Bobbyland Security threat level ... RED (That's really bad!)

So far, this is the longest chapter. It's a twofer. Liz and Nate; His best advice so far but which one of these two will it come from?

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February 10, 2009

Four days and counting, and his anxiety level is at an all time high. Bobby stops at Liz's house on his way home from work.

Liz and Bobby have an adversarial type of relationship. They both deeply love the same woman but one is the big Sis and the other, the big Husband. They get along but don't get along. On occasion, Liz has threatened to bash Bobby's face in. This often amuses him because of the size difference but he would gladly let her if he felt he deserved it where Alex was concerned. The funny thing about this relationship, when push comes to shove, is that they will be there for each other no matter what. He is part of the Eames family and that is that. He loves her sister and that is good enough for her but if he doesn't watch his P's and Q's … look out!

Liz is very surprised to see her brother-in-law at the door.

"Bobby, is everything alright?'

"Yeah, yeah fine. He holds up a book. I just brought a book for Nate."

"You came out of your way for a book?"

Sheepishly … "Sort of."

"Come on in and sit down. I'll make us some tea. NATE! Uncle Bobby's here!"

Nate comes flying down the stairs to see his Uncle Bobby. As soon as he sees his uncle, he jumps up and Bobby swoops him high into the air.

"Hey buddy … I brought you a book."

"Thanks Uncle Bobby. Wow … *The Catcher's Mask, cool, I want to be a catcher!"

"Yeah, I heard something about that. I hope you like it."

Liz comes back in the room with two cups of tea.

"Mommy, look at what Uncle Bobby brought for me."

"Ooh, that looks like a great book Nate. Why don't you go try to read some of that and let Uncle and I talk for a few minutes?"

"Okay. Thanks Uncle." Nate wraps his arms tight around Bobby's neck and then runs off.

"So, what did you do now?"

"I didn't do anything. I'm just anxious about Valentine's Day."

Alex called Liz after overhearing Bobby talking to the Triplets the other morning. She was able to recite Bobby's beautiful words to Liz verbatim. Liz and Alex were in tears at his glorious declaration of love for his wife.

Liz smiles and sits back … she feels bad about the look of anguish on his face, even though she knows that he has already delivered his gift. He just doesn't know it.

"How can I help?"

"Well, what do you think I should get her?"

"Valentine's Day is only four days away, have you even thought about it!?"

Bobby stands up. "Thought about it!? THOUGHT ABOUT IT!? It has consumed my life! I can't think about anything else." He sits back down and puts his head in his hands.

"What do you want this gift to say Bobby?" He's not looking up at her to see the grin on her face.

"Say?"

He looks up and Liz changes her expression quickly to pensive.

"Yes, say. Would you like this gift to say … I don't know, thanks for having dinner on the table when I get home from work? Or hubba, hubba, lets get down and dirty tonight?"

"LIZ!"

"Well … tell me … in your words."

Bobby sits back, crosses his leg over the other and sighs.

"Okay. When we fell in love, I came to life. I mean before I could breathe and my heart beat but it's different now. It's like that saying … eat to live don't live to eat. Now, I actually breathe to come alive and my heart doesn't just beat, it soars! I didn't give a shit before. Each breath I take, each beat of my heart is, all Alex and the Trips."

Bobby looks up to see tears in Liz's eyes and finds some of his own.

"Liz, she gives me love. I never knew love, I never felt love, I didn't know I could. I didn't know that anyone could love me but she does. It feels so incredible … ya know? I just want to find a gift that lets her know how incredible she makes me feel each day she continues to love me."

"Instead of a gift, as she speaks through sniffles, why don't you just tell her?"

"But it's Valentine's Day, a gift is required."

"I think you can forego the gift if you just tell her how you feel."

"I tell her that I love her at least three or four times a day."

"What you just said to me is more than I love you … try it, that will be your gift."

Bobby stands up and Liz hugs him. She calls Nate to say good night … Nate was eavesdropping … unbeknownst to them.

"Mom … I need to have a man to man talk with Uncle Bobby."

Liz looks to Bobby, they both shrug and grin. Walking to the kitchen and one more hug to her brother-in-law, she leaves the two men to their business.

Bobby scoots down to Nate's eye level.

"What is it, little man?"

"I can help you out with this Valentine thing."

Bobby, very amused, goes for it. "Okay, what do you have for me?"

"Batman!"

"Batman?"

"Yeah, Batman. Before you and Aunt Lexie started getting all kissy and icky and stuff, she used to call you her Batman."

Bobby looks back to make sure Liz isn't listening.

"What do you mean, Nate?"

"You were her Partner, right?"

"Still am."

"When she came over to baby-sit me, she always wanted to watch my Batman DVD. I asked her why she liked Batman so much. She said because he reminded her of her Partner. She would get that goofy smile."

"Goofy smile?"

"Yeah, that goofy smile. The one when she's just about to kiss you … eewww!"

Bobby laughs. "When was this Nate?"

"When I was just a kid, I think I was five years old maybe."

"Three years ago?"

"Yup. I think you should buy her some Batman pajamas, the kind with feet! Thanks for the book!" Nate runs back up to his room.

Liz comes back out to find Bobby still squatting down but no Nate. He has a silly grin on his face.

"So, what was that all about?"

Bobby straightens up and rubs his chin.

"Just a guy thing."

Note to self, buy a cape!

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a/n *The Catcher's Mask by Matt Christopher ... I realize Nate shouldn't be 8 ... I just wanted him to be a bit older! Thanks for understanding!!!

Thanks to Liz and Lex! Thanks for reading and all the wonderful reviews. Four more days ... YIKES! Thanks for staying with me -- Judy :)