Chapter 7

The sunlight was pouring through the curtains when he woke. His arm was draped across her waist and his head was buried in her neck.

She stirred and turned onto her stomach. She turned her head to smile at him, but instead what he received was a grimace.

"Come on, Alex. I don't look that bad in the morning, do I?" He propped up on one elbow and looked down at her.

"My whole body hurts." She whispered. He could see that tears were already cascading down her cheeks.

He took her in his arms then and just held her while sobs shook her body. "I've got you. " He kissed her hair.

"Promise?" She asked as her eyes looked deep into his.

"Promise." He bent and kissed her lips gently. "I'm here to stay."

"We should get ready for work." She said as she sat on the edge of the hide-a-bed.

"Deakins told me that I'm not expected back in until Monday…and you…you're not expected back in until someone clears you." He put his hand on her arm.

"I'm fine," she said angrily pulling away from him. "Why do I have to see someone?"

"You know the rules, Eames."

"Fuck the rules. Fuck Deakins. And don't call me EAMES." She slammed her fists down on the counter top. "It's my body…my head…I know when I'm fine. And damn it, Bobby…I'm fine. I'm ready." She glared at him as he moved closer to her.

He moved a fallen strand of hair from her face. "You're not ready, Alex."

She looked up at him with a helpless look in her eyes and whispered, "I know."

"I think talking to someone would help." He took her hands in his.

"I talk to you." She looked away from him.

"Yeah. I know. BUT you need someone objective…someone who's going to rule with their head not his heart." He slowly brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed her fingertips.

"Okay." She slowly pulled her hands from his and wrapped her arms around his waist.

There was a knock on her door. "I'll get it." He kissed her forehead before pulling away.

The ten strides it took for Bobby to get the door resulted in four more knocks. "Expecting someone?" He inquired before looking through the peep hole. He tried to give her a reassuring smile. "It's your father."

All emotion left her face and she replied, "Let him in."

He opened the door. "I want to speak to Alexandra." His voice stern and flat.

"Hi, Pop." She said as she appeared beside Bobby.

He took one look at her bruised cheek and cut lip and his hard expression softened. "Hey, Cookie…" He held his arms out to her and Alex stepped into them. He took her face in his hands and whispered, "You okay?"

Alex glanced over at Bobby. "I'm okay…thanks to him." She moved out of her father's arms and took Bobby's hand in hers. "He saved my life."

"I know," John said extending his hand to Bobby. "Thank you."

Bobby returned the shake and looked at Alex. "I'd never be able to live with myself if something happened to her on my watch." She squeezed the hand she still held.

John turned back to Alex. "I'll be going now…You know me…I just had to see you and make sure you were okay…in the flesh." He kissed her cheek. "But I can see, you are in good hands. Come by soon, Cookie…You too Detective Goren. You're always welcome."

Bobby shook his head in acceptance. After the door closed and her father was gone, Bobby was quiet. Alex watched him as he paced the living room while she folded the bed back into the couch. "Bobby…something wrong?"

"I never knew that you and your father were close…the way you talk…" He stopped in front of the window and looked out into the morning sunshine.

"We didn't use to be, but since we lost Mom…Let's just say we both realized that life's to short to hold grudges." She slipped her hand into his.

"Life's too short…" he whispered as his arms came around her and held her close against him. "When I think about what almost…what almost happened I just want to hold you forever and never let you go."

"Then don't," she whispered as she took his face in her hands and pulled his mouth down to hers. When their mouths were just an inch apart, she whispered, "I love you too."

His eyes locked on hers, "You heard me…"