We are all familiar with that old expression, the calm before the storm. Well, chapter 17 is the calm. Can you imagine what is coming up next?

The middle of this chapter, some may feel is rated M...You decide.

Chapter Seventeen

A Season of Change

Friday Evening A Few Weeks Later

Alex checks the time; it's close to three pm. She moves the files on her desk into a neat pile. "Mike, I'm leaving, I have plans for the weekend and I want to get home before four." The look on his face makes her comment, "What's that look for, I told you the other day that I was cutting out early."

He shakes his head, "I just don't get it," he gets up from the chair, "See you Monday."

"Thanks," she says sarcastically. She watches him leave and shakes her head, When is he going to get over it? Well it's his problem, not mine.

Alex has been packed, ready to leave since five. She has grown accustomed to wearing slacks and jeans to work everyday but the little black dress she is wearing compliments her figure. She checks herself in the mirror for the tenth time and nods approval. She jumps when the door buzzes, and for some reason she starts to feel nervous. "Wow you look beautiful." He says as she holds the door for him to enter.

He dons jeans and t-shirts on a daily bases but he looks very handsome in his charcoal gray suit with a clean, crisp white shirt and maroon tie, she smiles, "Thank you, looking pretty good yourself." She reaches up and kisses his cheek.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes I am………….Now can you tell me where we're going?"

"No…………..Where's your bag?"

She points, "Right over there." he bends down to pick up the overnight and garment bag. Alex picks up her cell phone from the table and opens her purse to slip it in. "What's that?" he says.

She gives him a puzzled look, "I know you live out in the burbs but this is a cell phone."

"You won't need that, leave it here."

"What if………" he drops the bag, "If some catastrophe happens I'm sure we'll here about it, we're not going to the moon and God forbid if anything happens in your family I have given my cell phone number to your sister and your Mom. So you can leave it here."

"Alright Bobby, what is this all about?"

He reaches down and picks up the bags again, barely above a whisper he says, "I don't want him calling you all weekend."

"He doesn't do that."

He raises his voice, "Bullshit!" he steps back and scratches the back of his head, "Sorry, Alex, I'm sorry. I………..it's just that every time he calls you answer, no matter where we are or what we're doing."

"You're exaggerating, Bobby."

"Alright maybe a little," he holds her face in his hand and lightly kisses her lips, "Can't you, for one weekend leave your job at the station."

"You're………." I don't know whether to be pissed or delighted, She chuckles to herself, they are both jealous of each other, men. Well Bobby's feelings count for more. She lays the phone on the table and grabs his hand, "Come on, let's go."

He opens the door and they walk out onto the sidewalk, she looks up and down the street, "I would have thought that at this hour of the day you would have gotten a spot closer to my apartment." She turns to face him, "Did you have to park on the next block."

"No, I didn't drive in tonight."

"You took a cab, I don't believe it." She continues to look for his car.

"Not exactly," she follows his eyes as he motions with his head to look across the street.

She takes a step forward and a man dressed in a dark blue suit is walking toward them. Bobby hands the man Alex's bag. "Alex Eames, this is Simon." He tips his hat, "Good evening Ma'am," his English accent makes her smile. Bobby takes her hand, "He came with the car."

"That, that's a Rolls Royce…………..Bobby where are we going?"

He lets go of her hand abruptly, "If you ask me that question once more I'll go off with Simon by myself and dressed like this," he fixes his tie, "it won't take long to find someone to spend the evening with."

She starts to laugh as she tugs on his arm, "Oh really?"

He nods his head multiple times, "Yeah."

"Ok I promise, I won't ask again." They link arms and he escorts her across the street. Simon is waiting by the car with her door open. "Thank you Simon."

Bobby gets in the car, "Is this a car? Or is this a car?"

"This seat is more comfortable than my couch." She rubs the leather. Bobby smiles as he picks up a chilled bottle of champagne and pops the cork, he starts to laugh, "He called you Ma'am."

"Shut up and pour me a glass of champagne."

After a few glasses of champagne and a drive around the city, the car stops and Alex notices Simon exit the car. He opens Bobby's door, then he walks around the car, and opens her door. Bobby bends down and she takes his hand. Whispering, "Bobby did he park at the right Hotel?"

"Yes, yes he did."

"The Four Seasons, we're spending the weekend at the Four Seasons?"

"Yes we are." His smile lights up his eyes, "Why do you think I hired the Rolls for the weekend, I wasn't going to show up in front of this place with one of my cars, unless of course I had a Jag."

"You're not going to rebuild a Jag now are you? I mean you have that big lump of motorcycle to work on, by the way how's that coming?"

They walk around the back of car and Simon is following carrying Alex's bags, "I got rid of it."

"Really?"

The automatic door opens, "Yeah, I don't need to do that anymore." He smiles and kisses her hand. "Let's get inside."

People are watching them as they walk through the lobby, toward the elevator. They look perfectly suited for this Five Star Hotel. Simon escorts them to their suite and after some instructions from Bobby; Simon wishes them a pleasant evening. Bobby unlocks the door to a small suite and Alex is the first to enter, "Gees it's bigger than my apartment." On a table is a tray of fresh fruit, shrimp cocktail and an assorted cheese platter. A bottle of champagne is chilling.

He picks up the bottle, "Should I?"

"Go right ahead. We're not driving anywhere, are we?"

He pops the cork, "Not with what I'm paying Simon." He pours the champagne into a glass and hands it to her. She takes a sip, "So what's next?"

He raises his eyebrows and smiles, she puts down the glass and puts her arms around his neck, "So what else is new?"

She kisses him, "No not that," he says, "I'm hungry."

She pokes him in the side, "You pain in the ass."

They fall into the bed………………………………

Later That Evening

"That was a delicious meal, before we leave I need to use the ladies room." Alex folds up her napkin and stands up. She hears a familiar voice and looks up to see the Deputy Commissioner, the chief of detectives, and Mayor Bloomberg having dinner. She sits down suddenly and Bobby looks at her ashen face, "What's the matter?"

She points, and then whispers, "Behind you," he casually looks back. "It's my boss, the deputy commissioner and the mayor."

He shrugs his shoulders, "I hope we're not paying for their meal."

"What, what are you talking about?"

He says with a touch of anger in his voice, "The taxpayers of New York, I hope we're not paying for their meal," he stands up. Her eyes widen, "Bobby don't."

He buttons up his jacket, "Don't worry I won't say anything, are you ready?"

"I have to stop off at the ladies room first."

They meet Simon and he drives them to the Comedy Club, after a few newcomers, Lewis Black takes the stage.

The Next Morning

After a light breakfast, served in the room, of mimosas, croissants and fresh fruit. Bobby informs Alex that he has made an appointment for her for at the spa and the salon. "Where are you going?"

"It's been close to three years since I've played but I am meeting some guys for 18 holes and then a massage." He kisses her cheek, "Have a great morning, I love you."

She takes a small bite of her croissant, "I love you too. Enjoy yourself."

11 AM

She receives a total Vital Body Rejuvenation, including a facial. She leaves the spa and signs in at the salon. Before her hair is shampooed and styled, she is escorted to the manicurists table, the manicurist sits down across from her, "Good morning, my name is Annie, how are you this morning?"

"Good morning Annie, I feel wonderful, how are you?"

Annie glances up and frowns "Are you Alex Eames?"

"Yes I am," it takes a second but Alex recognizes the face, "Annie Tyler, how are you? I heard you quit the force. I was very surprised, you did better at the academy than I did."

"It was too much, but now I have my own little following here and I really enjoy this." She starts filing her nails. "Are you still on the force?"

"Yes I am. I have to agree with you, sometimes it is a bit much, but I've managed to hang in there."

"Are you here for the weekend?"

She nods her head, "Yes my boyfriend planned all this?"

"Who is he, a Rockefeller?"

"No," she shakes her head and chuckles, "just a guy, a very sweet guy."

"Well if I were you," Annie winks, "I wouldn't let him get away."

She smiles then leans forward, "I won't, believe me I won't."

That Afternoon

Alex returns to the room and finds him lying on the bed, he stirs when he hears the door open. "You look comfortable." She says.

"Damn I have never been so relaxed in my life" he clears his throat, "naturally anyway."

She pours herself a glass of champagne. "Bobby would you like some champagne?"

"Yes thank you."

"Bobby I have to say that I could easily get use to this. I like being pampered." She looks over at him and he is wearing a white cotton robe. "Where did you get that robe?"

He points, "The bathroom, his and hers are hanging on the bathroom door. I needed a shower, when I got back." He leans on his elbow, "Big Bertha must have used a gallon of oil on me."

She smiles and sits down on the bed and hands him the glass, "Big Bertha?"

He sits up and takes the glass from her hand, "Thanks," he takes a sip of champagne, "Out of all the masseuses you think I would get one of the attractive ones," He takes a another short sip, "No, I get Bertha, who could play defensive end for the Jets, the woman was huge. But I must say," he rubs the back of his neck, "she got cricks out of my neck that must have been there for twenty years."

She senses him staring at her, "What?" she sits up and catches her reflection in the mirror, "I know, it's my hair, it's too poofy."

"I kind of like it. Maybe if you were wearing something else it would look better, it just doesn't go with what you have on."

"I'm gonna wash it out."

"Not on my account."

"No, no. I don't like it, besides I need a shower."

She returns donning the hers bathrobe and stops to fill her glass with champagne. "Bobby, want some more champagne?" No answer, Alex picks up the champagne bottle, "Bobby?" No answer, she looks over to where he is lying. She takes her glass with her and climbs up on the bed. "He's asleep, I don't believe it."

She puts her glass down on the end table and snuggles in; laying her head on his chest, she starts to caresses him. You've started working out again, not that you were getting flabby, but………….She opens up his robe down to his waist and leans in and kisses his chest. He stirs and moves his arm and pulls her in closer. "Are you awake."

"Yes I am, sorry about that, but I couldn't help it."

"It's alright," He rubs the small of her back and kisses the top of her head. Alex lifts up her head and brushes her lips over his. He traces her lips with the tip of his tongue as her hand caresses his chest. Her hand drifts down and she begins to untie his robe, "You're not going to stop me this time?"

A deep laugh comes from him, "Hell, no." She begins to stroke him and he closes his eyes and lets out a low moan.

Alex lifts herself up from the bed and positions herself on his lap. He holds her by her waist as she moves closer to him. Their lips met and their kiss is long and deep. As he kisses her neck, his hands are sliding down her body removing her robe.

Bobby's hands slide up to her breasts. She lays her hands on his shoulder as he moves forward taking one nipple between his lips drawing it in deeply making her moan. He licks and kisses her between her breasts before he takes control of the other one.

He moves his hand down between her legs and touches her gently. "You sure you want to be up there?"

A sinister smile crosses her face, "Oh yes, Oh yes I do."

"Ok," he lets his arms down as if he's surrendering, "I'm all yours."

Alex leans down and covers her mouth with his, "I know," she raises herself up and reaches for one of the foil wrappers on the end table. She unwraps it and slides it on him. She glides her fingers from the head down and back again. He lets out a moan as his body tightens. Alex moves up and takes control as she guides him into her.

They hold each other's hands as she raises herself up and down, slowly at first then faster and faster with each movement. "God, you're so beautiful." He says as he quickens the pace.

She throws her head back and lets go of his hands as she feels the first wave of pleasure. Alex shivers once, twice, "Oh Bobby," she then lets out a clenched sigh. He grabs her by the waist moving her up and down. He lifts her higher and faster each time as he succumbs to the wave of ecstasy surging through his body. He picks her up one last time and growls, "Oh God," as he climaxes.

Alex relaxes her body and slumps on his chest and lays there wanting to catch her breath, "I love you so much," she kisses his neck then lifts herself off and snuggles in next to him. "I love you too."

They lay in silence for a moment. Alex stirs. "What time is it?"

"I don't know. Why?" He exhales, "You got a date?"

"Very funny, what time is Simon due to pick us up?"

"He will be here at seven to take us to the theater." He sits up, "I got tickets for Wicked."

"Fantastic, I love that show."

He takes a short sip of champagne, "How about we get room service and then after the show we can go to Café Café." He lies back down on the bed.

"You don't want to move, do you?"

"No not yet, it's so quiet and peaceful," he puts his hands behind his head, "No kids, no friends of kids. And most of all no bleep, bleep sound from Play station going up my spine."

She smiles and snuggles in closer.

Saturday Evening

Café Café

"I really like this place," he takes her arm as the hostess leads them to a table. "Excuse me," Bobby says, "Could we have that table," he points, "the one in the corner."

She smiles, "Sure, follow me."

"Thank you, Rhonda."

"You're very welcome," she hands them a menu, "Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you," he pulls out Alex's chair and she sits down, he takes his seat and picks up the menu. "So did you enjoy the show?"

She smiles, "Yes I think these performers were better than the last time," she puts down her menu, "How about you, did you like it?"

"Yes I did. It was different, I enjoyed it."

The waitress brings their drink order, and then takes their food order, Bobby orders a sandwich and Alex decides on a salad.

"You know I'm not a man for small talk," he reaches into his pocket; her heart starts to beat faster. He lays a small box on the table. "You're going to make me say it aren't you?" She grabs his hand, "Yes. Oh yes I am."

They both giggle a little. "Oh man," he rubs his face and then he takes a hold of her hand. "I never thought I would ever be doing this again. I wasn't looking for it but when I saw you standing on my porch, I knew that you were someone I wanted and needed to know."

Alex squeezes his hand, "I felt the same way."

"Lord knows we've had our arguments and we have defiantly been through some crazy times but all an all I, love you Alex. Will you marry me?"

He opens the box and takes out the ring; Alex starts to fidget in her chair. Bobby can sense the couple next to them staring, "What? You never get excited?" he looks at Alex and she smiles. He asks, "Is that a yes?"

"Oh yes, yes." He leans over the table and kisses her. "So you think you'll like living in the suburbs, Alex Eames?" He puts the ring on her finger. "It fits."

She smiles and places her hand on his, "Oh yes, I know I can Bobby Goren."

TBC

Café Café is a name of a café in Soho, New York. It is not a mistake.