Late: Chapter 4

By: The Confused One

A/N: Well, this whole conversation started as something I was going to do as a one-shot between them, but it just felt right in this fic. So, here it is. Please enjoy and remember to review. Thanks.

Getting into the car, Alex complained, "Bobby, we've been to ten houses today already. Let's go home, please."

Starting the car, Bobby argued, "But there is one more close by."

Alex groaned. Beating him to the gearshift, she met his eyes and insisted, "My feet hurt. It's almost five. We've been at this since eight this morning. It's time to go home."

Bobby sighed. Nodding, he relented, "Alright."

Alex nodded and let go of the gear shift. Sitting up straight again, she grumbled, "Thank you. This is why I drive. I'm in charge of where we go, and you don't drag us all over creation."

Bobby smiled. Pulling into traffic, he teased, "I know. I know why you started insisting on driving, too. It was your way of making sure you always knew where we were going. It was one of the ways you were trying to keep up with me."

Shaking her head, Alex blushed slightly and confessed, "Yeah. It was. Also, you're driving sucks." Alex stared out the windshield a moment. Looking at him, she asked, "I was that bad at hiding it?"

Bobby smirked. He promised, "My driving is not that bad."

Alex arched her eyebrows. Still watching him, she countered, "Yes, it is. And you didn't answer my question."

Bobby continued to smile. He finally replied, "No. You weren't that bad at hiding it. I got to know you, and I realized that you're, generally, not a control freak, and that your insistence that you drive was about something else. Then it occurred to me one day when we got into the car and you asked where we were going. You were trying to minimize any surprises."

Alex snorted. Looking out the windshield again, she admitted, "The first few weeks you were constantly going and practically ignoring me. Remember the Wilson case?" When she got a nod, she continued, "You dragged us out to that cabin to check on that stupid fern. I was furious. It was a three hour drive outside the city to look at a plant. At the time, I wanted to throttle you. I thought we should have called the locals to check on it. Then on the way back, you almost got us sideswiped by that truck. I knew that was it. You weren't driving us anywhere anymore. I was going to be in charge of the keys."

Bobby laughed at her story. He admitted, "I'm sorry. You know how it was then. I still thought you'd leave. I don't even remember you being angry about it."

Alex sighed and assured him, "I figured as much. You seemed surprised when I demanded to start driving."

Bobby laughed again at the memory. He agreed, "Yeah. That's when I started really paying attention to you and came to realize you're the most amazing woman I've ever met. You're still the best partner I've ever had."

Alex grinned now. She teased, "What are we going to do with you when I have to go on desk duty and then maternity leave?"

Bobby sighed. He confessed, "I'm going to hate it, again."

Alex laughed. She agreed, "I know, but this time, you get to come home to me."

Bobby sighed and lamented, "It's not the same"

Alex sighed. She could tell where his mind was going. She said his name and then fell short.

Filling the vacuum, Bobby focused on the houses again, "When we get home, I'm going to look over those inspection reports."

Alex closed her eyes. She sighed and reminded him, "Bobby, we didn't even like most of those houses."

Bobby nodded. He agreed, "I know. That's why we need to look over the ones we did like."

Alex shook her head and warned, "You're being obsessive again. Every one of those houses is safe, Bobby."

Bobby nodded absently. He persisted, "I want to check anyway."

Alex shook her head and rolled her eyes. She tried to reassure him, "Please don't worry about what your temporary partner is going to be like. It's going to be fine, and they can't be worse than Bishop."

Bobby laughed. With a nod, he apologized, "I'm sorry… about today. I'm surprised you let me… drag you to as many houses as you did."

Alex laughed and affectionately admitted, "I went as long as I could. Bobby, you really don't need to look over those reports tonight."

Bobby simply replied, "I have a week left."

With a sigh, she warned, "I'm tempted to call tomorrow just to get my husband back."

Bobby internally groaned. He apologized again, "I'm sorry. I know I've been…preoccupied. But you're the one who gave me a month."

Alex rolled her eyes again. She replied, "The word is obsessive, Bobby, and it has nothing to do with the time limit I gave you."

With a nod, Bobby turned into a restaurant parking lot. Noting the look of surprise on Alex's face, he announced, "You're right. No reports or real estate books tonight. I promise, dinner instead."

Alex smiled again. Meeting his eyes, she happily agreed, "It's great. Thank you. God, I'm starved. I'm dying for ribs."

Bobby laughed as he watched her get out of the car. It was moments like this that Bobby was struck by how close to perfect his life had become. He was then struck with a fleeting thought: it was this stability and near perfection that truly caused his anxiety. A part of him still feared losing it. Pushing the thought away, he smiled again and got out of the car and joined her.