Juliet's time was running out. She could feel it. Just like she felt Yin's hands tie the rope that held her to the clock tower. Her mind tried to form what was left of a goodbye to the world- remember the people who made her life what it was. She kept trying to think of the faces of all the people who she'd never see again. But there was only one person she could think of. Carlton. She knew he shouldn't blame himself for her death, but he would. That's just who he is. He was the best partner she'd ever had. As the clock behind her ticked away the seconds of her life, she left her mind to stay on Carlton.
As she sat there, she swore she heard Carlton's voice. She didn't move. She knew it was too late, that he wouldn't be here. It was her mind letting her here his voice one more time. It was almost as if she could feel him with her. She heard another voice, too. But she couldn't place it. There was a gunshot and then the ticking stopped. Was she dead? Had her time being stuck to the clock tower run out? All she did was close her eyes and wait.
After being taken from the side of the tower, Juliet realized that she wasn't dead. The chief came up to the roof and explained that Carlton shot his gun to stop the clock hand from hitting the ropes that held her. Carlton had actually come. He saved her. Juliet didn't see him when she was safe, he was forced to give his statement to the chief. Someone had come up to Juliet, but she wasn't paying attention to him. He tried to get a statement or something from her, but she turned away. This man wouldn't stop bugging her. Once he saw, Carlton pushed aside the man and went to Juliet.
"Juliet..."
"I'm fine" She stuttered out. He kept trying to calm her down, so she just kept repeating. "I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm-" A sob escaped, and that was it. Juliet crumbed into a hug. Carlton put his hands on her back and held her like that. She kept crying, knowing this was the only place she felt safe. Carlton kept as calm as he could, but seeing Juliet like this broke him.
After all of her tears ran dry, Juliet let go of her partner. His deep blue eyes looked into hers, saying all that she needed to hear, that she was safe. Without protest, Carlton led Juliet to his car and drove her to his house. He knew that she wouldn't be able to be alone tonight, and she knew it too. He led her into his house and locked the door behind them.
"I'll make us some tea, Juliet." Carlton sat her down on the couch and left for the kitchen. She felt comforted by the way he was using her first name. He came back into the room a few minutes later, saying the water was boiling.
"Is it ok?" Juliet asked.
"Is what ok?" Carlton sat on the couch next to her, putting an arm behind her back.
"Me feeling like this." Juliet said.
"Of course," he hesitated, "I mean, this was very traumatic and its normal-" he cut himself off, not wanting to sound like she was just another person who went through a traumatic incident. "Juliet, it's ok not to be ok. It's ok to cry and crying doesn't mean you're not strong. You've been strong enough. Now you need to let it all out to feel better."
Juliet's eyes filled with tears. When she looked into Carlton's eyes, the tears spilled over. He wiped them away with his finger. In almost a whisper, she said, "Thank you." Then, for the second time that day, she sobbed into his chest, his arms wrapped around her back. He pulled her close, knowing she needed someone to protect her.
Juliet woke up with a blanket wrapped around her and a pillow tucked under her head. She looked around and saw she was on Carlton's couch, where she fell asleep in his arms. "Carlton?" She asked in a tiny voice. The tall detective came out of the kitchen.
"Juliet?" He asked, "You're up?"
"Yeah, what time is it?"
He checked his watch, "Only 1 a.m., you've been out for about an hour. Your tea is on the counter in here, would you like me to bring it in?"
"Yes." She answered as loudly as she could, but even that was barely up to her normal volume.
He came in wearing pajama pants and a blue shirt, holding a mug out to Juliet. She took it and sipped the tea very slowly.
"You should try to sleep, you need some rest." He said, voice filling with concern.
"I can't." She went on to explain through more tears, "Every time I close my eyes I see-"
"You don't need to say Juliet. I'm here." Carlton put his arms around her.
"It's ok not to be ok, right?" Juliet asked.
"Yes. But I'll always be here to help make you better." Carlton assured her. He tightened his arms around her, needing the safety of the hug as well. He thought back to the ride to the clock tower. It was the worst time of his life. He was a wreck, barely able to see through the tears in his eyes. But he drove there, well over the speed limit and brushed the tears aside. That wasn't the time for crying- it was the time for action. This was the time for crying. He knew he shouldn't let Juliet see him cry, but the tears were overflowing. Juliet felt the tear fall on her shoulder and looked up to see her partners blue eyes filled.
"Are you ok?" Juliet asked.
"Of course. You're safe now." Carlton said. He knew better but went on, "I couldn't even think of what would've happened if Guster and I hadn't gotten there in-in t-t-time." This was the first time Juliet had seen her partner cry. She moved her hands to go around his neck. They were there for each other now and that's what mattered.
This was the first time they each saw each other sob and loose control of their emotions. And they both knew that that was ok. It's ok for them not to be ok.