Misconduct: Chapter 10
By: The Confused One
A/N: So this chapter is much shorter than I meant. It means this story will have an extra chapter or two. I hope you all enjoy.
Reaching his car and with his mind made up, Bobby pressed number one on his phone and held it, till Alex's cell number popped up. It took a moment, but she finally answered, sort of surprised, "Bobby?"
Bobby smiled at her voice. He responded, "Yeah. Hey. Look, I was wondering… could you come by my place tonight?"
Walking into the major case bullpen, Alex was surprised by his question. She had been planning a surprise for him, but this would work for her. She smiled and sat down at her desk. She answered, "Yeah. Sure. I'll see you tonight then?"
Bobby smiled too. He had begun to worry about her hesitation. He happily replied, "See you tonight then."
Alex hung up. Seeing that no one was in Deakins office but him, Alex got up to go tell him what Hensley had told her and Bobby.
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Getting back to their office, Gregory handed Dennis his food. He filled Dennis in, "I ran into Goren and Eames at the pastry shop. I went ahead and told them."
Dennis nodded. He pointed to the food, "Thanks." Then he pointed to the computer and explained, "I just hope we don't get too many questions about this report."
Gregory, confused, demanded, "What do you mean?"
Dennis shrugged and explained, "Questions like why this didn't end the moment we heard the tape."
Gregory sighed. He got the feeling that Dennis had been a little too honest for his taste in the report. He questioned Dennis further, "What about how they got the tape to begin with?"
Dennis didn't understand Gregory's attitude at all. It was like his dislike for Goren was blinding him from all the facts. Dennis accusingly asked, "What does that matter?"
Gregory, frustrated, argued, "Because it's probably inadmissible and it definitely wasn't taken through the proper channels. They didn't get permission to set up that meeting or tape it."
Dennis dismissed Gregory's worry, "It's over now Greg. No use worrying about it now."
Gregory sighed, again. He was getting a headache. He should have known better than to leave Dennis alone with the report. Gregory added, "When I saw them, they were awfully cozy."
Dennis hit print. He half ignored Gregory's suspicions and half rejected them, "They've been partners for a long time, and I'm sure this has been stressful Greg. Leave them alone."
Gregory had a hard time with that. Even he saw it. There was just something about Goren that plain irritated Gregory. With a sigh, he promised, "I'll back off."
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Alex Eames had waited most of the day for this. When she had called him in the afternoon, he had promised her a nice meal and they had set a time. She smiled. She was truly happy. She loved spending time with Bobby. Though she usually had to try to put certain thoughts out of her head when they spent time together, this included work. She had long since decided she loved Bobby Goren, but she wasn't sure how to tell him. It had to be done just right. She was thinking that maybe tonight was the right night for it to happen. It would be just about perfect.
Alex finally knocked on the door. Bobby smiled as he opened the door. He, of course, thought she looked beautiful. He managed to say, "Hi."
Alex smiled back. She couldn't help but notice how good his cologne smelled. She replied back, "Hi."
Goren just took her in for a moment before remembering that they were still in his doorway. Stepping aside, he invited her in, "Come in."
Bobby helped her out of her coat. Alex almost laughed. Something felt very weird to her. They were… this was way too formal for her taste. It was almost like, a date. She shrugged it off and focused on Bobby who was returning from putting her coat up. She inquired, "Since you seem to be the one planning the evening, you mind filling me in?"
Bobby was nervous. He was doubting again. Forcing it aside, he smiled. He loved it when she joked. He quickly answered, "We'll just see what happens."
Alex smiled and sat down. That hadn't been much of an answer, but she figured she'd find out more as they went along. Something told her he was planning something. She simply answered, "OK."
Bobby took a deep breath. He couldn't chicken out now. He was really beginning to want a drink. Maybe she did too, "Do you want some wine?"
Alex nodded. Wine seemed rather formal, but she'd have some anyway, "Sure. Wine is good."
Bobby smiled. Good. Wine would make this easier. Alex followed him into the kitchen. He announced, "Dinner will be ready in about five minutes."
Alex smiled and nodded. Her curiosity got to her, again. She had to know, "So, what are we having?"
Bobby arched his eyebrows slightly. He wasn't sure he wanted to tell her. Now that he was in the moment, it seemed a little silly… possibly embarrassing. He wasn't sure what her reaction would be. He admitted, "Roast duck."
Alex too the wine glass and laughed. She was sure he wasn't serious. He couldn't possibly be serious. It was way too much. She playfully asked, "You're not serious are you?"
Bobby nodded slightly. He knew it was extravagant, but at the time it had seemed the perfect way to impress her. Now he just felt ridiculous. He hesitantly confessed, "Yeah. It's duck."
Alex stepped back slightly. While she appreciated the effort she didn't understand it. She didn't dare dream it was his way of showing his true feelings. She watched him finish the glass of wine already. She took a sip of hers. Studying him for a moment, she inquired, "Bobby, what is this? What's going on here?"
Bobby sighed. He knew he needed to just come out with it. He began to confess, "I guess. I guess that's why I asked you here tonight. I had an ulterior motive, not just the good news."
Alex face fell. She was in shock. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She heart skipped a beat. Was he really doing this? Was he really the one who was going to start this conversation? She knew it had to happen eventually, but she had always assumed she'd be the one who would have to initiate it. She never dreamed he would. She finally spoke, "I think I know where this is going…"
Bobby was getting agitated now. He was afraid of what she might say. He couldn't let her finish her sentence before he said his peace. He interrupted, "No. I need to say this Alex. I've needed to say it for a while now. I'm in love with you. I love everything about you. Things between us lately have been…"
Alex took a deep breath. She finished her wine now too. The words were out, and she was at a lost, till he got to the end of the sentence. She interrupted his now, "Electric. Bobby, I love you too. I've been feeling it just as much as you have."
That was it. Bobby lost all self-control. Moving towards her, he put his hand in her hair. He pulled her closer. His other hand found itself on the small of her back. The kisses were deep and hungry. They both wanted to stay in that moment for forever.
It was the oven timer that startled them back to reality. They separated and met each others eyes. They laughed. Watching Bobby take the duck out of the oven, Alex smiled. She decided he'd never live this stupid duck down. Watching him carve the duck, she knew she just wanted to enjoy the evening and not worry about where it would lead to. It was going to go where it was going to go. She wasn't going to push anything or stop anything. Thinking too much would ruin it. She was going to have to make sure Bobby didn't think too much either. Getting Goren to stop analyzing and just feel was going to be no easy feat, but Alex set out to do it.