Chapter 19
For the third night in a row, Bobby let himself into the quiet house. Since their argument about Franklin, and his possible involvement in the Morgan's disappearance, Tara had been avoiding him again. This morning she'd even been up and gone before he'd gotten out of the shower, and wouldn't accept his phone calls all day.
What am I going to do? Bobby wondered as he noticed the red blinking light on the answering machine. Playing back the message, he picked up the phone when he heard Jack's voice on the other end. I hope you have some good news for me, Sparky, he thought as he listened to the faint buzz of the other phone ringing.
"Hudson," a familiar voice answered.
"What's up?" Bobby didn't bother identifying himself.
"Good call on Franklin, Crash," Jack announced, causing Bobby to stiffen. "Every major security breech can be traced directly to Franklin, and not just because of his status as the SAIC. D found two sources who mentioned his name in anonymous tips, and we've had solid evidence implicating at least one of his agents," he continued as Bobby heard him shuffling papers in the background.
"So why don't we bring Franklin in now?" Bobby asked, running his hand through his wind-tossed hair. He felt the tension low in his neck, a sure sign the case was nearing a resolution.
"Until we know who the agent is, we can't risk spooking him," Jack explained. "He could bolt and we wouldn't know how they are getting their information…"
"And both of them could get off," Bobby finished with a sigh.
"Exactly," Jack confirmed reluctantly. "Keep an eye on Tara, Crash. Franklin has a history with the female agents in his unit, and I don't like the idea that she's working in his office alone," Jack instructed concerned.
"Easier said than done, Sparky," Bobby muttered sarcastically as he passed back and forth in the living room.
"What have you done now, Bobby?" Jack asked knowingly.
"Me?"
"Hey, I was 'married' too," Jack laughed. "Seriously, I know you well enough to know something happened between the two of you after the explosion, Crash," he started.
"Uh, we, um…" Bobby stammered.
"It's not like I can say anything," Jack interrupted quickly. "Not with what I've got going on with Sue now," he explained.
"How's that going by the way, Sparky?" Bobby questioned, smiling as he leaned casually against the wall.
"We're great," the joy was evident in his voice even through the phone lines. "Though kind of hard keeping it out of the office, but don't change the subject. Whatever happened between you and Tara, fix it and fast," Jack ordered firmly. "I don't like what we found on Franklin, and I don't want her alone on this, Crash."
"I'll do what I can," Bobby groaned, knowing that was going to be more difficult than he thought.
"Myles will be on a plane tomorrow to follow Franklin," Jack informed him. "Sue and I will be down next week to officially start the investigation. Try to keep out of trouble until we get there, Crash," he directed with a laugh. "The FBI doesn't pay for marriage counseling."
"Funny, Sparky," Bobby smirked. "See you when you get here, mate," he said before hanging up the phone. Hearing Tara's car in the driveway, Bobby took a deep breath, knowing he had to figure some way to get her talking to him again. I only hope I don't make things worse, he prayed as he made his way to the door ready to welcome her home.
Chapter 20
As she put the car into park, Tara noticed the front door of the house open. Through the windshield, she watched Bobby come onto the porch and lean casually against the pillar at the top of the stairs.
Like her team, Bobby converted to wearing jeans and boots, though he must have already shed his jacket inside the house. Even from this distance, Tara could see that he'd unbuttoned the top button of his shirt where his tie hung loose around his neck.
Tara's heart shot into her throat when she saw him. She did her best to keep from feeling overwhelmed with happiness. She had tried so hard to stay away from him, but there he was, smiling down at her as if nothing had happened.
Well, he's seen you now, Tara, she told herself as she climbed reluctantly out of the car. I can't keep hiding from him forever, she resigned herself as she started up the walk.
As she tried to move past him into the house, Bobby suddenly grabbed her hand, pulling her close. Tara was so taken off guard that she didn't immediately flinch or pull away.
"Welcome home, honey," Bobby said loudly, burying his face into her neck before whispering, "We've got an audience," quietly into her ear.
Tara wrapped her arms around him tentatively, closing her eyes as felt her heartbeat quicken. Just as before, Tara felt stirred by him, enveloped by his closeness.
When Bobby pulled back slightly looking down at her, he cupped her cheek in his hand, causing Tara's breath to catch in her throat. Everything around them vanished, as an entire new world seemed to open up for her at that moment as she looked up into his eyes.
Bobby searched her face with his eyes as he smiled at her, and Tara wanted to cry out from the sheer sensation of his nearness. He had his hand beneath her hair and on her back, pressing her close.
"Bobby," Tara whispered softly as tears came to her eyes, because she knew she had to push him away. She wanted so much to close her eyes and let him kiss her, but she couldn't let that happen. "Bobby, don't do this," Tara wedged her palms up between them.
"Don't push me away, Tara," Bobby pleaded, stroking the side of her neck with his thumb. As she pushed her arms up against his shoulders, he only wanted to protect her, to shield her from danger but he knew that he had to tread lightly.
"I have to, Bobby," Tara turned her face away from him and pressed it into his shoulder. It was too late though. Bobby had already seen the panic in her eyes. "I have to, Bobby."
"Why?" Bobby gripped her by the shoulders and pushed her back so he could read the expression on her face. "Talk to me, Tara," he begged. He cupped her head in his hands, turning her towards him. Tara saw the fear in his eyes, and it surprised her.
"I don't know what I'm doing," she sighed, leaning against him. "You and Jack have much more experience at this, and I'm just going to screw it up," Tara moaned as Bobby wrapped is arms around her, resting his chin on her head.
"That's not true, shelia," Bobby groaned, tightening his arms around her. "You are doing great, and there have been plenty of cases that we couldn't have solved without you," he told her.
"But I'm getting nowhere on the Morgans' disappearance," Tara leaned back slightly in his arms.
"It's only been a few days, and you've been working on Morgan's old cases, so we might get something off of that." Bobby brushed his fingers through her hair. "You've got to give it time, luv." He planted a kiss on the tip of her nose.
"But the longer it takes, the less chance we have of getting them back," Tara protested, nibbling on her lower lip.
"Tara, we may never get them back," Bobby informed her, "but we need to find out what happened, and make sure it doesn't happen to anyone again," he assured her, the palm of his hand cupping the back of her head.
"Can we really do that?" Tara asked, her tongue slipping out to wet her suddenly dry lips.
"Do what?" Bobby muttered distractedly his eyes drawn to her mouth. Tara lifted her face as his head slowly lowered towards her.
The sudden screeching of tires along the street had them breaking apart. Bobby pushed Tara behind him, pulling his gun from his holster as bullets ricocheted off the house around them. Pulling the petite blonde to the ground, he covered her small frame protectively with his body. The dark van careened around the corner before Bobby could recover and return fire.
"You okay?" Bobby asked, helping Tara to her feet.
"Yeah," Tara told him as he pulled her into his arms. "I got the tag number," she said, pushing at his chest.
"You did?" Bobby's eyes widened as he leaned back to look at her. "You're one amazing shelia. I'm lucky to be able to describe what kind of van it was, and you got the tag number," he muttered, pulling her back into his arms.
"What can I say? I'm good," Tara grinned, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"That you are, shelia," Bobby laughed. "How about we call this in and I take you to dinner?"
"Well?" Tara hesitated.
"Surely, you don't want to leave San Antonio without even seeing the River Walk," Bobby protested. "We don't know how long we'll be here, and what might happen, so we might as well enjoy it while we can," he offered.
"Okay," Tara answered skeptically.
"Besides, I'm hungry," Bobby smiled.
"When are you not?" she replied sarcastically.
"Just for that I might reconsider my offer," he suggested. "I was going to recommend an outdoor table beside the river, but now…"
"Oh, I take it back," Tara said quickly, her bright smile almost blinding. "I'd love to eat by the river," she smiled at him again, and took his arm in a warm companionable gesture that made his pulse rate climb. "Think you can find the way back downtown?" she teased as she walked with him into the house.
"I think I'll manage," he answered, wishing he didn't sound quite so hoarse.
Chapter 21
As Bobby said, they dined at a popular restaurant on the river. The temperatures had fallen with the onset of darkness, so she'd worn her jacket. However, it was still a nice evening for dining beneath the old-fashioned streetlamps that lined the narrow river. Shallow tour boats passed occasionally, some containing tables for the more adventurous diners.
The river was lined on either side with restaurants, clubs, boutiques, and hotels. The muted strains of several types of music drifted on the fragrant air, inviting them to explore and sample the nightclubs in the area. Tara could hardly concentrate on her food for taking in the sights, sounds, and sensations around them.
"Isn't this wonderful?" she asked Bobby, smiling across the table at him.
Looking up from his mesquite-grilled steak, he glanced around and nodded. "It's nice," he said simply.
Funny how comfortable she'd become with him, she mused as she turned back to her own grilled shrimp dinner. She'd always felt an easy friendship with everyone on the team, but this was different. This was…special.
Tara studied him from beneath her lashes. They'd had their fights in the last couple of days, particularly about Franklin and this case, but Bobby was trying to give her the space she'd asked for. She knew he respected her as an agent and as a person, but something still held her back.
She sighed. If only he didn't remind her of everything she'd convinced herself she wanted in a man. She already knew from experience that he was the overprotective type, but so were Jack, Myles, and D when it was needed. Serious and cautious when he had to be, Bobby was practical, but not staid. Nice, upstanding, admirable, but still adventuresome.
"If you sigh one more time, shelia, I'm going to think you've sprung a slow leak," Bobby teased her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Tara shook her head quickly as though to clear it.
"Listen, Tara," Bobby said as he reached across the table to take her hand in his. "I'm sorry about the other night," he told her as he looked into her hazel eyes.
"Bobby…" Tara started.
"Please let me finish," Bobby asked quietly. "I had no right to say what I did, shelia. You've been an essential part of the team for so long that I took that for granted, and I'm sorry," he apologized.
"Thank you, Bobby," Tara glanced down at their hands, blushing.
"I mean it, Tare," he maintained, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. "I value your opinion, and your contribution to the team," Bobby continued. "What you said earlier this week made sense and I shouldn't have rushed to judge…"
"It's okay, Bobby," Tara looked up, smiling softly. "I know you're only concerned about me, the same way Jack, Myles, and D are, I suppose, but you know that I can take care of myself and I'm not under any delusions about Wayne…or anyone else. Okay?"
"I'm sorry I interfered," Bobby answered, somewhat stiffly.
"I have enough mother hens watching out for me, Bobby," Tara grinned. "I really don't need another one."
"I'll do my best," Bobby promised, releasing her hand. Tara failed to notice the telltale twitch of the muscle in his jaw as he looked out into the river.
"Let's eat, and you can treat me to a movie," she teased lightly, her eyes dancing with laughter.
Slowly, Bobby looked back at her, their eyes locking. Tara's breath caught with the intensity of his gaze. Her heart seemed to pound like a drum in her ears.
"Deal," Bobby agreed quietly, giving her a crooked little smile before returning to his meal.
Taking a deep breath, Tara forced herself to eat, unable to keep her eyes from glancing back up at the man across from her. The more she tried to keep her mind on normal every day topics, the more her mind strayed to areas she had no business being in.
Tara was asleep by the time they returned home later that night. Bobby roused her gently, and then half led, half carried her into the house.
"I had a very nice time tonight, Bobby," Tara murmured, sounding like a schoolgirl coming home from a movie date. "Thank you."
"My pleasure, shelia," Bobby pushed her bedroom door open, nudging her through. He shot a quick look around the room, seeing it for the first time.
"It's very late, isn't it?" Tara stood in the center of the doorway, swaying a bit on her feet.
"Very," Bobby said quietly. "Good night, shelia. Sleep well."
"Good night, Bobby," Tara smiled up at him, trustingly. Too trustingly.
Deciding he was tired of this game they were playing, Bobby bent his head and deliberately covered her mouth with his own. Tara hesitated only a moment before responding. Her lips moved tentatively beneath his, and then with growing confidence.
Bobby deepened the kiss, allowing himself one lingering, appreciative taste of her before he finally, slowly, drew away. "Good night," he repeated, hearing his own huskiness, and then quickly left, while he still could. Tara was still standing openmouthed in the middle of her bedroom when he closed the door behind him. His last glance at her showed him that she suddenly looked wide-awake.