Disclaimer: Sadly enough, I don't own anything. This is written for pure enjoyment only and no profit to be gained!

CHAPTER: 16

"Don't leave me." He whispered.

"Bobby, I have to get an ice pack for you. I have to cool you down." She said and then bit her lip. An idea struck her but she hated herself at the thought. She had to do it thought. She knew it would work. "It's either an ice pack or the hospital." She informed him though she felt guilty for doing it. The both cringed in response. Bobby slowly released his grip around her waist; enough so that she could stand up. "I'll be right back." She informed him and quickly ran out of the room before he could say anything.

When Alex came back into the room, not a minute later, she found Bobby tucked under the covers, head and all, curled up in a ball. He was shaking. Violently shaking and she thought she heard him whimper as well.

Alex could see the movement in the comforter he was lying under and went to him. She had the biggest urge to hold him in that very moment and never let go.

"Bobby, I'm back." She exclaimed. She figured he'd immediately clamp to her once more as she sat on the bed. She expected his muscular, tan arms that were as strong as vice grips to come flying towards her, but they didn't. He didn't move and she rubbed his back through the covers in response. "Bobby, come out of there. I need to cool you down. Please." Once again, her pleading with him helped and he willingly complied.

He turned onto his back and turned his head to face her. She gently laid the ice pack wrapped in a paper towel on his forehead and wiped the sweat away from his face with a damp cloth. She continued her ministrations for 15 minutes and then tossed the ice pack and cloth aside. Alex noticed his steady breathing and figured he was asleep again so she deeply sighed, stroked his hair once, and then reluctantly got off the bed. She started to walk towards the door when she heard him whimper.

"Bobby?" She turned around in surprise. "I thought you were sleeping."

He blinked and then whispered, "Stay." It was the only word to come out of his mouth.

Her heart softened for this man and the weakness in his voice alone made her want to cry. She could tell by the look in his eyes, by the body expressions he was exhibiting that he wanted her with him. In the same room. He didn't want to be left alone and Alex recognized the reasons behind them and she intended on doing whatever she could to help him.

"Ok, Bobby, I'll stay." She said and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "Just try and get some rest, ok? I won't leave you." She sympathized and reached for his scratchy face. She stroked it softly a few times and then got up off the bed. Bobby's eyes were closed as she laid her soft hand on his left cheek, but as soon as she pulled away, his eyes were wide open.

Bobby opened his eyes to see what she was doing and saw her pulling a chair up to the side of his bed from the corner of the room. He froze a few moments and then willingly pulled the comforter back. Alex saw him willingly open himself up to her and was surprised by the gesture. Caught off guard for a few seconds, her mind caught back up and recognized that it wasn't a good idea. They had crossed the line, though a very thin, smudged line, already. He saw her look at him reluctantly and spoke up.

"Eames, please. I…just, I just don't want you to try and sleep on…on a chair. Stay with me? Please. I promise, I promise I…I won't touch you…I would never…I won't hurt you." He practically whispered the last part to her, ashamed of himself.

Maybe that's why she's afraid? Afraid that I'm…violent? That I AM insane?

"Oh, Bobby…" She interrupted his thoughts. "That's not it at all. I know you would never hurt me. I'm not worried about that—"

"Department policy…" He murmured as it finally hit him. He slowly let the covers fall back down over him. "Since I'll probably be out of a job soon, it doesn't really matter anymore, does it?"

"Bobby, they're not going to fire you. They're punishing you for your previous actions, not firing you."

"Well, yeah, but not after this—" He began to explain, but was cut off.

"I took care of it." She softly spoke in a reassuring voice. "I talked to, Ross. I called him when you went into surgery and told him…almost everything. What I knew anyways. I pleaded with him not to say anything to anyone and he promised he wouldn't. I told him I'd…handle it."

Bobby looked dumbfounded and for a few moments, words would not come.

"But…" He paused to gather his thoughts. "But how do you…how can he explain us being gone so long?"

She held a hand up. "Ross took care of that. He's telling everyone that we're on a months leave because of the vacation time that we have stacked up."

"Aren't I on suspension anyways?" He asked.

"Well, yes. But I think he wants you back as soon as you're ready to come back."

"It's not up to him…"

"I know, Bobby." She frowned. "It's just a cover story, ok?"

Bobby thought about it and looked up to Eames with admiration. "Thank you for everything. I didn't…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable…I—I just didn't want you…I don't want you to sleep on the…on a chair. You don't have to…to stay in here."

"It's ok, Bobby. You don't make me feel uncomfortable. You never have." She smiled. "I just want you to get some sleep. So, just try and rest, ok? I'll be here if you need me."

Bobby nodded and tried to relax. He tossed and turned for about 30 minutes until he finally managed to fall back into a light sleep. His nightmares would not cease, however. He started to mutter unrecognizable things once again and it woke Alex from her light sleep right away. Bobby started shaking again and mumbling something about "pills" and "water," when Alex got to her feet. She bent down next to him and shook him lightly to wake him.

"Bobby…" She mumbled as she sat on the bed. This time he awoke quickly and looked at her once again with tears in his eyes. He didn't have a chance to speak before she murmured, "Scoot over, Bobby. I'll stay with you."

Bobby looked up at her and quickly complied; scooting over to the other side of the bed. He opened up the covers for her and stared at her. Alex got into bed and hardly even moved the bed when she lied down. She was very light and it brought a sad smile to Bobby's face. He was still scared, scared of the nightmares that began to haunt him, but knowing that Alex was right next to him made him feel some sort of awkward peace. He wasn't sure how close she'd let him get, but his questions were quickly answered when he heard her speak.

"Come over here, Bobby." She signaled with her arm.

"Ea—Alex, are you sure?" He questioned, using her first name. "I don't want to…"

"Yes, Bobby. Now come over here." She said, reaching her arm up to allow him better access.

Bobby didn't have to be asked twice and willingly scooted over and snuggled up next to her. Softly, he placed his head on her shoulder and let out a sigh of contentment.

So this is what it's like to feel safe…to be held by someone you trust.

Alex wrapped her arm he was laying on, around his back and soothed him; rubbing small circles on the middle of his back. He was a large man, so large that she was barely able to reach his back with her short little arm that he half-covered. It was a nice feeling and she deeply welcomed it.

Bobby was nothing like Joe, but that didn't mean that she didn't feel anything in this very moment. She adored Bobby, but most importantly, she loved him and would do anything for him. She'd felt this way for years. She couldn't pinpoint the exact day or even month that she realized it, but she didn't try to. Alex was used to being alone again once Joe died. She also realized that Bobby too was use to being alone because his life was nothing but pure loneliness, but everything happens for a reason...and Alex knew from this day on that she'd never be alone again. And neither would he whether he knew it or not.

Bobby's mind was reeling, but he took a chance and slung one arm over her stomach as she continued her ministrations. Immediately after his action, he titled his head up to look at her as if to ask her permission.

"It's ok, Bobby. Just get comfortable."

And he did. And so did she.

Alex felt comfortable in holding him because it made her well aware of that fact that he was still alive. He was with her and she thanked god for it. She slowly felt him coming back to life and she only held onto him tighter.

Bobby managed to quickly fall back asleep in the comfort and safety of the arms of one, Alexandra Eames. He felt safe. I'm AM safe now. And it was his last thought as he drifted off into a comfortable abyss.

Alex managed to dose off every fifteen minutes or so, but her mind was filled with racing thoughts that would not diminish. She didn't know what was going to happen to him, or to his career.

Would this incident leak out? It would indeed ruin his career if it did. It's already fucked up as it is…especially his reputation. Bastards! She mused as she looked at the head of the man whose face was now buried into her side.

So Bobby…So Broken…So mine.

A/N: Hope all is well with you all (Smiles). So, this is what I have so far. No worries, more to come! Please R&R.

-Snyder-