TITLE: Once Upon a Movie Night Chapter Two

AUTHOR: Tubbie

RATING: T or that thing we used to call PG to be safe
BETAed by: Linda
SYPNOSIS: Alex goes to the movies.
COMMENTS: Fairy Tales. Who knew?
DISCLAIMER: Everything relating to Criminal Intent is owned by Dick
Wolf and NBC productions. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.

The most comfortable hour and a half either of them could remember in a long time was over. The theater lights were up and it was time to return to the city at large. As they walked along in agreeable silence to a nearby restaurant, the air was cold, just shy of biting.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Bobby peered at Alex, his words snapping her out of her musings.

"Just thinking about the film," she replied. "I had forgotten just how wonderful this story was. The unselfish daughter who, to save her father from death, takes his place at Beast's castle. The evil stepsisters, and would be suitor, who want Beast's riches at any expense. The tragic figure of Beast himself, who just wants to be a man like any other, so he can be with his beauty. Beauty goes from the fear of the unknown and the strangeness of beast, to her acceptance for him as he is. The movie is a gem."

Bobby nodded his head in agreement, and then added, "The film was done during a time in France when the country had just survived an occupation by a brutal enemy and spirit draining war. Cocteau took a tale from French Legend, a tale of innocence and hope. He delivered it to his fellow country men, who were in need of these things. He needed to start the healing of the collective soul of his country. Without poets and artists, the human world would be a very dark place."

"After seeing this movie, I don't know if I feel healed," Alex replied. "But I do feel better."

Bobby smiled. "That's 'hope', paying us a visit."

"Here we are." Bobby held the restaurant door at Chez Michallet for Alex. They entered the quaint and elegant bistro that had the ambience of a Parisian living room.

After they were seated and waiting on their food to arrive, Bobby picked up the conversation.

"The basic foundation qualities of 'La Belle et la Bete' are about the simple, the true and the good."

"Agreed," Alex replied, so accustomed to Bobby's mind that she had no trouble picking up their earlier thread. "Actually, I think you identify with this film."

"Really?" Bobby tilted his head. "Of course, the bad guys get punished and the good guys triumph. Simple, true and good"

"Oh, I think it goes a bit deeper than that"

Bobby raised his eyebrows and was about to speak when their dinner was served.

Alex raised a hand "Eat now, talk later."

He acquiesced to her request.

When Bobby had closed the file on the Marlow case and left work he had almost forgotten about tonight's movie. He was looking for a seat at the theater when he had sensed her being there before he saw her. He could have sat behind her, but that seemed stalker like. He knew he shouldn't intrude on her time outside of work. But, he really did want to spend time with her, anytime, on the clock and off the clock. He took a chance, and to his elated amazement, she chose to join him. She even shared her seat with him, personal space was offered, and he had accepted. She had accepted his invitation to a non-work related meal. Bobby stole short glances at her, his mind shifting gears to th present. 'Now he was enjoying dinner with his date. Date? Don't even go there. No, no. Partner, friend. A chance meeting that had involved a movie and dinner between friends. Friends of the opposite sex. Friends who had boundaries; lines not to cross. They were work partners. But, they enjoyed each other's company so much…'

"Bobby? Earth to Bobby?"

He looked up from his half eaten plate to see Alex staring back.

She was used to him being quite in short bits, but he seemed to have zoned out. "You ok? You haven't said anything. You were thinking about the last case?"

"Uh, no I was 'thinking about our date' just not talking." He smiled. "You wanted to eat not talk."

Alex smiled and nodded. "Well, I wasn't trying to shut you out. I didn't think I was this hungry." She pointed her fork down at her half eaten plate. "Sometimes I swear my body talks louder than my mind."

"I agree." Bobby, suddenly very interested in the view of his plate, quickly resumed his dinner.

A moment later Alex continued with her meal. She couldn't help but smile. Bobby peaked over at her and when he saw that she was amused and not mad at his comment, he smiled too.

They finished their meal quietly.

They exited the restaurant into night air that was far colder than the air earlier that evening. Bobby hailed a cab. With his mind was absorbed in their earlier conversation, he queried, "My apartment or yours?"

Alex coughed and half choked. "Say again?" Sometimes Bobby surprised even her, just when she thought that was impossible.

"My apartment or yours?" Bobby just realized how that sounded. It sounded like a proposition. A proposition to a partner, a partner who carries a loaded gun; damn subconscious mind. "Our conversation from dinner. Eat now, talk later. It's later."

"It's getting late," Alex began, but she caught the flicker of disappointment in Bobby's eyes. "Sure, why not? We don't have work tomorrow."

"Did I mention I have plenty of Cuban Rum on hand?" Bobby put his hands together with a rubbing motion that looked like he was trying to warm them.

"Rum bribe not necessary, but heartily accepted. Definitely your place."

Right about then a cab arrived. As Alex climbed in the cab, Bobby gave the driver their destination. As he closed the cab door he asked Alex "Allez-vous aux films étrangers souvent?" (Do you go to foreign films often?)

To which Alex replied "Oui, mais films français non simplement" (Yes, but not just French films.)

Alex abruptly realized the language change, and shot him a what-the-hell-was-that? look.

"I knew it. You speak French, Why didn't you ever tell me that?" Bobby was surprised.

"If we had seen a Godzilla movie tonight would you be asking if I spoke Japanese? I don't speak French. I took it in high school and college. I still remember some."

"You know more than some, as you watched the film, you didn't read the subtitles,
and you automatically answered me in French." Bobby was ecstatic that he found out something new about his partner.

"And why were you watching me and not the movie?" Alex cocked an eyebrow.

"Just a reality check. One can believe anything is possible, I was just checking if it was real."

"Checking my understanding of French as real, or my being at the movies with you as being real?"

"Both."