Chapter 14

The first thing Bobby did when he got home from the hospital was shave. His beard was far too thick for summer comfort. He took his time, and took a shower, and cleaned the bathroom. Then, swiping his pillow from the bedroom, he stretched out on the couch to take a long nap.

He didn't hear the bell. Alex walked up and withdrew her copy of his key, something she rarely used. She saw him as soon as the door swung open, and let herself in quietly. Alex shut the door and locked it before tiptoeing to his side to look him over.

She was surprised to see him clean-shaven. One foot was flat against the cushion, his knee against the back rest. The other leg was bent, his foot just tucked in against the far arm of the couch. With his legs spread, it was hard not to notice the fullness through the gap in his boxers. His arms were folded over the t-shirt that covered his chest. Bobby's head was turned outward, and sunken into the soft pillow.

She felt a little awkward, coming into his home and seeing him like this. Alex thought about leaving, but she'd promised she would see him at dinnertime, and it was almost 7 o'clock. As she walked past him, she couldn't seem to keep her fingers from dipping into his gray curls. His hair was as soft as the last time she'd felt it.

Alex went into the kitchen. She'd stocked his fridge the day before, when they'd started talking about releasing him. Tonight, she pulled out the chicken and the vegetables and started to prepare dinner.

He heard the knife against the cutting board. As he awoke, his hand went to adjust his shorts. He sat up slowly, peeking over the couch to see who was in his apartment.

"Eames," he said, smiling.

"Feeling better?" she called back, with a smile of her own. "Dinner won't be for a half hour, if you want to nap some more."

He moved his hands over his face and then through his hair. Bobby shook his head. "I'm good," he said. He got to his feet, and only then realized he was in his underwear.

"Uhm, I, uh…"

"Don't worry about it, Bobby," Alex said, turning back to the vegetables. "It's your home. You just got out of the hospital. No judgment here." She grinned, and before she thought about it, she added, "Besides, those are some nice legs."

He looked down at his legs and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. Bobby smiled. "If you say so." He went into the kitchen and sat on a chair, watching her work.

"You don't have to…" he told her.

Alex rolled her eyes at him. "We've already been through this, Bobby. It's just a dinner."

Bobby smiled. He realized he was headache free for the first time in a week. Then his smile grew. "I called Ma," he said. "Told her I was home."

"What did she say?"

"She still wants me to call every night."

"It's a mother's privilege."

"I don't mind," he admitted. After a pause, he added. "She told me Frank came by. Said he was glad I was getting better."

"Of course he is, Bobby."

"Didn't say where he'd been."

"You can't tell me that's a surprise."

Bobby shrugged. "I guess, you know… you always hope…"

"Nicole's lawyer has been calling. She wants to meet with you."

"Great. Somebody else happy I'm out of the hospital."

"I'll go in your stead, Bobby. If it's something about the case…"

He nodded. "Take Logan with you. I'd hate for your linebacker side to come out again."

"I wouldn't," Alex said honestly. She still found herself smiling when she thought about taking Wallace down.

"You know, Alex…" Bobby began. He almost lost his nerve. His leg started to bounce against the floor. "She said something to me… something about you…"

"What." It wasn't a question, it was a demand.

"No, it doesn't matter what. It's just that… it made me think."

Alex threw the rest of the vegetables in the saucepan and turned her full attention to her friend.

"When I think of you… lots of times, it's… it's not…" his face reddened and he had to swallow. He wished he were wearing pants. Bobby stood suddenly, and walked two paces towards her. "I don't think of you like the others, Alex."

"Huh?"

"You're not… one of the guys, a buddy."

"Sure I am."

He nodded. "You are, but you're not. When I think of you, Alex, I… I wish for something more."

"Well we have that. We're friends," she replied, starting to feel nervous herself. He'd been saying her name a lot, and she was feeling very fuzzy about their relationship.

"I know that," he conceded. His finger hovered in the air next to the outline of her bare arm, but he never touched. "I'd like us to be more," he said quickly. His finger traced the air along her arm again, and moved beside her neck, and her chin, and then gently, he touched her jaw. "I'd like…" his voice was barely a whisper. "I'd like to kiss you."

Alex could barely breathe. Instead of answering, she leaned ever so slowly, closer to him.

His lips were soft. He didn't force anything, just tasted her and pulled back a little. "You're so much more than a friend," he breathed, his words hot against her lips. "You were there for me, Alex. I'll never forget that."

Their lips met again, and this time, they explored a little deeper. Alex's hands went up his chest and around to the back of his neck, while his own hands moved easily down her spine. The kiss ended with only a few more nips. They pulled apart a little, and Alex touched her mouth with the back of her hand. "I… I've got to finish dinner," she said suddenly, feeling her pulse between her legs and the heat in her face.

"Oh, yeah, dinner," he mumbled. "It might burn."