Author's Note: This chapter was surprisingly fun to write. Prepare for a few fireworks. I really hope you like it. And I don't say this enough. You guys rock. This fandom really is such a great community of writers and readers. I am greatful for every single review. They mean a lot to me. And its so amazing to know that writers whose work I read and think are awesome also read my work. Thank you all for how well this story has been recieved. You rock!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I borrowed them. Please don't sue me. I didn't make any money.
Title: Keeping It Together
By: Marion
Chapter: 12"Bobby, if you're there, please answer the phone," Alex said on his home answering machine. He stared at it dully, waiting for her to give up and hang up. He heard the tell tale click. That was her fourth message on the machine. His cell phone beeped. Message eight there. He hadn't checked them.
He sighed.
The phone rang again. He let it go to voice mail. "Last chance, Bobby. Pick up," she said. "Okay, fine." Click.
He heard rustling and then a key turning. She came into his apartment cautiously. "Bobby, are you here?"
He was silent. The only light was coming from the street outside. She turned on the overhead light and was startled to see him sitting on the couch. "Oh, thank god," she said, breathing deeply. "You've never ducked my calls before. I was starting to worry about you."
"I don't want to talk," he said.
"I noticed. Now that I'm not worried about your safety, I'll go." She turned to leave.
"I know they pay you to keep an eye on me. But tell me, do you get overtime for this? Hazard pay for all the 'I love you's?"
She stiffened. She turned around slowly, positively livid. "You take that back!" she hissed through clenched teeth.
"What? No joke? No deflective witticism?" he growled, standing up.
"Don't make me hit you. You get one free shot because you're having a crappy week. Next time you say something like that to me you'll be in the unique position to know if my right hook is a good as everyone says it is."
"Oh, now there's the snark I know and love," he said sarcastically.
She seethed, her fists clenching. "I'm really going to punch you if you keep it up," she warned, angrily.
Bobby got right up in her face. "Bring it on."
He was asking for it. She figured everyone who knew them would buy that defense. Carver could probably help get her off on a technicality. Hell, he'd probably buy her a beer. Eames punched her partner in the nose.
"Ow! Shit!" Bobby yelped, stumbling back. He stared at her in shock, blood dripping from his nose. He put a hand over his injured face. "Damn. I think you might have broken my nose."
Eames was shaking. "I… I shouldn't have done that," she said, staring at the floor. She sniffed. "I'm going home." She turned toward the door, moving quickly.
"Eames, wait!" he called, still holding his gushing nose. He looked at her plaintively.
"No, Bobby. I get it. You want me to lash out at you. It helps you feel better about your little display of temper this afternoon and about the guilt you still harbor about your mother," said Alex. She looked up at him, blinking back tears.
"But I don't want to lash out at you," she continued. "I don't like who I was or how I felt when I hit you. I'm going home." Tears were spilling from her eyes now. She'd never looked at him that way before. She turned away from him. And then she was gone.
Bobby stared blankly at his closed apartment door, his throbbing nose momentarily forgotten. As awareness of the pain came back to him his anger rose. Well, fuck her, then.
He stalked off to his bathroom to clean up the damage her fist had wrought. He grabbed a washcloth and wet it, cleaning his face to survey the damage. Probably not broken. Damn, she has a mean right hook.
He flashed back to the look she'd given him before she left. Like he'd broken something inside of her. Bobby stared at himself in the mirror. He put his fist through his reflected face and buried it a few inches into the drywall.
He pulled his bloody hand back roughly. What have I done?
He ransacked his bathroom before crumpling to the floor and giving in to his tears.
Author's note::heaves a heavy sigh:: Well, folks, I believe this is rock bottom. It can only get brighter from here. I hope.