Secret Betting: Chapter 8
By: The Confused One
A/N: Well, here is some Mike talking to Bobby and Carolyn talking to Alex scenes. I hope everyone likes them. I promise the humor and fluff will return in the next chapter. Please remember to read and review. Thanks.
Walking into the room, Mike allowed himself a moment to just watch Bobby. He could see his restlessness from here. He was upset and worried about the conversation he had had with Alex. Mike instantly saw and understood that. Walking up the bed, he greeted him, "Hi."
Bobby instantly asked, "Is Eames out there?"
Mike sighed and sat down. He replied, "Barek went to find her and talk to her."
Irritated, Bobby angrily replied, "She didn't let me talk. She just makes a decision and won't let me have any say in the matter."
Mike nodded. He remembered how Alex had stormed out. He didn't dare admit how much they had heard, but he did offer, "We know. Barek and I were sort of listening enough to know that she kind of stormed out of here. She won't listen, but I'm right here. What do you want Goren?"
Bobby sighed. He knew that was the question. It was what everything boiled down to. He could convince Alex to change their relationship if he was sure that it was what he wanted and that he'd be OK without her. It was the proverbial million dollar question that Bobby wasn't sure he quite had the answer to. He tried to explain it to Mike, "I know I love her, that I'm sure of. I'm also sure… we could be happy together. I also know, well, how well we work together. No one could replace her as my partner. It wouldn't be the same. We're too in tune to each other. I've gotten used to that. It's something I love about us. We don't have to work very hard to basically know what the other is thinking."
Mike sighed. Standing, Mike decided to leave him with some parting advice, "You're tired and need some rest. So I'm going to make this short. It sounds like the two of you know exactly what's going on. It's just down to what is more important to you both. What do want from each other? Do you want to stay platonic best friends and partners, or do you want to maybe get married and know you have her at home every night? Can you ultimately stay just partners and friends?"
Watching Mike leave, Bobby was struck by how right Mike was. Obviously, they had two choices, and hearing it put that way, Bobby knew which choice he wanted. He knew which choice he needed.
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Carolyn finally found Alex on the roof of the hospital. Alex was idly staring out over the city. Walking up to her carefully, Carolyn greeted her, "Mind some company?"
Alex looked at Carolyn. She knew why Carolyn had come after her. She sighed and admitted, "I didn't let him talk. I cut him off. He's probably sitting down there stewing about it right now. I was afraid of what he was going to say."
Carolyn nodded. She could understand that. It was perfectly reasonable. Carolyn tried to make sense of what Alex was feeling, "It sounds like you want to let the partnership go and try to make it as a couple."
Alex took a deep breath. She lamented, "Maybe, but it doesn't matter now. I took the noble way out. I told him. I told him I wanted to stay partners. I didn't want to walk away from what we've built. I mean, it was rough when we met, but I really believe ultimately, it was like kismet, meant to be. We're like yin and yang. Have you ever met someone and realized they are the other half of you? They complete you? That's Bobby and I. It doesn't matter if it's on a case or at having a beer at some bar. We have this uncanny ability to just be and understand each other without having to say a word. It's the rarest gift in the world, and no matter if he wants to just stay partners or if he wants more, I'll never walk away from him. I couldn't. If he just wants to stay partners, I can handle that. I can live with that. And maybe the decision will set us both free to actually get serious with other people."
Carolyn nodded. She liked hearing the glimpse into Bobby and Alex's private world, their partnership and relationship in general. She encouraged Alex, "Well, you don't know how he feels until you talk to him. You didn't let him talk before. Let him talk now."
Alex sighed. She knew Carolyn was right, and she shouldn't have taken off. She didn't need much convincing. Alex might be afraid of what he was going to say, but she knew she needed to know. She agreed, "Alright. Let's go back down."
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By the time Alex and Carolyn got back to the room, Bobby was asleep. The drugs had knocked him out. Carolyn watched Alex smile softly, sit down beside him, and hold his hand. Carolyn began wondering where Mike was. Slipping out of Bobby's room, she went looking for him.