Title: Can't let her go

Author: Thousand-miles

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. Just having some fun

Summary: Lewis is interested in Alex… Bobby gets jealous. This is set after S1 "The Insider"

A/N: My second CI fic. Thanks for the people who reviewed the first one, it convinced me to continue. This is nothing special, just something my muse told me to write down. It'll probably be a three parter, though I'm not quite sure. English isn't my native language and since I don't have a beta, there could be a few grammar mistakes though I try hard to avoid them. And please read and review, it makes my day and encourages me to write more. Suggestions, ideas, remarks…everything is welcome just don't be too harsh.

Chapter one

He and Lewis were sitting at a table in the far corner of the bar. Lewis had suggested to have a few drinks and he agreed. After the case he and Eames had solved, he was in need of a drink or two. If only Carter would have had the guts to go after the governor. Now, they'd gotten a consolation price. Carver was happy, but he wasn't. A few drink was what he needed to get his mind of the case. He'd invited Eames to go with them, but she'd declined. Saying she was already meeting a friend.

So far he was on his third beer, catching up with Lewis and remembering the old days. Out of nowhere Lewis steered the conversation back to the present time. "tell me about your partner, Bobby."

"Eames?" He questioned, taking another sip from his beer.

"Yes, Detective Eames."

He observed Lewis for a moment. He seemed really interested. Why now? He'd never shown any interest in his job before. "Why?"

"Because I liked her. Now tell me something about her. What's her name?"

"Alex." He was confused. Lewis liked his partner. He'd only seen her for what, five minutes or something? Alex always made an impression, he knew that, even if you only saw her for a few seconds. She had that effect on people. Seeing Lewis' expectant eyes, he contemplated what to say next. Before he could continue Lewis had his next question ready.

"Is she married? Does she have a boyfriend? Is she seeing someone?"

Stunned by Lewis' storm of questions he needed a moment to answer. "No, she's not married. I…I don't know if she's seeing someone." He felt uncomfortable with his friend's questions. He didn't want to think why he felt uncomfortable. He just did and he wanted the conversation to end. He gulped down half of his beer.

"Do you think she'd be interested?"

"In what?" Bobby practically barked.

"To go out with me." Lewis was surprised by Bobby's sudden mood shift.

"I don't know. Ask her and you'll have your answer. Just leave me out of it."

The edge to his voice wasn't lost on Lewis. "Am I stepping on your territory here? Are you two…"

Before he could finish Bobby interrupted. "No, she's nobody's territory. Ask her out, I don't care as long as you leave me out of it."

The following morning Bobby was still in a foul mood. After getting back from his night out with Lewis he hadn't been able to get much sleep. His mind kept going over Lewis' words. He didn't think Alex would be interested in Lewis. Lewis was a great friend, but Alex could do much better. She deserved better. Still the possibility that she might go out with his friend unnerved him. He didn't want to go into the reasons. In the end he'd gotten a few hours of sleep.

Finishing the paperwork from their case Bobby's mood didn't improve. He hated it when someone got away with murder. Especially someone like the governor who, in his opinion, deserved to be put behind bars.

"Hey."

He heard the soft greeting opposite from him. Looking up he saw Alex sitting behind her desk. "Hi." He returned his eyes to the paperwork. He didn't want her to see his eyes. She would see something was wrong.

"How was your boys night out with Lewis?" Alex asked him, keeping her eyes on her work.

"Fine."

The short answer made Alex look up. There was something in Bobby's eyes. He seemed annoyed. Alex guessed he was still frustrated about their case. "Meet some nice girls?" She knew that Lewis and Bobby's night out was always about picking up some nice girls. Women responded to Bobby's charm, his boyish smile and good looks.

Not liking the subject, Bobby quickly changed it. "How was your night out?"

"Emily got sick, so I ended up home alone."

"You could have joined us. I'm sure Lewis would have liked that." Bobby answered, the annoyance back in his voice.

"Excuse me? What does Lewis have to do with this?" Sometimes she really couldn't keep up with her partner's brainwaves.

"He wanted to know about you. Apparently you made quite the impression."

She couldn't quite define what she heard in his voice, sarcasm, annoyance, maybe anger? Remembering Lewis reaction she smiled. "What did he wanna know?"

"What you name was, if you were seeing someone. He's interested." He watched her for a reaction. She didn't seem to be bothered with Lewis' interest in her. In fact she was smiling again. Would she really go out with him? He had to ask. "Would you really go out with him?"

Now she understood Bobby's mood. He was annoyed, at who she didn't know, but she guessed Lewis. And maybe there was even some jealousy there. She decided to have some fun. "Why not? He seemed nice, we both like cars."

Rendering Bobby Goren speechless wasn't easy, but she'd succeeded. To push him for a response she continued. "I think we could have a lot of fun. Beside, it would be nice to go out on a date again. It's been too long. You don't mind, do you, 'cause he's your friend and all."

"Euh.." He hesitated, looking anywhere but here. "No…I..just Lewis is.." Before he could embarrass himself even more with his stuttering he got interrupted by the ringing of the phone on Alex' desk. The mention of a name caused him to look up again.

"That would be nice, Lewis. Okay, I'll see you tonight. Bye." She put the phone back down and returned to her paperwork. Feeling Bobby's eyes on her she finally relented. "What?"

"That…that was Lewis?" Bobby pointed to the phone on her desk. "You're going out with him?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

There was that question again. "We've already discussed this, Bobby."

He started mumbling and gesturing. He always did that when he couldn't decide what to say first or how to react. She only heard partials.

"Lewis…..Can't….he's….right…Don't…..I…"

Getting frustrated with his behaviour she raised her voice. "Would you stop that! Just say what you want to say or stop mumbling!"

Wisely he shut up, knowing that actually telling what he thought would even make her mood worse. Quietly he went back to work.

TBC….