"She's literally driving me up a wall. I had to climb up one yesterday to get out of her way."

Carter sat across from Reese at their usual spot, trying her absolute best to not snicker into her coffee. John Reese was normally a man of very few words but lately, thanks to his association with Sam Shaw, he'd taken to using her as a sounding board, complaining about Shaw's tactics, her lack of impulse control, her aim. It wasn't that her aim was bad. On the contrary, it was amazing. Better than his...and it was rankling him. And amusing Carter to no end. It was so unlike him to let something like this get to him.

"John..."

"I hadn't even caught up to her and she had all three of them on their knees, hands behind their heads. I think one of them wet himself. She's scary, Joss." He fiddled with the utensils sitting next to his hand and shook his head.

"Is she? Sounds...efficient...to me." She sipped her coffee and peered up at him over the rim of the mug. "Sounds like a good addition. At least no one ended up in the hospital this time."

He stopped and looked at her, squinting. "You're enjoying this."

She shrugged, a ghost of a smile turning her lips up.

He sighed and lifted his coffee to his mouth. "So you women really do stick together."

Before she could say anything in response, her phone rang. Reese listened as she talked to her partner. Her face turned serious as she talked and Reese knew she would be leaving when she was done.

She stood and put her phone in her jacket. "I have to go." She rested her hand on his shoulder.

Covering hers with his, Reese looked up at her, his eyes soft. "I heard. Will I see you later?"

She glanced around the diner making sure no one was paying attention. She leaned down and turned his head towards her, kissing him gently. "You will. Stay out of trouble."

"You too. Be safe." He let go of her hand reluctantly.

She couldn't resist one last dig even though she really did try. "Just so you know, It's not that we stick together; it's just funny seeing you trying to rein someone in for a change. I'll be interested to see if it works out as well for you as it did for me."

He chuckled. "It better not or I'll have a very pissed off woman at home to deal with."

She smiled as she ran her hand over her gun. "And don't you forget it, baby." She winked at him as she walked out.