The next couple of chapters cover untethered in light of Bobby and Alex's new relationship. It will be a series of missing scenes, each presented in chapter format. Hopefully they transition well with the scenes in the untethered episode. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 8

They had spent the better part of the day gathering information on Donnie's case including background material on all persons involved. Alex had researched Tate's Corrections. In spite of all the patented, politically correct, published information on Tate's, including its mission statement and goals for rehabilitation, it still sounded like a horrible place. When she wasn't gathering info on Tate's, she was stealing glances at Bobby, watching him gather data, wondering how he was processing the promise of another living family member. She ached for him, knowing he feared the worst, but doing his best to hope for the good in another Goren.

Bobby was quiet on the way home. He barely touched his dinner. She had expected it. He was going through the day in his mind, processing what had transpired. She watched as his facial expressions changed with his thoughts, completely oblivious to his onlooker. After dinner, he collapsed on her couch leaning his head back on the pillows trying to stave the headache making its way to the front of his head. She heard him sigh from the kitchen. She put the leftovers in the frig and went to him. She settled on the couch next to him and pulled her knees up to rest them in his lap. His eyes were closed. Without lifting his head, he turned to look up at her. She offered him a sympathetic smile.

"I'm sorry Frank put you in the middle of this."

She shook her head and kept her smile. "No matter, I would have ended up there anyway."

He grunted in weary amusement.

She scooted down to rest her head on his shoulder. She soothed him with gentle strokes across his chest, back and forth while making small, familiar circles with her fingers. She felt him relax. He felt her smile against his chest in response.

"So, we've gathered the facts," she began. "Donnie obviously got a raw deal." She tilted her head back to look up at him. "Where do you want to go from here?"

"I don't know… I... I guess I have to talk to the captain… see if he's willing to help."

She sat up and nodded once in confirmation. "OK. We'll talk to him first thing in the morning."

"No" he said decisively. "You're not involved in this one."

Her temper started to flair and she felt old wounds threaten to surface. "What do you mean I'm not involved? Bobby...."

"No, Eames." He cut her off. "This is not about pushing you away. This is about preserving your job and shielding you from my addict brother. With Frank… things can get ugly fast."

"First of all," she countered, "cut the Eames crap, Bobby. Second of all, Frank approached me remember? I'm already involved. Third, do you really think you're gonna' get anywhere with Ross without me?" Her cheeks were flushed and her eyebrows had nearly disappeared into her hairline. She waited for Bobby's response, but he said nothing. He only looked at her with dark, pleading eyes.

"Bobby, you can't do this one by yourself. It's too big. It's too raw." She gently placed her hand on his cheek and started to trace the outline of his jaw with her thumb. It was somewhat of a routine now. When he needed comfort or reassurance, she helped him ease down by touching his face. Whether she rubbed his cheek with her fingers or traced his jaw with her thumb, he always relaxed into her touch. This simple, intimate gesture calmed the storm. In this instance, it soothed the ache he felt deep in the recesses of his heart for what could have been, for what once was between he and his brother.

"Bobby" she said at barely more than a whisper. He opened his eyes. "We'll do this together?"

He covered her hand with his and kissed her palm. He nodded, unable to speak. His lip curved into a half smile.

"Come on." She stood and tugged on the hand she still held. "Let's get some sleep. We'll tackle Ross in the morning and go from there."

They walked down the hall still holding hands while Alex led the way. He was content to let her lead on. They turned into her bedroom and Alex headed toward the master bath. Bobby undressed in the bedroom and pulled a pair of pajama pants out of the drawer Alex had emptied for his things. He heard her in the bathroom brushing her teeth. Alex spat in the sink and reached for a towel to wipe her mouth. That's when she saw him leaning against the doorframe, watching her. She smiled up at him with a freshly washed face, her hair pulled up in a clip.

"What?" she said with a curious smile.

Bobby's eyes were dark and stormy.

"I'm in love with you." He said it with absolute commitment. The words flew across the room and hit her with such force, she thought she might collapse. She took in a quick breath, a reflex. Outwardly, she quickly composed herself. "Is that right?" Inside, she was a big ball of goo. She leaned against the sink for support.

Bobby nodded. "Yes, it is." It came out in a low growl. He pushed away from the door frame.

Alex grabbed the sink in response as Bobby made his way to her. "Well," she said and tried to keep her voice steady, "that's very convenient because, it just so happens, I'm in love with you too."

In an instant, she was crushed against his chest. His hand was in her hair sending the loosely placed clip flying. His lips captured hers and she melted into him. She lost her ability to think, to reason. She acted and reacted according to his lead. Bobby willingly lost himself in Alex. In her touch, in her need, and in her love, he found a freedom he had never known. He was free to love and to be loved. He was confident in her love, in their love. He felt it. And, at long last he owned it, that confidence that only comes from being loved completely and totally. The unconditional love he had yearned for his entire life was here, in his arms, reflected in her eyes.

TBC

Aaah, if only! Who's with me?