274 Days
By Tres Mechante

Disclaimer and Author's Note in Part 1

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Part 5 – Consequences

It had taken her the better part of the week to corner all the suspects. Each interrogation led to another piece of the puzzle, until she finally had the big picture. Alex bided her time, waiting for just the right moment to act on her information.

Bobby had been edgier and more twitchy than usual all week. He kept looking at her as though expecting her to say something, but she refused to confirm his suspicions about whether she knew what he'd been up to.

The week also brought a peculiar blackmail scheme involving a very prominent citizen, his daughter, ex-wife, mistress and a frozen body. The scam unraveled very quickly, but Alex was still having trouble getting her head around the whole thing, especially with some of the puzzle pieces still missing.

Late Friday morning Alex and Bobby entered Captain Deakins' office to give him an update on the case. After giving their report, they prepared to leave when Alex suddenly stopped and turned to Deakins. "I meant to give you a message earlier," she said apologetically. "My father said it was great to hear from you last week and you shouldn't leave it so long before calling again. He mentioned something about you owing him a beer...?"

Bobby and Deakins looked at each other then quickly away. Neither man was quite sure what to say – and it showed. Alex, however, was enjoying herself immensely.

"Well, I'm about ready to head out. You guys have a great weekend," she said.

Deakins looked up quickly. "Going somewhere, Detective?" he asked, checking his watch.

"It's my afternoon off," she said, grinning. "You remember, in lieu of working last Sunday afternoon?"

"I don't remember authorizing any time off."

"My mistake. I'm going to be paid overtime...?"

Deakins laughed, silently admitting she had him. "Time off it is, then." Turning to glare at Bobby he added, "You, however, are not going anywhere."

Bobby held up his hands in surrender. Turning to Alex, Bobby asked, "I suppose my...punishment is to finish the paperwork?"

"Not even close, Bobby. That's just to keep you out of trouble until I'm ready to deal with you," she answered with a straight face.

"Ready to..." Bobby was cut off when an officer came to the door to say Detective Eames had a visitor.

A large grin appeared on Alex's face. "That'll be my date. Gotta run." And with an overly perky "Bye!" she was out the door.

Bobby stood motionless and stared after her, but was prodded to follow when he heard a familiar voice. "Detective Alex! Ready to go?"

He hurried after the departing couple. "Eames! Lewis?" he asked in disbelief. "What are you..."

Alex cut him off. "I dropped the coroner's report on your desk. Don't work too late." She waved to him as the elevator doors closed.

Bobby walked back to his desk in a daze and dropped heavily into his chair. Alex and Lewis? Lewis? He had no idea how long he sat staring at their Santa mug before he began sorting files. Picking up the coroner's report he began flipping pages and almost missed the note – a bright yellow sheet of paper with his name written across it.

Bobby,
Time to face the music.
My place 7:15 tonight. Dinner is your treat, Chinese, usual place.
I already ordered -- it'll be ready for pick up on your way over.
Don't be late!

The note wasn't signed, but it didn't have to be. Bobby was amused at her assumption that he would be available. He looked at the clock. Great, he thought sourly, still more than six hours to go. He folded the note, tucked it away and tried to concentrate on work.

--- --- ---

At precisely 7:13 there was a knock at the door. Alex smiled. She had no doubt who was on the other side of the door. Without bothering to check the peephole, she opened the door to find Bobby laden with bags of food. And a bottle of wine. And what looked to be an assortment of pastries from Baked Expectations.

Alex looked at her watch. "You're a little early," she said, stepping aside so he could enter. Once in the kitchen, she stood back and allowed Bobby to set out their food.

"So, how was your...afternoon?" he asked. "Did you a-and Lewis...enjoy yourselves?" Alex smothered a grin at his carefully casual tone of voice.

"It was wonderful and we had a great time," was all she said.

Bobby went to set the table, but Alex indicated the living room. "I thought we could watch a movie," she said, surprising him. "And just to show I don't hold a grudge, you can choose." She pointed to the two DVDs on top of the television.

Picking up the movies she indicated, he raised his eyebrows in disbelief. The Whole Wide World? Mystic Pizza!? Bobby cleared his throat. "You want to watch chick flicks?"

"You dissing my taste in movies, Bobby?" she asked, in a hurt tone of voice. She was really enjoying this way too much, she thought.

"N-no. I just didn't think...you seem more the...these are..." Bobby gave up. No matter what finally came out, he was going to be in trouble. With a sigh, he selected The Whole Wide World – at least it was biographical. "You really are mad at me, aren't you?" he pouted.

Alex laughed and took the DVD from him, nudging him toward the sofa. "I hate people nosing around my private life," she said. "You not only poked your nose where it didn't belong, you managed to con a lot of people into going along with you. I'm entitled to a little payback, don't you think?"

She popped in the DVD and settled beside Bobby on the sofa, handing him the remote. "You may do the honors," she said, smiling at his muttered "Gee, thanks."

Picking up their plates, they settled back to watch the movie. As the movie began, Bobby sat up straight and gave Alex a sideways glance. "You tricked me," he accused in disbelief.

"What? You chose a biography, so we're watching a biography." She grinned. "Kinda makes you wonder what's really in the other DVD case, doesn't it?"

Bobby huffed, but settled down to dinner and Steal This Movie.

By the time the movie ended, they had shifted positions and were leaning against one another. After the last credits rolled and the player was shut off, they watched the news in a companionable silence. Finally, Bobby turned toward Alex. "How long have you known?"

She didn't even pretend to misunderstand. "Got suspicious when my sister visited, more or less had it confirmed on Sunday."

"So you left me...hanging all week, watching me squirm, to get back at me?"

"Actually it took most of the week to corner the suspects, get all the statements...a very thorough investigation, I might add. Followed the trail right to the ringleader." She poked him with her elbow.

Bobby thought about that. "Eames...Your date with Lewis...was th-that part of my...punishment?" he asked, not able to meet her eyes.

"That was his reward for cooperation," she replied. "Your reaction was...unintended."

Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her into a half-hug. "Thank you," he whispered.

Neither was inclined to move, not even to find the remote to change channels when the late movie started. The movie played in the background, not intruding into their quiet conversation, which was filled with apologies, explanations, forgiveness, and expressions of caring. No words, however, spoke more eloquently than their actions.

As the movie continued and the hour grew late they both fell asleep, Alex resting against Bobby's chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her. Their respective positions spoke of trust and caring, and possibilities for the future of their partnership and friendship.

Somewhere in the hours before dawn, Bobby woke. He looked at the woman in his arms and hugged her close. Then, ignoring his cramped muscles, he gently picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Alex stirred slightly as he set her on the bed, trying to focus barely opened eyes, almost purring "hmmm...Bobby..."

Bobby covered her with a blanket then bent to kiss her forehead. "Pleasant dreams, Alex" he whispered, bringing a sleepy smile to Alex's lips as she slid back into sleep. Bobby picked up their dishes, turned out the lights and quietly left the apartment. Mere minutes after getting home, he too slipped happily into pleasant dreams inspired by the memory of her in his arms.

--- --- ---

All week there had been something different in her behavior – greater patience, sharper wit, quicker to laugh. Behaviors that peeked out with greater frequency, but nothing that would be noticed by anyone around her. Except her partner. And he just smiled.

-End-