A/N: A light chapter with some teasing and hints. I decided not to bring in the family. Someone pointed out that it might be awkward since Bobby had talked to Alex's parents the evening before. I agreed with that and since no one asked for it, I guessed it wasn't necessary to include. Now Lewis is just such a great character that he had to be brought in again. Now here's a question... should I or shouldn't I write about the dinner the three of them are going to have? I think it could be fun, but then again, maybe the next chapter should be a bit more serious. And another maybe bigger question. Should I write Alex and Leo's date or not? I'm kinda reluctant because I don't know if it's interesting. I don't think it would add something to the story. Maybe it would be better to not write it and have Alex talk about it so as a reader you find out what happened. What do you think? I'd really like to know because I feel it's an important decision.

Chapter eight

The walk through the town with Bobby was interesting to say the least. They held hands and strolled around as if they had done so many times before. Bobby stopped them at an art gallery. A small older woman immediately approached him with a warm smile on her face.

"Bobby. You've been away for too long. How are you?"

He released Alex's hand to give the older woman a quick hug. "I'm good Mrs. Maier. How's the business?"

"Picking up again." It seemed as if Mrs. Maier noticed the woman beside Bobby for the first time.

"You brought a girl?"

"Yes, this is Alex." Bobby pointed at Alex. "Alex, this is Mrs. Maier. She's my grandparents' niece."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Maier." The two women shook hands. Sensing that Bobby wanted to talk with the older woman she left them alone to look around. It was a beautiful art gallery that held paintings from local artists. Her eye fell on one particular painting. It was a street scene. There were three big buildings, one seemed to be a shop of sorts. On the street there were three children in a circle playing with a ball. What she liked most were the different shades of brown combined with white that the artist had used. She liked the innocence and warmth the painting held.

Immersed in the painting she was startled when Mrs. Maier appeared next to her. She looked around for Bobby and Mrs. Maier noticed.

"He's in the back looking at one of the newest paintings." The woman got a teasing smile on her face. "Bobby's never brought a girl here before. Are you his girlfriend?"

Alex actually blushed at the woman's words. She even stumbled over her words like Bobby sometimes did. "Eeuuhh… no, we're…just friends."

"I don't think so. Because Bobby doesn't bring just anyone here. You're special to him."

"I don't know." Alex whispered. In the back of her mind she knew she was special to him, he had said that much. But she still wasn't sure what place she had in his life.

It was as if the older woman sensed Alex's turmoil and she left her alone. In the back she talked a little with Bobby before leaving them alone.

"Ready to go?" Bobby whispered into Alex's ear when he found her looking at a painting. "You okay?" He asked when he saw a flicker of something in her eyes.

"Yeah." Silently she reached for his hand and together they continued their walk.

The remaining of the day nothing eventful happened. They didn't bump into anyone familiar much to Alex's disappointment. Back at Bobby's cabin they sat outside on the porch. After her temporarily moment of sadness, Bobby had cheered her up again. She realized how much she loved his company, but wished he would let her in on his intentions. Maybe a little teasing to lure him out would help.

"I'm going to Rent Friday." Her voice showed her enthusiasm.

"Really?" He glanced at her, but betrayed nothing.

"Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. Leo got me tickets. Don't know how he did it and frankly I don't care." She got a faraway look in her eyes. "I never told him how much I wanted to go, but he seems to know me. I don't now how he does it. It's nice to have someone like that. Some people say love is friendship on fire. I believe that. Do you?"

"Euuhh…" He didn't quite know how to react. The way she spoke off Leo was as if he truly meant something to her. That hurt. Friendship on fire, it was how he thought of them. Was he truly alone in his feelings? Was this whole day just any ordinary day to her? "I… guess so. I…I'm glad he makes you happy." It hurt to admit that he wasn't going to be the one to bring her happiness.

"Bobby…" Alex tried to say something… anything, but his defeated posture distracted her. Her teasing had gone too far. Today had been terrific and her words had spoiled it for him. She raised her hand, reaching for his, but he stood up.

"Come on, I'll take you home."

Standing up she quickly followed him into the kitchen. She passed him and stopped right in front of him. Placing her hands on his chest, she looked at him. "Did you send me the tickets for Rent, Bobby?"

He couldn't look at her and cast his eyes downward. She probably didn't want to hear the truth. "Do you want it to be me?" He softly asked, his vulnerability heard in his voice.

She understood that she needed to make him see that he had nothing to lose. "How about we go to Rent together?"

"I don't want your pity."

"It's not pity." She sounded exasperated.

"Go with Leo." He stepped back from her causing her hands to fall from his chest.

She ignored his step back and simply stepped closer again. This time she placed one hand on his waist. "Do you want to go to Rent with me?" She saw he was about to object again. "Bobby, look at me." Her voice was stern. She knew she needed to go one step further. "I'd like to go to Rent with you. Will you come with me?"

He finally looked at her and in her eyes he saw she was honest. She wanted to go with him. He nodded. "I'd like that."

"Good." Smiling she winked at him. "Much more fun when you can enjoy your own gift, isn't it?" He didn't reply in words, but his shy little boy smile said it all and she laughed. She shocked him by standing on her toes and giving him a kiss on his unshaved cheek. "Thank you."

"Now," She asked, walking around in the kitchen. "you still wanna go back or are you going to feed me?"

He looked at his watch. "I need to bring the car back to Lewis. After that, if you still want, I'll feed you."

The moment Alex walked through the doors of Lewis body shop she heard Lewis' familiar voice.

"Detective Alex, how lovely to see you." He looked her up and down. "You're lookin' beautiful."

Lewis was always good for her ego and she liked him. He was so different than Bobby that she often wondered how those two had become friends. Bobby walked up to the two and handed Lewis the keys.

"How'd you like the Camaro, Detective Alex."

"Sweet ride, Lewis… very sweet."

"I knew you'd like it. Bobby asked for a special car for his girl and the Camaro sure is special."

His girl? Had he really said that? Did he think of her as his girl? Secretly that made her heart beat a little faster. She liked that idea. She smiled as she saw Bobby's cheek redden. Without a doubt he had called her his girl to Lewis. She couldn't hold back. "How did you know he was talking about me?"

"Who else could it be?" Lewis looked from Alex to Bobby, who glared at him. Lewis shrugged as he looked at his friend. He didn't think he'd said anything wrong.

"You know Lewis, Bobby's in a generous mood and about to buy me dinner. Wanna join us?"

Lewis face lit up and was about to say yes when he saw the look on Bobby's face. He quickly ignored it. After all he had helped Bobby out with the car, it was time to be paid back. And he sure wasn't going to give up an evening spend in the delightful company of Detective Alex. "Lead the way Detective Alex. Or should I say Bobby since he's buying he can pick out the place."

TBC...