*~*~*~*

DYD&F office 4.30 p.m.

"Has anybody heard from Bobby or Eugene?" Lindsay asks as she and Rebecca arrive back at the office.

"Yeah the trial was adjourned I think, about two, and before you ask me I don't know why, nobody's told me anything. Eugene's been back here but he's gone again and I don't know where so don't ask. Bobby sent a message that he wouldn't be coming back into the office today and Eugene didn't know where he was going so don't bother asking me that either." Having finished her little rant Lucy slumps into her chair and passes Rebecca an envelope "Here this came for you."

Lindsay and Rebecca share an amused glance. Rebecca asks, "Are you ok Lucy?"

Lucy looks at her as if she just said something really insulting "Am I ok? You try being ok when you are trying to run an office where no one will tell you what is going on. You try organizing appointments when half the people have mysteriously gone missing and the other half bite your head off if you so much as make a noise. You try being ok when your work piles up but you have no hope of doing any thing about it because everyone is off doing there own thing. There is only so much I can do here on my own without needing someone who is like you know a lawyer. Then there's all the phone calls the reporters wanting comments and the sickos hurling abuse and I can't abuse back all I'm allowed to say is no comment. You try doing that all day every day. No comment! You try..."

"Lucy!" Rebecca interrupts her. Lucy looks at her as if to say 'What now?' Rebecca gives her a sympathetic look and says, "Go home. Forget all about the office for the rest of the day. I'll finish up whatever you've got there."

"Really?" Lucy says tears coming to her eyes.

"Yes."

"Ok" In less than a minute Lucy's packed and out the door, leaving behind a stunned Lindsay and Rebecca.

Turning to Lindsay Rebecca says, "I can't believe she just left."

"Well you did tell her to." Lindsay laughs

"I know, but it's Lucy! I didn't think she would listen. I didn't think there was any chance she would actually go this early. She hasn't finished her work, she didn't ask us how our meeting went, she didn't ask about any new gossip."

"Like we would have told her anyway".

"Probably not but she didn't even ask. Have you ever known her not to ask?"

Rebecca is interrupted by Ellenor coming out of the conference room slamming the door as she does. She storms over to her desk, picks up a file, shouts "What!" at Rebecca and Lindsay when she notices them staring at her then walks into Eugene's office slamming that door as well.

"Do you think she's been like that all day?" Rebecca asks.

"Isn't she like that everyday?" Lindsay says with a grin.

Rebecca gives her a warning look so Lindsay gives a serious answer "It may explain why Lucy was so stressed. Ellenor is the only one of us she's actually scared of. If she's been walking around all day trying not to get her riled I can imagine it's taken its toll."

Rebecca looks at the pile of papers on Lucy's desk and turns to Lindsay "You are going to help me with this aren't you because I suddenly don't feel like hanging around here long either?"

Lindsay shakes her head "Not a chance! It wasn't my brilliant idea to tell Lucy to leave." She walks to her desk and sits, "Besides Bobby's probably waiting at home with a bottle of wine, a gourmet dinner, candlelight and soft music just waiting to wine and dine me."

Rebecca looks at her horrified. Lindsay sits at her desk with a dreamy look on her face and then laughs "Who am I kidding, it will be pizza and a case file. I guess I can stay afterall. Go on send some over."

Rebecca relaxes relieved. She sits at Lucy's desk to sort through the mess Lucy left behind and says, "Lucky."

"Why?"

"If you hadn't stayed I just may have told Bobby what you said over lunch."

"Rebecca!" Lindsay is horrified "You promised!"

"Did I? Or were my fingers crossed?"

"I'm never telling you anything again."

Bec laughs "That's what you always say."

"Is there anyone in the office you can't blackmail Bec?"

"I don't blackmail I strenuously persuade."

"We need to get you a life Bec"

"Tell me about it."

Jimmy walks in and slams the door. They both look up and say "Hi" but he holds up his hand and says "Not a word I don't want to hear a word" and skulks off to his desk.

"It must be something in the water" Rebecca mutters.

Lindsay laughs.

*~*~*~*

7 p.m. Bobby's apartment

Having helped Rebecca complete Lucy's work and survived two more fiery encounters with Ellenor relatively unscathed Lindsay has finally arrived home. She calls for Bobby but receives no answer. She walks into the bedroom and hears the shower running in the bathroom. Content that he's home and safe she prepares to change. She puts her briefcase down on the bed and that's when she notices a garment bag lying on the bed. She realizes Bobby has bought a new suit, which means he is either, angry, stressed, depressed or some strange combination of the three. Lindsay takes a few deep breaths as she prepares to help him through whichever it is. If they were in her apartment she'd put on a CD, light a few candles, open a bottle of wine and maybe bring out the massage oils. But this is Bobby's home would he appreciate her taking over like that or would that only aggravate his mood. She debates it while she changes and then decides he likes her here and he always says he wants her to feel at home. So she does it. Puts a CD on low, pours a couple of glasses of wine and lights some candles pleased to find a pleasantly scented one. She makes a mental note to buy some oils for Bobby for next time because she's sure there will be a next time.

Bobby comes out of the bathroom with a towel slung low on his hips as Lindsay returns with the wine. Lindsay smiles at him as she places the glasses on the bureau and indicating the new suit says, "It's going that bad is it?" Bobby gives her an embarrassed shrug and begins gathering clothes. He stops suddenly and slapping his forehead in mock disgust says, "I can't believe I forgot" Lindsay looks at him amused and he sheepishly says, "I bought you something too."

Lindsay is surprised as it is unlike him to buy her a present for no reason. He spoils her on special occasions but seems hesitant, almost embarrassed, to give her something without a legitimate reason behind it. Almost as if he's afraid of the message it may give. "Really?" she asks unable to hide the absolute surprise and delight in her voice.

He gives his first genuine smile of the night and leaves the room, coming back in with a small gift bag. He hands it to her and Lindsay kisses his cheek. "Thankyou."

Bobby's amused "You don't even know what it is yet."

"I know," she takes his hand and sits him down on the bed. She stands before him and looking into his eyes says, "But I now know you thought of me today so, Bobby, thankyou." Bobby smiles and Lindsay sits down next to him to open her gift. He puts his arm around her and she is pleased he seems to be happy. Maybe what sent him out to buy a suit wasn't so drastic after-all. She opens the bag and finds a midnight blue silk negligee. She looks up at Bobby and he is grinning broadly "It's the least I can do after I ruined the last one." She laughs remembering his oh so romantic gesture from a week earlier, involving candles and wine and the seductive removal of her nightgown. Flinging the gown over his shoulder as his mouth descended on her only to be distracted by the smell of smoke and the realization the gown had landed in such a way that it was now alight. Lindsay had been amused by it but Bobby had been bitterly disappointed his well-planned night of romance had turned out so wrong.

"So do you like it?" he asks nervous.

"I do" she squeezes his hand and then in a quiet voice says, "It's just ..."

"Just what?"

"Well you get a nice new suit that you can parade around in and everyone can see and admire you in and what do I get ... sleepwear ... "

He stares at her in astonishment wondering how he could have gone so wrong in buying her this.

She continues "I mean ... it's not fair whose going to get to admire me in this Bobby?"

She looks up at him and he can see the mischief in her eyes and realizes she's been playing with him. Well two can play that game he decides "You could wear it to the office."

"Really?" she asks holding it up and looking at it skeptically.

"Sure and I bet Jimmy would like it."

"Yeah that's the effect I was after, impressing Jimmy."

"I guess I could try to act impressed when you wear it Lindsay. I don't know how successful I will be, I'm not a very convincing actor but I will try."

"Don't put yourself out on my account."

"Ah but you're the only one I'm willing to put myself out for."

Lindsay tries for a witty reply but finds she can't instead she kisses his cheek "Bobby thankyou."

"For the present or the sentiment?"

"Both" she laughs hugging him. "Do you want me to wear it tonight?" she asks enthusiastically.

She watches as Bobby's good mood immediately fades away. He barely contains a grimace as he says, "No I have work to do." He hurriedly dresses and leaves the room without saying another word to her. She is surprised by his reaction but also knows the case he is working on is affecting him badly. His need for a new suit her proof of that. She's also a little annoyed he made no mention of the effort she went to. Perturbed she blows out the candles, turns off the stereo and drinks both glasses of wine. She sits petulantly in front of the television flicking channels until she finds a classic movie suitable for her miserable mood. Falling tearfully asleep to it as the heroine finally is reunited with her man.

*~*~*~*

Lindsay wakes and immediately senses she is alone. She drowsily looks to the clock and sees it is 2.23 a.m. "Not again" she thinks rising to go find Bobby. He's been up every night this week working and worrying about this case. Whereas normally they would discuss his strategy and opinions to death on this one he has shut her out. All she knows is what she has picked up from the others and that is just enough to know the details are horrid. She knows it was court appointed, they are likely to win and, she suspects, the victims were children. Bobby's asked her to stay away from it and not pry into the details and so far she has respected his wishes but she doesn't know for how much longer she can let this behavior go on. It's the third night in a row he's asked her to stay over and then spent all his time cooped up in his study. At least those nights he'd crawled into bed around one and spooned up possessively behind her, holding her tight until in sleep his grip relaxed. If he wanted to spend time with her she wouldn't mind being here but if she's going to be sitting around on her own she'd rather do it at home amongst her own things. She's tired of his behavior and regardless of the hour intends to let him know about it. Not only doesn't she like what it is doing to him she doesn't like what it is doing to them. Grabbing her robe she walks to the study knowing that is where she will find him. Her anger holds until she reaches the study and sees him.

She finds him elbows on his desk and head in his hands rubbing his temples. She hopes she will be able to convince him to put it aside for the night and at least try to get a few hours sleep. He looks physically and mentally exhausted. The last thing he needs is a confrontation.

"Headache?" she asks concerned.

Without looking up he mumbles "Not exactly."

She stands behind him and begins to massage his shoulders "Not exactly? What does that mean?" She can feel the tension in his body. His neck and shoulders are rock hard, painfully so. She isn't sure if her actions are helping him but he hasn't asked her to stop so she doesn't.

"It means this" he indicates the papers on his desk "this is a headache" he tilts his head back and looks at her "but 'I' don't have a headache."

She leans forward and kisses his forehead "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No!" he shouts adamantly and sits up straight no longer looking at her.

She is annoyed by his attitude and takes her hands off his shoulders "It doesn't hurt to ask for a second opinion Bobby. I may be able to help" she snaps back.

"If I want a second opinion I'll ask Eugene for it. I've told you over and again I don't want you involved in this."

"And I don't really appreciate that Bobby. I don't need you protecting me and I don't want you protecting me!"

"I'm not"

"You are don't deny it"

He turns and grabs her arm pulling her towards him "I'm not!" when he sees the pain on her face he drops his hand and looks away "I'm protecting me" he says softly before looking up at her imploring her to believe him.

She reaches out to him and strokes his cheek. He tilts his head so it rests against her palm "I need somewhere I can go ... somewhere untainted by this ... a refuge ... for me that is you. I need you and this case separate. You're my way of getting away from it all. You take me away from that world and ... and if you know ... I'm sorry ... it's selfish ... but I need you to let it go ... please understand ... please just let it rest..." he looks away as if there is more he still wants to say but doesn't quite know how. She is still reeling from what she has just heard him admit and not quite sure how to respond. For Bobby to have admitted an emotional need not only to her but to himself astounds her. Eventually she just says, "Ok" realizing that is all he needs to hear. He looks up at her and smiles gratefully. He turns back to the desk and Lindsay watches as his body visibly stiffens. She goes back behind the chair and begins to massage him again. She hears a soft voice say, "I need you". She drops a kiss onto the back of his head saying, "I'm here" while she continues her massage.

He tenses more "No what I mean is ... I 'need' you."

She stops and walks around until she is standing between him and the desk. He looks up at her apologetically. She steps forward and straddles his lap. She runs her hands across his cheeks and through his hair until she has a firm grasp on his head and then pulls him forward. He has no choice but to look in her eyes and when she is sure she has his attention she says, "I knew exactly what you meant Bobby and, I'm here."

He tries to look away but she won't let him "You're tired" he protests.

"I'm not that tired"

"It's late"

"Not that late"

"I want it to be good for you"

Resisting the urge to scream she says, "Bobby why wouldn't it be? And anyway it's not like every time has to be a Hallmark moment."

Bobby laughs and wraps his arms around her pulling her closer to him.

"What?" she asks defensively.

"It's just I never knew they made greeting cards about this sort of thing. Maybe I'm in the wrong business."

She bites his shoulder and growls "You know what I meant."

He nods and smiles looking at her longingly "I don't want to hurt you."

"Do I look like I'm made of glass? Stop arguing and kiss me already or I may just have to hurt you."

He does. Her insistence helping to override his hesitation. His meager attempts to protest surrendering to the desperate intentions of his body. She moves forward on his lap until pressed exactly where she knows she'll get his attention and begins to rock slowly. He gasps and his hands rush to her hips gripping them almost painfully holding her still whilst he kisses her hungrily.

"Come on lets go" she whispers as his mouth moves to her neck.

"No ... here"

"Really?"

He doesn't answer but stands and places her on the desk kissing her hard then between kisses mumbles "No ... I'm sorry ... this isn't right"

Feeling him pull away again and afraid of him stopping she wraps her legs around him drawing him back against her "Stop it's ok, its you and me Bobby, it's not just ok, its perfect."

As he kisses her neck and jaw he says, "I just hate letting this affect me so. I don't want a case coming between us but I'm so frustrated, I need this ... I need you."

"Bobby nothing is coming between us" she tugs on his waistband "not even these."

He grins and kisses her pushing her back until she is lying on the desk. "I don't like using you just to escape..."

She sighs frustrated by his continued hesitancy. Why does he always refuse to let her in, to let her help? They both know what he wants why can't he just take it? "Bobby do you know what I want?" she asks the annoyance obvious in her voice.

He begins to pull away but she grabs his shirt and holds him against her. When he accepts her intent, and settles down against her, she lets her hands accompany her voice in telling him what she wants. "I want to know I can give you everything you need. I want to know I can be there for you in good times and in bad. I want to know when you are hurting you'll come to me so I can help. Nothing you'd ever ask of me is too much Bobby and I want to know that you trust and love me enough to ask. Bobby you say I'm your refuge well, use me, come to me, let me help! We're supposed to be in this together but when we most need one another we turn away. I don't want to do that anymore. No more hurting on our own Bobby!"

Finally everything she's said seems to have had the desired effect "No more hurting on our own" he agrees. They seal the agreement with a kiss.

Bobby's hands run along her robe seeking the tie. He finds it and deftly unties it sliding the robe open and away from her body. He breaks their kiss to pull away and see the results of his handiwork. She's wearing the new negligee he bought her underneath. Staring at her he takes a deep breath and pauses. It's beautiful and she looks stunning in it but he wanted something different than this when he bought it. He'd pictured her wearing it walking towards him with a smile. He'd take her into his arms and between kisses he'd whisper something witty into her ear and she would laugh her glorious laugh and tell him she loved him. He'd then show her exactly how much he loved her too. He didn't want this; her draped across his desk being mauled by him because he's angry and frustrated and wants to get out of his head for a little while. She deserves so much more from him than this.

Lindsay watches him pull away both physically and emotionally. She watches regret flash across his face and becomes frustrated herself. She wishes he wouldn't treat her as if she is precious, fragile, to be worshipped. Living up to that at times is too much to bear. She doesn't always need to be treated like a goddess; sometimes she just wants to be a woman, she wants to be enjoyed not adored. Just once she'd like him to lose control with her. To be overcome with emotion and act on how he feels not what he thinks. She wants to know the primal man not the considerate lover. Tonight she senses how on edge he is and truly believes for the first time he might let himself go and she's not letting anything, not even him, get in the way of that. Grabbing the hem of the negligee she rises, pulls it off her and throws it out of sight. Reaching for his belt buckle she begins to chant to him. "It's just me Bobby ... me and you ... us ... always us ... me and you ... us ... together ... always ... us ... you and me ... always ... always" she watches his blue eyes darken, darken with the intensity of his desire as her hands free him and her voice guides him home. Horrors and frustrations finally forgotten washed away in her love. Pain transformed by the combined intensity of their desires. Gentle and tender it was not but tonight that's not what either needed.

Trapped between an exhausted sated Bobby and a hard cluttered desk Lindsay, struggling to breathe, wonders just what exactly it is sticking into her shoulder and has it been there all along. She's never been more uncomfortable but she's also never been happier. She firmly believes tonight was a true turning point for Bobby and it will only benefit their relationship. Her own doubts about the extent of his passion for her were well assuaged as was her long held fear he didn't need her anywhere near as much as she needs him. Tonight they opened up to one another and that was sorely needed. If it weren't for the late hour and the fact her shoulder will bruise, horrifying Bobby and undoing all the good of tonight, if she doesn't move soon, she would be content to stay longer. She will wear her bruise proudly a sign of the power of his unbridled desire but keep it hidden from him rather than risk him again reverting to treating her like glass. So move, unfortunately, she must.

"Bobby up" she says.

A chuckle and a drowsy "At my age that's an impossibility". Smiling she pushes against his shoulders. Groaning incoherently he rises steps back and collapses into the chair. She climbs off the desk and settles herself into his lap. Resting against his sweat glistened chest and wrapping her arms around his waist "You've been holding out on me all this time," she says nuzzling into his neck. Pushing the hair off her face he asks, "Did I hurt you?"

Barely awake she shakes her head in reply. He doesn't register this as an answer though and panics pushing her up off his chest so he can see her face. "Did I hurt you?" he pleads. She takes his face in her hands "No! God Bobby no!" she smiles at him and relieved he lets her go. She flops back down against his chest "Let's go to bed".

"Mmm hmm" he agrees but they don't move.

"Carry me?" an amused huff of air rushing past her ear is her only reply. He rests his head against hers and they sit there holding one another too tired for anything else. "Love you," he murmurs as his eyes close and he begins the journey into sleep. Lindsay hears the exhaustion in his voice and knows if she doesn't move now, they are both going to fall asleep in the chair. As welcome as that seems right now, she knows they will regret it in the morning, when their bodies protest at the cruel treatment meted out. She rises and pulls on his arm to no affect. He's one breath away from a sound impenetrable sleep. She resists the urge to curl back into his lap and goes for her only other option. She whines.

"Bobby c'mon" she pleads tugging on his arm "bed c'mon"

"Humph" is his intelligent response but he manages to stand and leaning on one another they wander groggily down the hall into the bedroom and collapse entangled onto the bed. Neither moves again until the alarm startles them out of a deep sated sleep.

*~*~*~*

DYD&F office 4 p.m.

Bobby and Eugene arrive back both wearing somber expressions.

"How'd it go?" Lindsay asks.

Bobby shakes his head and says, "Can we talk?" Lindsay looks at him and he nods his head towards his office. She gets up and follows him in "Is everything alright?" she asks walking through the door. He looks at her concerned face and smiles. He takes a deep breath and then stepping towards her takes her face in his hands and kisses her tenderly. Her hands run up and across his chest. He pulls away briefly and they smile at one another before kissing again.

"It's over isn't it?" she asks the next time they separate. He closes his eyes nodding then turns away and walks to the couch where he sits elbows on knees head in hands. She follows him over and stands in front of him. She runs her fingers through his hair and draws his head against her stomach. "It's over" she gently reminds him. "This time" he mumbles wrapping his arms around her drawing her even closer until she is standing between his legs. His arms hold her tight and he buries his face in her breathing in her scent hoping for her strength. "We won," he whispers and Lindsay knows the pain that has brought. Sometimes it is harder to win than to lose. Lindsay knows the pain he is in right now because she's been there before. She knows the hardest part about this case for Bobby was the knowledge he was going to win. It eats away at you knowing scum will prosper because of you but to do the job you need to do the job for all.

"You did your job," she says knowing that is no consolation but also knowing no words can heal him right now. There is nothing she can say to him that he hasn't heard and said on numerous occasions. She knows he doesn't want or need to hear them now.

He pulls away and looks into her eyes. He nods thanking her for being here with him letting her know her presence is more comfort than any words she can offer. He pats the couch and she sits down beside him taking his hand in hers she raises it to her lips.

"Do you want to go home?" she asks.

He gives a half hearted laugh "No. No I'm fine. I just need a few minutes."

"Ok but you're not working late tonight. I'm dragging you home early no arguments."

"Eugene and I are going for a drink after work."

She sighs relieved, "Ok", she's satisfied that is a good idea. Bobby and Eugene always find strength in each other in times like these. Lindsay's eternally grateful their colleagues are also their closest friends. People they can turn to in times of need. Although tensions strain there relationships at times when needed they always pull together. It's impossible to explain the conflicting emotions of the job to outsiders. As much as she loves Helen that is just something she can never understand and as such is a thorn in their relationship. She settles in against Bobby and after a moment of silence says "I didn't realize you were this close to a verdict."

"Closing arguments were yesterday. I knew the jury wouldn't come back until today though. I knew what the verdict would be and I knew they wouldn't be in any hurry to give it"

"You weren't working last night?" she asks surprised.

"No" he looks at her apologetically "sorry. I was just hiding out dreading this moment."

She sighs sadly "No more hurting alone Bobby."

He nods pulling her close "I know. No more I promise."

She smiles wistfully wanting to believe.

*~*~*~*

10 p.m. Bobby's apartment

Bobby arrives home. Lindsay walks down the hall wearing the negligee he bought, she smiles and walks towards him. He is taken aback by how close to his dream this image is. 'Perfect' he thinks 'just as I pictured it'. "I have something for you" she says her grin widening. A hundred witty retorts run through his mind but before he can think of the right thing to say she passes him and he spins around to see what she is doing. She reaches over the back of the couch and brings up a gift bag she then passes to him. Grinning he looks inside and finds a clear cylinder holding a pair of midnight blue silk boxers. "We match," he says grinning.

"Perfectly" she agrees and then getting impatient "Open it!"

He opens the cylinder and removes the boxers. Getting a closer look at them he smiles delighted and reaches out for her "Come here" She moves quickly into his arms. "It's true you know," he says.

"I know" she answers as they kiss. "I am too"

He drops the boxers in his desperation to hold and caress her more. They fall to the ground, displaying emblazoned vividly across the front; "I'm all yours".