Author's Note: This chapter flowed well. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue. No money.

Title: Keeping It Together

By: Marion

Chapter: 14

Alex reached into her pocket and pulled out the picture of Ivy along with the sealed letter. She passed them to her partner.

Bobby looked at the picture very closely. "She looks like my mother," he said softly. "This letter. He wanted to tell me about her. H-his little girl?"

"Her name is Ivy," said Alex. "She just turned eleven."

Bobby bit his lip. "I should have read the letter," he said.

"So read it," she said. "He begged me to give it back to you and to bring you her picture."

Bobby opened the letter and began to read it silently.

Dear Bobby,

I'm sorry for the bad blood between us. I know that seems stupid, coming from me now. Especially since I'm in prison. I screwed up, Bobby. I screwed up a lot. I would like to reconcile with you if you give me the chance. But even if you won't, and I don't really deserve the chance anyway, I need to tell you something.

I have a little girl. Her name is Ivy. She's ten years old. She came to live with me when she was four, when her mom died. She's a really good girl, Bobby. And she's so smart. She reminds me of you. She's in foster care now. I miss her so much. I tried to do right by her. She's the only thing I didn't mess up.

I'm not asking you to take her in. I don't mean to disrupt your life. I was just hoping you might look in on her, make sure they're treating her right. Don't hold my faults against my baby.

When I get out I'm going to make things right with you. I mean it.

Sincerely,

Richard Jr.

"I can't," Bobby whispered.

"What's wrong?" asked Alex.

"He wants me to see her. I c-can't."

His answer surprised her. "Why not?" she asked.

"What could I possibly offer her? Her life sounds tumultuous enough with out throwing a crazy uncle in the mix," said Bobby.

"You're not crazy," said Alex. "And you like kids."

"I just can't, okay? I can't do this."

"Okay. No one's forcing you," Alex soothed. "We don't have to talk about it again."

She pulled up in front of her house and they went inside. "I'm beat," she said. "Let's get some sleep."

He watched her walk down the hallway to her room tentatively. When she realized he wasn't behind her she looked back. "Aren't you coming?"

"I wasn't sure I was allowed," he said softly.

She went back and took his uninjured hand. "Come on, Bobby," she said, giving him a tug. "I can't have you up pacing all night, keeping me awake." He went with her, a little reluctantly.

xxx

"Eames," said Bobby, giving her a nudge.

She rolled over and put her back to him. "To early. More sleep."

He smiled at her back tenderly. "Eames," he tried again.

"Huh?" She rolled over to face him.

"May I borrow your car?" he asked.

She woke up. "Why?"

"I need to go somewhere. Please. I'll be back by dinner, I promise."

"I guess so. Keys are on the dresser."

"Thanks." He climbed out of bed.

"Bobby?"

"Hmm?"

"If you put one scratch on my new car…"

"Its my balls. I know. Not a scratch." He smiled at her and hurried to go get ready.

xxx

"I have to say I didn't believe it when the guard told me you were here," said Richard, entering the conference room.

Bobby watched him as he came to sit across the table. "It's been a long time," said Bobby, his voice betraying no emotion.

"Look, for the record, I'm sorry to hear about mom and I'm sorry I was such an ass to you," said Richard.

Bobby was silent.

"I screwed up, Bobby. I screwed up badly," said Richard. "I have nothing I can say for myself."

"You're damn right you don't," Bobby said coldly.

"I have a problem, Bobby. An addiction. I'm getting help with the gambling."

"No, hey, it's okay," said Bobby. "It's okay if you're crazy. Isn't that what you used to tell me? It's okay that you're crazy, Bobby. It runs in the family."

The coldness in Bobby's eyes chilled his brother deeply. "I'm sorry."

"And that's supposed to what? Just make everything okay," said Bobby, the pitch of his voice higher than normal.

"No. I wronged you. I won't make light of that."

"What about what you did to her?" asked Bobby. "Mom asked about you every week."

Richard looked pained. "I'm sorry."

Bobby stood up to leave. "Good," he said. "You should be sorry."

"Bobby, wait," Richard called after him. "Please. Your partner told you, didn't she? What about Ivy?"

"Don't ask me to do that," said Bobby roughly. And he left.

Author's note: I'm sure Bobby's reaction was surprising, but bear with me. As always, reviews make me happy.