Chapter 58

For several long seconds, Mike and Bobby could only stand there. Had anyone walked in they might have mistaken them for statues – unable to move with their mouths hanging open. It was almost comical.

Her eyes darting between them, Alex was beginning to feel like she had walked into a theater thinking that the show was bout to start but in actuality it was half-way over. She opened her mouth to speak, but Mike found his voice first and grabbed the pitcher that was sitting on the bedside table.

"I'll go get this thing filled up with some fresh water." He was gone before Bobby or Alex could say a word; watching him beat a hasty retreat.

"What's up with him? I'm in the hospital – I'm not dying." Alex said her voice a rough whisper. Carefully she tried to pull herself up in bed. Her limbs felt heavy and her whole body stiff and a little sore.

Bobby quickly went to her side when he saw how slow and awkward her movements were in her weakened state. With utmost care, he helped sit her upright and adjust the bed and pillows.

"Alex – take it easy." He was concerned to see his partner's face cloud over as she tried to put all the pieces together and to him it felt like she was starting to understand that some of them were missing. He tried to keep the urgency he was experiencing out of his voice. He wanted to find out immediately what she remembered. He wanted to be optimistic; feeling like if he believed it strongly enough and wanted it badly enough then she would be all right.

He was grateful to Mike for stepping out so as not to overwhelm Alex until he could learn the extent of what she remembered without upsetting her. "Do you know why you're in the hospital?" He asked, his voice low.

Alex chewed on her bottom lip. Bobby could feel how hard she was working to come up with the right answer. "I - I thought – I – I mean – Jo – you said that Jo –" she broke off staring over at Bobby, blinking back hot tears that stung as she fought to keep them from falling. It was clear that she was picking up the strange energy n the room – that Bobby didn't really seem to be acting the way she expected.

Bobby wasn't sure if he should be encouraged that Alex remembered Jo. If that was the case, then they'd gained the 3 months after Deakins retirement. Did that mean that she didn't remember the injuries she sustained when she was assaulted by Sebastian a few of weeks ago? Or being so ill when his mother passed away?

It was hard to reign himself in, but he had to – Alex was obviously in a fragile state and he couldn't – he wouldn't risk further setback. He picked up the glass that Mike had left behind, filled it with tap water and handed it to her.

Alex took the glass, brought it to her lips and tried not to gulp it down all at once or appear too eager. She swallowed three times before stopping abruptly to stare at her hands.

Bobby noticed that she was no longer drinking and his head cocked to one side as he took in her change in expression.

Alex looked at her hands then stared at Bobby then back at her hands, back at Bobby.

"Eames – what is it?"

She didn't answer at first, but instead put the glass down and began to scrutinize her hands and wrists. "There's nothing on them." She muttered to herself as images began to swirl around in her mind and she wondered if they were visions or real and felt as though a thick haze had enveloped her mind, dampening her thought processes. She rolled her shoulders, tilted her head side to side and even reached up to her forehead. "No pain," she said thickly, "where's the bandage?"

Bobby tried again. "Alex - " but he was promptly interrupted. "I'm in the hospital – but not because of Jo." She stared hard at her partner. It wasn't a question.

Bobby nodded as once again, Alex got the gears going and tried again to fill in the blanks; her brow furrowed and her expression intense as she worked to pin down the memories flitting through her mind and her frustration was creeping towards the boiling point.

Without a second thought, Bobby sat down next to her, reached out and gently pulled her close in a tender embrace.

"I can't," she choked out, "I don't have the words."

Bobby stroked the back of her head and rocked her carefully. "Slow down," he crooned low in his throat, his lips at her ear. "You'll find them," he soothed, "just go slow – we have all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."

Alex felt herself relaxing as she listened to the warmth in his voice that sent a feeling of calm throughout her body and her eyes drifted shut under his loving ministrations. She tried again.

"I'm seeing all these events," she said, her words coming out in a paper thin whisper, "but I can't seem to get it in chronological order – there's no sense of time passing."

Bobby pulled back and took her hands in his own. "One step at a time. What month do you think it is?"

Alex pondered for several more minutes. "My nephew was having surgery. That was the end of February. But your mom – oh – Bobby – your mom – I'm so sorry. That – that was recent – right after – " she paused. "His surgery. It was after his surgery and we had to drive to Carmel Ridge in the snow." It was becoming obvious that the deficit would be the assault by Sebastian. Not having a clear enough recollection of that period was what was causing her confusion.

It took every bit of Bobby's will power not to show how relieved and overjoyed he was that Alex was almost there. She was so close.

At that moment, Mike came back in with Dr. Curtis, the neurologist that had been working with Alex since her original head injury. He made no attempt to hide is pleasure at seeing his patient awake.

Chapter 59

By 8:45 that evening, after being examined by doctors, undergoing a battery of tests and talking with her sister, Mike and Bobby, then bringing in Ross and Wheeler – Alex finally proclaimed herself "back".

It had been 9 hours since she had opened her eyes and requested water, to the present. There were still a few holes, some events that she had no memory of, the biggest being her assault and abduction by Sebastian, but she had recovered all of the 8 months they had all worried might be irretrievable.

Alex knew that she'd be back in a counselor's office before she'd be allowed back at work, but she took comfort in the unmistakable relief and pride she'd seen in Ross' eyes knowing that his senior detective had come through.

"Okay, kid – no more goofing off," Mike told her with a wink and a hug. "You just get better and get back to 1PP so I can get the heat off me." They all laughed as Wheeler playfully poked him in the chest.

"Keep it up, Logan and I'll slow down my rehab."

At his look of mock horror, Ross stepped forward. "Come on you two and let's leave her to get her rest, before I ask the Chief of D's to send down some rookies for you to train."

Logan and Wheeler said their goodbyes and hustled out. Ross took Alex's hands in his. "Welcome back, Eames," he said quietly then shook hands with Bobby. "You two take care – we'll be here when you're ready."

Bobby ducked his head, "Yes, sir – thank you."

After everyone had gone, Alex's nurse came in to check on her patient one last time and give her medications. "There's nothing else ordered until the morning so I'll ask the night crew not to disturb you unless you need something."

Bobby thanked her, and then told Alex he was going to get them a snack and coffee. It took him a little longer than he expected so when he got back he wasn't surprised to see that her eyes were closed. It had been a really long day.

He walked quietly to her side and brushed a lock of hair back. She opened her eyes immediately at his gentle touch and graced him with a slow sleepy smile.

"Hey," he said softly, propping his arms on the bedrail for support so he could lean in closer.

"Mmm . . . wasn't sleeping," she answered groggily.

Bobby grinned. He convinced her to share some cheese and crackers he'd gotten as well as juice, deciding that she didn't really need any caffeine so late in the evening. When they were finished, Bobby helped her brush away the crumbs and straighten out her blankets. "Can I get you anything else before I leave?"

Alex took a deep breath and gathered her courage. "Would you stay with me tonight?" she asked shyly, even as she scooted over to make room.

Bobby's eyebrows shot up even as his heart leapt into his throat. For several long seconds he couldn't breathe.

Alex's hopeful expression morphed into one of embarrassment. "I'm sorry – I shouldn't have – "

"No – no," Bobby cut her off. "I – I just wasn't expecting it. Of course - I mean – sure - I'll stay." He looked at the space she had created next to her on the bed. "You want me there?"

Alex smiled self-consciously toying with the edge of the sheet. "While I was waiting for you, a lot of – uh – personal – more – uh private stuff that I remembered – if you know what I mean."

Bobby reached out to still her hand with his own. "I'm glad you remember that," he said, his face nearly beaming with joy. He lowered the side rail and carefully positioned himself along his partner. "Got enough room?"

Alex smiled again. "I'm fine." She reached out with one hand and placed it on his shoulder then slowly dragged it down over his bicep, across his forearm and then took hold of his hand.

A heady flush enveloped him like a heat wave, as he took her hand in his. "Alex –?"

"I didn't get a chance to thank you."

"For what?"

"Taking care of me. Helping me."

"I'd do anything for you – you know that – you're my partner."

"Is that all?"

Bobby nearly choked but quickly realized that this was it. This was his chance to open up to her about his feelings – his chance to take that leap of faith and put himself out there. Before he could doubt or second guess himself, he cupped her cheek with one hand. "No – that's not all," he whispered.

Alex's eyes widened, and now it was her turn to feel the heat and she was pretty sure that her cheeks were bright red. 'It didn't matter though,' she thought to herself. It was all right. Because her instincts had been right. She knew she didn't have a crystal clear picture of the time that they spent at her house, but there were moments: lying in his arms in her bed and one heady instance in the bathroom. While she'd had a lot on her mind and of course a big gaping hole, she hadn't been totally blind or insensitive to the vibe she'd picked up emanating from her partner. It was time to open her eyes and see the truth.

"Bobby, I want to say, I – "

"I love you, Alex," Bobby said, his voice thick with emotion. "I've loved you for a long, long time and my only regret is not telling you sooner."

Alex felt her eyes fill with happy tears even as her smile lit up the room. "I love you, too, Bobby. I do."

Bobby couldn't take his eyes off of her as he lovingly slid one arm under Alex and pulled her closer. Ever so slowly, drawing out the anticipation, he lowered his lips to hers and the first kiss, when their lips came together. . . time became meaningless, the future filled with endless possibilities and the promise to explore them – together.