- Says Bobby... Blissfully snug in Goren's arms, she raised her big hazel eyes to his face. Will you tell me about your family.
Talking to him about his family...
Goren wasn't sure it would be a good topic of conversation, or even if what he could tell her would really interest her.
Or at least, if he could avoid telling her about the hidden face of the iceberg.
That would be better.
But that would mean lying to her.
And he didn't feel capable of lying to her.
Not after what they'd just been through.
So it was better not to say anything.
- I don't think there's any point.
Pardon..
Why did Goren think it wasn't useful to tell her about his family.
When she'd like to know what they were like.
In addition, he knew her family well.
So why shouldn't she get to know his family, or at least have him tell her who they were.
After what they'd just done, she'd have thought he'd confide in her in complete confidence.
- You know my family so well... So why won't you tell me about yours.
It had nothing to do with the fact that he didn't want to tell her.
He preferred to avoid the subject, that was different.
In addition, Eames's family was normal.
Whereas his...
- Especially after what we'd done.
The things they'd done.
At that memory, he flared up again, but pulled himself together.
This wasn't the time to think about that.
In addition, it was because they'd just done this that he preferred to keep quiet.
Alex had become too intimate for him.
And he didn't want to lose that intimacy between them.
That bond between them.
What would she do if he told her about his mother's mental illness.
Goren already knew even before he told her.
Alex would turn away like all the others.
And that, he couldn't bear.
He didn't care that his exes had turned their backs on him.
But not Alex.
Not this kid he was holding in his arms right now.
She was far too precious to him.
- At least tell me about your mother... I still remember her portrait.
No.
Tell her about his mother...
No, anything but that.
If she learned the truth, he could kiss Alex good-bye.
And he didn't want that.
- I can't.
Pardon.
Goren couldn't.
And for what reason.
Why couldn't he tell her about his mother.
What was there to hide.
In addition, she'd noticed his sadness when he talked about his mother.
And she would have liked to know what made him sad.
- Tell me about it…
She patted his arm with her tiny little fingers, her big hazel eyes shining with curiosity, and a pouty pout on her lips.
Good God...
But she was so cute right now.
And all he wanted to do was whatever she asked.
So, reluctantly, and yielding to the insistence of the lassie in his arms, he gave in.
- My mother has schizophrenia...
He looked away, not daring to look at her for fear of reading revulsion and disgust in her big, beautiful hazel eyes.
He'd dared to tell her the truth.
Qar he could refuse this kid nothing.
And now he was waiting.
Waiting for the beating he was going to take in the face.
Alex would turn away from him.
And she'd ask him to leave.
And most of all, she'd never want to see him again.
- That's why you hesitated to tell me. She raised her hand to his face, took his cheek between her fingers, forcing him to turn his face toward her. Oh Bobby...
At the gentleness of that voice, the softness of her little fingers on his cheek, Goren felt his heart break.
My God...
How he loved Alex.
But now she knew.
And he knew she'd turn away from him.
- Do you want me to go...
What.
Did she want him to go...
But no.
And for what reason.
All because he'd just told her about her mother's illness.
It didn't make any sense.
- Why do you want to leave...
My God...
Hadn't she heard what he'd just told her.
Didn't she understand what was involved.
No.
She couldn't understand.
She was too young.
Reluctantly, he moved away from Eames, who looked at him surprised, and sat down on the edge with his back to her, which he arched, taking her head in his hands.
- You don't understand.
I'm sorry.
She didn't understand.
On the contrary, Eames understood very well.
What did he think...
That because his mother was mentally ill, she would turn her back on him.
Goren forgot that he wasn't her mother, and that he hadn't necessarily inherited that gene.
- What I know... is that you're not your mother...
My God.
But she didn't reject him.
In fact, she was very understanding, too much so.
And yet she was so young.
And shouldn't have fallen for a man like him with his background.
- Why are you so understanding... He pulled her face away from his hands, which he placed on her thighs. Why aren't you afraid of me... He clenched his fists until his knuckles were white. Of my reactions...
Fear of him...
Of his reactions.
He'd always been so gentle with her.
Goren didn't know what he was saying.
- Why should I be afraid of you... She moved closer to him, wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder. When I know you're a deeply kind person.
Profoundly kind...
Him.
Eames was really talking nonsense.
He wasn't a nice person.
Alex took his chin in her hands, forced him to look at her.
- You know I love you Bobby... But you're such an idiot.
Pardon.
An idiot.
While he was afraid of his own reactions.
That he might turn against her and hurt her.
He'd seen his mother's reactions, and though he loved his mother, he'd been afraid of her.
So how was it that Alex wasn't afraid of him, and that she was so understanding, so gentle with him.
It wasn't right.
She should have turned away from him, told him to go away.
But she didn't.
Instead, there she was, her arm around his waist, her head resting on his shoulder, her little breasts against his back.
At this gentle warmth, he felt his heart break into a thousand pieces, and tears welled up in his eyes, obscuring his vision.
He didn't deserve such love.
Alex was definitely too good for him.
Seeing the immense sadness painted on Goren's face, and tears beading at his eyes, Eames felt his heart break.
No.
She didn't want this.
Not to see that pain in his eyes.
Or his tears.
It would break her heart.
She had to make him understand that he was not, and never would be, her mother.
- You're not your mother... You have to understand that.
Not his mother...
He had to understand that.
And how.
If Alex was wrong.
Nothing could predict that sooner or later, he wouldn't find himself having violent reactions, and becoming like her.
And that he would turn against the people he loved.
Nothing could save him from this.
Maybe it was in his genes.
And on that day, if it were to break out, or take place, Alex had better not be around.
If he hurt her on a whim, he'd never forgive himself.
She was much too fragile.
- And to think I'm the lassie comforting an adult... She smiled, and pulled her back up to her lips. You're actually the child.
Pardon...
Eames was comforting him, it was true.
But to say he was the child was a bit of an exaggeration.
She wasn't serious.
- I'm not...
She let her fingers caress his lips, didn't take her eyes off them, and bit her lips hungrily.
- Wouldn't you rather be doing something else, little boy... Something to take your mind off things.
Little boy...
Something to take his mind off things.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
- So what are you waiting for... Little boy.
But she just kept on going.
- Or I'm too much woman for you.
At her words, and that air of defiance, he forgot all his dark thoughts, thinking only of one thing, to show this lassie that he was the adult, and the man.
Then he put his hand to her waist, turned her over with her back to the bed, and threw himself on top of her.
- You'll see what the little boy does to the little girl.
At her reaction, and her words, Eames burst out laughing, but stopped short at the way Goren's dark eyes glowed with the flame of desire.
- Bobby... You're not going to do it.
That's what she was going to see.
- That's what you're going to see, lassie.
At her last words, and at the big smile on Eames' lips, Goren lowered his face to hers, and took possession of her lips with ardor.