Chapter 9
Standing outside her door, she took a deep breath before shoving her key into the lock and opening the door. "Honey, I'm home," she teased.
The smell that greeted her was a welcomed smell of garlic and chicken. He smiled at her from the stove where he was stirring something in a pot. "Hey, there."
"What you cooking?" She said shrugging off her coat. He'd wanted to come with her to the appointment but at the last minute she'd decided it was something she had to do on her own.
"Just making the glaze to go over the baked chicken. Hope you like garlic." He said setting the spoon down next to the stove.
"That's fine." She said a little distracted. She pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down to watch him.
"You okay?" He stepped toward her and sat across from her.
"Yeah…Bobby?" She avoided his eyes.
He reached across the table and touched her hand. "Talk to me."
"I don't know if I helped or hindered my chances at coming back sooner…Bobby, I think I screwed up." She let a tear slip down her cheek.
"How?" His thumb gently wiped the tear away.
"She kept asking me about how I felt and I kept telling her I was ready to work. By the end of the session, I'd screamed at her." She looked up at him. "It's not her fault…you know…what he did wasn't her fault. And I yelled at her."
"It's only natural to lash out…self preservation." His hand was over hers again.
She pushed her chair back and stood. "Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Don't get in my head." She walked to the window and looked out.
She wasn't surprised when she felt his breath just inches from her ear. Her fist clenched at her sides.
"I just want to help."
"Don't."
"Alex…" He touched her shoulder.
She whirled around. "You don't have to help. I don't need help. Your help or anyone else's. I can take care of myself."
"No one doubts that…least of all me." He didn't try to touch her again. He just stood there, close enough to see her tremble slightly.
"Oh no? That's why you are here…because you think at any moment that Alexandra Eames is going to fall apart…going to need you..." Her voice full of venom.
"You're the strongest person I know, Alex."
The punch came from nowhere and he'd not been able to block it. She'd gave him a right hook and was know standing before him, opened mouth and shame was clear in her eyes now. Pushing past him, she ran to her room and slammed the door. Hearing the door lock, Bobby sighed as he rubbed his jaw, knowing it was going to leave a mark.
Walking to her door, he knocked softly. He tried the knob anyway. Locked, just like he knew it would be. "Alex…Alex let me in."
"No." He could tell she was just on the other side.
"You can't stay in there forever. You have no bathroom…no food…no water."
"Leave, Bobby."
"I'm not going anywhere." He sat with his back against the door.
He didn't know how long they'd been sitting there. Silence was filling the apartment, and the silence was making him go stir crazy. He'd been listening for any sounds that she was going to come out, but he'd heard nothing. He leaned his head back against the door. Closing his eyes, he silently willed her to come out, come out and talk to him.
A loud shrill noise filled her apartment making him jump.