Author's Note: Hey guys I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the wonderful reviews for my very first POI fic. This as you can see by the title will be a complimentary piece to the other fic. I've decided that I'll do it in a serial format, in that they will tie in with each other but at the same time they can standalone. So you won't need to have read the previous one to understand what's going on in the the current story. I wanted to keep that same title 'A Personal Interest' because all of these stories I plan to write will delve into the more personal sides of the of Reese and Carter, who are my new ship. So I hope you read it and enjoy it and if you enjoy it I hope you will leave a review. Thank you, Pari.

The last thing she had expected to see when she descended the stairs of the brownstone she shared with her son was the uninvited guest standing near the unlit fireplace looking at the pictures showcased on the mantle. The last thing he had expected to see when he broke into the brownstone was the lady standing before him dressed in a red strapless cocktail dress that molded to her frame like a glove. With her hair swept up in a sexy, perfectly sloppy style that showcased her slender neck.

"What the hell are you doing in my house?" Carter demanded as she moved to where Reese stood openly appraising her from head to toe.

"I called you but you didn't answer your phone." He offered as an explanation.

"Yeah well that's because I turned my phone off."

"We need your help with a case."

"Well it will have to keep until tomorrow. I have the next two days off and tonight I have plans."

"Hot date?" Reese asked as he let his eyes causally wash over her body again.

"None of your business and why are you looking at me like that?" Carter inquired as she self-consciously folded her arms across her chest and hugged her arms.

"I'm just not used to seeing you so…"Reese was at a loss for the right word. His pause irritated Carter and she instantly forgot her apprehension and became defensive, as she placed her hands on her hip.

"So what?" She demanded to know.

"So dressed up," Reese finally answered with a calm demeanor. "Why in the world would you hide those legs under pants all the time?" He asked curiously as he titled his head to the side to get a better view, and Carter couldn't help but to smile at the obvious compliment and his attentive gaze.

"Sorry, skirts and dresses aren't really good in my line of work, especially when I have to chase down some bad guy."

"That's a shame and you should definitely wear more red." Reese continued with the compliments.

"OK I'll keep that in mind but right now you can't be here, I have company stopping by for dinner." She stated as she moved to him and grasped his arm and then moved him towards the door.

"But we have a case." Reese restated as he turned in her grasped and leered down at her. Carter gazed up into his vibrant blue eyes for a moment but then realized how close they were to each other, and she swiftly released him and took a couple of steps back.

"It can't wait until tomorrow?" She asked.

"By tomorrow a 12 year-old kid could be dead." He said and could see by the way her face fell just a little and her shoulders slumped that she would be changing her plans tonight. He only felt a little bit guilty about the fact that he was exaggerating the truth. They were working on a case involving the kidnapping of a Wall Street mogul's 12 year-old son, but the number the machine spit out was that of the mogul not the child. Reese couldn't fully rationalize why he was lying to Carter but he knew that he had no intentions of leaving without her tagging along.

"All right, well let me…" Her words were cut off by the doorbell. "Shit," Carter cursed under her breath. "Stay here I'm be right back." She then walked out of the living room and moved around the corner in the foyer to open the door. "Hi Michael," Reese heard her greet and then stealthily moved to the foyer.

"Wow you look gorgeous Lyn," Michael replied as he leaned down and pulled her into a gently and brief kiss.

"Thank you," Carter responded as she took a step back. "Uhm I was just about to call you. It seems there this new case that just came up and I'm needed down at the station."

"Oh no, I was really looking forward to spending some time with you." Michael said as he threw out a cute pout that made Carter throw back a girlish giggle, which in turn made Reese roll his eyes as he stepped out and leaned against the corner. Reese took in the 6'7" muscular built, well dress black man standing just inside the doorway, the same way that very man was sizing him up. "Oh Hello," Michael said upon seeing Reese casually standing just behind them. Carter turned with wide eyes to face Reese, who she gave an evil glare to which he smirked at.

"John, I thought I told you to make yourself at home…in the living room." She spoke through gritted teeth.

"Sorry guess I'm just anxious to get started on that case." John said in reply.

"Right, Michael this is John my…co-worker, he's helping me with that case I mentioned." Carter introduced Michael to Reese and then purposely didn't bother giving Reese that same courtesy.

"Hello John, I'm Michael Marsters." Michael spoke as he stepped around Carter and extended a hand to Reese, which Reese shook but said nothing. "Right, so I guess you two have work to do so will I get a rain check on dinner?" Michael asked as he moved back to Carter and grasped her about the waist as he leaned down a bit so they were more at eye level.

"Definitely," She almost purred out as she smiled. Michael then moved in and gave her a more sensual kiss and Reese could tell it was mostly for his benefit, that Michael was trying to leave his mark. With a groan Michael finally released Carter.

"OK I'll let you two get to work. Nice to meet you John and Lyn feel free to call me later tonight, if you happen to close your case early, and we'll have a late dinner."

"I will," Carter promised as she held the door for him. Michael tossed her a wink as he exited. Carter held a goofy smile as she closed the door with a sigh. She turned and pressed her back to the door and bit at her bottom lip as she smiled and stared off dreamily, momentarily forgetting that John was still standing there watching her. When she finally noticed him again her smile faded and the hard glare returned. "I told you to stay in the living room."

"Well you should know better than anyone that I'm not one for doing what I'm told." His smooth voice washed over her.

"And could you have been ruder?" She added and he looked as if he was actually contemplating the question before he nodded his head.

"Yeah I could have been."

"Ugggghhh." She growled out as she moved to stomp by him. "I'll just go and change." He stopped her by gently grasping her arm.

"No time, besides I promise we won't have to chase down the bad guy. I just need you to access the police database to get some intel for me, and then accompany me on a little stake out."

"A stakeout as in all night long?" Carter asked.

"Well yeah," John spoke softly as an innocent look crossed his face. "I know Taylor's staying at his grandmother's for the next couple of days, and now that you don't have any other plans I figured you wouldn't mind." Carter closed her eyes and took deep breaths to calm herself and Reese reveled in annoying her, so much he had to fight to hold in the chuckle that wanted out. He knew that if he laughed she would just kick him out.

"Fine," She said as she turned and stalked to the door, yanking her coat from the coatrack on her way. "Let's go."