After debating with himself for quite a while, Benny finally sent Bull a text about his encounter at the office. Bull received the message while he was in bed with Ashton; he was reading the files he brought from TAC while she was engrossed in a novel. Looking up from the manila folder, Bull wryly stated that being in bed reading at such an early hour made him feel old. Ashton, who preferred the quiet of staying in, wrinkled her nose and told him that if he tried reading a book instead of work notes he'd enjoy it much more.
When Bull reached for his phone, she shot him a sideways glance before returning her attention to her book. He stared at the phone's screen for a bit before quickly typing a reply and putting the phone down.
"Problem?" Ashton asked.
"No. Benny wants to talk in the morning," Bull said choosing his words carefully.
"He's still at the office?"
"He's home," he assured her.
"Good," she replied and closed the book. Ashton then proceeded to turn out the light on her side of the bed and settled onto her pillow.
The sudden tug of the comforter moving as she pulled it around herself caught Bull's attention. He glanced over and smiled. Ashton's back was towards him and after a few seconds, he gave the cover a yank. She didn't turn or even lift her head but Ashton's shoulders moved with silent laughter. Bull turned his attention back to his case file then almost immediately put it aside. He shut off the light and snuggled up to Ashton, wrapping an arm around her. She pulled his arm closer and quickly fell asleep while Bull remained awake mulling over Benny's text.
The next morning, Bull and Benny spoke at length of the previous night's event. Throughout the conversation Benny tried to impress the seriousness of the situation. Upon seeing Bull's apparent nonchalance, the lawyer cautioned him about messing things up with Ashton. The psychologist declared that he wasn't going to mess anything up. Benny looked askance at his boss and repeated his warning before leaving the office.
Benny's sentiments echoed in Bull's head the rest of the morning. He uncharacteristically remained alone in his office until lunch time when he left without a word to anyone. When he returned a short time later, he went straight back to his desk. A knock on the door interrupted Bull's reading.
"You're quite the recluse today," Marissa said.
"It's called work. Did you see this?" Bull said and held up a folder.
"Which this?"
They discussed the case he was referring to for a bit before moving on to talking over another trial that was in progress. When Marissa asked how Ashton was, Bull responded shortly before steering the conversation back to work.
"Weren't you going home 'cause you were going to be up late working?" Ashton said as she opened the door for Bull. The long-sleeve t-shirt she was wearing was slightly askew and her hastily done ponytail had quite a few tendrils escaping.
"I was home."
After asking if he was interrupting her evening and receiving a negative reply, Bull entered the apartment and hung up his coat. Ashton watched as he took a seat on the sofa, leaned back, and closed his eyes. She noted that his standard white button down had been replaced by a t-shirt confirming that he had most likely been home.
"And now you're here," she said.
"Home seems like a much better idea at the office. Once I get there, I wonder what you're doing."
"Wrangling dust bunnies."
Bull smiled, opened his eyes, and took off his glasses placing them on a nearby table. "How about a movie? I'm pretty sure the dust bunnies won't mind."
"You want to watch a movie on a school night? And, you have no files with you...what'd you do?" Ashton teased as she sat down next to him.
"I didn't do anything. I told you I'm going to do better this time around," he said.
Ashton looked at him sideways and stifled a laugh. Bull's raised eyebrows and somber expression caused her remark that his efforts weren't unnoticed or unappreciated but she knew him long enough to know better. She then headed off to the kitchen.
"It's for you," Ashton said. Bull looked at her quizzically and took her cellphone as she went to get the drinks she had poured.
"I meant this," Bull said when she returned. The call had ended and he was standing by her desk holding the card he had given her.
"I know."
"Does it matter?" On the desk next to where the card had been sitting was an email Ashton had printed from Matt Wagner. Although the message contained specific requests about the artwork for some wine bottle labels that Ashton was working on and nothing more, Matt signing off with a see you soon, miss ya rankled Bull.
Without asking for more explanation, Ashton knew he had read the email. Aside from the card, it was the only paper on the desk. She was also pretty sure that Benny had conveyed to Bull the short conversation he had with his sister-in-law before she handed the phone over. Bull braced himself for a scathing verbal onslaught, but it never came.
"You always matter," she said.
Bull replaced the card on the desk, the uncertainty was clear on his face. Ashton noticed the uneasiness in his expression and handed him one of the glasses she was holding.
"I don't want to argue, Doc. I want to watch the movie you promised. Are you here because you were afraid she'd be stopping by your apartment again?"
"No... Yes... Maybe a little," he admitted before trying to rationalize his actions. "My apartment is extremely quiet - the cactus doesn't talk. You do."
"I beat out a cactus. That's encouraging."
"There's also a better chance of finding rugelach here," he said with a wink. "Aside from the movie, what do you want?"
"Ice cream would be nice."
"Ashton," Bull admonished. "What do you want from me?"
"Same thing I've always wanted. You."
"You have me. What else?"
"Your trust. I'm not hiding anything from you," she said with a pointed look to the email.
"In return, do I have yours?" he asked and Ashton quickly nodded.
"Completely? I can't promise Diana won't be on the other side of a courtroom one day."
"Can you promise she'll stay in the courtroom?" While Ashton did her best to sound light-hearted, he detected an edge of sarcasm. Bull reminded her that while he had no control over Diana's actions, he had no intention of seeing the lawyer outside of court.
"Thinking of pulling me for a relief pitcher?" he asked when Ashton's expression didn't brighten with his answer.
"Nope," Ashton replied. "We're hardly into the game, Jason Bull. I'm gonna let you settle in and see how you do. Now can we watch the movie?"
