Chapter 23

Disclaimer: See previous

Alex and Bobby crept out of the nursery and went into the living room. Bobby sat down on one end of the couch, Alex on the other.

"So…how was the date?"

"Eh, it did not go well. But that's not what I want to talk about."

"Oh, you're going to talk?" Alex knew she was being mean. She was still mad though. Considering Bobby's choices in women, she knew this one probably had supermodel good looks. Seven straight months in the gym and she still couldn't lose her tummy. Damn c-section.

"Yes, I'm going to talk." Bobby's voice was sharp. It wasn't easy for him to talk and she knew it. "Carolyn told me something last night. And I'd like to know if it's true." Bobby looked over at Alex. She averted her eyes and stared intently at the baby monitor. "She said you were in love with me."

Thanks, Carolyn… "Yes."

Bobby was startled. He was sure she'd put up a fight. She turned to him suddenly.

"But you're in love with me too. Lewis told me." Back to the baby monitor.

"Yes." They both sat in silence for a moment. Bobby heard Alex snicker. A grin started to spread across his face. Alex's snickering exploded into full- blown laughter, and Bobby joined her in it.

"We are really immature aren't we?" Alex wiped tears away from her face.

"Uh, yeah. We are." Bobby slid closer to Alex on the couch. Alex met him in the middle. "Can I ask you a serious question?"

"Shoot."

"When did you realize…"

"The night your mom died. When I had to pick you up." Bobby's eyes grew misty over the thought of his mother. "It just solidified itself the night I had Meredith. That kiss. I know it was meant for my cheek, but it just felt so right, you know?" Bobby knew. "What about you?"

Bobby had to pinpoint the exact moment. "When they introduced me to Bishop. Then I knew. It just wasn't losing you as a partner while you were gone. It was so many other things. I was going to miss putting an entire bag of sugar in your coffee, the pen tapping, and all those little things. Then I realized it wasn't a partner thing – it was a I'm seriously in love with this woman thing…and I'm not supposed to be." Bobby looked down at Alex, who was slowly nodding in agreement.

"Yeah. What do you want to do about it? We could get split up."

"True, but we might luck out, get Logan and Barek."

"We could only hope." Alex looked up at Bobby and returned his gaze. He leaned down tentatively.

"Are you going to kiss me?" Alex bit back a smile.

Bobby raised his eyebrow. "I was going to."

"Good." Alex reached up and brought his face down to hers, their lips meeting.

Dominique Daniela Studio…

A week later and Bobby and Alex had finally gotten their shit together, so to speak. Alex was recounting the story to Carolyn as she tried on wedding dresses.

"You guys are totally seventh grade. Do I look too top heavy in this?" Caroline had on a dress with lots of ruching on top. "Eww, I do." Carolyn started taking the dress off. The girl who was helping them came back in.

"I have two more dresses waiting for you, but I have a family emergency I have to take care of right now. I sincerely apologize. Miss St. Clair will be in to assist you momentarily."

"That's okay. You do what you have to do. Take care." Carolyn turned back to the rack of dresses as the girl slipped out of the dressing room. Meredith awoke from her nap and started fussing. Alex picked up the baby and started pacing the floor with her, carefully avoiding the satin creation Carolyn was holding up for her approval.

"Yes, try that one on. So then we kissed and…well that was it. And in true seventh grade fashion we're together now."

"Are you happy now?" Carolyn's voice was muffled under the dress she was struggling with.

"Well, it looks like you've found your dress." Carolyn froze under the dress. That voice… Alex turned to the woman who'd just entered the room. Tall, thin, redheaded, piercing blue eyes- not bad. Alex shifted the baby to her other hip. The woman walked over to Carolyn and helped her find opening. Carolyn's mussed curls popped out and she turned to the woman assisting her. Willa. Oh, Jesus, what were the odds?

"Officer Barek! Pleased to make your acquaintance again." Willa eyed the other woman with her. "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?" Carolyn got over her initial shock.

"Why yes, Willa. And by the way, it's Detective Barek. This is Detective Alex Eames, and her daughter Meredith." Carolyn paused for a moment. "Detective Goren's daughter." Willa turned to look at the baby. Hmm, spitting image. Alex ignored Willa and sat down to start feeding the baby.

"Just don't get anything on these dresses. We're not insured for baby spit up." Willa turned on her heel and click-clacked on out of there.

"Start bouncing her around and use one of the dresses as a bib." Carolyn smoothed the dress she was wearing. "It's a shame this dress is so damn perfect. I don't want to give her the satisfaction of my well earned cop money."

Alex giggled at the thought of Meredith projectile vomiting on Willa and her Chanel suit. She looked up and regarded Carolyn's dress. It was a stunning antique ivory color with lace running around the hem of the dress. There was a subtle v – neck front and a not so subtle v-neck back with the same lace décor. "Carolyn, that dress is amazing. I don't care if that woman is such a bitch – spend that cop money!" Carolyn made an indecisive face. "You know this is the one. Don't let her keep you from it."

"You're right." Carolyn turned in the mirror. "I love the back of it. All of our pictures will be from the back." She and Alex laughed and struggled to get Carolyn out of the dress. They walked up to the front counter with the dress. Carolyn whipped out her credit card and signed the slip. Willa said nothing the entire time. "You don't have to be so rude."

"You didn't have to arrest me."

"You didn't have to open your mouth in the first place."

"Okay, okay, stop it! Apologize to each other now." Alex rocked the baby in her stroller and waited. "And you can apologize to me for the spit up crack too." Alex waited.

"I'm sorry for being rude. To both of you." Willa took the credit slip back from Carolyn and handed her card back.

"I'm sorry for arresting you." Alex and Carolyn made their way out of the store.

"Good luck with him." Willa looked at Alex and then hurried back to the dressing room. Alex and Carolyn looked at each other.

"Wow. She has a heart. Who the hell knew?" Carolyn slung her dress over her shoulder as they made their way to One Police Plaza.

One Police Plaza…

"Goren, my office now." Deakins stuck his head out to get Bobby's attention. Bobby got up and walked in and sat down.

"All right. What's going on?" Deakins looked expectantly at Bobby.

"I'm sorry, sir?" Bobby looked at Deakins. He and Alex hadn't said anything about their decision to become a couple. Again, just the usual suspects were aware.

"Well, there's a rumor going around that you and Eames are…let's just say Meredith will have a Mommy and Daddy who love each other." Deakins ran that sentence back over in his head. Oh, that sounded lame.

Bobby tried not to laugh. "Um, well, sir. It's true." Deakins inhaled and exhaled in defeat.

"Well, it's gotten to the top, this rumor. They want me to split you up." Deakins hazarded a glance at Bobby. Bobby nodded, understandingly.

"I understand. We discussed it."

"This is the line up…I really wish Eames was here to hear this. Okay, You and Logan. Eames is with Barek."

"Okay. I'll let her know, or would you like to tell her? And just one other thing – who started the rumor?"

"You know I'm not at liberty to discuss that, Detective." Bobby nodded. "I'll tell her when she comes in tomorrow. Where is she today anyway? She never uses her vacation days."

"Wedding dress shopping with Carolyn. The weddings in two months." Bobby got a message alert on his phone. Bobby smiled. Deakins knew it was from Eames. Man, was he in love with her. "She's actually down in the lobby with the baby now. It's time for my lunch. Carolyn's with her."

"Well, let's go. That kid is adorable – good job Goren." Bobby chuckled. They made their way down to the lobby where Alex and Carolyn waited. They noticed Deakins was with Bobby as he got off the elevator.

"Eames, Barek." Deakins patted Carolyn on the shoulder. "Congratulations! I just got the invite." Carolyn beamed.

"Thank you sir. And I'll look forward to seeing you there."

"While I have the two of you here, I'd like to tell you something very important."

Alex sighed and looked at Bobby. "We're being split up, aren't we?"

Deakins looked at Alex, shocked. "Uh, yeah. Goren and Logan. And you and Barek are being teamed up together."

"I figured as much." Alex pursed her lips and looked at Carolyn.

"How did you know it was coming?" Bobby looked at her curiously.

"It was an anonymous tip. That was how you found out? Right?" Alex looked at Deakins.

"Well…you're not supposed to know that. But yes, it did." Alex shook her head angrily. She turned back to Carolyn. "Willa." Carolyn's eyes went wide and Bobby's stomach dropped. "She knows you and Bobby, and I'll bet she put two and two together about him and I. That's what her comment was all about. What a bitch." Deakins looked at Alex in shock. She didn't swear. Alex started again. "The tip came in not too long ago, right?" Deakins nodded. "It was Willa getting back at you for arresting her." Carolyn turned a deep red shade. Bobby bit the insides of his cheeks to keep from laughing.

Deakins looked at Carolyn. "Is this true?" He shook his head. "Nevermind, I don't want to know. This arrangement is effective next Monday. So you've got a week to clean up your respective messes. I got them to give me at least that. Good day, detectives." Deakins gave a short wave and headed back up to the eleventh floor.

Alex was still fuming. Carolyn knew it. "Hey, chill out. You got me now, babe!" Alex glared at her, but couldn't help laughing at the goofy look Carolyn made. "Come on, let's get lunch." Bobby opened the doors for them and took the stroller from Alex as the walked down the street to the diner.

A/N: I just realized I totally didn't put Mike in this chapter. Sorry about that. I'm a bit wiped out right now. Stay tuned…