Roots and Seeds

a Law and Order: CI story

by RoadrunnerGER

Disclaimer: Dick Wolf still has not agreed to sell them, so they're not mine. This is just for fun and practice.

A/N: So, it's done. Here is the last chapter. I hope you had as much fun reading as I had writing. Thanks to all of you who have reviewed. I love your input. I'm sorry that the final chapter came later than expected, but I had a good reason for getting delayed… Very special thanks to Ronni, my faithful beta reader. I love you. This story is for you. Now, enjoy, all of you.

Chapter 24

It had looked worse than it actually was. Still Alex was fuming when she picked Bobby up at the hospital as she was reminded of him being shot again. A bullet through his thigh! He really seemed to love dramatic performances and she told him so.

"That was the last time you pull such a stunt, Robert Goren," she told him heatedly as she rolled his wheelchair out of the hospital's entrance. "Try something like that again and I'll let you bleed out!"

He just scowled at her and was not the least bit surprised that she did not help him when he awkwardly got out of the chair, supporting himself on crutches.

"C'mon, Bobby!" Alex pushed. "Get into the car. I don't want to put down roots here."

"I'm coming as fast as I can, Alex," he grumbled.

"Start complaining or I'll bring you back in! Maybe you want to rent a room there so that you just have to move in the next time you get yourself shot."

Scowling at her he awkwardly got into the passenger's seat and arranged his crutches between his legs before he fastened the seat belt. Alex climbed into the driver's seat and off they went.

"Just in time," she panted. "Do you really want to go?"

"Yes, I want to," he said. "She's her mother after all. She shouldn't be hastily buried like a dog would hide a bone."

"Yeah. You're right," she agreed. "Just trying to make sure that you're up for it."

"I am, Alex. Thank you."

"What for?"

"For worrying about me," he chuckled. "Just a few minutes ago you sounded like you wanted to get rid of me sooner rather than later."

"Oh, don't take me wrong! I will if you pull such a stunt again!" Fleetingly she scowled at him before she concentrated on the street ahead of her again.

"Thank you."

"Never mind."

They drove the rest of the way to the cemetery in silence. Upon their arrival they were surprised by the small group waiting. Mike Logan was there as well as Captain Daniel Ross and their former Captain James Deakins.

"I wouldn't have expected anyone except us," Bobby murmured as he got out of the car. On his crutches he slowly made his way towards the grave. "Okay, me," he conceded after a glance at Alex's stern features. "Thanks for coming along."

"Don't thank me, Bobby," Alex said. "I'm not sure yet why I'm here."

Side by side they arrived at the spot where Nicole Wallace would find her final rest. No one spoke. The priest said a few simple words and then the coffin was lowered into the grave. For a short while the group stood in silence before Mike nodded at Bobby and turned first to go back to his car. Ross followed his wordless example and left, too. Deakins went to Bobby and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm proud of you, Bobby," he murmured. "This was a good idea for letting her go. She may have been evil, but she also had a tortured soul."

Thoughtfully Bobby nodded. A lump was in his throat and he was not sure what would come out when he tried to speak.

"Thank you, Jim," he finally said. "It just didn't feel right to just dig a hole in Potter's Field and put her into it."

"I know what you mean," Deakins said. "And I'm not surprised that you would not do the same for Declan Gage."

"He made her kill my brother," Bobby rasped. He gasped in a shuddering breath. "I can't forgive him."

Deakins nodded. "Time to let her go now," he said when he noticed that Bobby still stared at the grave.

"Yeah." Taking a deep breath Bobby hobbled between Deakins and Alex back to their car. "She'll get a simple headstone, too," he suddenly said.

"Really?" Alex was stunned. He had never mentioned that before.

"I think I know now what to engrave on it."

"You want an engraved headstone for her?" Alex could not believe it. "What do you want to have carved on it? Beloved mother? Naomi will never know her!"

"I rather thought of: All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity."

"Another quote? I don't quite remember it."

"It's from Hamlet," Bobby explained. Then he extended his hand to James Deakins who accepted it and squeezed strongly as he shook it. "Thank you for coming, Jim."

"It just was right, Bobby," the former captain said. "Nicole Wallace's book is closed. You can make Naomi's book interesting and rich. You and Alex, you can make a difference."

Bobby would have laughed, but strangely Deakins' words sounded right.

"I really hope so."

"I'm sure of it, Bobby," Deakins insisted. "Behavior is not inheritable."

"Some people say it is."

"That's bullshit, Bobby!" Deakins flared up. With some effort he kept his voice down, but it was obvious that he was angry. "Your roots didn't turn you into a chip off the old block. You're a damn fine detective, Bobby. Don't be so pessimistic all the time. Don't let your thoughts get clouded by the revelations about your origin. They don't change who you are."

Stunned by Deakins' speech Bobby did not know how to react at once. Then realization trickled in. Deakins knew about his father. At least he appeared to know. Revelations about my origin… Bobby scowled.

"You know…" he murmured tonelessly.

"Yes," Deakins admitted. "But it doesn't matter to me. You're not Brady. Believe me, I would've noticed during the years we were working together."

"You would have noticed?" Bobby prodded. "You think you would?"

"Yes."

"You're quite an optimist."

"Yes, I am." Deakins grinned. "Now, chin up, Bobby. And keep it up, okay?"

"Yes, sir," he automatically answered and Deakins laughed.

"Goodbye, Alex. Goodbye, Bobby," their former captain said before he finally went to his car.

"You know, he's right, Bobby," Alex said.

Shrugging at her lopsidedly he hobbled to his side of their car.

"I think I understand now why you had to do that. It is good as it is. Time to rule this case closed."

"Yes," he agreed. "Let's go home."

She happily complied with his wish.

xXx

"I still think that telling Aunt Penelope and Aunt Josephine the truth about Naomi isn't the brightest idea," Alex sighed.

"And what else do you want to tell Penny and Josie?" Bobby replied.

Alex did a double take.

"What did you just call them?" she blurted out.

"Penny and Josie," Bobby repeated, smirking. "They did not seem to mind the last time."

Wide eyed she stared at him. "You actually called them that when they were here?"

Bobby nodded.

"Oh, my god." Shaking her head Alex returned to her wardrobe. "Tell me that's not true. You're just pulling my leg, aren't you?"

"No."

I should've known, Alex thought ruefully. Bobby always means what he says.

"I had to get rid of them," Bobby felt the urge to explain. "They were fussing over Ronny and you just came home with him… So I complimented them out the door."

"Including calling them Penny and Josie?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, Bobby. I don't think that was a good idea."

"I don't think that they even noticed," he said. "So… what would you tell them about where Naomi has suddenly come from?"

"They don't know anything about your family," Alex mused. "We could say that she's the daughter of a remote relative of yours, your cousin maybe. Your cousin… Maybelle died in a car crash and as you are her only relative you decided to take her daughter in."

Bobby could not help but chuckle. "Hm, maybe," he conceded. "But your parents and Fiona's family already know."

"They won't tell a thing, Bobby. You should know that by now."

"I do. I just don't trust coincidences. Somehow your aunts might find out and how would it look like when Helen, John, Fiona, and Collin already knew about it?"

"You really want to tell them the truth?" Alex prodded incredulously.

"Yes. Maybe you misjudge them. Maybe they are more understanding than you give them credit for. Let's just tell them where she came from. And don't underestimate the baby-factor. She's cute. They'll love her."

Alex sighed… and hoped and prayed that Bobby would be right.

"Hello," Helen Eames said, checking on them. "I thought I'd better warn you. They just pulled up on the curb."

"Thanks, Mom."

"What were you discussing?"

"Alex was wondering if it wouldn't be better if we told her aunts that Naomi is the daughter of a cousin of mine," Bobby explained before Alex could start stuttering.

"Maybe that idea isn't bad after all," Helen mused. "We know the truth and we accept it and love Naomi as much as we love Ronny…" She paused. "But I'm not so sure about Penelope and Josephine's reaction."

"It just feels wrong not to tell the truth," Bobby said.

"Would it be that bad if we don't tell them?" Alex wanted to know.

"We would have to stick with the story throughout her entire life. Do you want to do that?"

"We see Penelope and Josephine about four or five times a year," Alex argued.

"See… I'm afraid that we'll see them more often now that we have kids."

By now Fiona had let said aunts in. They were waiting in the living room. Alex, Helen and Bobby could hear their shrill and excited voices all the way upstairs.

"Okay," Bobby conceded. "We'll have it your way."

"I don't want it to go my way!" Alex pouted. "I just don't think that…"

"They're your aunts. I don't know them at all, except for their first names. If you think that it's better to spare them the worry we'll do that."

Questioningly Alex looked at her mother who nodded. "Okay."

So they picked up Ronny and Naomi and went downstairs. They were not confronted much by Penelope and Josephine because they only cursory greeted them before they were fussing over the babies. For a while Alex's aunts were happy with tickling the kids, trying to make them laugh, and babbling nonsense. Then Josephine noticed that something was wrong.

"Where did the girl come from?" she asked, stunned. "Alexandra? You didn't have fraternal twins and not tell us?"

"No, Aunt Josephine. I didn't."

"So?"

Now they also had Penelope's attention.

"You see, Aunt Penelope, Bobby's cousin Maybelle, she died in a car crash and…" Alex trailed off when she felt her husband's hand on her shoulder.

"Actually that's not true," Bobby said, eliminating every chance of explaining Naomi's presence otherwise. "Before I got together with Alexandra…" he lovingly smiled at her before he turned to her aunts again, "I had non-consensual intercourse with another woman. She is Naomi's mother."

"You…! You…! You…!" Aunt Josephine gasped for breath like a fish on dry land.

"You…! You…!" Aunt Penelope was not much inventive either.

"You… r-r-raped a… a wo…" Aunt Josephine looked slightly green.

"Actually I was the one who did not consent," Bobby remarked wryly, effectively silencing the old spinsters.

He glanced at Alex. Her smile was obviously forced. Nervously she kneaded her hands. Smiling back sheepishly Bobby shrugged. Now he could not take it back, but he was glad that he told them the truth.

"W-w-what… what…"

"What am I trying to say exactly?" Bobby mused, finishing Aunt Penelope's sentence. "That was when Alex got kidnapped last year. Her abductor forced me to have intercourse with her in exchange for Alex's life. She got pregnant. Naomi is our daughter."

Openmouthed Alex's aunts stared at him. They looked crestfallen.

"B-b-but… h-how can you… the child," Aunt Josephine stuttered.

"We had to take her in," Alex answered her. "Her mother is dead, Bobby is her father. It's that simple."

Obviously it was not as simple for Aunts Josephine and Penelope. They sat on the sofa, pale, shocked by the revelation.

"How about a coffee?" Alex asked. "Or maybe something stronger?"

"Do you have some advocaat, Alexandra?" Aunt Penelope shakily asked.

"I think we do," Alex confirmed. "For you, too, Aunt Josephine?"

"Actually I could do with a shot of whiskey," the old lady said.

"You don't drink whiskey," Aunt Penelope told her.

"Of course I do."

"No, you don't!"

"Just because you never see me drinking whiskey that doesn't mean I don't do it."

"Josephine!" Once more Aunt Penelope was shocked.

"Get over it, Penny," Aunt Josephine said. Spotting Bobby who returned from the house bar with the requested drinks and glasses she beamed at him and gestured him to pour her a shot. "Don't be shy, Bobby," she said, waving her hand, urging him to pour more into her glass. She took it from him with a bright smile and raised it. "To your two beautiful children," she said. "May they have a long and prosperous life."

And with that she downed her whiskey.

Aunt Penelope looked as if she would pass out.

Taking another glass from Bobby Josephine gestured for him to fill it before she pushed it into Penelope's hand.

"Here, love," she purred. "Have a drink."

Too shocked to react otherwise Penelope took the glass and drank. Coughing and panting she tried to catch her breath next.

Conspiratorially Bobby leaned in to Alex and murmured, "I'm starting to like Josie."

"Alex, Bobby," Josephine shouted happily. "I want to see them. Let's go upstairs to see the kids, okay?"

"Sure, Aunt Josephine," Alex said and got up first.

Grinning her aunt looked at Bobby. "It's Josie from now on. C'mon."

And she followed Alex out close on her heels. A moment later Penelope trailed after them and they vanished upstairs in the children's room.

xXx

three months later

When Alex came home with the kids she was greeted by a wonderful smell. She found Bobby in the kitchen where he just closed the oven.

"Hey, Alex!" he greeted cheerfully and pulled her in his embrace to kiss her. "What did the doctor say?"

"Both kids are as fit as a fiddle," she replied proudly and sat down on the corner seat. "It wasn't such a bad idea to accept that appointment. We were in and out in less than twenty minutes. Hmmm… that smells wonderful."

"It's not finished yet," Bobby said, sitting down across from her.

"But the smell is very promising."

"Thanks." He grinned. "Did you already put them to bed?"

"Yeah. I came in and went straight upstairs. Ronny was tired and I put Naomi down, too. They are cuddling in the Stingray."

A warm smile split Bobby's features. "It's their first Christmas. I don't think that they'll be too impressed by the tree, though. They're too little."

"Oh, they'll love it. All the lights will be fascinating."

"I hope you'll love it, too," Bobby smirked at her. "I put some effort into decorating it."

"I'm sure I will," Alex said and got up to go into the living room, but Bobby stopped her and pulled her down to sit on his lap.

"Oh no, you'll wait until dinner when the other guests are coming."

Alex chuckled. "This is a secret I like."

"Good. Soon you'll get to see it." Softly he kissed her. "You could help me with the salad," he murmured in her ear.

"I'd prefer to help you with the sausage," she whispered, shifting her position in a way that made him gasp.

"On second thought… maybe you want to relax in a nice hot bath before our guests arrive?"

"Are you part of that bath?" Tenderly she let her fingers run through his hair behind his ears. She felt him shudder.

"I have to finish dinner."

"Bummer." Now she massaged the soft spot behind his head and he leaned into her touch, closing his eyes and moaning softly.

"I really have to finish this…"

"Then I'll better let you go, huh?"

That was exactly what she did. Alex got up from his lap and strolled out of the kitchen.

"See you later…" she purred as she vanished around the corner.

Bobby smiled.

xXx

"Hello, Carolyn. Mike. Come in!" Alex stepped aside to grant them entrance. Their friends put their coats on the rack and followed her into the living room.

The sofas were repositioned.

A festively laid table was set up along the long side of the room. White flatware rested on silver dinner plates. The white tablecloth was threaded with silver and rivaled to compete in shimmering. Silver cutlery and candleholders sparkled in the soft light of the blue candles. More flames danced over the tea lights in glass holders. Reflections flickered in the glass ornaments thrown over the blue chiffon table runner.

The table looked like a sparkling piece of glacier.

"Very pretty, Alex," Carolyn praised. "You have a hand for decoration."

"Thank you, Caro, but this time Bobby is to credit. He didn't let me in here or in the kitchen for the whole day."

"Wow," Mike said. His gaze drifted to the big Christmas tree in the corner.

It mirrored the table, light blue, dark blue and silver ornaments shimmering in the lights of numerous artificial lights. Beneath the tree lay several packages and Caro went over there to put more down.

They were not alone. John Eames was sitting on the sofa right beside Lewis. Collin and Fiona cuddled in an armchair, watching Neal play with Ronny and Naomi who were in a bed of pillows in a playpen. James Deakins and his wife completed the round.

Alex supplied everyone with a drink before Bobby came in, greeted each of them, and asked them to change to the dining table. When everyone was seated he started to bring in the bowls with potatoes and vegetables.

"Sorry, but I have to take this candle holder," he said as he removed it from the middle of the table to make room for the highlight of the meal. When he came back from the kitchen for the last time he carried a silver plate with the largest turkey they had ever seen.

"This just looks about perfect!" Fiona remarked.

"Thank you. Please, enjoy your meal."

Bobby helped everyone to a piece of turkey before he sat down at the head of the table and he, too, finally ate.

"Delicious. You're a really fine cook, Bobby Goren."

"Carolyn is right," Helen said. "It's a fantastic meal. You outperformed yourself."

"Can I book you for Caro's birthday dinner?" Mike mumbled around a bite of turkey.

"How did you make the stuffing, Bobby?" Mrs. Deakins wanted to know.

Poor Bobby blushed at all this praise.

"Okay, give him a rest," Helen said. "So that Bobby can enjoy his meal, too. He put so much work in it. Now he should enjoy it."

Dinner passed with companionable talk and was finished with an ice bomb as dessert.

"Where did you buy that?" Fiona wanted to know just to see Bobby blush again. "Don't tell me you made it yourself!"

"Y-yes, I did."

"Wonderful!"

"Delicious!"

"Unbelievable!"

"Stop!" Alex shouted, fearing that Bobby might explode. His face was dangerously dark.

"Whipped cream with the ice?" he asked when he found his voice again.

After dinner they all settled down in the sofas and easy chairs. Alex turned the radio on, playing Christmas songs. Candles were burning and cookies were on the table. They enjoyed a cup of coffee, egg nog, and candies.

While all the others were talking animatedly Alex went to the playpen where the children lay surprisingly silent. When she bent over the rim Naomi stretched out her arms at her.

"Mama!"

Alex backed a little away with surprise. "Did you hear that?" she gasped.

"Yes," Bobby told her and went on his knees beside her, leaning on the bars.

"Awww, the little cutie starts to talk."

"She just said Mama, Mom," Alex replied and picked the little girl up. Her proud smile accompanied her words.

"Actually it's no surprise that those kids are starting to talk so soon," Mike threw in. "They're Bobby's kids."

That elicited laughs from the others.

"Ok, I can't stand it any longer. I'll be right back," Lewis announced and darted out of the front door and to his car. When he returned he carried a huge thing, covered with a sheet. "I didn't have enough wrapping paper. Merry Christmas!"

And with that he pushed it into Alex and Bobby's arms.

Bobby tried to get a grip on it while Alex removed the bed sheet. She gasped.

"Lewis! That's incredible!"

They held a frame for a bed like Lewis had made it for Ronny. It was in the shape of a wave and on the wave rode shells, a seahorse, a dolphin and a mermaid.

"At first I wanted to do Cinderella's pumpkin coach, but I thought this would be better."

"It's wonderful, Lewis," Alex choked and hugged him with one arm as she would not let go of the bed frame. "Thank you. I'm sure that Naomi will love it, too."

"You're welcome, Alex. Come Bobby. Let's bring it upstairs and put it up."

Nodding Bobby grabbed the frame with both hands and together with Lewis he carried it up to the children's room.

In the meantime the party continued. When Bobby and Lewis rejoined them they all exchanged presents until everyone had a little something to take home. Then, when all the others had left, Bobby vanished for a moment. When he returned, he held a big box with a bow.

"Merry Christmas, Alex," he said, giving her the box.

She heard scraping sounds from inside.

"What's that?" she wondered, fumbling with the bow. When it slipped open Alex lifted the lid and gasped. "Awww!"

"Don't worry, I put her in there just a minute ago. The neighbor looked after her."

Out of the box a dark pair of eyes gazed up at her.

"Are you cute!" Alex exclaimed when she saw the puppy. "Oh, Bobby! That you remembered that!"

"As if I could ever forget you talking about our future dog upon giving birth to Ronny," he teased. "Her name's Kaya."

By now Alex had the little golden retriever sitting on her lap.

Like Bobby had hoped it was love at first sight. Alex loved Kaya at once and the young dog loved Alex in return. They put her basket in a corner of their bedroom. There Kaya could sleep without disturbing them.

Alex was a little surprised that Kaya did not make more fuss when she put her into her basket. "Sleep well, sweetie," Alex murmured and caressed the dog's back. Then she joined Bobby in the bed.

"Babies' first Christmas," she said. "It was a nice party. I loved the dinner, Bobby. Can I hire you as cook?"

"Only if you sign a life-long contract," Bobby smirked and started to assault her secret places.

"Bobby!" she gurgled happily. "What are you do-o-ooo-ing?"

Pausing for a moment he looked her dead in the eye, waiting until he had her full attention.

"I'm working on my Christmas present for you."

"Oh, really?" she panted, a little annoyed because he did not continue with what started out so joyously.

"Yeah."

"And what could that be?" she demanded to know with a mischievous glint in her eyes and a smirk on her lips. "What could you give to me that I don't already have?"

A genuine, warm smile spread over his handsome features before he answered, "A little daughter."

The End