CHAPTER 21

The first thing Carlton thought the next morning was that his alarm clock was so not helping his hangover. Slapping the infernal device off, he pulled his blankets over his head to help block out the light. He usually showed up to the station at least an hour early, so nobody would mind if he slept in and arrived at the time he was suppose to, especially if it meant a less grumpy head detective.

Intending to fall back asleep, Carlton turned on his side and had just closed his eyes when light singing reached him. Listening, he realized that it must be Beth. For someone who wasn't a morning person, she sure was perky for 7am. As he listened to her, he realized that she was in the kitchen and that his stomach really wanted to know what she was making. Grumbling, he threw back the covers and grabbed his robe.

Walking into the kitchen, he smiled as he watched Beth dance in her pj's, singing along to the radio as she collected ingredients. "You know, you look very graceful when you dance," he said softly

Beth threw him a smile as she cracked open some eggs. "Only when there's no pressure. I once tripped when trying to dance along a riser at school. Needless to say, I was always put on the floor after that."

Laughing, Carlton went to start the coffee. "So what are you making?"

"You'll find out when I'm done, which will be in about 30 minutes. So go on and take a shower or something." Beth shooed him away as she grabbed the bread.

"Fine. Don't let my coffee get cold. I'm going to need it today." he grumbled as he left the room.

"MAYBE IF YOU WEREN'T HUNG OVER!" She yelled, causing Carlton pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You did that on purpose!" He called back quietly.

"I know!" Beth laughed as she shut the door.

Shaking his head, Carlton headed down the hall.

Almost exactly 30 minutes later, Beth called out, "BREAKFAST!" as Carlton was putting on his tie.

"Would you please stop yelling! I have neighbors you know." Carlton scolded as he headed down the hall

Beth smiled as she met him by the dining room door. "Yes, I do know. I met them Friday. The elderly couple are very nice and they go to the church that I visited last week, and they invited me to sit with them today. They usually leave around 8:30, so they should be up by now. The other neighbor is a lovely young lady about my age who works at the university and is out of town this weekend. So no worries about waking up any of them."

Carlton shook his head as he tried to move past her but she blocked his path. Sighing, he put his hands on her shoulders. "Are we eating or not? Because I have to get to work."

"Of course we are!" She nodded. "I'm just curious if that is what you're wearing today."

He looked down at his outfit. "What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, except that it's boring. You're coming to the pub tonight and you probably won't have time to come back and change. You go eat and I'll pick something out for you." Beth moved out of his grip and went down the hall.

"I told you I have to go to work! I don't have time to change!" He called after her.

She stopped at his door and smiled at him. "Nice try, but Juliet told me that you don't have to be in until 9, so you have plenty of time to eat, change and still be at the station early. Now go eat before the food gets cold!" Without waiting for him to respond, she went in and closed the door.

Taking a deep breath to stop himself from following her, Carlton walked into the dining room and sighed at the spread that met him. There was French toast, eggs, bacon and fresh fruit. Filling up his plate, he quickly sat down with his coffee and started eating.

He was about half way done when Beth came back into the room and sat next to him. "I laid the clothes out on your bed. You seriously need to update your wardrobe."

"My clothes are just fine." Carlton commented as he got up to refill his coffee.

"Yeah, for a boring old cop. But come on! You need to start dating again!"

He almost dropped his mug as he went to take a sip. "I told you that I'm horrible at dating. Besides, they never work out."

"Carlton! Stop selling yourself short! You are cute and assertive. I would totally date you! I told you that when we were at Stern's Wharf. I honestly thought that we were on a date."

"And you see how that relationship worked out? I got myself a kid sister instead of a girlfriend." He sat down and tried to concentrate on his food.

"But I'm a very cute sister, right?" Beth smiled widely.

"Ye-Yes. Yes you are. Now can I finish eating?"

"Sure, why not." She replied as she made herself a plate.

Carlton waited until she was done before helping to clear the table. When the last of the food was put away, Beth dragged him down the hall.

"Now go get changed!" She said as she pushed him towards the door.

"Do I have to? I honestly don't care what other people think."

Beth crossed her arms. "Everybody cares a little bit, even of they don't want to admit it. Now go get changed before I help you and 'accidentally' destroy all your boring clothes."

"You wouldn't dare!" Carlton growled as he got right in her face.

She tilted her head and smile. "Oh I so would."

Growling, he turned around and went into his room, slamming the door behind him. He heard Beth humming happily as she entered her own room. When he saw the shirt and tie waiting on his bed, he stared at them for a few seconds before leaving and knocking on Beth's door.

"I can't wear that shirt to work."

Beth sighed as she opened the door slightly, hiding behind it since she was only wearing a robe. "Yes you can. What's wrong with it?"

Looking over her shoulders, Carlton said, "It's a silk shirt and I'll stick out at work."

"You're on desk duty, nobody will care."

"Yes they will!"

Beth sighed again as she rested her forehead on the door. "Fine. At least wear the tie. And then if you have time after work, will you please change your shirt? You don't have to wear the tie or jacket to the pub, just the shirt and pants, okay?"

He crossed his arms and looked down at his feet for a moment before nodding, "Okay."

"Oh goodie!" Beth stepped forward to kiss him on the cheek. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a shower and get ready for church. Have a good day at work!" She smiled as she closed the door.

"Yeah thanks," Carlton mumbled as he returned to his room. Shaking his head, he changed his tie before picking up the shirt and leaving the house.

Luckily, the day was uneventful, not like Carlton would have been called anywhere if it wasn't. He was just turning off his computer and organizing his desk when Juliet came over.

"Hey Carlton?"

Carlton looked at her questionably before replying, "Yes?"

She leaned against the pillar next to his desk. "Are you going to the pub tonight to watch Beth?"

"Yes, why?" He crossed his arms.

"I was just checking because Beth was really worried last time. And with everything that's happened in the last week, I didn't want you to disappoint her."

"I'm going, okay? Beth even picked out a shirt for me to wear, which I'm going to go change into right now. So if you'll excuse me, I've got to go." Carlton walked around her, ignoring her smile.

When Carlton entered the pub a little before 6, Beth was sitting at the bar, trying to remain unnoticed. She had on a red blouse and black skirt and had her hair half up. Clearing his throat, he took the seat next to her. Beth jumped a little before smiling.

"How was your day?" She asked as she stirred her water.

"It was fine, a bit boring, but I was okay with that today."

"Good." She nodded as the bartender showed up.

"Can I get a beer, whatever's on tap. Thanks," Carlton turned back to Beth who was tapping her fingers on the bar. "So, how was your day?"

She smiled as she took a sip "It was good. I had a nice talk with your neighbors, the Conners. They are so sweet! We talked about what I do and they introduced me to the church music director, who said that as soon as I'm settled and have my schedule figured out, I should join their choir."

"That's nice."

"Yeah. I ended up having lunch with them. Then Shawn gave me a call and told me about a Father Westley who works at St. Attalus college, and he let me practice in one of the music rooms."

Carlton took a drink of his beer as soon as the bartender placed it in front of him. "Father Westley is a bit odd but I'm glad you got some time to practice."

"Me too, because I can't really move my wrist much, so playing guitar will be kind of hard."

She started fidgeting again and he reached over and covered her hands. "You'll be fine."

"I know." Beth nodded as she stared at their hands. "I'll just have to simplify the chords, almost going acapella."

"You'll do fine. You are a great singer."

She looked at him and smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Carlton let go and turned back to his beer. "So, can I make a request?"

"Sure, but it doesn't mean that I'll listen."

He shook his head as she laughed.

They talked for the next hour until she had to go onstage. Shawn showed up with Gus and Juliet and dragged Carlton to one of the front tables with them. Beth only made a few mistakes but they weren't too bad and quickly forgotten. She took the brace off for the last half hour and ended the night with singing "Que Sera, Sera" with the guitar.

"Thank you everyone for bearing with me tonight. Hopefully by next time I'll be completely healed and able to play some more of the classic rock persuasion. Until then, have a great week. Good Night!"

As the crowd slowly broke up, Carlton managed to make his way up before Shawn. "You were fantastic!"

Beth smiled shyly as she pulled him in a half hug. "Thanks! I know that your pep talk earlier helped."

"I'm glad."

They pulled apart as Juliet, Shawn and Gus joined them, each pulling her into a hug. Carlton smiled as he started packing up her music. As he reached the guitar, Beth joined him.

"I can do that. Ow," Beth almost dropped her guitar when she went to grab it, instead clutching her right wrist to her chest.

"Are you okay?" Carlton asked as he reached for her arm.

Letting him flex it, Beth winced as she said, "I think I overdid it."

"Yeah, seems like it. Let me finish packing and you put your brace back on."

"Fine!" Beth huffed and went to retrieve the brace.

Noticing that he wouldn't be able to carrying everything, Carlton sighed before calling Shawn over. "Spencer, come here."

"Yes Lassie? What can I do for you?"

Handing over the notebooks of sheet music, Carlton growled, "I need you take these to Beth's car."

"Actually," Beth said as she joined them, pulling her coat on. "Once you've done that, can you drive my car to Carlton's house for me? I don't think that I should be driving when my wrist is hurting this bad."

"No problem. I'll just have Jules follow me. Gus has to go home and prep for his meeting tomorrow."

"Thanks Shawn," Beth handed over her keys. Turning to Carlton, she asked, "So, where are we going for dinner?"

"Oh, um." Carlton nervously picked up her guitar and backpack. "I don't know? Did you want fast food or pizza again?"

Beth hooked arms with him as they followed Shawn and Juliet out. "I love pizza but let's go with fast food. Is there an Arby's nearby?"

"No, I think the closest one is in Ventura and I'm not driving all the way out there this late when I have to work in the morning."

"Okay, then Subway?" Beth asked as she opened the door for him.

"Yeah, there should be one open this late. Although we'll most likely have to take it home."

"No problem." She smiled as they caught sight of Shawn trying to get the trunk open. "The trunk's lock is broken. I usually throw things in the back."

"How long has it been broken?" Carlton asked as he passed things to Shawn.

Beth shrugged her shoulders as she pulled her jacket tighter. "I don't know, a few months?"

"You haven't used your trunk in a few months?" Shawn asked as he closed the door and leaned against it.

"Nope."

"What if you got a flat while driving? What would you have done?" Carlton asked.

"I don't know, wait until a tow truck came and picked me up?"

Shaking his head, Carlton led the way to his car a few spots away. "It would be so much cheaper just to get it fixed."

"I know, maybe next week. Bye Shawn! Juliet!" Beth called as she went to follow Carlton.

"See ya Beth, Lassie." "Bye Guys."

Carlton grumbled a response as he unlocked his car.

Getting in beside him, Beth asked, "What's wrong with you? I thought that you like Juliet and Shawn?"

Taking a deep breath, he turned towards her. "I do, O'Hara more than Spencer, but not together."

"Oh, OH! They're a couple?" Beth looked out the window only to see Shawn and Juliet pulling out.

Putting the key in the ignition, Carlton mumbled, "Yeah."

"Wow, and they haven't told anyone? But they're so cute together!" Hearing Carlton growl, she asked, "How did you find out?"

"On accident." He pulled the car out of the parking lot and made their way down the street. "The day before we met, we had a very difficult and emotional case. The next morning, O'Hara was in the interrogation room to work on her statement in quiet. Spencer came in to talk to her and I just happened to be checking up on O'Hara when I saw the two of them exchange … heartfelt words and then a kiss. It wasn't hard to connect the dots. I'm guessing they've been together for several months and at least Guster knows but probably not Henry or the Chief."

"Oh, and that's why you were at the bar, because you were confused?"

"More or less. Between the case and that discovery, it was a lot to take in."

Silence rang in the car for a few minutes. As they pulled into the Subway parking lot, Beth asked, "And they don't know that you know?"

"No. If they did, I know that Spencer would probably be more careful since I'll kill him if he hurts O'Hara."

She smiled as he turned off the car. "Yeah, you're right. So I guess it was partly because of them that we met. Maybe I should get them a card, but what would it say? 'Thanks for introducing me to my new best friend even though you have no idea what you did.' That seems a bit pretentious."

Carlton laughed before turning towards her curiously. "You consider me a best friend?"

Beth smiled, "Yeah I do. I mean, I don't think you'll ever bump Susie out of first place, but you're definitely in the top 4."

"Wow, I guess, in a way, you're like my best friend." He said awkwardly.

Beth laughed as she kissed his cheek. "Okay, enough with this sappy conversation! I'm hungry and that sub is not going to make itself! If it did, it would probably be more expensive."

Carlton shook his head as he got out of the car and waited for Beth to join him.