Chapter 10

Disclaimer: These are Dick's, and he loves them very much.

Alex walked to the elevators, acutely aware that Bobby was following her. If he didn't want this baby then fine, he didn't have to be there. But she just couldn't imagine that he'd do something like that. He was a little out there, but he was a sweet guy once you got to know him. And this baby, while completely unexpected, was not a bad thing. She could deal. And this time, Alex thought to herself ruefully, she wouldn't have to hand it over to some one else. Bobby cleared his throat behind her, trying to get her attention.

"Bobby, I'm not discussing this here. Follow me home when we get out and we'll talk then." Alex stepped onto the elevator and pressed down.

"Where are you going?" Bobby held the elevator door open, waiting for her response.

"I'm out of crackers." She pushed his hand away from the door and they mercifully shut. Sometimes he could be annoying. Why didn't he just come back last night if he wanted to talk? God knows she was up. Poor Carolyn sat up with her all night, trying to make her laugh by describing the amusing qualities this child could be born with. The elevator reached the ground level, the doors opening up to reveal Carolyn and Mike.

"Eames, come with us." Mike grabbed her arm and gently steered her towards the exit.

"Easy, Mike. I need more crackers. It's about all I can stomach right now." Alex covered her mouth with her hand, remembering what Bobby had said last night before he stormed out.

"Chill, Eames. He told me. Has he talked to you yet?

"No. Well, he wants to, but I don't want to discuss it here. I don't even want to discuss it now. And you guys need to make yourselves less conspicuous when you're trying to eavesdrop on someone." Alex raised her eyebrow at Carolyn, who blushed.

"Sorry, Alex. You know, he wants you to keep it." Carolyn looked at Mike, who was nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, that's what he told me. So you don't have anything to worry about. Except Deakins."

"Deakins knows!" Alex looked between the two of them in disbelief.

"No, he knows something's up though. I think he's just worried that he going to have to stick Goren and I together again." Mike smirked at Alex. "Just watch it. Talk to him and stop acting weird."

Meanwhile, back on the 11th floor…

Bobby sat back down at his desk, looking in the garbage can. Alex had thrown out her saltine wrappers.

"What are we looking at?" Deakins had come up behind Bobby. Deakins followed Bobby's eyes to the garbage can. "Saltines? Please tell me they're yours."

"Uh, no sir. They are not." Bobby shifted in his seat, getting back to his paperwork.

"She's pregnant again? God love her. I know she was upset after – "

"Well, I don't know sir. If she is, she hasn't said anything yet. I've got to finish this for Carver, if you don't mind." Bobby looked up at Deakins, who was giving him a weird look.

"Well, okay Goren. I'll let you get back to it." Deakins went back into his office. Bobby exhaled loudly. This would not go well.