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

CHAPTER: 21

Oh shit. She mused. And then quickly, she prayed.

Alex tiled her head up towards Bobby just in time to catch his eyes open. He was looking down at her in confusion. She'd figured as much. She was confused herself. She could feel his body trembling right up against her own.

He blinked once and then, "Eam…Alex?" He looked at her, shocked, but curious. "Wh…What are you doing?" He asked. He was scared to death, but wasn't sure why. He couldn't recall the last time he'd ever felt so safe and so…loved?

Oh god, no. Bobby you did not just think of the "L" word, did you? Alex…could she possibly love me? I always hoped but…

"I...I'm so sorry, Bobby. I shouldn't have…" She began, but he did something that shocked the hell out of her and made her halt all of the apologies and excuses she was quickly trying to come up with.

He closed his eyes lightly as a small smile appeared on his face. It wasn't just any smile…it was one of those old, Bobby Goren smiles that he used to produce back in the day; in the early years of their partnership.

It was made for her and somehow she thought he knew that it made her heart skip a beat.

It was pure contentment.

"It's ok, Alex." He opened his eyes and whispered. "Please don't…don't apologize." He closed his eyes tight this time and spoke with such delicacy. "It felt…I welcome the feeling."

And then she smiled back at him, though he never caught it, and let out a breath she knew she was holding.

They stayed like that for a few moments until Alex placed her head back on Bobby's chest at a different angle. She aligned herself in a way to where she could still look up and meet his eyes easily.

Alex wasn't sure if Bobby was fearful, tense or not, and didn't want to push her luck. So, after a few moments of enjoying the sound of his heart steadily beating in his chest, she softly began to retract her hand from underneath his shirt, but Bobby quickly but smoothly caught it with his big paw once again and softly brought it back up to his chest. After he knew she wasn't going to move her hand, he loosened his grip on her arm and placed his own hand, palm completely open, over her delicate one.

Only the thin fabric of his shirt separated their hands.

Just tell him.

Just tell her.

A/N: More to come soon, I promise!

Snyder