated into one of her favorite books.
A fantasy series which her father teased her about reading.
About knights, dragons, handsome princes and beautiful princesses.

With a sigh Alexis put the book down and rose from the sofa. Half hour before she'd ordered a sub sandwich from a restaurant a few blocks away.
They were faster than normal.
Grabbing her wallet from the discarded backpack Alexis scurried to the door and opened it. She stopped dead once she saw it wasn't a delivery boy on the other side.

"Hi."Kevin greeted.

Alexis remained silent surprise still capturing her voice. Why was he here? She was just a kid to him….a kid with a crush.
Ryan slipped past her inside and reluctantly Alexis shut the door.

"I know I'm the last person you want to see."

"I thought that was the other way around."Alexis replied as she turned and headed back to her previous position.
She curled back up on the sofa and picked up the book

Kevin perched on the arm of the sofa opposite the teen.
Alexis met his gaze briefly before opening the book. She felt a blush color her cheeks and quickly looked down at the page. She had no idea what to say to him. Especially now that it was clear that he knew.

"I was a jerk."Kevin began as he leaned closer and slid something into Alexis's field of vision. "I'm sorry."

The red haired youth looked at the two gift cards that were now resting on the open book.
It was clear he'd put thought into the present and gone out of his way. But then so had she.

"Thank you."Alexis acknowledged as she placed the gift cards on the coffee table along with the book. She still couldn't meet his gaze.

"Alexis…"

Standing Alexis walked to the large window and looked down at the street. Her arms folded across her chest.
She heard Ryan get to his feet.

"My teacher allowed me to finish somewhere else. You won't have to deal with me any longer."Alexis stated quietly and she hated the slight tremor she heard in her voice. Why did his opinion and friendship suddenly mean so much?

"Beckett will kill me if I don't bring you back."Kevin commented quietly as he moved over to the window leaning against the wall. "She likes having you around….I do too."

Rain had started to fall and large drops splashed against the window.

Alexis remained quiet. Words not cooperating as her emotions were captured in a whirlwind.
Clearing his throat Kevin gently placed a hand on Alexis's right arm forcing her to look at him.

"I-I'm flattered that you like me and want me in your life."Kevin stated. "I already consider you and your father family."

Tears blurred Alexis's vision and she blinked them away. "My father would do anything for you guys."

Strained silence continued as a clap of thunder could be heard.

"My sisters Rachel and Julia are both older than me."Kevin began as he released his hold on Alexis and looked out the window. "By the time I started high school they were almost done with college. They weren't around much when I was growing up. I think that's why….I reacted like I did to the tickets. I didn't know what to do with the attention you were giving me. You've become important to me and I didn't want to screw it up and that's exactly what I ended up doing."

More than anything Alexis wanted to give Kevin a huge hug.
He looked so tired and sad.
Funny how one person could mirror some reason she couldn't her feet to move.

After a beat Kevin pushed himself away from the wall. "I'll go. And… if you don't want me at the party I won't be."

Alexis turned toward him. "I want you to come."

His face brightening Ryan nodded. "Good. I know everybody's looking forward to it."

A tentative smile flickered across Alexis's face. "I have food coming shortly….have you eaten?"

"Day old doughnuts count?"

Alexis laughed. "No. Can you stay?"

Shrugging out of his jacket Kevin sat down on the sofa. "I've got time."

"I could also use help on the movie list for the party."Alexis stated as she sat down next to Ryan and picked a pad of paper off the coffee table. "I can't narrow it down."

Kevin took the pad from her and scanned the list. "No Twilight."

"What you don't like vampires?"Alexis countered happy that they'd fallen back into a familiar banter.

"Give me a good Spielberg classic any day. Tell me you have Indy on here."

"Of course. Just need to choose between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Doom."

"No choice."Kevin shook his head. "Raiders hands down."

The doorbell rang and Alexis stood. She retrieved her wallet and walked to the door. Once the delivery boy was paid the teen continued to the kitchen. She split the sub onto two plates. Got out chips and two cans of soda and went back to the living room.

"Thanks."Ryan acknowledged as he accepted the plate and soda. "Didn't realize how hungry I was until I smelled that."

"You're welcome."Alexis replied as she sat down and opened the bag of chips placing it on the coffee table.

"I'll buy next time."Kevin offered through a mouthful of sandwich.

"Deal."

After a few minutes of companionable silence Kevin looked once again at the movie list. "Does your Dad have his own list?"

Alexis grinned and nodded as she munched on the chips. "Hence the problem. Between the two of us we have enough movies to make this into a movie marathon for three days."

"As fun as that would be."Ryan commented with a smile and shake of his head. "Some how I don't think the crime rate of this city would let all of us have three days off."

Laughing Alexis nestled back into the corner of the sofa folding her feet underneath. She balanced the plate on her legs. It felt so good to laugh and have fun. She'd been so wrapped up in school stuff and trying to figure things out with her friendship with Kevin.
Now as they sat swapping movie trivia and quotes Alexis was glad their friendship had survived.

"Kevin."Alexis began after the impromptu trivia session ended. She set her plate on the table and fidgeted with the half full can of soda in her hands.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Not treating me like I was a dumb kid."Alexis continued softly as she trailed a finger along the rim of the soda can. Hoping he knew what she meant….words weren't helping her convey how grateful she was that he didn't turn the crush into a joke.

"You're anything but a dumb kid, Alexis."Kevin replied as he cleaned up their plates. "You can kick my butt on any topic and I'm sure any game. You're a good person with a bright future ahead…..any small part I play in that I'm looking forward to."

Standing Alexis joined the detective in the kitchen. She placed her soda can down on the island next to the rest of the discarded meal. The teen moved over to Ryan and engulfed him in a hug.

Juggling the bag of chips and one plate Kevin managed not to spill either. When Alexis pulled away Kevin smiled at her.

"Does this mean we're good?"

Alexis nodded returning his smile. "We're good."

Epilog to follow