Bobby paused in the doorway to the bedroom he shared with Alex. Just five minutes earlier, he thought to himself, as he saw her adjusting the blue cami top she pulled on.
"All ready for our neighborhood party?" he asked, making his presence known.
Alex spun around, letting her eyes roam up and down her partner. Khaki shorts, brown leather deckshoes and a blue shirt. Nice. Very nice. "Well, physically, maybe. Mentally, probably not."
"Me too," Bobby said, sitting on the bed. "That woman exhausts me. I can't imagine what fifty or so versions of her will do to me."
"Probably just kill you."
Bobby looked up at her, his eyes trailing down her body, from the blue top to the black shorts. "You'd rather me dead?"
He hadn't realized the insensitivity of his words until a pained look came over Alex's face, along with a forced "no" from her lips.
Bobby stood up, walking over to her. "Alex…I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."
"Never mind," she said, turning away, continuing to get ready.
Bobby's hands rested on her shoulders, gently turning her to face him. "I mind."
"I don't want you dead," she said firmly, a little louder.
"I know," he murmured.
Alex leant up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Good," she murmured, turning on her heel and heading out of the room.
Bobby's eyes widened, and his hand went up to press against his cheek. He smirked and followed Alex out.
"Emily! Ben!" Clara cried, making her way over to the two. "Welcome!"
Bobby's hand held Alex's in his. "Hi, Clara."
"The party's already begun…people can get a little anxious about newbies," she smiled.
"We had…something to take care of," Alex finally answered.
Clara winked. "Of course you did."
Alex glanced up at Bobby, who shrugged.
"Now come!" Clara said, beckoning them. "You have to meet everyone!"
Alex sat down in a patio chair, exhausted. Clara had introduced her to Bobby to everyone on the entire planet, it seemed. Now Bobby had been corralled by Clara's husband Ted over by the grill. He seemed to be holding her own, and she needed a break.
"Hi."
Alex looked over at the dark-headed woman who sat down next to her. "Hi."
The woman laughed. "Don't worry, I'm nothing like Clara or any of the other more interesting characters here."
Alex let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and held out a hand. "Emily.""Jessie. I live on the other side of your house." She smiled. "I thought you and your husband might like some time to settle in, or adjust, before you met more neighbors. Obviously Clara had a different idea, as usual."
Alex smiled. "She is very friendly."
"Are you kidding? She's a nut! Drives everyone completely mad!"
Alex smiled slightly. "She is a little overpowering."
"You can say that again," Jessie nodded. "Which one is your man again?"
Alex pointed over at Bobby. "That's Ben."
"How long you been married?"
"Three years."
"Wow. Lucky." Jessie grinned. "You two look as much in love as newlyweds do."
Alex blinked. "Really?"
"Yeah. Love shining out your ass." Jessie looked over at her. "Beautiful thing."
"What do you do?" Alex asked.
"Lawyer. My husband's a cop. Weird combination, but it seems to work for us."
Alex froze. The Feds had housed them next to a cop? "That's good."
Jessie nodded. "Yeah." She stood up. "I better go. Mike's signaling me, which can only mean he's been corralled by one of the HMEH's."
Alex was confused. "HMEH's?"
"Hungry Man-Eating Housewives," Jessie explained. "Nice to meet you, Emily. Call over anytime."
Alex watched her go, then quickly glanced around to see if Bobby had been cornered by a HMEH.
"Looking for me?"
Alex jumped, cursing as she saw Bobby come around from behind her. "Don't do that!"
"What, sneak up on people?"
"Yeah."
Bobby sat down beside her. "I enjoy it. Besides, it's always fun to see you squirm."
Alex glared at him. "Thanks a lot."
Bobby grinned. "You're welcome."
"Did you at least bring me a drink?"
He handed over a beer. "I'm a good provider."
"You're not doing too badly," Alex allowed, a small smile playing on her lips.
"You've got quite a good view here. Sit back and watch the show," Bobby murmured, taking a drink of his beer.
"It's certainly been entertaining. What were you and Ted discussing over at the grill?"
"You."
Alex spluttered her beer. "What?"
Bobby grinned at her reaction. "Need the Heimlich?"
"What did you say about me?"
"He said, and I quote: "That's one hot woman you bagged yourself there." I was very close to punching him, but I didn't think you'd be impressed."
"Oh, I might have been impressed. But that would have caused a scene, and since the Feds housed us next to a cop, I don't think that would have worked very well." Alex turned to Bobby. "Besides, you haven't bagged me. Yet."
Bobby almost choked on his beer. "Right. What was that you were saying about a cop?"
"Easy, Ben. Need the Heimlich?" Alex chuckled.
