T/W:Mentions mental health issues.

****
Lex

Mom, Uncle Grant, Jay, Aria and I decide to take a little trip to the beach  for a few hours one afternoon. Mom and I pack a picnic lunch and off we go.

Once we arrive, Aria is clamoring to get down. She adores playing in the sand, squeezing it between her fingers and giggling.

I set her down and then help Uncle Grant set up towels and umbrellas. I keep an eye on Aria, who's thoroughly enjoying herself.

Jay sits down beside her, asking her all kinds of questions. Aria squeals, smearing wet sand on her cheek. I grab a baby wipe and proceed to clean her off. She protests the entire time.

"You're ruining her fun," Jay tells me.

"Good," I say, crumbling up the used baby wipe and throwing into the plastic bag that Mom brought along for trash.

"Too bad Steve couldn't join us," Uncle Grant remarks.

"I know," I say. "But I think the three of us might come back on Sunday."

"Steve works too hard," Mom says, settling down on a towel and putting on her sunglasses.

"He does," I agree. "But I'm proud of him. He's worked hard to get where he is."

Uncle Grant sits down and opens up the picnic basket and begins to take out the food. As soon as Aria sees it, she's whining for some. I chuckle, putting Aria in my lap and wiping off her hands (again) before handing her a cracker and a small piece of watermelon. She crams the cracker in her mouth first then tries to do the same thing with the watermelon.

"Easy," I say, kissing the top of her head. Her head swivels around, her dark eyes looking into mine.

"Pretty girl," I coo. Aria grins.

"I can't believe how big she's getting," Uncle Grant says, handing me some red grapes. I accept them.

"It happens," I say.

"Will you start trying for another one soon?" Mom asks.

"Not yet," I reply.

"Do you even want another one?" Uncle Grant asks, grinning.

"Yeah," I answer. "Although Aria's kinda spoiled Steve and I. She's a good baby." Aria finishes her cracker and wants another one. Uncle Grant hands her one. She grins at him.

"She may look more like Steve," Uncle Grant says. "But Aria definitely has your smile, Lex." I grin.

"Of course. She has the best of both Steve and I."

***

I decide to take a little walk down the beach, while Aria naps, Mom watching over her. Since we're here in the middle of the day, it's not as crowded. I get a little lonely for Steve after a few minutes, though. I really hope we'll come back here on Sunday.

As I reach the halfway point, I spot a lone figure heading my way. I pause, heart pounding a little as they come closer. It's that same guy I saw that day after leaving the crime lab. He finally reaches me and...stops.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Lovely day to be at the beach," he says.

"It is." He peers more closely at me.

"Do I know you?"

"I don't think so," I reply.

"You really look like someone I used to know," he says.

"Uh yeah," I say. "You...look really familiar as well." He just stares at me. It's unnerving. He starts walking away, not saying anything else.  I turn around myself, feeling shaky.

Who is that man?

***

Steve

"Stevie, we need to talk." Those are the most dreaded words to a guy. I warily eye Lex, who seems a little...unsettled.

"I saw him again," Lex barges on before I can even respond.

"Who?" I ask, setting my stuff down. I spot Aria, sitting in her high chair, playing with some cheerios.

"That guy who looks like...Speed," Lex says in a hushed tone. I don't know why  Lex is whispering. It's not like Aria can talk yet.

"Where?" I ask. My stomach growls. Maybe I should be more concerned about what Lex is telling me, but I'm not.

"At the beach," Lex replies, looking distressed.

"Is dinner ready?" I ask, heading for the kitchen. I smell chili. Lex frowns, following me.

"Aren't you worried that I'm going...crazy?" Lex asks in a whisper. I go serve myself up.

"No. Why should I be?" I go sit down at the table. "Are you eating?"

"Yes." Lex goes to serve herself up and joins me at the table. She doesn't eat, though. She just keeps stirring her chili around and around in her bowl.

"Has anyone else seen this guy?" I ask.

"Aria," Lex replies.

"You said you saw him at the beach?" I say.

"Yes," Lex says.

"Did your mom or Grant see him?" Lex shakes her head.

"You probably just imagined him again," I say.

"You don't think that's odd?"

"Maybe." I get up and move to Lex. She reaches out to me and I just hold her. Aria starts fussing so we have to move apart. I get Aria, gently bouncing her in my arms, letting Lex eat her dinner.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much," I tell Lex.

"Do you think maybe I should go talk to the doctor about this?" Lex asks.

"If it's bothering you that much, I say go for it," I reply. Lex nods, moving to touch my beard.

"Thanks, Steve." Lex smiles softly at me. "I love you so much." I lean, giving Lex a quick kiss.

"I love you too, Lex."

***
Lex

"Mom, I gotta talk to you." Mom looks guarded. I suppose she thinks I'll be grilling her about Jay again.

"When we were at the beach, I thought I saw a guy who resembled...Speed."

"That's not as unusual as you think," Mom says.

"No," I say. "Except I saw the exact same guy outside the crime lab, prior to seeing him at the beach."

"Do you think you're seeing Speed because you still miss him?" Mom asks. I shrug.

"I don't know. Did you notice anyone at the beach who fit that description?" Mom thinks for a minute.

"I don't remember anyone like that, but I really wasn't looking, either."

"Mom," I say softly. "Do you think I'm going..crazy?"

"Oh, honey, no." Mom gives me a hug. "I think maybe you still just miss Speed so your subconscious still brings him to you."

"I told Steve about it," I tell Mom. "I might go see the doctor, just in case, I am losing my mind."

"I don't think you're losing your mind, Lex," Mom says. "You seem perfectly sane to me."

"Gosh, I hope so. I'm a little worried about it, to be honest." Mom gives me another hug.

"You don't need to worry. And even if there are mental health issues involved, there are lots of options these days to help." I nod, hugging Mom back.

I want to believe her, but deep down inside, I'm not sure I do.