CHAPTER 38

An annoying buzzing woke Alex, and it took her several moments to realize that it was her alarm clock. It had been several months since the alarm had to wake her. She fumbled for the clock and managed to shut it off. As she reached for it, cold air hit her body, and she realized she was naked, and that something large and warm cuddled next to her. She saw Bobby and studied him. He was curled up next to her, his left arm thrown protectively over her tummy. The alarm hadn't bothered him. He was deeply asleep, which warmed Alex's heart. She couldn't remember ever seeing Bobby so completely at rest.

"Was it," she thought. "Because we made love last night? Or was I just there? It shouldn't matter to me…It should be about Bobby…But it does." She tenderly touched his head; his curls were surprisingly soft. She glanced at the clock and sighed. They both needed to get up soon if they hoped to reach One PP well before the scheduled interview with Linley. Alex hesitated. If she got up, Bobby could get a few more precious moments of sleep while she showered and dressed. She might even be able to fix them coffee and some breakfast. But that would risk letting Bobby wake up alone, and Alex didn't want that to happen. She sensed that it was important that Bobby know that last night was wonderful for her; that her giving of herself hadn't been an act of charity but of love.

Bobby interrupted her internal debate by moving closer to her. His grip on her tightened slightly, and Alex's heart filled.

"Oh, God," she thought. "I don't know if I can do this. He may need me too much. I may not be able to love him enough."

Bobby stirred again. He blinked, yawned, and looked up at Alex. She'd never seen him look so open, so innocent, so joyous.

"Are…Are you real?" His voice was husky with sleep.

"Yes," Alex said after a moment to find her voice.

He slowly and carefully untangled his body from her and looked down at her. "Did…Did we really make love last night?"

Her heart soared when he said "make love". "Yes," she said. "And it was wonderful."

He lay on his side, and she turned so that she faced him. His left hand hovered inches from her face.

"I…I didn't hurt you? I…I remember you crying out…"

"If I did, it was out of pleasure," Alex said. She touched his cheek.

His long, elegant fingers splayed across her cheek. "You…You're so beautiful. Are…Are you sure you're real?"

"Yea…I'm so real I have to go to the bathroom." Alex smiled at him and slipped from the bed. She considered putting on Bobby's T-shirt, but decided she could deal with the cold and that Bobby might enjoy the view. "I'll be back soon…"

She returned from the bathroom to find Bobby lying on his back with his arm across his eyes. She pulled the covers back, and he shivered and lowered his arm.

"You're very beautiful," he murmured as he gently pulled her to rest on him. He pulled the sheets and blankets over them.

"Next time," Alex said. "We get in that giant bed of yours."

"There…There'll be a next time?"

"If I have anything to do with it," Alex declared.

"You have everything to do with it," Bobby said. He looked at the clock, and Alex felt his body fill with tension.

"Don't…Don't think about it for a while," she said.

"I…I'd rather think of you," Bobby said. He buried his face in Alex's hair. "I wish I could stay here with you forever."

"We could…We could stay here and make love…"

"Alex…Don't tempt me…Please…I…I have to…"

"I know." She smiled sadly. "But it's a nice dream. You…You promise…After…We can…"

"Yes…Oh, yes…" His hands moved through her hair. "You…You want me?"

She kissed his chest. "Of course I do."

"I…I wanted…For our first time…I wanted it to be special…"

"It was special," Alex insisted. "If it'd been any more special, I don't think I would've survived."

He brushed his lips across her forehead. "I love you so much…"

They held each other for several moments.

"I won't do it, if you don't want me to," Bobby said.

Alex raised her body and looked at him. "What? Interview Linley…"

"I won't talk to him if you don't want me to."

"You…You'd give me that much power…"

"You already have that much power," Bobby said softly.

"No." Alex shook her head. "The work…Your caring about people…It makes you you. I love you. I won't keep you from being you….Even if I don't like what it makes you do."

He hugged her tightly. "Thank you…Thank you…You're a remarkable person, Alex Eames." He stared at the clock. "We…We really need to get going."

"Ok." Alex reluctantly slipped away from him. "You get a shower and I'll get the coffee started." She picked up his shirt and slipped it over her head.

"Alex."

She turned to him.

"Today…I'm…I don't know how things are going to go…"I…I may not be able to give you the attention…"

"Don't worry about me." She touched his cheek. "Just remember that I'm there. You're not alone.'

Bobby was very quiet for the rest of the morning. He gratefully accepted coffee and even tried to swallow a few bits of a bagel. He sat silently studying his notes as Alex drove to One PP. She glanced at him to make sure he was still alive. As he had for his interview with Mark Caldwell, Bobby had dressed in his best suit, and he looked very impressive.

"You look great," Alex said as she pulled into the garage.

"Thank you," Bobby said. "I hope Linley is equally impressed."

Before Alex left the car, she touched Bobby's sleeve. "I want you to know…I'm glad about what happened last…I'm…Happy doesn't begin to describe about how I feel about what happened. I love you. I understand why you have to do this. I believe that you can do this. I…I gave myself to you last night because I love. Not because of pity or charity, but because I love you. Know that. Believe that."

Bobby swallowed. "I know…I believe…"

The scene and atmosphere were eerily similar to those surrounding the Caldwell interview. It seemed to Alex that there more FBI agents, psychiatrists and psychologists wandering around Major Case. There were even more members of the Brass lurking. Alex guided Bobby to the same interview room where they'd hidden before, and she again took up guard duty at its entrance. Fewer people attempted to breach the security around Bobby, and Alex wondered if she should thank Ross for the two burly uniforms standing near the room.

Ross knocked at the door. "Linley's here," he said as he entered. "He's surrounded by his attorneys…Although he still insists he wants to speak to you alone."

"Arrogant bastard," Alex muttered.

"And that's a point on our side," Bobby said. "But he knows we want something from him and probably knows what it is."

"You're sure you don't want me…Or someone…In there with you?" Alex asked.

"No," Bobby said as he stood and picked up his binder. "You'd be a weapon for him. And you're the only other person I'd want in that room."

Alex and Ross again led Bobby through the squad room. Bobby again felt the stares bore into his back.

"Detective," Ross said when they stood outside the interrogation room. "Be careful in there. Don't sacrifice yourself."

Bobby looked at the captain with confusion. "Sir…The families…"

"Detective Goren…We all want the best we can get for the victims and their families. I know you will do your best. But you matter as well. What you've done on this case is above and beyond what anyone could expect…What anyone else could do. If it gets bad in there, I'm pulling you out."

"But, sir…The Brass and the FBI…"

"This is my squad," Ross said. "I'm in charge. You're a member of that squad. A highly valued member."

"Thank you, sir," Bobby said after a moment. He took a deep breath, straightened his back, and walked into the interrogation room.

END CHAPTER 38