Alex pipes in with here account of the next day.

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CHAPTER SEVEN: Alex goes after her man!

Tropical Storm, Alex

A switch to Eames' side of the story … as only she can tell it.

Bobby and I have changed our relationship, he just doesn't get it yet. I'm determined to not make his life anymore difficult than it already is or has been. I'm sure he's expecting to come into work this morning and meet Eames, the "Ice Queen." I love him too much for that. He'll see that we are meant to be together. I don't want to wait until one of us quits or retires. I say quit because, that day may come. Neither one of us are quitters. Bobby sure is hell isn't! If the past six months wasn't a testament to that, than nothing is. I would have given up. Most people would have packed their bags and moved on. I wonder if I had anything to do with his determination to stay with the NYPD … a place that let him down, there were men in charge that didn't back him up. Why else would he stay where he wasn't appreciated? It makes me sad and pissed off. I hate them … The Chief and Ross. I long for the days that we had Jimmy. He didn't stand behind us … he stood in front of us. He wasn't afraid of the Chief of D's. When he said anything against Bobby, Deak let it be known that Bobby was the one solving the crimes around here. He didn't leave me out … we're a team and Deak was a great leader. Ross is a follower. Something Bobby will never be. That's the conflict … well, Ross can blow it out of his ass. I will continue to support my partner, my friend. I realize now that Ross and the Chief planned this whole rift between Bobby and I. It was elaborate, brilliant even and it almost worked. They couldn't or wouldn't even think that it would drive us into each others arms. I guess their plan wasn't so brilliant after all.

"Morning, Eames."

"Hey, Bobby."

Not only wasn't he expecting the coffee and bagel, but my cheery hello threw him off balance. He almost missed his chair when he sat down. I had to hide my laughter.

"Ah … Th …thanks for the coffee and bagel."

"You're very welcome."

I look back down at some non-paper work, trying to be nonchalant. He leaned over his desk and whispered softly …

"You didn't put rat poison in it … did you?"

"I didn't put the rat in your drawer and I'm not trying to kill you now, Bobby."

The bastard, that he can be, smiled that smile that makes my knees wobble. I'm happy that I'm sitting.

"Are we okay? Are you okay?"

"Fine. You're always right, Bobby. I had time to think. Everything is good."

He looked confused. He cocked his head to one side. I like this feeling of power I have. I've confused his genius mind. That of course has nothing to do with being his friend or his partner, it's a female thing.

"I, I, I'm not always right, Eames."

Got him! He'll be having wet dreams about me tonight and every other night until he comes to his senses and gives into his desires. I can wait it out. I'll give him three days. By the time I get through with him … his uniform won't be the only thing that's blue.

"Yeah … you are."

I got up and walked towards the break room. I could feel his eyes on my ass. I dropped my pen to give him a better look. This was going to be easy. Maybe two days. I wish Carolyn was still here, we would have a bet going.

Later in the morning, a call came in. I asked him to drive. He wiped his hand down his face then rubbed the back of his neck. Goren is one big tell. I know all of his distress signals. Me not driving, makes him nervous. He sighed heavily and took the keys from me. I really hate his driving. He drives too fast, weaves in and out of traffic and breaks on a dime. In other words, he drives like a New York City cabby. I knew going into my plan that some of it would backfire on me, but a few gray hairs were worth getting my Bobby.

We arrive, thankfully in one piece. There are uniforms there and the DEA. They give us the run down. A known drug dealer is hold up inside with his Pit-bull and he's a person of interest in a murder. The DEA wants this dude and I want to know why we're there. Bobby, in the mean time, is putting on his vest getting ready to go headfirst into this mess. I have a bad feeling and stop him. I tell him that this is the DEA's gig and we're out of here. He wants to stay and see it through … I have to pull rank as the senior partner. He rips off his vest and throws the keys at me. He didn't speak to me the rest of the day.

We had a boring day in the office. No cases came in, he was mad and fidgety. He kept checking the logs to see what went down at the drug house. I still can't figure out why we were called in to begin with. I was fresh out of ideas … there was no seducing him now. I didn't exist.

All of the sudden, he slammed his laptop shut and looked at me like a was the cause of famine.

"What?"

"Two officers were shot, one critically. The guy was high on PCP. He freaked and started shooting."

"And you wished you were one of them?"

"No, Eames. I wish I was there helping out."

"What could you have done, Bobby?"

"I don't know. Recognize the signs? Not allow the officers to go in there?"

"Don't you think the DEA should know all that? … It's their line of work, it's what they do."

"I was in Narcotics for a long time, Eames. I know what to do too. Somebody screwed up."

"Bobby, we're cops … it happens."

"Well, it shouldn't!"

I think he just wanted to be mad at me. We had no business being there. The thought of him being shot, un-nerved me. I was shaking when he told me about the two uniformed officers.

He got up and left. I knew I would have another sleepless night.

Before I went to bed, I called his cell, hoping he would answer it.

"Yeah, Eames."

"I'm sorry about today."

"It wasn't your fault."

"I made you leave. You were mad."

"You pulled rank."

"I was afraid … we didn't belong there. Drug Enforcement had that covered. At least they should have. It was their party, not ours."

"I know."

"Do you?"

"Is there anything else, Eames?"

"Yeah, I love you. Good night Bobby."

I hung up before he could say anything. I just want him to know. I know it seems like I'm messing with his head, but I truly believe that we need and want each other. Bobby and I are soul mates. There is a reason that we were partnered up all those years ago and I don't think it was to improve NYPD's solve rate. There's a reason for everything in life. His mother's illness, his father's philandering, my husband's death, my kidnapping and even this cat and mouse game that Bobby and I are playing. What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. We're both still alive after all we've been through. We're strong and I know that we love each other. Convincing Bobby that we're meant to be together, may take more time than I originally thought. He never reacted this way before, irrational about leaving a crime scene that we shouldn't have been at. On occasion, they call in Major Case to assess, but when you see the big boys like the DEA, you back off. Bobby knows that. He also likes to play with the big boys. I wish he liked to play with me. Tomorrow will be interesting, but then again, with Bobby, 'tomorrows' are never boring. With that thought, I call him back.

"Yeah, Eames."

"Bobby, I'm glad we have another tomorrow."

There was a long silence on his end of the line … I knew he was still there.

"Me too … Alex."

With a tremble to my voice, I gave in to my thoughts … they came spilling out. I became this emotional … female.

"I want you so much. Why are you doing this to us when you know it's what we both want?"

"Alex … we can't always get what we want in life."

"Do you love me, Bobby?"

Silence again.

"Of course I do … I'm not going to lie about that."

"Then give me one night. Make love to me and if you can walk away after that … I'll leave you alone for good."

He came over … I'll tell you about that sometime.

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Did Alex get her man? ... I'll tell ya about it in chapter eight! Thanks for reading. Judy :)