In this chapter, they are pretty drunk...something we never see on the show. That's why I would consider this AU.

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"Well that was fun." She teased him as she patted the now vacant seat. "Let me buy you a drink."

He sat down and swiveled the chair so he was facing her. His legs were spread so one was near hers and the other was behind her chair. His right arm was on the bar while his left one rested along the back of her chair. He looked at the glasses in front of her. She had a half full margarita and an empty shot glass. He picked up the shot glass and gave it a sniff. "Tequila…nice."

She raised her eye brows at him then called to the bartender, "Can I have a draft and two more shots?" The bartender nodded at her and as Alex turned toward Bobby, Bobby saw the bartender wink at him.

"Have you had many of those?" He was trying to judge her level of inebriation.

"This is my second drink, and it will be my third shot…I think." He knew Alex could hold more liquor than most girls her size, but he didn't think she should drive…especially after ordering another shot.

"I know what you're thinking, Bobby. You're thinking 'don't let her drive'."

"You're right."

"It's okay, I can catch a cab."

He decided to let this conversation end. She was right, the smartest thing that could happen would be to put her in a cab and not let her anywhere near his place tonight.

He turned his thoughts back to Alex and how she ended up at his neighborhood bar. He studied her friend and watched her as she nuzzled up her suitor. "Let me guess, Carrie over there invited these two clowns to sit with you?"

"Actually, Carrie met him," she motioned with her head toward the other guy, "Ronnie, last night. I guess he told her he lived near here and that he'd be here tonight. She and I had plans to go out tonight and she said she wanted to try a new place she'd heard of. Before I knew it, she directed us to your neighborhood and dragged me in here."

"Nice girls night out." Bobby said sarcastically.

"Tell me about it. She hooked back up with him and I got to fend off his letch of a friend all night. The only good thing about him was he bought me my drinks."

"Why didn't you just leave?"

"I had been trying to get her to leave with me, but then once she started dancing with him I knew it was hopeless. I was about to try and take off when you texted me."

With that, Carrie came over to them and unsteadily tried to focus on them. "Well sweetie, Ronnie asked me to go get some coffee with him…so I'm gonna go. I'll be alright for the rest of the night." She hugged Alex then kissed Bobby on the cheek. Before she moved away she whispered in his ear, "She likes you, you know, so be good to her." As she walked away she looked back at Bobby and put her finger up to her pursed lips, indicating she just told him a secret.

"What did she just say to you?" Alex narrowed her eyes at him.

"I don't know…she mumbled something incoherent."

Alex knew he wasn't being honest, but she decided to let it go. Their shots were put in front of them, so they raised them up, clinked them together and downed them.

"Ssso what about you, Bobby?"

"Ah…what about me?" He thought she looked adorable buzzed so he grinned a little and it made her body feel flush.

"Why are you alone on a Friday night? I figured you would have a whole list of girls you could call."

He shook his head and have her a shy smile, "Oh…no," he laughed a little, "let's just say that I don't have a hard time meeting girls…just keeping them around."

"Oh…you're one of those." She gave him a knowing smirk.

"One of what…Eames?" His curiosity was piqued.

"A love 'em and leave 'em type…still…you couldn't find a one night stand on a Friday?" She was pressing him on the subject and he didn't know why.

"Why are you so interested in my sex life?" His elbow was on the bar and his jaw was resting on the palm of his hand. He had the end of his pinky between his teeth and she could see his tongue swirling around the tip of it. She was distracted for a minute.

"Eames?

"Oh - I'm just surprised, that's all." She sounded defensive.

"Well what about you? Skippy was the best you could do?" His eyes were raised and he had half a smile. She caught on right away that he was teasing her.

She gave him a cocky look, "It was Chip and in this dump…yeah I guess he was…but put me in Manhattan and I'd have them lined up." As she said that she motioned to the side of her as if that's where the line of guys would be.

He chuckled and sighed, "Eames…I don't doubt that for one minute."

"Damn straight…wait…you just agreed with me?" He caught her off guard because she was certain he was going to continue to tease her.

"Of course I did, " before he continued he dropped his voice and leaned in a little toward her, "you may not know this but I think you…are a beautiful, sexy woman." He looked very serious.

Alex froze as their eyes met. Her mouth dropped open then she nervously licked her lips. Bobby couldn't believe he actually just said that out loud. He knew it was a risk telling her that. But he also knew she could either think it was a confession or a joke. He waited for her reaction. Did I just hit on my partner? What the hell am I doing?

Then she broke out into drunken laughter and she pointed her finger at him, "you…you're just fuckin' with me, aren't ya?!"

Bobby just laughed along, letting her assume he was.

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An couple of hours and a several shots later, they stumbled out of the bar. They had their arms around each other in an effort to support one other as they walked down the street.

"You do realize that it's a bit late for cabs to be out in this neighborhood. We're gonna have to call one from my place." He said as he bent his head to look at her.

"Fffine, let'sss go to your placcce. Weee can call a cab and have a beer while we wait…you do have beer, riiiight?" He giggled at how she slurred her words. His laughter made her laugh and before they knew it they were cracking up.

"What'ssss ssssso ffffunny?" Alex asked as she lost her footing.

"I think you are!" He said as he reached out to save her from falling over. A whole new round of laughter began as they realized they didn't really know why they were laughing. They stood there, both doubled over in hysterics, trying to regain their composure.

Once they got over their laughing fit, they walked the rest of the way arm in arm. Alex had her left arm around the back of Bobby and her right hand was resting on his stomach. Bobby had his right arm wrapped around her tightly and once he even dared to lean over and kiss the side of her head like it was the most natural thing in the world.

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