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Designed Intent

Chapter 34

Early Friday Morning

Gleason had set the alarm an hour ahead of her usual wakening as she had promised to call Bobby when she woke up.

Bobby answered on the second ring with, "Honey?"

"Good morning, Love."

"Mmmmm, it is so good to hear you, Sweetheart. How did you sleep?" Bobby had slept like a baby. He had had an erection during the night and could still feel the cold stickiness on the sheet beside his left hip. He stretched luxuriously, remembering.

"I slept well. Did you?"

"I dreamt of you, and it was a good dream, too. I made a wet spot."

"Did you, now?" she said with a smile and then whispered, "Do you want to make another?"

"Oh, yeah. Jesus I miss you. Talk to me, Sweetheart. Talk dirty."

Gleason and he spoke softly of what they would do to each other when she came home the following Thursday night. Bobby pulled and stroked himself, listening to her describe what she would do, how she would feel; he came quickly, jerking onto the top sheet that covered him, grunting as he did so. Gleason came quietly, barely making a sound. She wanted him in her; she missed his size, the way he filled her, the feel of him jerking up high inside, shooting his cum, and then softening before he pulled out.

They spoke of their love for each other, feeling happiness in each other for the first time in a week. Their indiscretions faded away, further and fainter than an old memory, it was as though those things had never happened.

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"Well, you certainly look rested, Detective," Dr. Stephens said. Bobby smiled, looked down and she thought she saw him redden. "How was your night?"

"Good. Very good."

"How so?"

Bobby settled in, ready to talk. "I went straight home, didn't stop at the package store. I thought a lot about all that you and I talked about yesterday. I fell asleep, woke up and called Gleason."

This surprised the psychiatrist, "How did that go?"

"It was intense, but good. We talked. She's, uh, she's agreed to come home Thursday night. I'm glad I made that appointment with her heart doctor on Friday. And, she said she'll meet with you on Saturday."

"Wonderful. This is very good news. So, how do you feel about everything?"

He sidestepped the question with, "She's uneasy about talking with you, Dr. Stephens. Gleason is a very private person and she's been up front about her reluctance in doing this on Saturday. We, uh, we need to be gentle with her."

His use of the plural when talking about their coming couple's session charmed the doctor. She would work hard not to upset this man's lover. "We will do our best, won't we?"

"We, uh, we talked this morning, too," he said softly. He couldn't look at her.

"You did? My, my. So, things are better?"

Bobby leaned forward, elbows on knees, "Yes, this is the thing – we can be so absolutely miserable, yelling at each other, vicious and then, then a few hours or days later, it's as though nothing ever happened. Why is that?" He looked at her expectantly.

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"I think we caught a face from the pawn shop video," Eames told Deakins, "Melvin Turnbuckle, he has a host of priors including assorted thefts, assault, fraud, and more and was released from Rikers three weeks ago. Last known is a flop house."

"Good, good. Take Sledge and check him out," Deakins told her.

"Uh, Captain, it would be better if someone else were to go along."

Deakins looked up, hesitated, and then didn't want to know, "Find someone, then. Bring this guy in. See if he's good for a line-up."

Eames nodded and left. She stopped by Perkins's desk, "Bill, are you free to go pick up a suspect with me?"

"Sorry, I've got this report due in an hour for Carver. Sullivan is tied up, too. Sorry."

Eames nodded and went to Bishop, "Lynn, can you go pick up a suspect with me?"

"Alex, I'm on my way to the dentist, I broke a crown this morning. Sorry."

Eames nodded and crossed to Wheeler, "Megan, I need someone to go pick up a suspect with me, you free?"

"Forget it, Freckles and I are heading out to get our own bad guy. Where's Bright Boy?" Logan said, coming up behind Eames.

Eames ignored the question with, "Thanks anyway."

Shit, she thought, that leaves Edward. Things had really cooled off lately between them. It had been several weeks since Sledge announced that they would never live together and everything had changed. He rarely stayed at her place and they had made love once in the following weeks. She missed him and worried what was ahead. She reluctantly walked his way.

Edward saw her coming, stood and reached for his jacket. "Don't tell me you are heading out," she said.

"Yeah, seems I'm your last resort, huh? Get your coat."

Eames shook her head and went to get her coat.

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Deakins saw Bobby return from Dr. Stephens and wandered over after the detective took his seat.

"So, everything ok?" he asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine," Bobby replied, picking up the two message slips sitting on his desk.

Deakins noticed that Bobby seemed calmer, he didn't seem hung over, and he looked better, as if he had gotten some sleep. "How was last night?"

"I went straight home, didn't drink, took a nap, called Gleason and then went to bed. I slept well and then went to my appointment this morning. What else do you want to know?"

Deakins didn't miss the edge to Bobby's tone, "Nothing, nothing, just checking. You know this is all for your good, Bobby."

Bobby stood up with his cup and said, "Yeah, I know. Thanks. Where's Eames?"

"She and Sledge went to pick up the guy who was asking about the necklace at the pawn shop."

Bobby had no idea what Deakins was talking about so he nodded and headed for the coffee room.

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Friday Noon

"Gleason! Wait," Malcolm called trotting after her as she walked from her class toward Margrave. She turned at her name and waited.

"How is Angus? Is he all right?" Gleason asked as he approached.

Malcolm caught his breath and set a hand on her back, turning her so they could walk together. "Malcolm, don't, please," she said softly, stepping away from him.

He nodded and dropped his hand, thinking her concern was for the fraternization policy; it was not. His hand did not feel the same on her back today as it had; or, maybe she felt differently. "He's ok. Six stitches and a shiner, but he'll be all right."

"How did it happen?"

"Apparently, he was carrying all of his stuffed animals down the stairs from his room to the parlor at one time and he stepped on Cholo's ear, and tripped. He tumbled down quite a ways. Maeve was just coming in from the porch and saw him fall."

"Who is 'Cholo'?"

Malcolm smiled at this, "Angus's stuffed rabbit; it was a gift from Maeve's mother when Gus was born. Gus drags it about by its long ears, he is rarely without it."

"How is your wife?" She used the term purposefully.

Malcolm glanced at Gleason and said, "She's much better today, knowing that Gus will heal."

They continued in silence. He wanted to get somewhere where they could be alone to talk and perhaps finish what had started last evening.

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Sledge insisted on driving so Eames insisted on navigating. "We should talk," Edward said softly.

"About what?" she responded, knowing exactly what he meant. "Turn left at the next corner."

"Alex, you said you understood about us keeping two places. Why does it seem that now you don't?"

"Edward, I said I understood and I do. Things are the way they are."

"Come on, don't shit me; every time I want to come over, you're busy, you're tired, you're something. Hon, I don't want us to change."

Eames turned in her seat to look at him better, "Edward, not moving in together was your choice. What we have is us not living together. This is what you wanted, your decision."

Sledge went quiet. He needed to get her into bed and talk. "I want to come over tonight. Let's get a nice dinner somewhere, and then we'll go back to your place and talk. Ok?" He stole a glance at her.

She considered this; it would be nice to go out again. Besides, she knew where the evening would end. She didn't mind that either, she missed him between her sheets, between her legs. "You just want to get me into bed, don't you?"

"Absolutely," he stole another glance and saw her smile. Edward reached over and put a hand on her knee, sliding it up her thigh.

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"How about if we go to your place? Hmmmm?" Malcolm had walked with Gleason to her office, stepped in behind her, closed her door and took her in his arms.

"Malcolm, no," she pushed him away and turned.

"What? What's wrong? Are you upset about me leaving last night?" he sounded incredulous.

"For God's sake no! Malcolm, I, I can't do what you want. Last night was a mistake. It should have never happened. I'm sorry your son got hurt, but I thank God something called you away. I cannot be with you."

He could not believe this was happening. "You mean you feel nothing for me?"

She turned toward the window, not able to look at him. He continued, "I know you do, I can tell. I saw it last night, the way you responded to me. We would have made love; you know that you wanted to. Didn't you? Didn't you?"

Gleason began to shiver. How could she have let this happen? "Malcolm, please go."

"It's that fucking cop isn't it? Gleason, he doesn't love you." Malcolm took a step closer to her, reaching for her, "He can't love you so far away. I'm here, I'll look after you, love you, make love to you," this last bit was whispered. He took her in his arms and said so softly, "Let me make love to you; let me make you cry out. Please, Gleason, make love to me." His mouth moved to her neck and damn, if she didn't moisten.

"No! Stop, no! Get out! Now!" she pushed against him hard and he backed away; his erection was obvious and he was breathing heavily. "Malcolm go. Leave me alone."

He stared at her, not believing what had just happened. He waited a minute more for his erection to ease and then he turned and left. The door slammed a bit too loudly behind him.

Gleason dropped into her desk chair and shook. Bobby, I need to talk with Bobby. She fished her phone from her bag and hit 'speed dial one.'