A/N: Another chapter to set things up. After this things can get started. I like the idea of writing Bobby and Alex away from NY. Also I'm going to try to go for a very gentle and caring Bobby in this fic. And well Bobby with kids has always been my weak spot. Oooh and Block Island. I just looked it up online and seemed like a nice place. Don't hold any stuff that isn't right about that island against me. It's just a place for a fic. And thank you for the kind reviews. Glad you liked the first chapter. Enjoy the next chapter and remember it's another chapter to set things up.
Chapter two
The following day Bobby had made arrangements to go after Alex. It really hadn't been too difficult to find her. He'd check her phone records and her credit card payments. She'd bought a ticket to Rhode Island. He'd also gotten a name. She'd been calling with Jenny Iverson who lived on Block Island. He'd cleared it with the Captain that he would also be taking a leave of absence. The Captain wasn't happy with it, but realized that his tall detective didn't function as well without the small but determined woman by his side. While waiting for his plane, Bobby was meeting Alex's brother Daniel, hoping he could shed some light on her sudden departure. Alex and Daniel were close and had a special bond. He'd met Alex's brother a couple of times.
"Bobby." Daniel greeted his sister's partner. He took a seat across from Bobby. Daniel was the male version of Alex. A bit taller, but with the same brown eyes and blond hair. They both had the same determination and that amicable look in their eyes.
"Daniel, thanks for meeting me."
Ordering a coffee, Daniel watched the man across from him. There was no denying the worried look in the man's dark eyes. "What's wrong with, Alex?"
"I hoped you could tell me. She…. just left. Did she say anything to you?"
"No. She called to tell me she would be out of town for a while. Told me not to worry."
"Do you know a Jenny Iverson?" He would try to find out everything he could. Maybe Daniel could tell him about this Jenny.
Setting his coffee cup down, Daniel thought about the name. "Yeah. Jenny and Alex have been friends since High School. They were really close. Then Jenny moved to Rhode Island. I know they're still in contact and Alex still goes there every once in a while. Is something wrong with Jenny?"
Bobby ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Daniel. All I know is that she's been calling her frequently these last few days. I got her address and know that Alex's bought a ticket to Rhode Island. Jenny lives on Block Island. I bought a ticket. I'm going after her."
Daniel nodded his agreement. For his sister to go off like that and not tell anyone what was going on meant that something was really wrong. He also knew that his sister needed her partner when she was troubled. What Bobby and Alex had was special. He only hoped that one day they would both realize what they meant to the other. They deserved to be happy. Daniel looked at his watch. "Look I gotta go. Take care of her and ask her to call me, okay?" Shaking hands with Bobby, he stood up.
"Oooh… and knowing my sister she'll probably try to push you away. Don't let her succeed. However much she tries to deny it, she needs you."
HE ARRIVED on Rhode Island at the end of the afternoon. He was fortunate that the boat to Block Island was still there. Soon he would be able to see Alex and get some answers. On the boat he watched his surroundings. It seemed very peaceful and he could imagine this was a good place to live. On Block Island he met a friendly citizen who offered him a ride to Jenny Iverson's place. Luckily it wasn't that far away and fifteen minutes later he was standing in front of a white house, surrounded by beautiful woodland and close to a small lake. Hesitantly he took the steps up to the front door. He hoped Alex wouldn't be mad at him, but he wasn't sure. Carefully he knocked on the wooden door. Several minutes later the door opened slowly. His breath caught in his throat with the sight of her. Her eyes were red as if she'd been crying for hours and she looked exhausted. She looked at him like she wasn't really seeing him.
"Alex?" He called to her softly, not wanting to scare her. Her eyes seemed to clear a bit and it seemed that she was finally seeing him.
"Bobby? What are you doing here?"
Before he could answer that question there was a small voice from inside the house calling Alex. "Auntie Alex?"
Alex left the door open for Bobby as she went back inside the house towards the voice. In the living room a little girl with dark brown hair and dark eyes was sitting on the couch with a teddy bear in her arms.
"What is it, Abby?" Sitting down next to the little girl, she put her arm around Abby and pulled her against her body.
"Do you think mommy's with daddy now?"
It was the hardest thing to do, to answer Abby's questions about where her mother had gone. Abby had no one but her in her life. Her father had died when Abby had been a year old. Now her mother had passed away and Abby was alone. "Yes. Daddy's been waiting for mommy and now they are together again. They'll be watching over you."
"I miss mommy."
The little girl's voice quivered and Alex had a hard time keeping her tears in check. She had to be strong for Abby. The girl counted on her now. "I know you do, baby. I miss her too." She pulled Abby onto her lap and held her close, letting the girl cry.
Bobby watched the entire scene from the doorway. He now understood Alex's sudden departure and the little girl's pain. Jenny Iverson had died and Alex was here to take care of Abby. He could see that she hadn't had the time to grieve the loss yet, her entire being focused on the wellbeing of Abby. She needed to grief for herself otherwise she wouldn't be able to let go. He would make sure she would grief. He would try to ease some of the pain if she let him.
TBC...
