Chapter 29

Bobby was in a dark, dark mood. Logan had just let it slip that he'd been with her the day she had the amnio, and Bobby was consumed with jealousy and guilt.

He knew he couldn't speak to Alex about it. They were on the rocks at the time, and from her perspective, it was nothing. Asking a friend for support.

He knew the emotions roiling in him were all his own. His demons, trained well, over years of failed relationships. He wouldn't burden her with it. He would deal with it himself.

"You're still pissed," Logan commented, as he threw a foil-wrapped burrito in Bobby's lap. Logan handed the man a soda and shut the car door. They were on a stake out, and Logan had volunteered to make the dinner run to the nearest food truck.

Bobby shrugged and carefully unwrapped his burrito. "Logan, I'm doing my best here. Don't push me."

"I can't see what you've got to be pissed about, that's all. All I did was read a million birthing magazines and drive her home. I swear to God!"

Bobby's lips started to form words, but then he closed his mouth tight and nodded. "It would be best to change the subject," he finally said.

"Hmff." Mike grunted. "Green chile and chicken. Pretty damn good."

Bobby grunted in agreement and nodded his head.

Alex and Palmer were on the porch, behind the uniforms. At Alex's nod, they pounded on the door and identified themselves. The door didn't open, but there was a crash from inside the house. Alex and Palmer both drew their weapons and backed away from the door, searching the windows for movement.

Alex moved to the left and then started through the narrow side yard towards the back. Palmer did the opposite, while the uniforms brought in the battering ram and busted the door in.

"Over here!" Eames called out, just before they heard glass breaking. One group of officers raced in pursuit while the closest tended to Alex. Palmer was at the tail end of the group. He joined Alex, who was sitting up, leaning against the wall of the house, one hand holding a bandage to her arm while the uniformed officer held one against her head.

"God, Eames, are you all right?" Palmer asked.

"Yeah," she said, careful not to move her head and interfere with the pressure to stop the bleeding there.

"I'll call a bus," he said, and took the other officer's radio.

Goren was on a bathroom break when the call came over the radio. Mike recognized Manschweitz's voice, and he dialed his cell phone quickly. "What the hell, Captain?"

"We don't know anything yet. I'm trying to reach Eames and Manschweitz now."

"But you're not. You're not reaching them."

Ross sighed. "Where's Goren?"

"He's in the john. He didn't hear the call."

"Don't enlighten him. I'll call him myself if need be."

"Captain, he's already in a mood."

"Logan, I gave you an order."

Logan frowned. "Yes, sir."

Bobby came back to the car as he ended the call. "What was that? See something?"

"No. Just checking in."

Palmer was beside himself with guilt. He paced between the room and the Captain until Ross finally sent him home.

They had to stay out of the room. They called it a "nonstress test" and had monitors all over her, measuring her heart rate and the baby's. She was supposed to stay as calm as possible, so they all had to keep out.

Alex was having a hard time staying calm, though. She was worried about Bobby finding out. Just like the day she'd been shot at, she worried he would be angry and overreact. And then she worried that he would take it out on Palmer.

The nurse came in and read the ticker tape that was spewing out of the machine. "Are you relaxing?" She asked her. Alex tried very hard to calm herself. She tuned out the noise of the machine and tried to turn her attention to the documentary that was on tv. She took a breath and closed her eyes, and the thoughts started racing again.

Goren's phone rang. He read the ID and looked at Logan. "It's Ross," he said.

Mike seemed to turn a little pale.

Goren didn't process the man's facial expression right away. "Goren," he answered, and as he listened, another part of his brain put two and two together. "Captain, I need to get over there."

"I don't want to call it off. You told me yourself there would be action tonight."

"Logan… Logan can take over."

"You know procedures. You can't leave until I get someone there to relieve you. She's okay, Goren, there's no need to panic about this. Sit tight, I'll get someone there as soon as I can."

Bobby ended the call and turned to glare at Logan. "Checking in, my ass."

"I heard the call on the radio."

"Tell me. Every Goddamn word."

"Manschweitz. Officer Down. And he gave the address for the bus."

"And you didn't fucking tell me about it?!" He roared.

"The Captain told me not to, Bobby."

Bobby grabbed the steering wheel with both hands until his knuckles turned white. In fact, he was trying to pull the steering wheel right off its mount.

"I'm sorry, Bobby. Is she all right?"

He kept his voice very low. "He said she is," he waggled his head a little as he spoke. "But she's in the fucking hospital, Logan. Why would they admit her if she's fucking all right?"

Logan frowned.

"Forty-eight minutes. It's been forty-eight minutes, and they say she's all right, but they admitted her. It's got to be the baby. Something's wrong with my baby."

Alex was lying on her side, watching a sitcom. She felt fine, and other than a couple of stitches, she was no worse for wear. They had insisted on admitting her, all on the basis of the failed nonstress test.

Once she was out of the ER, the readings looked slightly better. They disconnected everything and told her they would try again later.

So now, she was stuck in a hospital room, feeling fine and wishing she were home.

"Alex?"

She turned and saw the panic in his eyes. "Is the baby all right?"

She reached out for Bobby's hand, and placed it against her belly. "I think so, but they want me to pass a test first."

Bobby used his free hand to trace carefully around her bandages. "You're hurt."

"Just a couple of cuts, it's nothing, really. I'm sorry, Bobby."

"What… what are you sorry about?"

"Just this… worrying you. I feel fine, really. I have half a mind to walk out AMA."

"Don't. Don't do that." His hand was against her womb again.

"I'm not, Bobby. I just think it's unnecessary, that's all."

The relief he should have felt wasn't manifesting itself. Bobby remained tense, and as he glanced around the room, she could see by the way he held his lips that he was angry.

"Bobby?"

He turned his face toward her.

"Don't leave me tonight. Please?"

He took her hands in his and dropped down to kiss her cheek. "I… I won't," he said.