Electricity

By LMR

Disclaimer: Dick Wolf and USA gave it to me for a Fourth of July gift. Really. He also gave me sea monkeys.

A.N.: A million thanks to the ever patient Claire (guitar73girl), who didn't even complain when I gave her a Fourth of July raspberry!

A.N. 2: Your reviews make my day!

Chapter 16: Gifts

xXx

"How could you do this to me?" Audra yelled as the nameless officers hauled her away. "I thought I meant something to you!"

Drake's face remained set, his jaw jutted. After staring her down for a long moment, his expression turned to one of rage. "How could I do this? You killed her, you psycho freak!"

"How could you even think that, Drake?" She was in tears, and even Eames and Goren had to admit she was pretty convincing.

"Oh, stop the waterworks, Audra, I saw your confession," he railed.

"My what?! I didn't confe- Why would I- Let go of me!" she shrieked at the officer restraining her. "I never confessed!"

"Sorry about that," Goren said to her innocently. "We might have given him the impression that you had."

"Right before he squashed your alibi," Eames added, allowing herself a little smile.

"You idiot," Audra said to her former paramour, remarkably calm and somewhat incredulous. "I did it for you, as a gift to you, so we could be together and you ruined everything. I should've just let her have you," she added with disgust as she was led away.

Eames shook her head before returning her focus to her desk. "Too bad they're breaking up: They deserve each other." Goren nodded and threw her a sidelong glance and a small smile.

"Oh." Alex suddenly jumped. "I nearly forgot. I got you a Fourth of July present." She put the red gift bag square on top of the Santa mug, and gestured for him to take it.

"Um," Bobby responded, looking at the package with trepidation, as if he expected it to explode and cover him with soot a la Wiley Coyote. Was I supposed to buy her something?

"I know, I know, not exactly a normal gift giving holiday, but I thought..." She let her shoulders sink and sighed as if she'd been caught in a lie. "Okay, truth is, it was on a clearance rack, and it was nice, and you were the first person that came to mind when I saw it," she blurted out, gaving a guilty shrug. "That makes me sound like a jerk, doesn't it?" Alex said, sounding abashed. That makes my giving you a gift seem non-threatening, doesn't it?

"No, it's saving me from some serious guilt actually, because I have to admit I really didn't think about getting you anything for the Fourth," he said. He reached out for the bag, but seemed reluctant to open it.

Bobby finally reached through the red tissue paper and pulled out a small object. He furrowed his brow when he saw that it was a picture frame, the exact size for the memo. It wasn't like the red rose he'd passed on at the garage sale, but it was fitting for them, in its own way. And she would never know how just how appropriate he thought it was. He looked up at Alex and found her biting her lip, waiting for him to say something.

"It's nice," he insisted. "I mean it's really nice, but you're supposed to put a picture in it." Did she not want him to have a picture of her? Did she think that was too intimate?

"I've always hated that," Alex said casually. "It's like putting a condition on the gift." She went back to her paperwork. "Use it for whatever you want. I'm sure you've got something that'll fit." Alex looked back up and let her eyes stay on him for just a moment longer than was completely natural, hoping he would get the idea.

Bobby examined his partner carefully, looking for any sign that she knew what sort of duty she was delivering the little frame into. He tried desperately to remember putting the memo away when she'd gotten to his place. But Alex just looked at him expectantly. "Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I do. Thank you, Alex. And I know just what to use it for." Bobby smiled a little in spite of himself as he fingered the line of fireworks shooting up the side.

xXx

Coming soon:

(Oh, Jeeze not another one, you jerk.)

"The Final Barrier"

"'The sheriff of Spit-in-the-Road asked if we could spare the two of you for the remainder of the investigation. I told him I didn't think you would really...'

The rest of the Captain's words were a blur to Alex. Rest of the investigation. No Deakins, Logan, Barek, no anybody we know. Bobby. Me. Probable hotel room.

'I can't speak for Bobby, but I could use some time away.'

No Captain, no I.A., no regulations. Alex. Me. Middle of nowhere.

'Sounds like fun.'"

xXx

I solemnly swear on the "good" name of LMR that I will not string you along for a third story with no hook-up. I know you don't believe me, and you have no reason to believe me, but I mean it.

They're hooking up in this story. I mean it. Really. They are really going to hook up. I'm not crossing my fingers behind my back. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a pizza in my mouth. (So, Claire, how many people are actually going to believe me?)

That's the good news. The bad news is that it's going to take longer for this one to show up (it definitely will show up, don't worry about that) because it's about twice as long. This time around, it's half a mystery, half a romance. In other words, about half the chapters will be 'ship only with no case. I can hear your disapointment eye roll. What you're saying is "It's about time she paid attention to the important stuff!"