190
Aligned Design
Ch 35
"Deakins. . . . Ok, thanks. . . . Yes, I'll send them out. What's the address again? . . . Yea got it. I don't have to tell you to tell them not to touch anything, do I? . . . Thanks." He hung up the phone and dialed Eames' number. She answered on the third try. Glad it's not an emergency, he thought.
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"Hello? Eames."
"Alex, are you awake? Sit up and put your feet on the floor. DO IT!"
"Who the hell is this?" She did not sound happy. "Edward, if this is your idea –. Yes, sir. I'm awake." She actually stood up.
"The one-three found Navicky's body with another. They're at a Big Apple Storage on Clinton, off of Flushing in Brooklyn. CSU is already on site. Call Goren and get over there."
"You want Bobby to go to the scene? I thought --."
"Yes, call him. We need to get this case done with. Call him, take him and watch him. Ok?"
"Yes sir."
"Keep me informed. Watch him, Alex."
"I will." She hung up and dialed Bobby's number.
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"Goren." He cleared his throat.
"Bobby, it's me. The one-three found Navicky's body at a storage place in Brooklyn. Deakins said I'm to pick you up and get there."
Son-of-a-bitch! He had a rush of heat. Gleason shifted in her sleep and moaned softly. Goddamn it! I don't want to go. I'm not supposed to go to scenes. Jesus Christ, I'm off this weekend. Gleason is here!
"Bobby?"
"Eames. I'm not supposed to go to scenes, remember. Call Sledge. Call Bishop. Call Logan. I'm not going."
"Bobby, Deakins said you are supposed to go. Now get your ass out of bed and get dressed. I'll be at your place in half an hour. Understand?"
Bobby saw red and screamed at her, "GODDAMN IT!"
Gleason shot up and turned toward him, "Bobby! What's wrong? Are you –, " she saw he was on the phone and stopped.
Eames heard a woman's voice in the background. Son of a gun, she thought. "Look Bobby, I'm sorry to interrupt your night of pleasure, but knock it off and get dressed. I'll be there in thirty minutes. Good bye." She hung up. He's got a woman with him. It must really be over between him and Gleason. Unless that was Gleason. She went into the bathroom.
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Bobby hung up the phone. Jesus Christ. He rested his left elbow on his left knee, his thumb across his temple and his fingers on his forehead.
Gleason looked at him. "Are you all right?" She knew he had screamed a curse into the phone. "Who were you talking to?" She didn't touch him. To be honest, she was a little frightened of him.
He didn't say anything for a moment. Then, "Honey, I have to go to a scene. That was Eames. She's –"
He didn't get to finish because Gleason threw off the covers and bolted for the bathroom. He watched her dash out of the room a hand over her mouth. He just sat there. Oh Christ. Morning sickness. She is pregnant. Fuck.
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Eames washed and dressed. She clipped her weapon onto her belt and slipped her shield into her pocket. She grabbed her jacket and keys and was out the door in fifteen minutes. I wonder if that was Gleason, she thought. If not, I wonder if whoever she is will still be there. Bobby is certainly an interesting guy these days.
The drive was quick since there is not much traffic at three-ten in the morning. She thought about Edward. He and Bishop will probably be called to assist later this morning. They already had two cases going, a stolen sailboat and a missing allotment of uranium. Sledge was not happy working with the Feds on that one. Maybe they wouldn't assist after all. The Feds were somewhat demanding. That might mean working with Logan and his new partner. No one really knew her yet.
Eames thought about calling Edward, to tell him about this break. Don't be ridiculous, she told herself, he's asleep. Let the poor guy sleep. You'll see him later, at work. She smiled, realizing she'd never thought of calling him just to tell him something. Ha, she thought, must be love.
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"Are you sure you are all right," Bobby asked her, holding onto her arms. He searched her face. Gleason couldn't look at him.
"Bobby, please. Let me make coffee for you and Alex. Let go of me." Gleason twisted out of his hands and stepped into his green cotton pants; she slept in the tee shirt and still wore it. Then she moved toward the hallway, stopped and turned at the door, "Do you have to shave?" she asked with a shy smile.
He looked at her and said, with a returned smile, "No, it's my weekend off."
"Good. Then don't," she said and headed for the kitchen.
Bobby went into the bathroom and washed up. His mind spun as he dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved tee shirt. He pulled on socks and tied up his running shoes. Then Bobby retrieved his money clip, shield, knife and keys from the dresser top. He thought about leaving his keys for Gleason and just taking the spare door key. But, he didn't want her to drive until he was sure what was going on. He tucked his keys into his pocket.
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"It's me, Alex," she said into box outside the door to Bobby's small lobby. She heard the door buzz and entered. Eames could count on fewer than ten fingers the number of times she had been inside Bobby's flat in seven years. She climbed the four flights and walked to the second door on the right. She tapped lightly.
The door opened. "Alex, good morning. Come in," Gleason stepped back and Eames entered.
"Hi, Gleason." She wasn't sure what to say next. She didn't have to worry.
"I've made coffee for you and Bobby. It's too early to go out without something. Would you like some orange juice?" Gleason had poured a large glass for Bobby.
"Uh, no, no thank you. The coffee will be good, though. How are you feeling? Bobby said you are back at university."
"Aye, I've been back for –," she hesitated, not wanting to tell about this past week, "for two weeks. I still get tired. The coffee is almost ready." The smell was starting to get to her. "Let me see where he is." Gleason smiled and walked down the hall.
Eames looked around. Bobby's placed looked the same as she remembered. She went to sit on the edge of the sofa and noticed the crocheted throw over the back was all messed up. She saw the scented candle on the end table; it had not been lit, it was new. So, she was gone and now is back. Huh.
"He's almost finished. Let me fill two travel mugs. How do you take your coffee?" Gleason stepped into the kitchen and stopped. She closed her eyes, swallowed, and breathed through her mouth. Oh, God, that smell. She fought her stomach.
"Just a little milk, thanks." Eames crossed to the kitchen and sat at the table, watching the other woman. Gleason was dressed in a giant green tee shirt and green plaid cotton pants, also too large. Those must be Bobby's clothes. The pants looked like they were cinched at the waist with a rubber band. Even this early in the morning, Gleason was beautiful. Her hair was pulled back in a loose knot. She had a magnificent glow. Eames rose and turned to the fridge to get the milk.
Gleason opened the cupboard to the right of the sink and reached up for the two travel mugs on the top shelf. Eames got the milk, turned and saw Gleason suddenly lower her arm and lean on the edge of the sink. She gagged once and Eames set down the milk and was beside her in a second.
"Gleason, are you ok?" Eames put a hand on her back. Gleason gagged again, but held it.
Gleason took a deep breath, then another, "Uh huh, I'm fine." She swallowed. "Thanks," it was a whisper.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Bobby was across the room in three steps. Eames turned and stepped away. Bobby turned Gleason, held her arms, bent and looked in her face. "Did you get sick again?"
"Bobby, please, let go." She was so embarrassed. She turned back to the cupboard, retrieved the two mugs, and set them on the counter. Bobby watched Gleason pour a bit of milk into one mug, her hand was shaking. "There's a glass of juice for you," she said, nodding to the glass. He turned to look at Eames, who met his eyes and then looked down.
"Eames," he said by way of greeting. She nodded back.
"Drink the juice and get going," Gleason said quietly. She handed him the glass and continued with the coffee. The silence was thick.
"Do you want anything?" Bobby asked Eames.
"No, I'm fine. Gleason offered. The coffee will be great. We should get going, though."
Bobby nodded and drained the juice in three gulps. He wiped his mouth with his hand and rinsed the glass, setting it in the sink. Gleason handed him the tall travel mug and gave the squat one to Eames."
Bobby set his mug on the table and took Gleason by the waist. "Are you going to be alright?" he asked.
Gleason reddened. "Bobby, go." She squirmed in his embrace. She was very uncomfortable with Alex standing right there.
His hands went to her head and he tilted up her face. He kissed her tenderly. "Go back to bed. I'll call you later. I don't know how long I'll be; it may be a while. Don't do anything today. Just rest." He stared at her. "Ok?"
Gleason put her hands on his chest and said, "Alex is waiting. Go. Be careful."
Bobby held her tight and whispered, "I love you."
"Go," she gave him a soft shove.
Alex had retreated to the far corner of the living room, looking at DVD cases, not even seeing the titles. She had never felt more uncomfortable in her life. These kinds of moments between people were so intimate, private – she wanted to disappear. She'd never imagined Bobby doing this, being this tender, loving. She was embarrassed to witness such love. Especially with Bobby.
Bobby took his jacket from the coat closet and said, "You ready?"
Alex turned around and said, "Yeah, let's go. Gleason, thanks for the coffee. See you later."
Gleason smiled, and smoothed back her hair, "Take care of each other." Bobby opened the door and Eames stepped through. He turned and looked at Gleason one more time "Lock the door." She gave him a tiny wave, shut the door and turned the bolt.