A/N: And this is it, the last chapter of this long ride. I decided to end where it began... with a work out. Nothing special this last chapter, more of a resolution of stuff that needed closure. I want to thank everybody who read and reviewed! Love you guys! Never have I had so many reviews. The next story idea is already in my head... it will be called His Claim/Her Claim, don't know yet when it will be written down. Thanks again everyone and enjoy the last chapter!

Part twenty

It was the end of the four weeks he'd given Bobby and Alex to solve their problem. Today Deakins had to decide if they were going to stay partnered with Logan and Barek or if he should put them back together. He had watched them closely and was relieved to see that Goren and Eames were back on track again, or so it seemed. They were smiling again, talking to each other and helping each other out. The temporary partnership was working out fine, maybe he should keep it this way. On the other hand he knew Bobby and Alex were on their best when they were together.

"Goren, Eames my office please." Deakins called into the bullpen.

Alex and Bobby looked at each other wondering what was going on. They were taking their relationship slowly. They would spend their weekends together, sometimes staying at Alex's place, other times at Bobby's. During the week it depended on the caseload.

"Close the door." Deakins said, taking his seat behind his desk.

"What's going on, Captain." Alex was always the straightforward one of the two.

"Some time ago Goren asked me to make the change in your partnership permanent. What he didn't know is that I didn't approve it. I decided to give you four weeks, if you still wanted the partnership to be permanent, then I'd approve it. Time's up people and I wanna know what you two want." He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "I'm willing to give you till the end of the day to make a decision."

The two former partners smiled at each other, happy that their captain was giving them this opportunity. "We don't have to think about it." Alex started.

"We want to be partnered together again." Bobby finished.

"Good, then I can throw away this paper." Deakins had Bobby's letter in his hand. "Now tell Logan and Barek they're back together and get the cases sorted out."

"Thanks." Together with Bobby, Alex walked back to the door.

"And detectives, don't let this happen again. I'm serious, if this happens again you two will be split up and I won't give you a second chance." He had to warn them even though he was pretty sure it was not going to happen again.

"We… we know. Thanks captain." Bobby opened the door for his partner and with a big smile they walked back into the bullpen straight to Logan and Barek.

"Good news?" Carolyn asked, leaning against Logan's desk.

"Yes, we're partners again and so are you two." Goren gave them the good news.

"Good news indeed." Logan agreed.

"Does that mean you didn't enjoy my company?" Alex feigned hurt.

"Lexie," Mike gave her a big, sweet smile, knowing she hated the nick name. "I loved your company, don't ever doubt that. But you were clearly swooning over the big guy there. I could hardly get any work done!"

"Ooh you're full of it, aren't you?" Alex smacked Logan on his chest. "Don't even get me started on you and Carolyn. Does denial ring a bell?"

"Mmm…. Let me think." Mike scratched his chin and looked up, thinking about Alex's words. "Nope,…. Oooh wait… river in Egypt, right?" He didn't even try to hide is his grin.

"Let's get things sorted out, okay?" Bobby intervened, avoiding a verbal match between Mike and Alex.

"Hey, are we still on for tonight?" Carolyn asked after they'd sorted the cases out.

"Yeah, be ready to lose." Bobby pointed at Carolyn and Mike.

"Dream on, big guy, dream on." Mike sat down, taking up his new desk across from his partner Carolyn.

That evening, after work, the four detectives were at the NYPD gym again. Bobby had been pestering Mike, Carolyn and Alex for another basketball game. The last game had ended when Alex had gotten injured. Now he wanted revenge, because now he and Alex were together and they were going to kick Mike and Carolyn's asses. After a good warm up the four colleagues were ready.

Alex, who was talking with Carolyn, looked at her man. Yes that was what she called him in her thoughts, her man… because now he was her man. He looked great in his dark grey shorts and light grey sleeveless shirt. She loved to see his muscular arms and strong legs.

Bobby was, in his turn, admiring his girlfriend. He liked how that sounded, his girlfriend. It may sound a bit juvenile, but he didn't mind. Alex was wearing a tight red shirt and black shorts. There was so much he loved about Alex, but he had a thing for her arms. She had strong arms. He also loved how he could freely touch her. The bullpen wasn't the right place for that, but after hours he would grab her hand when walking on the street. He loved that liberty, to simply take her hand on hold it in his.

"You ready?" Bobby asked as he walked to Alex.

"Yes." She placed her hand his chest. "Don't get too competitive."

Bobby ignored Alex remark and after the first points Bobby and Mike were already very competitive. Alex was dribbling with the ball. Surprisingly Mike was defending her. He was tall and broad, but not very fast on his feet and she was. So with a few quick moves she was past him. From the corner of her eyes she saw Bobby running towards the board. With an almost professional like pass the ball flew through the air. As it sailed in front of the basket, Bobby grabbed the ball out of the air and dunked it. That gave Bobby and Alex a four point lead.

With a score of 8-6 for Bobby and Alex, Mike called for a time out. The game was thrilling and the teams had almost equal strengths. Sitting on the wooden bench, Alex and Bobby watched Mike and Carolyn.

"How long do you think it'll take them to realize?"

"Well, they're probably not as dense as we were, but there's Mike reputation. I'll give them a month and a half." Alex watched as Mike casually threw his arm around Carolyn's shoulder.

Bobby did the same, he put his arm around Alex shoulder and pulled her close. He placed a soft kiss on her temple. "Should we help them out?"

"You're a real romantic, aren't you Bobby?" She was surprised by his suggestion. She kissed him lightly on the lips.

"You two love birds, let's finish this game. After that you two can do whatever you want."

Standing up, Bobby offered Alex his hand and pulled her up. Mike had the ball and passed it quickly to Carolyn, who with a few fake moves left Alex behind her. Then she passed the ball back to Mike. Quickly Carolyn backed up, got the ball back and with a nice jump shot she scored a three pointer.

If Bobby and Alex scored the next point they would win. Bobby knew only one thing, he needed to win from Logan. With that in mind it went wrong for him. Getting the ball from Alex, he totally forgot about her and tried put the ball in the basket from an impossible position. Carolyn and Alex, who were both under the basket, waited for the rebound and it was Carolyn who grabbed and scored. 8-11 was the end score for Mike and Carolyn. They cheered and were in each other's arms and Bobby… Bobby was sulking.

"Can't win everything, Bobby." Alex walked up to him and grabbed his hand. "Promise, tonight, I'll make you forget you even played this match."

Bobby's eyes widened in surprise. He liked that idea, but Mike, who had heard Alex's reply, was first. "Promise I will help you remember."

The End