AN: Finally gonna give all you Reese/Carter fans something to help you make it through the next few chapters. Nothing major, a taste. And I picked the opera because this after all is a fanfic and some of my fantasies should be in it as well in the form of John in a tux and any reason to make Carter beautiful is good for me, on that note I do apologize it they seem a little out of character. This is the longest chapter yet. As always I appreciate all the reviews, they help a lot, keep them coming and I'll keep posting.

Cast away the thoughts that haunt
These crowded rooms of love that's lost
And through the fire, I've loved you still
Through the fire, I've loved you still

-Wake the Earth by The Honey Trees

II

Chapter 4

She'd been busy trying to work the murder of Peter Smith, trying to connect all the players, conveniently enough no one saw anything at the scene of the crime, even the couple whose apartment was broken into was out of town. She met with Nadia once more after the night of the murder. They had met at the diner, John wasn't with her, but she knew that he was probably somewhere close by, he always was. She watched the girl sitting across from her as she held her coffee mug, she looked lost. The events of that night sinking in slowly, and aging her just a little. Carter was all to aware of what going through things like that did to people. She tried not to dwell too much on her past, it was a deal she had made with herself after Taylor's father had passed away. He was a good man, a caring man, the only person in the world that didn't make her feel alone. She realized at that moment how lonely Nadia must have felt but pushed inside herself in order to survive in this world. They had started with her family, she told her about them, smiling when it was good memories, eyes fading into nostalgia as if she was replaying the moments in her mind.

Nostalgia was good sometimes, but most of times that was another thing she didn't allow herself. She had no place to be weak. She worked with men, men who easily judged, men who would look down on her if she screwed up, men who were waiting for her to break. So she had to put on the attitude, she promised herself she was never going to let any man make her feel weak or helpless as she did in the army. There were days when she realized that she did feel helpless, but at least in this moment she had the chance to change that. They discussed her work as an escort, she could feel Nadia look even more defeated. "I told you I don't judge people."

Nadia shook her head lightly. "It's not that, ever have a moment in your life where everything that you've done comes at you like a tsunami and you realize that where you thought you were okay and that you were doing good and were balanced was/ is nothing but an illusion compared to where you are sitting now. Like all that time when you thought you had it together, you were a mess and the only one that couldn't see that was you?"

Carter smiled then. "Yea, I have." She looked down at her hands, "you know I get it, what it feels like having to provide, to feel like there you have no options. Been there myself."

Nadia looked at her, and soon Carter met her gaze. "I was making five grand a week, it was enough to save, to do things with my life, to help my family. I started when I was 20 and in that time I was able to help my dad start a business of his own, and travel, and pay for college, I could've never afford medical school without it. With all the bad that this job as brought me it also brought me opportunities, I'm not saying that it's worth it in this moment in my life, but I don't think I can honestly say I regret it that much." she sighed, "guess that makes me bad person."

Carter shook her head, "No it doesn't, it shows you are a strong person." Carter smiled at her, but her eyes were distant. "I thought you quit after Mark Smith's murder."

"I did, once I had been cleared of everything I left the business and went traveling, I had to get out of the city. And while I traveled through some of the poorest places I came to the conclusion if I could use myself for myself why wouldn't I? If I could use this job to pay for medical school and become a doctor, then I could someday help more people, I could give back for taking something that was mine." she said strongly. "I've seen that world where hopelessness isn't rock bottom, I want to change that even for one person if I can, and all it will cost me is me."

Carter looked at her, she could see the conflict behind her eyes. How could she blame someone who wanted to do more? Who wanted to do good? There was reasoning behind what she said, and she couldn't say that if she was in her shoes that she wouldn't do the same. "I get that."

"I volunteered where ever I could. I worked for free in the clinics in India, I worked with one of the few animal shelters in Thailand. I helped at an orphanage in Nepal. I felt guilt for what I did and for what I had. Even me wanting to help is selfish. I'm not a good person, just someone who needs to feel forgiven. So I went back, and here I am looking over my shoulder."

"That doesn't make you a bad person. You're probably better than a lot of people. So you should try to remember that you're good." Carter tried to comfort her. Nadia hummed, but Carter could see the doubt, the most confident person had doubts and those doubts seem to multiply like bacteria in minutes the more confident you were, paranoia was a strong shadow. "Charlie Burton." She changed the subject.

"A good man, taught me to be passionate, taught me to fight for what I wanted and believed in, to not feel sorry about where I'm from, or who I am," she said, "his father abused and abandoned him when he was a kid, and lost his mother as well. Went into the system, but he fought and got an education, became a good man and helped people like me." She shrugged, "That's what I know about him."

"It's kind of weird that you still talk to him after all this time, I mean that you're so close." Carter was curious about what Elias wanted with this girl, so far she couldn't see the angle, he wasn't using her in anyway it seemed.

Nadia chuckled, "I don't know it just happened, I needed a recommendation and we met for coffee and suddenly it became a monthly thing. We talked about books, about politics, about random things. He's an interesting man."

Carter raised an eyebrow at her, "Did you two get involved?"

"What? Oh, no, Charlie's too moral to try something. I'm telling you, this guy is as good as it gets." she said.

If only she knew what the man really was like, that he had almost all of the city wrapped around his fingers, that he tried to kill her, that he was all about revenge, power, and death. He thought of how when it all comes to an end, and it will end one day she was going to make sure of that, what this girl who had Elias on a pedestal of goodness was going to feel.

"You know I lost all interest in everything when I was fourteen, even tried to kill myself. The only person who understood, who was there was Charlie, well back then he was Mr. Burton. But from that day on I felt like I wasn't so alone." Nadia shrugged a shoulder, "don't know, I guess just knowing you have just one person whose got your back is enough."

Carter understood that well, her own feelings of relief in knowing that John was around made her feel better yet she felt guilty, she didn't want to depend on another person, but then she realized she didn't go looking for it, he'd come to her and offered it and until that moment when she was laying on the pavement thinking this is the end, and she didn't even get to see Taylor go off to college yet made her come to the conclusion that she so desperately wanted someone to have her back, someone who could love her for her, and love her son enough to want to protect him as she would. She now understood that man when he'd asked if she'd trust her son's life to a complete stranger, and the answer was no. No one was good enough, but she didn't even have an option. Hearing John tell her whether or not she liked him, he'd have her back was the moment she realized, she didn't really want to catch him, because despite her love for law, order and rules she believed him to be a good man, a man who was willing to give without asking for anything in return, man who really wasn't doing anything wrong (if you didn't count all the weapons he had or the fact that he shot the hood off a car in motion, the list went on).

She knew all too well how when your down someone lending you hand confuses you into thinking there was more to what was really there. She found her rationalization of her recent annoyances regarding John being just that. He was there when she needed him. Though his recklessness with Leila had extreme consequences, if there was anyone she'd pick to protect her son, it would be John she realized, because he'd do whatever to make sure Taylor was okay. The fact that she got what she asked for when lying there thinking 'fuck I almost died' was the reason she noticed things about John that she hadn't before. It was all hormonal self preservation, nothing more. "Sometimes people surprise us. Sometimes we surprise ourselves by doing things that we didn't think we could do." Carter said. "You were saying he'd left teaching to start a business, did he mention anything about this business of his?"

Nadia shook her head and turned her lips down, "No, actually it's the one thing he seems guarded about, but I took it as he's starting something new in his life so maybe he's embarrassed to talk about it. I don't know, didn't think it was a big deal."

"So you going to the opera with him, the opera is expensive, especially this particular performance. How does a school teacher turned new businessman afford something like that?" asked Carter.

Nadia narrowed her eyes, "you know detective all these questions are starting to sound a lot like you're trying to get information on Charlie."

Carter nodded, "I am, I have an interest in men that Charlie might be doin' business with. I told you the other night, I won't lie to you but there are things I can't disclose."

"You did say that. Charlie said the tickets were a gift from one of his business associates. I was curious and a little guilty that he'd go through the trouble and spend all that money just to take me out." she sighed, "but he just waved it off and said it was his treat because I got the internship and if I questioned it too much he'd be offended."

Carter finished off her coffee and pulled her wallet out, "well that's all I need from you now, do you need a ride somewhere?"

Nadia pulled her own wallet out, "glad I can bore you with the story of my life so far, and sure I'm headed downtown, I gotta get to work."

Carter waved her off, "I got this, and what work are you going to now?"

Nadia laughed, "Don't worry detective, I said I was done and I am. I work twice a week at the Stanton Social as a pastry chef, honest work."

"A pastry chef huh, so you're tackling med school internship, and baking? Girl you got talent oozing out of your pores. I hope my son's got some of that locked away somewhere. And I'm glad to hear that you're getting out. Let me know if there is a problem with your employer." Said Carter impressed.

"You have a son?" Nadia asked as they exited the diner, "and I wouldn't call it a talent, it's more just that I get bored easily and need constantly to be challenged, graduated from Cordon Bleu while I was in Paris. I already quit, the first thing I did when John took me home was that. I was surprised by how easy it was too, last time it was easy cause I had no job to go back to."

Carter pouted her lips, "I'm sure your employer was persuaded somehow." thinking of how John or Finch could have easily get Nadia's employer to release her, it could've been Elias as well. This case was a web, and but then anything involving Elias usually was. "It's good to push boundaries, just make sure to think about the consequences."

Nadia laughed as she got into Carter's car, "Yes detective, lesson learned."

Carter smiled, it was good to see her letting go, taking things as they came. So many people she met in the line of her work just spiral down. But after talking to Nadia, she could tell that spiraling down wasn't an option for the girl. The ride down to the lower east side was pleasant as they talked about things. Carter found herself liking the girl, she was easy to be around. She now understood why John was so fond of her. When she dropped her off, Nadia thanked her and said she'd bring her dessert sometime, and Carter told her she'd hold her to that offer since she loved anything chocolate or sweet for that matter.

John watched the two the entire time, and smiled that it seemed like Carter was enjoying her time with Nadia, as it turned out the girl was easy to like. He always liked seeing Carter smile, she seemed brighter when she did, the weights he usually saw on her lifting just a little. He knew all too well what that weight can do to a person. He said he'd have her back and he will in whatever way he could. He knew of Carter's struggles before she became a detective, and he knew her conflict with what he and Finch did. But he couldn't say that he wasn't glad that she was working with them again. She was a good woman and a good cop, he just wanted to make sure she got to do it for a long time to come. Watching her drive away, he saw Nadia enter the restaurant. He had some time to do a little digging on the owner of the building that Peter was killed in, a Cyrek Gryzbowski.

The week breezed by with no threats to Nadia that she heard off, John informed her that the owner of the building, Gryzbowski a third generation pole had past connections to some drug trafficking charges worth looking into, since Elias had everyone playing his game they might know each other. As it turned out the building the shooter was in was also owned by Gryzbowski. After chasing the owner down, it turned out they didn't have anything to charge him with and he wasn't going to give anything up, but she very intimidatingly told him not to go anywhere cause she had her eyes on him.

It was friday around three that she got home, earlier than usual, but she figured she'd give herself some time to get ready as they had to be at Lincoln Center around 7, and Finch was very strict about that time. She looked at the box at her door steps, picking it up with the rest of the mail she went inside. Placing the other mails on the counter she took her jacket off and placed that next to the pile of mail, then took her shoes off. Finally she looked at the box, hands on her hips before her fingers lingered on the sides. She opened the large matte silver box, inside wrapped in soft black tissue was gorgeous red silk. She gave the garment a questionable look before pulling it out and watching it fall in a waterfall of silk onto the ground. It was a gorgeous dress that she was holding in her hands. She sighed as she picked up the card on the bottom of the box.

Detective Carter,

Something for you to show gratitude for all your help.

Finch

She rolled her eyes with a small smile, as if she needs some eccentric billionaire telling her what she should wear to the Opera. But she smiled anyway, it would be interesting she supposed to work on a stake out with those two, or it could be a royal pain in her ass. Walking to her bedroom with the box in hand, she placed it on her bed and stripped out of her shirt. Looking at herself in the mirror she actually felt excited about this. It's been a long time since she's done anything that required her to be dressed in anything other than her usual work attire, the life of a homicide detective wasn't glamourous, at least not hers. She didn't go out on weekend, opting instead to catching up with Taylor. The last time she put a dress on was a year ago at one of her mother's party thing.

She was a confident woman, she liked herself enough to take the compliments thrown her way with humor. But tonight's event had her feeling a little anxious. She took a deep breath and schooled herself in the mirror. "You're gonna get through it and in the end have Elias!" giving herself a nod she headed into the shower. An hour and half later when she emerged from her bedroom, Taylor was in the kitchen standing next to the fridge.

"Ma?" he asked with a skeptical smile, "where are you going?"

Carter smiled, "I've got a thing for work, what are you doing tonight?"

Taylor just grinned at his mother, "sure you don't have a date?"

Carter rolled her eyes, "No, I do not have a date, it's work."

"Okay, if you say so. I'm just gonna hang out here tonight, Kyle and Jenny might come over if that's okay." he asked his mom still smiling.

Carter picked up her phone and looked at the little envelope icon-text from Finch. "Yeah that's fine, just don't make a mess out of my house."

"I won't." he said grabbing a gatorade and walking towards her.

She opened the text and it simply read, 'there is a car waiting for you outside.' Of course there is she thought rolling her eyes. "Alright baby, I gotta go. Be good, love you!"

"Love you too ma," he said and Carter smiled giving him a kiss, "Ma?"

"Yeah?" she asked from the door.

"You look beautiful, have fun."

Her eyes softened and she smiled, "Thanks, baby." She felt giddy, which was rear, but every time Taylor did or said something to her that was sweet or thoughtful she felt like this and then the high wore out into a satisfaction of the fact that she raised him well, and then came the lingering sadness that his father couldn't be here to see him become a man. She pushed those thoughts from her mind and looked ahead and there was a car with a driver waiting for her. Suddenly she was anxious again. At least she knew she had her gun strapped to her thigh if she needed it to shoot someone.

John stood at the entrance of the Met, ear piece in place, watching out for any sign of Nadia and Elias. "Mr. Reese do you think she could have contacted him in someway and cancelled?" asked Finch from a few feet away. John thought of that himself, usually it wasn't hard for them to keep track people, but those people weren't as clever as Nadia. She could've found some way to warn Elias, but then John was also sure that she had no idea that Charlie Burton was actually Carl Elias and she seemed pretty on board with their plans. They had decided she didn't need to know that they'd be at the opera as well. Just as he was about to answer, he spotted Nadia and next to her was Elias.

"I see them Finch." he said, he observed him with Nadia who looked stunning as ever, something about Elias was different. But then he was a master manipulator, he had John fooled once. Nadia walked with her arm in his, her free hand going to rest on his shoulder for a brush as she laughed at the story he was telling, his eyes lingering on her face with a smile before he turned forward and continue to tell her the rest. Sometimes reality could be deceiving, but here in this moment what he saw and understood was, Elias was in love with this girl. "Any news of detective Carter?"

Finch smiled when he saw the car pull up, walking over to the door he opened it. "She's just arrived we will be meeting you shortly Mr. Reese." John looked for Finch and looked to where he stood in front of a town car, assuming that he'd sent Carter to be picked up, obsessive over details.

Carter felt out of place for a second, it all seemed a little too much. When Finch opened the door for her and offered his hand to her, she was taken aback, this was feeling all too surreal for her. "Detective, may I call you Jocelyn tonight?" She simply nodded and stepped out of the car, holding the dress out of the way until she was completely standing.

Finch pushed his glasses higher up on his nose, he had expected the dress to suit the detective when he'd picked it out but didn't realize just how well the detective was going to wear it. There she stood, black platform pumps disappearing under the length of the deep red satin gown. It featured a modest v neck to expose her more gifted assets, the thick silk straps disappearing into a full lace back and silk taking over again over her round toned bottom. Her dark tresses parted to the side with soft curls, gold earrings and cuff around her wrist. Black clutch in hand, she took a quiet breath and smiled at Finch. Yes she always surprised him, maybe that's what Reese liked about her. "Shall we?" he offered his arm. She chuckled and took it.

John's throat went a little dry, he always appreciated Carter's looks, but in this moment something changed within him, he didn't know just what, but seeing here like that he wasn't having brotherly thoughts. He stood tall when he saw them approach and smirked at her. "That color suits you, detective."

His eyes had a mischievous glint behind it, she wondered if he knew how stunning and expressive his damn eyes were. Carter found herself grow warm, if it wasn't for the light blush she'd apply to her cheeks it would show that she was indeed blushing. Her eyes scanned him, he was always very dashing in his suits and perfect skin and baby blues that held so many shadows. But the man killed it in a tux, there was a thump in her chest, but barely noticeable. "You don't look half bad yourself."

John smiled, Finch fidgeted only slightly by his companions light ogling of one another. He cleared his throat and suggested they move inside. John watched as Finch turned her away from him towards the entrance, giving him a great view of the back to that fantastic dress. Nope, no brotherly thoughts were flying through his mind at that moment. He quietly followed the pair inside.

It was gorgeous inside, Carter had been to the Met Opera house once before but it was related to a case, and during the day. At night the whole place came alive, bathed in the light from the chandeliers made to look like falling snow flakes. The white marble floors a nice contrast with the red carpeting on the stairs. There were so many people every where dressed in their best. She turned to Finch asked, "so what is this opera about?"

"It's a comedy about love." Stated Finch as Carter just arched an eyebrow at him. "You'll just have to watch and see."

John smirked when she looked at him with slight annoyance. They made their way up the steps where Finch had a secluded private box. Finch excused himself asking Carter to continue without him as a man approached him, she looked back at them , John had disappeared as well. She walked inside their box. They were sitting in the center parterre, there were eight seats, two rows of three and two seats in the back. She thought about the fact that she'd be sitting for a while, she looked around and found her surrounds to be private enough when she lifted her gown and readjusted the gun she had strapped there, in that moment both Finch and John walked in. She looked up at them, Finch looked uncomfortable, while John just smirked, his eyes dancing.

"Had to readjust my gun." she simply said straightening.

"Of course." said Finch and headed to the first row of seats.

John eyed her and she looked at him, she finally cleared her throat and sat down in the middle chair next to Finch. He'd been serious when he said she was girl after his own heart, seeing her with the gun making him smile ear to ear. He joined them in the last seat left, Carter sitting in between the two men.

"Is there anyone joining us?" asked Carter looking at the empty seats behind them.

"No I bought all the seats." said Finch smiling in his way. "Thought it be best to have privacy. These are the best seats in the house, the optimal position to get both orchestra sound and visual of the stage performance. Also we have a very good view of Miss. Ali and Elias from here."

Carter hummed and sat back, the man had too much money for his own good. The lights lowered and the curtains lifted. Carter found herself glad that she came as the first act progressed. This being a story about a poor village boy in love with the rich land owner, and a cunning doctor who promised to have a potion to make the land owner fall in love with him. She had to smile several times because it was funny. John looked over to her curious, relaxed smile and he found that the opera wasn't so bad after all.

Carter watched Nadia and Elias closely, it was intermission between the acts, she held a glass of champagne in her hand, courtesy of Finch. It was almost unnerving seeing the person who wanted you dead so close, yet he was completely unaware of her presence tonight, if she was guessing the only thing he was aware of was the girl next to him, suddenly she felt John next to her. "I think Elias is in love with our girl."

John nodded, "I suspected the same," he looked at her from the corner of his eyes, she pushed her lips out in thought, tonight they were painted a flattering shade of red.

"I keep trying to build a case against him and every time I end up back to square one. Can't arrest him without any evidence, even though he's behind a lot of what's going on, I have no real evidence to build a case, and with the depth of corruption in the system he'll be out in no time, if I can book him that is. He's got everyone scared," she said almost with a small defeated voice. "This feels like having something dangled in front of your eyes but you can't reach it."

John agreed as he watched her. "We could use the girl."

Carter turned to look at him, "what do you have in mind?"

"I can continue to track her, if I'm right about Elias, she's more of a secret indulgence for him than a sure thing, she doesn't fit the role of Queen mob." he finished.

"Right cause she's not catholic or Italian or White for that matter." Carter caught on. "But he loves her."

"Sometimes that's not enough." John said as he watched them. "She has no idea how he feels about her, for her he's someone whose been there for her, empowered her, gave her a reason to fight, she probably sees him as a father figure given the age difference and will probably never want him the way he wants her."

Carter watched his eyes get lost in distance, he was watching them, but his eyes were somewhere else. She knew close to nothing about him, and what she did know, she didn't know what was true and what wasn't. "So why keep seeing her? He could have anyone."

John turned to face her now as well and smiled down at her, tonight she wasn't that much shorter with her heels, but he still towered over her somehow. He stepped just a little bit closer. "Because we can't help who we fall in love with."

Her breath caught in her throat, the intensity in his eyes mesmerized her. She always thought him to be handsome, charming, and a complete bad ass, but never entertained the idea of actually being attracted to the man, but now if she was honest it was growing from the moment the chase became a need. What was happening to her didn't just occur suddenly, it was subtly growing and she didn't even realize it till now. She swallowed and cleared her throat, "no I guess we can't."

Finch watched his two companions, he wasn't unaware of John's concern for the woman. It was apparent when they were working her number that he was taking it personally. He even said so himself, that she wasn't just another number. He just didn't know whether he should be worried about it.

"He's going to try and establish total power before he even considers bringing her in." said John.

Cater nodded, "right, but if he's provoked he might make a mistake and that could be our break."

John smiled and gave a side nod. She couldn't help smile as well.

"John?" That voice all too familiar. Both he and Carter turned to meet Zoe Morgan. She looked stunning wearing a black strapless gown that hugged every curve, her hair that she usually wore down was done up in a fashionable bun. She smiled at him in that playful way, like she knew something that he didn't. "Fancy seeing you here."

Carter looked the woman down, she was gorgeous and obviously very interested in her vigilante in a suit. She worked in a job where she could read body language with relative ease and this one was throwing sexual tension at him a mile a minute. Though something about this woman made Carter wonder, as if they met before. Zoe looked at her then as well. "Detective Carter I believe."

"Zoe Morgan." It finally clicked where she knew her from, they had crossed paths at one of the Mayor's events. "it's been a long time, I take it that you're well."

Zoe smiled, "can't complain," as her eyes drifted over to John then back on Carter. "You seem well yourself." She looked at John again, "I didn't realize you were acquainted with Detective Carter, John."

John smiled and shrugged looking at Carter briefly, "Sometimes our paths cross, as we're kind of in the same line of work."

Carter snorted a little with a smile, "we obviously have different views on that, but I suppose you can say that."

Zoe gave a tight lipped smile, she picked up the easy banter between John and the detective, was the detective the reason that he had turned her down for that drink? She knew him to be a charming man, but she suspected that he used that charm more for his advantage for getting what he wanted in a situation rather than sex. But there was something about they're dynamic that made Zoe curious.

Finch could feel the tension from where he stood and decided an intervention would be best to draw away attention. Making his way to Carter, "Jocelyn, I think we should start heading back to our seats."

"Mr. Finch," Zoe smiled at him.

"Miss. Morgan. How are you enjoying the opera so far?" he asked.

Zoe smiled, "it's really not a social call for me, more of a business situation."

"Of course." he stated pressing his lips together into a small tight smile. "Well it was a pleasant surprise seeing you tonight. You enjoy the rest of your evening."

Zoe looked at John, "maybe it will be. Have a good night Mr. Finch, Detective Carter."

"You too." said Carter with an unreadable smile as she and Finch walked away. She couldn't explain the smile that appeared when John fell into step with them shortly after.

The second act went by quickly with . Carter had to admit that she actually enjoyed it a lot, and was moved by the voice and the music. She looked to her companions, Finch seemed blissful for a moment she thought, he always looked so serious, but in this moment she saw raw emotions, and something about that made her feel better about working with them. Finch informed her that it was best to let the other patrons leave first, he didn't like crowds.

"Well how did you like it?" he asked.

Carter smiled, "It was nice."

"Yes it was."

"Gaetano Donazetti composed 75 operas, but is only known for five, this one and Don Pasquale being the most popular." Finch, "he came from nothing and had no formal musical training. It's kind of fitting for Elias to choose this to serenade Miss. Ali, isn't it?"

John smiled, Finch's tidbits always related back to what they were doing. He looked at Carter who seemed like for the first time wasn't frustrated with Finch, rather she looked enthralled. Tonight her features or softer and she seemed relaxed. He realized that when she was on the job she needed to appear strong, but he took comfort in knowing that she felt she could relax around them. Maybe it was the music, and talk of love. "Sure." John said getting their attention. "But I don't think Nadia will respond as Adina did to Nemorino."

Finch sat straighter (if that's possible) pushing his glasses higher up, "it's fascinating that he can be so human yet so cold and calculating. I suppose we never really know anyone."

How true were those words thought John as they came from the man with a many names. "It's easy to be a monster with the face of a human."

Carter looked at him, that's what Snow described him as, but she only saw human. She realized after meeting Snow, why John might be the way he was. But he was never unkind or cold. She looked at the stage where the curtains were drawn. Everything was about perception, and here she knew him to be more human than most. She didn't know what motivated him to do what he does, but she held high hopes that one of these days he was going to tell her and she hoped that she wouldn't be disappointed.

"I think we can start heading out." Said Finch coming to a stand, Carter stood with him as well but decided they played the escort card enough so she walked in front of him. They went down the stairs and she took it all in once more. It wasn't so bad being on a stalk out with these two she decided. It was definitely more glamours than the ones she's used to.

John watched her, he found himself doing that a lot tonight, half out of curiosity that she could walk so gracefully in five inch heels, he had an idea that Finch was thinking the same thing as they walked her climb down. Jocelyn Carter was all woman, and she knew how to work that. He fell back as Finch and Carter exited the building. He needed a minute to pull himself together.

Elias came to stand next to John, the empty entrance to the Met, almost all the other patrons of the night had left save a few couples here and there. He stood next to the fountain and looked out in front of him. "John, I didn't know you enjoyed the Opera."

"There is a lot you don't know about me Elias, we're not exactly friends." stated John.

"No I suppose we're not." Stated Elias. "Why are you here John?"

"Where is your father, I would think you'd make this a family affair, doesn't he enjoy the Opera?"

Elias chuckled softly, "You don't have to worry about the old man, but if you're not here for me, I wonder who you could be here for."

"I offer my services to those who might need it, don't you recall that Elias. I did save your life."

"Yes, so you keep reminding me." Elias, "You know John I recall you using up your favored owed when you asked me not to come after detective Carter. So I hope that you don't hold our last meeting against me, I simply wanted something back for helping you." John looked at him then, his eyes cold and steady. Elias also faced him, a smile playing on his lips. "If you'll excuse me John, I have someone waiting for me."

John let the fist in his pocket go and clenched his jaw, he wanted to keep this professional but Elias refuse to let him make things right and was quickly making it personal, but he realized the moment he acted to save Carter that it had become personal. He watched the man walk away towards the car that was waiting for him, turning one last time to look at him. He still felt guilty for saving that man's life, he had him so fooled. The one thing John hated the most was manipulations and lie like that of Elias, it brought back memories of the amount of time he spent doing things under lies.

"Shall I drop you home detective?" Finch asked as they neared the curb.

Carter smiled, "Thanks but I'll just take a cab, you've done enough." her hand running down the dress lightly.

Finch gave her a small smile and nodded, "well until next time then. Good night."

Carter waved to Finch as his car drove away. She sighed, it was still pretty cold at night, and she didn't prepare for it. Just then she felt his jacket on her shoulders, thinking his hands made a very slow descend down her arms. "Thanks."

"No problem." he said softly. They started to walk up towards 63rd street. "How is Szymanski doing?"

Carter was surprised to hear him ask about her colleague. "He's recovering slowly, but better each day." she sighed, "John I don't blame you for him getting shot." She did a little initially but remembering how she got him shot once without intending to made her let that judgement go.

"I know, but it doesn't make me feel less guilty." he said softly. "Joss, I really am sorry. Sometimes the lines do blur."

Her name, he'd called her that a handful of times, the first being when he saved her life. And the effect is still just that haunting. "I know it can, that's why what we're doing is dangerous. That's why there are rules."

"Rules are meant to be broken" he said with a playful smile, "and I'm so good at it."

She laughed, rolling her eyes. "I've noticed your talent for it." she stopped at the corner of W64th and Columbus. "So Zoe Morgan."

He tensed slightly, "she was in trouble, I helped."

"Of course. You're a regular knight in shining armor." she said dryly. He could feel her agitation and it actually kind of made him want to laugh, women and their cattiness. "You know she's got a thing for you."

"I'm aware." he said. "But I don't have a thing for her."

"I should get a cab." She looked at him, the direction of conversation going to a place she wasn't prepared to go, "I appreciate you trying to fix things, but this is a long game we're in with Elias."

"I have the time." he simply said looking down at her the wind blew making her hair catch on her lips, he ever so gently brushed it back. It was stepping a line he realized but he couldn't help himself. "You look beautiful tonight detective." with that he walked the opposite direction, leaving her completely stunned and confused, fingering his jacket with one hand and her cheek with the other. It was a ghost of a caress but it left her burning with a dazed look on her face.

TBC

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