Thanks for the kind reviews. I have to admit I'm a bit fond of this fic myself. Some more wild speculation regarding Alex and Bobby's first loves--this chapter, Alex.

Chapter Four

Alex wiped off her hands with the least dirty of several rags near her. "Ok, Mrs. Webber…give her the gas," she said.

The elderly Oldsmobile's engine roared briefly and then settled into a contented purr. The grey haired woman behind the wheel grinned as Alex gave her a thumbs up.

"I feel so smart!" Lydia Webber said as she helped Alex clean up. "Six months ago I couldn't find an oil pan, let alone put a new one in."

"You're a good student, Mrs. Webber." Alex smiled at her.

"Only because I had such a good teacher, dear." She returned Alex's smile. "My late husband Murray would be so surprised…and I think pleased…he was always worried that I wouldn't be able to take care of myself."

"I think Mr. Webber would be very proud of you," Alex said.

The door at the far end of the garage opened.

"Hey!" Tom Wexstein called. "How's the teacher and her favorite pupil?"

"Very good!" Mrs. Webber replied. "We've got it running again!"

Alex was busy with putting away tools. Tom Wexstein wore his usual uniform of not quite tight T-shirt and equally fitted jeans, and, in spite of the fact that she saw him nearly every day in similar attire, Alex needed a moment to get the blush to leave her cheeks and her thoughts settle. "Damn," she thought as she placed several wrenches in their proper spaces, "I've got a crush on my boss."

In the six months since the end of her class with Tom, Alex had become one of his most valuable employees. As he vaguely hoped, her presence at his garage made women customers more comfortable; to his surprise, Alex seemed to attract customers of both genders. There were women who'd been treated badly by male mechanics, but there were also fathers who wanted their daughters treated decently, husbands who wanted happy wives, and young men enticed by a pretty girl who could wield a wrench with the best of them. Alex started by working only Saturday mornings, but her skills and ability to hold her own with just about anyone on his payroll led to Tom offering her a flexible schedule during the week. She fitted work between her classes and studying, and her fellow employees liked and respected her enough that no one complained. Tom also followed on his idea of offering classes in basic auto repair at the community college. They were enormously popular and provided Tom's garage with great publicity—the LEDGER published a story on the classes and the garage, and a local radio station offered Tom a program where he answered listener's questions.

Tom attempted to share the spotlight with Alex, but she replied, "I'm not doing this to get noticed. I'm doing this because the money is great; you and everyone have been great about the schedule; because I like the work and…"Alex hesitated and stared in her coffee. "Because I like you." Tom quickly changed the subject, much to Alex's apparent relief.

Tom managed to convince Alex's brother to also come to work for him and discovered he was as capable and hardworking as his younger sister. And, after a long argument, Tom finally got Alex to accept regular bonuses. "You deserve it," he told her. "You've increased the business and, more importantly, our reputation."

In spite of her work schedule's flexibility, Alex's life was highly regulated and consisted almost entirely of work and school. She carried a full load of classes, and even if she were a social animal, there was no time for so much as grabbing a pizza with her classmates. Her family and friends worried that she was missing out on the fun side of college, but Alex believed she had that. She liked working on the cars, liked hanging out with the guys and teaching. And she liked being with Tom Wexstein.

He appeared to enjoy her company too, but Alex had no illusions about his feelings for her. "I'm too young for him," she thought while trying to fall asleep one night. "I'm like a kid sister…a mascot…" She threw an arm over her eyes. "No, you're more than that…you do good work…and he likes you because of that…he respects you…" Alex sighed. "Wake up, girl…according to the guys at the shop, he's involved…but he never says anything…Argh!" She rolled over and pounded her pillow. "Go to sleep, Eames…just go to sleep."

Alex lived at home during her freshman year; it saved money, and, after hearing a few stories from her older brothers and her older sister's nearly disastrous first year in a dorm, her parents were more than willing to allow her to stay in her room and pay only as much room and board as she could afford. "We'll base it on your income," her father told her, and she knew he expected a few pennies at best. Her job divided her parents. They both liked Tom Wexstein and occasionally patronized his garage for major repairs and supplies, but her mother worried about Alex working with so many men and, Alex thought, considered this another failure in her attempt to make Alex a fine young lady. Her father thought the job was great aside from the danger that it might consume all of her time. But both parents were stunned by the money Alex brought home.

"You know, Lexie," her father said one night as they sat the dinner table. "You might want to consider this as a career."

"John!" Her mother said as she laid a plate down. "Don't give her ideas! Although I would like to know what you're considering, dear…"

Alex and her father shared an enigmatic smile that fortunately escaped her mother.

"I'm only in my first semester, Mom," Alex said. "I'm still exploring my options…" She glanced at her father. "But I think this car thing will be an interest, not a career." Alex couldn't tell if her father was pleased or disappointed by her answer.

"Whatever I choose," Alex thought as she continued to file tools away. "Cars or cops…it'll be a struggle for a small, blonde female…and it'll upset Mom…but I know what I want…I want to be the first lieutenant…or detective…in the Eames family…now if I can just keep Mom from realizing I'm majoring in criminal justice…"

"Alex," Tom Wexstein's voice broke in on her thoughts. "You are coming to the party next week?"

"Tom…I thought your family was Jewish…what's this party business…" Alex grinned.

"We are," Tom answered evenly. "That's why it's a HOLIDAY party…Seriously, I'd really like you to be there…prove to the guys you can actually wear a dress…"

"Well," Alex said. "There is this skirt I've been dying to wear…and my last final is that morning…"

"It's a date then." Tom looked extremely pleased. "I can even give you a lift."

"Actually, I think I can get the Mustang for that night," Alex said, although the idea had just occurred to her. "Maybe I can give you a lift."

"Ok," Tom said quickly. "But I get to drive it a little."

"Deal," Alex said. She shouldered her backpack. "I gotta get home and study."

Tom gently and lightly touched her arm. "Listen…if you need more time to study, just let me know…we'll work it out…you can make it up during your semester break…"

His touch briefly flustered Alex. "Uh…thank you…and thanks…well, for everything."

"You deserve it…you really do…" It was Tom's turn to be flustered.

Alex smiled. "Let's just agree that we've really helped each other a lot."

Tom returned the smile. "Ok."

"I'll see you next Saturday…be ready on time!" Alex laughed as she left the garage.

"Just you don't be late!" Tom called after her.

Alex's brother arrived to pick her up just as she left the building.

"Hey," she said as she tossed her backpack in the rear seat of that Dodge Charger that was his latest project. "I'm reserving the Mustang for next Saturday."

Her brother grinned at her. "Ya got a hot date, Lexie?"

Alex smiled slyly. "Maybe…maybe…"

End Chapter Four