A/N: This chapter was quite a struggle, but in the end it worked out. I always have difficulties with the passing of time and the change of scenery. How to bring them from one place to another. I was asked to have some more interaction with the group and here it is and there will be more. I'm overwhelmed by the reviews. Thank you so much! Again ideas, suggestions, remarks, grammar error, they're all welcome. I hope you'll enjoy!

Part four

When everybody was seated on the cushions Elsie explained the next exercise. She handed out a piece of paper to everyone. "Depending on the time everyone can ask a person at least one question from the list. You can pass on the question if you don't have an answer, but we will get back to you. Try to ask different questions. You have to answer each question, but you don't have to explain it. You can if you want to, but you don't have to. Most important rule, don't comment on someone else's answer. We're not here to judge. Any questions?" Elsie gave Amanda the chance to ask the first question.

"What would you like to do most if you have a free afternoon, Alex?"

"Pick up my nephew at my brother's and take him out to the park or zoo." The soft look in Bobby's eyes as he looked at her, went unnoticed by Alex. She asked the question.

"Roy, if you could be a song, what song would you choose to be?"

A huge smile appeared on Roy's face. He liked this question. Winking at Alex –which did not go unnoticed by Bobby- he answered. "Sexbomb. No explanation necessary." The answer was met with a lot of laughs.

Several turns later it was Erica who asked Bobby an interesting question. "What cartoon character do you identify with?"

He didn't have to think long for that answer. "The Brain from Pinky and the Brain." He wondered if Alex was surprised by his answer. If so, she didn't show. There was only one person left to ask a question, Lucy. He was disappointed it wasn't Alex. "What scares you the most about next year?"

For Lucy that was an easy question. "Married life and if we can make it work."

Deciding it was enough for a first day Elsie called it quits.

Staying behind while Bobby waited outside the room, Alex made plans with the girls to go out. It was decided the entire group was going out to dinner and go out to a bar or club later on with who ever wanted.

Minutes later Alex caught up with Bobby and explained their plans. He reluctantly agreed, not wanting to leave her alone. Walking upstairs Bobby dared to raise the question. "Could we… can we talk?" Opening the door to his room he ushered her inside.

"I don't feel like talking." She simply wanted to forget his actions. It still hurt and at the moments she didn't want to deal with that.

"But I want to explain." She never turned him down before when he wanted to explain. Had he really gone too far this time?

"I just don't wanna hear it, Bobby. You hurt me and you know it. I don't want to think about it. I want to enjoy my evening and talking will not improve my mood. Now I'm going to my room and…"

Bobby stopped her there by holding up his hand. "I know… enjoy the bathroom."

Not quite sure what to make of that she decided to ignore it. "I'll see you in the lobby." Closing the door behind her she left him alone in his room.

After getting changed, Bobby went outside, hoping the fresh air would clear his mind. He'd only just walked onto the abandoned terrace when he almost bumped into Lucy.

"Hey Stranger." She greeted him with a friendly smile.

"Hi."

"You joining us for dinner?" Lucy tried to make conversation even though she noticed Bobby was troubled.

"Yeah." Bobby stuffed his hands in his pockets, not knowing what do with himself.

Lucy, who was very observant, saw something was bothering him. She wanted to try to get him to talk. "From our group you and Alex have been together longest. That's quite something." When Bobby didn't react she went on. "You two have something special."

"I don't think Alex would agree at the moment." He muttered.

She tried hard not to smile and succeeded. From the short time she'd known and observed Bobby she realized that even though he seemed a big tough guy, he in fact was very vulnerable and maybe even scared of his own feelings. She guessed he had a big heart, but didn't quite know how to let people in. Knowing that even men like Bobby needed someone to talk to once in a while she decided to go ahead. "Why? Did something happen?"

"I… I don't know if.." He paced in front of her with his hand at the back of his neck. "I don't think…"

Lucy stayed quiet guessing he needed time to formulate an answer.

"I hate it when we're out of balance. I… I try, you know. It's just… it's not easy for me. I don't know why she won't give me a chance. She means so much to me." His voice had gone soft near the end, but she had heard every word.

Before Lucy could form a reply, Roy was there, telling them it was time to go. Bobby quietly followed the others to the restaurant. His eyes on Alex the entire time. She looked beautiful in a knee length light grey skirt and a red top that showed her lovely curves. He saw the appreciated glances and couldn't help the anger that bubbled inside of him.

The anger kept building because Alex refused to say more than a polite greeting. He didn't deserve this even if he'd hurt her. She knew these kind of social things weren't his thing and he needed her to help break the ice.

At the restaurant he made sure he was seated opposite of Alex. That way she couldn't avoid him and he could see her eyes. Those brown eyes would tell him how she felt. That was if she would actually look at him for more than a few seconds. She kept averting her eyes, making sure he could not read her.

She knew she wasn't being fair to him, but he had truly hurt her. She thought their partnership was strong and built on trust. Apparently not. She couldn't get over the fact that he didn't know she would never hurt him. Why couldn't he see that?

Suddenly the conversation grew quiet and all eyes were on Bobby, including Alex's. Not knowing what the question was, he looked around, hoping someone would ask him again.

"What's the most fulfilling relationship you've ever had?" Amanda, who was sitting next to him, asked.

"The one with Alex." Even if Alex wasn't looking at him, he knew she would feel his eyes on her.

"No, what she meant was a romantic relationship." Erica clarified.

Knowing how uncomfortable he felt, Alex decided to step in. "Now Roy, I think your answer would be much more interesting." Bobby gave her a grateful look and for the first time in hours he saw Alex's smile.

"My most fulfilling relationship, let me think… I think the one with the stewardess. She learned me the true meaning of the Mile High Club. I could teach you the ropes if you're interested?" Roy laughed, winking at Alex.

Alex laughed. She liked Roy's attention. She liked the flirting and both know it would go no further. Roy apparently had more questions.

"Tell me Alex, what's your dream man and your dream date?"

"Am I on a dating show all of a sudden?"

"Come on Alex, tell me.. you know you want to and I'm not the only one who wants to know."

"Fine, dream date… one that I can actually finish without my pager going off and disturbing us. See… I'm not that picky."

"What about your dream man? Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom or a George Clooney look-a-like? Surprisingly it was Lucy who carried on the questioning. She was curious if Alex's description would come close to Bobby.

Alex eyes settled on Bobby for a few seconds before she answered the question. "I wouldn't mind a George Clooney look-a-like. Someone with those soulful brown eyes and I'm a sucker for his head tilt. But all kidding aside, I want a man who I can trust, who won't hide from me and who isn't scared away that easily."

"You won't be able to scare me away." Roy teased her.

"No, I'm going to have to drag you away." Alex shot right back, causing the group to explode in laughter again.

Finishing their dinner the group continued to a nice, cosy bar. Just outside the bar Bobby stopped Alex by putting his hand on her arm. Waiting for the others to leave them alone he enjoyed being near her again.

"Are we okay again?" He asked anxiously when they were finally alone.

She shook her head. This wasn't going to be fixed without even talking about it. She knew how much he wanted them to be back on track. "No, Bobby." Seeing his defeated posture she tried to reassure him. "But we'll get there. Let's just enjoy our evening." She walked inside looking back to see he was following her.

TBC...