TITLE: Double Vision: A Carlos Story

AUTHOR: AngelofMystery

E-MAIL: angelofmystery@earthlink.net or PrincessPanthera@earthlink.net

RATING: PG for a tiny bit of swearing

SPOILERS: None really- helps if you've seen "The Self Importance of Being Carlos", "Old Dogs, New Tricks" and the 4th Season Premiere "Lights Up"

SUMMARY: After getting on each other's nerves way too long Doc and Carlos are paired up with different partners. Carlos finds himself with new recruit Sarah McCartey.so what's the problem? Sarah is as bad as Carlos, the two of them a match made in Heaven.or is it hell?

DISCLAIMER: Third Watch belongs to John Wells and Warner Brothers, Oh! Sarah McCartey belongs to me (

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Since people liked my first Carlos story- "Frozen"- I thought I'd write another- he's my second favorite character so hope you enjoy! And **= Thoughts

**=Thoughts, mostly Carlos's unless specified

Part One: The End of an Era

**God, he annoys me! Him and his constant nitpicking and pulling rank.I can only take so much. And he says I'm a jerk-hah!- he needs to take one hard look in a mirror, he can be as bad as me alright. He's just a miserable, lonely old man who couldn't make it anywhere.Maybe I should fell sorry form him.nah, not my style.**

Though on the inside Carlos was fuming over Doc he showed no signs on the outside. His expression showed a look of someone lost in la-la-land without a care in the world. He shifted in the old, creaky chair and glanced with tired brown eyes at the clock. 1:50.

**Just like him.leaving me hanging-the damn jerk. **

He'd been called down to the Lieu's office to have a "very important" talk regarding partnership "issues". No doubt it was Doc who conned Lieu into it.

**Mr. Wannabe Saint, always doing "good".tattle tailing like some teacher's pet. So what if I threatened him, he deserved it.**

"Nieto." A voice called from behind. **Finally, let's get this show on the road**

"Yeah." He replied turning around to see Lieu and Doc trailing behind.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, I had a matter to deal with." Lieu said while taking a seat in his chair, Doc followed suit and sat in the other creaky old chair next to Carlos.

"It's come to my attention that there are some.issues between you two. I'd like to hear you from you guys and see if we can come to a agreement." Lieu said looking back and forth at them.

Doc glanced briefly at Carlos, his expression giving nothing away. Carlos waited but he couldn't help it, he had to talk, his voice betraying what his expression wasn't- annoyance, anger. "I can't handle this- well YOU to be exact. You're constantly one-upping me, questioning my judgments, which are always correct- not asking my opinions on matters that effect both of us. We don't have a partnership you have a relationship with yourself don't ever say I'm self-centered! Were you considering my feelings and opinions when you charged into the riot- no! I'm sick of your crap." Carlos stopped his rambling after noticing Lieu glaring at him.

"*MY* crap? You're sick of MY crap!? For 4 years now I had to deal with your bitching and whining about every little thing, your attitude and blatant disregard of the feelings of those around you- if anyone has the right to be sick of someone's crap it's me! You're the poster child for artic-heart. You're-"

"-Cold, uncaring and aloof." Carlos finished in a droned voice. "Yeah, yeah I know your stance on that. You told me the first day you met me and about a thousand times after. You know the difference between you and I is that I'm not afraid to show my true colors, I'm not ashamed of what I am because it's me, you just bottle it up and keep going- that's why you're so miserable, probably why Morales left you too- all she needed was a real man."

"You orphaned bastard! How dare you bring Morales into this! " Doc said through gritted teeth, he was getting pissed.

**That's the last straw!!.How dare he call me that- using my parents- or lack there of against me, it's not my fault- I didn't chose to live like this.**

"You *EVER*call me a orphaned bastard again You'll be sorry!" Carlos yelled, getting up out of the chair and hovering over Doc.

"Is that a threat?" Doc asked standing also.

"Damn straight. Come on old man-" Carlos taunted.

"Okay, okay you two break it up." Lieu said standing up and placing his arm between them. They glared at each other and finally Carlos backed down.

"I've seen enough. I can tell this problem goes deeper that what I expected. And for this reason I'm required to take action. Doc you're reassigned to Kim."

"I thought Alex and her were together." Doc said, a little calmer.

"Was. Alex went back to Fire so Kim's free, you two have worked together before so there shouldn't be a problem." Lieu explained to Doc who sat nodding his head.

"And Carlos. I hope I'm making the right decision. Since you've been with FDNY for four years and spent time in the Marines as a medic I'm going to let you supervise a new recruit."

"What?" Carlos asked disbelieving. "Me supervise?" He shot a glare to Doc.

**Take that, Doc!**

"Yes." Lieu said rolling his eyes. "Names Sarah McCartey, She's due here by shift change. Meet up with her get acquainted. She'll be your new partner."

**A chick SCORE! I hope she's hot.you bet I'll get acquainted- give her a dose of some Carlos luvin'- yeah** He thought a devilish smile creeping up his tan face.

"Nieto" Lieu said sternly. "I better not regret this decision."

"You didn't make a mistake." Carlos said.

"Yeah right." Doc whispered under his breath.

"Screw you." Carlos said, shooting daggers at him with golden eyes.

Carlos walked out of the 55 to a sunny day, the warm wind pulling at his FDNY jacket. Today was a new day, full of possibilities; an end of an era.

TO BE CONTUNUED!

AN: This chapter was more like a prologue, so everyone knows why Doc and Carlos have new partners, the next ones should be better!!