It was inevitable. If the case they were working was difficult, or had some sort of political import, he was there, hovering. At first, Bobby chalked it up to supervisory concern. Maybe even a bit of paranoia on the captain's part about his newest detective. Bobby was always the first to admit that he took some getting used to, that his investigative style was unorthodox at the best of times, downright bizarre at the worst.
So he resigned himself to the hovering, to the questions, to his constant presence in stressful or high profile cases. He began to accept it as the captain's style, more hands on then he was used to from his time in Narcotics.
Then he started to get close to his partner. She started to become his world, his escape from the existence he had been living, the daily grind work and the weekly grind of visiting his mother. Alex made life seem interesting again and he felt himself falling for her.
He found himself watching her; watching how she interacted with people, the way people interacted with her. That's when he began to notice it. The captain would come to check on the status of a case, to impart some piece of information or advice, and he would maneuver himself into Alex's space.
Finally, Bobby suspicions got the better of him.
He and Alex were in an interview room, going over case material, when Deakins appeared, looking for a status report. Bobby watched as the captain took up his customary position behind Alex, one hand resting on the back of her chair. The three of them spoke for a few moments about the case before Deakins leaned over Alex to grab a folder. Bobby watched as he lingered a moment longer then necessary before righting himself. As he watched, Alex smiled up at the captain with a familiarity he saw rarely directed to anyone else.
With a few final words, the captain left, taking the folder he had grabbed with him. Bobby watched Alex watch him leave before clearing his throat. Her response was slow, leisurely, and when their eyes met, Bobby struggled to read hers.
"What, Bobby?" Alex asked as he continued to stare at her.
"How long have you known the captain?" He hoped his tone sounded more curious than jealous.
"For a long time, Bobby." With a shrug, she went back to reading the notes in front of her. After several long moments, she looked up again, to find Bobby still staring.
"It was a long time ago, Bobby. In another life. And I'm not going to talk about it."