Tired, stressed and a little on edge, Lindsay arrives home. She's dreaming of a hot bath, warm sheets and a long, long sleep. Opening the door she realizes the interesting smells that exude throughout the building's hallway originate from her own apartment. She sighs and thinks 'finally something has gone right for the day'. Bobby is home and, if her nose isn't lying, dinner is almost ready. Smiling, for quite possibly the first time since she kissed him goodbye this morning before heading to the courthouse, Lindsay saunters into the kitchen.

There she finds Bobby busy making his infamous clean out the fridge stew. Without a word she slides up onto the bench top and prepares to partake in one of her favorite pastimes, Bobby watching. He looks up with a grin when he hears her enter. He watches a little incredulously as she silently settles herself comfortably. She appears oblivious to his presence. 'Hi Bobby so pleased to see you, missed you so much' he mouths. She softly smiles but remains silent. He wonders what's up and is determined to get a reaction from her.

"Feel free to help" he says.

Lindsay looks at the mess he's made of the kitchen and resists the urge to groan. Bobby has a tendency to forget rule number one of cooking; you make the mess you clean it up. She knows, eventually he'll coerce her into helping, but for now she plans to just watch. As she has absolutely no intention of getting involved she smiles at him again and says "I am helping ... I'm supervising."

With a chuckle he mumbles something suspiciously like "So what's new" under his breath and scampers quickly to the other end of the kitchen before her suddenly outstretched leg can connect with his ass. The expression on his face informs Lindsay he's mighty pleased with himself. It also leaves her wondering what's put him in such a good mood tonight. She's a little jealous. The best she can say about her day is; it officially sucked! Her one consolation is it's almost over.

Bobby turns back to the stove once more. Lindsay watches amused by his serious concentration on the task at hand. She loves watching him when he's focussed intently on something. The unguarded moments when she feels she gets to see the real him. The impression she always comes away with is 'Damn sexy! Thank God he's mine.'

Today is no different. Food smudged face, a little sweaty, hand-messed hair, jeans, a T-shirt and naked toes. Relaxed, self-assured and content. A nice package indeed!

Her eyes run over him one more time before rising to find blue eyes twinkling at her and a 'like what you see' grin on his face. She refuses to be embarrassed, he's her husband after all and she's allowed to look if she wants, nevertheless she feels a blush rising on her face. Not wanting to allow him to feel he's got the better of her she says, "Come over here I want a taste."

"It's not finished cooking yet" he whines horrified she could even suggest it.

He can be such a stickler for procedure at times.

"C'mon Bobby it's plenty hot enough for me" she insists in a voice that brooks no argument.

Bobby first throws his arms in the air to display his disgust before reluctantly dipping the spoon in and moving towards her. He is slowly carefully bringing it towards her mouth when Lindsay reaches out and, taking hold of his wrist halts his action.

His face registers confusion and he's about to ask what's wrong when her other hand cups the back of his neck drawing his face towards hers until their lips meet. 'Ah hunger finally satisfied!' she thinks 'This is what I should have been doing all day.' After a full and thorough taste test, she slowly pulls away, murmuring "mmmm delicious."

"Want seconds?" she hears and suddenly her hunger returns even stronger than before.

"Always" she declares milliseconds before their lips meet again.

Suckling, biting, licking, teeth, lips, tongues, exploring, tasting, devouring. Finally they break and as she regains enough oxygen for her brain to again process thought, Lindsay wonders why Bobby's hand is so hot. Hot and moist come to think of it. She looks down realizing it isn't his hand but a lovely deepening stain spreading over her shoulder and blouse. The idiot's spilled the contents of the spoon on her.

"Bobby you grub!" she shouts pushing him away. He looks at her not contrite at all; in fact he's grinning.

When she glares at him he laughs "Hey it's not my fault you accosted me remember?"

She looks from his face to her shirt and back again. "It's going to stain" she moans although not really caring. The blouse is a small price to pay for the little piece of heaven she just experienced. There's no need to let him know that though. Although she suspects he already does by the cocky look on his face.

Grinning he moves in towards her, intent on a new task "We'd better get that shirt off you then and see what we can do about it." Lindsay remembers why she married him. He's a brilliant man after all.

Bobby sets to work undoing her buttons. For some reason he deems it necessary to kiss and lick each new exposed piece of skin. Why? Lindsay doesn't really care. She certainly isn't planning on complaining about his methods. Sure it may take a little longer but there is nothing wrong with being thorough. She allows her head to roll back and a soft sigh escapes her lips. This is perfect. Why is it they can't do this 24/7?

"Bobby ... I've been thinking" Lindsay says surprising herself because she doesn't recall forming a thought. She has no idea what she was going to say next. Not that it matters, as before she can say another word, Bobby's hands and mouth are gone and he's standing against the opposite wall, arms crossed over his chest and a defensive look on his face.

"Bobby?" Lindsay cries out disappointed at being so suddenly left bereft.

Not altering his stance or expression Bobby says, "C'mon let me have it."

Lindsay's mind is swirling, her body trembling with anticipation as she wonders 'isn't that what I was doing?' Her confusion results in the utterance of a somewhat exasperated "What?"

Unfortunately Bobby's attempt at an explanation fails when his eyes encounter the exposed skin of her chest and he becomes distracted. Her cleavage seems to be beckoning to him, daring him to reach out and touch. He's mesmerized. He can feel his heart pounding faster and faster as thoughts such as, 'want ... now ... must have ... now,' invade his head. Eloquent and detailed they're not but still they are very persuasive. A sweet yet stern voice somehow penetrates his foggy brain "I have eyes Bobby!"

Busted!

He looks up and grins, "I know that Lindsay but you know how the saying goes?" Her eyebrows raise questioningly "what's good for the goose" he says smugly.

Well she can't argue with him there. She had been ogling him only a moment ago, so she can hardly criticize him for doing the same. Still, this is Bobby and allowing him to get the better of her this early in the evening will only spell disaster. Attack always puts him on the back foot so attack she does.

"Oh so you're calling me a goose now?"

Bobby laughs but sensibly refuses to answer.

Lindsay, unable to decide what he's up to tonight and really not in the mood for his mind-games asks, "Bobby why are you over there?"

"Why? Do you miss me" he smugly replies.

Rolling her eyes, Lindsay decides shaking things up a bit is the only way she'll get anywhere with him tonight. Sometimes the best way to get Bobby to show his hand is to convince him you don't want to play. She begins to climb down off the bench.

Bobby realizing he's probably pushed her too far says, "Ok, ok I'll explain."

Lindsay settles back down, hiding her smile of satisfaction. He's so easy to play. She crosses her arms and waits patiently. Bobby grins and says, "The four words that bring the most fear to my life Lindsay are, 'Bobby I've been thinking'."

"Technically that's five" she hits back making Bobby realize tonight is going to be one of 'those' nights.

When Lindsay has been bothered by work she has a tendency to snap at him. He doesn't mind her taking it out on him, but prefers a much more constructive and intimate way for her to release those pent up frustrations than bickering. When he doesn't reply to her comment she attempts to goad a reaction with, "And anyway I would have thought the words you're most afraid of are 'you're sleeping alone tonight'."

"Nah that doesn't scare me I know you'd never go through with it."

"There's a first time for everything Bobby," she warns.

"Just look at me Lindsay how could you resist." His calm teasing exterior hides the fear he may be about to prove himself wrong.

Lindsay replies with a glare. Her annoyance only heightened by the fact it's true. No matter how angry she gets with him he always manages to win her over again in the end. If they were in any other room but the kitchen she'd throw something at that cocky face, but the only implements at hand would do bodily damage, and she's not that annoyed yet.

"Those four words terrify me Lindsay" he says when she gives no reply. Lindsay mouths five at him but he chooses to ignore it, "nothing good ever comes of them."

She stares at him not sure where he's going with this. When he doesn't appear in a hurry to elaborate she says "Such as?"

"Well 'Bobby I've been thinking' is normally followed by a suggestion I know is either going to end up being expensive or ... or painful or..."

"Painfully expensive" she helpfully suggests.

He laughs "See now you're catching on."

Lindsay looks at him quizzically. Sometimes all she wants to do is wring his neck the smart-ass. He knows how to annoy her, and delights in doing so, but tonight she's determined to give as good as she gets. She got pushed around enough in court she's not going to let it happen at home too! "So you got anything to back up this ridiculous claim with Bobby?"

"What you mean like evidence?"

She smiles resigned to the fact he's going to make her play. She must admit a playful Bobby is kinda ... cute! "Yes Bobby that's exactly what I mean."

He grins "You don't think I can do it do you?" She shakes her head and he puts his hand over his heart pretending to be wounded.

"You know what they say Bobby" she says with a deadpan voice. She's really starting to enjoy herself.

"No tell me, what do thy say?"

Barely controlling her grin Lindsay declares, "I know you can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?"

Bobby walks towards her a predatory look on his face. Lindsay is at once both aroused and disconcerted. She wonders what exactly Bobby's been cooking up while she was away. She'd check the ingredients but to do so she'd have to take her eyes off him, and when he's coming towards her and looks so good, that is a hard thing to do.

He reaches her and leans against the bench she's sitting on, forcing her to move her legs to make room to accommodate his body. All the while his eyes haven't left hers. His hands rise slowly and slide into the open blouse, softly brushing against her stomach and chest, before gliding to her back. One high and one low they pull her towards him until their bodies are pressed closely together, very closely together.

Lindsay gasps. She is now perched precariously on the ledge of the bench. The only thing keeping her upright is Bobby's presence and his tight hold on her. Although she trusts him not to let her fall she instinctively wraps her legs around his thighs and her arms around his neck before she feels completely secure.

"So Lindsay how much evidence do you need?" he asks in a voice barely above a breath but that reverberates through her whole body.

Lindsay, who is a little distracted by the situation she's now in, thinks "Huh!" Quickly followed by "God he smells good, and feels good, and..." With an ear right there begging to be tasted she does jus that "and yep even tastes good too ... what's he saying? ... Evidence? ... Of what again? .... Mmm he's all nice and warm..." she holds on even tighter "Oh that feels so good ... what's he laughing at?" She opens eyes that she doesn't remember closing and looking at him asks, "What?"

"Do you want me to repeat the question?" he laughs "I could do it really slowly."

"I heard the question!"

"And?"

"And I'm considering contingencies."

"Contingencies?"

"Yes like for example what happens if you can't provide me with this hard evidence Bobby?"

Bobby's eyes open in disbelief, his hands skim down to her hips pulling hers even tighter against him "You're doubting the evidence."

Lindsay's head drops to his shoulder as she takes a moment to suppress her laughter. No there is no doubt what he is up to now ... so to speak. "Tell you what" she hears "If you're not satisfied with the evidence then the couch can be my new best friend for the night." Lindsay's head pops up, alarm unmistakable on her face, until she sees his cocky grin.

"You don't think there is any way that will happen do you?" she asks.

"Not a chance!" He's amused by the thoughtful expression on her face.

"Lindsay how long have we known each other?"

"Too long sometimes" she cheekily replies.

He nips her ear warning her to behave. Laughing she says, "What's that got to do with anything anyway?"

"I'm just saying how long I've known you is how many years of evidence I've got stored up."

"Ok three then."

"It's been more than three..."

"No give me three examples."

"Gee challenge me why don't you!"

"You didn't really give me an incentive to want you to fail in this Bobby."

Nodding slowly and thoughtfully he grins, his right hand snakes up her back until he's cupping her head and kissing her. She's left in no doubt he's pleased with her last response. When they separate she takes his face in her hands "But I want specific examples" she warns.

"What do you mean?"

"I want one of each" he looks at her as if he's not sure they're having the same conversation. 'Typical' she thinks, 'one magnificent kiss and he loses cognitive ability.' She explains in a slow, methodical, teasing voice "I want ... 'one' painful ... 'one' expensive ... and ... 'one..."

"Painfully expensive" he laughs "Ok I can do that."

He begins to think but the hiss of the stew boiling over onto the stove distracts him. Pulling away from the bench and easing her onto the floor, he swears and rushes to the stove to move the pot. He looks up at her and grins. "This mess is your fault. You distracted me Lindsay so you have to help me clean up."

Lindsay's left wondering if this whole charade was merely an elaborate plan to get him out of half the housework. She wouldn't put it past him.

As Bobby works to save their dinner, Lindsay removes her blouse and gives it a rinse in the sink. Five minutes later she's pleased she's removed most of the stain. A bit of spray and an overnight soak and it should come up as good as new. "Dinner is served" Bobby says with flourish placing their plates on the table. Lindsay looks over at him and smiles appreciatively before beginning to walk away.

"Where are you going?" he asks alarmed.

She turns to face him and holds her arms out to her sides to remind him she's barely clothed "I'll be back in a minute. I just want to get something to put on." Before she has time to turn around again he's whipped of his shirt and thrown it at her. She catches it at about the same time as her senses register it. "Mmm Bobby scent" she thinks. Smiling she asks, "Aren't you worried about getting cold?"

"Hardly" he smirks.

Lindsay slips into his shirt and with a grin throws hers to him. Laughing he holds it up as if considering wearing it then shaking his head says "Nah not really my style" and hangs it over a chair to dry while they eat.

As always, when set with a task, Bobby becomes fully focussed and oblivious to all distractions. Eating is no different. Lindsay wonders what happened to the man who five minutes ago appeared all set on torment and seduction. Stopping for a mouthful of water he looks up meeting with Lindsay's amused eyes. He's unsure what he's done to cause it but is pleased to see her smiling nonetheless. She'd looked a little too sad when she first arrived home. He's much happier with the way she looks now. In fact he's 'extremely' happy with the way she looks sitting there in his shirt.

It isn't unusual for him to find her wandering the house, late at night, in his discarded business shirt instead of a robe. He asked her once why she'd want to wrap her body in his sweaty stinky shirt. She gave him a secretive smile and taking his hand led him back to bed and let him throw the shirt back in the hamper where it belonged. He doesn't understand her attraction to his clothes but he sure as hell loves that she has it. He laughs thinking; 'this is one of those times the double standard works out well for a woman.' A woman can walk around in her mates clothing and no one thinks anything of it whereas a man in women's clothes is considered a freak.

"What?" Lindsay asks curious about why he laughed.

"Nothing just a stupid thought."

Her eyebrows rise questioningly. Knowing she won't let it go until he explains, he sighs and tells her. "I was just wondering why it's ok for you to walk around in my clothes but I'd be thought a freak if I wore yours."

Smiling she asks, "Do you want to wear my clothes Bobby?"

"You should know by now I'm always interesting in getting into your clothes Lindsay" he leers.

Giggling she says, "That's not exactly what I asked Bobby."

He grins and returns to eating. After a few more mouthfuls he looks up, she's still looking at him with an amused expression. Not particularly caring about the specifics, he'd still like to know what he's done to amuse her. It's always useful to file this type of information away for next time. "What?" he asks around another mouthful of food.

"Oh I'm just wondering how long you plan on keeping me waiting."

"A man needs his strength Lindsay" he waggles his eyebrows at her while eating some more.

After a snort of laughter Lindsay clarifies "Evidence Bobby! I seem to recall you promised me three examples to back up your ridiculous claim. Well I've been patiently waiting but have yet too see proof of this so called evidence."

He leans back in his chair elongating himself as much as possible. His arms raise out then up until they meet and cross behind his head. His eyes never leave hers, daring her to break contact and watch his body. As hard as it is to stay focussed on his eyes, to resist the urge to watch the play of his chest muscles rippling through smooth easy movements, resist she does.

Having failed to distract her physically he pulls out the big guns "So you want to see some proof do you?" he asks in his best lust inspiring drawl.

Lindsay is sure she is about to either melt or explode. Whichever it is one thing is certain, she is quickly losing control of the situation. Leaning forward in her best 'I'm the big bad tough defense lawyer pose' she states "Evidence Bobby! Give it to me now!"

Although Bobby's expression doesn't change he takes a while to respond. Lindsay is delighted to see his Adam's apple bob a few times a sure sign he's not as composed as he's trying to appear. 'Huh take that' she thinks, a smug smile threatening to arise. Suddenly he lurches forward eliciting a scream from her as he grabs her hand. Grinning, he plays with her fingers and begins his first tale.

"It was a dark and stormy night", Lindsay rolls her eyes at his melodramatic narration but it doesn't deter him from continuing, "After a horrendous day at the office I trudged home in anticipation of the comfort and care of my ever-loving wife. I opened the door and there she was; my heart stopped with delight upon seeing her. She turns having heard my entrance but do I get a delighted smile? No. Does she throw herself into my open inviting arms? Of course not. No she stands there; arms crossed a severe scary shrewish look on her face saying 'Bobby I've been thinking'. One week of marriage and the thrill is already gone.

Lindsay groans "You are so full of it"

He looks at her in mock surprise "What?"

"We were married in May. There were no dark and stormy nights within the first week of our marriage and I can assure you at no time during that week did you give me the impression the thrill was gone!"

"Well I may have exaggerated some of the details."

Lindsay snorts and draws out the word "Some?" mockingly.

"You did say Bobby I've been thinking" he concedes.

"Ok so lets pick the story up from there then."

"Fine" with a grin he adds, "I won't attempt a word for word by-play of our conversation because Miss technicality will surely object to most of it."

Lindsay nods, assuring him his assumption is correct.

"Ok so it went something like this, 'Bobby I've been thinking, Memorial Day Weekend is coming up and we haven't had a honeymoon yet so..."

"You have a problem with our honeymoon?" Lindsay asks a little alarmed.

"Physically and emotionally no it was quite possibly the greatest four days of my life, but you have to admit financially it was a disaster."

"No kidding but whose fault was that?"

Bobby opens his mouth to object then closes it in resignation. It was all his fault. After Lindsay's suggestion he'd said leave it to me and took over the organization. She'd arranged the perfect wedding for him so he wanted to arrange the perfect honeymoon for her. Unfortunately things didn't go exactly as he'd planned.

Bobby booked them into the Atlantis hotel, unfortunately for the weekend 'after' they turned up. Finding himself stranded in the Bahamas, during carnival weekend, with the only available accommodation being five times more expensive than he'd budgeted for. Add to that a wife unaware of the error who had been given cart blanche to spend to her hearts content and he was a desperate man with visions of bankruptcy court in his future. His subsequent behavior left a lot to be desired and instead of drawing them closer together threatened to tear them apart. After three days that could best be described as a comedy of errors, things finally came together and their final memories of the honeymoon are ones of pure unified bliss.

Bobby and Lindsay laugh, lost in the fond though frustrating memories of their financially disastrous honeymoon. Bobby can laugh now, but at the time the well in excess of $10000 bill, was no laughing matter. Between the food and drinks, the room, the casino and the cruise boat he ran aground, Bobby's checkbook barely survived the experience. But time heals most wounds and Lindsay has proved an exceptional cure. Looking knowingly at one another, little smiles play upon their lips, each daring the other to make a comment.

"It was wonderful Bobby thankyou!" Lindsay says after finishing her last forkful. Whether she means the honeymoon or the meal he's not exactly sure.

"There's more," he says rising and making his way to the fridge.

Lindsay is intrigued and watches him curiously. He returns and with great ceremony places a carton of Chunky Monkey on the table. "In fond memory of a certain deserted island." Lindsay laughs saying "My hero!"

He serves her a generous helping and as she eats it she is the one suddenly oblivious to her surroundings. When she's finished her ice cream Lindsay notices Bobby has become restless "What's wrong?" she asks.

"Nothing"

"Bobby?" she asks again this time in her warning tone.

Knowing this tone and the ramifications for ignoring it he mumbles, "There's a game on" before looking at her apologetically "would you mind?"

"Ah marriage" she says as she rises and takes his hand. She leads him towards the couch "you know they say it's all about compromise."

"Really" he replies "I've heard it makes you lose the shirt of your back."

Giggling she looks over her shoulder "That's not all you might lose if you're lucky."

He tugs on her hand pulling her back to him and rocking her side to side. He nuzzles against her neck and growls "Promises, promises"

Laughing she switches on the TV and they move to the couch. Bobby lies down and Lindsay climbs over him and curls up between him and the back of the couch with her head resting on his chest. As he becomes absorbed in the game she relaxes contentedly against him and considers marriage and compromise.

Coming home she'd dreamed of peace, quiet and solitude to nurse her frazzled mind. She wanted a hot bath, warm sheets and a long sleep but instead she found Bobby, long limbs, warm body, hot breath, playful and consuming. Not a bad compromise indeed. She runs her hand along his chest savoring the feel of him. She loves the contradictions of his body, soft skin over hard muscle and bone. A chest which rises, slowly and steadily with each breath he takes, while protecting his fast rhythmically beating heart. A body giving off warmth but cool to touch. Smooth skin interspersed with rough hair calling out to be caressed and teased by ever willing fingers.

"Hey Bobby," Lindsay says, resting her chin on his chest so she can see his face. His eyes move from the television to her, she plays her fingers through his hair to keep his attention, "You still owe me two."

He chuckles, "Are we talking my weekly quota here?"

Looking at her dangerous glare he feels a slow grin and a plan form. Quite a good plan too if he does say so himself. And he does! He reaches out and gently strokes her face. Fingers running softly over her forehead, cheeks, lips, upper, lower and chin, light enough to barely be felt but strong enough to send shivers throughout Lindsay's entire body.

Her less than amused smile quickly fades replaced by a look of lust. Her body tingling, warm and boneless, sinks toward him. Her lips are unable to resist the pull of his. Not that he seems to want resistance if the hands and mouth eagerly dueling with hers are anything to go by. Hot lips and warm breath hover over her ear and she hears a croaky "Lose the shirt".

Hands on his chest she pushes herself up enough so she can look him in the eyes questioningly. He gives her a very insincere apologetic look and says, "It's hard to kiss someone who smells like me."

Grinning she thinks 'I've never had a problem with it'. She pushes up fully until she's straddling his thighs, then slowly draws the T-shirt up and over her head before dropping it over the back of the couch. She pauses, looking at him, waiting to see if this meets with his approval. Bobby rises and placing his nose against where her neck meets shoulder takes in a deep breath.

"Ah much better" he whispers.

Wrapping her in his arms he falls back drawing her down with him. She rises on her elbows and framing his face with her hands she looks down at him admiringly. She can't seem to keep up with him tonight. She's been playing catch up ever since she got home. Just when she feels she knows his game he goes and changes it on her. She wouldn't have it any other way.

"I thought you wanted to watch the television?"

He shrugs "I'm talented," then grinning, says, "I can always do both."

Lindsay collapses onto him giggling, kissing his neck she mumbles, "Bobby Donnell the king of romance."

Raising her face off him until he can see her, Bobby says, "If you want romance Lindsay I can do romance." The expression on her face leaves him believing the answer is yes.

Soon lips are as busy as hands and the pile of clothing over the back of the couch builds considerably. Giggles drown out the basketball commentary before being replaced with deep panting breaths and exclamations of love and pleasure. Bobby is determined Lindsay will not be doubting what holds his full attention. He puts in a considerable and much appreciated effort to fulfil her every desire.

Not that he finds it a chore. Driving her wild with need is one of his greatest pleasures. It's also very easy to do considering patience isn't one of her strengths. The part he has the most trouble with is keeping his own patience in check long enough to send her out of her mind. Patience not being one of his own strengths either. He never manages to hold out as long as he plans. Luckily though because doing so would probably kill him. As it is they are both more than satisfied with the night's activities.

With bodies trembling they finally come back to earth, both unwilling to break their connection. Hands and lips continue to explore but the frenzy is gone replaced by tender words and affirmations.

After a substantial recovery time Lindsay laughs saying, "As a diversionary tactic that was a pretty good effort Bobby."

"My wife the cynic" he chuckles "and pretty good? Gee thanks, that's certainly what I was aiming for."

She looks at his face and his exaggerated pout "Oh my poor baby" she runs her thumb over his protruding bottom lip "Well Bobby I hate to add to your troubles but I think the game is over."

He looks over at the television and says "Yeah I know. The Celtics won by 8."

Lindsay looks at him horrified. She can't believe he was watching the television while they were supposedly making love. Her expression makes him laugh, rubbing her back he explains, "It was a delayed telecast. I knew the result already."

Slapping his shoulder she says, "Bobby that was a horrible thing to make me think." Trying to appear cross she sits up grabs the remote control and turns the television off. Knees either side of his hips and hand splayed on his chest she says, "Ok no more playing nice. I've been patient long enough. You Bobby, are not moving until I get another story."

Bobby's eyes were wide with delight as he watched her organize her little tactic "Ooh baby punish me some more" he leers.

Growling in frustration, Lindsay's hands run up his chest and grip his shoulders where they attempt to shake him.

Laughing he says "Ok, ok I give." Taking a deep breath he says "It all began with you saying 'Bobby I've been thinking, Helen's been a little depressed lately" he pauses for effect, a long, long pause.

"Is that it?" Lindsay asks when it doesn't appear he is going to continue.

"No I was just waiting to see if you can fill in the rest of the details."

"You'll have to be a bit more specific I think we have this conversation every time she loses a case" Lindsay grins then frowns and whacks his shoulder again.

"Ow! What was that for?" He rubs it as if it's really hurting.

"First you complain about our honeymoon and now you're picking on my best friend. What's next my mother?" Bobby nods hesitantly. Amazement in her eyes Lindsay says in disbelief, "Tell me you're kidding!" He shakes his head and groaning she whines "Bobbeeeeeeeeee!"

He flips her until they are laying side by side, her leg draped over his hip. He strokes it slowly, knee to thigh, looking deep into her eyes, until she relents and with a sigh says "Ok tell me the Helen story." He smiles and shuffles them around again until he's on his back and she's again draped across him. She listens to his voice rumble through his chest and feels totally surrounded by him, enveloped, and wouldn't change it for the world.

"Remember how after you left hospital there was a time we feared one of the complications of your stay was Helen had somehow become surgically attached?" Lindsay giggles "And how radar ears seemed to be able to sense the moment we initiated sex and would appear magically?"

"C'mon Bobby" she grins "tell the truth you miss those days don't you?"

Bobby gives a loud sharp laugh. "Like I'd miss a piranha in my boxers." Lindsay laughs and Bobby continues with his story. "So anyway I came up with the brilliant idea of finding Helen a man to occupy her time." Lindsay groans and Bobby looks at her quizzically "What?"

"I'm just thinking it's lucky you like women Bobby because you have horrible taste in men."

"Is that so?"

"Yep"

"See I thought my choice was fine until my greedy fiancée went all out to seduce him herself after which Helen never stood a chance."

"I did no such thing! Bobby take it back! I didn't make any attempt to seduce Craig!"

"You turned up didn't you?"

Laughing she concedes "Yes."

"Trust me Lindsay that's all you need to do."

She rolls her yes at him. "So it was all my fault?"

"Yeah."

"Even you acting like an ass was my fault?"

He looks shocked. "Me? Never!"

She laughs "Yeah not so anyone noticed."

"No, no, no" he says "I distinctly remember I was perfectly reasonable but you, Helen and Craig got your noses bent out of shape about who knows what..."

"You're skating on thin ice Bobby" she warns fingers waggling at him threateningly.

"Even though I didn't do a thing wrong you got in the shits with me and I was scurrying to make it up to everyone. I appeased Helen by buying her an all inclusive spa day, sucked up to Craig with floor seats for the Celtics but you, my dear woman, were tough and very resistant to my charms. It took me two weeks of sending you flowers and chocolates and offering theater tickets and even aaaarrrrrggghhh the opera until finally you caved when I suggested we go to Chateau de rip-off..."

"Maison de l'amour" Lindsay laughs.

"Yeah whatever"

"Do you really think that's why I caved?"

"That and you missed me."

"Bzzzzzzzzzt wrong on both counts"

"Yeah right!"

She shakes her head surprised he can be so clueless. "I'm serious Bobby you are way off."

"Then why was I so suddenly forgiven after two weeks of hell?"

"Because you finally said you were sorry"

"I'd been saying I was sorry everyday for two weeks!"

"No you'd been saying things like 'I'm sorry but he deserved it' or 'I'm sorry but he made me so mad'"

Bobby looks at her as if to say 'what's your point?'



"I forgave you Bobby when finally you said 'I'm sorry 'I' was an idiot'" she can't tell if he gets her point so she asks, "Do you see the difference?"

"Yes Mom" he teases "One suggest he's a schmuck the other suggests I'm a schmuck."

"Exactly" she kisses his cheek showing how pleased she is with his clever deduction "so it was when you stopped making excuses and accepted you'd done the wrong thing that I caved as you so beautifully put it."

"Sure, sure, sure" he says pulling her face close "you just missed me like crazy and decided schmuck or not you couldn't live without me for another minute."

Laughing knowing he's part right Lindsay says, "You just keep telling yourself that Bobby," she untangles herself from him and gets off the couch saying, "I'm having a bath." She begins to walk away then looking over her shoulder at his disappointed face asks, "Care to join me schmuck?"

Bobby doesn't have to be asked twice. He whoops with delight and chases her down the hall. There is a brief wrestling match over the bath oils with Bobby insisting he doesn't want to end up smelling like a girl. Lindsay promises to help him sweat off the floral fragrance later and not surprisingly isn't met with any further resistance.

They sink into the tub. Bobby's warm hard body feeling so much better against Lindsay's back then cold hard porcelain. The hot bath has the exact effect Lindsay was hoping for earlier. Her tired overworked muscles relax and she feels herself being lulled into a perfectly sated slumber. She can tell by Bobby's steady breathing against her ear he won't be far behind her. One deep breath away from sleep, Lindsay's eyes shoot open, she's says "Bobbeeeeeeeeee" in her 'Bobby you've been a bad, bad boy' tone.

Amused he asks "What?"

Looking over her shoulder at his grinning face she says, "Well I'm assuming our honeymoon was your example of painfully expensive." He nods. "Which would make the disaster dinner expensive. Am I right?"

"Aren't you always" he teases.

"And back on the couch you insinuated the next story is about my mother and all we have left to choose from is painful."

"Ah ha brilliant deduction my dear but your point is?"

Lindsay rises to get out of the bath and a little hurt says, "I don't think I want to hear anymore stories."

Bobby's arms wrap around her drawing her struggling body back down. Before she can complain he says, "If it's any consolation my father is involved in this one too."

She laughs and relaxes against him. "Oh God say no more I know exactly where you are going with this."

"Oh but you wanted a story Lindsay" he tickles her.

"I don't anymore!" she giggles squirming against his fingers.

"Too bad you got it. Bobby I've been thinking it's about time our parents meet each other my adorable fiancée once said."

"That's not what I said."

"Close enough it's what you meant. Of course then you informed me of all the rules and regulations of what can and can't be mentioned at said meeting so every time I opened my mouth I was terrified of firmly planting my foot in it."

"Yeah but I was the one who let slip we were living in sin."

Bobby kisses her shoulder "But only to get the attention off my poor frazzled father."

She giggles "Yeah and it set off a series of relation revelations the extent of which has never before been known to man."

"We're still sticking to the deal we made though right?" Bobby asks. Lindsay looks at him confused so he explains "Not more than one parent allowed within a five mile radius at any given time."

Lindsay laughs "Definitely! Staggered meetings from this moment on."

They are quite except for the occasional chuckle then Lindsay says "Bobby have you noticed a pattern here?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Ok first case..." He groans she ignores him and continues, "I suggest a honeymoon then Mr. Donnell, the organizational maestro that he is, insists on doing it all himself. He mucks up, disaster ensues and then I'm blamed for the expense because supposedly it was my idea."

"I get the feeling I'm not going to like where you are going with this" Bobby moans. Lindsay tugs on the hair on his leg. "Ouch cut it out" he cries so she does "You're mean you know that." He moans.

Smiling she continues her explanation. "Case two, I suggest we cheer Helen up. So you organize a dinner, you show up with some guy then end up getting pissy, ingesting over your body weight in alcohol, insulting all of us, and then I'm blamed because you spent a lot of money trying to buy forgiveness." Bobby sits listening in silence Lindsay enjoying herself keeps explaining. "Case three, you don't have the good sense to see my father bringing a date to a dinner with my mother would be a problem and you inadvertently turn a family meal into a three ringed circus."

"So what is it you're saying exactly?"

"I'm saying Bobby you are a wonderful man, an incredible lover and I absolutely adore you, but a good thinker you are not. From now on I suggest I do all the thinking in this relationship."

"Oh you do do you?"

"Yep" she barely contains her mirth.

"So what does that leave for me to do." He pouts.

She reaches down and interlaces her right hand with his. She then brings these joined hands to rest on top of her abdomen where his left hand was already splayed. She runs the backs of the fingers of her left hand along his thigh in ever increasing circles. She feels him shiver underneath her and rolls her head so she can see his face. Her heavy lidded eyes leave him in no doubt what she's suggesting his duties shall be.

"I think I can manage that," he says as his lips descend on hers.

He kisses her insistently. Although she's deeply invested in the kiss, his body wriggling behind her is distracting. She's about to break and ask him what he's doing when she feels his left leg jerk and receives her answer in the sound of the water rushing down the drain. She giggles and says "Impressive"

"You ain't seen nothing yet" he replies drolly then pushing her up says, "Let's get out of here."

She stands and turns to look at him. She runs her hands over the glistening chest that's caught her eye and says; "I take it all back."

With one hand rubbing her arm, the other reaches under her chin and raises it until she's looking at his face. He tilts his head asking for an explanation.

She smiles "I take it back I do like the way you think Bobby."





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That's all folks .... or is it?