Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I'm just using them for a second; I'll give em back, Dick.

Also, the song is "Beautiful" by The Smashing Pumpkins

Alex unlocked the door to her apartment and stepped aside to let Bobby in after her. It had been a silent car ride, except for the music, a song that poked at Bobby's ever-churning mind.

"…And I'm sure you know me well, as I'm sure you don't. You just can't tell who you'll love and who you won't love…"

"Mind if I use the bathroom?" Bobby didn't wait for a response. He ignored the shocked look on his partner's face and shut the door behind him. He sat down on the ledge of the bathtub and cradled his head in his hands. She had wanted a new partner. But now she didn't, or so she said. It had been a long week; his mother had been toyed with by the defense's private investigator. Alex looked concerned but…it caused him to doubt everything between them. And it made him mad. Why didn't she at least warn him? All four detectives were well aware of the defense's tactics. He went to the sink and stared into his own brown eyes, filled with a rage he didn't want to have. And he certainly didn't want to direct it at Alex.

Alex walked quietly past the bathroom door on her way to the bedroom. She listened for a second, hearing nothing. What was he doing in there?

"Bobby, are you all right?" No response.

Bobby? Pizza – yea or nay?" The door opened. "Pizza is fine," Bobby said coolly before passing by her to the living room, turning on the TV. Alex started back to the bedroom to change out of her work clothes. Okay, he was hurt. She could understand that. But she was still here now, as a partner and a friend. She heard a throat clear behind her. She whirled around, the sweatshirt she was about to put on over he camisole falling to the floor.

"Bobby – "

"Did I scare you, Eames? I scared you in the beginning, and I'm scaring you now."

"Bobby, I just wasn't – "

"How could you not tell me?" He enunciated every word in a voice rife with pain and anger.

"Bobby, I forgot about it. I'm sorry – "

"Well you can forget it. I – I'm going. Forget about it. You wanted a new one, you got one." He turned to retrieve his coat from the kitchen, leaving Eames speechless in her bedroom. She ran after him and yanked him back by his collar. He turned suddenly, about to elbow her off of him when he stopped himself. She looked at him, rage flashing in her eyes now.

"Get out." She pushed him out the door and slammed it behind him.