My muse is happy. It produced like, I dunno, five of these over hiatus, and this is the second since the premiere.
I will not apologies.
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His eyes have that creepy stare. When he's angry, the pretty, agreeable blue turns to ice. She's seen it in interrogation, suspects crumble under the cold, analytic glare. But she was not a criminal. She was a detective. She was a grown woman and she could look him right in the eye, that glare and all, and not blink.
Oh, what was she kidding? "What, Carlton?" It comes out a little more harsh than she intended for it to, but he's been… He's been awful. She shouldn't have to choose. She shouldn't feel bad for remaining in a relationship that makes her happy, despite his opinion.
"I told you to choose a side." His glare is unrelenting, he won't let up. God, he's angry. He's never been this angry with her before. She doesn't like it.
"Well, give it up, I'm not going to." She's not going to sit here and be intimidated by him. He can't treat her like a common criminal. She's his partner and she can see who she likes.
"O'Hara." There's that damn growl he has. She can practically see the steam coming out of his ears. He narrows his eyes at her, which only serves to intensify that look.
"No, Carlton." She'll just blow her top before he has a chance to. He doesn't get to walk all over her, no matter how angry he is or how betrayed he feels. "I'm not a child, and you don't get to decide who I do or don't date. You're my partner and I respect and value your opinion, but… But I love Shawn and you don't get to ruin that! You don't get to walk in and decide that I can't see him just because you don't agree with his methods or because he shows you up every once in a while. That's my decision and I love him. So back off or I'll ask for a new partner and I won't take no for an answer."
Shell socked. He's shell shocked. She's never stood up to him like that. She's never called him out like that. She's never threatened him like that. Sure, he's angry. But his partner is his partner and he doesn't want any other one.
"O'Hara…" He has to change her mind before she does something that makes him regret what he's done.
"Don't, Carlton," her jaw is set and she's serious as hell. And she's not about to back down.
"I'm sorry, Juliet." Wait. Did he just say that? Shit, he did.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I'm sorry. I just want what's best for you, but I know I overstepped. Spencer can be… Immature at times and I don't want you to get hurt," he's explaining himself to her. Does he really value his relationship with her that much? Without a doubt.
"Carlton, I can take care of myself."
"But it's my job to have your back. Maybe I take it too far. But I care about you too much to see you fall apart over a twit like Spencer."
She smiles. "I'll be just fine, Carlton," she steps around her desk and reaches out to him.
"I know you will," he returns her smile, any of the last remnants of the icy stare having faded.
"I feel a hug coming on," she mocks, but he allows her to hug him anyway.
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