"This is hopeless," Bobby sighed as he watched the baggage carousel pass by for the umpteenth time in the past hour. "I can't believe they lost our luggage," he frowned.
"Let's just go, Bobby," she said tiredly as she pulled on his arm. "We'll fill out the lost baggage form and…. just-," she murmured desperately.
"I'm sorry," he answered. "You must be tired."
"I am. Can we please just fill out the form and go meet Detective McClintock?" she asked.
"Okay," he answered softly, picking up her carry-on and putting it on the luggage cart. "I hope you put your first necessities in your carry-on?" he asked as he looked at her sideways, taking in her tired look.
"Yes mom, I did, I am a good little soldier," she quipped as she trudged out of the baggage claim area, Bobby in tow.
As it turned out, they weren't the only ones whose baggage had gotten lost that night. After a frustrating 45 minutes wait to get to the head of the line, Alex had gotten furious for some reason. When they were finally first in line, Bobby held his hand up. "Why don't you just wait here?" he asked soothingly.
Alex put her hand on her hips and glared at him. "You've got to be kidding me," she barked, annoyed at the look Bobby gave her. "If I don't go, you don't go," she deadpanned sarcastically.
What is she, five years old, Bobby wondered. "Why don't you go then?" he asked her as he held his hands up in defense. "I'll just wait here until you have finished biting the poor employee's head off," he retorted in an exasperated voice.
Alex glared at him angrily, trying her very best to be mad at him. But as hard as she seemed to try, she couldn't stay angry at the silent adoration that had somehow appeared on his face. Alex wondered if Bobby even realized how he was looking at her, so she just kept her mouth shut about it. "Okay," she surrendered, and it started to sink in how much her partner really cared about her. But he was her partner, and he wasn't supposed to look at her like that.
"Thanks," he smiled at her and shuffled closer to her, softly laying his hand on the small of her back. The gesture of affection wasn't lost on her and she smiled up at him, holding on to his gaze longer than necessary. They broke eye contact when it was Bobby's turn to go up to the booth. She waited patiently for the three minutes it took him to fill out the forms and return to her.
"Everything done?" she asked as he came back with a copy of the form in his hand.
"Yes," he answered, watching her as she put the form away in her purse. "Our baggage will probably be delivered to us in the morning," he explained.
"It's not lost?" she frowned confusedly.
"Apparently not. No bags have been delivered since 7 pm when the baggage department went on a sudden strike because one of their colleagues got fired for no apparent reason," he went on with his explanation.
"Why didn't they say anything?" she interrupted.
"Well, they announced it over the speakers every ten minutes or so," he grinned.
"I didn't hear it," she muttered, pushing the doors to the arrival hall open? "You?"
"Not a thing. You were probably half asleep and I have no excuse for not hearing it," he quipped.
"What's your excuse for not hearing it?" she inquired.
"I was too busy looking at you being half asleep," he answered sheepishly.
"You're forgiven," she whispered hoarsely, pointing in the direction of someone holding a 'Detective Goren and Eames' sign up. "That must be McClintock."
They walked over to a short, balding man holding the sign up. He smiled at them when they were a few feet away. "You Goren and Eames?" he asked in a tick Southern accent.
"That's us," Alex answered as both she and Bobby shook McClintock's hand. "I'm Alex Eames and that's my partner Bobby Goren," she explained as she pointed to Bobby. "Sorry we're late, but we got held up at baggage claim, since we didn't hear the strike announcement," she apologized.
"That's okay," he smiled at her. "It happens all the time. They baggage area is so loud that most people don't understand a thing that's being said over the speakers," he finished. "Baggage department goes on strike at least once a month. If you'll just follow me, I'll drive you to your place. By the way, my name is Steve."
"Don't we need a car?" Bobby questioned logically.
"It's all taken care of," Steve said. "The car is waiting for you at your place." He stopped to look at Bobby. "And it's an SUV, since your Captain said you were a big guy. So you'll be able to drive comfortably," he said.
"She usually does the driving," Bobby chuckled as he pointed to Alex with his thumb. "She says there's enough crime in New York without me driving."
"It's true," Alex said as she swatted his arm. "You drive like a fighter pilot. You're a real danger."
"Got to keep the lady happy, huh?" Steve asked as he winked at Alex.
They followed him to his car, Bobby staying a few feet behind Steve. Alex stopped to see what was taking him so long. "You have an admirer," he whispered in her ear as he caught up with her.
"Right," she snorted. "I was about to say the same thing," she chuckled.
"Huh?" he asked confusedly, following her to Steve's car. Hey put both their bags in the trunk and both sat in the rear seat. "You don't want to ride shotgun?" Bobby asked Alex.
"Nah," she replied tiredly. "I prefer to drool on you rather than on some stranger when I fall asleep."
During the drive to their rental place, Alex managed to fall half asleep and wake up twice. When her head fell on Bobby's shoulder for the third time, he chuckled softly. Steve looked in his rearview mirror and smiled at the view of the two unguarded partners. All their defenses seemed to be down. When the big Detective chuckled at his partner, she opened her eyes lazily and they smiled at each other adoringly. In the front seat, Steve shook his head at the display of affection. They may not have known it themselves, but it was so clear to an old fox like Steve McClintock how crazy they were about each other. He just hoped someone would kick them in the butt right in time for them to realize it.
They arrived at a gated community called Windsor Hills and Steve said something to the guards. The gates opened and Steve drove in. They pulled up on the driveway of a gorgeous town house and Alex took her head off Bobby's shoulder and sighed. "We're here?" she rasped hoarsely, swallowing hard to get her voice back. "Nice place," she quipped as Bobby helped her out of the car.
"The house belongs to the department," Steve explained as he handed Bobby two small bags. "Since it is in a guarded and gated community, we usually use it as a safe house," he explained. "You have a pool in your backyard and there is also a community pool. You can rent videos here, play game and lots of other fun things. This is really nice community," Steve finished.
"We don't have those kind of place in New York," Bobby said as he took the key to the house from Steve's hand. "We usually rent a safe house or something."
"I know what you mean. Owner bought this place a year or so ago and couldn't afford the payments anymore, so the department got this place real cheap, and they thought it would come in handy," Steve answered.
"Well," Bobby said as he shook Steve's hand. "Thanks a lot for picking us up."
"You're welcome," he said as he shook Eames' hand. "Instructions are inside the house, along with my card in case you need anything," he explained before he entered his car and backed it out of the driveway. He gave them a little wave from the street and drove off.
"Can you please open the door?" Alex asked as she heavily leaned against the white door. She took her time to look around the yard and scowled.
"What's up?" Bobby asked as he opened the door and switched the lights on.
"You've got to be kidding me, right?" she hissed.
"No," Bobby shook his head in confusion. "What's going on?"
"Have you looked around?" she asked.
"No," he retorted, as he turned around and took one quick glance at the garden. "Oh."
"Exactly. A nice house, with a wonderful yard and white picket fences," she deadpanned sarcastically. "Is everything a fairy tale around here?"
"Aw, come one," he said as he pushed her inside. "You're just tired and cranky," he said and avoided the hand that swatted his arm.
"I'm not cranky," she scowled. "Tired, yes, but cranky, no. I am never cranky."
"Well," Bobby murmured as he picked up the bags. "I wonder how much fun you are when you are really cranky," he whispered over his shoulder matter-of-factly.
"You," she groaned and threw her purse at him. She burst out laughing when it hit him on the back of the head.
"Spousal abuse, someone call the police," Bobby mumbled as he put the bags down, turned around and grabbed both of her shoulders.
"We are the police, dear," she deadpanned and looked at him. When he didn't reply she smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Bobby," she said. "You are right; I am feeling cranky right now.
"Nothing to be sorry about," he whispered back and shook his head. "But you're quite a little devil sometimes," he added as an afterthought.
"I grew up in a house full of boys," she said defensively and held her hands up. "I had to learn how to defend myself." She smiled when he tenderly kissed her forehead.
"You want something to eat?" he asked as he let go off her and walked towards what he expected to be the kitchen. "Maybe we can order takeout."
"Okay," she replied, following him in what turned out to be a beautiful and very well equipped kitchen. "This is great."
"I could get used to a kitchen like this," he announced as he opened the fridge. To his surprise it was very stocked, with all sorts of fruit and vegetables, meat, soda and milk. When he opened the pantry he found cereals, bread and pancake mix. "There's enough in here to feed an army," he said as he started to open more cabinet doors. "I'll fix us something instead of ordering take out." He turned to Alex. "What are you in the mood for?"
"Um-," she hesitated, looking at Bobby rummaging through the fridge. If I say what I'm really in the mood for, you'll freak out, she blushed at the thought.
"Alex," Bobby eyed her curiously, taking in her reddening cheeks. "Are you okay?"
"Um-," she mumbled incoherently. "Sorry, I'm too tired to think straight," she said as she faked a yawn.
Bobby nodded his head and smiled. "Does pasta sound okay?"
"Pasta sounds great," she answered, as she yawned again, this time for real. "Sorry," she muttered.
"That's okay. Why don't you take a bath or something while I fix us something to eat?" he asked as he put his jacket on the counter, took out pots and pans and took what he needed out of the pantry and the fridge. He had already started the stove before she had time to answer.
"Okay. Thanks partner," she said sweetly and when he wasn't looking, she smiled lovingly at the big giant teddy bear he really was. She watched as he put a pack of meat back in the fridge and went in search of the bathroom.
The bathroom was the biggest bathroom she had ever encountered in her life. It had a giant Jacuzzi tub, a huge mirror and the closets were well stocked, with pink and fluffy large towels. In the corner of the bathroom she found two bathrobes, one for him and one for her.
She was soaking the large tub with her eyes closed, when a soft knock on the door took her out of her reverie. "Alex," Bobby asked shyly from behind the closed door. "Dinner's ready."
"I'll be out in a minute," she answered as she lazily got out of the tub. Just as she was going to pick up her towel, she slipped on the mat, losing her balance. She tried to regain it, but to no avail. She knew she was going down. That wasn't part of the plan, she thought as she came down with a loud thud.
"Alex," Bobby asked from behind the door. "Are you okay?" His voice sounded scared and urgent.
Alex could hear him, but couldn't really answer. "Urg-," was all she could get out, her head hurting like hell.
"Alex, I'm coming in," Bobby said and he slowly pushed the door open.
She lay sprayed out on the floor, completely naked. I'm naked, Bobby, she thought somewhere in the back of her mind, but she couldn't get the words out. Ouch, my head really hurts, she thought.
"Alex? Are you okay?" Bobby asked, his fingers gently probing her head. A second later she felt something warm and fuzzy covering her, gentle fingers returning to her skull. "You have a bump on your head," Bobby said as his fingers probed the sore spot.
"Stupid mat," she muttered as she turned her head to look at him. The worry was evident in his eyes. "I'm okay Bobby, don't worry," she said as he pulled his fingers away.
"At least you're not bleeding," he explained and sighed deeply. "Are you sure you are okay?" he asked. "Are you dizzy or do you feel like throwing up?" he questioned.
"I'm fine, Bobby," she answered. "My head just hurts a little, that's all. I don't think I have a concussion," she said before he could ask. "I'd just like to get up from this cold floor."
"Um, Alex," he started.
"A little hand would be nice," she said as she watched him look away. "I'm freezing my butt of here, no pun intended," she smiled mischievously when he dare to look her in the eyes. "Just help me up, please?"
"Alex," Bobby said again, his voice sounding exasperated.
"I know," she said before he could finish. "I am laying butt naked on the floor in front of my partner of 7 years."
"Exactly," he said, not looking anywhere else but her eyes.
Alex sighed. "Just help me up, Bobby," she said. "I know you well enough to know that you are not going to eye me like a horny teenage boy." She felt Bobby taking her small hand in his much larger one and pulling her up, feeling the towel he had put on her slip off.
He closed his eyes and kept them like that, not wanting to ogle his partner. He helped her up and enjoyed the warmth of her body being so close to his. She smelled of peaches and strawberries and reluctantly he let go off her hand. He heard her moving around in the bathroom and a few seconds later he fell a hand on his arm.
"Bobby?" she asked as her hand came down to his wrist.
Bobby just took there, his eyes still closed, still enjoying how close she was to him.
"You can open your eyes now," she said and smiled when he did.
Bobby looked at her and took in the beautiful sight of his petite partner dressed in a fluffy white her bathrobe. How much I would like to be the him to Alex's her, he thought. "What's wrong?" he whispered hoarsely.
"Can you bring me my bag, please?" she asked shyly. "I need to put on some clothes I think," she said as she pointed towards the bathroom.
"Okay," he answered as he went down the stairs to retrieve her bag from the kitchen. He eyed the candle he had put on the table and suddenly it seemed like a very bad idea. He blew it out and took it back to the living room. He took Alex's bag, an ice pack and walked back up the stairs. He softly knocked on the bathroom door.
"Come one in," Alex answered softly.
He opened the door and found her sitting on the edge of the Jacuzzi tub, her hand touching the back of her head. "Are you okay?" he asked concernedly.
"It's just throbbing a bit and I have a huge bump on my head," she explained.
Bobby sat down next to her and touched the back of her head, holding the ice pack against it. "Ouch," he said as he felt a large bump starting to form. "Does your head hurt?" he asked.
She shook her. "No, it just feels a little sore," she admitted.
"That's a good sign," Bobby said as he looked around the bathroom. "I bet this is going to be your favorite place in the house," he stated absentmindedly as he looked at the large Jacuzzi tub and smiled at his partner.
"Just as the kitchen is going to be your favorite place," she answered as she took the offered bag from his hand. Her hand brushed his by doing so, and she shuddered at the contact.
"You okay?" he questioned worriedly.
"I'm just cold," she lied and went through the small amount of clothing her in bag.
"You'd better get dressed," he said as he got up. "And hold that pack in place for a few minutes," he said as he trudged out of the bathroom and went back downstairs.
Alex joined him a couple of minutes later, just in time to watch him fill the plates. "I hope sauce from a jar is okay?" he asked as he put the plate down in front of her. "I would have made sauce from scratch," he explained, but he was interrupted by Alex.
"That's okay, Bobby," she interrupted him. "Thanks for cooking."
"You're welcome," he answered as he watched her swirl her spaghetti around her fork and put it in her mouth. The rest of the meal was spent in comfortable silence, each of them looking at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. By the end of the meal, Alex yawned again.
"Sorry," she smiled sheepishly as she looked at her watch, surprised to see that it was well after one.
"Maybe you should turn in," Bobby said matter-of-factly.
"Maybe you're right," she answered as she got up and started to clean the table. A hand on her arm stopped her.
"Why don't we just put them in the sink," Bobby offered. "I'll do them in the morning," Bobby said as he helped her clear the table. "Maybe you should put some more ice on your head before you go to bed," Bobby said.
Her lips curled into a small smile. "Okay," she whispered in a raspy voice and took another sip of water.
"Um, Alex," he started hesitantly. "There's something you should know," he continued as he looked at her.
"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.
"Well, I don't know now to say this, but-," he hesitated as he got up and handed her the letter.
She took the paper from his hands and started reading. When she was finished she looked up at him and raised her eyebrows. "We've been tricked," she stated.
"And by no other than Ross," he answered flatly. "He left the good part out," he deadpanned. "I knew he had more than one trick up his sleeve. "He looked at Alex as she giggled. "What?" he asked.
"He reprimands us for being too close on the boat and then he sends us undercover to Disneyworld. And to top it off, he knew the characters disappearing were involved with each other. What's wrong with that?" she asked as she raised her eyebrows.
"I should have carried you over threshold?" he quipped sarcastically. "Ross is sly old fox," he said.
"Bobby," she laughed as she swatted his arm. "So I guess I have a boyfriend huh?" she rambled.
"Imagine that," he replied. "And I have a girlfriend," he said as he followed her out of the kitchen. "We haven't even started our new job, and we're already breaking the rules?" he asked.
"Yeah," Alex replied. "I think I read somewhere that dating close colleagues is discouraged in Disneyworld," she stopped in her tracks, Bobby bumping into her.
"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "You think it has something to do with the disappearances?"
"I'm sure it does," she explained. "Minnie Mouse was dating Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck was dating Goofy," she shuddered at the thought. "Daisy Duck was dating Pluto-."
"I hope Donald Duck was a woman," he absentmindedly interrupted her, raising his eyebrows at the thought.
"Let's go to bed, boyfriend," she chuckled pushing him towards the stairs.
"Really?" he asked, grinning at her.
"In your dreams, buddy," she chuckled, following him up the stairs.