Chapter Text
It was late, and the underground garage had fallen quiet. The contrast with the workday bustle of people constantly coming and going at One Police Plaza made it seem like a different place. Bobby stood in what had become the building's unofficial, technically illegal, indoor smoking area. Someone had even left out a coffee can for the butts, hoping that the brass would continue to look the other way. As long as the area stayed clean and the mayor didn’t come for a visit, they probably would. It was a popular spot, but at the moment, Bobby was alone.
He was taking advantage of the stillness to try to get his head straight. It wasn’t working. The events of the day kept swirling through his mind. It didn’t help that he kept finding himself looking toward the place where Eames’ car had been left and Amanda’s body had been found. The exact spot wasn’t visible, but that didn’t keep his thoughts from turning to the recurring dream he’d been having—the one in which he’d opened the trunk to find Eames’ brutalized body inside. He shook his head, willing the image away.
Bobby fished around in his pocket for a lighter, then lit the cigarette he’d been rolling between his fingers. He inhaled the smoke deeply, enjoying the temporary distraction the nicotine rush offered.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Alex said, as she walked toward him from the stairwell.
Bobby looked over at his partner. “No sale,” he said before taking another drag.
“I didn’t know you were smoking again.”
“I’m not. I bummed this from Parnell.” He paused, then added, “Long day.”
“We seem to be having a run of those, lately.”
Bobby let out an amused snort, but didn’t say anything.
“Let me have a drag,” Alex said, holding out her hand.
“Eames, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you smoke,” he said, though he didn’t hesitate to hand over the cigarette.
“I was a smoker in college,” she said, “and Joe smoked. I used to share his when I was really stressed out.”
She puffed and blew a perfect smoke ring, then handed the cigarette back to him.
“How did you know I was down here?” he asked after another pull.
“I ran into Parnell,” she answered with a sly smile.
Bobby laughed. “So much for trying to sneak anything in a building full of detectives.”
Alex moved to stand next to him. She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “Today got to you.”
“How does a father lose two sons and mourn only one?”
“I don’t know, Bobby. I really don’t.” They fell quiet, and Bobby continued to smoke until Alex broke the silence. “Sometimes I wish it didn’t bother me so much. But maybe if it didn’t, it would be time to do something else.”
Bobby nodded and said, “I keep seeing Jeffrey standing there alone.”
“You have to let it go, Bobby,” she said.
“Will you?”
“Eventually. There’s no other choice.”
He shook his head slightly as he threw the cigarette butt into the makeshift ashtray.
“He’ll find his way,” she said. “You did.”
He looked at her, then down at the floor, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
“Sometimes I’m not so sure about that,” he finally said.
“I am,” she said as she stepped away from the wall and started toward the doors leading back to the building. “C’mon. Let’s pack up and get some dinner. We’re taking the stairs. We need the exercise.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re bossy?” Bobby asked with a grin in his voice.
She didn’t look back as she answered. “Anyone ever tell you that one about the pot and the kettle?”
“Ah, but my pots are stainless steel, not black,” he said as he moved to follow her. He didn’t have to see her face to know she was rolling her eyes.
A/N: I smoked in college (and then some), but I never learned how to blow good smoke rings. I gave up smoking for good for my 30th birthday. The entire month of October pretty much tempted me to fall off the wagon, big time (yay, stress /sarcasm), and November’s not looking much better. I figure if I can’t bum a smoke, then Bobby & Alex can do it for me.