*~*~*~*

It's 3 a.m. on a Saturday morning when Bobby is woken by a barrage of knocks on his front door. Grumbling semi coherently, he gets up and wearily makes his way to the door. When he opens it he's surprised to find a barely conscious Lindsay leaning against the wall. She perks up at the sound of the door opening and looks at Bobby, confused, before asking "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Uh … I live here" he replies, shaking his head to clear away the sleep induced cobwebs.

Lindsay steps into the doorway, strokes his cheek lovingly and says "Oh Bobby, I've told you one hundred times already, we'll live together when we're married. It's late, I'm tired, I want to go to bed, so please go home."

Knowing a tired Lindsay can be a cranky I need space Lindsay, he sensibly doesn't laugh at that absurdity of her comments. He's a little worried and decides to humor her until he knows what's going on. "I'll go, but can I talk to you a minute first?"

"Sure" she replies nodding her head, and then, liking the feel of it, she does it over and over again until ... ooh it doesn't feel so good anymore.

Bobby watches this unusual display in amusement, until he sees her groan and almost topple over. Becoming concerned he reaches for her arm and draws her inside. Her arms fly out, grasping him for support and he suspects he hears a muffled giggle against his chest, either that or she just used his shirt as a tissue, he hopes it's the first.

"Lets go sit on the couch" he suggests still concerned by Lindsay's uncharacteristic behaviour.

"Oookay good idea …" she replies tiredly, then becoming suddenly alert she glares at him, "But no funny business!" When Bobby nods his agreement Lindsay holds her hand out and shakes his hand, sealing the deal. "Ok then, let's go" she says but makes no attempt to move.

Bobby starts walking but stops when he notices she isn't following. Her upper body leans forward a little but her legs don't seem keen to cooperate. She sways backward and forward as if trying to propel them into motion but nothing happens. Her face scrunches in concentration as she tries to interpret this strange situation she finds herself in. Bobby returns to her side, places his arm across her back and helps guide her to the couch. Even with the pressure he's asserting, her movements are minimal and he ends up practically carrying her. He watches as she goes to sit, until it appears she's about to miss the couch and he grabs her tightly lowering her to the couch.

"Bobbeeeeeeeee we agreeeeeeeeeed" she groans pushing him away. She sits up demurely, if you could call it demure when you are suddenly fascinated with the letter 'e,' and are voicing it in its elongated form in as many tones as possible. She's just impressed herself with a deep baritone when she notices Bobby sit beside her. "Are you STILL here?" she says in a mix of surprise and amusement. "Bobby, Bobby, Bobbeeeeee."

"Lindsay you're drunk!" Bobby says stating the obvious.

"Bobby you're gorgeous!" Lindsay replies stating the … well … Obvious!

Bobby finally lets himself laugh loudly. Half at her and half at himself for taking so long to realize what's going on. He's never seen her drunk before. 'This could be fun' he thinks.

Lindsay looks at him indignantly and slurs "Ish not funny! Ish true. I jus haffa look at you and my insides melt."

Bobby can't quite decide how to respond to that pronouncement. Lindsay doesn't hide her love from him, but candid comments like this are not the norm. He wonders how much more she's likely to reveal to him now that her defences are down. The idea she's an open book, and he can peek into the workings of her mind, thrills him, but he also wonders, is it fair to her to be listening? But how could he not?

"Can I look at you?" she asks timidly, not quite meeting his eye.

"Of course" he replies.

She smiles at him, then turns her body so she's facing him completely, she stares at him, concentrating deeply. He feels like he's under a microscope, isn't sure he likes it, but refuses to turn away. Her eyes intently catalogue his features. Her hands reach out and begin stroking him, following the trail of her eyes. She leans against him with each stroke, harder and harder until, due to the pressure of her body against his, he ends up laying down on the couch. Lindsay readily follows him, her hands now playing in his hair.

"Your gorgeous" she says again "even your hair, it's so...." She runs her fingers through it, humming as she does, a look of pure delight on her face "..it's just so... you know" she looks at him expecting understanding.

He smiles and says "Thank you, nobody's ever said that to me before."

"Well they should have!" Lindsay growls as she sits up, angered by the injustice of the world.

Bobby smiles at her; his little avenging angel.

Lindsay looks at his eyes. "I love it when you smile Bobby. Your eyes look just like stars."

"Stars?"

"Yeah" she sighs longingly "so blue and sparkly"

"Sparkly?"

Lindsay looks down at Bobby, feeling hurt. "Are you making fun of me?"

"What? No!"

"Then why are you copying what I'm saying?" She asks, her bottom lip sticking out in a dramatic pout.

"I just don't want to forget a word of this" Bobby answers truthfully.

Lindsay smiles tearfully, then without warning lunges at his mouth, smothering him with sloppy kisses. Bobby makes no complaint, he merely enjoys the challenge of trying to keep up with her. With some difficulty, Lindsay eventually pushes herself up off his chest, so she can again see his face. She lays against his side, half draped over him, half resting between him and the back of the couch.

Bobby looks at her expectantly, unsure what she's going to say or do next. Her eyes bore into him and he wonders what it is she's so intent on seeing. He feels her finger lightly brush over his mouth, her eyes close as a secret smile appears. When her eyes don't open again he suspects she's fallen asleep and softly calls her name.

"Do you know your mouth reminds me of a lion?" she asks in an earnest whisper.

Bobby chuckles in disbelief, "A lion?"

"Yeah a lion" Lindsay opens her eyes, leaning on her elbow she traces his lips with her finger, "because of the way it does this… you're so leonine Bobby." When's she's completed the circuit she looks at him and says "See?"

Bobby nods his agreement which pleases her. Smiling happily she lays back down content she doesn't need to argue her point. 'That's the advantage of loving a brilliant man' she thinks 'he's smart enough to know she's right.' She sings softly to herself "I love you sweet leo mine."

Unsure what he just heard Bobby leans closer too her asking "What was that?" Her fingers again trace his mouth, she smiles sweetly at him before letting them drop. Her eyes looking into his. Bobby can still feel the lingering trace of her fingers, and although he hasn't a clue what she was talking about, if she believes it, gets pleasure from believing it, that's good enough for him. He shifts his body until he's facing her and he starts tracing her features. "Lindsay, do you want to know what I see when I look at you?"

Lindsay gives a tiny nod. She closes her eyes, enjoying the feel of his soft touch and his warm body pressed against hers. His hands slowly run over her face as he reflects on the perfect words. Words he's struggled with the courage to say before but wants to reveal tonight. "When I look at you…" he begins to say but stops when her eyes don't open. "Linds?" Still nothing. "Lindsay?" he says a little louder but still gets no reaction. He grins saying "I guess my time is up."

Kissing her nose he then climbs up off the couch. Carefully, so as not to wake her, Bobby lifts and carries Lindsay into the bedroom. Although he's carried her before, she's never been such a dead weight in his arms. He didn't realize how difficult it would be to manoeuvre an uncooperative person through a doorway. He blames it on being tired, but makes a mental note to start working out a little. Maybe he'll join her next time she goes jogging but the thought he wouldn't be able to keep up somewhat scares him off that idea. Besides there's many ways to exercise and he's sure they can come up with a more enjoyable alternative.

As she's lowered to the bed Lindsay wakens, rolling to her side, she mumbles "Did I fall asleep?"

"Yeah" Bobby says brushing the hair from her face.

"Is it over?"

Frowning in confusion he asks "What?"

"The movie, did I miss the end?"

"Yeah you did" Bobby grins. When he sees a flash of disappointment cross her face he quickly adds "It wasn't any good anyway."

"Oh ... ok ... sorry" she mumbles before closing her eyes again.

Bobby looks at her lying there and decides she probably has no intention of moving again. Walking to the end of the bed, he lifts each foot in turn and removes it's shoe. Lindsay opens one eye to look at him. He grins, letting his hand trail up her leg, he moves back up the bed towards her and asks "Can you manage the rest for yourself?"

She wrinkles her nose and says "Do I have to?"

He walks to the bureau, gets a t shirt and throws it towards her. She makes no move to change into it , instead grasps it and curls against it, as if it's a teddy bear or a deliciously warm male body. Shaking his head, Bobby walks to the bed, then pulling on her hands sits her up. She moans when her head leaves the pillow. He holds her steady until he's sure she isn't going to flop down again then says "I'll help if you want me to."

Lindsay shakes her head and whispers "m'ok"

Bobby goes to the kitchen to get her a glass of water and some painkillers, knowing she'll be grateful for it in the morning. When he returns to the room he finds Lindsay curled up asleep, still wearing her shirt and jacket, but now with the t shirt also around her neck. He smiles at the picture she presents. His in control, dignified, straight laced Lindsay thoroughly and adorably intoxicated.

He'd take a photo but knows she would not find the reminder as amusing as he would. He doesn't need an artificial keepsake though, he'll have this scene permanently etched in is head. Placing the glass on the bedside table, Bobby calls Lindsay's name. She makes a noise halfway between a groan and a giggle so he knows she isn't really asleep. Taking hold of Lindsay's hands he pulls her back into a sitting position. "I thought you said you could handle this yourself" he teases.

Lindsay smiles mischievously and giggles "Tricked ya!"

Smiling, Bobby hands her the pills and the glass of water. He watches amused as she dutifully follows his instructions to drink and swallow, but shows her distaste of the activity by pulling a gagging face afterwards. Taking the glass from her, he tugs on the T shirt and asks "Would you like some help?" When she nods he removes it from around her neck then slides the jacket from her shoulders. Kneeling before her he begins undoing the buttons on her shirt.

Lindsay leans forward and rests her head on his shoulder, completely obstructing his view. Bobby chuckles, wondering if this is some form of test to see if, even blind, he can undress her. If it is, then it's one test Bobby's sure he'll ace. He has just undone the last button and slid the shirt off of her when he hears her take in a deep breath and her hands move from her lap to grasp his sides. Before he has a chance to stand, Lindsay has grabbed the hem of his t shirt, lifted it up, trapping it over his head as she squeals "Your turn!"

Bobby stands to untangle himself, Lindsay's hands return to his sides, while her mouth zeros in on his navel and noisily blows a raspberry there. She giggles, runs her tongue over his skin before sliding it into his belly button.

"Geez" Bobby gasps, his body shuddering from the sensation of the contact, much to Lindsay's delight.

"You're yummy" Lindsay says "Delicious! You're like a big donut, you've even got a cute little hole in the middle." She lays back on the bed giggling and looks at him "Bobby Donut ... that's who you are."

Smiling indulgently at her he fixes his shirt and tries to ignore the fact she's lying there so enticingly unkempt and uncovered.

"Come here Bobby Donut" Lindsay orders and holds her arms up invitingly.

"Lord help me" Bobby thinks as he hovers over her, resting his arms on the mattress either side of her head. His fingers find their way into her hair and he looks lovingly at the open serenity on her face. She's beautiful, she's his and he can't help wanting all of her.

"Kiss me" Lindsay says. Her voice is husky, lustful and enough to fuel his dreams for the rest of his life.

Bobby looks at her, he's desperate to obey but has doubts he really should. Lindsay's not herself and he doesn't want to take advantage of the fact, but then it's just a kiss. Why shouldn't he kiss her? It isn't like its something they don't normally do. She's his fiancée he's allowed to kiss her if he wants to. Determined not to allow them to go too far, Bobby decides what harm could one little kiss do.

He leans in capturing her mouth with his and realises the harm immediately. The kiss only serves to remind him how good Lindsay can make him feel. 'Just a little bit more, a little bit more, a little bit more' he chants to himself before eventually giving in to his plan to be chivalrous and pulling away. He feels like he deserves a medal for doing so. He's just not sure if it's one for bravery or stupidity. What sort of man would voluntarily leave those lips?

"Lindsay..." he begins to say, wanting to explain his action, but her hands grab his face and draw his mouth back down to hers for a quick kiss.

Releasing his face she smiles up at him and says "You like the way I kiss, don't you?"

"Very much!" he replies.

"Better than you liked Icky Vicky?" she asks screwing up her face in a display of disgust.

Bobby grins at her and running his lips along her jaw whispers "Much better!"

"Better than Smelly Ally?"

"Yes" he tells her, wondering if she's going to mention every woman she knows he's kissed. Just in case she may be planning to he silences her by kissing her again.

"Better than Ellenor?" Lindsay asks the moment her mouth is again free.

"I've never kissed Ellenor!" Bobby quickly assures her, disturbed she may have heard otherwise, wondering who's to blame.
.
"Just checking" Lindsay giggles, then pulling a serious, somewhat nervous face asks quietly "Am I the best?"

Bobby can't decide what's more adorable, her attempt at a pout or the seductive sheen in her eyes. Either way his answer is the same, peppered between kisses he replies "You ... are ... the ... best!"

"You ... Bobby, you don't want to kiss other women do you?"

All pretence is gone from her face and Bobby can see a vulnerable woman with a genuine fear. As much as he's disturbed she even needs to ask him this, he knows tonight isn't the time to confront her on it, his assurance is the only thing she needs to hear right now.

"Lindsay, you're everything I want! You, only you" he assures her.

The pure delight that appears on her face pleases him, he offers her one more kiss to demonstrate the truth behind his claim. Midway through he feels her tongue slacken and withdraw as an exhalation of breath rushes over his lips. Pulling up he sees her features relax into sleep.

"I'm no Prince Charming" he thinks as he rises up off his Sleeping Beauty.

Lindsay, getting settled in her sleep, raises her arms to rest above her head. Bobby takes a deep breath as he looks down at her. "Such sweet torture" he thinks as he slides his hand under her to return to the task of helping her change.

Undoing the clasp on her bra he draws one of her arms down so he can slide the strap off. Leaving it laying across her body he then slides the bra up and off her other arm. When he looks at her again he realises he placed her hand on her breast and in a fit of panic picks it up and places it on her abdomen. Realising what he just did, he shakes his head at the irrationality, as it wasn't like he'd been groping her. He reaches out to pick up her arm and place it back where it was when common sense kicks in. Dropping it again he steps away from the bed.

Walking in a circle Bobby admonishes himself that the moment bared breasts appear in the room, even an intoxicated and semi comatose Lindsay, is more intelligent than he. After a few calming breaths he moves back to the bed, determined to rationally behave from now on. He slips the T shirt over Lindsay's head and maneuvers her arms in. Moving to her waistband he undoes that, sliding her skirt and then her hose off. Mission accomplished he slides her under the covers. Relieved the task is over he's somewhat surprised how difficult something as simple as changing someone had turned out to be. Then again, he acknowledges, he has always been more invested in removing Lindsay's clothes then dressing her.

As he climbs into bed he kisses her check, then rolls over to switch off the lamp. He stops when he hears her sleepily mumble "Haven't you forgotten something?" He looks at her thinking she can't be serious. Is she really suggesting what he thinks she's suggesting? It's after 4, he's exhausted and she's barely conscious. Not what he'd normally consider an enticing scenario. He's still debating what action, or lack thereof, he should take when she says "well aren't you going to say it?"

He chuckles to himself, feeling a strange mix of relief and remorse. Moving closer to her side he kisses her cheek again as he softly says "I love you, Lindsay."

Lindsay's eyes open in delight and she squeals incredulously "You do?"

"Yeah" he answers confused by the surprise in her reaction. It isn't like he's never told her before. Since the engagement he's been saying it a lot more regularly.

"Oh Bobby you're so sweet." Lindsay sits up unsteadily and reaches out with her hand to stroke his face, almost poking his eye out, before she actually finds his cheek "Thank-you for telling me. Sometimes you can be a real ass but tonight you're kinda cute" She leans forward to give him a kiss but tumbles flat on her face over him and onto the bed. Around a mouthful of pillow she giggles "Bobby that's not funny."

Laughing at her he thinks 'That's what you think Lindsay.'

With his help she shifts around so she's laying on her side and says "So, are you going to say it?"

"Say what?" Bobby asks, realizing his profession of love wasn't what she'd been requesting after all.

"You know" she whines drawing each word out dramatically. When he convinces her he doesn't she sighs "Men! I don't know how they manage to ever get anything done at all."

Bobby shakes his head at her thinking 'Yeah this coming from the person who had to be carried by me to the bedroom and shown the way to undress.' Not wanting to start an argument about it now though, he chooses merely to wait for her to elaborate. He stares at her until she reveals what's on her mind.

Finally, after an exasperated sigh, Lindsay says "Night night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite. Gee how old are you anyway Bobby? Everyone knows you have to say that before going to sleep."

Bobby leans over and whispers it into her ear. She giggles as his breath tickles her skin. Then rolls over seeking him out, her arms are around him and she's softly snoring in his ear before he's even had time to switch the lamp off.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Bobby has been trying to get back to sleep for over an hour but Lindsay is not making it easy for him. He's quite happy for her to keep him awake at nights, he just prefers it when she's awake while doing so. Tonight she's most definitely asleep, or maybe he should say deafening asleep, considering the sound now assaulting his eardrum. He thought it was cute when she first started snoring, but little did he know those soft sweet sounds were only going to get louder and louder as the night wore on. Noise isn't his only problem though, Lindsay is also curled up against him, again not normally something he complains about, but tonight her body is like a dead weight.

He has one arm under her that has gone past the point of being numb and is now in excruciating pain. He's tried repeatedly to move her to free himself but she's holding on with a vice like grip. His last move only caused him to become even more trapped. Her hand somehow wound its way under his t shirt until it was exiting out through the neck. Her fingers are wrapped around the collar so tightly they're causing it to cut into his throat. He's in a precarious position, move and risk being choked fully or stay and lose an arm to crush trauma. It's a definite lose lose situation.

Bobby has finally decided he has to chance moving when the snoring suddenly stops. He hears a loud "Ungthffff" and the hand choking him moves. He breathes an enormous sigh of relief until the hand settles on his stomach and presses down hard.

Lindsay, who is using that hand to balance herself, pushes against him as she sits up groggily then springs from the bed making a dash for the ....

"Lindsay!" Bobby calls out with what little breath she's left him. Unfortunately, it was only enough for a barely audible squeak. It certainly wasn't enough to stop her running straight into the wall.

"What the…" Bobby hears Lindsay mumble. Switching on the lamp he jumps out of bed to check on her. She's sitting on the floor staring at the wall in shock.

"You Ok?" he asks.

She nods still looking a little dazed.

"Lindsay the bathroom's the other way."

Rubbing her head she says, "This is no time for jokes Bobby. I'm not an idiot I know where my bathroom is."

"You're at my place Lindsay."

She gives him an angry look and is about to dispute this fact when the walls behind him come into focus. She looks around desperately, as if hoping it was merely a mirage, then confused asks "How on earth did I get here?"

"I don't know you just showed up on my doorstep about an hour ago."

"I don't think so" she says "I remember going home."

"If you went home Lindsay, how come you're here?"

Her brow furrows as she thinks about this. She realizes the downside of loving a defense attorney; they can confuse you with trick questions. A couple of times she opens her mouth to speak then changes her mind. In the end she incredulously asks "I came here?"

He nods at her then laughs when with a totally confused face she asks "Why would I do that?"

"You're certainly great for my ego Lindsay" he mumbles as he helps her get to her feet then leads her towards the bed. He sits her on the edge and asks "Do you remember why you got up?"

"Um ... I was … I was going to be sick."

Concerned Bobby places his hand on her forehead "Are you ok now?"

"Yeah I think banging into the wall stopped it." Lindsay, still looking confused, stares at the wall as if searching for an answer, giving up she turns to look at Bobby and asks "Can that happen?"

"Looks like it" he replies. Covering her legs with the blankets he goes and refills her glass of water. He comes back with a warm face washer too.

Having taken a drink Lindsay gingerly lays down. Bobby sits beside her and softly runs the cloth over her neck and face. "Mmmm s'nice" she purrs.

He leans closer to her and asks "You feeling better?"

"Yeah jus sleepy."

"Sleep then" he whispers and rubs her back gently. He watches as the soothing motions lull her closer to sleep.

Lindsay nods slowly, then looking once more at her surroundings, says "I'm really at your place?"

Bobby laughs "Where did you go tonight Lindsay?"

She thinks about it a long time then says "You mean before I went home?"

"Yeah Linds before then."

She thinks some more then shakes her head "I have no idea"

"How did you get home?" he asks knowing it's easier to ignore the fact she isn't at home.

"Car?" Lindsay replies as if Bobby's giving her a pop quiz she forgot to study for and she's hoping to guess the answer.

Bobby doesn't believe for a second Lindsay drove there and encouragingly says "Think Lindsay."

"Ok" she says and screws her face up in determined concentration. The fact she's also humming an intense 'hmmmmmmmm' has Bobby highly amused. Her eyes suddenly open and she looks completely lucid. Bobby leans closer ready for her revelation. "Good night" she says cheerily then rolls over and goes straight to sleep.

Shaking his head Bobby stands and walks to his side of the bed. He looks at her curled up so content and comfortable, then laughs to himself as he climbs into bed. One thing he is sure of, life with Lindsay will never be dull. He hates it the nights they are apart, in deference to her recovery and the fact she has trouble getting comfortable enough to sleep, they haven't been spending the nights together as often as they used to. He misses waking with the knowledge she's beside him, so no matter why she came here tonight, he's glad she did.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Lindsay briefly considers prying an eye open but soon decides against it, believing her eyelids are way too heavy to consider it plausible they could move. Speaking of movement she feels it around her. The air is busy and even though it isn't talking she wants to scream at it to shut up! When it lifts her hand and places something into it she realises the movement is Bobby. Although why he is at her apartment is still a mystery.

"Take them ... I have some water here too" he shouts at her, or so it seemed to her aching head. She wishes he'd go home, she's too tired and sore to deal with him now.

A hand presses under her shoulder blades and slowly lifts her upright. Groaning, Lindsay raises her hand to her mouth depositing whatever it was he placed there in and then washes it down with the water he passed to her. She moans what she hopes he'll take as her thanks, but it was really a plea for salvation from the demon that has taken over her body. Possession is the only logical explanation for how she feels right now.

"When did you get here?" she asks and is annoyed to hear Bobby chuckle.

"You're at my place Lindsay" he says brushing his hand over her forehead.

Lindsay realises she has to pry her eyes open just to prove Bobby wrong, because no way in hell is she at his place. Pushing hard she manages to get one eyelid to move a little then quickly slams it shut again. She is in hell! Not that she isn't fond of Bobby's bedroom, in fact she's more than fond of it, she just has no recollection of the events that led to her getting here. Finding this all too distressing to consider she chooses sleep. Maybe next time she wakes the world will have returned to sanity.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Lindsay wanders into the kitchen. Bobby looks up when she enters and gives her a sympathetic smile. She hesitates a bit in the doorway and he holds his arms out to show he's pleased to see her. Smiling she walks into his inviting arms and rests her head against his chest.

After a moment of silence Lindsay groans "God even your heartbeat is loud."

"Poor Lindsay" Bobby says stroking her hair "How are you feeling?"

"My name is Lindsay?" she mumbles.

"That bad huh?"

Bobby slowly walks her to the table and pulls out a chair for her to sit on. She sits and rests her head on the table as Bobby makes her some coffee and toast. He watches her as she drinks the coffee and nibbles halfheartedly on the toast. The phone rings and he leaves the room momentarily.

When he returns he finds her head on the table again. Squatting beside her chair he looks at her and asks "How are you doing?"

"Bobby I didn't drink last night" Lindsay begins to say then seeing the amused look on his face amends it to "I mean obviously I did, but I didn't intend to. I was only ordering soda, I'm not supposed to drink while on this pain medication, obviously one of my soda's wasn't soda and ... and who knows what happened from there."

She raises her head from the table and moves to rest it on Bobby's shoulder. He picks her up as he stands and says "I think you should be back in bed." The fact she doesn't object lets him know how ill she feels.

"I love you" she whispers as they are halfway down the hall way.

He brushes his cheek against hers and holds her a little bit tighter. Reaching the room he places her on the bed and spoons up behind her. He doesn't know what to do to help her, but the fact she came looking for him, lets him believe she wants him to stay with her. To be honest, after last night he can do with some more sleep anyway. He'd only really got out of bed so as not to disturb her as he lay there worrying about her.

"Thanks for taking care of me" Lindsay says moving further into his warmth.

Bobby holds on even tighter and whispers "No problem."

"Not that I can remember anything, but I'm sorry for being a nuisance, it can't have been much fun for you."

Bobby doesn't answer but Lindsay feels the vibrations of his body and knows he's laughing. She looks over her shoulder at him and groans "Oh God what did I do?"