TITLE: Double Vision: A Carlos Story

AUTHOR: AngelofMystery (* I'm now Timeless Enigma*)

E-MAIL: designation_enigma@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: Part 4: Carlos and Sarah talk DISCLAIMER: Third Watch belongs to John Wells and Warner Brothers, Oh! Sarah McCartey belongs to me

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Sorry I haven't added more in a LONG time, I know people wanted me to go on- so I am. I've just had A LOT going on with the end of my senior year and graduating from High School and all, now that it's summer and I'm not starting College until next year I'll be free to work on the Fanfics. I also changed my name on FF.net to 'Timeless Enigma' where I have 2 stories. Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying my Carlos story! Please review and tell me your thought etc. Thanks!

Note: **=Thoughts, mostly Carlos's unless specified

PART FOUR: "Let's Talk"

(next day)

The small diner was packed during lunch break, mostly with police officers by the looks of it. The smell of sandwiches and coffee filled Carlos's senses as he sauntered in, scanning the crowd with his earthy brown eyes. He spotted the partners in the back, seemingly deep in conversation.

*If anyone can help me with feelings and women it's Faith*

Walking past the tables he reached them. They looked up from their meals, "Bosco, Faith how're you guys doing?" Carlos asked.

"What do you want Carlos?" Bosco asked between bites.

Carlos put on a hurt expression. "Hey, maybe I just want to dine with two of America's finest."

"Yeah, right." Faith said partly smiling. "What do you need?"

Carlos glanced down at the booth next to Bosco who after a few seconds got the drift and scooted over. Carlos leaned on the tabletop and looked at Faith.

"I need to know how to talk to women." Carlos said quietly.

"Hey man just look at them and say, 'did you fall from heaven? Cause they're missin' an angel' works every time." Bosco said joking.

Carlos looked over at him and rolled his eyes. "No, I mean *talk* like about feelings and stuff."

"Why would you want to do that?" Bosco interjected. Faith gave him a look.

"Well it all depends, what's the problem?"

"My new partner, Sarah McCartey. There was this, uh, incident when we were on a call. A domestic, she got all weird and earlier we got a GSW- a gangbanger and she was all 'who cares, just leave him'!"

"Well, so you want to know what's up right?" Faith asked.

"Duh. So how do you do it?" Carlos asked eager.

Faith knowing about Carlos's character and all tried not to pass judgment on his downfalls yet couldn't help but give him a look. "Just ask her what happened. Be gentle about it and calm, don't confront her. Yet be stern, don't take any of that 'it's nothing' crap" Faith said looking over at Bosco. "Cause it's *always* something, right partner?"

"Yeah, yeah." Bosco said.

"But she has to be able to trust you know or else she might not open up."

Carlos who wiped out a scrap of paper and pen to take notes looked up. "That's all?"

"Look," Bosco started. "Just talk to her, women love to talk I'm sure in no time you'll be having her life story."

Carlos sighed and stood up. "Well thanks you guys."

"No problem."

Picking up his medic coat he headed out the door.

*This can't be too hard* ----------

Carlos looked for the tenth time at the scrap of paper going over it in his head: Talk. Calm. Gentle. Open up. Be firm. Trust. He shook his head. *Trust, ha I can't even trust myself half the time!*

*Where is she anyways?* Looking around he spotted her in the kitchen head in the freezer looking for something.

"Damn!" She muttered.

Stashing the notes in his back pocket he took slow steps toward Sarah and the kitchen. *Damn is she hot! Too bad she's all you know psycho. Why are all the good ones fruity loops anyways?*

She was wearing a tight pair of jeans and a black t-shirt showing her midriff. Her long hair was pulled in a sweeping updoo and her eyes were sparking. She looked more like a model then a paramedic. She didn't look at Carlos as he walked her way, just busied herself with breaking the ice out of the plastic mold and filling her glass with Pepsi. Leaning on the counter Carlos cleared his throat.

"Hey." He said.

No answer. *She's just ignoring me! Like filling the glass of ice is as delicate and an intubation!*

"Look, about yesterday-" He started.

"Forget it. It's nothing." She clipped in a low voice.

*'It's nothing' boy does that sound familiar. That means it is something.*

Without thinking he put his hand over hers to halt her ice filling. A tingle of warmth filled his senses and his heart fluttered oh so gentle.

*Uh, okay that was different.*

"Look. I know it was something. If we're going to be partners you've got to trust me, you know? It, whatever you're problem is, not only effects your performance but the job-"

*Damn am I good or what! I wish Faith were here to see it- Doc too. I'd show him I have skills.*

Sarah looked up into his eyes. "We gotta go, shift started 5 minutes ago." Holding their contact a beat longer they both pulled away.

"But-"

"Later." She said harshly. "I'll talk to you later." She added softer. Then without a word she took their medic bag and headed for Echo 55-3.

He followed soon after surprised to find her in the passenger seat waiting for him to drive. The first half of the shift was semi normal. A fender- bender, a MRI, an elderly house call. Pretty uneventful, no domestics or bangers which was a relief for Carlos. Sarah, to his amazement was okay, no odd outbursts though she kept to herself, only speaking when it was necessary. Finally it was time for their hour break. They stopped to pick up a few slices of pizza and eat in the bus. "So?" Carlos said expectantly into the silence.

Sarah looked up and met his gaze seeming nervous and edgy.

*God, I hope she doesn't start to cry. That'd really suck.*

"You can trust me." He said remembering Faith's words of wisdom.

Finally she spoke, quietly and quick. "The call yesterday- it was a domestic." She said as if it explained everything.

"And?" He asked. "I was there too, remember?"

She rolled her eyes and looked at him again. *Domestics. God, do I hate those.*

Suddenly understanding donned on him *Am I a dumbass or what!*

"Were you abused?" He asked quietly, well aware that he was getting personal, a little too personal for his taste.

She nodded. "I-" She stopped and took a breath. "I was a foster kid. My foster mother was an alcoholic and my foster father used me to hit me whenever he felt I was a "bad girl"." She looked away ashamed.

Carlos never felt some many feelings at once. Sadness, pain, anger, understanding even love. It was all crystal clear now- everything. He felt her pain like it was his own- sharp and deep- because that was his past too. Love, though just a glimmer for this beautiful woman who was so much like him. He didn't know what to say.

"I know what you're going through." He managed.

She snorted, "Yeah right, I don't need your pity, Nieto."

"I was a foster kid, too." He started in a rush. "An orphan, too. I was in six homes total until I turned 18. None of them made me feel wanted or welcome- just worthless. All of them abused me in fact, some by ignoring my existence others by the hand. Domestics, even now give me nightmares- I know what you're going through Sarah."

She peeled her eyes from the window and looked at him for the first time, noting the mistiness in his eyes that matched her own. "I'm so sorry" she whispered.

"So am I."

It was her turn to place her hand on his; he looked up and gave a faint smile. *This was easier than I thought! And who would have known she and I had so much in common. I guess this talking stuff really works*

"Carlos?" She asked.

"What?"

"Could you- no never mind."

"What?" He asked again.

"Could you come somewhere with me after our shift?"

"Depends. Where?"

"My apartment." She said.

-------- (After their shift)

Her apartment, a little hole in the wall on the eighth floor wasn't anything impressive. The dingy off white walls where devoid of anything- no pictures, no paintings. Nothing. Her furniture was minimum and well used but comfortable. He took off his jacket and sat down in a mangled chair surprised to find it very relaxing. Though the apartment was cold and impersonal she made it warmer he realized. "Do you want some tea?" She asked fidgeting.

"Sure."

"Okay." She said disappearing into the tiny kitchen.

"So, what memory about the homes do you remember the most?" She asked him, elevating her sing-song voice over the running water.

He contemplated. *There are so many memories- nightmares actually. What do I most remember? Humm.* "Oh, there was this one."

"Go on." She said peaking her head out of the dining partition.

"It was my third home, I was 7 I think. There were five other kids too, all foster kids. I remember the woman being a real bitch, yelling all the time, drinking, doin' drugs. How she became a foster parent is beyond me! Anyways, I would always be getting' in trouble, the scapegoat. Who made the house a mess? Carlos. Who spilt the milk? Carlos. It was hell. But it stopped when another kid- a little girl- was placed with us. I remember her: the biggest, bluest eyes ever, the cutest golden curls and smile. She was about 4 I think, too young to know anything thing. She became my light in the hell of life. We would play together; tell each other secrets and stuff. Until all the other kids started messing with her- pulling her hair, stealing her only toy- I hated it. Our "mother" at the time didn't give a damn, I begged her to make them stop but she just told me to fuck off." Carlos paused and ran a hand through his hair. "One day Johnny, the oldest made her drink alcohol, thinking it would be funny to see her drunk. I found out and freaked out, I went off. Yelling, hitting them, screaming. Them I got locked in a room for my antics. Soon after I was shipped to another home. But I'll always remember that little girl. She was the closest person to me, she was like a real sister."

Sarah who was holding two tea cups came into view. "What was her name?" She asked.

"Elizabeth Marie Wright. But I called her little Lizzy." He said.

She turned pale as a sheet and with a eerie crash the tea cups fell to the floor. He was next to her in a second grapping for a rag. She met his gaze and closed her eyes. Slowly tears began to stream down her eyes.

"It's okay, nothing we can't clean up." He said hoping to cheer her up.

"No." She picked up a slice of handle with shaky hands. "When I turned 18 I changed my name. My name- my name was Elizabeth Marie Wright."

Slience deafed Carlos's ears. *Oh my God!* "You're little Lizzy?" He asked in awe and hope.

"Yes."

They just stared into each others eyes. *No way is this real*

TO BE CONTINUED!

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