Chapter 21

Alex didn't get the key in the door before it opened. Lewis gave her a hug as she walked in.

"I made pasta," he said.

Alex was a little surprised by the hug. Although Lewis had tried to come on to her that way before, he'd never succeeded. And this didn't feel like a come-on. This hug felt genuine, like relief. "Sounds good," she told him.

Bobby hadn't moved from where he was reclined on the couch. His brow was furrowed, but he tried to give her a smile.

"Hi," Alex said to him as she got to her knees in front of him. She gave him an encouraging smile.

Bobby puckered, and she kissed him. "That's what I needed," he said, but she could tell he was in pain. She checked her watch. "Another half hour," she told him.

"Close enough," Bobby said with finality. "Lewis! Get my pills!"

"I thought you said—"

"I don't care what I said! It's close enough. Get them."

Lewis looked at Alex, who shrugged. Thirty minutes early wasn't likely to hurt him. Lewis handed the pills and the water to Bobby. "Did they debrief you?" Bobby asked her, after gulping the medicine down.

"Not really. I did speak to the Captain, though."

"Something's bothering you."

She gave him a closed-mouth smile. "I don't like to see you hurt."

"It's not that."

"Later, Bobby."

"When?"

"After lunch."

"Okay."

"Let's eat!" Lewis called from the kitchen. He gave Bobby a smile. "It's not your mother's recipe, but I think it's all right."

Alex walked Bobby to the table, and after a good meal, he was starting to feel better. Lewis gave them both hugs goodbye and headed off to meet with a collector about a maintenance contract with the shop. Alex locked the door behind him and turned back to find Bobby standing with his good hand braced against the kitchen counter.

"What happened?" Bobby demanded.

Alex sighed, but found a smile to give him. "Sit down, Bobby, and I'll tell you."

He dropped back into the chair he'd occupied for lunch, and tugged at the straps on the sling to adjust it.

"Ross asked if we were in a relationship."

"What? Why? Well, how did he know? What did you tell him?"

"I didn't tell him anything, yet. But you know Ross, he won't let me get away without giving him some kind of an answer. I've been avoiding him ever since."

Bobby was quiet as the gravity of this new development settled over him. "What will you say?" he asked her.

"I don't know. What would you like me to say?"

"We're still partners…" Bobby mumbled.

"For now, yes."

"I don't like the idea of working with someone else."

"Neither do I."

"We've got the highest solve rate."

"They would lose their best team."

"But…" Bobby could tell Alex was holding something back.

"But… when we were in Wren's apartment… Bobby, that… it felt different to me."

"Felt different to me, too," he said, and Alex thought he was making a joke about his arm.

"That's not what I meant."

Bobby looked at her face, then at the sling he was wearing. "It's not what I meant, either."

"Bobby, when Wren held the gun on you, I couldn't think straight."

"You did fine."

"No, Bobby, I'm telling you I didn't." She reached out and took his right hand in hers. "And I can't tell this to anyone else. I think, because I love you… I couldn't…"

"I felt it, too," he admitted. "I got between him and you, and Alex, I didn't care if he killed me so long as you got out of there. And then when you looked at me that way… Alex, I was furious. I think I would have shoved you out the door if you hadn't gone on your own."

"So maybe they're right," she whispered. "Maybe we shouldn't be partners now."

Bobby groaned.

"I know, Bobby, I know," Alex said, and tears sprung up in her eyes. "I don't want it to end, either, but I'd rather it end in Ross' office than because I couldn't think straight and got you killed."

His face reddened as he watched her break down. Bobby reached out with his good arm, and she let him hold her as she sobbed. He lost a few tears of his own.

"But is it okay with you?" She finally asked, turning her face to his.

Bobby shook his head. "No, not okay, but… it's the only thing that can be done, now. You're going back? I'll go with you," he said.

"No, you need to stay home and recover. Ross can call you if he needs to ask you anything."

"I don't want you to have to do this alone," Bobby told her. He used his right hand to brush her hair back out of her face. Bobby dipped his head down and kissed her.

"I'll be all right," Alex promised him. "With you to come home to."

Alex Eames walked boldly to the Captain's office and rapped on the door.

Another detective was meeting with him, but upon seeing Eames, Ross wrapped up the conversation and sent her colleague on his way. After she walked in, she closed the door.

Ross sat up straighter in his chair.

"Captain, I have something to tell you. It's about that question you asked this morning."

Ross reached out and held his ink pen with both hands.

"Bobby and I… we are seeing each other. I've spoken with him, and we both decided that it would be best if you split us up."

Ross was agape. He suspected there was more to their relationship, but never in a million years did he expect them to be forthcoming about it. And of course he wanted to know how long they'd been seeing each other and if they had plans for the future, but it would be inappropriate to ask.

"Okay, so, I'll be at my desk." Alex turned, thinking the last thing she wanted to do was stand here waiting for him to say something.

"Eames." Ross called, and she turned back in the doorway.

"Thank you for being forthcoming with this." Ross put the pen down and got to his feet. He walked a few paces toward her and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "How's Bobby?"

"He's all right," she said.

Ross nodded and his eyes were wide as he watched her leave his office.

"I'll go in with you tomorrow," Bobby said. "Just so he knows you spoke for both of us."

"Are you sure you're up for that?"

"I'll manage."

She helped him change his bandage, wincing at the sight of his wound. It was better than yesterday, but still swollen and red. "Is it hurting?" she asked.

"Goes without saying."

"You need your meds?"

"I'm out."

"Really?"

"I have to switch to ibuprofen now."

"I'll get you some."

He took the pills and made room for her on the couch. Bobby put his right arm around her shoulders. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, then her ear. Then she heard a whisper: "Marry me."

Alex's head jerked around. "What?"

Bobby kissed her on the lips. "Marry me. It doesn't matter now, Major Case will split us up, there's nothing to hide."

Alex's heart was pounding. She looked like a deer in the headlights. Bobby's fingers found their way into her hair, and he smiled at her.