1Finding My Son, Finding Myself

Chapter Seven

Bobby opened the car door for Alex. "Thanks," she said, "And thanks for dinner, too."

"You're welcome."

As he climbed in, she said, "We'll swing by your place so you can pick up clothes for tomorrow."

He merely nodded, as they began their drive downtown.

"Can I ask you something, Bobby?"

"Sure."

"This is why you never got serious with anyone? Never married? You've never really given up believing that you'd find her again some day — you still love her." Alex took her eyes off the road for a split second, trying to steal a glance at Bobby's reaction.

Bobby sighed, deeply, staring straight ahead. "I thought you didn't want me to go gettin' my hopes up?"

That was all he said. She had her answer.

9:35 p.m.

1229 Calle Central

Dorado, Puerto Rico

Maria Elena stopped dead in her tracks about ten feet away from the two men. She was now close enough to see through the darkness and realized that the man standing next to the cop wasn't Bobby. She stood there, staring at them, taking quick gasps of air. "I'm sorry – I thought you were someone else," she apologized.

Sanchez looked at her, making a quick assessment: barefoot, in jeans and tee-shirt that fit just right–all over – long brown hair, beautiful full lips and eyes like he had never before seen —a brown so light, it bordered on gold. He thought she was gorgeous from afar but, now, with the moonlight reflecting in her eyes and illuminating the angles of her face, she was absolutely beautiful. He caught himself staring a second or two too long and snapped himself back.

The uniformed officer turned to her. "Everything's all right, Ms. Vasquez." The Officer was still speaking, but Sanchez had tuned him out, once again lost in is own thoughts. And then it clicked. Everything made sense. "Ms. Vasquez," he repeated to himself. And he remembered Friday night in the MCU, reading the rap sheets and the file on Benny Vasquez, and his words to Schultz and Marino came back to haunt him, "...he was bangin' Benny's little sister." He shook his head, as an even deeper realization struck: "...the kid...tall...with the curly hair...those piercing but sad brown eyes...ho–ly shit...that's why Alex wanted me to check the place out...it wasn't for her... it was for Bobby."

But Sanchez also remembered Alex's instructions not to make contact with anyone. He decided his best course of action would be to get away from the Vasquez house–now– and then call Alex and fill her in on everything that just happened.

"Excuse me, Officer – if everything's cool, I gotta' get goin'."

The Officer nodded and Sanchez hopped in the car. As he turned the ignition, the noise of the engine almost drowned out the woman's voice as she called after him, "...Wait...mister...do you know a policeman named Rober—?" Sanchez sped off, leaving the woman standing in the middle of the street.

Simultaneously, in NYC

Bobby had just made a quick trip up to his apartment, grabbing fresh underclothes and a suit, shirt and tie for the next day. He locked up and bounded back down the stairs, hopping back into the SUV with Alex.

"You feel like stopping by Carucci's for a drink now?" she asked.

He shook his head, "I'm pretty tired. You have any wine left at your place?"

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking...sure, wine...or something else. We can have a quick nightcap and get you tucked in, early. Hopefully, you'll be able to sleep."

"Thanks, Eames."

They arrived back at Eames' apartment and got settled in, both of them comfy in their sweats. Alex was in the kitchen, pouring their drinks — there was no wine left, so she opted for iced tea – Bobby for scotch 'n soda. He settled back on the sofa and switched on the TV. As she joined him in the living room and served his drink, they heard the muffled ringing of the cell phone in her purse. Their first shared thought was, "I hope we're not getting called in." They weren't expecting to hear from Sanchez until Saturday.

Bobby sat by, watching, as Eames flipped the phone open. "Eames." Her eyes shot at Bobby, "Darius, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon."

Bobby bolted upright, wondering why Sanchez was calling, and continued his one-sided listening to the conversation. "Really? Well, now we know why you're in S.W.A.T. – I guess surveillance isn't your forte," she said to him, 'rubbing it in.' That comment roused Bobby's curiosity even more.

"So, then what happened? Uh-huh...uh-huh...right...no! Of course I'm not doing this behind Bobby's back, he's right here!

Bobby was beside himself with impatience; hands wringing, eyes rolling, frustrated sighing. I wanted to know what Sanchez was saying; he could barely restrain himself from snatching the phone from Alex's hand.

"Are you kidding me?" Alex continued – Bobby noticed the huge grin on her face. "Um, thanks, Dar — I may need to call you back in a bit, but, thanks. Maybe it's a good thing you got caught – we ended up finding out a lot more than we hoped for. Yeah, yeah...I remember the deal...dinner when you get back. Okay, bye."

Alex ended the call and sat next to Bobby, "Well..." she began...

Simultaneously in Dorado, P.R.

"Let me walk you back to your door, ma'am," the Officer said.

Maria Elena numbly walked alongside the Officer, blinking her eyes clear of the tears which had accumulated and now freely rolled down her cheeks. Her parents and Roberto stood by the open front door, watching her slowly ascend the porch steps— each step was an effort; she was tired and drained.

Her parents looked at her, their eyes full of compassion for their daughter – and regret. Roberto ran into her arms and she hugged him and pet his hair, as he laid his head over her heart...her heart that she thought couldn't break any further...until she heard her boy's soft voice, "It wasn't Daddy coming for us, was it?"

"No sweetheart," she comforted him, "Not yet..."

Simultaneously in NYC

"...which part would you like to hear first?"

(Bobby fidgeted – he was in no mood for games, but Alex was having such fun being the bearer of good news to her long-suffering, tormented partner and friend, she couldn't help but drag it out and enjoy every second)

"...the part about Sanchez' shitty surveillance techniques and blowing his cover? Or...the part about the tall, lanky boy with the curly hair and the big brown eyes?" She said with a ever-growing smile.

She watched the look on Bobby's face – it was priceless – he was beaming like a proud father, "Or," she continued, "the part about the beautiful woman running barefoot across the lawn, in the moonlight, yelling 'Bobby, you've come back for us!' "

Bobby sat – frozen, stunned. He couldn't believe it was happening. He couldn't absorb the wonderfulness of it all. He leaned forward with a heavy sigh, burying his face in his hands and couldn't control the sobbing – from relief and happiness –and the disbelief of his good fortune.

Alex saddled up next to him, placing her arm around his shoulders with a squeeze and rubbed his back.

"After all this aggravation, those better be happy tears, buster." He didn't say anything, but she heard his soft chuckle and felt the quiver of his laughter under her hand.

"C'mon, tough guy," she said, as she arose from the couch.

He rubbed his hands over his face and looked up at her. "Wh-where are we going?"

"Back to your place so you can pack," she said matter-of-factly. "I am taking you to the airport, aren't I?"

She didn't have to offer twice.

END Chapter Seven