The Long Winding Road: pt. 1 By: The Confused One

Rating: I'm going to go with PG-13 on this one.

A/N: This story isn't going to end up even close to what you think it's going to be. It's certainly not a song fic, the song title just fit. LOL This is going to be a long bumpy fic, so settle in for the ride, and please remember to review.

Disclaimer: Nope, sorry, don't have any money, and I certainly don't own any of this. Please don't sue. LOL

Bobby paced on the roof of a hotel. He looked down to see if someone was finally showing up. In frustration, he started pacing again. Alex soothingly whispered through the microphone, "You think you could be anymore wound up?"

Bobby smiled. He stopped knowing that Alex was right as usual. He replied, "Sorry, I just don't like waiting."

Alex whispered back in understanding, "I know. I don't either, but just calm down a little, for Ryan."

Bobby closed his eyes seeing the boy they were too late to save. He scowled and replied, "I'm trying. You know that. I just don't have a good feeling about tonight."

Alex felt guilty now. She knew he blamed himself. She remorsefully replied, "I know. I'm sorry."

Bobby gestured as he dejectedly replied, "I should have been there to, to stop him. We knew that they knew."

Alex took a deep breath. She replied, "You can't be everywhere. You can't control people Bobby. Stop beating yourself up because of what happened."

Bobby nodded. He knew she was right. He couldn't expect himself to be everywhere at once, but as usual, he felt such guilt. He replied, "I know."

Alex understood. He didn't have to finish his thoughts. She felt the same guilt. She was just trying to use the fire for good. She was just glad that he was onboard with the sting at all. They all knew it was risky. They had no way of knowing what they knew, and Bobby didn't want to risk someone else's life and feel responsible for them too. It was only when Alex had told him that he could be up there himself that he agreed to do it at all. She soothingly replied, "They're going to pay."

Bobby nodded. He noticed a dark colored car pull into the lot. Three men stepped out. Bobby distractedly spoke to Alex, "They're here. There are three of them. Get ready."

Alex cryptically replied, "Got it. Stay cool."

Bobby smiled. Cool was something he did well, and they both knew it. He watched as one of the guys got back in the car, another one stood guard at the door, and the third one disappeared inside. He figured that he would be the one he'd be dealing with. Bobby stood calm, and he watched the elevator waiting for the Cuban to emerge.

The elevator doors opened, and a well-dressed gentleman stepped off. He had a briefcase in his hands. The gentleman walked over to Bobby and took his hand. He spoke, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Thompson."

Bobby returned the smile and gesture. He coolly replied, "I've been looking forward to this myself Mr. Santos. Do you have the money?"

Mr. Santos smiled. He held up the briefcase. He replied, "Yes, but I think we'll be keeping both."

With that Bobby suddenly realized what was about to go down. He immediately grabbed for Santos' gun. They began scuffling for control of the gun. Bobby gritted his teeth and even with the fighting was able to say, "I'm a cop."

This seemed to only make Santos fight harder. He managed to rip Bobby's shirt open and pull off the wire! Santos backed Bobby up to the edge of the roof. Not realizing there was a brick behind him Bobby slipped sending them both harrowing over the edge of the building!

Alex panicked when she heard Bobby's strained admission to being a cop. She knew then it had all gone bad. She immediately jumped out of the SUV and began running full speed towards the building, but it was too late. Alex, with swarms of uniformed cops behind her, saw the parking lot was empty. In a blind panic she headed, at top speed again, to the roof thinking Bobby was still up there. She didn't even notice the two pools of blood below the roof.