WIP

“Conversations”

Copyright 2008 Penn O'Hara

T

Usual disclaimers apply.

LOCI Timeline: During Season Seven, during-ep “Betrayed”.

MY LOCI Timeline: Post “No Going Back” and “Queen of Spades”.

oOo

Number Thirteen: Bobby’s POV

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Sliding a tentative glance at Alex as she guided the SUV down her street, Goren felt as if he were holding his breath.

Waiting to screw up with her again, waiting for her to tell him his efforts weren’t enough.

And he had been trying hard. Standing back in their briefings with their Captain, deferring to her opinions, allowing her to take point in the interrogations. He was desperate to show her that he considered her more than his ‘water-carrier’.

He was even treading carefully with Ross. He knew how close he’d come to being kicked off the force, losing his Captain’s respect and how he betrayed Alex’ trust.

As Alex pulled up outside her door, Goren swung another look at her, his chin low, waiting for her lead. At this point, he would watch her safely to her door then drive the SUV to his own apartment, but, with the resumption of their intimate relationship, however fragile, Goren hoped for more.

Alex released her seat-belt, then paused, her hand on the door handle before looking at him. Her face was as professional as it was while they were on-duty, lips firmly set, eyes thoughtful, chin resolute. She considered him as he sat there, watchful and hopeful of her next move, her thoughts hidden from him, until he could stand it no longer.

“Eames?” His voice broke on stretched nerves and his lips trembled from lack of confidence.

The question held a bank of meaning. Can I come in? Can I make love to you? Can I stay? With his past record, he knew the only power he now had over her, was when they were alone and he had her helpless in his arms. The challenge was to get her there.

She took a deep breath and sighed heavily as she reached for the keys still in the ignition. “You might as well come in,” she said off-handedly, as she pushed open the driver’s door.

Goren’s heart soared. Not bothering to hide his eagerness, he slid out of the SUV and met her at the bonnet. His light hand at her back was frowned upon, but he ignored her glower. They were off-duty. The neighbors were probably aware he’d stayed several nights here. After spending the day being with her but unable to touch her, he was not going to waste a minute more.

Inside her apartment, Goren impatiently waited for her to hang up her coat, forgetting to discard his own. When she turned to move into the living room, he barred her way, quivering with the need to hold her, but curious to see if she would make the first move or torture him further.

With a flick of her hair, she stepped past him. “You’ve still got your coat on.”

Fuck his coat.

Ripping it from his shoulders he threw it on the floor, then froze in the next step after her.

Dial it back, Goren.

These impulses of his were what got him into trouble before.

Bending slowly to pick up his coat, he hung it on the hook, using deliberate movements as he got himself under control. Alex had disappeared into the kitchen and he could hear the sounds of her making coffee.

Damn the coffee.

He didn’t need coffee. He’d waited all day for this moment alone with her, truly alone, and he wasn’t going to waste it drinking coffee.

He also knew he didn’t have to walk on eggshells any more.

Following her to the kitchen, he leaned on the doorjamb and watched her pointless preparations. One touch of his palm on her cheek and she would turn her head into it. One caress of his thumb on her mouth and her lips would part and her eyes close. A slide of his hand along her midriff and she would lean into him. With his breath at her ear, her knees would buckle.

Goren walked slowly toward her.

Alex’ hands froze on the coffee jar, then slowly lowered it back onto the kitchen counter. Her chin dropped so that her hair curtained her face and her shoulders sagged under the weight of inevitability.

Her body recognized what her mind would not.

The power shift was complete.

Bobby Goren was in control, where control really counted.

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A/N: Don’t you just love the shift in dynamics in these two in the eppies now? That Trina woman in Alex’s interrogation picked it. The darling duo have now reversed roles where Alex is now Rocky, and Bobby is the side-kick, Bullwinkle. I love it! I wonder how long it will last.