Tara woke up feeling very thirsty. She wasn't quite used to the heat here, so she got up and made her way downstairs for some water. She managed to find a glass in the dark and poured as quietly as she could. When she padded back to the stairs, she noticed the couch was empty. She felt worried suddenly, wondering where Bobby was at this time of night. Then she heard it, a grief stricken sobbing noise coming from outside. She tiptoed to the window and looked out. The moonlight illuminated Bobby standing in the yard, one hand on his face and the other wrapped around himself. She had two choices. She could go back to bed and pretend she never saw him, or she could go out there and bring him some comfort. She jumped when a wet nose pressed the back of her leg. She turned to see Buster standing there wagging his tail and looking at her as though to say "Get out there! He needs you!"

"Okay," she whispered. She stepped outside, closing the door behind her softly. She didn't hear anymore sobs coming from Bobby, so she carefully made her way towards him.

"Hey," she said, making him spin around.

"Tara," he replied, clearing his throat hard. "What are you doing out here?"

"I heard a noise," she answered truthfully.

"Its just me. I couldn't sleep, so I came out to wander," he said. She suddenly became very aware that he was shirtless and that she was wearing shorts with a tank top on that was a smidge too short.

"Is it helping?" she asked, trying to get her mind off of it. At least he couldn't see how red her face was.

"Not really," he shook his head. He appeared oblivious to their current state, so she kept talking.

"I lost my brother," she offered, fingering the chain around her neck. She wore her brother's cross because it reminded her of him and made her feel as though he was with her. Bobby looked at her.

"You did?"

"Yea. A few years ago."

"You never said anything."

"I didn't know anyone well enough. I had just started with you guys."

"I'm sorry. What happened? If you don't mind my asking."

"It's okay. He was hit and killed by a drunk driver. I just remember feeling so angry and hurt and then so empty, like I'd never feel happy or normal again."

"I feel like that right now."

"It does pass...sometimes it comes back for a visit, but it does go away after some time."

"How did you get through it?" he asked.

"I just kept thinking that he wouldn't want me to stay feeling like that, that I should live my life. Yes, he was gone, but he's still always with me," she said, feeling a little choked up suddenly. "It's tragic to lose family, but they wouldn't want us to feel bad."

"I know they wouldn't, but I feel like a failure because I wasn't here to protect them. I'm FBI, and I couldn't even save my parents."

"You didn't know they needed to be saved," Tara argued. "This is not your fault."

"I didn't call her back soon enough," he went on as though she hadn't spoken. "If I had, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe they wouldn't have gone out. Maybe...maybe she would have told me about Ginny. I will never know now."

"Bobby," Tara said, reaching out finally and taking his hand in hers. "You can play the What If game forever, but the ending will stay the same."

"That's bleak," he said sadly.

"I know, but it's true. You have to stop beating yourself up for this."

"I'm trying, Tara, but it's pretty hard."

"I know. That's why I'm here," she smiled. He looked at her for a moment.

"Why are you really here?" he asked. It caught her off guard.

"I'm here for you," she answered. "For support." They were standing very close to one another, and she was still holding his hand. She saw him realize he had no shirt on. He coughed and released her hand.

"You should get back inside. Dingoes like to hang around."

"Okay," she said, not moving. She couldn't seem to break eye contact with him.

"Tara?" he asked, knowing she had something on her mind.

"I broke up with Stanley," she blurted out. The words hit the air and then settled on the ground.

"You what?" Bobby asked.

"Right before I came here. I went to him and told him it just wasn't working anymore. I didn't tell him I was coming here or going to be with you. I didn't tell him that the main reason we wouldn't work out was because my heart just isn't fully into it like it should be, that I'm crazy about someone else."

"What? But Stan's a good guy," Bobby pointed out.

"I'm crazy about you, you nimrod," Tara threw at him. She watched his face as recognition finally hit it.

"Oh," he said.

"Oh? That's all you can say? Oh?" Tara said, feeling nervous now. Maybe she had done the wrong thing. Maybe Bobby didn't feel the same way. Maybe she had misread all his glances and looks throughout the last while, especially the ones he gave her and Stanley when they were together.

"I'm processing," he told her. "You just dumped a bit of a bomb shell on me."

"I'm sorry," she apologized. He rubbed his face hard. Here was something he'd wanted for a long time now, and he didn't know what to do with it.

"What did he say?" he finally asked.

"What do you mean?"

"When you told him it was over. What did he say?"

"He was shocked, hurt, upset...you know, the usual reactions. I think he was in disbelief. I didn't really give him much time to talk more about it before I left. I imagine he's probably come by the office to talk to me, but I'm not there."

"You're really crazy about me?"

"No, I made that part up," she said sarcastically.

"I'm just checking," he said. They stood in silence for a moment.

"I'm...I'm just gonna go inside now," she told him, turning to go. She made it about five steps before hands grabbed her waist to spin her around and lips were pressed against hers. Heart racing, she melted into him. It was just like she remembered, sweet but firm.

"I have wanted to do that since the last time," he said after, cupping her face with his hands.

"I wanted you to too," she admitted.

"I'm sorry I let you get away."

"I came back didn't I?"

"Yes, you did," he answered, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Well, now you know why I'm really here," she whispered. A dingo howled then, and she shivered. Another responded soon after.

"Let's get inside before they come any closer," he said. He took her hand in his, and they walked to the house together.

"Are the goats safe?" she asked once they were inside.

"Yea. The neighbor is looking after them for me," he said.

"Good."

"You better get some sleep," he commented.

"Okay."

"Thanks for telling me," he said.

"You're welcome."

She didn't want to leave him, but she could see he was exhausted. She didn't want to push. She knew he was still mourning his parents. They had lots of time after this was over to talk about their relationship. She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before going up the stairs. She fell asleep with the memory of his lips against hers.

...

Ginny was smirking when Tara went into the kitchen the next morning.

"What?" she asked.

"Oh please. I saw you two," Ginny said.

"Not so loud," Tara gestured.

"He's not here."

"Oh..."

"Sooo tell me all about it," Ginny said, hopping up on the counter.

"I'd rather not," Tara replied.

"I was really hoping for some girl talk," Ginny pouted.

"I'm not really the one for that, sorry."

"Fine," Ginny sighed. Her phone rang, so she hopped off and went to answer it. Tara felt slightly annoyed at this for some reason. She turned her thoughts to the night before and Bobby. She wondered where he went then realized he had probably gone to talk to the funeral director. She wished he had let her come with him.

...

Bobby paced the waiting room. He hated this place. He hated funerals.

"Bobby," Jeff said, coming out. "So sorry to hear about Dean and Paula."

Bobby shook his hand.

"I guess this is the hard part," Bobby said.

"Lucky for you, your mother planned ahead," Jeff said. "She said she didn't want to make anyone else have to make these arrangements."

"She picked it all out?!" Bobby asked, incredulous.

"Yes."

"How long ago?"

"Ah, there's the FBI in you coming out," Jeff said, wagging his finger at him. "It was about six years ago, mate. Not connected to this at all."

"Right," Bobby nodded. His phone rang then, and he looked at it.

"You get that," Jeff said. "I have everything under control here. I just need...them." Bobby gave him a sharp look while stepping into the other room to answer his phone.

"Manning."

"Bobby," Munroe's voice said. "You need to come here right now."

"What is it?"

"Just get here. Now."

Bobby hung up and rushed out of the building. He wondered if they had found Mac.

...

Jack was feeling very draggy by the time the end of the day rolled around. He was stepping out of the elevator when a man shouted for him to hold it.

"Can I help you?" he asked when the man reached him. He was out of breath and looked exhausted and disheveled.

"I'm looking for Bobby Manning," the man said.

"And you are?" Jack asked. He looked vaguely familiar, but Jack wasn't sure from where.

"Just take me to Bobby," he commanded. Jack frowned.

"He's not here."

"Then call him. It's important. Please."

...

Bobby found Munroe at his desk looking stressed.

"What's up?" Bobby asked. Munroe looked up at him then.

"Bobby, the coroner told me something you need to know."

"Oh, shoot, hang on," Bobby said, seeing that Jack was calling him. "Sorry, it's hard to get on the same time schedule. I'll put him on hold."

"No, Bobby," Munroe started.

"Hey, Jack," Bobby said. "Can you hang on a sec? I'm with Detective..." His face changed as Jack cut him off. Munroe tapped his desk hard to get Bobby's attention. Bobby looked at him.

"The DNA results came back on the bodies," Munroe said. "One was your mother, and the other...well, it was not Dean. Bobby, it was Mac. I'm so sorry. We don't know where Dean is."

"I do," Bobby said. Munroe gave him a puzzled look. Bobby pointed to his phone. "He's in D.C. with Jack."

*Gasp!* How's that for a twist? ;) You'll have to wait to see what Dean has to say for himself!