a/n: So two chapters, hope you're happy with that. Let me know if you want Alex and Bobby to drop in on the family to show the car. And if you want to see something happen when they're shopping also let me know because I'm not sure if I'm actually going to write about them visiting the town. But if you have a good idea I probably will. Enjoy, I know I have a lot of fun writing this chapter. It has become my favourite... which may be strange to you, but I liked the sharing.

Chapter seven

After a wonderful breakfast, which they enjoyed on the porch, they decided to explore the woods. Following Bobby down the path Alex teased him.

"So Bobby, you bring girls here often?"

He recognized her tone, but stayed serious. "No. This is a part of my life I don't share easily." Casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world to do, he took her hand in his and linked their fingers.

For Alex it was a day of surprises. First the drive in the Camaro, secondly the cabin and Bobby's revelations and now the contact he sought. Maybe the biggest surprise was the calmness in which he did it all.

"I built a tree house once with my grandfather. Took us two tries, but I enjoyed every minute. Then, in the evening, I would go up there and bring a book and a flashlight and read for a while. I loved it there. I could dream about the future or get lost in the world of my books."

She imagined him as a boy and wondered what he'd been like. And since he was so open with her, she asked him. "What were you like as a little boy?" She enjoyed the feel of her hand in his and when he pulled her closer she recognized it could never be like this with Leo. It could never feel this good.

"Awkward, shy, quiet and mostly alone."

"Didn't change much, huh?" She teased again, but the sudden tensing in his hand alerted her. The look in his eyes, one of anguish, got to her.

"I don't want to be alone anymore." Were his whispered words.

Before she could assure him that he wasn't alone, he went on as if nothing had been said. "I met Lewis when I was about seven years old. He's been my friend ever since. He's seen me in the good and bad times. I kept mostly to myself at school, but it never really bothered me. I learned that once they got to know me, they left me alone. Lewis stuck by me." He'd released her hand and put some distance between them. He turned towards her.

"There's never been someone before who I wanted to share this with. This…" He raised his arms, indicating the land that surrounded him. ".. has always been my… sanctuary." He shrugged and gave her a soft, gently smile, hoping she understood what he was saying.

"Tell me, what were you like as a little girl?" He waited for her to catch up with him again. And just as casually as before he reached for her hand.

"I guess I was a brat. With my brothers I quickly learned to hold my own. I used to kick the mean boys in the shin. Dad told me I couldn't kick them in the crotch. I had done that once with my brother and dad made it clear I was not to do that again."

Bobby laughed hard, picturing Alex as a little girl kicking the boys. "Don't mess with Alex, huh. You scared the boys off."

"I sure did. Boys were annoying and no good." She grinned. "That was of course 'till I discovered boys did have their good sides."

Bobby laughed with her. "I bet you had them wrapped around your finger in no time."

"No, I think I scared them off and if I didn't, my brothers sure did. They made it clear to potential boyfriends they were not to mess with me."

"You never scared me off." He whispered in her ear. "I don't think you're scaring Leo off either."

"I guess age mellowed me. Not much though because it's been too long since a guy has showed any interest…. Until Leo that is." Because she was enjoying her surroundings she didn't notice Bobby's flinch at the mention of his rival's name.

"Is it serious between you two?" He'd let her hand go again, but Alex quickly grabbed his hand again.

"We only went out once. How serious can that be?"

"When it's right, you know." He guided her to a bench and sat down.

"You sound so certain." In a Goren-like manner she titled her head to look at him.

"I am."

"How do you know?"

"Because I feel at peace with her by my side and never before have I felt that kind of peace."

Alex didn't know how to react to his words. Was he talking about her or not? She didn't want to say anything in case she'd misinterpreted his words and they would both be embarrassed. Yet the fact that he all said it so easily and he seemed so sure about himself, frustrated her and made her doubt who he was talking about. The Bobby she knew wouldn't be so calm and collected.

Bobby might seem calm on the outside, inside he was nervous. She wasn't reacting to his words and he'd expected she would. What did that mean? That she didn't want to embarrass him? That she didn't return his feelings? Or were his words unclear? He wasn't sure if he could be direct, the possibility of her rejection… the hurt, it would cause… too much pain. On the other hand, if he didn't tell her he would never know and she would never be his.

"What do you want to do for the rest of the day?" Bobby broke the silence and looked at his partner.

"What do you suggest?" She really didn't know what her options were. She wondered if spending the day in the bed in his arms in the cabin would be one. She laughed at that thought forgetting that he was right next to her and could hear her laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing."

"Alex." His voice hinting his disbelief.

"Nothing, okay?"

"Mmm…" He opted to let this one slide and give her some options. "We could go to the town nearby and look around, do some shopping. Stay here and do nothing, or go fishing."

"Fishing?" Here he was surprising her again. "You like to fish?"

"I do."

"Well I don't. It's boring."

"It's …." He searched for the right word. "soothing."

She pointed at him. "That's where you're wrong. It's just boring. If I wanted soothing I'd go find myself a nice warm bath and a glass of white wine. That's soothing to me… or maybe a nice massage from a hot guy."

He chose to ignore her idea of soothing. "Let's just go to that town. It's beautiful and we can do some shopping. Okay?" He stood up and held his hand out for her. When she grabbed it he pulled her up and they walked their way back to the cabin.

TBC...