Chapter 15

Alex came around to the incessant banging of his hand against the window.

"Alex!"

She turned in his direction, and saw his frantic breath in the cold air. Suddenly, she realized he was pointing at the lock button on her side of the door. She reached forward and pressed it, and he yanked open the door, sending icy cold into the car.

He set a Styrofoam cup in her hand and touched her face with the other. He was truly worried.

Alex picked up the cup and he steadied it for her so she could take a long drink.

Bobby searched her eyes when she lowered it again.

"I guess I must have fainted," she explained. "I'm okay now, really."

He wasn't convinced. He made sure she had a good grip on her drink and Bobby put a paper sack on the seat next to her. "French fries in there," he said. He shut the door and hurried around to the driver's side of the car, where he hopped in and shut the door, shaking off the cold.

He glanced over at her again, and found her rooting through the bag to select a fry. He watched her bite it in half and then started driving.

"These fries are good," she said enthusiastically.

Bobby could see that the food was helping, but he was still concerned. "You should see a doctor," he said.

"Bobby, it's just that I hadn't eaten in a while. I'm fine, really."

He was silent for three blocks, and then he said, "I would feel better if we just… made sure."

She sat, stunned that he'd spoken to her about it at all. Finally, she nodded. "Okay, but they'll just tell you the same thing I did."

He stopped at a red light, stared into her eyes, and reached out to hold her hand.

"We need to get back to the squad," she said.

"Urgent care first," he countered.

"Ross will be wondering-"

"We need to tell him anyway."

Alex sipped more water. "Do you have any idea what it will mean to tell Ross?"

"Sooner or later, Alex—"

"My vote is for later. Bobby, we won't be together anymore. It'll end the partnership. Have you even thought of that?"

He hadn't thought of it. He zipped through traffic, steering with one hand. "So you just leave out the part about the father, then."

She took a long, slow breath and nodded. She could still feel his hand on hers.

Alex leaned back against the raised head of the exam bed. As silly as she thought this trip to the doctor was, she had to admit it felt good to slow down and rest. They'd given her an IV, which scared her, but it seemed to be helping.

Bobby sat in the corner, fiddling with his phone. He'd sent a text to the Captain, saying they'd made a side trip to the doctor for Eames. He would let her tell the Captain the rest.

The doctor came in, and they both sat up, alert.

"Ms. Eames, Mr. Goren…You were dehydrated when you came in, and you're experiencing bouts of low blood sugar. I think if you're a little more conscientious about your water intake, and maybe carry some healthy snacks with you at all times, you shouldn't have much trouble with this anymore."

"And the baby?" Bobby asked.

"The baby's fine."

"I'll have you finish out this drip, and then the nurse will help you so you can be on your way."

They both thanked the doctor and he left the room. Bobby hovered near her with a relieved smile on his face.

"I told you so," Alex stated.

Bobby tapped the pole the IV bag was on. "It wasn't for nothing," he countered.

She smiled, too. She closed her eyes to rest again and was surprised a moment later by his lips on hers. She opened her eyes when he pulled away, and Alex could see the love in his eyes.

They returned to Major Case. As Bobby helped her take her coat off, the Captain came out of his office and approached them.

"Everything okay, Eames?" He asked.

With a shy smile, she replied. "Yes, Captain. But… I need to see you privately."

"Sure thing," Ross said, and motioned for her to follow him.

When the Captain was a few steps away, Alex glanced over at Bobby, who gave her a nod of encouragement. Then she followed Ross.

Bobby watched her go, and watched the blinds rattle as the Captain's door shut.

"I was a little dehydrated," she said. "It wouldn't be a big deal, except… Captain, I'm pregnant."

The Captain fumbled with his words a little. "Congratulations, uh… I didn't even know there was someone… in the picture…"

"I keep my personal life pretty quiet," she told him. "I'm almost 12 weeks, sir. I expect to be able to work most of the way through, like last time."

Mike Logan saw Goren sitting at his desk. He hadn't spoken much to Eames in a couple of weeks, and he wondered about her. Logan got to his feet and walked over. "Hey, Goren," he said.

"Logan," Bobby replied, his eyes alert.

"Uhm… how is she?" Logan asked.

Bobby bristled at first, but he could see in Logan's face that he wasn't trying to start trouble. "She's okay, she's good."

"Good, I'm glad," Logan replied. He jerked his chin toward the Captain's office. "What's going on in there?"

"She's telling the Captain about it."

"Oh. And you, too?"

"No." Bobby gave him a look of warning. And don't you tell anyone, either.

"Look, uh, tell her I… oh, never mind." Logan went back to his desk and his own work.

Bobby stared after him, feeling slightly guilty about interfering with Alex's friendship with the man. If Alex had ever had a thing with Mike, she would have told him.

He glanced up at her when she returned, and she nodded. Without a word, they got right to work on the case.