She's Gone

Disclaimer: Dick's, not mine.

A/N: Originally, I was going to have this just be from Bobby's point of view after losing Alex. But then I started going into everyone else and how they felt. I was about to go into Mike's, but then I fell asleep. It'll be more than just observation and reflection, though. Thanks for the reviews.

Mike opened his door that night to reveal a hysterical Carolyn. He had ushered her into his apartment to lie down on his couch. He couldn't get a word out of her that wasn't choked with tears. She finally cried herself to sleep. Mike had called Deakins, to let him know about Carolyn. That's how he found out about Alex. Then it all clicked. He laid on the floor next to Carolyn that night, debating between sleep or calling Bobby. Sleep won. Shaking off the memory, Mike stubbed his cigarette out as Carolyn approached them with the baby. Bobby did like wise.

"You of all people shouldn't be smoking, Bobby," Carolyn gently chided, handing Bobby his daughter back.

"She looks good in that hat, Carolyn." Deakins smiled. Nan was like a mini-Alex in Carolyn's hat. Bobby swallowed hard and handed Carolyn her hat back. Carolyn tucked her hair back into her hat. John Eames, Alex's dad made his way over.

"We're ready to start." John was also in his dress blues. He had been so proud when his daughter decided to walk in his footsteps. He pushed this thought out of his head and focused on his granddaughter and nearly son in law. He patted him on the back. "In my eyes, you're one of my sons." He took Nan out of Bobby's arms and walked over to the graveside.

There was not one dry eye. Some of Alex's friends from Vice were there, all of MCS, ADA Ron Carver and Olivia Benson from SVU was there. She and Alex went through the Academy together. They hadn't stayed close, just a few phone calls here and there. Olivia knew about Bobby, and that Alex had "stolen" Olivia's name for their baby's middle name. Olivia got a kick out of that. She caught a glimpse of the baby. She looked just like Alex.

Before Bobby knew it, the funeral was over. He was being walked back to the car, Mike and Carolyn on either side of him. He sat in the backseat, Nan asleep beside him in her car seat. Mike drove them back to Bobby's apartment. Carolyn carried the baby slowly up the stairs and put her in her nursery. Bobby sat on the couch, Mike beside him.

"Look, Deakins was going to tell you when you came back, but I thought I'd tell you now. Carolyn's coming back to us; all three of us will be working together." Bobby wasn't listening. Mike followed his gaze. There was a picture of Alex and Nan sitting on top of the TV. He looked back at his friend. Bobby sighed and put his head in his hands.

"Mike, I'm just going to go to sleep, okay? I'll…" Bobby shook his head and walked towards his bedroom. Carolyn came out into the living room to find Mike staring at Alex's picture.

"Mike?"

He turned to Carolyn. "Hey, I'm going to go. He went to bed."

"I'll stay, in case the baby wakes up." Carolyn hugged Mike and closed the door behind him. Carolyn crept to Bobby's room and opened the door. He was sitting on the side of his bed, the ring box in his hand. "Bobby?" He didn't turn. Carolyn sat next to him on the bed. She could see the tears running down his face. It got her started again. She went to stand up when Bobby grabbed her arm, pulling her back down again.

"Carolyn, I loved her more than anything." Bobby looked up at her. She couldn't hold it in. She wrapped her arms around him and sobbed.

"I should've been with her Bobby. And I should've come to tell you. I should've – " Bobby returned her hug.

"It's okay. It's not your fault." Bobby kissed her cheek. Carolyn looked up, hiccupping. She touched his lips with hers. They kissed for a moment before pulling apart.

"Bobby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Carolyn put her head in her hands and started crying all over again.

"Carolyn, lay down. Get some sleep." She obeyed. Bobby pulled the blanket over her. He knelt beside her. "None of this is your fault." It was too late. She was already asleep.

A/N Part 2: Grieving makes people do strange things. I don't know how Olivia slipped in there. When I thought of the baby's name, it wasn't her I was thinking of, I swear! But I thought hey, it'll all work out. Please read and review. Thank you.