Disclaimer: L&OCI not mine

Chapter 5

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Not Ready for Reality or Ross

The cat was out of the bag. The entire Eames clan had their suspicions as to why Bobby and Alex cut their honeymoon at Lake George short … her brother Jack won the pool. He was proud as a peacock, everyone else was talking smack about his boy Bobby's mental health … Jack liked Bobby very much, he knew the big guy would make it through this. Besides, when he came up with the idea of Alex being pregnant, Jimmy Deakins looked away, Jack was the other cop in the family and that was a 'tell.'

The celebration went on for hours and Bobby was having a good time … too good.

"Jimmy, do you believe that jackass Ross told my Alex to investigate me?" Bobby has had a little too much to drink. Jimmy figures he should let him talk and get it all out.

"I can't say that I would have done the same thing. I'd like to think you would have told me about Brady."

"I don't know … I didn't tell Alex. I'm not him you know." Jimmy scoffs at this statement.

"You don't think we all know that. If any two people were more opposite. Shoot Bobby, you could have come to me."

"Ross liked me for those murders. My own brother … my own brother." There are tears in his eyes.

Jimmy sit's a little closer to Bobby and places his hand on his shoulder and speaks a little more sternly.

"Forget Ross, that man will never know you like we all know you. Look around Bobby. Jimmy makes a gesture for Bobby to look around the Eames' yard. Bobby looks up and catches Alex looking over at them. This is your family, they have welcomed you with open arms, they love you and believe in you. You're going to be a dad soon, I know it's not easy but, lets move forward and have the happy life that you and Alex deserve."

Alex makes her way over to her husband and former captain.

"How are you boys doing over here? Can I get you anything? Another beer, anything?"

"I could use my bed, I think I've had enough to drink Ally."

"Yup, he's had enough. Alex, Angie and the girls and I are gonna get going. We'll say good night to your parents. We'll do dinner real soon, okay?"

"I'll call Angie, we'll make plans."

Jimmy leans over to give Alex a kiss. Bobby is finding his hands very interesting, Jimmy gives him a playful smack on his head. Bobby looks up and they do the guy nod thing. Alex can see that whatever Bobby and Jimmy were talking about, made him very melancholy, with that combined with the amount of alcohol that he consumed … it was time to leave.

OOO

It had been a long weekend away from home and a long day of overindulgence … ribs, chips, hotdogs, beer, burgers, watermelon … you name it. Alex couldn't tell if Bobby was in need of a Tums or an antidepressant … he was way too quiet.

"Bobby, can I get you something?"

"An honest answer."

"Ask the question."

"Did you like me for those murders?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"No."

"Not for a blink of an eye."

"I was sneaking around … working the Lake case … you could have suspected me."

"No! Why are you bringing this up?"

"Because we have to tell Ross about Baby G and he liked me for those murders."

"Bobby, he was just doing his job. The stress that you have been under. It was good for us that I did the investigation, the luds, the financials, the e-mails. I could remove my self from being your wife. They're just waiting for us to screw up."

"They could say you tainted the evidence."

"Simmons helped with it … they couldn't unless they wanted to accuse him too."

"Whatever, I don't know if I can work for a man that thinks I could kill my own brother, then outs me to Major Case. You know I'm water cooler gossip 'serial killer's son.' I just don't know if I can go back."

Bobby walks away from a stunned Alex. He heads into the bedroom and falls asleep. She doesn't remember buying another ticket on the Goren express, she was really starting to hate roller coasters. She slept on the couch … it felt more like the merry-go-round … appropriate, because her head was spinning.

When he woke up the next morning and Alex wasn't by his side and his head felt like a lead balloon … he wondered what he did and where she was … he went looking. She was curled up on the couch and the DVD player was on. He knew he was in trouble when he saw the movie that she put in to watch … "An Affair To Remember" … she watches that movie when she's upset … he upset her. He sat in his easy boy, like anything for him was ever easy, and tried to remember what he did. He sat with head in hands remembering the cookout, too much beer and talking with Jimmy. He was mad at Ross … Ross. He walked away from her … end of discussion, he was quitting and he didn't consult her. It had been on his mind and the overindulgence of beer caused it slip out. Alex woke up and saw a motionless Bobby, she got off the couch and was kneeling in front of him, his only clue that she was there … her two tiny hands traveling up his thighs. He finally tilts his head to see her.

"Baby, whatever I did, I'm sorry."

"I just want you to put yourself in his shoes … Ross, I mean."

"They're way too small for me."

"The Tunnel of Love."

"Excuse me."

"My favorite ride."

"I'm confused."

"Join the club. Bobby, please make an appointment with Dr. Olivet. Don't do anything rash. I understand your frustration with Ross. Don't you think it hurts me when he comes down on you? This time he was by the book … believe it or not, he was trying to protect you."

Bobby lets out the breath that he had been holding … he really didn't want to have this conversation, especially with a hangover. He thought about the roller coaster and relating it to the meaning of life. It was always going to be the meaning of his relationship with Captain Ross as well. His relationship with Captain Deakins wasn't perfect but there was a mutual respect there that wasn't present between Goren and Ross. Respect was important to Goren, if there was one thing he was confident in, it was his ability as an effective police officer.

Bobby puts his hands up as if to surrender or to agree with Alex but that's not exactly what he had in mind. He was awake, alert and sober, he knew how he felt and he wasn't going to take it anymore.

"I don't want to hear you defend that man right now Baby … I just can't. I need to go for a walk. I'll call Olivet on my walk … I have her number in my cell. I just need some air right now."

With that, he leaves and Alex puts "An Affair To Remember" back in the DVD player.

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He's moody and Alex reminds him that she's the one that's pregnant! Thanks for reading! Judeey ;)