I wrote this Homeland fic in response to the fab prompt from mississippi-moonchild on Tumblr...

A fanfic where Peter Quinn turns out to be hot bearded guys friends...

(Set during S3 E9 -"One Last Time")

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ONLY A FOOL

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"I didn't expect to see you here." Peter Quinn strode across the room and followed Carrie's gaze through the huge window. He spotted a bald head bobbing amongst the dark haired runners in the distance and squinted. "No way! Is that…?"

Carrie turned awkwardly, arm in sling, lips twisting in annoyance at the intrusion. "Saul didn't tell you?"

"Saul said he'd found some guy in Caracas for his Javadi play," Quinn shook his head in disbelief. "Mentioned these guys were doing some intensive training with him here at Dam Neck."

"Guess Saul is keeping his cards close to his chest," Carrie shrugged. "Some elements of the CIA might not approve of Brody's involvement."

"Damn right," Quinn huffed, before biting his lip.

"Why are you here?" Carrie craned her neck, trying to see where the runners had gone. "Come to apologise for shooting me?"

"No, why would I?" Quinn jutted his chin in mock defiance. "I followed a direct order. I'd have more to apologise for if I'd allowed you to chase Paul Franklin into that motel room."

"Well, thanks for doing your job so well," Carrie flinched as she readjusted her sling. "So why are you here?"

"Social reasons," Quinn looked secretive.

"Peter Quinn actually has friends?" Carrie arched an amused eyebrow.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Quinn's raised his own eyebrow, mirroring hers. "I do recall assuring you that I was pretty likeable once."

"And extremely reliable as I remember," Carrie smiled at the memory. "So which of the hunky bearded guys is unlucky enough to be your friend?"

"Yousef," Quinn mumbled. "Turani."

"The very lovely Doctor Turani?" Carrie was intrigued.

Quinn nodded. "We've been best mates for years."

"Doctor Turani's been looking after Brody," Carrie sighed. "He seems like a good guy."

"He's the best," Quinn checked his beeping cell phone. "Ah, a text from the man himself. He'll be here shortly… Turani's just got back from his run."

"You know I overhead Doctor Turani telling Brody about a good friend of his," Carrie eyed Quinn, suddenly suspicious. "A friend who's incapable of telling a colleague how much he cares for her."

"What?" Quinn scowled and put his hands in his pockets. "Why would Turani be having a conversation like that with Brody?"

"They were talking about women. Like these Marines and Navy SEALS do. Then they got serious… talked about Turani's family… about falling in love." Carrie shrugged. "Turani said that this good friend lost his girlfriend and son because he emotionally detached himself from them. He did more and more missions, became mentally isolated. Found it harder to look them in the eye. She left him."

"She'll be better off without him." Quinn swallowed tightly and looked away. "He sounds like an idiot."

"Apparently Turani's friend likes someone new, but he won't ever attempt a relationship again," Carrie pressed on, analysing Quinn's expression. "Turani said that his friend is too afraid to reconnect with his heart in case it gets broken again."

"Turani spouted all this psycho-analytical bullcrap to Brody!" Quinn coughed as he laughed cynically. "Honestly… Turani thinks everyone should be loved up and in touch with their feelings… playing happy families just like him."

"How come you guys are best friends?" Carrie asked, tossing her hair.

"We did a free fall parachuting course together," Quinn composed himself. "Turani took me under his wing. We were opposites. I'd never had a friend before, whilst he was Mr Popular. I was a rebel, he did everything by the book. We had each other's backs."

"Still do, don't we Quinn?" The southern drawl from behind made Carrie jump.

"Hey watch your arm there, Miss Mathison." Yousef Turani grinned and patted Carrie's shoulder gently. "You wanna go see Brody in his bunk? He's sore! He did well today though. Ran miles without stopping. Whatever fire you put under his ass last week has worked a treat."

Carrie's eyes widened at the shirtless Yousef Turani, before she glanced awkwardly at Quinn. "Ummm… Yeah I'll go check on Brody. See you around, Quinn."

"You know her?" Turani inclined his head and wiped the rivulets off his forehead with a towel. "The CIA woman who's been hanging around here?"

Quinn nodded and sighed. "I work with Carrie."

"Hell, she's not the one is she?" Turani stroked his beard as he stared after Carrie thoughtfully. "The one you're too scared to tell…"

"No," Quinn shook his head. "Only a fool would fall for Carrie Mathison."