--

As the sun rose, they finally fell asleep together. Throughout the night, Alex tried to sleep, and Bobby would let her for a little while, but time and time again, his desire for her would overcome him and he would eventually wake her up. She really didn't mind but by sun-up, she was exhausted and he finally relented to the draw of sleep as well.

It was about noon time and they woke up when they heard a knock at the door.

"Oh. My. God." Alex didn't open her eyes.

"Maybe they'll go away."

Knock, knock, knock.

"I'm exhausted…I can't move." She pulled the covers over head. Bobby chuckled at her.

"Couldn't sleep?"

She heard the humor in his voice, she wasn't finding it very funny just then.

"I guess this is what I get for falling in love with a guy who is used to staying up all night."

He grinned to himself and pulled her closer, nuzzling her neck, "you'll get used to it."

"Oh, God! You mean you're not ever gonna let me sleep?" She mock complained as she pushed the covers back down and looked at him.

Knock, knock, knock. "Hey Aunt Alex, are you in there?"

"Shit! It's Nate and my sister!" She jumped out of bed and grabbed a pair of sweats and a shirt from her drawer. Bobby got up and went to the bathroom.

She sprinted down the hall and swung the door open. She was greeted by Beth, Nathan and…her dad.

Oh crap! "Hi guys! What a surprise! C'mon in!"

She led the trio into the apartment and they all took seats in the living room. Beth and Nate sat on the couch and her dad sat in the chair. Alex sat on the floor. The adults were looking at her suspiciously. Nate didn't have a clue.

"Aunt Alex, I miss you!" He ran to her, fell into her lap and hugged her.

"I miss you too, Nate! You're hug feels soooo good."

"You have messy hair."

"Uh, yeah, well I haven't brushed it in a while I guess."

"Did we interrupt something?" Beth could only imagine what they interrupted but she felt compelled to tease her sister.

"No, no, I was just, uh, cleaning."

Her dad glanced around the room. He didn't see a vacuum or dust rags or anything that would indicate cleaning was occurring. He narrowed his eyes. "So, where's your partner? How's he doin'?"

"He's in the bathroom and he's doing great."

With that, Bobby stepped into the room.

"Hi Beth, Hi Mr. Eames," he stepped over and shook John's hand. He made quick eye contact but then stopped. He felt like guilt was written all over his face. He sat on the couch and Nate ran toward him. "Hey little man!" Nate went to jump in his lap but Beth grabbed him.

"Not so fast Nathan, Bobby's boo-boo is still getting better."

"So, what have you kids been up to? How've you been keeping busy?" Mr. Eames looked at the them suspiciously.

Bobby did his best at trying not to look shocked. Actually Mr. Eames, last night you're daughter gave me the best blow job of my life, he thought to himself. Can you imagine if I said that? He felt himself starting to grin but then fought it off.

"Bobby, how's your boo-boo?"

Thank God for Nate! They both silently offered.

"Well Nate, my boo-boo is almost all better. Before you know it I'll be as good as new."

"Good! Cause I like to jump on you! You're fun to climb!"

They all laughed. Beth watched her sister. She knew exactly what was going on.

Nate got up and pulled a truck out of his mom's bag and started driving it all around the living room making 'vroom vroom' noises.

Mr. Eames spoke up, "So Bobby, that's great news about your wound."

"Yeah, yeah it is. The nurse gave me my discharge papers yesterday. It was much earlier than we expected." We. That little word wasn't lost on either Beth or John.

"Alex, you must be happy to hear that, I bet you can't wait to get back to your own place." He was now testing them.

Alex immediately tilted her head down and brought her left hand up to scratch behind her ear. It's a nervous habit of hers that, unfortunately, the other three adults in the room knew about. It's a clear cut sign that she's embarrassed.

Beth smirked, John frowned and Bobby fidgeted. They all waited for her reply.

"Um, yeah. I guess I'll be moving back to my place." She flashed a fake smile that none of them bought.

Bobby watched this and was trying to hide his happiness. He knew she didn't want to leave.

Nate continued playing with his truck, now he was running it through the kitchen.

"So, dad, what's been new with everyone?"

John filled Alex in on family information while Bobby pretended to be interested. Never in his life did he want guests to leave his place more than right then. He wanted her alone…all to himself. He couldn't get the memories of last night out of his head. Memories of what she did to him, and what he did to her. He wanted to do them all again. He could feel himself getting hard for her.

Then, Nate came walking in from the kitchen, "Hey, Aunt Alex…why'd you take your pants off in the kitchen?" The kid was holding her pants and undies.

Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!

Beth jumped up and went to Nate. She took Alex's pants and tossed them back into the kitchen. "Nate! Guess what buddy…it's time to go already!"

Bobby and Alex stood up. Bobby started rubbing the back of his neck. Alex put her hands up to her mouth.

John just looked at them. He stood up, too.

All Bobby could think of was that all along, Mr. Eames was right. Bobby did have an ulterior motive regarding his daughter, and Mr. Eames saw through him right from the start. Damn. He's never gonna like me now.

"Dad…"

He put his hand up to stop her from going further. "Alex…why are your pants in the kitchen? What possible explanation could there be?" He sounded upset but he was totally playing them.

"Mr. Eames, sir…"

"Bobby. Stop right there. I have one thing to say…" Bobby thought there was a good chance he was going to vomit he was so afraid.

Then, John smirked at them. "It's about friggin' time."

The relief that swept through both of them was evident on their faces. Beth was now standing there holding Nathan.

Alex looked at her apologetically, "I'm sorry he found those, Beth."

"Are you kidding? He just thinks you're messy. Ya know, between your clothes and the obvious bed head he has a point!"

"I've never been more embarrassed in my life." Alex played with her ear again.

Mr. Eames went over to Bobby. "Take care of her, son. She loves you very much you know." He extended his hand to Bobby.

Bobby looked at his hand and looked then looked at John. "Mr. Eames, I intend to do just that. Thank you." Then Bobby shook John's hand.

"Well, we really should go. Bobby, it's great to see you're feeling better. Alex, call me." Beth hugged them both then let Nathan hug them both as well.

"Goodbye, Nate. I'll see you soon, I love you!" Alex hugged him tight. "Bye Aunt Alex, I love you, too." He squeezed her back.

"You be good little man, and next time I see you, you can climb on me all you want."

"Yes!" He gave Bobby a high-five.

John smiled at them both and the three of them left.

Once the door closed Bobby and Alex looked at each other. She went over to him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Well, cat's out of the bag I guess."

He kissed the top of her head.

"Let me go to the bathroom and get changed then we can make some breakfast…or is it lunch at this point?" She was mumbling as she retreated to the bathroom.

"I'll put coffee on then we'll figure that out." He called back to her.

--

They decided on breakfast and they ate it in bed. It didn't take them long to pick up where they left off the night before.

When they were finished, they stayed in each other's arms.

"You know, Alex, when your family was here, all I could think about was what I wished I was doing to you."

"You did look like you were daydreaming a bit."

"Oh, I was dreaming all right." He nibbled on her neck.

They were falling back to sleep when they were jolted awake from pounding on the door.

"Bobby Goren, open this door right now!"

It was Fran again.

Bobby went to get up but Alex stopped him.

"I got this one."

She went to the closet and picked out one of Bobby's dress shirts. She put it on and buttoned only a few of the buttons. As she approached the door she purposely messed her hair up.

Bobby got up and stood in the bedroom door. He knew Alex wanted to handle this on her own, but he wanted to be prepared just in case.

Alex opened the door and smiled at Fran. "Back so soon?"

Fran did a once over of Eames and fire burned in her eyes.

"Where is Bobby?"

"Bobby's in bed, waiting for me to get back there."

"No. There is no way. I want to see him." She tried to push her way past Alex but Alex blocked her and gave her a look that stopped Fran fast and made her retreat into the hall.

"Sorry, doll, but Bobby doesn't want to see you."

"You're lying. Let me see him. I know Bobby wants to see me."

"No, see, the thing is Fran is that Bobby wants nothing to do with you."

"Bullshit."

"Nope, it's the truth. Apparently, this 'little thing' here," as Alex said that she pointed to herself herself, "is exactly what Bobby wants."

Fran was furious. "I don't believe that for one minute." She looked Alex up and down critically. "I mean, what the hell could you have that that I don't have?"

Alex paused and put a big grin on her face. "I have his love. And that is something I have always had and you… you never will."

With that, Alex felt Bobby's hands on her shoulders.

"She's right, Fran. I've always loved her and only her. You need to leave here and never come back."

Fran stood there shocked. This had never happened to her before. Finally she stormed off, not saying another word.

--

As strong as she appeared to Fran, Bobby knew that the encounter took a lot out of Alex. He knew Fran was a touchy subject. He needed to reassure her as fast as he could so he quietly led her back to the bedroom.

She laid down on her side to face him, still shaking a little bit. Bobby laid down and looked at her.

"Alex, please come over here." Bobby spoke so tenderly she felt her heart pull. He had laid his right arm on the bed indicating she should come closer. He wanted to see if she would come to him. He knew it would be a good sign if she did.

Alex didn't speak, she didn't trust her voice not to crack. She nodded at him as she climbed her way to him. She slid under the covers, stretched her legs along his, rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. They laid there for a while in silence.

Bobby felt Alex squeeze his waist. Then he felt tears fall onto his chest. He closed his eyes trying to find the right words.

"Alex," he whispered as softly as he could, "I am so sorry about that girl", he couldn't bring himself to say her name, "if I ever knew that I had even the slightest chance with you, I never would have gone near her."

He continued, "Baby, you have to know that you mean everything to me. You're my life, you're the reason I get up every morning, the reason I make it to work everyday, the only reason I ever smile…" He slowly unbuttoned her shirt and pushed it off of her shoulder. He kissed her newly exposed skin.

He stopped kissing her and laid his head back down on the pillow. They were face to face. He brought his hand up and laid it on her cheek.

"Alex. You're my everything. Please tell me you believe me…you believe in us. Please tell me you'll never regret this."

She moved her hand to his face.

"Bobby, there is no where I would rather be than here with you. And the only thing I regret is that it took almost losing you for me to tell you that I love you." Despite her best efforts, tears started running down her face.

"Alex, stop. Don't keep reliving that, it's too hard for you." He kissed her nose.

"No, you have to hear this…I know what everyone must have been thinking. She lost her husband and now she might lose her partner. That I lost the one man I loved and another who I was so close to… and of course it's true that I loved Joe, but you know what? I never loved him the way I love you." She was crying harder now, trying to speak and cry at the same time.

"He and I had a different kind of relationship than ours. He and I were young and crazy about each other, but sometimes it was hard to know if he thought of me…us…as real. He was still such a kid. I honestly have no idea if we'd even still be together. If I would have wanted someone more. Someone who really saw who I was; that I was more than a fun wife and a cop. Would I have wanted someone who made me feel loved and safe and strong… For a long time, Bobby, I had wondered if Joe hadn't died, if I still would have fallen in love with you. And honestly, I know I would have. I'm pulled to you and I know that wouldn't have changed even if I were still married. He and I were so young and the love we had wasn't based a deep understanding of each other like the love we have for each other." She sat up and looked him in the eyes.

"I was able to get through losing Joe. It was nearly killed me, but I put my life together and survived... But Bobby, if I had lost you… that would have been the end of me. That crazy man might has well have shot me too, because there is no way I could ever keep going if you had died."

Alex was sobbing at this point. Bobby pulled her to him and cradled her in his arms. "Baby, I'm here and I'm never going anywhere." They laid there for close to an hour. Finally she began to settle down. He lifted her face toward his and began to kiss away her tears. Bobby could feel her breathing was almost back to normal. He kept kissing her face and her hair.

He rolled her over and laid on top of her. He wanted to have her completely beneath him. He wanted her to feel safe and to know he was alive and with her.

"Alex, I love you. I started falling in love with you the minute I met you. And every day I find something new, something different about you, that tugs at my heart and makes me realize that I will never be happy with anyone else for a long as I live."

He wiped some tears of hers away and kissed her cheeks. Then he continued. "Baby, do you know how much I love you? How real my feelings are for you?"

She nodded her head.

"Then stay with me. Don't ever leave. I want this to be our bed, our apartment, our life. We've waited for too long. I don't want to wait any longer."

He paused for a minute and ran his fingers through her hair and looked deep into her eyes.

"I mean, I know I can't promise you a life full of sunshine. God knows that's not me. But you know me, you know who I am and what my life is all about, and yet, you're still here. And that just blows me away, Alex."

"Bobby, you have no idea how special you really are. You are a wonderful, beautiful, caring person and I think of myself as so lucky to be the one person who really figured all that out. I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have fallen in love with you."

Her words paralyzed him for a minute. He couldn't believe that she said that…about him. Everything she confessed to him was so much more than he was ever expecting. He couldn't believe he was doing it, but he silently thanked the bastard who shot him because he wasn't sure what would have happened if that didn't happen.

He surprised her by climbing off of her and pulling her up so she was sitting on the edge of the bed. Before she could register what he was doing she found him kneeling before her. He took her hand in both of his.

"Alexandra Eames, I love you with all my heart. And I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you…will…will you marry me?" He had tears in his eyes as he waited for her answer.

"Bobby." She pulled him to her and she pushed him down on the bed. Then she laid down on top of him. "Bobby Goren, there is nothing I want more than to marry you... yes!...yes, I would love to be your wife."

With that, Alex kissed him with all the passion she had. She let it all flow into him.

They were both crying as they broke the kiss and then they held onto each other and whispered soft promises into each others ears.

Finally, he spoke. "You know what this means."

She lifted her head and looked at him questioningly.

"Looks like you're in for another sleepless night." He raised his eyes at her.

"God, I hope you get tired of me real soon or else I'm going to be a perpetual zombie."

"Perpetual zombie it is, Eames, because I'll tell you right now, there is no way I'm ever getting tired of you."

"Hey! Don't forget the rules! It's Alex!...and besides, soon I won't be Eames, I'll be Goren, just like you!".

He looked at her for a long time then gently kissed her, "you'll always Eames to me."

And she smiled. Because she loved when he called her Eames. No matter what.

The End!

--

a/n: well, that's all folks! I want to thank everyone who read along; and especially those who were so nice to "fav story", "story alert" and ofcourse review. You reviewers really kept me going! I can't tell you how much I appreciated it ! A big thank you to each and every one of you *stands up and claps*. Until next time…cifan.