A/N I know, I know, they had their guns out and why didn't they just shoot him? Well, I don't think cops ever really want to shoot people. And in Bobby's case, I think he just prefers to tackle people anyway.

Chapter 51

They checked in with the Captain first thing. He introduced them to the guest sitting in his office, a Sheriff from Connecticut who had also been after the truck stop killer.

"Good work, boys, all the dots connected, and he's going down for every murder." Goren and Logan smiled politely. Ross looked at Logan. "You okay to be here?"

"Just a headache. I'm fine."

Bobby took Mike by the elbow. "I'll keep an eye on him. Thanks, Cap'n."

"I don't need a babysitter," Mike complained.

"Don't worry. I'll invite my girlfriend over and make out with her and let you stay up as late as you want."

Even Mike had to chuckle at that.


Carolyn's jaw was set as the entourage entered her small, but tidy office. Jack McCoy sat down in front of her desk, while two of his assistants stood nearby.

"How can I help you, Mr. McCoy?" She said, not even bothering to look up from the report she was reading.

Jack smiled. His voice was as unreliable as ever. "We need the results on that DNA."

"And I told your people yesterday we would have it for you this morning." She smiled at him. "I guess you didn't get the memo."

Jack's eyes sparkled. Even though he was now District Attorney, relegated to decision making and delegating, he loved a good argument. Especially one dripping with sarcasm. "Great! We'll just take it back with us," he said, giving her the charming smile he used to flash at women in the jury box.

Carolyn sighed. Stepping forward, she stopped to glare at his two assistants. "Excuse me," she said quietly. She walked past them and into the lab. She returned a few minutes later with the reports in her hand. She stapled them and handed them directly to Jack, purposely dodging the hand of his assistant.

"Mr. McCoy," she smiled at him, "My staff is the best. Next time, if you're coming to visit, just bring lunch and we'll celebrate how good they are."

The three filed out of the room. McCoy stepped back inside the threshold and called to her. "Nice work, Barek. It's good to know you can't be shaken." He winked at her.

She held her tongue until he was gone and shut the door securely before she breathed, "Stay the fuck away from my office, McCoy." Suddenly thirsty, she reeled around and found the small, soft cooler she brought her lunch in. Carolyn set it on her desk and zipped the top open. Her anger was gone as soon as she saw the tiny box sitting there, just centered between her sandwich and her drink.

She smiled and picked up the box in her hand. He must have put it there when she was putting on her earrings. She lifted the top open and raised her hand to her lips when she saw the bright sparkle of the diamond ring.


Logan's phone vibrated itself right off the table top and fell on the floor. He bent over to pick it up a little too quickly and stood holding his head in his hands, his eyes tightly closed. Goren pried the phone out of his fingers and answered it for him before it went to voicemail.

"Hi Carolyn," Bobby said. "He-he'll be right back," he lied, as he watched Logan struggling to get past the little episode he was having. "Oh, fine. You know, headache and all, but he's okay."

Logan held out his hand for the phone. "Oh, here he is," he said and handed it over. Bobby returned to his paperwork.

"Hi," Logan said, his eyes still closed. He managed a smile. "I'm glad you like it." After a long pause, he said, "Okay, this Saturday? Sure." He hung up with a sick, but happy look on his face.

"What's Saturday?" Bobby asked.

"Engagement party. At her Mom's." Mike rubbed his aching head. "You and Alex should come."

"That's like an hour and a half away, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'll have to talk to Alex."


"Of course, we'll go, Bobby," Alex said.

"I just… it-it's a long way, a long time for you in the car, and-"

Alex smiled and patted him on the cheek. "I promise not to make you deliver our child. Okay?"

Bobby rubbed his hair with his hand.

"Oh, by the way, they changed my appointment from Monday to Tuesday. Can you come?"

"I'll come," he said. "What time?"

"2:00 p.m." Alex yawned and scratched her itchy belly. "You know what I need?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "A milkshake."

"It's subzero outside!"

She shrugged. "You don't have to," she said.

He was already pulling on his coat. "What flavor?"

"Vanilla." The kiss was wet, and sweet. She heard his footsteps disappear down the hall.


Bobby's mustang had an aversion to cold weather. It took him several minutes to get it started and warmed up enough to drive. He turned the fan on full blast, and the air that struck his face was almost too hot. He racked his brain, thinking where he could get her a decent milkshake at this time of night, in this kind of weather.

He finally remembered a place that served old-fashioned shakes made from hard ice cream. By the time he entered the restaurant, he was hot from the air in the car. He ordered one for Alex and another for himself.

He was almost home when the engine started acting up. Bobby coaxed it into a parking space a block from home, then set the shakes on the curb while he took a quick peek under the hood. He cursed and locked her up tight, then headed home, balancing the tray of shakes in front of him.

Alex grinned when she heard the doorbell. She peeked and opened the door quickly. Bobby's face was bright red, and he handed her the tray and sat down, still wearing his coat and hat.

"You got two? I thought you said it was too cold!"

"It is. You drink them both. One for you, and one for the baby. I'm gonna thaw out in the shower."