My, oh my! Busy week, so slow in updating. Let's see, when we last were with our dear detectives, they were ready to take a much needed break from this horrid murder. Alex was hanging with her fam, and Bobby was heading over to help Lewis with a car. Male bonding at its best. And? Oh, yes, time for a little more flirting, Eames family meddling, a birthday and what else? Oh, yeah, their first date! Because y'all have waited patiently, this is a super-sized chapter. I am just borrowing them, I own nothing. Review and ye shall be rewarded :)
"How the hell did you get a hold of this?" Bobby dubiously regarded the pile of auto parts, body panels, and the frame of an F85.
"Got a great deal on it, man!" Lewis was enthusiastic.
Bobby poked around the engine block, "Translation: they saw you coming. Jesus, it's like this-this demented jigsaw puzzle."
"And you love puzzles, Bobby," his childhood friend grinned. "The Shelby wasn't in much better shape than this."
He had him there, Bobby acknowledged silently. "So, I take it you have a plan to get this up and running."
"I do. It's gonna involve a lot of nights, weekends...a bit of free labor," Lewis hinted.
"'bout ten years' worth," Bobby muttered. "With being back at Major Case..." he let he thought trail off.
"Oh, I know," Lewis nodded. "Speaking of, how is the lovely Detective Alex?"
"She's..why do you do that?" he was irritated.
"Let's see, she's smart, got a killer body, and knows cars probably as good as we do. What's not to love? Jeez, have you looked at her, man? I mean, you see her every day, but she is..." his friend stopped when he caught a glimpse of Bobby's face. "Shit! Of course you look at her."
"Um, Alex is fine. I-I'm happy to be back working with her," Bobby stammered.
Lewis dropped the wrench he was holding, "Dude...are you...you and Detective Alex...?"
"What? No, no!" he denied it.
"Well, you always call her Eames, and now it's Alex. Come on, man, details!" Lewis was incredulous.
"There's nothin' to tell," Bobby groaned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Like hell," his friend countered.
Bobby threw up his hands, "It's not anything, yet. We're...uh, taking it slow. I think."
"Twelve years, for chrissake," Lewis pulled a couple beers from the garage fridge, and handed him one. "You think she isn't worth it?"
Bobby took a long slug of beer and contemplated, "My life has been fucked up for so long, I'm not sure I know how to even..."
"Like ridin' a bike, dude," Lewis laughed.
Bobby gave him a good-natured shove, "Says the man who is a few years younger and likes to share the wealth with the ladies."
"Only because I ain't found anyone that..." Lewis chuckled. "Look, Bobby, if I had someone like her," he looked around the garage, "I wouldn't be spending my life here...or maybe I would, she might be good for some free labor."
"Asshole," Bobby laughed.
"If it doesn't work out, give her my number," Lewis grinned.
Alex walked into her apartment, dropping the bag with her dirty clothes from yesterday inside the door. She laced up her running shoes, and headed out for her usual circuit. Her headache from earlier had subsided, courtesy of lots of water and a second dose of ibuprofen. Her I pod was blasting Abba, her endorphins kicking the cobwebs from her brain. She stopped to grab a salad and yogurt from the corner store, knowing her fridge contents were paltry. A shower, a load of laundry and vegging in front of the TV completed her evening. She was between the sheets and lights out by ten o'clock. For a brief moment, she considered calling Bobby, but fell asleep before she finished the thought.
Bobby and Lewis spent the afternoon and evening plotting the resurrection of the behemoth in the back bay. Discussion of his potential relationship with his partner was shut down. Bobby felt awkward talking about Alex, like he was betraying a secret. God knows he was having enough trouble acknowledging those feelings himself. Lewis, for his part, knew him well enough to know that when he clammed up, it was better to just leave it alone.
Monday morning dawned hot and muggy. Alex and Bobby were at their desks by eight, ready to take on a new week. They sat through a department briefing on the Richman case, and returned phone messages and various emails from the weekend,
Bobby looked across his desk at his partner. She was following up on a phone lead, but it sounded like a dead end.
"Yes, ma'am, I know the address had three sixes in it. Uh huh," she rolled her eyes. "No, we didn't see any murals of the antichrist at the crime scene," she let the caller drone on. "But we can't really do a sketch from something you saw in your dream. I'm not calling you crazy, Mrs Antonio." She held the receiver from her ear as the woman on the other end let loose with a string of profanity. "Look, I have another call. Thanks for your time, ma'am." She slammed the receiver down.
"You handled that very well," he grinned.
"The bats are coming out of the woodwork," she snarked, taking a big gulp of coffee.
"I'm letting you handle the next one."
"Bats usually come out at night," he clarified. "They use echolocation to navigate and tend to sleep hanging upside down during the day."
"My daily dose of useless trivia," Alex groaned. "How I missed it."
"Just adding enrichment to your day," he chuckled.
"I'd prefer skittles," she grinned.
Bobby grinned back, "I know you would."
"Speaking of food, what should we order for lunch?" Alex tapped an email reply on her laptop.
He remembered Dr Gyson's suggestion from yesterday, "How about we go out for lunch, like maybe to the park?"
"A picnic?" she was incredulous. "It is crazy hot outside."
"So that's a no?" he was disappointed.
"That's a 'someplace with air conditioning,'" Alex countered.
He pretended to mull it over, "Oh, well. I think I can live with that." Bobby did a quick web search for something close by. Ah, there. A new place, specializing in lunches 'for professionals with discerning tastes and limited breaks.' And it was a mere ten blocks away.
"Going to tell me where we're going?" she shut her laptop.
"When we get there," he teased.
The place he chose was lovely, upscale, and very busy. They took seats at the bar, hoping they would get served sooner.
The bartender took their orders, corned beef on rye with chips for Bobby, a pasta salad and fruit for Alex. They both drank large iced teas.
"This is beyond good," she took a bite of her salad.
"Mine, too," he mumbled, a mouth full of his sandwich.
"Nice picnic," she smiled at him. "No ants."
"A little noisy, but definitely cooler than the park," Bobby smiled back.
"So, tell me about this car Lewis is restoring," Alex requested.
"It's a piece of shit right now," he laughed. He went on to describe exactly how much work was going to be involved, showing her the picture he took with his cell to prove his point.
"Does he plan on finishing it in this decade?" she chuckled.
"With lots of free labor," Bobby flipped his phone closed and took another bite of his lunch. "He said you are more than welcome to help out, if you want."
"Oh, I'll bet," she said dryly. "Does he still...?"
"Have a crush on you, Detective Alex? Hell, yes," he smiled.
Her next comment astonished him, "He can crush all he wants, I'm already taken."
"Really?" he managed to squeak.
"Really," she was enjoying this.
Alex's fruit cup turned out to be fresh pineapple wedges, grilled, cooled, and drizzled with agave nectar. "Mmmm," she savored the flavor, closing her eyes.
"That good, huh?" he loved how expressive she was about great food.
She speared a slice of the fruit with her fork and fed it to him, her lips curved flirtatiously.
Here they were, in the middle of a busy restaurant, having what Bobby could only describe as an intensely intimate moment. When he could finally speak, his tone was hoarse, "Alex."
"Yeah?" she grinned.
"I-uh, um..." he felt like a tongue-tied teenager.
"Pretty good, isn't it?" she said huskily.
"No, I mean, yeah..." he cast in his mind for the right words. "Would-would you have dinner with me?" he blurted.
She regarded him curiously, "You mean, grab a bite after work?"
"No, I mean...Like a d-date," he stammered.
Yes, yes, yes, she thought, her heart hammering in her throat.
"Alex? You-you, um, haven't answered me," Bobby looked worried.
"Yes," she said quickly. Yes, I want to date you. And kiss you, and go home with you...she gave him a brilliant smile. Maybe she should just stick with yes, and not scare him off. "When would you like to...?"
Bobby felt a huge wave of relief, "I was thinking, next Monday. It's the Fourth of July, and we don't have to work...I could pick you up for dinner, and then we could watch the fireworks...I know a couple places."
"You're making me wait a week, Bobby?" she was incredulous.
"Hey, after twelve years, a week's not so long. Besides, I need a little time to plan the perfect first date," he grinned.
"It will be perfect," Alex's tone was tender. She reached out to hold his hand under the counter.
He squeezed back, "You're setting the bar high."
"With your long legs, I think you can clear it," she teased.
As they walked back to the office, they scarcely felt the heat and humidity. Bobby was almost giddy, his mind busily planning their upcoming date.
"Goren!" Alex sounded vexed.
"Huh?" he looked at her, wondering what had ticked her off.
"I said, the captain has a potential witness waiting in his office," she poked him in the ribs.
"Oh, sorry," he muttered. "I was just..."
"You sure you want to wait a week for this date? Because..." she stopped on the plaza outside One PP.
"A week," he said emphatically. "And I'm back in the game, now. I swear."
Turns out the witness was Sam Richman's best friend from college, David Markham. He and his family had flown in from Seattle for the funeral.
They led Markham to the conference room, offering him coffee.
"How long since you've seen Sam?" Alex asked.
He took a long sip, then plunged into his story. "About three years. I work at Microsoft, and with wives, kids...distance, we mostly kept in touch by phone or email. Never thought I'd be coming back to go to his...funeral," he stumbled over the words. "Sam and I were roommates at NYU, and we worked as waiters at Maxine's, this place off campus. It was a nice place, customers were mainly yuppies who tipped big. The owners were Greek immigrants, Stavros and Athena Mikos. They hired a lot of college kids, and people new to the States."
"Sounds like a good way to earn a few bucks," Bobby observed.
"It was," Markham nodded. "Worked there most of my undergrad years. Not a lot of turnover, even for college kids. There was this waitress, she was about ten or so years older than us, Her name was, uh, Galatea Dimitri. Lord, she was a hot chick," he paused, as if trying to frame his next words. "She-uh, chased Sam mercilessly."
"Did they hook up?" Alex asked.
Markham laughed ruefully, "We were twenty year old horny kids, and a woman of experience..."
Bobby nodded, "I get that. What... what made you think of her?"
"I hadn't seen her in twenty years, until the wake," he looked troubled. "I mean, I saw pictures...of someone who looked like her."
"Really?" Alex prompted. "Do you think they kept in touch over the years?"
He shook his head emphatically, "No. For Sam it was just a fling, you know? But she...it was bitter. Gala thought...he was her ticket. The Mikos' fired her. I heard later she married, had a kid. The thing is, this woman in the pictures, she was their housekeeper."
The detectives were dumbfounded. The housekeeper who was out of the country, the one who'd been MIA since the murders, was Sam Richman's old flame?
"Did-did Sam's family ever meet Galatea-when they were dating?" Bobby wondered aloud.
"Nah, it wasn't like that. And when I asked Sam's sister the housekeeper's name, she said her name was...Theresa Danton," David shook his head in disbelief. "I'm almost positive that...it's Gala."
"Do you think Sam knew who she was?" Alex was disturbed. Was Sam Richman as pure as everyone said? Or was he hiding a big ugly secret in plain sight?
"He had to," Markham was equally dismayed. "Can't imagine he didn't know. Hell, I was able pick her out of a picture twenty years later."
"Then why...?" Bobby wondered aloud.
Markham's expression became grave, "This is...just gossip from back when they broke up. Word was...Gala's kid, the one she had...was Sam's."
"You ever ask him about it?" Alex was confrontational.
"He denied it," David said. "Sam...he was...careful, he had goals...He used protection. And if it was his kid...he was an honorable guy, even then." He leaned back in his chair. "I wonder if he hired her...because she had a hard luck story. Sam was trusting, even in the business he was in." He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, trying to stem tears. "I still can't believe he...Stella.. the kids..." his voice broke. "I dunno if this even makes any sense."
"It might," Bobby mused. "This child of hers, would be about what, nineteen or twenty?"
"Uh, about that. Don't even know boy or girl," he was sheepish. "Guess I felt like Sam'd dodged a bullet. We were so damn young."
They took Markham's contact information, and then he left to collect his family and return to Seattle. Bobby and Alex moved into the war room, and stared at the murder board, letting these new revelations digest.
"What do you think, just mistaken identity?" Alex said at length.
Bobby shook his head slowly, "No. I think...she's our missing piece."
"The building maintenance guy, the one we haven't found, how old is he?" Alex had a thought, searching through their witness statements and employment records. "Here it is... son of a bitch..." she held out the piece of paper, hands shaking. "Samuel Nicholas Dimitri, DOB 6/19/91."
He took it and rubbed his hand over his face, "He turned twenty the day of the murders. That is not a coincidence."
Captain Hannah appeared in the doorway, "Mr Microsoft solve your case?" he asked laconically.
The detectives exchanged a glance.
"Hey, that was a joke," Joe looked from one to the other.
"We're not laughing," Alex shot back. They spent the next hour in the captain's office discussing this newest development.
Hannah was not totally sold on the idea, "Twenty years? You think that someone would carry a grudge that long?"
"Revenge is a dish best served cold," Bobby reminded him, pacing the room.
"Okay, for argument's sake, let's say they're mother and son, killing a deadbeat dad. Why kill the wife and kids?" he reasoned.
"Because...she wanted to obliterate his life...the life she was supposed to have!" Bobby yelled.
"Dial it down, detective," Hannah warned.
Alex looked at her partner, worried.
He sensed her eyes on him and drew a deep breath. "We're going nowhere with this until we get their asses in the box."
They spent the rest of their week trying to track their latest theory, re interviewing the building staff, the family, neighbors of both the victims and the suspects, each time running into dead ends.
In the Friday afternoon briefing, Chief Moran was dubious, "You can't even come up with anything beyond twenty year old gossip."
Bobby and Alex tried mightily to keep a lid on their tempers, letting Hannah speak. "I think this is the most viable lead we've had since the start. We've got surveillance on their homes, and immigration has been alerted that they may be re entering the country. Detective Goren's profiling skills are vital to this investigation, as is Detective Eames' research."
They went back to their desks after the briefing, closing up shop for the weekend. "Do you realize that this is the first night this week we're out of here by six?" Alex marveled.
"As long as our perps stay out of the jurisdiction, we can live like normal people," Bobby was surly.
"Knock off the pity party, partner, we'll get them," she sniped.
"Yeah, right," he didn't want to let go of his pissy mood.
"Three whole days off, Bobby," she cast a glance around the squad room. "There is more to life than work," she added pointedly.
"It's just..." he slammed his binder down in frustration.
"Let's go get a drink, Bobby," she said quietly. "Please."
"Since you asked nice," he tried to smile.
By tacit agreement, they found a bar that was not inhabited by cops. They ordered their drinks, scotch for him, a margarita for her.
"Normal is not a dirty word," she began.
"I know," he shredded the edge of his cocktail napkin.
"Do you?" she stroked his fingertips lightly, stilling his fidgeting.
"Yeah," Bobby took her hand, squeezed. "Just wanting justice for them, you know? I spent the better part of a year unable to do that, and...now that I got a second chance..."
"Hey, you're preaching to the choir," Alex said softly. "But we can't let it consume us, we have to be more than the job." A pause, then, "Are you regretting, um, asking me out?"
"No! God, Alex, no!" he looked at her intensely. "I want...more than the job. But it's been so long...don't want to fuck us up."
"You mean I don't have to put out on the first date?" she deadpanned.
He was taken aback for a second, then smirked, "Only if you want to. No pressure, though."
They both dissolved into laughter, causing the people at the nearby tables to look on.
"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" he inquired, as he downed the last of his drink.
"My brother Will just put in an above ground pool, so I plan on taking advantage of it," she grinned. "What about you?"
"Ah, I'll probably go help Lewis out some," he said. "Plus, I have, some, uh stuff to get ready for our date Monday."
"You still haven't told me anything about it," Alex reminded him. "Like, where are we going, what should I wear, what time?"
"I'll pick you up about five," he smiled. "And wear..whatever. You always look great."
"Bobby!" she protested.
"Okay, okay, um, nice casual," he laughed. "And we might be outside for the fireworks, so it might be kinda warm."
"Are you gonna let me drive the Shelby?' Alex asked.
"Nope, it's a date, Alex, which means I drive," he insisted.
Saturday dawned hot and muggy, perfect pool weather. Alex went on her usual run, then tossed her bathing suit, sunscreen, towel, shades and a trashy novel into her beach tote. She pulled her hair into a scrunchie and dressed in a t shirt and cutoff jeans. She doubted that she'd get in much reading time, if very many of the Eames clan showed up. Still, she was looking forward to the family time. She stopped at the market and bought a big container of cut up fruit, her contribution to the potluck meal planned for late afternoon, then drove over to Inwood to pick up her father.
True to form, the Eames family trickled in throughout the day. Alex was having a blast, alternating dips in the pool with yard games with her nieces and nephews, horsing around with her brothers, sister and in-laws.
Lewis had been too hungover to want to work on the car, so Bobby spent the morning cleaning his apartment and doing some grocery shopping. He then set out to find Alex a birthday gift. Her birthday was actually Tuesday, and he wanted the present to be the icing on their date, so to speak. He had debated for weeks about what to get her. They never made a big deal about birthdays, usually just treating each other to a nice lunch, and simple gifts. But he wanted this year to be special. He'd searched the internet, and some of the shops in his neighborhood, until he found the perfect gift. It was a bracelet, Celtic knot design, that looked like finely woven gold braids. He felt it was the impeccable symbol of their friendship. He had the jeweler wrap the box, and headed home. Bobby knew that Alex was with her family, but he wanted to hear her voice. He picked up his phone.
Johnny Eames sat on the patio, enjoying seeing his family gather. Not for the first time, he wished his Annie was here with him. How she would love to see how their brood had turned out! He took a drag on his cigarette and watched his daughters dole out popsicles to the kids. Johnny thought about Alex, and her seemingly growing relationship with her partner. He'd wondered when they'd come to seek his advice on that scumbag Jack Driscoll. Bobby's eyes had followed her around the room, smiling as he'd looked at childhood pictures. True, Alex had brought him around the family a number of times through the years, but something was different. Nathan's little tidbits about last weekend only added to his rumination.
The ring of a cell phone at his elbow made him scowl, "God damn, kids these days can't be without their phones." He looked at the caller ID, Bobby Mobile. Speak of the devil, Johnny thought, taking a drink of his beer. For a brief moment, he considered getting his daughter's attention, then thought better of it. He hit the answer button, "Bobby, my boy, how are you?"
"Mr Eames, uh, I'm fine. Was just looking for your daughter," he stammered. Bobby could hear the splash of water and the background noise of kids and adults laughing.
"You got a call out?" Johnny hadn't forgotten the iniquities of cop culture.
"No, nothing like that," he assured him. "Just wanted to say hello."
"What are you doing today, son?" Mr Eames inquired.
"Not much, just catching up on stuff at home. Been working pretty hard this last couple weeks," Bobby explained.
"Well, why don't you come on over here? We got a lot of food, some cold beer, and a pool," Johnny invited.
"Uh, well, I don't want to crash a family party, sir," he stammered.
"Partners are family, too," Alex's father grinned to himself. He lowered his voice, "Besides, we're gonna celebrate my daughter's birthday tonight, whether she wants to or not."
Bobby shook his head ruefully, "She doesn't know?"
"Nope, and you're not going to tell her," Johnny laughed. "Do you know the address?"
"Yeah, I think so," he replied.
He arrived at Will's house in about an hour, carrying a big dish of Alex's favorite pasta salad, courtesy of his neighborhood deli, as well as a beach towel and swim trunks rolled together. Bobby saw Alex sitting in one of the lounge chairs, clad in a modest black bikini, her hair hanging in damp clumps. She was slurping a cherry popsicle, one of her little nieces on her lap.
She didn't see him at first, but Nate did, "Bobby, did you come to play in the pool with us?" the little boy hollered.
"I did," Bobby set the food down on a nearby table and swung the little boy high.
Alex turned at the sound of his voice, surprised. She got up, and moved over to him, resisting the urge to throw her arms around him and plant a kiss on his grinning face. He was clad in a black t shirt, camo shorts and beat up sandals.
He put an arm around her shoulders, giving her a little squeeze. Bobby caught the smell of chlorine, coconut sunscreen and the faint scent of the cherry popsicle she'd been slurping.
They didn't get much alone time together, as the children latched on to their aunt's partner like a new fun playmate. Alex's siblings tried to hide their surprise at Bobby's presence, and by the end of the afternoon, it was like he'd been part of their family always.
Johnny wore a satisfied grin all day, and his eldest daughter called him on it as they were putting food on the long banquet tables. "You're responsible for this, Dad," she said in mock dismay.
He laughed as Bobby got dunked by Eric, "Honey, I just answered your phone while you were in the pool."
"Yeah, right," she kissed his cheek.
The other big attraction Bobby brought was his classic car. The guys especially were enamored of it.
Alex emerged from the house, telling them that if they wanted food, the car show was over.
"Man, this baby has to be a dream to drive," Jack, Alex's oldest brother commented.
"It is," Alex laughed.
"Dude, you let a girl drive your car?" the neighbor kid, Mitch, asked Bobby incredulously.
Bobby winked at Alex, "Well, not just any girl."
As the sun slid towards the horizon, the adults changed out of their damp swimsuits and back into shorts and jeans. The littlest ones were bathed and put into pajamas. Liz carefully carried a sheet cake out to the patio, adorned with lit sparklers and skittles. Everyone joined in a heartfelt chorus of "happy birthday."
"If I have to be one year older, this is a pretty nice way to celebrate," Alex admitted as she took a bite of cake. "Thanks everyone!"
"You have presents, too!" Nate brought out a basket.
"I'll need some help opening all this," she laughed. The gifts included spa certificates, restaurant and Starbucks gift cards, a bottle of her favorite wine, candles and bubble bath.
"Gee, I wonder who, um-what you'll do with all that snazzy stuff," her eldest niece, Ashley, teased.
"You're too young to know about that," Alex shook her finger.
"Hey, I'm twenty years old and four months pregnant," she sassed back.
"And this is not the time for that conversation," Ashley's mother Maeve scolded.
Jessica played peacemaker, "This is Alex's day, ladies."
"Yeah!" Nate agreed, not understanding what his aunts and cousins were fussing about. "Bobby, did you get Aunt Alex a present?"
Bobby grinned over at his partner, "I sure did, but she's not getting it 'til her real birthday on Tuesday."
"Wooohooo," the adults all laughed, making him and Alex blush.
Nate pressed, "What did you get her?"
Bobby leaned down and whispered in his ear, "It's a secret."
The little boy nodded, "Oh, okay."
Alex pretended to pout, "I don't even get a hint?"
"No," Bobby sent her a look that sent a tingle to her toes.
After the cake was demolished, they lit more sparklers, making sure the younger kids stayed away from the hot wires.
The evening wound down, everyone pitched in to clean up. Floodlights illuminated the back yard, as the tables were torn down, and litter gathered up and pitched. Alex was using the garden hose to make sure the bucket of spent sparklers was totally cold, when Bobby emerged through the patio door. Impulsively, she turned the hose on him.
He gasped and started laughing, "You little shit!"
She dropped the hose and ran, seeing the glint in his eyes, "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there!" halfway across the yard, she slipped in the wet grass.
Bobby used that to his advantage, scooping her into his arms and dropping her in the pool.
The family that was still around doubled over in merriment, seeing their tough sister bested by her partner.
Alex emerged from the water, sputtering and cussing.
Johnny hollered, "Language, Alex, there are kids present!"
She shot him a dagger look as Liz handed her a towel. "Well, I guess you'll have to hitchhike back to Inwood, Dad."
"No, he won't," Bobby insisted, drying off with his own towel. "How'd you like a ride in a classic car, sir?"
"Why, thank you, son," Johnny was delighted. "I'll be out in a minute."
Alex walked Bobby out, carrying a basket of leftovers for her dad. Nate trailed behind, unbeknownst to either of them. She put the basket in the back seat, and then turned to her partner.
Bobby leaned against the open drivers side door."Alex, I really am sorry I dunked you," he twisted a strand of her wet hair with a finger.
She pressed a hip against him and said softly, "Pants on fire?"
He felt his face flush as he put his mouth to her ear, "Totally." Bobby moved away from her as Johnny emerged from the house, and he caught sight of Nate. "We have an audience," he said under his breath.
Johnny gave his eldest daughter a hug, chuckling, "Still a little damp around the edges, Lex."
"And whose fault is that?" she glared in mock dismay. Bobby, behind the wheel, snickered.
Johnny got into the passenger side, and buckled his seat belt. "Happy birthday, Honey."
"Drive safe, call me when you get home," she said, her hand on Nate's head.
"Good night Grandpa, 'night Bobby," the little boy chirped, waving as they drove away.
Alex and Nate walked into the kitchen, where Liz, and their sisters-in-law Melanie and Jessica where having an animated discussion.
"They have these...conversations without saying anything," Liz commented.
"Did you see the look on her face when she got out of the pool? She was pissed!" Jessica laughed.
"Well, I got over it," Alex walked in and poured herself a glass of wine from the bottle on the counter.
"Nate, you need to get your pajamas on, it is way past your bedtime," Liz told her son.
"We get to stay all night? Like a slumber party? Cool!" he scampered out of the room. The kids were bedded down in sleeping bags in the family room, a DVD playing on the big screen. Will, Eric and Patrick were in charge of getting the children to settle, while the women were having a gabfest in the kitchen.
"So, when are you two going to move past this marriage without sex thing?" Will's wife Melanie cut to the chase.
"Mel!" Alex nearly choked on her wine.
"Well? You didn't answer my question," Melanie persisted.
"We're just partners and best friends," Alex said primly, but she couldn't hide the twinkle in her eyes.
"Oh, right," Jessica teased. "When he walked in this afternoon, you looked at each other like..."
"...blistering paint," Liz finished.
"Like that," Jess waved a hand.
Nate bounded back in the room, "Hey, I gotta question!"
"What's that, buddy?" Alex beamed at him.
"What does pants on fire mean?" he asked.
Alex blanched, thinking oh, shit.
Before she could formulate a cogent response, Liz remarked, "First of all, you're supposed to be in bed, little man, and second, where did you hear that?"
"Aunt Alex asked Bobby that, when they were by his car," he answered.
"What did he say to her?" Melanie wondered, ignoring Alex's discomfiture.
"He was whispering, so I didn't hear," Nate sighed.
"Wanna handle this one, Aunt Alex?" Liz scowled.
"Boy, can't keep any kind of secret in this family, can we?" Alex groaned. "It was a private joke, okay?"
"What's it mean?" Nate persisted.
"Sometimes grownups have special things they say to each other that kids aren't supposed to hear. It's not a bad thing, it's just private," his mother explained. "Now, let's go to bed," she escorted her son from the room, scowling at her sister over her shoulder.
"I didn't know Nate was listening," Alex groaned.
"Oh, that's more than obvious," Melanie grinned. "C'mon, Alex, Bobby looks like he'd be fun in bed."
There were whoops of laughter as Alex blushed, "Bobby and I are not...and you're a married woman!"
"Married, three kids but not dead," Mel shot back. "And if you haven't done him, it's only a matter of time."
Meanwhile, Bobby was getting his own Eames interrogation.
Johnny didn't mince words, "You made my little girl's day, today, Bobby."
Bobby wasn't sure how to answer that, "You-you give me a little too much credit, Mr Eames. She always loves spending time with family."
"Son, I think it's high time you called me Johnny," Alex's dad grinned. "And she is all for the family, but when you walked into the yard...we're not blind. Alex is...joyous, for want of a better word."
"We're both grateful to have our jobs back, to be working together again," Bobby said.
"I'm a father, and I have to ask you something, man to man," Johnny paused. "Do you love my daughter?"
"Uh, I.. um," Bobby stammered, "that's really personal."
"Look, son, I'm not demanding that you ask for her hand, or any bullshit like that," Mr Eames laughed. "Although another cop in the family couldn't hurt. Just...make her happy."
"That I can promise," Bobby was relieved. He turned onto Post, and found a spot near Johnny's building. He got out and reached for the picnic basket in the back seat.
Alex's dad laughed, "I'm not some decrepit old man, Bobby. I can get to the door."
Bobby shook his head, "Your daughter would be less than pleased if anything happened to you under my watch."
""I won't tell if you won't," Johnny joked. "Thanks for the ride, son, that car is a real classic. Don't make 'em like that anymore."
"You're welcome, uh, Johnny," Bobby smiled. "And thanks for letting me crash the party today...I really enjoyed it."
"Door's always open," he waved goodnight from the front stoop.
Bobby steered his car towards Brooklyn, mulling over their conversation and the events of the day. He felt...accepted. Like his presence was natural. He realized that having a relationship with Alex meant becoming a member of a family. Even a few months ago, that might have scared him off. Now, whether it was therapy or his growing commitment to Alex, he could see himself welcoming this new chapter. Once home in bed, he picked up his phone and called her.
Alex grabbed her cell on the first ring, making the other women laugh.
"She has had issues this week with other people answering her phone," Liz said in a stage whisper, as she came back into the kitchen.
Her sister pointedly ignored them, "Just a second, Bobby." She took herself and her phone out to the patio, shutting the door behind her. "That's better."
"Did I catch you at a bad time?" he wondered.
"Nope, just too many ears listening," she laughed. "You get home okay?"
"Yeah, I did. Had a nice visit with your dad," Bobby said.
"Oh, Lord," Alex groaned. "How bad was it?"
"It wasn't bad, really," he insisted.
"Don't lie to your partner, Goren, I've been his daughter for a long time..." she sighed.
"Almost forty five years," he interrupted.
Stony silence on her end.
"Maybe I could have phrased that better," Bobby pacified. "He wanted to know my intentions, I guess."
"Shit," Alex was up and pacing. "What-what did you say?"
"Well, I sure as hell didn't tell him we were about to go on our first date," he chuckled.
"Good plan," she sat back down. "I could see someone in this family putting a tail on us, just for the hell of it."
"He just said...he wanted you to be happy," Bobby's voice was tender. "I promised that I would do my best."
"Aw," her heart melted. "You sure we have to wait two more days?"
"It's actually closer to one more day, Alex," he grinned. "So, what are your plans for Sunday?"
"The usual, run, maybe do some yoga, hit the salon for a haircut, get a mani/pedi, and go in search of something killer to wear on Monday," her voice was silky.
"Um, do me a favor, don't cut your hair too much, I-uh, love it long," he stammered.
"Must be a guy thing," she rolled her eyes. "So what are you doing tomorrow..." she squinted at her phone, "well, today."
"Got a text from Lewis, he wants to work on the car, plus his mom is cooking us Sunday dinner. Probably to bribe me," he laughed ruefully.
She laughed along with him, "I guess I should let you get to bed."
"I'm already there," Bobby loved the lilt in her voice. "Are you driving home?"
"Nope, had a few glasses of wine, so going to crash here," she assured him.
"Good. So, can I call you tomorrow? If you're not too busy glamming yourself up," he added.
"Of course you can," she giggled. "And when I get a break, I'll call you."
"Alex, just one more thing...I had an amazing time today," he told her.
"My family didn't scare you off, then," she sighed in relief.
"The best part was seeing you in a bikini," he said huskily. "It may have to go in the naughty dreams file."
"The camo swim trunks were doing it for me. You have a damn fine butt," her voice was suggestive.
"I can see where this conversation is going," he shifted in bed, her words going right to his groin.
"South?" she teased.
"Twenty-nine hours and counting," he said softly. "Sweet dreams, Alex."
"Naughty dreams, Bobby," she countered hoarsely. Alex sat in the darkness of the patio, their conversation making the anticipation ever sharper.
The door slid open, "Are you going to talk all night?" Liz inquired.
"Nope," Alex wore a sappy grin.
"What do you find to talk about? I mean, you spend twelve hours a day with each other."
her sister followed her back into the kitchen.
"You'd be surprised," she said dreamily.
"Oh, phone sex," Jessica nodded sagely.
"My God, you figured it out," Alex laughed. "Night everyone," she walked down the hall to the guest room.
Sunday dawned muggy and stormy, but Alex could have cared less. After a morning at home, flipping through her closet and debating what to wear on their date, she went to the gym and pounded the elliptical. A light lunch, and then off to the spa. One of Maeve's friends had opened a weekend-only place, catering to people with non-traditional work schedules. Alex lost herself in the girly pleasure of being totally pampered; massage, mani/pedi, and her hair colored and trimmed. After that, she went shopping, unhappy with what was in her closet. She felt a little silly, but she wanted something new, something Bobby hadn't seen her in. She settled on a sleeveless black dress with a bright splash of scarlet tropical flowers. The hem hit about mid-thigh and the neckline zoomed to a deep V. She found a pair of open-toed black pumps, all the better to expose her crimson toe nails, and splurged on sexy lingerie. Not that she was expecting him to see that...she assured herself at the register. They were taking things slow. Really. She looked up at the clock. Twenty-four hours.
Bobby, Lewis, and Lewis' older brother Tom spent their Sunday sorting through the parts of the F85, and surveying the machine. Surprisingly, the motor was in respectable shape, it was the rest that would take the effort. Lewis mother fed them pot roast with all the trimmings for dinner. They shared stories of growing up in the old neighborhood, of scrapes with the law, and teenage pranks. Tom and Lewis noticed that Bobby had cut back on his beer and smokes consumption, and how he'd mastered texting on the sly.
Tom ragged on him about it,"Hey, man, what's up with the Mr Clean image?"
Bobby took a sip of the beer he was holding and a drag of a cigarette, "Does it look like I'm reformed?"
"Well, you look healthier," Tom said cautiously. "Back in the day, you could finish a twelve pack of beer and burn through a couple packs of smokes while we worked."
"Part of getting my job back was agreeing to straighten up," Bobby grinned laconically.
Lewis laughed outright, "Well, that and a certain pretty little detective."
"Oh, so that explains the phone fetish," Tom chuckled.
Bobby refused to comment, just laughed. He'd missed talking to Alex today, but they'd been exchanging texts.
"How's the spa day going?" sent at 12:30 PM.
"Great. How's the behemoth?" Sent at 2:30.
"Coming along. What r u doing right now?" sent at 2:45.
"Mani/pedi. Sleepy after massage," sent at 3:00.
"No longer naked?" sent at 3:15.
"Sorry u missed it," sent at 3:45.
"Me 2," sent at 4:30.
"Found perfect dress. What r u doing?" Sent 5:20.
"Sitting down to pot roast. Send pic," sent 6:00.
"U will see in 23 :)" sent 6:10.
Alex juggled shopping bags, while holding an iced latte and unlocking her apartment. And her cell was ringing. "Hello?" she said breathlessly.
"Not even a sneak peek?" Bobby teased.
She flopped into a chair and took a big sip of her drink, "Of what?"
"Your purchases today," he was kicked back on his couch.
"Which ones, the nail polish, the mocha latte, or the grilled chicken pesto sandwich?" she grinned.
"Cute," he said. "You mentioned a dress."
"I did, didn't I?" Alex demurred. "I hope you like it."
"I-I'm sure I will," Bobby stammered. "Damn it."
"What?" she queried.
"Wondering whose idiot idea it was to wait until tomorrow," he said ruefully.
"Hmm, care to change your mind?" Alex purred.
"Yes, no...don't tempt me," Bobby warned.
"Twenty whole hours..." she singsonged.
They each found ways to make the time go faster on Monday. Alex went for her usual run, did some yoga, caught up on email, chatted with a couple girlfriends.
Bobby hit the treadmill hard, and went to the office for a few hours to see if there was any progress on the Richman surveillance. Nothing. He stopped at a local bakery, then headed back home. Gathering purchases from earlier in the week, he transformed his tiny back terrace for later. Satisfied with his handiwork, he hit the shower and shaved. He pulled out black jeans, black T shirt, and a gray jacket. Cologne, teeth brushed, breath mints in his pocket. Reservation printout in his wallet. He walked out to the Shelby and pointed it towards Forest Hills. Without realizing it, he sent up a silent prayer, "Please don't let me screw this up."
Alex looked at herself critically in the full length mirror before she slipped the dress on. Thanks to her attention to yoga and running, she was as toned as someone years younger. There were a few stretchmarks, and her breasts sagged a bit, courtesy of time and her one pregnancy. Her skin had a light golden glow, thanks to the spray tan the spa had talked her into yesterday. Dress on, she smoothed it over her hips, and tugged up the zipper. She put a hand over her stomach, trying to calm the butterflies. Necklace and rings on, ruby studs and small gold hoops in her ears. After an internal debate, she left her hair down. A sip of water, one last touch up of her lipstick...the buzzer stopped her stewing.
She went to the door, and opened it, "Hi," she said shyly, "you look...wow." Man, he looked...The black jeans and shirt...her favorite. Her eyes skittered up to his.
"You look...beautiful," he stammered, forgetting the flowers in his hand.
"Come in," Alex invited.
"Th-thanks," he said, then when she'd closed the door, he held out the pretty nosegay of flowers, tied with white lace and pink ribbon. "These are for you."
She took them and sniffed them rapturously, "They are gorgeous, thank you!' Alex kissed his cheek. "Keep me company while I put them in water."
He followed her to the kitchen, and held the flowers, while she searched for a vase under the sink. She found a squat crystal one and rinsed it under the faucet, filling it with water and the little packet of floral preservative. He set the bouquet in carefully, fingering the petals.
"The, um, flowers have some significance," he explained as she set them on the mantel.
Alex slipped her arm around his waist and said softly, "Impress me."
"These purple ones are alstroemeria, and they symbolize friendship and devotion. The-the leaves grow upside down, twisting as they grow out from the stem so that the bottom is facing upwards, like the twists and turns...and growth of true friendships. The white ones are lisianthus, and they represent appreciation. Pink roses symbolize gratitude and admiration. And the Queen Anne's lace means sanctuary," he finished, looking down at her, and froze.
Tears were brimming in her eyes, "Bobby...that's the sweetest..." she blinked hard. "I spent a half hour on my makeup, and we're not even going to get out of the house." Alex kissed him full on the lips.
Bobby returned the kiss, tasting the salt of her spilled tears, then put his hands on her shoulders, "Listen, we've got all the time in the world for this. Your makeup is fine, and if we don't leave right now..."
"Thank you for the flowers," she gave him a watery grin.
As they walked arm in arm to his car, he smiled. "If I'd known flowers would get that reaction, I would've tried it a long time ago." He held open her door with a flourish.
Alex opened her mouth to object, then thought better of it.
Bobby went around to the drivers side and fired up the engine, "Ready?"
"Um, hmm," she leaned back, a blissful smile on her face. "You still haven't shared where we're going."
He headed west, "I've done a lot of research as to the best place to watch the fireworks, and came up with...Hudson Terrace."
She looked at him, stunned, "You mean the Hudson Terrace, rooftop, open bar, barbecue, best seats in Manhattan...that place?"
"You've been there," he worried.
"Never in my life, but I've heard about it," she hastened to assure him.
"If you think it's too fancy..." he teased.
"Oh, I think I can live with it," she was incredulous.
The venue didn't disappoint. The food was the perfect complement to the holiday, in an elegant atmosphere. They didn't over-indulge in the open bar, tempting as it was. They sat on a small couch, sipping their drinks after dinner, talking quietly, waiting for the fireworks to start. There was no mention of work, just soaking in the ambiance.
"I haven't seen your niece Ashley for years." Bobby said. "Sensed a little tension there."
"Well, she's a twenty year old pregnant college student, something that does not go over well in Maeve's family," she said dryly.
"Is the baby's father involved?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah, he's a nice kid. They've been going together for four years, and he's a senior at NYU. Ryan Nelson. They're getting married in October," Alex said.
"She looks so much like you, she could be your daughter," he smiled.
"With her full share of Eames bullheadedness," she laughed ruefully. "When she found out she was pregnant, Jack and Maeve wanted them to hurry up and get married before she started showing. Ashley said this wasn't 1950 and she was having a big church wedding in the fall, because that was what she'd always dreamed of. And she'd find a dress that accommodated her seven months pregnant belly."
Bobby laughed, "Think they'll make it?"
"I hope so. They're young, but they're very practical, hard-working. They're in love, have a connection..." she mused.
"And a baby coming," he added.
"That, too," Alex agreed. "I'm going to be one of the bridesmaids."
"I see a frilly pink dress in your future," Bobby laughed.
"Hell, no," she replied. "The color is chocolate truffle, and as those kind of dresses go, it's pretty nice." She paused shyly, "You'll see-if you're my wedding date."
"Mm, I'll think about it," he grinned.
At that moment, the first fireworks started exploding in the sky. They stood together, arms around each other, watching the spectacular show. Both native New Yorkers, Bobby and Alex had seen the grand pyrotechnics for many years. But this year, in this time and place, seemed the most marvelous of all.
When the last sparks trickled from the sky, they made their way back to his car. Traffic was heavy, and there was a lot of stop-and-go. Alex realized that Bobby was heading to Brooklyn rather than Forest Hills. She looked at him quizzically.
"Hey, date's not over yet," he smirked.
"Oh," she said.
"Trust me?" Bobby asked soberly.
"With my life," Alex grinned.
"Good," he nodded. It was nearly midnight when they walked into his apartment.
"Give me a minute to get ready," he tossed his jacket aside and walked towards the back door. "And don't look!"
"Can I at least use the bathroom?" she grinned.
"Yes," and he left the room.
Alex emerged from the bathroom, and took a seat on the couch. The smell of fresh espresso wafted from the kitchen, making her mouth water.
Bobby came back in, and held up a hand, "Just one more minute. Close your eyes."
"I didn't know you were such a fan of cloak and dagger," she snarked.
"Are they closed?" he called from the doorway.
"Yes, damn it," she leaned against the cushions. The next thing she knew, he was taking her hand in his, and feeling herself led by him across the room and down a few steps.
"Now," he whispered in her ear.
She opened her eyes to a magical scene. The tiny garden was strung with miniature white lights and votive candles glittering in sand filled glass jars. There was a small cafe table set with a white cloth and two chairs. The table was adorned with a vase holding a single red rose, two cups of steaming espresso, a small wrapped package and a large cupcake with a sparkling lone candle. Her heart was ready to burst, "Oh, Bobby," she whispered, turning to hug him.
"Since it's now twelve o one AM on July 5th, it's official," he pressed a kiss into her hair. "Happy birthday, Alex."
"Thank you, thank you," she rained light kisses all over his face.
He pressed a hand to her cheek, "Don't you want your present?"
"This whole evening has been a present," she gave him a watery smile as she sat down.
"That's a date, this...is your present," he handed her the package.
With shaking fingers, she slipped the wrapping off, and opened the box, revealing the bracelet, "Bobby, it's gorgeous!" she fingered the delicate gold.
"It-it's interlocked Celtic knots, the Irish symbol of friendship," he explained, taking the bracelet and fastening on her wrist. "I just...wherever this goes with...us, being best friends first...means everything to me."
"To me, too," she whispered, not bothering to stop the tears, even as she favored him with a brilliant smile. "Thank you, this is the best birthday." she squeezed his hand.
"Make a wish," he indicated the cupcake.
She closed her eyes briefly then blew out the candle. She promptly stuck her finger in the frosting, taking a taste, "Chocolate ganache, mmm,"
"With chocolate truffle filling," he laughed.
They sipped their espresso and nibbled at the cupcake, sharing a single fork. When it was gone, Bobby and Alex extinguished the candles and held each other in the dim light.
"I just don't know, Bobby," she murmured into his chest.
"Don't know what?" he tipped her face up to his.
"How you're going to top this for our next date," she giggled.
"Oh, so there's going to be a next date?" he breathed against her mouth.
"I'd consider it," then she ran her tongue over his lips, savoring the taste of coffee and chocolate and Bobby.
He didn't bother to answer, but parted her lips further with his own tongue. Oh, God, he thought. How did he not know how good this would feel? One hand slid down her side to her waist, then to the small of her back, while the other tangled in her silky hair.
Alex made a small mewling sound and reached her hand to the back of his neck, her other arm firmly around his waist. She stood slightly on tiptoe, trying to get closer.
"Uh...um, we'd better stop or..." he sighed reluctantly.
"...we might never stop," they said in unison, laughing ruefully.
"Not such a bad thing, though," she rubbed a hand over his butt.
"Taking it slow, remember?" he smiled, as one hand wandered over her ribs to her breast.
"Right," Alex groaned, feeling his arousal matching her own.
"We have time," he gently disentangled them.
She fanned her flushed face, "I just hate it when you're right."
He handed her the jewelers box and the rose in the vase, then they made their way out the door and back to his car.
Alex stroked the petals of the rose with a fingertip, "A single red rose, a sign of love and fidelity," she murmured.
"You do listen to me," he reached over and squeezed her hand.
"Always," she smirked. "Even when I pretend not to."
A short drive to Forest Hills, and a few more goodnight kisses...
The next morning, Bobby woke to a text. He smiled as he read, "Best. First date. Ever. Love, Alex."
Captain Hannah noticed a rose in a vase on Detective Eames' desk, "Have an admirer?" he asked.
"Just a gift from my best friend" she smiled, looking at her partner.
This is not the last chapter, I promise. For those on the message boards, I had to include a little BTSOH. Sigh. It looks as if 10.8 is the last as far as USA is concerned. Shame, shame. I guess the land of FF will just have to keep them alive for us. Reviews are like chocolate, I take any and all. Have a great week, everyone :)