The Long and Winding Road

By: The Confused One

A/N: Well, there is only one more chapter after this, so I hope everyone likes it. Enjoy, and please review. Thanks.

As Bobby got swarmed with paramedics and other cops, he stepped back. Snapping out of his shock and revelry, he went desperately searching for Alex and Hayley.

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Alex held Hayley for dear life still. Hayley finally began calming down and stopped shaking. Kate was holding her twins. Jamie stood aside, in shock. Kate looked over at her older daughter and called for her, "Jamie, come here."

Bursting into tears, she held her mother for dear life. Alex looked over at Kate. She finally found her voice, "I'm so sorry Kate."

Kate shook her head. She tried to make her sister understand, "We'll be alright."

Cops and medical personnel swarmed the room. Alex assured them, "We'll all fine."

Nikolas made sure they all focused on the dead man in the room. That's when Alex looked up to see Bobby running into the room. She watched his eyes go from a bloody Hayley to her. Locking eyes with him, she could see the momentary panic, and she assured him, "We're all OK."

Nodding, he got down on his knees and hugged them both. He kissed Alex's temple. Suddenly, he could imagine what had happened. Pulling away, he looked over at Kate and her three children. He thanked God everyone was OK.

Alex locked eyes with Bobby again. She could see something had happened. Alex didn't regret shooting the man who was holding her daughter at gunpoint, but Bobby was struggling with something. She could sense it. She finally asked, "What's wrong?"

Deciding he had tell her eventually, replied, "Nicole. I was worried that everyone wasn't OK. Nicole said she sent someone to kill them all. I was worried they beat you here."

Alex swallowed hard. She wasn't going to lie. She admitted, "He did almost beat us. He had Hayley. I had to shoot him."

Bobby nodded. He revealed, "I killed Nicole."

Alex eyes widened. Worried, she asked, "Are you OK?"

Bobby brushed it off, "Yeah. I'm fine. She pulled her gun. It was justified. I tried every time. She just couldn't ever get past her past."

Alex nodded slowly. She didn't even notice Nikolas walk over. He reminded them, "We've got this. You should take them home. We can get their statements and your reports later."

Bobby nodded. He watched Alex scoop Hayley up. He looked at Kate, and commented, "We're going to take you to your parent's house. Everyone is there."

Kate nodded. Standing, she encouraged her children, "We're going home guys."

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Bobby sat in a chair in the back of the room. He watched as Alex and her family reunited and talked and shed a few tears. He was, mostly, happy. Alex's family was the closest to a real family he had ever had. He was just relieved to be watching Kate relaxing and getting past what happened. He was relieved to know that the children were upstairs trying to sleep some of their trauma. A part of him feared Hayley would be in therapy for the rest of her life trying to get over what her parents had allowed to happen. Kate finally sauntered over to where he was sitting, she offered, "Come on. Join us."

Bobby smiled. Confusing Kate greatly, he replied, "I like watching. I like seeing a normal family."

Kate teasingly replied, "Which, married to my sister or not, you're a part of."

Bobby was surprised as Kate went back into the crowd. Locking eyes with Alex, he willed her over to him. Getting the message, Alex made her way over. She smiled and replied, "What are you doing over here hiding?"

Bobby sighed and whispered, "I think Kate knows."

Confused, Alex asked, "Knows what?"

Bobby tilted his head and replied, "That we're not married."

Alex was surprised. Looking over at Kate, she replied, "We should tell everyone. She shouldn't be the one to spread it around."

Bobby nodded. This wasn't going to be fun. He still wondered how Kate had found out. Was it the lack of wedding rings, finally? Was it Nicole? He was brought back to reality by Alex announcing, "Uh. I think everyone should sit down. As horrible as all of this has been, there is something else."

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Walking out to the car, Alex was simultaneously relieved and worried at the same time. Her family had taken the news incredibly well, and everything would work out there. She decided she needed to talk to Bobby about their future, now that everyone knew everything. Things could and probably needed to change. Then Deakins had called. He needed to talk to them. It didn't sound good. Alex was sure it was news that she and Bobby were being split up. She was confused. She had been sure Bobby had been right behind her. Heading back inside, Bobby appeared at the door. He smiled. She asked, "Ready?"

Bobby nodded and followed her out to the car. He asked, "Are you OK?"

Alex nodded a little. She wouldn't admit it, but she was more worried about him. She knew killing Nicole had to cause some emotions for him. She was confused by how they hadn't so far. She finally replied, "Yeah. I'm fine. I'm. I'm more worried about you."

He reassured her, "Alex. I didn't have a choice, and she behind killing our son and almost killed our daughter. I don't have any regrets."

Alex nodded, accepting his response. With a sigh, she got in the car and started the engine.

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Knocking on Deakins door, they heard him call them in. Seeing two other people in his office, Alex anxiously greeted everyone, "Hi."

Deakins watched as Bobby and Alex walked in. Trying to make things easier, he introduced everyone, "Detectives Carolyn Barek and Mike Logan, this is Detectives Bobby Goren and Alex Eames." Looking at Bobby and Alex, he directed the next part to them, "Sorry guys. The brass wants you split up. Eames, you're with Barek. Goren, you're with Logan. I guess that's it. Everyone can get settled tomorrow."

Carolyn Barek could see the disappointment on their face. She had heard the story, and it was obvious to her that they had hoped an exception would be made for them. She hesitantly introduced herself, "Hi. I've heard good things about you both."

Alex sighed and shook her hand. She could tell Carolyn had picked up on how she and Bobby felt about having to get new partners. Alex tried to put her at ease, "Nice to meet you. I'm sure we're going to work out just fine."

Bobby on the other hand, proceeded to size up Mike. He had heard the rumors. Of course, he knew that was a bit hypocritical. It wasn't like there weren't plenty of rumors about him. He'd play nice and make Alex happy. Shaking Mike's hand, Bobby replied, "Nice to meet you."

Mike smiled. He'd give Bobby a chance. It wasn't like he didn't have his own reputation, "Likewise."

Deakins was relieved. No one was pitching fits. Maybe this would go smoothly. Interrupting, he addressed Bobby and Alex again, "I'm glad everyone is OK. I expect to meet Hayley soon."

Alex smiled. She assured him, "Yeah and you can see the house. We'll have you and Angie over this next week."

Bobby smiled. They hadn't had anyone over to eat but Alex's family. It would be a nice change. He agreed, "It'll be nice. I'll cook. She can't cook."

Alex slapped at his arm. She argued, "Excuse me? I can cook. I just might not be some master chef like you."

Deakins smiled. It was good to see them as close to normal as they had been in months. He also filled them in, "Sounds like a plan. It seems everyone has taken plea bargains and spilled their guts for Trevor and Harrison. So it's pretty much all over."

Bobby nodded. He replied, "Good."

Deakins nodded too. He dismissed the four, "You guys get out of here. I'll see you all tomorrow."

Watching everyone leave, he turned to Deakins again. He asked, "Can I ask you something?"

Confused, Deakins shakily replied, "Sure."

Alex stopped and watched Bobby carefully. Seeing his nod, she knew he wanted to be alone, and she figured she'd get it out of him sooner or later. With a sigh, she closed the door and found Mike and Carolyn still milling about. She smiled.

Carolyn offered, "I know this is the last thing you and Goren wanted…"

Alex smiled and interrupted her, "It's alright. Maybe new partners will be good for us."

Carolyn smiled. She replied, "Good. Because I really don't want to come into the middle of some complicated, thing."

Alex smiled still. She assured her, "No. No. It's all good. We were ready for this. We kind of expected it. I'm sorry if we didn't exactly give you two rousing welcomes. We might have expected it, but we were sort of hoping. Anyway, it'll work out."

Mike nodded and agreed, "I hope so."

Hearing Deakins door open, Alex turned to face Bobby. She smiled and inquired, "What was that about?"

Bobby smiled and cryptically answered, "You'll find out later. Don't worry about it. It's nothing bad."

Alex rolled her eyes. She suspected she wasn't going to get anymore out of him, so she turned back to Mike and Carolyn. She excused them, "Well, I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow. I have to see if I can get this big secret from him."

They both smiled as they walked to the elevators. Carolyn and Mike watched them with interest. They both know they were about to walk into some craziness. They were both looking forward to it. It was going to be fun.