Disclaimer: Dick Wolf owns everything and Charles Dickens owns the plot. Apparently I own nothing except the crazy idea of combining the two.

A/N: Bobby may be stubborn but he's not stupid. Hope you enjoy the final chapter and have a very Merry Christmas! Thanks to gorengal for the beta and for the suggestions that led to a much better ending than I came up with on my own.

A Merrier Christmas

The ringing of the phone roused Bobby from his nightmare. He turned over to reach for the phone and rolled right out of bed, tangled up in his sheets.

"Damn it!" he swore as he pulled the phone off the nightstand to answer it. "Goren," he gasped.

"Bobby? Are you all right? You sound awful," Alex said, sounding concerned.

"Alex! Oh thank God you called back!" Bobby exclaimed. He was still upset from his long night and the vision of his bleak and lonely future.

"Uh...called back?" Alex asked, sounding very confused. "Did I miss a call from you earlier?" she asked.

"No...I'm so sorry, Alex. I never meant to ignore you like that! I was just...I never stopped to think...I thought it was just pity! And your sister is wrong! I don't want to be miserable. Please don't...I mean you shouldn't have to spend the holidays away from your family just because of my stupidity. It's just...I never had a good Christmas...except with you that one year and...I thought that was just...I was there and you felt sorry for me. I can't stand pity...especially not...well, I just didn't know anything. I'm an idiot. I'm so sorry! Please, please forgive me for ignoring you all those years," Bobby blurted in an uncontrollable rant.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Bobby. I was just calling to wish you a Merry Christmas and to try one more time to get you to come with me to my..." Alex began.

"Yes!" Bobby replied immediately. "I'd love to go with you to your parent's house."Unless you're now afraid I really am an idiot or that I've lost completely lost my mind.

"Really?" Alex sounded surprised.

"Really. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing today. What time are we supposed to be there?" Bobby asked.

"One o'clock. I'll come by to get you at noon. And you better not change your mind when I get there or..."

Bobby laughed. "Oh no, I definitely won't change my mind. I've never looked forward to anything else in my entire life."

"All right, who the hell are you and what did you do with my partner?" Alex asked sounding very suspicious.

"I promise I'll be here and ready to go. Really." Bobby was elated. It's not too late! It really is just as corny as that stupid movie. Thank God.

Okay...so I'll see you at noon," said Alex.

"See you at noon," Bobby replied. "And Alex?"

"Yes?" she asked, still sounding suspicious.

"Thank you for not giving up on me. See you soon." Bobby hung up the phone before his partner could ask any more questions. He carefully untangled himself from the bed sheets and blanket and went over to the window. The streets of the city were blanketed in snow. He could see people out and about on their way to spend the holiday with their loved ones. For the first time in years, he was actually looking forward to being one of them.

Smiling and humming "The Christmas Song" to himself, Bobby got the coffee started and took a quick shower. It was eight thirty so it left him a lot of time to get ready to meet Alex. After his shower he shaved, dressed and sat down in his kitchen with a cup of coffee and his cell phone. Flipping it open, he checked his recently received calls and found the number Frank called from a couple of days ago. He recalled hanging up on him at the time.

Taking a deep breath, Bobby dialed the number. After five rings he was about to hang up when there was an answer.

"Hello?" said the familiar voice of his brother.

"Hey Frank."

"Bobby? What's going on?" Frank asked, sounding concerned.

"I...I just wanted to call and...wish you a Merry Christmas, Frank. And to see if maybe we couldn't get together in the next few days."

"But...I thought you said..." Frank began.

"Yeah, I know what I said," Bobby admitted regretfully. "Look, Frank, I'm sorry I couldn't accept your apology when you called. I was just...I couldn't get over my resentment. When you didn't show up at mom's funeral, I just wanted to write you off for good."

"And now?" Frank asked.

"To be honest, I don't know. But it's Christmas and...you and I...we're all that's left, Frank. I know it's not going to fix everything but...but I'd like to get together with you and maybe we can catch up with each other."

"Ah...yeah...I mean...wow, Bobby. I thought I really blew it with you this time, you know? I just got so depressed..." Frank began.

"It's okay, Frank. We can talk about that maybe this weekend?" Bobby asked, hoping he wasn't going to be disappointed.

"Yeah, sure. I'd like that. I...I actually have plans for today that don't include me getting drunk or high, believe it or not."

"I believe you, Frank," Bobby replied, hoping the scene he witnessed at the church with Frank helping serve the homeless wasn't just a dream.

"Thanks, Bobby. It means a lot to me. I know I haven't been much of a brother to you but I want to be," Frank said, sounding sincere.

"Yeah, Frank, I know. Can I reach you at this number this weekend?" Bobby asked.

"Yeah, I'm free all weekend. I go to church on Sunday mornings but other than that I can meet you anytime."

"Great, I'll call you Saturday morning. Maybe we can have lunch?"

"Sounds good, Bobby. I really appreciate...well, everything."

"Merry Christmas, Frank."

"Merry Christmas, Bobby."

Bobby hung up the phone and checked the time. Alex would pick him up in two and a half hours. He smiled at the thought and took another sip of his coffee. He had one more phone call to make.

As he waited for Logan to answer, he wondered if perhaps that episode at the bar hadn't been a dream as well. Before he could hang up, Logan answered.

"Logan," came the terse reply.

"Hung over a bit there, buddy?" Bobby asked, attempting to sound sympathetic.

"Goren? What? Is this payback for my dragging you out in the middle of the night?"

Bobby sighed with relief. At least that part was real. "I was just calling to check on you. The payback part is just an added plus."

"Thanks a lot, Goren. You're a real pal." Logan groused.

"I also wanted to thank you," Bobby said. There was a long silence at the other end of the line. "Logan? You still there?"

"Ah, yeah. I was just hallucinating for a moment. It sounded like you were thanking me," Logan said dubiously.

"I am thanking you, Logan," Bobby said sincerely.

"You're thanking me for dragging your ass out of bed to have some fetus of a bartender assume you're my gay lover? You need help, my friend."

Bobby chuckled. "No, I want to kick your ass for dragging me out of bed and I'd say your embarrassment was worth the erroneous assumption on the part of that 'fetus' that you and I are gay. But I do want to thank you for reminding me that I still have options."

"If you tell me you've decided you're gay I'm NOT interested." Logan began, sounding even more confused than he was before.

Bobby laughed. "No, I'm NOT gay, but if I were I certainly wouldn't be attracted to you."

"Why not?" Logan asked indignantly. "On second thought, never mind. So why are you calling me again?"

"I wanted to thank you for reminding me that I do have Eames in my life," Bobby explained, trying not to laugh at Logan's confusion. "And I thought I'd let you know I am taking your advice."

"You're desperate if you're listening to my advice, Goren."

"You're probably right. But I think you should consider taking your own advice, Logan."

"Eames didn't invite me to her family Christmas," Logan replied sarcastically.

"Very funny, Logan. I meant Tanya. I'm sure you don't have to trick her into spending time with you if she invited you to her family's Christmas Eve dinner."

Logan sighed. "No, I'm sure I don't have to trick her into spending time with me. I just...I don't know if she's the one, you know?"

"You won't know if you don't spend more time with her."

"Since when did you turn into Dear Abby?"

"Since I got some good advice from a friend and a lesson from two captains and an ADA."

"Goren, are you drunk?"

"Never mind, Logan. Just think about it and have a Merry Christmas," Bobby said, hoping Logan wouldn't be as stubborn as he had been.

"Yeah, yeah. Merry Christmas."

"Just think about it," Bobby repeated.

"I said yeah," Logan said. "And Goren..."

"Yeah?"

"It's good you're spending Christmas with Eames." Logan sounded genuinely pleased. "And...ah...well, thanks for calling."

"You're welcome," Bobby said. He hung up the phone and finished his coffee. He still had an errand to run before Alex came to pick him up.

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Bobby was waiting in front of his apartment building when Alex drove up. He smiled at the look of relief on her face. "Didn't think I was gonna be here?" he asked as he settled into the passenger seat.

Alex shrugged. "You weren't exactly eager to join me last night."

"I did say I'd think about it and I did," Bobby replied with a smile. He turned to put a large shopping bag in the back seat.

"What's that?" Alex asked, glancing at the bag as she pulled back out into the traffic.

"Didn't want to show up empty handed. I got a couple of bottles of wine and some flowers for your mom."

"You didn't have to do that, Bobby."

"I wanted to. It is Christmas."

Alex glanced suspiciously at her partner. "Did you do something I'm going to be really upset about?"

Bobby chuckled. "No. At least not anything that I know of."

"So you just decided out of the blue to accept my invitation?" Alex asked, still sounding suspicious.

"Gee, Alex, you sound like you don't want me to come along after all."

"No! I'm thrill...ah...I'm glad you agreed to come with me. I just...it's a bit surprising given your previous attitude," Alex replied.

"Logan helped me change my mind," Bobby said.

"Logan?" Alex furrowed her brow. "When did you see him?"

Bobby chuckled and told her about his adventure with Logan at Peter J's. Alex laughed out loud at Logan's reaction to the bartender assuming he was gay. She smiled when Bobby finally got around to telling her Logan's advice that Bobby take her up on her offer to spend Christmas with her and her family.

"So I guess Logan isn't as big a pain in ass as I thought," she said.

"You don't have to go that far," Bobby joked. "But yeah, Logan's a soft-hearted guy after all."

When they arrived at the home of John and Elizabeth Eames Bobby felt a little self-conscious as what seemed like the entire household came out to greet them. Half of them swarmed Alex's car and helped her get the presents from the trunk while the other half hugged her and Bobby as well.

"It's nice to see you again, Bobby," Vicky said as she gave him a hug. "We're so glad you could make it. You wouldn't believe how upset Alex was when..."

"Vicky! Come help me with these," Alex interrupted, giving her sister a warning look.

Vicky chuckled as she grabbed the presents Alex shoved in her arms. "We'll talk later," she whispered conspiratorially to Bobby as she headed back into the house.

"My sister is a drama queen. Whatever she says is exaggerated ten times." Alex closed the trunk of her car.

Bobby smiled as he followed Alex into the house.

As the day progressed, Bobby found himself once again enjoying the more personal side of his partner. She laughed, hugged people and didn't seem to have an urge to withdraw from everyone as she had in his dream last night. At one point the two were caught standing under some mistletoe by one of her nieces. They kissed each other awkwardly on the cheek after loud encouragement by the entire Eames clan. They both blushed and separated for a short time feeling a little embarrassed by the attention.

Bobby eventually found Alex as she closed the door to the guest room after putting her nephew down for his nap.

"Hey, how are you holding up?" she asked him. "The family hasn't worn you down?"

Bobby laughed softly and shook his head. "No, it's fine. In fact...I'm actually having fun."

"Really? You're not just saying that to make me feel better? I mean, my family can get to be a bit much for me and I grew up with them." Alex joked.

"You've got a great family, Alex." Bobby smiled. "Thanks for inviting me and not...not giving up on me."

Alex smiled. "I'm just as stubborn as you are, you know."

"Thank God for that," Bobby said leaning against the wall in the narrow hallway. "If it weren't for you I'd be alone and miserable."

"So what exactly did Logan say that changed your mind? You don't usually take advice that contradicts what you've already decided." Alex smirked.

Bobby shrugged. "He had a little help from Charles Dickens."

Alex looked skeptical. "Charles Dickens? Does Logan even know who Charles Dickens is?"

Bobby chuckled. "Come on, even Logan knows Charles Dickens."

"Well, whatever he did, I'm glad you're here, Bobby.

"I finally realized that Christmas is a time for family and loved ones. And the only happy Christmas I've ever had was the one I spent with your family." Bobby smiled. "I...I'm going to be spending some time with Frank later this week, too."

"Frank? As in your brother? Do you even know where he is?" Alex asked.

Bobby nodded. "Yeah, he called me a couple of weeks ago. I...I hung up on him at the time. His not showing up at our mother's funeral made me so angry. I didn't want anything to do with him. I thought he was...just hitting me up for money or something."

"And was he?"

"No, he wasn't. He actually said he's back at church and he's...well, I think he's volunteering at a soup kitchen."

"Are you sure he's volunteering and not...getting a handout?" Alex asked gently.

"Pretty sure. He sounded like he's back on his feet...for now." Bobby sighed. "I know he's probably going to fall off the wagon again but I...I really want to keep in touch with him. He's the only family I have left."

Alex took Bobby's hand. "You're a good man, Bobby Goren." She smiled and pulled him into an embrace. "And you're welcome to share my family anytime."

Bobby chuckled and held her close. "So, what are you doing for New Year's?"

The End

A/N: Well, that's all folks! Promise to return to Defining Moments and A Charmed Life soon. Yeah, I know I promised that before but I do mean it this time. No new episodes upcoming will definitely help that situation a lot. ;)