Author's Note: So there's not much known about Barek's past, so I'm taking artistic liberties here. Also, thanks for the nickname suggestions. Of course I went my own way, lol. Also, for those of you with a LiveJournal go check out my fanfiction community, Fanficobession, where I post works you can't find here on You can also request plot bunnies or drabble continuations! Alright, enough self advertising, on to the fic!

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Victims of Fate

Chapter Nine

Prompt: Blood Is Thicker

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"So, this is your partner huh?" Eloise Barek said as she let her daughter and the large man with her into her brownstone in Chelsea.

"Mama, this is Mike Logan. Mike, this is my mother," Carolyn smiled tightly. Her mother studied Mike suspiciously.

"Ma'am," Mike smiled charmingly, "Now I can see exactly where your daughter got her good looks."

"Ah, a charmer this one," Carolyn's mother smiled, "Well, thank you for bring my little Carrie home."

"Carrie?" Mike raised an eyebrow at her and Carolyn glared.

Her mother tsked, "Only family calls her that, young man, you treat my Carrie with respect." Mike looked appropriately sheepish, but she could tell by the glint in his eye this was going to be brought up again.

"Well, thanks again for the ride Mike," Carolyn said happily, "I'll see you tomorrow at work."

"Yeah, just make sure the doors and windows are locked okay? And after work, I'll help you straighten up."

"You don't have to do that," She felt that odd sense of relief again at Mike's offer, "I can handle it."

"So can I." And with a whistle he was gone and Carolyn felt her mother glaring at the back of her head.

"What Mama?" She asked, turning back to face the woman who had raised her.

"He's got his eye on you." Her mother stated with absolute certainty and Carolyn rolled her eyes.

"He's my partner, he's always got his eye on me." When her mother opened her mouth to contradict her Carolyn held up a hand, "It's late, Mama, and I'd really like to get some sleep before I have to go back to work, okay?"

Her mother sighed and bustled her up the stairs, "Alright, alright, but you have to invite him over for dinner sometime. I want to know the man who's watching out for you."

Carolyn replayed what she knew about Mike before this case and then what she'd glimpsed of him during the case. "So would I, Mama, so would I."