Author's notes: I don't own these characters; I'm just playing with them a bit. I'm rewatching Eureka season one, and felt like trying some Carter and Stark tags to some episodes. I pictured this one taking place during the intermission of Zoe's second performance of A Midsummer Night's Invasion (in my experience, most high school plays are presented twice).
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A Puckish Exchange
Carter held the glass up to the light in an attempt to discover the true color of the liquid inside. It actually seemed to shift hues between red and purple. "Uh, what is this, exactly?" he asked Vincent.
"It's a Midsummer's Elixir—a mix of juices and one of my special ingredients," he answered. "Don't worry, Sherriff, it's nothing alcoholic." Vincent smiled and jerked his head slightly to one side, and Carter realized he was holding up the refreshment line. "Oh, sorry," he turned to apologize to the person directly behind him, and was confronted with Nathan Stark's smirking face.
"What's the matter, Sheriff, afraid your Elixir will turn you invisibling? I'll have an Oberon Chaser, Vincent." Stark said.
"Well, you never know in Eureka, Stark. Before today, you didn't believe in memory wipers, but they exist." Carter sipped his drink, smiling. "In fact, it sounded like you wanted me fired at one point there, even though I was stopping a man from potentially splattering on your visiting military big-wig."
Stark's tone hardened. "You did your job right today, Carter. But the manner in which you do it—it still leaves a lot to be desired. And just like everyone in Eureka, you need to produce results to keep your job. Too many screw-ups, and you will be fired, just like any of the scientists here."
"Do the same rules apply to you?" Carter asked.
"Of course, Carter. But don't worry, I've never had any difficulties in that area. I have faith in my abilities." Stark's smirk was in full force now.
"I suppose there are some disadvantages to having an ego as large as yours. Like overconfidence." Carter answered with a smirk of his own.
Vincent handed Stark his drink, and Stark thanked him. Turning again to the sheriff, he said, "I do my job well, Carter. You keep doing yours, and just maybe you won't be sent packing." He began to turn away, but then glanced back at Carter. "By the way, your daughter is excellent as Puck." And once again, Carter was left staring at Stark's back before he could reply.
"Thanks," he muttered to himself. "I know." He smiled as he finished his drink. But as he went back to his seat before intermission finished, he vowed to himself that next time he and Stark had one of these interchanges, it would be Stark staring at his back without a chance to reply.