Misconduct: Chapter 9

By: The Confused One

A/N: I certainly hope the shippers like this chapter. I'm setting up for the final two to three chapters. I have a surprise in store.

Most of the walk to the pastry shop was in a heavy sort of silence. Alex just wanted to hug him and make it better. She could tell he was beginning to let it really eat at him. It worried her. She held back slightly. She was afraid what would happen after such strong contact would do. It was hard enough when he leaned over her shoulder or they touched hands. Since Jennifer's accusations, she had become even more keenly aware of it all. Somehow what they were going through heightened the experience. Walking, Alex assumed it was probably because of how much they missed each other. Bobby hadn't been at work in days, and Alex was feeling it. She knew Bobby was too. Finally, she spoke weakly, trying to assure him, "Huffines at least seemed interested in the tape and what was on it. Hensley though seemed to want to pretend it didn't exist."

Bobby sighed. He quietly commented, "Figures."

Alex was sure he hadn't meant for her to hear that last part, but she had. She quipped, "I heard that."

Bobby smiled slightly. He gestured and elaborated, "Hensley seems to be in charge. Huffines takes his lead. It's not really helpful to have him believe the tape. It's not going to do any good."

Worried, Alex, insisted, "Hey. Don't do that. You don't know what's going to go on up there. No matter what happens next, we'll handle it."

Stopping, Bobby admitted, "That's what I'm afraid of."

Confused, Alex turned to face him. She demanded an explanation, "What's going on with you?"

Bobby looked at the sidewalk. He really didn't want to have to explain. He cryptically answered, "Nothing. I promise."

Shaking her head, Alex persisted, "No. Something is wrong. Talk to me Goren. Please."

Bobby finally looked her in the eyes again. He confessed, "I'm still worried about you. I don't want you putting your career at risk here. I know how much it means to you."

Alex sighed loudly. Shaking her head, she argued, "Has it ever occurred to you that you mean more to me than anything in the world?"

Bobby met her eyes again. It had taken him by surprise. He almost dared to hope it meant what he wanted it to mean. He always knew Alex cared, but he always assumed it was just as a friend and partner. Her words gave him hope that there was more. He wasn't about to test his theory though. He stumbled through his words, "I. I just mean… I don't want you getting hurt."

Alex nodded. She understood his need and desire to protect her. She tried to reason with him, "I promise nothing bad is going to happen to me. Besides, I'm an Eames. I'm supposed to get into trouble with the NYPD."

Her underhanded slight against herself wasn't lost on Bobby. Alex began walking again. They were almost at the pastry shop. Catching up, Bobby commented, "You are not your father, and he's not a bad guy."

Alex nodded. She agreed, "I never said I was or he was. He was just trying to take care of my mom."

Opening the door for her, Bobby agreed, "Right."

Reaching the counter, Alex and Bobby ordered separately. She got a croissant, and he got two donuts. They both got coffee. Sitting down, Alex resisted the urge to touch him. She redirected the conversation back to what was bothering him, "I wish you wouldn't worry so much about me. You'll see. It's all going to work out."

Bobby started tearing his donuts apart and commented, "I hope so."

Alex took a deep breath. He was trying her patience for the day. Reaching over, she touched his face. He met her eyes. She tried again, "Deakins, you, and I are all going to make it out of this fine. Have a little faith."

Bobby smiled slightly. With her hand so close, he wanted to lean over a little himself and kiss her. He settled for calling a truce, "You're right. I have no reason for pessimism. I'm fine. I promise."

It was then that Gregory decided to make his entrance. He instantly recognized the two detectives. He stood almost stunned to see how close they were. Had Eames lied to him? He was beginning to wonder. Irritation grew within him. They were going to be free to continue whatever was going on between them without any concrete proof. Walking towards them, he watched Alex put her hand down and pull away back to sitting upright in her seat. He made his presence known, "Hello Detectives."

Bobby and Alex exchanged guilty glances before looking at Gregory. Alex began, "Hi."

Gregory decided to try desperately to forget what he saw just moments before, mostly because he could feel the groan they were both sharing at seeing him there. Cutting the chitchat Gregory almost grudgingly offered them news, "We talked to Jennifer Irving. Huffines is writing up the report now. She corroborated the tape. You're cleared."

Bobby smiled. He genially thanked the man in front of them. Hensley walked away towards the counter. Bobby finally looked at Alex. They were both beaming. Keenly aware of Gregory, Bobby and Alex desperately avoided touching each other in any way. Bobby held Alex's gaze. He whispered, "Thank you."

Alex smiled softly. She nodded and accepted his words. Grabbing their trash, they threw it out and hurried out of the shop, as Gregory stewed and ordered.

Walking back towards the office Bobby and Alex beamed. Most of the walk was again quiet. This time they were savoring the moment of victory. Alex was thinking of ways to celebrate, several involved surprising Bobby. She spoke first, "I wish you would stay today. I miss having you across from me."

Bobby smiled. It was nice to hear things like that. His insecure side needed to hear it sometimes. He didn't want to leave anymore than she wanted him to, but he wasn't supposed to be there at all. Most of all, he hated the idea of disappointing Alex. He tried to let her down gently, "I want to too. I've missed you so much. I just. I can't. You know that. I'm suspended."

Alex wanted her partner back desperately, so she pushed, "No one is going to say anything if you sit at your desk and talk to me."

Bobby sighed. He insisted, "Hensley and Huffines would have a lot to say about it if I stayed."

Not wanting no for an answer, Alex snapped a little, "Well, who is going to tell them?"

Bobby reminded her, "They'll be bringing Deakins a copy of the paperwork today. I'll be back in two days max. You know what. What…"

Alex knew he was right. She interrupted, "I'm sorry. You're right."

Reaching the door, Bobby and Alex stopped. Facing each other, Bobby asked, "You'll call me later?"

Alex nodded. She promised, "Of course. I promise. I guess I should go tell Deakins."

Bobby nodded. Taking a step back, Bobby only wished he could get closer. He wanted to touch her. He wanted to kiss her, again. He agreed, "Yeah. And tell him I went home, to avoid getting anyone into trouble."

Alex nodded. Bobby watched as she turned and walked inside. With a sigh, he headed to his car. He couldn't understand it. It didn't make any sense to him. He had long since noticed and accepted the tension between them, but he couldn't explain why it had suddenly gotten so intense the last few days. Was it stress? Where they just missing each other that much? It just didn't make sense to his analytical mind. It occurred to him that they should talk about it. He knew she felt it too, but he was scared to death. As much as he could see it from her too, he still feared rejection. He always feared rejection. A rejection from Alex would kill him. It was safer to love from afar. Yes, he had also long since recognized that he did, in fact, love Alex. He had no way of knowing how deep her feelings were, but he was petrified of the idea that they were no where near as deep. It paralyzed him from talking about it. He could tell that Alex was also apparently not comfortable with the subject either. They both ignored it, danced around the subject. It was as if they believed that if they ignored it long enough it would go away. Bobby was beginning to wonder if it wasn't just getting stronger instead. He also feared that one day he wasn't going to be able to stop himself. He was going to actually kiss her and she wouldn't be ready for it. It would destroy everything that had worked so long to build. Or worse, he would end up doing it in public and the wrong person would see it. Yeah, Bobby realized he was going to have to have a talk he wasn't sure he was ready for.