An Early Morning Talk

Author - Preciouslilme

Rating - G

Keywords - Tony/Carol, Hurt/Comfort

Category - Angst/Romance

Spoilers - The Mermaids Singing

Disclaimer - They belong to Val McDermid, not me, I just take them out to play.

Summary - Carol goes to see Tony after a break-up.

Author's Notes - This is a much fluffier piece than my last. I did double check everything to see if I thought it could actually happen, so hopefully it remains in character despite the fluff! Please read and review!

Tony trudged down the stairs to his front door, the person at it ringing the bell incessantly. He glanced at the clock and groaned.

"Carol? It's 2am." He said, opening the door.

"Sorry." she said, looking up. Her eyes were red - she'd been crying. "I needed someone to talk to."

"A friend or a shrink?"

"Which are you?"

Tony had a flash of deja vu. He'd asked her the same questions once before, on their first case. He thought before answering.

"A friend. Come on in."

She followed him in and sat on his couch. He positioned himself next to her so he could see her. She just looked at the floor.

"What happened?" Tony asked.

"David broke up with me. I don't even know why I'm reacting like this, we were only going out for a month. I didn't love him. I probably won't even miss him."

"Sometimes the shock takes over, making us act in ways we usually wouldn't."

"I thought shock is supposed to make you numb." she gave a weak smile. "I feel pathetic."

"You'll never be pathetic, Carol."

She was silent.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"We were at a pub. It was just like normal, until he said that he didn't think we should see each other any more. I left and ended up driving here. It hit me about half way here. Sorry about barging in on you like this."

"I'm just glad you feel you can talk to me."

Tony reached out tentatively for her hand and held it in his own.

"Thank you." she said.

"For what?"

"For being here, and not just for now either. You've helped me a lot, both professionally and personally."
"I should thank you then, for putting up with me."

"You're easy to put up with Tony."

He put his arms around her in a hug. When she put her head on his chest he lent his head against it.

"You'll be fine Carol, you're strong."

"Only with you around."

"And vice versa."

"I suppose we're stuck together then."

"Yeah."

They broke apart.

"Do...Do you want to stay here for the night - I mean, I have a spare room you can use."

"Are you making move on me? I've heard about men like you, preying on women who have just broken up with someone." Carol smiled.

"Do you want to or would you rather go home."

"I'll stay, thanks."

"The room is the first on the left, upstairs. I can probably find a t-shirt for you to wear if don't want to sleep in what you're wearing."

"You didn't answer my question."

"What question is that?"

"Are you hitting on me?"

Tony thought for a moment. Carol was the first woman he felt he could trust to open up to. It was really only his own fears that were stopping him. If he was a patient he'd tell them to confront his fears and move on past experiences.

"Yes Carol," he said, "I am."