Chapter 27

"Hello?" he said, snatching up the phone on the first ring.

"Hi, Bobby."

"Oh, hello, Alex."

"I… I got your message." He was very quiet. "Look, the appointment was today. I didn't get your message until later, I'm sorry."

"It's- it's okay. How did it go?"

"I have to-" Alex corrected herself. "We have to wait two weeks for the results."

"Okay. But how did it go? How are you?"

She could hear the real concern in his voice. "I'm good, Bobby. Just a little sore."

"And the baby?"

"They gave me warning signs to look for, but… afterward, they let me hear the baby's heartbeat again. Everything looks okay."

"Well. Well, that's good. Do… do you need anything?"

Her breath caught in her throat. "I just need to rest," she finally said.

"Okay. Alex?" he asked.

"Yeah, Bobby?"

I love you. It was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't say it. It wasn't allowed, now. "Take care," he said. "If you need something, you know…"

"I know, Bobby. Thanks."

Monday morning, Bobby was called into the Captain's office. Bobby was surprised to find Logan standing there, as well.

"Have a seat, Goren," Ross commanded.

For once, Bobby did as he was told, though he sat at full attention, nervously smoothing his tie down with his hand.

"I've looked into the matter, and… based on Logan's word, here, I've decided to let it go with a verbal warning."

Bobby was stunned.

"You two were forced into a partnership, and I can see it's going to take some time to make the adjustment; to learn to trust each other. My advice to both of you is this: when you find yourselves at odds, stick your hands in your pockets. I don't need any more rumors flying around the department about my squad." He nodded at Logan, who calmly left the room.

Bobby got to his feet and was at the door when Ross called him back. "Goren?"

Bobby closed the door and turned around. "Yes sir?"
"I hope you realize what I've just done for you. If it happens again, my hands are tied."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

Ross nodded at him, and Bobby left the room.

"You're smoking, now."

He nodded. "Yeah. I guess it's better than drinking."

"I suppose if you think cancer's better than cirrhosis."

He grimaced, but took her remark without getting angry. "I… uh… I guess I'm still self-sabotaging."

"Why do you say that?" Dr. Tenorio flipped her pen over and over in her hand.

Bobby chuckled softly. "The smoking… I uh… I got in a little trouble on the job…"

"Oh?"

"Things aren't going so well with my new partner."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Yeah. Of course you are."

She ignored his comment. "What happened?"

Bobby told the story of the fight with Logan, and Tenorio scratched a few notes.

"I talked to her, though. A few times," Bobby offered.

"That's good. What about?"

"Uhm… parenting… issues."

"That will be important for you over time, especially if you remain estranged."

"Doctor, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Robert."

"D-….Do you think I can do it? Change… all these bad… habits…?"

She smiled, a real, encouraging smile. "I think you can do whatever you set your mind to."

She wasn't sure when the weather had started warming, but all of a sudden, instead of gray skies bringing snow, it seemed they were always bringing sleet or rain. Alex started in to her old routine again, only instead of running, she was walking in the mornings. Of course the route wasn't as far as her running circuit, but she was exercising, and this made Alex much happier.

She finished her walk and stopped at the coffee bar, where she ordered an herbal tea and headed into the building.

On this morning, she met Bobby in the elevator. To her surprise, he didn't seem blanketed in smoke. She smiled at him.

"Good morning, Eames," he said politely, for the benefit of the others in the car. The timbre of his voice communicated the special regard he had for her.

"Bobby."

"I heard they found you a partner."

"Yeah, young kid named Palmer."

"Detective Palmer."

"No, Palmer's his first name. It's Detective Manschweitz."

Bobby grinned, and she pined when she saw the sparkle in his eye. "You'll train him well, I have no doubt," he said.

"You and Logan doing okay?" The story of the fight had finally made its rounds to her.

"Yeah. You know, he's not so bad."

"You're not either," she said as the doors opened. She was gone before he could respond.

"Bobby?" She said, and he could hear the tears in her voice.

"Alex, what's wrong?" He asked urgently.

"I… I got the results."

Bobby's heart sank. It must have been bad.

"She's okay."

"Wh-what?"

"The baby, she's okay." Alex was crying, but they were tears of relief.

Bobby grinned. "She?" he asked.

"Yeah, Bobby. We're having a little girl."

"A girl!" he shouted. "And she's okay?!"

"Yes, all the chromosomes are just as they should be."

He couldn't stop smiling. "That's… that's fantastic, Alex. Fantastic."

"Do you want to… come over? You can see the report."

"You… you want me to?"

Alex was quiet for a long time. "Yes, Bobby. I think I want you to.

"I'll… I'll be right there." He hung up the phone and grabbed his things. 40 minutes later, he was at her door. He fingered the key in his pocket; she'd never yet asked for it back. Bobby timidly knocked on the door. After a moment, she pulled it open.

Her eyes were red from crying, but her cheeks were rosy and she had a bright smile on her face. Bobby smiled, too. She held her hand out for his, and then she reeled him in and wrapped her arms around him.

Bobby felt her belly pressing against his; she'd grown much bigger since the last time he'd held her close. He closed his eyes and gave his full, undivided attention to the warmth of her body against his.

A/N Please keep the reviews coming!