A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Surprisingly I've finished this fic. After this one, only one more chapter to go. I'm probably going to add the last chapter tonight or tomorrow. This chapter reveals some more of Bobby's thoughts, what's going on in his head. Reviews are again appreciated.

Part seven

The following morning found Bobby and Alex entangled together. They were on their sides facing each other, their legs entangled. Bobby still had her enveloped in his arms, his hand holder her head to his chest, the other rested on her back. Opening his eyes he slowly stroked her hair. No dreams had haunted him that night. Maybe Alex had kept them at bay, he didn't know.

Alex started to stir in his arms, indicating she was waking up. Putting her arms around his broad back, she snuggled closer.

"Good morning." Bobby slowly said.

"Mmm… morning." Alex's voice was still gravely from sleep.

"Sleep well?"

"Very." Alex slightly pulled back, needing to see his eyes. He seemed rested, his eyes brighter than yesterday. There was still something there though, but she wasn't ready to address that. She wanted to stay in this moment as long as possible. Sleeping in Bobby's arms had felt as expected; safe and loved. She also couldn't deny that she loved the feeling of his strong muscular chest beneath her hands. His chest made for a very comfortable cushion. If she allowed herself she could get used to this. However that was a far too big of a step for too soon. Take what you can get, she thought.

"Should we…"

"No." She said, pushing him onto his back. She settled her head once again on his chest, placing her hand next to it. "Let's… let's stay, okay?"

Glad she also wasn't ready to end this moment he nodded. He didn't quite know why he felt the need to share a memory with her, but he did.

"One of my best memories of my mother was when I was six. Dad had already left us and taken Billy with him. Mom… she woke me pretty early. It was my birthday. We were going to make pancakes for breakfast. I wanted to do it all by myself and she let me. I made the batter…, the kitchen was an absolute mess, but she didn't mind. She showed me how to bake them. She… she even flipped them around. Trying to impress her I tried to flip my pancake too. It landed on the floor. It took me several tries, but in the end I could flip them. We only had like five or six left. The others were or on the kitchen floor or burned. She showed me that even without my father and brother we could have fun. She gave me a bike that birthday. I know it cost her a lot. She…" His voice faltered. ".. she put my needs before hers. It was the last happy birthday I had. After that she could become vicious or angry, blaming me for my father leaving us. Other times she simply forgot my birthday. I… I know it wasn't her fault, but it still hurt." His voice had turned into a mere whisper. His hold on Alex had tightened, needing to feel her to prevent going to deep into the memories.

She didn't know how to react. She was thrilled that he trusted her enough to share this with her. He was willing to show a part of himself to her. That was a big step. She wondered if sharing one of her own memories was a good idea. Probably not, since it would only emphasize the differences in their families.

"Tell me about you. What's your best memory?"

"I was five or six. I'd helped dad fixing up a car. It was my first one and not that I had actually done anything. I still felt we'd worked together on that car. On a Saturday morning dad decided to take it out on a test drive. I don't remember what kind of car it exactly was, but I do remember it was a convertible. I couldn't sit in the front with him, but that didn't matter. It was a beautiful day and there we were cruising down Manhattan. We even stopped for donuts on the way. It was a great." While sharing her memory, Alex had left her comfortable spot on his chest. In stead she was on her side, her elbow propped up on the cushion with her head on her hand.

He was glad she had a good childhood. She deserved nothing less. At that moment he couldn't help but want her. She looked so beautiful with her sleepy eyes and her messy hair. She meant so much to him. Reaching out he gently cupped her cheek. With his thumb he gently stroked her soft skin. He wanted to tell her, wanted to say how much she meant to him, but something held him back.

However, Alex who was enjoying his touch, saw it all in his eyes. "I know." She said taking the hand touching her face in her hand, giving the palm a soft kiss.

Bobby's other hand found it's way in Alex's hair. Entangling his fingers in her blond locks, he slowly pulled her close until his lips slowly touched hers. It was a gentle, cautious kiss. Nothing more than a brush of lips, tasting, feeling… and enjoying. It was Bobby who pulled back. Not relinquishing the hand he had in her hair, he brought her closer until their foreheads touched.

She felt privileged that he was showing so much of himself. She would never betray the trust he had in her. They had taken in important step together. She just hoped it wouldn't end up like one step forward, two steps back. Placing a kiss on his forehead, she slowly got out of bed even though she was reluctant to leave it. "Let's get some breakfast."

After a nice breakfast with Alex's parents, Alex took Bobby with her on a walk to the small forest she'd also taken her nephew to yesterday. She thought it would be a nice surrounding for them to talk. Taking his hand in hers she started. "I don't ever want us to be on opposite ends again. What was it about him that made you sympathise?"

Hesitantly he began. "I… I didn't justify his actions. His crimes were horrible. What he did to those women was horrible. The reasons behind it… that's what hit home."

"You're not him." Her voice was gentle.

"Aren't I?" Agitated her started pacing. "I'm alone, aren't I? I come home to an empty apartment every night. There's no one who cares."

"You know I care." She interrupted him.

"Yeah, well.." No in the way that I want, his mind pointed out. He ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe that's not enough anymore."

"Then what do you want?"

TBC...