The usual disclaimers. Please read and review!
A/N: For those of you who don't like an 'alive jacket', sorry:)
Chapter 3
Just For Size
The next few weeks flew by. Goren took lead, Bishop tried to keep up, and Alex watched. As information came in, Alex quickly assimilated it, giving it to Bobby, who shared it with Bishop. Deakins tried to maintain a calm squad room and smooth out the ruffled feathers. On one particular Thursday, he sighed, and slumped in his chair, rubbing his face with his hands. Thank God it's almost Friday. It's almost like Romper Room with the three of them.
Alex, put the jacket on, slinging the her purse over her shoulder. Grabbing the copies she made, she walked over to Goren's desk. Placing them on the corner, she walked past Det. Bishop.
Bishop, who had be watching her delivery, tapped her lips with her pen. "That jacket, is a little, ah, 'retro', isn't it?"
Eames did a heel toe spin and walked back to Det. Bishop. Stopping in front of Bishop, she cocked her head. Bishop, moved in her chair to offset any verbal blow that might come. Eames furrowed her brow, looking at her. Bishop waited.
Goren had learned early on not to leave his desk for lengthy periods of time, as it seemed, Det. Bishop had a way saying just the wrong thing at the wrong time to set Eames off. Returning to the squad room after a quick trip to the restroom, he found just that. He moved quickly towards the women. Captain Deakins spotted the Eames and Bishop alone, together, through his window, and made a dash for his door.
Alex, ready to tear into Detective Bishop, suddenly felt the baby give her a strong kick. She smiled and stroked the front of the jacket. "I've always liked it. I've never thought of it as 'retro', more as comfortable, and protective."
Bishop's eyes had been on the front of the jacket, and had seen the jacket move. "Was, was that the baby?" She tentatively reached out to touch the front of the jacket, but stopped short of actually doing it.
Alex nodded and smiled. "Kicking more and more each day. Sometimes sleep is near impossible in bed, and I have to sleep in the recliner." Bishop nodded. Not so much in understanding, but acknowledgment of hearing what she said.
Bobby and Deakins watched, amazed at the sudden calm between the two women. They exchanged looks of relief. Each returned to their respective desks, as Alex headed for the elevator, she felt the need of a good night's sleep ahead of her.
The following morning, Alex arrived before the others. Friday! She grinned at the thought. Slinging her jacket over the back of her chair, she tossed her purse in the drawer. Glancing at the top of desk she saw some scrawled notes from Bobby. Grabbing her cup, she hummed her way to the coffee room.
Bishop arrived shortly after Alex. She quickly noted that Alex was already there Dropping her coat and purse off at her desk, she headed towards the coffee room. She swung by Alex's desk, checking the notes that Bobby had left her. She furrowed her brow. How Eames could read his scribbling was beyond her. But, as long as she didn't have to cypher it out, she didn't care. She glanced at the jacket on the back of the chair.
Bishop bit her lower lip, glancing towards the coffee room. She was well aware of Eames' possessiveness towards her things, even her partner. She slowly ran her hand over the collar of the jacket. She raised her brow, for as coarse as she thought khaki jackets were, she found this one soft and pliable. She hesitated, listening to Alex rummaging around in the coffee room.
The jacket felt a strange hand on its collar. He knew it wasn't her. This one's nails were sharp and cut into his threads, something she would never do to him. He hung heavily on the chair, hoping that this hand would leave him alone. He felt himself being lifted.
Bishop quickly put the jacket over her shoulders, smoothing out the collar, and feeling down the front. It is comfortable. Although it hung on her loosely, she could easily see how a very pregnant Eames would love wearing it. Hearing approaching footsteps, Bishop quickly removed the jacket and slung it back over the chair. She met Eames just coming out of the coffee room.
Alex smiled. "Fresh coffee."
She walked towards her desk slowing down as she noticed that one shoulder of the jacket was not hooked over the back of the chair. She arched her brow, eying the jacket, still slightly swinging. She glanced over her shoulder towards the coffee room. She hooked the shoulder of the jacket over the chair, gently patting it, she slowly sat down.