Chapter six

A/N: Well this update is faster than the other, but ffnet was down. Eeeuuhh... I think this works. Don't want to say too much about it. One question... do you want them to go by her family to show off the car? Let me know and if many say yes... then I'll write it one. I do have a idea for the following chapter... and if I still like it, the chapter will be written quickly. But I'm not making any promises. Other ideas and suggestions are welcome.

The following morning Bobby was at Alex's door again. The thought that maybe Alex would be sleeping late hadn't occurred to him when he knocked on the door.

For the second time in two days Bobby saw Alex in her bathrobe. "Bobby." She said with a voice still gravely from sleep. "What are you doing here?"

"Good morning to you too. Get dressed we're going on a road trip." After leaving her last night he'd promised himself to cheer her up. She'd refused to share her feelings with him, though it was clear she had been upset. He hated to see her upset and so he'd come up with an idea. He was pretty sure she was going to love the first part.

He sat quietly in her kitchen while Alex got dressed. In the mornings she didn't speak much. She always needed some time to wake up and preferred to do that in silence.

"We're going to have breakfast later." He spoke.

He sat in silence and watched her make herself a cup of coffee. Patiently he waited for her to finish her coffee. Together they walked out the door, got in the elevator and exited the lobby of her apartment building. Outside he watched her reaction closely. He'd parked the car right in front so there was no way she would miss it. He was sure it was going to catch her eye. And it sure did. He saw a small smile turning into a big one as she spotted the car.

"Look at that car, Bobby!" She quickened her pace till she reached it. Leaning forward she looked through the side window. "It's beautiful." She walked round the car, taking in everything. "A '67 Camaro. It's a beauty. I'd love to have a car like that. My brothers and dad would be so jealous to see me in this one."

"Want to go make them jealous?"

"Huh?" She'd been so caught up in her admiration for the car that she'd hardly heard him.

"I asked if you wanted to go make your family jealous." He held the car keys in his hands.

She looked at him with her mouth open and Bobby couldn't ignore it. "Gonna catch flies if you keep that up." It helped and she immediately closed her mouth.

"How? This is not… Where?"

"Try to make whole sentences, Alex. It'll make more sense." He grinned at her.

Glaring at him she spoke a whole sentence. "Where did you get this car?"

"Lewis let me borrow it for one day. Told him it was for Detective Alex and you know how he would do anything for you." He threw the keys at her. "Now are we going to stand here all day and admire the car or are we going to get in and enjoy the ride?"

He didn't need to tell Alex twice to get in. She was behind the wheel before he had set a foot in the car. He had barely closed the door when Alex's foot hit the gas and off they were. To hear her laugh and see her bright smile made it all more than worthwhile. He didn't see her like this often enough. Sure she smiled at work and sure she was happy with him at work, but at this precise moment she was happy, carefree and relaxed and she looked even more beautiful than before. He let himself enjoy watching her. He realized all too well now that he was not going to give up that easily. He would fight Leo for her.

"Want to go visit your family first?"

"No, I'm enjoying this too much. What did you have in mind?"

He gave her directions, but that was all. He wanted to surprise her. A few hours later they arrived at their destination.

"Come on." Bobby said.

"What is this place?" Alex looked around as she followed Bobby to a large wooden cabin. The cabin was surrounded by woodland. It was so… peaceful.

"Is this your place?" She walked into the cabin as Bobby held the door open for her.

"Yeah… it is."

He was proud about it, she heard it in his voice. She followed him through the living room and kitchen where he opened the back door. Outside there was a large porch with a beautiful view of trees and green land. With his back against the railing and arms crossed he watched her take everything in.

"My grandparents owned this place. I… euhh… inherited it." This place held fond memories for him. It's where he could escape to. She stepped up next to him and watched the scenery.

"This was the one place where I felt at peace when I was young. My grandparents… they were always there for me. I could count on them. They showed me… that they loved me. My mother… I know she loves me, but I don't remember her ever telling me. My dad wasn't around and that was for the best. Sometimes it was hard to remember the good times, but they were there. The bad times…they could get awful. My grandparents they saw the truth, they saw the good in both of us."

She didn't know what to say. He'd never been this open with her before. He always held her at a distance, never letting her truly in. She only saw glimpses of the real him. That what he allowed her to see. Now… it was as if he was letting her in.

To lighten the mood he changed the subject. "How about that breakfast? Unfortunately no croissants or muffins. I'll make us some pancakes."

Croissants and muffins?... Did that mean…Had he send her the muffin and croissant? Opening her mouth to confront him, she noticed he'd already left her. Stepping into the kitchen and she wondered if he would give anything away. "What did you mean by that?"

"With what?" He looked up from mixing the batter.

"The muffins and croissants."

"They're your favourite breakfast. You often tell me how much you love them. How you buy one when you want to give yourself a treat." He focused on the batter again. Walking to the stove he looked at her again. "Why don't you go sit on the porch and enjoy the weather."

Guessing he wasn't going to give her anything she silently agreed with him. It was beautiful outside. She left him alone and went outside.

TBC...