Oh Claire, you are unbelievable. I love how you perfect my little story. I don't know how to thank you.

Summary: A post Endgame story: Bobby feels much worse after the death of his mother. Alex is getting worried about her partner and tries just to be there for him.

Disclaimer:I earn no money from this thing, nor do I profit in any other way from it. Involved persons are only borrowed and always go back to their owner.

You can read this story in German too: Der Tag nachdem Frances starv

Your comments make me glad. Have fun with my story and please review...

The day after Frances died

I've got you

She tried ringing him for hours, but Bobby didn't - or wouldn't - pick up his phone. Not his home phone or his mobile phone. Alex was getting worried about her partner.

His mother died yesterday. He'd sent her a short text message to let her know and she'd been trying to contact him ever since, without success.

Now she finds herself standing in front of his apartment building. His apartment keys feel heavy in her purse. Alex is undecided. Should she go upstairs and look in on Bobby or should she go home and give him time, until he comes to her by himself?

She checks that her mobile phone is working one more time – it is - then grabs for his keys.

She takes a deep breath, before she enters the old building. Cooper, the nice doorman, welcomes her. She's been to Bobby's apartment so many times that he knows her well.

"Good evening Detective Eames," he says, giving her a friendly smile, "Do you want to visit your partner?"

"Yes, please…" Alex answers, managing to smile briefly in return. She does want to see Bobby, but can't help but be worried about what she might find.

"No problem, Detective. Could you take his post with you? He's not left the building today and I haven't had chance yet to take it to him." asks Cooper, nicely.

"Okay." Still holding his keys tightly in her fist, Alex steps up to the young man and stretches out her other hand to take Bobby's newspapers and post. His Smithsonian Magazine lies on top. She smiles at the thought that Bobby's one of probably only six people in New York who read it. Holding the bundle close, she nods to Cooper once more before she turns round and gets in the elevator, pressing the button for Bobby's floor.

-xXx-

The elevator transports Alex quickly to the seventh floor; too fast in Alex's eyes. She is afraid, frightened to open the door not to knowing what's behind it.

How will she find her partner? Will he be drunk, sober or catatonic?

What mood will he be in? Depressed, angry or resigned?

Juggling her purse and his post, Alex sticks the key slowly into the lock. Cautiously she turns it a couple of times until suddenly, the door flies open. Alex enters the apartment carefully, casting her eye around it attentively. She can't help it. Her first instinct is to check for evidence of a disturbance. Is there anything out of place?

Bobby's keys, his wallet and his portfolio lie, as usual, on the beautiful little antique chest of drawers which she likes so much. All right, he is really at home. Alex slips out of her sandals, dropping her purse by them, lays Bobby's post on the chest of drawers and enters the living room.

As always, there are a lot of books on his coffee table and all over the floor. The television is switched off and the room is decorated with Bobby's usual cheerful chaos. Alex likes this room the most. In this room, they've often brooded together over tricky cases, trying to follow the evidence, looking for something to help trace their perps.

But as equally often, they've sat together here just to listen to music or to watch a movie. Even now, anxious to find her partner, Bobby's big, comfortable couch invites her to sit and relax. Just thinking about it makes Alex wonder, 'How often have I slept on that couch? How many times has Bobby had to wake me to drive me home?' Ever the gentleman, Bobby is never content to let her make her own way home in the middle of the night, especially since the 'incident' with Jo Gage.

The memories make Alex smile – until she remembers her reason for being here this time. She turns around and goes back to the hall where the door to Bobby's study stands open. There are many books in here too and the whole surface of his desk is covered with sheets of paper. It looks like he's been working on something. Or maybe it's to do with his Mom's estate? But Bobby is not in this room either.

Alex continues down the hallway. She can tell from here that the door to his bedroom is closed. Alex lays her ear lightly against the door and, holding her breath, listens carefully for any noise. Nothing…she hears nothing.

Taking a deep breath, she gathers her courage, pressing the door handle carefully and quietly down, she enters his bedroom. Alex hasn't often had reason to be in this part of Bobby's apartment. It is his sanctuary, his place of silence and peace and she respects this. Looking around, she takes it all in.

The room suits him. It is a big, welcoming room. All around, the walls in here are lined with book shelves too. Two large windows allow a lot of light in and tonight, they cast moonlight over the huge bed that stands in one corner.

Her anxious gaze falls to where Bobby lies on his bed. His eyes are closed and he breathes regularly and deeply; He's asleep, wearing only a blue T-shirt and white boxer shorts, the covers tossed aside as if his slumber has been troubled, restless. As Alex gets closer to him, she notices that his eyes are reddened. It looks like he's been crying for a long time. Thankful to find him here safe, Alex closes her eyes for a brief moment, fighting to control her own relieved tears.

Without a moment's thought, she sits down next to him on the bed. Gently, careful not to wake him from the sleep he needs, she lifts her legs onto the mattress, rests her back against his pillows and takes him into in her arms, nestling his head in her lap. 'Thank You' she mouths silently to whatever power has kept her partner safe, content to just sit with him.

After half an hour Bobby awakes from his dreamless sleep. Slowly opening his eyes, he sees Alex's concerned face hovering over his own.

She is with him. Finally, she's here and is holding him. He tries to smile at her, but it only brings even more tears to his eyes. She wipes her fingers softly over his cheeks, drying his tears and starts to gently stroke through his hair with her hands, soothing him.

"Shush, Bobby... I've got you. Go back to sleep..." Alex breathes, smiling tenderly.

He is so grateful that she's here with him. Slowly he turns on to his side and snuggles his face in to the soft warmth of her belly. Gently, he wraps his right arm round her slender waist. Now he feels more protected than he has in the last twenty-four hours; not completely better, but protected. He falls asleep again.

Alex runs her hands further over Bobby's head and his strong shoulders, enjoying the contact and the way he feels. The sun settles down slowly and the room becomes more and more dark. It is so inappropriate, but there is a little prickle of arousal running through her body. Bobby is physically so near. To feel his head in her lap is so wonderful. His hot breath is only one thin layer of material away from her skin…closing her eyes, she sighs and tries to relax, safe in the knowledge that he's no longer alone.

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