Chapter Two

Lying in Wait

Early the Next Morning

The movement on the bed causes her to wake. "What time is it?" she asks not wanting to open her eyes and look at the clock.

"It's early, go back to sleep," he says softly.

Turning on her side she reluctantly opens one eye, it's dark, "Did you fall asleep on the couch?"

"No I was just…." He rolls over, "Just go back to sleep."

She pulls the blanket up under her chin. Closing her eyes, she soon falls asleep.

Robby's voice over the monitor wakes them at six-thirty. Moments later the alarm sounds. "What do we need an alarm clock for?" Bobby asks rubbing his eyes, "We have Robby, same time every day."

Alex laughs as she rubs his back, "I know, I know."

The Next Evening

"Well I'm going up," she taps his shoulder.

Taking a hold of her hand, he lays down a kiss, "I'll be up in awhile."

Early the Next Morning

She rolls over in the bed and his side is vacant. "Bobby?" She takes a glance at the clock, "Gees, four a.m." Pulling off the blanket, hunting for her slippers, which are nowhere to be found. "Oh the hell with it," she walks quickly down the hall and hears the sound of laughter, the TV is on, that's odd except for classic movie, sports and the news he doesn't watch much television. She finds him staring straight ahead at the box. "Bobby," she walks closer and calls to him again, "Bobby, what are you doing?" No answer, he is lost in thought, she stands in front of him.

He looks up, "Hi, what are you doing up?"

A little startled she inquires, "What am I doing up? What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he frowns. "I just can't sleep."

She sits down next to him, "Can't sleep? You didn't even come to bed."

Stretching out his arm he quickly places it on her shoulder, "I'm not tired." He lightly squeezes her.

Canned laughter from the TV, "Lucy is on at this hour."

"From what I can tell Lucy is always on." As he stands, he takes her hand and she follows him up the stairs.

Days turn into weeks, weeks into months. Two months have passed since the sighting of Nicole in New Jersey. As each day ends, Alex's thoughts about the devil's daughter have dwindled. Bobby….has thoughts of her everyday.

April 2008

Tuesday Morning

Alex packs up Robby for his second day at day care; he had a fun time yesterday. She lifts her son and he climbs into the car seat. Thirteen months old already, wow time really does fly. She kisses the top of his head.

The day care facility is located at the 60th precinct in Brooklyn. Wendi George, who is married to a police officer, is also a former cop. She and two other police officers started the day care program when they gave birth to their first-born children the same year.

The Gorens, being residents of Brooklyn and members of the NYPD had no trouble in getting Robby enrolled. Both feel a sense of security leaving Robby everyday, even with Nicole on the loose.

"Day two," Alex says as she unbuckles her son from the car seat. Wendi George greets Alex, "Good morning."

Robby turns his head to the sound of the sweet melodious voice. "You're going back today?" Wendi inquires.

"No next week, need to take some tests tomorrow." She lets go of Robby's hand as she walks through the doorway, he scurries through the room. Four children are playing with various toys and games. Robby joins in the fun.

Alex touches his shoulder, "Have fun honey, see you later."

He stands, "Bye."

She kisses his cheek and he immediately returns the kiss.

Later that Morning

Alex, arrives at her parent's home, she along with Laurie and her Mom have a luncheon engagement.

Her father opens the door welcoming her in, "Hey Dad."

He leans down and kisses her cheek, "Hey honey, how are you?"

"Pretty good," she says as she removes her jacket.

"I'll be down in a minute Alex."

She calls out to her mother, "Take your time Mom, Laurie's not here yet."

Her father scoffs, "A minute, she's been dressing for an hour."

"Dad, stop." She hangs up her jacket, "She wants to look nice."

"I know," he smiles as he gazes up toward the stairs. "She always does, doesn't have to do too much to look beautiful," he pats his daughters shoulder. "Much like her daughters." Alex smiles at the look of love on his face. After all these years and he still thinks, she is beautiful, how sweet.

"So," John claps his hands, which startles her. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Yes I am, I'm actually excited about it, haven't been to the shooting range in awhile. Yesterday I received the results of my physical and passed all those tests. So come Monday morning, I will become once again Detective Alex Eames, not that I don't mind being called Mommy."

Her father reaches for her they embrace as they laugh.

"Ross already informed me that it will paper work city for a couple weeks. Will be assigned as the third wheel for the other detectives, considering I haven't been to a crime scene for awhile." She leads the way down the hall toward the kitchen. "It will be fine," she says with an air of conviction.

"How about your new partner? Anything on him or her?"

"His name is Mark Lange and he comes from the Bronx, worked homicide out of the 4-0, won't be arriving till the end of the month, in other words when he arrives I'll be ready to go back out on the street."

"You looked worried."

"No not worried more like….I've been with the same partner for close to seven years and …" She nods her head, "Maybe just a little bit."

"You'll be fine," John pulls the chair out for her, "Besides if Bobby can handle having another partner, you won't have any trouble at all."

She chuckles, "That's the same thing Bobby said."

"See," he says as he pats her hand, "Intelligent people think alike."

The doorbell rings and John rises from the chair, "No sit Dad I'll get it. It's probably Laurie and she forgot her key." Alex opens the door and as she suspected, her sister.

"Hey Alex, I forget the key."

Charlie Brown's Restaurant

Laurie and Sara Eames are heavily into discussing the presidential candidates, Alex remains quiet.

"Order me a decaf coffee, I need to go to the ladies room," Sara says.

"Any dessert, Mom?" Laurie asks.

A moment of hesitation, "No not today."

"Alex," Laurie says. No answer, she taps her sister's hand. "Alex."

She looks up seeming surprised. "Yeah Laurie what is it?"

"Not that I don't enjoy Mom's company, but a little conversation from you would be nice."

Alex gazes around the table, "Where's Mom?"

"She went to the ladies room."

"Oh that's good."

Laurie frowns, "That's good, what is the matter with you today?" Silence, "Alex," she says with a slight irritation in her voice. Alex rubs her forehead, Laurie smiles as she sits back in the chair. "What did he do now?"

Shaking her head, "Nothing, absolutely nothing and believe me that is not a good thing."

Sara returns, "Waiter didn't come back yet?"

"No Mom."

"What is not a good thing," Sara inquires as she sits down.

Alex looks away wishing she were elsewhere, regretting that she said anything. "Alex come on, talk to us."

"It has to do with that woman, doesn't it?" Sara asks.

Nodding her head, "Yes Mom." She leans forward. "When we returned from our honeymoon and found out that Nicole was on the loose it was stressful but with Dad's sixty-fifth birthday party then Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years the thought of her was forgotten until…he….he sits up night after night waiting and watching."

"Watching and waiting?"

"For Nicole, Laurie, he's how shall I say this…." She rubs her eyes, "On guard duty, now when he feels that I have had enough rest and able to react to a confrontation he comes to bed…which is usually four in the morning."

"Has anyone seen her since February?"

Alex says shaking her head, "No Mom."

The waiter returns and the three Eames women order coffee, no dessert.

They stay quiet until he returns; Alex takes a sip of coffee. "I….I've tried to talk to him but I know him so well….he feels responsible. He feels responsible for the actions of that woman and he wants….needs to be the one to deal with her."

"He must be exhausted."

"Of course he is Laurie," Alex snaps. She holds up her hand, "Sorry, I'm sorry."

Laurie pats her hand, "It's alright."

"It's been at least three weeks, maybe more." She picks up a napkin and wipes her eyes. "I thought after the first week or two he would stop but he hasn't and…."

"What has been three weeks?" Sara asks innocently.

Alex raises her eyebrows then smiles. "Oh, I see." Sara says as her face turns slightly red.

Thankful for the fact that she does have someone to tell her troubles too, she continues, "I thought that if I let it go it would all work out and he would come to realize that she is not coming for him. Unfortunately, I'm wrong. Now when I say something he has an argument that if he doesn't stay on his toes that is when she will strike." Sitting back in the chair, "I know I have to try again." Something tells me that it will be a waste of time but I have to try.

"Why haven't you said anything to us before?"

"I….I was sure that it would end soon," she pats her sister's arm. "Thanks for listening."

"Anytime, Alex you know that."

That Evening

"If I call my parents I'll bet they'd stay with Robby while you and I," she rubs his shoulders. "Go out to dinner and maybe dancing."

Shaking his head, "No not tonight," he stands. "Besides leaving Robby with your parents at night…." He pulls open the curtain, "Not a good thing."

"She's not nearby, she's gone Bobby," she exclaims. "She's not coming for you!"

He turns abruptly, "You're wrong," she takes a step back, "Alex do you think that I am only worried about myself?" He says pointing toward the window. "I've seen first hand what that woman is capable of," he wags his finger at her. "She's out there and if I know her, which I do, she's watching."

"Bobby, how long? How many nights are you going…?"

He cuts her off, "I told you that I'd take care of everything and I will." He turns to look out the window, "It's my turn Nicole."

She raises her hand to object but being fully aware of the stubborn nature of her husband she lets it go….for now Bobby but not for long.

TBC