Friends and Lovers

Chapter 19

Disclaimers: The same. Nothing's changed.

A/N: The story becomes a little more adult in this chapter but I promise, there is only a hint and tastefully done.

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Bobby opened his apartment door and placed his keys on the table followed by his gloves. Helping Sue with her coat, he started taking his off when he was suddenly struck by a distinctly foreign sensation. A feeling he had never felt before in this situation—at least not for a long, long time. He felt...anxious.

He'd been planning their first time in his mind. He wanted it to be special—the romantic atmosphere of a candlelit dinner somewhere special, flowers, the works. But there had been no candlelight dinner, no flowers, and confessing he was a gambling addict didn't seem to be the most romantic conversation he could've had with her. He finally turned to face her.

She looked at him. "Are you as nervous as I am?" she asked.

He shook his head and answered honestly. "More."

She looked surprised. "Why?"

"Because...because this time it really means something...I mean, the other times, of course, it meant something, but not like this, never like this," he rambled. "This time it's...it's...special...it's different...it means so much more."

"I see." Secretly she was tickled that he was so flustered. She knew there'd been other women in his life. She'd be a fool to think otherwise. But the fact that he was behaving as though it was his very first time touched her. She reached up to loosen his tie.

He grabbed her hands. "What're you doing?"

She looked up at him. "Are you planning to go to bed with your tie on?" she asked quizzically. "That would be different."

He released her hands. "Uh...no."

She slowly pulled it off giving him a lingering kiss. "Good. It might get in the way." She started unbuttoning his shirt.

"Sue?" He tilted her chin up. "Not that I'm objecting, but are you positive this is what you want?" He had to be sure.

"Yes," she said simply.

"Three days ago you said you weren't ready. What changed your mind?"

She seemed intent on unbuttoning his third button ever so precisely. "Because for the second time this week, I almost lost you," she said quietly, a hint of tears in her voice.

"What are you talking about? I was never in any danger," he protested.

"You could have been shot just as easily as Jack. Instead of a flesh wound...instead of standing here with you right now...I could be at the hospital or worse, at the morgue," her voice broke at the thought. Sue blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. Taking a deep breath before lifting her eyes to meet his hazel ones, she attempted a slight smile, "Nothing like a little shootout to clarify your priorities." Her eyes still sparkling with unshed tears, she continued, her voice a little raw with emotion, "I decided I was a fool to wait for the right time to be with you. The right time is now."

Bobby was speechless. She surprised him. She was always surprising him. "I love you, Sue," he said huskily as he scooped her into his arms.

"That's good, because I happen to love you, too," she replied sweetly, raining kisses on his face as they headed towards the bedroom.

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As he lay with a sleeping Sue in his arms, he pulled the sheet up to cover her bare shoulder. He still found it unbelievable that she was with him…in his bed. He couldn't help but reflect that despite his misspent youth and his recent foibles, he must have done something incredibly right to deserve her. He silently thanked God—and Levi—for bringing them together. Kissing her on the forehead, Bobby snuggled even closer to her and fell asleep.

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Rolling over, Bobby flung out his arm expecting to feel Sue next to him. She wasn't there. He felt around the bed as he opened one eye. No Sue. He sat up. "Sue?" he called out. Then he slapped his forehead. "She can't hear me," he muttered.

Clad only in his black silk boxers, he went in search of her. The aroma of coffee gave him a pretty good idea of where to start. Leaning against the kitchen doorframe, he smiled at the scene before him. Peering into the refrigerator was a barefooted Sue dressed in his shirt.

"Levi," Sue spoke, "now I know why single guys always eat out—there's nothing in Bobby's refrigerator except a dried up apple, milk and I don't know what this is." She turned carrying a plate of mold encrusted something. "I...oops!" Startled, she almost dropped the plate.

"Good morning!" said Bobby cheerfully. He swooped down for a kiss.

"Good morning," Sue smiled happily. "I was planning on making breakfast but I couldn't find anything edible that could be used. You really need to go to the market."

He shrugged. "You know how guys are. Going to the market is very low priority." A thought occurred to him and he brightened. "If it means you'll be here more often, I think I could manage a trip to the market."

"That could be a possibility," she considered. She held up the plate in curiosity. "What exactly was this? Should we call in the Department of Health? Or the biohazard unit?"

"Very funny." He took the plate from her and frowned. "I can't remember what this is...was. Doesn't look edible, does it?"

She just stared at him. He took the hint and tossed the mess in the trash.

"Now that we've cleaned out the fridge," he said as he gathered her to him, "I think we should be considering more important things."

"Such as...?" she asked, nestling in his arms with a smile.

"This," as he kissed her forehead, "and this," as he trailed kisses down her face. He drew back slightly, gazing at her tenderly, "And this." He embraced her tighter for another kiss. As the kiss deepened, Sue wrapped her arms around him to pull him even closer.

"I could very easily get used to this," remarked Bobby breathlessly when they came up for air.

"Me, too," she said. "But," she added glancing at the clock, "if I want to be at the office on time, I have to leave now so I can go home and change." She looked down at her attire. "I can't go to work dressed like this."

He stared at her critically. "Why not? You look good in my shirt. In fact, you just look good." He promptly started kissing her again.

"Bobby! Bobby!" protested Sue half-heartedly. "I really have to go. I..." the rest of her words disappeared with his next kiss.

"Mmmm," she murmured. "Bobby, I really do have to go." She gently stroked his cheek just as reluctant to leave him.

"Sue?" said Bobby as a thought struck him. "Today is Friday. What say you spend the weekend here?" he suggested eagerly. "You could pack a bag and dog food for Levi here and I'll pick both of you up after work."

She looked at him for a moment. "That could work—if you let me go now."

Reluctantly, he released her from his arms and sighed. "You strike a hard bargain."

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Bobby hurried to catch the elevator but it closed in his face. His good mood still intact with thoughts of spending the weekend with Sue, he pressed the button for the next elevator.

"Bobby! Bobby!"

He turned to spot Lucy. "Luce! What can I do for you this beautiful day?" he grinned.

She looked at him like he was crazy. "Beautiful? It's gloomy and cold and the forecast is for snow. What's so great about that?" She shook her head. "Anyway, I didn't stop you to talk about the weather. I had to leave early this morning and Sue wasn't home yet. Did she...would you happen to know..." She stopped and looked at his beaming face. "Maybe I should mind my own business."

Bobby's eyebrows went up in silent confirmation as he chose his words carefully. "She said she was going home to change so she may be running a little late."

Eyebrows raised at the implications, Lucy replied tentatively, "Well, I guess it's pretty serious between the two of you."

"You could say," he answered with a smile he couldn't suppress.

"You be good to her or I will personally make your life miserable," she threatened. "And you know I can do it. Ask Myles."

"If I should ever make her unhappy, you have my permission to sic Randy on me," he answered. "Good enough for you?"

She looked at him for a moment. "Yeah."

Walking towards their office, Lucy asked Bobby, "Now that you're very good friends, have you thought about what you're getting Sue for Christmas?"

"Christmas?" he asked in surprise. "Already?"

"If you notice, there are holiday decorations everywhere you go," she pointed out dryly. "Remember the mistletoe that started everything? Mistletoe…Christmas, you know how they go together."

Bobby looked stricken. "I never gave it a thought. I've been so wrapped up in Sue and the case, I didn't even think about it."

"Well, you have nine days to ponder it," she said as they entered the bullpen, "and come up with the perfect gift!"

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