A/N: A drabble that got a little longish. Hope you enjoy. Takes place during Person of Interest.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Chapter 1
Exhausted, Bobby left the squad room long after everyone else had left. He felt compelled to stay there and face the condemnation of his co-workers that seemed endless all day. Alex of course didn't blame him, at least not anymore. Of course, she had said her piece yesterday in private. "You didn't listen, Bobby. You didn't listen to what his wife said." Those words reverberated in his mind all the night before and the entire day, along with the headlines accusing him of driving Croyden to suicide. He had held his head up all day, stayed while everyone stared at him, accusations in their eyes. It was his penance. Something was not right here, it turns out the evidence would have cleared Croyden if only he hadn't been so blinded. But blinded he was, and someone had died because of it.
He sighed heavily as he left the empty squad room, untying his tie as he walked towards the elevators. He unconsciously folded it neatly and put it in his coat pocket. His thoughts hung heavy on his shoulders, almost like physical weights placed there to drag him down. As he left the elevator on the ground floor he had already decided he wasn't going home. Instead, he headed for his favorite restaurant where he could be comfortably anonymous.
He watched the limousine drive away with Nicole and her husband in it. He was glad he hadn't eaten much of his dinner as his stomach roiled at the idea that she was back. He immediately flipped his phone opened and punched in speed dial for Alex. "Eames," she answered, sounding out of breath.
"She's back. She's back Alex."
"Who's back?" Alex asked totally confused at being interrupted during her workout.
"Nicole. She is back. She just flaunted herself and her new rich husband to me at dinner."
"Bobby, I'll meet you at the station in half an hour. Call the captain." Alex had switched into total control mode, giving orders to a shaken Bobby. "Ask the captain to call Carter too. We need all of us there. You only need to tell the story once."
Bobby felt relieved at her cool efficiency. He was badly shaken at having Nicole show up to interrupt his dinner. He couldn't help but think the terrible headlines that had destroyed his credibility and her revealing herself now were all tied together. He needed to think, but he needed to think it all out with Alex. He had gotten to where he really worked better if he talked things out loud bouncing things back and forth with Alex. She grounded him, and if ever there was a time he needed to be grounded, now was it. He hailed a cab back to One PP.
TBC