91 hours and counting

By Livvy

Author: Livvy livvyb_au@yahoo.com

Summary: If the actions of a moment can change a lifetime, imagine how much turmoil can be caused by 91 hours with Lucy.

Author's note: I think this originally was supposed to be my answer to a no Bobby and Lindsay challenge. That's easy I though I'll write a Lucy story. Somehow I don't think I quite understood the concept of a no Bobby and Lindsay story.

Feedback: Send me feedback or Lucy might appear on your doorstep next

Disclaimer: If they were mine we all might get to see Bobby in his boxers.

Monday 10.30pm, DYDF office

Lindsay nervously unlocks the office door. She's been at Helen's and is stopping in on her way home to pick up a file she wants to look over tonight. She's nervous about being alone in the office this late at night but reminds herself she will only be here for five minutes tops so what could possibly happen. She switches on the light and hurries to her desk but a noise from Bobby's office startles her, screaming she immediately begins to run out of the office.. As she reaches the door she hears an answering high pitched scream coming from Bobby's office. Intrigued she stops, turns and walks towards the office. She's no longer afraid but is now extremely curious as to who is in there. She opens the door to find a frightened and agitated Lucy huddled in the corner.

"Lindsay oh it's you what are you doing here?" Lucy says in tears.

"I could ask you the same thing"

Lucy looks at Lindsay sheepishly "Um yeah I'm sleeping here"

"What! Why?"

"Long story but I moved apartments and I had to leave my old one on Friday but there was an unexpected delay on my new one being ready so I can't move in until next week and ... I'm kinda staying here until then."

"What about your father couldn't you stay with him?"

"Yeah that was the plan but I had a fight with stepthing yesterday so I don't want to stay there anymore."

"And there's no where else you could stay?"

"I'd stay at my boyfriends but he's out of town and I don't have a key."

"What about friends?"

"No I don't want to stay with any of them. I'm fine here Lindsay, really I am, Bobby's couch is surprisingly comfortable ... oh but I guess you'd know that already."

Lindsay begins to admonish her but then laughs and says, "Yeah it is. But Lucy you can't stay here."

"Really Lindsay it's fine. I'm ok here."

"NO! No it's not ok. Get your things you can stay with Bobby and I."

"Really?"

"Yes."

" Oh that would be great! Do you mean it? Really?"

"Yes I can't have you staying here. I couldn't sleep knowing you were here alone at night. You can use our spare room. It's not much and it isn't set up yet but it's got to be better than this."

"Oh Lindsay thank-you. Thank-you so much. This is great thank-you. ... I can't believe this... Thank-you! I'll just get my things I'll be five minutes... Wow! I promise I won't get in the way you won't even know I'm there."

"I doubt that!" thinks Lindsay as she walks back out to her desk to get the file she came for.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Bobby and Lindsay's apartment 11pm

Bobby is lying on the couch waiting for Lindsay to get home. He hears the front door open and calls out suggestively "About time too Lindsay. You were taking so long I was considering getting started without you."

Lindsay cringes and Lucy begins to giggle. Bobby sits up with a playful grin on his face, which is quickly replaced by a look of horror when he sees Lucy standing there.

"Lu ... Lu Lucy wh wha what are you doing here?" he stammers.

"I'm moving in," she says holding up her bags for him to see.

He looks pleadingly at Lindsay with a "say it isn't so" look on his face.

"I found her sleeping at the office" Lindsay explains walking towards him "she needs somewhere to stay for the rest of the week. I said she could stay here with us."

"You don't mind do you Bobby?" asks Lucy worried.

"Ah ... no ... no of course not."

"Good. So I'll just go to my room. I'll be as quiet as a mouse. You go ahead with whatever it is you had planned don't mind me I won't get in the way. I'll find my own way around. Wow! This place is great, nothing like what I expected from you Bobby." She walks off down the hallway chattering all the way.

Bobby turns to look at Lindsay giving her a "what the hell were you thinking" look before whining "Lindsay!"

"What? What was I supposed to do Bobby? Leave her there?"

"No of course not. But here? Come on!"

"Bobby!"

"I know I know," he puts his arms around her and looking into her eyes says "It's just, we've hardly had any time to ourselves lately. It's like now that we live together I see less of you than I did before. This weekend was so busy and ... I miss us. I was looking forward to tonight, to ... us"

"Bobby" she reaches her hand to the back of his neck and pulls his face closer to hers "she's sharing our apartment not our bed. This doesn't have to affect us." She kisses him. Bobby, initially hesitant, soon forgets his objections and fervently returns the kiss. Finally kissing Lindsay as he's been waiting and wanting to do all night he forgets about his unexpected houseguest. He sits back down onto the couch drawing Lindsay down with him.

"I've missed you!' he says when they finally break for breath.

"Surely you can cope for two hours without me," she teases.

"Just barely" he replies before kissing her again.

"Don't mind me I'm not looking." says Lucy walking past with her hand over her eyes "I promise my eyes are closed ... ouch!" she bumps into a chair "damn, sorry I'm just a bit thirsty. I won't be long promise. Keep going I'm not looking. I'm not even here."

Bobby groans and stands up which forces Lindsay up too. He walks off towards their bedroom.

Lucy looks apologetically at Lindsay "I'm really sorry Lindsay I honestly didn't mean to interrupt"

"It's fine Lucy" Lindsay walks with her into the kitchen and shows her where everything is kept. "Is there anything else you want before I go?"

"No I'm fine and thanks."

"No problem goodnight"

"Oh Lindsay"

"Yeah?"

"Look I know you don't get it enough so don't let me being here stop you at all. I promise I won't listen"

Lindsay just rolls her eyes at Lucy and walks away shaking her head wondering "what on earth was I thinking inviting her here?"

Bobby, who is lying on the bed, looks up at Lindsay when she walks in.

"I know. I know. Don't even start with me Bobby," she says with her hand rubbing her forehead.

"Maybe we can find somewhere else for her to stay. Maybe Bec will take her."

"Bobby we can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"Because it will look like we don't want her here."

"We don't!"

"Bobby!" she laughs and playfully slaps his arm as she sits next to him on the bed.

"Admit it Lindsay you don't want her here either."

"It's not that" she begins to protest.

"Admit it!" He pulls her down so she's lying on the bed with him.

"Bobby!"

"Admit it!" He growls nuzzling her neck.

"No"

He rolls on top of her and begins biting her ear. "Admit it!" he growls again.

"Ok, ok!" she laughs "I admit it."

"Ha!" he says triumphantly before kissing her.

A knock on the door interrupts them and a very audacious voice says "Don't worry I'm not coming in I just wanted to know do you want me to turn the kitchen light off or do you guys eat afterwards?"

"Lucy!" they both shout.

Lindsay jumps off the bed and opens the door. Lucy smiles at her innocently and asks "Lights on or off?"

"Off!"

"Ok then goodnight" Lucy says walking away.

Lindsay shuts the door and turns to look at Bobby, she says "I 'really' don't want her here!"

He groans and gets up off the bed. "I'm taking a shower," he says skulking off to the bathroom.

Lindsay frowns and leaves the room to get her briefcase and the file she brought home to look at. It doesn't take a genius to work out the moods been ruined for the night.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tuesday morning 5.45am

Lindsay wakes to the noise of someone in the kitchen. She looks at Bobby but he is still sound asleep. She considers curling up against him and going back to sleep until the alarm goes off at 6.30 but the thought of Lucy pottering around their apartment for forty five minutes unsupervised gives her the horrors. She gets up to join Lucy in the kitchen.

Lucy looks up as she comes in "Did I wake you Lindsay I'm sorry"

"No it's ok. Couldn't you sleep?"

"Oh no I slept like a log I always get up early. Coffees made already do you want some toast?"

"Yeah thanks"

"No problem it's the least I can do."



6am

"Hey Lindsay you ok?" Bobby calls out "I woke up and you were gone" he comes into the kitchen rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"I'm fine" Lindsay answers

"I'm good too Bobby." says Lucy giggling.

Bobby looks up startled and remembers Lucy is there.

"Shit" he says as he turns and hurries back to the bedroom.

Lucy laughs "Cute boxers!"

"I know they came in a pack of two." Lindsay replies smiling.

Lucy looks at her delighted "Really? What's written on the other pair?"

Lindsay grins at Lucy as she gets up from the table and places her dishes in the sink. "Now that would be telling" she says before turning to leave the kitchen saying "I'm going to have a shower."

Lucy watches her go disappointed. Her curiosity is almost killing her.

Suddenly Lindsay appears back in the kitchen saying "Lucy do not do not do not do NOT say a word about them to Bobby. I'm serious about this Lucy not a word!"

"Ok"

"Lucy?"

"Ok I get it not a word."

"Good" Lindsay nods satisfied and walks away.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tuesday 8.30 am DYD&F office

Bobby is working in his office and Lindsay is in the conference room. Eugene and Rebecca are discussing a case at Rebecca's desk while Lucy hovers around them with an ever-growing grin on her face. Eventually it gets on Rebecca's nerves "What? What' so funny?"

"Nothing" she giggles and walks over to Ellenor's desk. She stands behind Ellenor and starts looking over her shoulder at what she is working on. Leaning in closer and closer until she gets the desired reaction.

"Lucy do you mind?" Ellenor growls.

"Sorry" Lucy says and sits back down at her desk with a smile.

Rebecca and Ellenor exchange a "what's got into her" glance, before their attention is caught by Lucy giggling to herself. It's the final straw. All three move to Lucy's desk where Rebecca asks "What Lucy?"

"Nothing!" she says innocently.

"Don't go giving me nothing. You've been walking around all morning like the cat that's eaten the canary."

"No I haven't."

"Yes you have" they all say.

She giggles "It's just my new roommates, they make me laugh."

"Oh" they are a little disappointed with the explanation and start moving away.

"Don't you even want to know who I'm living with?" Lucy says trying to recapture their attention.

They look at one another and then move back to her desk "Ok Lucy who are you living with?" Ellenor asks.

"Bobby and Lindsay"

"What!"

"Yeah for a week at least anyway."

"And they make you laugh?" says Eugene confused "Do I dare ask why?"

Before Lucy has time to respond Bobby comes out of his office.

"Let's go everyone," he says motioning for them to join him, in the conference room, for the morning meeting.

Rebecca, Ellenor and Eugene look at Bobby and then turn back around to Lucy. She pulls a face at them and jumps up walking to the conference room. She stops in the doorway, turns around and mouths "boxers" to the three baffled onlookers at her desk.

Jimmy who was running late arrives and rushes into the conference room. He sits next to Rebecca and opposite Lucy. After being there for about five minutes he says, "For God's sake Lucy why do you keep mouthing boxes at me."

"I'm not!" she answers indignantly.

"You are too" he argues "You've been doing it ever since I got here."

"I'm mouthing boxers at Rebecca not boxes at you if you must know." Lucy shouts angrily

"Oh... ok ... sorry ... why?"

"No reason" she giggles then looks at Bobby.

Bobby suddenly realizes what Lucy has just said and thinking she's been talking about him with the others becomes extremely embarrassed and flustered. He mumbles something about the meeting being over before making a hasty retreat to his office. Lucy laughs hysterically and Lindsay trying to appear annoyed but struggling not to laugh herself shouts "Dammit Lucy I warned you" before leaving to speak to Bobby. Jimmy looks on completely dumbfounded while Rebecca, Ellenor and Eugene who have only the vaguest idea what is going on watch the whole scene amused.

Lindsay walks into Bobby's office. He's sitting at his desk but stands up when she comes in.

"She's got to go Lindsay!" he says pacing back and forth "I don't care how it looks. She cannot stay with us another night.'

"Bobby, she was just teasing you. You're overreacting a little."

"I'm overreacting!" he says incredulous "I'm senior partner here Lindsay. I'm supposed to have respect. I won't have them laughing at me. I'm supposed to have respect."

"You still have respect Bobby. Hearing about your boxers isn't going to change that." She walks slowly towards him "I mean, I've seen you in them, and I still respect you" she teases trying not to laugh.

He looks at her warningly and in a voice showing no amusement says, "I still haven't forgotten this is all your fault."

"My fault?"

"Yes! You were the one who invited Lucy to stay and, and it was you who gave me those stupid boxers in the first place."

"Yes but I never 'made' you wear them."

"I never will again."

Lindsay's surprised by this "Not even when Lucy is gone?"

"Not even then."

"Oh but Bobby..."

A knock on the door interrupts her and Lucy timidly comes in asking "Bobby can I say something?"

"I think you've already said enough" he angrily replies.

"Yeah I know I'm sorry about that. I was just kidding around. But I haven't said anything really. All I did say was boxers I didn't say who or where or what and I promise I won't. I'm really sorry I didn't mean to upset you."

"Ok fine"

"And I promise that for the rest of the week my eyes are shut, my ears are blocked and my lips are sealed." She really does look contrite.

"Lucy" Bobby says calmer now.

"Yes?"

"Back to work"

Lucy grins and leaves the office.

Lindsay smiles at Bobby "So I take it she's still staying with us?"

"Yeah looks that way" he mumbles sitting down.

"So what changed your mind?" she stands next to him and leans against the desk.

"You were right I was overreacting"

She smiles "So are you still going to wear..."

"NO!" he looks away and picks up a file.

Lindsay runs her fingers through his hair "Not even for me?"

"No"

"Not even if I ask nicely?"

"No" he insists refusing to look at her.

She stops touching him and he turns and sees her looking at him with a concerned and somewhat disappointed look on her face. He holds his stern posture for a moment and then allows the slightest of grins to form on his lips. She laughs relieved and pushes him playfully saying, "I'd better get back out there. Who knows what Lucy is telling them now!"

Her only answer is a groan. When she gets to the door she turns around and says, "You know Bobby it could have been worse."

"Worse? How?"

"At least this morning you were wearing boxers."

The horrified look on Bobby's face is indescribable.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


4.30 p.m. DYD&F office

Bobby comes out of his office prepared for a meeting. He stops at Lindsay's desk on the way out. "Lindsay you working late tonight?"

"I wasn't planning to, no. Why?"

"I've got this Dennison depo now. It'll probably wrap up around 7.30 maybe 8. I was just wondering do I come by here and pick you up or just go straight home?"

"Just go home I'll be at home"

"Ok I'll see you at home then." He leans in for a quick kiss.

"Yeah this time she can get started without you" Lucy says.

Bobby turns and glares at her. Lindsay screams "Lucy!"

The look on Lucy's face surprises them both she looks shocked and very repentant. "I'm sorry I swear I didn't mean to say that it just slipped out. It was the last comment I promise. Definitely the last one."

Bobby leaves the office shaking his head and Lindsay stares at Lucy wondering how they are going to survive the rest of the week without strangling her.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tuesday 7pm B&L apartment

Lindsay is in the kitchen when Bobby arrives home. She looks up as he walks into the kitchen and says "Hey you're early." He doesn't respond but merely looks around and asks, "Where's Lucy?"

"Hi Bobby it's so nice to see you too." Lindsay says sarcastically.

He smiles and walks towards her "Sorry" he puts his arms around her and kisses her.

"Much better" she laughs.

"So where's Lucy?" he asks again.

"As far as I know she's still at the office."

Bobby immediately lets Lindsay go and walks out of the kitchen. Lindsay, astonished and a little annoyed, watches him go. She thinks about it for about 10 seconds before heading off after him planning to give him a piece of her mind. She finds him in the lounge talking on the phone.

"I'll need copies of everything in the Razkin file done tonight ... Yeah I'm sorry about that ... You sure Ellenor will be there? ... Ok good I don't want you there alone ... That would be great! ... Well call if you need me to come over ... oh and you haven't seen the Dyers deposition have you? I can't seem to find it ... you'll look, that's great thanks ... bye."

He hangs up and turns to Lindsay and laughs.

"What?" she asks surprised.

He grabs her and kisses her with much more enthusiasm than he did in the kitchen earlier.

"What's going on Bobby?" she asks when they break.

"I just bought us 2 hours!" he says very proud of himself.

"What do you mean?"

"Lucy... she shouldn't be back for at least two hours. When you factor in travel plus all the work I just gave her plus the fact I have the file for the deposition she'll be looking for in my briefcase we should have the house to ourselves for at least two more hours."

"Bobby that's terrible! Tell me the work you gave her is at least necessary."

"Professionally? No. Personally? Absolutely."

"Bobby! You've got that poor girl working alone late at night just so we can..."

"Ellenor's there too, she didn't have any plans for the night and yes I wanted her out of the way. Lindsay I want to be alone with you ... Is that so terrible?"

She looks at him a moment thinking about what he's just said then says "At least two hours?"

"At least!"

"So, Bobby ... what are we waiting for?"

Two seconds is all it takes for Bobby to process this question. His answer doesn't involve words but Lindsay is left in no doubt about his intentions. Frantically they head towards the bedroom. Despite their rush the progress is slow, hampered by frenzied kissing and clawing at clothes. Eventually they achieve their destination but no sooner have they hit the mattress then the phone rings.

"Is the machine on?" Bobby pants.

"No"

"Dammit!" he sits up and answers the phone. Lindsay lays back and watches him. She hears a few unintelligible grunts before he slams the phone down and stands up and begins redressing.

"I have to go" he groans.

"What? Why?" She sits up.

"Jenson just got himself arrested again. Can you believe that? I mean, how stupid can this guy get? I've had it with him Lindsay. I've absolutely had it!" Bobby storms out of the room.

Lindsay lays back down on the bed grinning and thinks, "I bet he's going to wish he called a different lawyer."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Wednesday 8.30 am DYD&F offices

Lindsay walks into Bobby's office. He's leaning against his desk looking through a file.

"You ok?" she asks concerned he didn't come home again last night.

"Fine"

"Did you get any sleep?"

"Yeah I crashed in here about 4 and Bec woke me about an hour ago."

"Had a reunion with the couch?" she says smiling.

He looks up and smiles. She walks over to him and they kiss.

"Lindsay"

"Yeah?"

"I'm too old for that couch." He pouts.

"It's not your age Bobby" she says smiling "It's just you've gone soft. You've got too used to me spoiling you."

"Man needs his big bed and little woman."

Lindsay laughs "What you need is sleep Bobby you're delirious."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


7 p.m.

Bobby and Lindsay come out of Bobby's office. They stop at Lucy's desk and Lindsay asks "You ready to go Lucy because we're leaving?"

Lucy looks up surprised "Oh no it's ok you go I'll stay here for a little while."

"What are you working on? If you're almost finished we can wait." Bobby says.

"No it's not work it's just ... I thought you might rather some time alone, you know, without your annoying houseguest."

Bobby and Lindsay look at one another. Bobby feels guilty he may have made his feelings too obvious.

"Don't be silly Lucy." Lindsay says "C'mon pack up and come home with us now."

"You sure?" Lucy asks sneaking a peak at Bobby.

"Yes we're sure" Bobby replies.

"Ok then"

Lucy packs up, grabs her things and they walk to the elevator together. When they enter Bobby walks to the back wall and leans against it tiredly. Lindsay stands in front of him and leans back against him. He puts his arms around her waist and rests his chin on her shoulder. Closing his eyes he mumbles "Wake me when we get there." Lindsay laughs and sways a little as if rocking him to sleep. Lucy, leaning against the side wall, watches them with a smile.

As they leave the elevator and walk towards Bobby's car Lucy says "Do you mind if I make a suggestion."

Lindsay looks at her in horror thinking 'if she suggest a way to spice up our sex life Bobby is going to go ballistic.'

"Sure" Bobby answers barely paying attention to her as he unlocks the car.

"How about Chinese and a video and I'm paying?"

Breathing a sigh of relief Lindsay says, "You don't need to do that Lucy."

"I know but you two have been so kind I'd just like to do something to show my thanks."

Bobby and Lindsay look at one another. Bobby shrugs and Lindsay turns to Lucy and says "Sure. Why not that would be nice thanks."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


10.30 p.m. Bobby and Lindsay's apartment

As the closing credits for the movie begin to scroll across the screen a giggling Lucy looks over at Lindsay and says "That was so funny!"

"Yeah" Lindsay agrees, although she was more amused by Lucy's reaction to it than the actual movie.

"So you ready for the next one?" Lucy asks getting up off the couch to put in the next video.

"Actually I'm a little tired I think I might have an early night instead."

"Oh ok" Lucy's obviously disappointed "I guess I'd better go to bed too then."

"No don't be silly Lucy stay and watch another movie if you want."

"Really? It won't bother you?"

"Of course not."

"Ok I will. Thanks"

"Goodnight Lucy"

"Night"

Lindsay gets up and leaves. She pauses by Bobby who is working at his desk. "I'm going to bed now Bobby"

"Ah huh" he grunts in reply without looking up.

She looks down at him amused "Are you coming?"

He looks up surprised "What? ... oh ... ok" but he makes no move to pack up. He looks towards the living room and then back at Lindsay.

Lindsay watches this performance amused. Eventually she turns and walks to the bedroom. She wonders if he even remembers where it is. She doubts it but is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. However should he have not found his way by the time she is changed and ready for bed she fully intends to hunt him down and drag him there herself. She wonders what it was he was working on so intently he seems to have fried a few brain cells.

Lindsay has finished preparing for bed and is just about to embark on her manhunt when Bobby appears in the doorway. She looks up at his approach and is about to make a sarcastic remark about him finally finding his way but he stands there hesitantly as if he is afraid to come any closer.

"What's wrong Bobby?" she asks concerned.

"I just don't know about this."

"About what?"

"About tonight" he looks down the hallway and then takes one step into the room "whether we should."

"Should what?" Lindsay is trying to curb her frustration with this conversation.

Bobby who feels he is being perfectly clear is also becoming annoyed she is pigheadedly refusing to understand. He looks over at the bed and then back at her with a "do I need to say more" expression on his face. Lindsay realizing what he means says, "Oh ... are you too tired?"

"No I'm not too tired!" he responds defensively annoyed she's questioning his ability. "It's just ..." he closes the door and takes a step closer to Lindsay and continues almost in a whisper "you know ... Lucy."

Lindsay realizing his problem smiles and walks towards him thinking he's a prude but he's my prude. She puts her arms around his neck and kisses him softly. He doesn't respond and she can feel the tension throughout his body. "Bobby relax" she kisses him again but he pulls away.

"I don't know Lindsay. I don't think we should. I'm uncomfortable with this."

"You're kidding?"

"No"

"Fine" she mutters and walks away from him

"You're angry now"

"Yes I'm angry Bobby! You ... yesterday you were ... and now tonight ... you're so moody!"

"What?"

"When it comes to sex you are moody"

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are. You run hot and cold and I can never keep up. It's frustrating."

"Here we go you're going to start quoting math at me again."

She gives him a filthy stare in reply.

"Look it's just with Lucy here ..."

"She's watching a movie it's not like she's at the door listening in."

"I'm just uncomfortable with other people in the house."

"So we'll never have sex with other people in the house?"

He just shrugs.

"Because it's never bothered you before Bobby. We did it all the time with Helen in the other room and it never bothered you then ..." Lindsay is extremely angry now and turns away from him as she's talking "and truth be told she probably was listening in at the door."

As she's not looking she misses the horrified expression on his face. She turns back suddenly "Why didn't Helen bother you?"

"What?"

"If anything we had sex more often when Helen was in the other room. It's since I moved here that it's slowed down ... what's changed and why does Lucy bother you when Helen didn't?"

"I don't know where you are going with this Lindsay but wherever it is you are wrong. So wrong!"

"Am I? I don't think so Bobby"

"Look that kiss meant nothing and you know it."

Lindsay is genuinely surprised "What kiss?"

Bobby realizes he's just made a mistake and mumbles "Nothing doesn't matter."

Lindsay stares at him angrily the look on her face letting him know she expects the truth and will not be pleased if she doesn't get it. She slowly and determinedly repeats the question "What kiss?"

Bobby looking at the floor and rubbing his forehead says quietly "The kiss between me and Lucy."

Lindsay's mouth and eyes open in horror. She takes in a sharp breath and in almost a whisper says, "You kissed Lucy?"

Bobby winces and then starts to explain. "It was a long time ago ... before we got together ... a one time thing ... and not even really a kiss ... it was more just a thank-you gesture that got out of hand ... just a spirit of the season kind of thing ... nothing important ... it's nothing really." He's babbling but she's not really listening just staring at him in disbelief.

"You kissed Lucy!' she says again louder this time as if it's just starting to sink in.

"I thought you knew. I thought everyone knew. I thought that's why you were acting so crazy why you were getting mad."

"If you thought I was mad before you don't want to know what I'm feeling now!" she stares at him furiously before shouting "You kissed Lucy!"

"I think we've already established that" he says sarcastically which she doesn't appreciate.

"Were you ever planning on telling me this?"

"I honestly thought you knew. Besides there's nothing to tell."

"You kissed Lucy!"

He shrugs as if to say 'so what' when she gives him an angry stare he says, "Look can we not do this now"

"What?"

"I don't want to talk about this now. You're just going to shout and I don't feel like arguing with you now."

"Oh I'm sorry Bobby when would be a good time to schedule in an argument with you."

"Come on Lindsay don't being ridiculous."

"I'm being ridiculous? I can't believe you sometimes Bobby you're so..."

Bobby throws his arms up in frustration and shouts "I said not now!" before storming out and slamming the door.

"Typical!" Lindsay shouts after him furious. She picks up a pair of balled socks from the pile of laundry waiting to be put away and throws it at the door. The thud it makes is fairly unsatisfying and she wishes it was something hard connecting with Bobby's head instead. She paces the room in a fury wondering if this week can get any more screwed up.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Thursday 6.30 am

Bobby and Lucy are in the kitchen eating breakfast. Lucy had attempted making small talk about 15 minutes ago but had had her head bitten off for the effort so she has been uncharacteristically quiet ever since. Lindsay walks into the kitchen. Lucy looks up and smiles at her, relieved to have a reprieve from Bobby's company. Her smile quickly fades though as she gets caught in the death stare between Bobby and Lindsay. Bobby gets up and leaves. Lucy turns to Lindsay and asks, "What did I do wrong now?"

Lindsay closes her eyes as she massages her forehead and says, "This one isn't you Lucy." She begins to pour a cup of coffee.

Lucy can feel the unspoken hostility coming from Lindsay. Feeling suffocated by the tension in the air she says, "I think I'll head in early."

Lindsay barely acknowledges she has spoken. Sighing Lucy leaves the kitchen, gets her bag and goes to work mumbling to herself about people who are in obvious need of therapy.

Bobby comes back into the kitchen showered and ready for work. Lindsay, who's standing by the sink, hears him come in. She puts her cup down and quietly says, "You didn't come to bed".

Bobby walks over and stands next to her "I know I fell asleep at the desk and when I woke up it was 3 a.m."

"And?" she asks without looking at him.

"And I felt like an idiot."

Lindsay almost smiles but doesn't. She does however look at him for the first time since he returned to the kitchen. Apparently the anger she sensed this morning was washed away by his shower. Maybe they can talk this one through. Certainly since her coffee she feels willing and recharged enough to try. "So why didn't you come to bed then?"

"I thought, if you were asleep I didn't want to disturb you and if you were awake and waiting for me then ... " he puts on his best puppy dog face "Lindsay I'm too young to die."

She looks away a little annoyed he's not taking this seriously.

"Hey you could have come looking for me. I wish you had my neck would be feeling a whole lot better now if you did."

She quietly says, "You kissed Lucy"

"That's why you didn't come looking for me?"

"Partly."

"What else?"

She looks back at him "Bobby if I'd found you" she stops and takes a deep breath "the way I was feeling last night ... you made me so mad ... your neck would be feeling a lot worse right now if I'd found you believe me."

He nods believing her completely. They are quiet for a moment then he speaks "Lindsay can I confess something to you."

A concerned look comes over her face but she says, "Ok".

He puts on his best apologetic face and with a self-deprecating voice says, "I once kissed Lucy."

She grins a little he's slowly winning her over "So this is the conversation we should have had over a year ago?"

He nods "Better late than never right?"

"I guess"

"Ok it was right before the Mayfield trial started. I couldn't sleep so I went to the office late one night and Lucy was there." Lindsay's face becomes very nervous. Bobby tries to hold back his amusement he knows she wants to hear the details but is also wary of hearing the details. "She'd stayed back that night and decorated the office for Christmas. You remember that right?" Lindsay nods "Anyway it took my by surprise and I was a little shell-shocked seeing it like that. We talked about ... who knows what, I don't remember now, probably the case ... and she had this mistletoe thing on her head so before she left I kissed her on the cheek just to say thanks and merry Christmas." He gives a little laugh "The next thing I knew she grabs my jacket pulls me to her and kisses me. Then she says something like a kiss should be a kiss and she left."

Lindsay picturing Bobby's reaction tries not to smile and let him know she's amused "So what did you do?" she asks.

"I just stood there stunned. I was dazed I couldn't believe what had just happened it was one of the most powerful life affirming moments of my life."

"What!" Lindsay says horrified.

Bobby grins he was hoping for that exact reaction "Lindsay she kissed me and all I could think was this is wrong but not for the obvious reasons. Not because she's a teenager or an employee but because as I was kissing her all I could think of was you and how it wasn't right because I was somehow betraying you. She left and I stood there stunned that my only reaction had been don't do this to Lindsay, it's not fair on Lindsay. I realized at that moment how ridiculous it was loving you as I did and not doing anything about it, not being with you. That kiss made me realize you were the only person I ever wanted to be with and it was just crazy that we weren't together"

"So that's why you kept bringing it up"

"What?"

"During the Mayfield trial you kept asking me about our relationship. I couldn't work out why you were doing that it was so out of the blue."

"Yeah I didn't know how to tell you. It's not like I could say 'hey Lindsay guess what while I was kissing Lucy I realized I want to spend the rest of my life with you so how about it?' Somehow I don't think you would have liked that approach." She smiles at him and he continues "I'm sorry I never said anything earlier but I honestly thought you knew. I told Bec and she swatted me and then Lucy came in shouting, I think Ellenor was there too and ... I just thought everyone knew."

She nods accepting his apology. She looks away and then turns back to him "Bobby about last night..."

"I was an ass" he interrupts

She gives a little relieved laugh. "Why? Is that really how you feel? Are you really uncomfortable?"

"No ... at least, I don't think so, it was just ... " he takes a deep breath thinking about it and then shakes his head and says, "your honor my client pleads sleep deprivation."

She smiles and turns towards him resting her cheek against his chest. He holds her and rubs her back as he talks "I was overtired and not thinking clearly. I don't know what my problem was exactly but ... I'd spent the whole day thinking about you Lindsay playing out little scenarios in my head but not once did I factor Lucy into them..."

"I should hope not" she laughs

"I guess it just threw me when I realized she'd be here and I overreacted."

"That's becoming a habit with you" without moving from his embrace she looks up to face him "but I still don't understand why?"

"I'm not sure I do either. I don't know what it was, whether it's her age and I felt overprotective, or whether it's a work thing and I would have reacted the same way if it was Bec or Eugene or Jimmy..."

Lindsay looks away stifling a laugh. Bobby smiling asks, "What?"

Almost blushing she says, "I just realized I don't think I could do it if Jimmy was staying here."

He kisses her forehead saying "Me neither" then asks hopefully "You're not angry with me anymore?"

"No I'm not angry" she replies but too quietly for his liking.

"Look Lindsay whatever the problem was it was last nights delusion only. I'm sorry I hurt you and I'm sorry you've got it stuck in that thick head of yours that I don't want you. You are so wrong about that."

"We don't do it as much Bobby. Ever since ... ever since I moved in here."

"I've been thinking about that"

"And?"

"And I think it's because I'm happy."

She smiles "Bobby you're making even less sense than usual."

He laughs "Well I admit it's only a theory but at the moment it's all I've got."

"Is there any detail to this theory of yours?"

"Yep you ready for it?"

"I guess," she says nervously.

"Ok without trying to sound pathetic I'll readily admit I've been lonely for a very long time. But with you ... you are the best thing that's ever happened in my life. You ... you mean so much to me. When I'm with you Lindsay I feel ... alive, invincible. I feel like, for the first time, I belong somewhere. I belong with you."

Seeing how hard it is for Bobby to talk to her like this she reaches up and places her palm against his cheek. He leans into it and closing his eyes continues talking "I would see your desk at work after you were gone for the day or I would go home and look around at my empty lifeless apartment and it would hit me." He opens his eyes again "All I would want is to be with you, to be in your arms and buried so deep inside that I could forget how pathetic I was without you."

"Bobby..." she begins tearfully but he stops her.

"No let me finish"

She nods but pulls his head down until it's resting on her shoulder. She holds him tightly in her arms caressing him soothingly. He won't let her support him verbally so she shows him physically. He accepts this and taking a deep breath continues.

"Even when we would leave work together, when we'd go to your place, I felt ... I guess in a way I felt jealous. Your apartment always felt so warm, so friendly and alive and ... and I didn't belong."

She can't let him continue pushing him back up and taking his face in her hands she says emphatically "Bobby you did belong! Always!"

He gives her a small grateful smile for the sentiment and continues "Maybe in your eyes but not in mine. I always felt like an intruder and I'm ashamed to admit ... sometimes I used sex to ... um ... well to force my way into your life. What you thought was passion was really fear. My fear of losing you of being lost without you."

"You hid it well" she whispers surprised by what he's saying.

He copies her position by taking her face into his hands. Staring emphatically into her eyes he says, " That's what's changed Lindsay my fear not my passion. I'm no longer afraid. Since you moved in with me I feel like I belong somewhere, I have a home. I haven't felt that since ... well probably since my mom became ill and our house was overtaken by outsiders, people who meant well but who ruined everything we had, everything that felt right. I've never felt completely comfortable anywhere since. I've always felt a little bit lost, misplaced, but not anymore. You've made me so happy by choosing to be with me ... making a home with me. This apartment it isn't empty anymore Lindsay now it's somewhere I love to be, it's home and that's because of you. So now when we make love Lindsay it's just that love not fear. No hidden agendas, no ulterior motives just me loving you, expressing how happy you've made me ... Maybe we don't make love as much but that's not because I don't want you it's ... it's probably because I'm happy with the little things too. Sitting on the couch talking, cooking and cleaning, all those domestic chores you're so intent on teaching me to do, I've never experienced this before. This living with someone completely, sharing my life with someone, it's all so new and I've been selfish. I've been too busy enjoying the little things, the new things that were making me happy, that I never stopped to consider you weren't happy too."

"Bobby no don't think that. I am happy! How can you not know that?"

"But you're disappointed. You were hoping for more."

"No! No I was afraid of why it was less. Bobby you need to remember my childhood home was broken by choice. My father left us and ... that left me insecure. It left me always looking for signs I'm about to be left too. It was never really the amount of sex I was worried about more what I feared that represented. I was afraid it had become less because you were losing interest in me and I was terrified of what that meant ... I was afraid that one day ... one day you would leave me."

"I won't leave you Lindsay!"

She smiles "I think I know that now. For the first time ever I actually believe it ... and Bobby it feels ... oh God it feels amazing! I am happy Bobby. I'm very happy with you! Please, believe that."

"I do"

Tears streaming down both their faces they kiss. Finally they've admitted to their greatest fears and found proof that in each other and together is the strength to conquer them. They take some time now not to talk, apart from declarations of love, but to hold and cherish and to reaffirm their connection. Eventually Lindsay pulls away smiling and says, "You kissed Lucy!"

Bobby laughs "You are having a hard time coming to terms with that aren't you?"

Smiling she says, "I just can't decide whether to be amused or disgusted."

"She thinks I'm an awesome kisser" he says with a smirk.

"Yeah well she's young and inexperienced."

Bobby puts his hand over his heart pretending to be deeply hurt, "You don't think I'm a good kisser?"

Lindsay trying to keep a straight face says, "I guess on a scale of one to ten I'd probably give you a..."

Bobby doesn't give her time to finish instead pouncing on her and giving her a long, long deep kiss. If she's going to rate him he's going to give her a kiss worth thinking about. When they part she is speechless. He stays right in her face and they grin at one another. Suddenly her face becomes thoughtful and she says, "Bobby if Lucy hadn't kissed you would we be together now?"

"Honestly?"

"No Bobby lie to me"

"I don't know. I like to think we would. My feelings were there, I just needed a nudge. The time was right and I like to think if it wasn't her something would have come along to push me. We'd be together now."

Lindsay looks at him not so sure and then shaking her head she says "My God we have Lucy to thank for this. Can you imagine how insufferable she'd be if she knew?"

Bobby laughs "Do you think it would appear at all suspicious if I gave her an enormous raise?"

"Speaking of suspicious Bobby have you noticed the time?"

He looks at his watch and then stunned looks at her "Where did the time go?"

"It was well spent Bobby but I think it's time we left."

"Yeah but it may pay for you to get dressed first."

"You think" she laughs.

"Not that I don't like the look you've got going there" he says running his hand affectionately over her bathrobe.

She kisses his cheek "Give me 20 minutes" and begins to leave.

"I'll give you longer than that" he whispers but she hears him, turns to look at him and says, "The rest of my life?"

He nods.

"I'll remind you of that the next time you complain I'm taking too long to get ready."

He laughs.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Thursday 9.45 a.m. DYD&F offices

Bobby and Lindsay still haven't arrived. Everyone is speculating about where they are. Lucy is very somber and refuses to join in in the discussion. This attitude only heightens the other's suspicion that she knows what is going on. Lucy cannot help feeling guilty fearing she has unwittingly caused an irreparable rift in Bobby and Lindsay's relationship.

The door opens and Bobby and Lindsay walk through. Bobby has obviously just finished saying something and Lindsay turns and gives him a blank faced stare before bursting out laughing. She walks to her desk and Bobby chuckling walks to his office. Lucy watches them astonished. These aren't the same people she saw over breakfast this morning. She looks at Lindsay who looks up and meets her eye and gives Lucy an enormous smile. Lucy is still trying to work all of this out when Bobby, still smiling, comes out of his office saying "I'm not paying everyone to just stand around, come on you lot get into the conference room and lets get working."

Everyone files in. Jimmy sits down and says "She's pregnant."

"What?" everyone asks.

"Lindsay's pregnant. They are late ... maybe because she was being sick and ... and they're happy."

Lindsay laughs "I'm not pregnant Jimmy. I'm ... we're just happy that's all."

"Ok" he turns and looks at Ellenor and whispers "maybe they just had sex."

"Jimmy!"

"What was that inappropriate?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Thursday 9.30 p.m.

Bobby arrives home. He opens the door calling out "Lindsay" before realizing there are five strangers seated in the room.

"What is going on?" he asks.

"Just hanging" a rather unkempt lad answers.

Bobby looks at the group suspiciously before shouting out "Lucy"

"She's in the shower I think. I could go get her for you" another boy suggests.

"No! No that's fine ... um ... Have you seen my fiancée?"

"Cute chick with a bob?" another one asks.

"Yes," Bobby says hesitantly.

"Yeah she was here. I don't know if she still is though. I haven't seen her for a while. Any of you guys seen her." They all shake their heads in response.

Bobby walks towards the bedroom where he finds Lindsay working with papers spread all over the bed.

"So how long has our house been a drop in center for delinquents?" he asks.

"Hi" Lindsay says looking up with a smile. She climbs off the bed to meet him "Care to join me in my hideout?"

"So what's going on? Is Lucy having a party or do we have some new flatmates you need to introduce me to?"

Lindsay laughs "No they're friends of Lucy's who came to pick her up to go to a club or something. They just came very early, they were due at ten but they arrived at eight."

"So how long have you been in here?"

"Since about ten past eight".

"You should have sent them away."

"They're harmless Bobby, besides, I had a lot of work to do anyway."

"So they're leaving at ten?"

"Yeah"

"And Lucy's going too?"

"Yep"

"You almost finished with all that?" he indicates her work.

"Yes"

"You tired and ready for bed?"

"Ooh yeah"

He leans in to kiss her but she puts a hand on his chest stopping him from coming closer and warns "Bobby!"

He looks at her disappointed. "What?"

"I still have a little bit more to do here ... so ... meet me back here at ten and we'll finish this conversation then."

He smiles and nods. She slides her hand up his chest across his shoulder and behind his neck, draws him to her and kisses him. As he reaches his arms around her waist to pull her against him she pushes him away again.

"Bobby I've got work to do" she admonishes. Climbing back on the bed she looks up at him with a smile "I'm counting on you to remember where we were up to though."

He laughs "I'll remember don't worry about that."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Friday 2 a.m.

Bobby turns on the light.

"What?" Lindsay moans.

"It's 2 a.m. and Lucy isn't back yet."

"Bobby you're not her father."

"I know but I'm worried."

"Go back to sleep"

He turns the light off and spoons up behind her. She leans back against him.

"I was just thinking Lindsay if we have a daughter, and she inherits all our bad qualities, she'll probably turn out to be just like Lucy"

"What she'll be stubborn?" Lindsay says teasingly

"Opinionated"

"Bossy"

"Cheeky" he tickles her.

Lindsay giggles "Well what if she inherited our good qualities Bobby?"

"I don't know I guess then she'd be ... stubborn"

"Opinionated"

"Bossy"

They laugh.

The front door opens and they here Lucy softly singing as she walks past their room on the way to hers.

"You can go back to sleep now Dad." Lindsay teases.

"Sweet dreams Mom" he replies.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Friday 4 p.m. DYD&F offices

Bobby and Lindsay return to the office. As they walk in Lucy says, "Hey guys look what I got at lunchtime." They stop at her desk and she proudly holds up a key "I can move in today."

"So you won't be staying with us tonight." Lindsay says.

"No not unless you want me to."

"Why don't you..." Lindsay begins but Bobby grabs her elbow and drags her into his office.

Everyone watches amused.

"I don't want to know what that was about." Ellenor says.

"Do you think..." Jimmy begins but Rebecca interrupts him saying "No Jimmy we don't think" and turns him around gently pushing him towards his desk. He gives her an unimpressed glare.

Meanwhile in Bobby's office a stunned Lindsay stands next to the recently slammed door and says, "What the hell was that for?"

"Sorry" he says genuinely repentant "I just didn't want to risk you suggesting she stay one more night for old times sake."

"Bobby what I was going to say before you went caveman on me was, why don't you leave now and start to move your things in. I was even going to offer to drive her myself to help get it done faster."

"Oh ... excellent idea by the way" he says looking at his watch and then his desk "ok lets go."

"Bobby?"

"It's Friday and there isn't anything that needs to be done here tonight and if we both go we can easily have her packed and completely moved in by 6." He grins at her.

"And?" Lindsay says sensing there is more to his plan.

"And then we can be home in bed by 7." He wiggles his eyebrows.

"Sounds like a plan" she laughs as she opens the door.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


7 p.m. Bobby and Lindsay's apartment

Bobby and Lindsay arrive home. Bobby looks around and says, "You know the apartment seems kinda quiet and empty without her."

Lindsay walks over to the phone as if to pick it up. "I can call and invite Lucy over if you want."

"NO!!!"