Chapter 17

He didn't sleep well. Once he stopped shivering, he overheated, and from then on he couldn't get comfortable. On top of that, he still felt angry and confused by everything that had happened, from the conversation with Dr. Tenorio, to the brief, unresolved argument with Alex, to the loving care she gave him.

As a result, he tossed and turned all night, and finally gave up on sleep entirely at 4 a.m. He felt a burning in his chest, but he ignored it and tried to finish the novel he was reading.

Alex woke with the alarm. He heard her click it off and shuffle to the bathroom. When she was really sleepy, she dragged her feet. He smiled, knowing he was one of a small handful of people who knew that about her. His smile slipped away as he wondered if she was still angry with him.

He heard the water run as she washed her hands, and he tried to focus on his book as her footsteps sounded closer. Bobby's whole body warmed as Alex's fingers drifted lightly over his hair and down to his neck.

"Good morning," she said quietly.

"Morning," he replied, dropping the book to his lap and turning toward the sensation of her fingers.

Their eyes met and she kissed him, a sweet moment of tenderness. "How are you?" She asked him.

"I'm… you know, tired, but I'm okay." His hand lightly brushed against her arm, and over to her baby bump. She watched him caress her there, until his hand fell away again.

"We've got a lot of paperwork today," she reminded him. "I can handle it, if you need to take the day," she offered.

Bobby shook his head. Even if he'd wanted to, he couldn't take the day. He had no sick leave left. He got to his feet. "I'll be fine. All I need is a shower and a…" he smiled at her playfully, "cup of joe."

Alex was glad to see his smile. She wasn't sure what to expect this morning, and even though things still hung unresolved between them, it looked as if they could carry on. As aggravated as she got with his behavior, a moment of his playful charm would win her over in a heartbeat.

He kissed her, and as he began to pull away, she reeled him in for more. The intensity of their kiss was overwhelming to both of them. When they finally broke apart, they stared at each other, speechless.

Bobby's hand continued to move over hers, gripping, squeezing, caressing, until finally he let her go and headed for the shower.

Alex swooned. She steadied herself on the back of the couch a moment, before writing it off to low blood sugar. She went to the kitchen to get breakfast.

By the end of the work day, the burning had turned into an itch, and Bobby was coughing. He and Alex piled into the SUV to head home, and she finally allowed her concern to show.

"You're getting sick," she said.

He stifled another cough. "Maybe," he replied, with a shrug.

She felt his forehead. "You are sick," she corrected. He definitely had a fever brewing.

"I'll get some rest, I'll be fine."

Everything she thought of to say would have sparked an argument, so she elected to remain silent. She started the car and pulled slowly out of the garage as he closed his eyes and leaned back against the headrest.

Bobby knew what he would say to Tenorio, the next time she asked him why.

The illness settled in quickly, a deep chest cold that made him wince with every hacking cough. Late that night, Alex made a run to the drugstore and dosed him up with cough syrup.

He refused to come to bed. Bobby was determined that she not catch it from him.

Just as he was about to settle in on the couch, she shoved him in the direction of the guest room. Bobby picked up the box from the top of the bed and set it on the floor. Then he collapsed onto the mattress.

Alex kicked the box aside and undressed him. He complained and swatted at her hands, trying to push her away. Then he coughed until he turned red.

She finished with his clothes and tucked him in, promising to keep her distance once he was comfortable. Alex laid her hand in his curls and suppressed the urge to kiss him. "Good night, Bobby," she said quietly.

He started to say goodnight, but coughed instead. She flipped off the light and closed the door for him.

Alex lay in bed, listening to his movements through the wall, and she thought of their first night together. They'd been working a tough case, and out of kindness, he'd brought her home. They'd ended up talking and completely lost track of time. Finally, she'd invited him to stay the night and set him up in the guest room.

Bobby had been reluctant at first, but he was tired, and he had acquiesced. She'd left him and come to her room, and much like tonight, had lain still listening to his movements in the other room.

Only then, he hadn't been sick.

She had heard him toss and turn, and she had heard his heavy sigh. Alex, against all of her better judgement, had gotten out of bed and walked to her guest room.

She heard the springs creak as he turned over again, and she stealthily opened the door.

He'd sprung upright, his weight on his hands, shocked.

"Bobby?" she said. For lack of any excuse, she asked him, "Are you all right?"

He'd carefully bunched the covers over his groin and nodded. "I'm f-fine," he lied. "Just can't get comfortable."

She had stepped forward, taken the pillow from behind him, and fluffed it. As she reached around him to put it back, she was caught in his kiss. Or maybe she had caught him. Thinking back on it now, Alex knew she'd wanted it as badly as he had.

He coughed violently, and she wanted desperately to go in there again. But, she was pregnant, and he was trying to protect her by isolating himself. On the other hand, Alex knew it was inevitable that she would catch his cold. Between living together and working together, there wasn't much chance that she could escape it.

She rolled over and caressed her belly. There was a slight bump there, now, and Alex smiled. Somehow, some way, the three of them were going to be a family. Bobby was trying. She knew he was. Somehow she had to find the patience within herself to allow him to work things out.