Chapter Three
Alex is Back on Duty
The Goren Home
"So, should we drive in together?"
He smiles, "I think that would be cool," he takes her hands and pulls her forward. "You have to admit that this is going to be very weird."
"Well, what the hell," looking up into his eyes, "You look tired," she steps back. "Bobby…"
He releases her hands, "Don't start, Alex." He leans down and kisses her cheek. "I'm fine," three strides and he is out of the room, placing her hands on her hips, she exhales.
The morning commute was without incident, they arrive at 1PP close to eight-forty five. Some quick hugs and handshakes are giving to her as she strolls through the squad. Danni, who Alex has met once, extends her hand to her. "Welcome back Alex."
Alex smiles as she shakes her hand, "Thank you Danni." Quickly gazing at the 30 something woman, she is a lot prettier than I remember.
"Detective," Ross's voice interrupts her thoughts. "Welcome back," he too extends his hand.
"Thank you Captain, thank you for giving me the opportunity to return."
"I have the utmost faith in you Detective."
Ross quickens his pace and is soon ahead of them; Bobby leans down, whispering, "Suck up."
She smacks his arm, "No, it's all about diplomacy."
He scoffs, "Yeah right." She has to smile; some things never change, thank God. She wouldn't want him any other way.
With Bobby escorting her they walk side by side, arriving at her old desk she absent-mindedly pulls out the chair. A slight blush shows on her face, she looks up and Danni is standing next to her, "Danni, I'm sorry."
Danni walks past her, "What for? We rearranged the desks, to make your return as comfortable as possible." Danni walks to a desk on Bobby's left, pulling out the chair, she sits down.
"Are you happy with the accommodations?" Ross asks.
"Yes thank you, thank you all."
Throughout the day, Alex does feel a little left out. With not only her former partner out of the squad and off on a lead, all her fellow detectives. She smiles when she hears her cell phone, "Eames."
"Hey Eames it's me, I'm in the garage, time for lunch. Come on down."
With a sultry tone she asks, "Oh and who is me?" Silence, "Bobby, I'm kidding."
"No, really? Come on, I'm hungry," he hesitates. "I like that voice, very sexy."
Slipping on her jacket, "Maybe I'll use it tonight, get you in the mood." She pushes the button for the elevator.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
The door to the elevator opens, "It's not supposed to mean anything. Jesus Christ." She hears a click on the phone, he hung up.
Running towards the elevator is Detective Brown, "Eames, hold the elevator." He scoots in. "Thanks." The door closes, "So, how's your first day back?"
She chuckles, "A little boring."
Idle chit chat till the elevator dings for the lobby and he exits, "See you later."
"Bye, Tom."
When the elevator door opens to the garage, he is standing in front of her. "You want to start an argument now?" she asks.
"Things are stressful with…."
"No things are not, you are." She brushes past him, "You're doing this to yourself, she hasn't done anything to you."
He follows her, "Alex………"
"Hey guys," a female voice stops him in his tracks.
"Hey Megan," Alex says as she walks briskly past.
Bobby nods, "Megan, how are you?"
"Fine thanks."
Alex has the door open to the driver's side before he can comment. He opens the passenger door and enters the vehicle. "So," she turns on the engine. "Where do you want to go to eat?"
"I don't care."
"You don't care, well then we're having Italian."
"I'm sorry."
Backing up the car, "I'm not looking for an apology. I'm worried about you."
"Alex," he places his hand on her shoulder. "There is nothing to worry about."
She wants, she needs to believe him. Grabbing his hand, "I can't help it. I love you and I want to help." She drives the car back into the spot, "No more of these late hours, not sleeping. It will catch up to you." She moves in closer and pats his arm. "Tonight, promise me that you will go to bed….sleep early." He stares straight ahead, she nudges him. "Bobby," she says sternly. "Promise me."
Nodding his head, "Ok, ok, I promise."
Later That Evening
The Eames Home
Any time that the family has an opportunity to get together they do, a little 'Alex goes back to work party' is held this night.
The kids have taken over the TV room; most of the adults are either around the dining room table or the kitchen.
The woman have invaded the kitchen, Laurie, Sara and Theresa, Michael's wife are debating whether the temporary governor will run for office in the next gubernatorial election. Alex is sitting at the kitchen table sipping a glass of pinot grigio.
The men, John, Philip, Laurie's husband and Michael are at the dining room table discussing the war, the constant rising of gasoline prices, all offering their opinion of who is getting rich from all of this. They agree on one thing, it isn't any of them. Bobby is sitting at the table nursing a bottle of beer.
John asks, "Bobby if anyone knows who and what I'll bet you do?"
He looks up at his father-in-law, "What? Who?"
Michael pats him on the back, "You look beat man, tough case?"
Bobby finishes the rest of his beer, "Yeah, one of those where no one remembers anything and everyone has an alibi." He stands, "Anyone ready for another beer?"
Three yeses are heard. Bobby walks into the kitchen and the woman have switched from talking about the temporary governor to offering their suggestions about new ideas for updating the 40 year old kitchen. He finds his wife sitting quietly but comfortably in the corner. He opens the refrigerator pulling out four beers. He sets them on the table, leaning down, "Hey, Hon you alight?"
She looks up and a weak smile crosses her face, "Yes," she sits back in the chair. "I'm alright, I….every time I sit in this kitchen it brings back so many sweet memories of when I was little."
He sits down, "If they were so sweet why do you look sad?"
"I'm not sad," she leans forward. "I'm worried, Bobby. I'm worried about you. I know how you are and I have to know for sure that you will do as you promised."
He twists the top off his beer bottle and takes a long quenching sip. "I promise," he lets out a small burp. She has to laugh.
"Don't just say the words to pacify me I need to know…."
He holds up his hand, "I have never lied to you."
"I know that."
The kids are starting to get restless and Robby is starting to get a bit cranky. They bid their goodnights and thank her parents for hosting this party.
The Goren Home
11 P.M.
Bobby sits up in the bed watching the 11 o'clock news. Alex watches half hardily, she turns over on her side and within minutes she is asleep. He watches till the end then clicks the TV off.
He lies down in the bed placing his hands behind his head. A memory of the little room and the little bed flash through his mind. He shakes his head in the hope that the memory will fade. It does, for only a moment.
He turns on his side and drifts off to sleep; soon dreams float through his mind. His hands and legs are numb as he lies on a bed in a dark room. He lifts up his head when he feels hands on his thigh, he tries to shake his legs in the hope that the hands will stop. He is not able to move, he is powerless. He wakes, slightly sweating and breathing heavy. He pulls the covers off and makes his way to the bathroom. Leaning over the sink he splashes his face with water, "Bobby are you alright?" his heart skips a beat, he turns and Nicole is standing in the door way.
TBC
