A/N: It was time for some fun and when I have snow in my fics, I cannot resist a snowball fight. It's the child within me. This week I had the sudden thought of Bobby in swimming shorts. Yes... I am weird like that... and obsessed with VDO. I wondered how to put that into a fic for what could the reason be to have him in shorts. Someone suggested to let them go to the pool in this fic. And I thought... why not? But that will be next chapter. Maybe you think things are moving fast, but in the previous chapter Bobby and Alex did get back on track again. I think when it's dealt with it's dealt with and they move on. Maybe I went a bit too fast, I dunno know. Don't get angry if you think I did. Anyway still hope you enjoy and please R&R... that is if ffnet is working properly again. Ideas, suggestions, grammar stuff...it's all welcome.

Part seven

When they joined the group outside, they were at ease again with each other as if nothing had happened. Both acknowledged that it had, but had put it behind them. Sometimes all you needed was a good talk and there was no need to hold a grudge. The easy camaraderie was back with the undercurrent of something more. Looking around they didn't see anyone. Wondering if they had gone back inside a voice called out of nowhere.

"Goren, over here!" Turning around to the sound a snowball hit him right in the face. Wiping the snow off his face he saw Amanda and Roy behind a tree laughing at him.

What he hadn't seen was that Alex had left him alone. Looking around for her, he again was hit with a snowball. Hearing her soft laughter he knew she was the one who'd thrown it. "Watch your back, Alex." He warned her. This would not go by unpunished. First, he had to get back at Roy. Grabbing a hand full of snow he started his search. He didn't get far for he was hit by more snow.

The entire group got caught up in a huge snowball fight, running after each other, throwing snowballs and loving every minute of it. Alex had gotten hit a few times, but she'd managed to avoid her partner. She hadn't forgotten his words and kept an eye on him. When Lucy hit her with a snowball she retaliated, forgetting Bobby for a moment. That was all it took to get his revenge.

Just as he was about to throw the ball, Erica yelled to Alex. "Alex, behind you! Run!"

Knowing that looking behind wouldn't be a good idea she ran for it. That wasn't easy in the snow and Bobby who was so much bigger than her, caught up with her quickly. But her lack of speed she made up with manoeuvrability. So as he closed the distance between them she quickly turned to her right. Bobby, who hadn't seen that coming, slipped and fell face down in the snow.

Alex turned and watched him, laughing at the sight he presented. She could only enjoy it for a moment, for he was up his feet again and chasing her. This time he wouldn't be fooled again or so he thought. Making a move to her right, she quickly turned to her left. Thinking she'd outrun him, she suddenly felt a hand on her waist. "Not this time, Alex."

Before he could get a good hold on he slipped again and grabbed onto Alex to prevent himself from falling. Unfortunately that only resulted in the both of them ending up in the snow with Bobby on top of Alex. His weight on her back was rather uncomfortable, pressing her face forward into the snow.

Realizing he was probably crushing her he placed his hands next to her head and put his weight on his elbows. He had to admit he liked this position. She felt good beneath him.

"Told you to watch your back." He whispered in her ear.

She felt his shiver go right through her body. He had certainly kept his promise.

"Here." He said, holding a hand full of snow, he pulled her scarf aside and rubbed the snow in her neck.

"No, Bobby!" Alex yelled. Feeling the snow on her neck she started to wriggle her way from underneath him. She quickly realized there was no way she was going to get out from underneath him without his cooperation. He was simply too heavy.

Bobby, who rather enjoyed Alex's wriggling, grabbed another hand of snow, pulled off her woollen cap and let the snow fall over her hair.

"You're going to regret you did that!" She warned him.

"I don't think so."

"Can I turn around now?"

"Sure." Instead of getting on his feet he stayed where he was.

Slowly turning around on her back she saw him smile at her. Returning her smile she simply looked at him. It felt good to be near him again. She'd missed his gentle and comforting presence yesterday. She didn't like it when they argued, even if it had been necessary at that time. He meant so much to her. He was her best friend and she didn't want to lose him. She was aware that these days here at the conference could be life changing. They were both aware of that. Was it worth the risk, she wondered. Would Bobby be willing to take that risk ? They couldn't just jump ahead. That would be out of character for both of them and they had a lot to take into consideration. But she knew what she felt and she knew she wanted more.

"Alex?" He'd seen her eyes go distant as if she was in deep thought.

She blinked a few times and focused back on her partner. She raised her hand, cupping his cheek briefly. The gesture wasn't as intimate as it could have been because of her gloves. Continuing upwards she put her hand on the back of his head. Slowly she pulled him closer, her eyes darting from his eyes to his lips. Making sure his eyes were on her, her tongue snuck out to wet her lips. She saw Bobby swallow hard, his eyes now also darting between her lips and eyes. When their lips were only inches apart she saw his eyes were entirely focused on her lips. As he got even closer his eyes closed in anticipation of the kiss. She slowly directed his head to the right, above her shoulder. Before that even registered in his mind, he was distracted by her hips moving suggestively under him, causing him to groan.

Moving quickly she pushed his elbows from under him, grabbed snow in both her hands and rubbed it in his face. Direct hit! Not giving him time to recover she placed both hands on his chest, using all her strength to push him off of her. This time she succeeded because Bobby's mind was still otherwise occupied.

Standing above him she enjoyed her little victory. Don't let it be said that Alex Eames didn't know how to get to her partner! "Told you, you'd regret it!" Thinking he would need some time to cool off she went in search of the others.

He regretted the snow in his face, but he certainly didn't regret their earlier position. Never ever had she'd been like this with him. When he'd seen her look from his lips to his eyes his breath had caught in his throat. Would she really kiss him? How would she taste? Were her lips really that soft? Would sparks fly? Would he be able to control himself? Questions he hadn't had the answer to… yet. When it came to their relationship – whatever that was at the moment- she was the one in control. He realized that all too well. Recovered from Alex's closeness, he noticed he was still laying in the snow. Standing up he patted the snow off his clothes and looked around for the perpetrator.

"Goren." Amanda called out to him as she walked back into the 'classroom'. "Alex kicked your ass, didn't she?"

"It sure is clear who wears the pants in your partnership!" Erica chimed in.

Not giving the two MDPD detectives the pleasure of a reaction he walked to the coat rack to get rid off his coat. He however stopped shortly when he heard Alex's voice.

"You just gotta make the right moves."

And she had found the right moves, that was sure. He was brought out of his thoughts when Lucy appeared at his side.

"Good to see you two back on track." She smiled at him.

"Yeah…"

"Does she know how important she is to you?"

Looking away from her, Lucy recognized this was his way of avoiding his feelings. His eyes were too expressive. Shaking his head he kept silent.

"What are you afraid of? She's been with you for years now. She's not going anywhere. Show her, tell her." Laying a comforting hand on his should she saw him nod. Guessing he needed time to think she left him alone.

Lucy was right of course. He hoped Alex knew how much he cared. He'd talked about how important she was during their introduction talk, but he'd never actually told her. Did she knew? Could she see it in his eyes? Did she see that he loved her? More importantly, was he ready to risk their partnership for an even more fulfilling relationship? His heart told him he should, his head told him to stick with what he had.

"Bobby?"

Turning towards her voice he saw her giving him a questioning look. "Everything all right?" Alex knew that that look, he was dealing with something.

He nodded, hoping she would give him a moment. Sensing he wouldn't appreciate her prying she got to the point. "It's lunch time. Elsie told us to be at the swimming pool at two."

It took him a few seconds to register her words. "Swimming pool?" He hadn't even known they had a pool here.

"Yeah. You joining us for lunch?"

Swimming? On a conference? Come to think of it, he hadn't even brought his swimming shorts with him. Some shopping was in order and fast! "You go ahead, I'll join you later."

"Why?" She was suspicious, was there still something wrong? Seeing the embarrassment in his eyes she took a wild guess. "Don't tell me you forgot your stuff?" Laughing out loud she exclaimed. "You did? I can't believe it, you never forget anything! What'cha gonna do, Bobby? Go skinny dipping?"

He growled at her. Grabbing her shoulders he turned her around and pushed her away. "Go eat your lunch. I'll see you later." Taking his coat again he stalked off, hearing Alex's laughter until he reached the exit.

TBC...