A/N: Thanks for the reviews! For those of you who wanted Alex's reply…. I've tried a different format, 'cause I thought it'd be easier to read this way than having to refer back/remember what Bobby's "wish list" was.

Also, I wanted to try to create the effect of actually reading Bobby's portfolio through his own eyes. All of Alex's replies are printed in Italics (to simulate "girly" writing). So, here goes Alex's rebuttal, entitled:

I HOPE…

Alex's guilty conscious gnawed at her for the rest of the day. But at the same time, she was glad she had read Bobby's notes. Over their years together, she knew they shared a deep fondness for one another, but to actually see his thoughts and feelings in print –well, that somehow made things different.

She remembered back to a conversation they'd had after that whole testifying and letter fiasco. They promised each other, "no more secrets or lies." Each of them was now confident that their partnership could survive anything. Sure, they'd still disagree and hit a rough spot every now and again, but they knew in the end that they'd always be together.

Alex reached for the heavy, bulging leather binder and leafed through the pages –back to the page containing Bobby's private "wish list." She began writing.

Captain Deakins returned from a meeting upstairs and glanced at Alex as he walked past the Goren/Eames adjoined desks. He did an 'about face' and returned, standing by her side.

As she saw him approaching, she turned the page and rested her forearms across the book.

"How's the Reynolds case coming along?" he asked, eyeing the open brown portfolio.

"Okay," she nodded, fidgeting with the pen in her fingers. "We were scheduled to interview a witness at the Museum today, but with Bobby not here…"

Deakins laughed, "Yeah, I know. Hopefully he'll be back and you can get it done tomorrow –the brass was just getting on me about it."

"He should be back," Alex said. "Bobby usually doesn't miss a day unless he's feeling really sick."

Deakins tossed his head, nodding at the open book. "You think the big guy's gonna like that?" he chuckled. "Writing in his 'bible'."

Alex shook her head, like it was nothing. "Oh, I was just fillin' in some blanks in his notes –I don't think he'll mind."

"Get outta here on time today, for a change," the Captain smiled as he turned back towards his office and walked away.

Alex flipped the page back and continued her writing.

At six o'clock, she grabbed her pocketbook, Bobby's portfolio and headed for the elevator.

X X X

Bobby was on the sofa, watching the end of the six o'clock news. The ringing of his doorbell startled him, but he smiled when he looked through the peephole and saw a smiling Alex, holding a deli bag.

He opened the door. "Hi, what are you doing here?"

"I just came for the friendly greeting," she sassed him as she entered and headed for the kitchen.

Bobby chuckled, "Sorry, you know what I meant."

"I brought you some food," she said, as she placed the bag on the counter and began unpacking it. "You sure you're fever's down?"

"Yes," he said, standing over her shoulder, examining his about-to-be dinner.

Then he looked on the countertop next to the bag and saw his leather case. "Oh shit," he moaned to himself. "I hope she didn't open that today."

He kept observing her. She seemed to be acting 'normal' around him, so he figured he was safe.

"I'd stay and eat with you, but I'm on my way to a hair appointment in the Village," she said as she snatched the car keys from the counter. "You won't recognize me tomorrow with my new cut and highlights," she joked.

She turned from the counter and examined him. "Bend down so I can reach you," she ordered.

He obeyed, and Alex took his face in between her hands and pressed her lips to his forehead.

"You're right, no fever," she said, confirming his 'diagnosis.'

Bobby stood up, blushing just a bit, and laughed, "If you wanted to kiss me you should've just told me," he joked.

"Just eat your dinner," Alex warned. "I've gotta get going – Andre gets really pissed off if his customers are late."

Bobby walked her to the door. "Thanks for dinner. I'll see you tomorrow," he said with a smile.

"No problem," she answered. "Oh! I almost forgot –I brought your portfolio, too. Deakins is already catchin' heat on the Reynolds case, so you may want to look over your notes. I rescheduled the Museum witness for tomorrow."

"Okay," Bobby nodded. "Thanks."

He closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief. "Whew…that's why she had my binder."

He fixed his dinner plates, grabbed the binder and headed back to the sofa.

After watching Jeopardy! and eating his soup and sandwich, Bobby grabbed the book, unzipped it and leafed through the pages to his notes on the Reynolds case.

As he passed by page after page, something caught his eye: different writing –female, he could tell –and in blue ink. Bobby only used black pens to write in his portfolio.

He felt panic rising in his stomach. He flipped backwards, relocating the tampered-with pages. He was horrified when he realized exactly which pages were different. His heart started pounding harder, as he began to read:

I wish…

I hope…

I wish that I could tell you the way I relax –even though, at the same time my heart skips a beat—when I see you get off the elevator and walk down the hall towards our desks. You've come back for another day.

I hope you realize how happy I am when I get off the elevator and see you sitting at your desk …with my coffee and Danish waiting for me on mine. My heart skips a beat when I see how handsome you look in your suit. I feel a sense of relief that nothing bad happened to you overnight and you're here again to spend another day with me.

I wish I could tell you the way your 'good morning' smile, (when you're in a good mood), brightens my day and warms my heart.

I hope you realize how your 'good morning' smile brightens my day and warms my heart.

I wish I could tell you that the way you grumble your 'good morning' when you're in a grouchy mood warms my heart, just as much. You're adorable when you pout.

I hope you realize that my grouchy morning behavior is never directed at you—it's probably been a 'bad hair' morning. I always smile on the inside when I see you. Remind me not to pout—it causes wrinkles.

I wish I could tell you how beautiful and I think you are.

I hope you know how handsome and attractive I think you are. But don't let it go to your head, okay?

I wish I could tell you how perfectly happy I'd be to ignore all this paperwork and just sit across from you and gaze into your sparkling eyes all day.

I hope you've never caught me staring at you when I'm supposed to be doing paperwork. I could gaze at your gorgeous, big brown eyes all day. They make me melt.

I wish the Captain would get off my back about finishing this paperwork.

I hope...Ditto.

I wish I could tell you how much I admire your slim, toned figure –which still somehow manages to have curves in all the right places. ...Oh, how my fingers would love to caress those curves..

I hope you know what a perfect hunk of man you are – tall, dark and handsome –those broad shoulders –those forearms when you roll up your sleeves…mmmmmmm. I hope your fingers get their wish some day! SOON!

I wish I could tell you how grateful I am that you put up with me and my moods and idiosyncrasies –and stay by my side, no matter what Deakins or Carver think.

I hope you realize I don't think you're all that hard to 'put up with' –not now, anyway…I've gotten so used to you. Deakins and Carver should know better by now—I'll always be in your corner.

I wish I could tell you how much it means to me that you've stayed for the past five years, through thick and thin. I'd hate to have to tell you what I might I have done if you, too, had abandoned me like all the ones before you. No, I could never tell you that. I'm too ashamed.

I hope you know how much you mean to me and how much I need you. It's why I've stayed for the past five years, through thick and thin. I'd hate to have to tell you what I might do if I ever lose you. I don't think I could go through losing another man I love.

I wish I could tell you how much I love you and need you. But, instead, I told you, "I'm lucky you withdrew your letter." I'm an idiot.

I hope…Oh my God! I just told you I loved you! Well, we did agree, 'no more secrets', right? I should've told you six months ago outside that courtroom, but instead, while on the witness' stand, Isaid that you were "an acquired taste." I'm an idiot.

There was an added note at the bottom of the page.

"I really didn't mean to snoop. I was looking for your notes on the Reynolds case. Please forgive me. I love you, Bobby. See you tomorrow. Alex xo

Bobby was smiling, his heart still pounding with excitement –and still just a bit of embarrassment. There was no way he was angry with her.

"She loves me," he whispered, as he traced his fingertips over her closing words.

"I can't wait to get to work tomorrow," he said with a growing smile. "I'm gonna have such fun with her pretending I never read this."

THE END