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Chapter 3:

Invincible

Barely moving from her planted position next to her partner. Juliet constantly kept a close eye on him as he was recovering and waiting eagerly for him to wake. She refused to let go of her partner's hand. Even in his unconscious state right now, Juliet did not want him to think that he was alone. Ever sense the incident at the lab, Juliet started to evaluate her relationships more. Especially her relationship with her partner. Juliet started to analyze the past year and a half with weary yet fresh eyes. Because what she saw now in hindsight, is that she and Lassiter were becoming strangers to one another. Oh Carlton…I'm so sorry for not being a true friend to you. I promise I'll make it up to you. Please wake up soon partner…

She finally got her wish four days later. It was then that Lassiter finally started to wake up. He was very disoriented and confused as he croaked, "What the..."

"Carlton!" Juliet exclaimed in a rough whispered.

"O'Hara? Where am I?"

"You're at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Do you remember anything from a couple of days ago?"

"A c-couple of days...?" After a few seconds everything came crashing back. "Oh yeah...we were chasing that slime-ball Zien. Then that idiot Ryan pushed those containers over..." Juliet smiles through watery eyes as she nodded. "Did we get 'im?" Juliet simply shook her head. "Crap on a cracker!" Lassiter exclaimed but gave away into a coughing fit.

Juliet immediately brought a cup of water with a straw in it and she held the straw to his dry mouth. Because of his coughing mixed with his exhaustion, he didn't complain or protest. The battered and bruised detective simply sipped the water with great speed.

"Not to fast Carlton."

Once he was done, Lassiter said forcefully, "I'm fine O'Hara." Or at least attempted to. He was still very drained and tired from his injuries.

"Have you been here the entire time?"

"Of course I have."

"You should go home and get some rest."

"I'm fine right here. You can't get rid of me that easy partner."

Despite himself and how he was feeling Lassiter smiled.

"Get some rest partner, I'll be here when you wake up.

As he drifted off to sleep, Lassiter smiled again.

Three (Long) Days Later…

As the days dragged on, Lassiter was bored out of his mind. The stubborn detective insisted he felt fine and wanted to leave. Thanks to the test results from the containers coming back clear, they are reluctantly releasing him.

Currently, Lassiter was in the bathroom getting dressed as Juliet and Lulu, who came in the night of the accident, were packing up all the cards and balloons and other Get Well items that Lassiter had received over the past week.

As Lassiter came out of the restroom, Juliet was yet again reminded of her partner's good looks. And how close she was to losing him altogether.

"Are you okay, O'Hara?" Lassiter asked as he saw her turn and blink away a few tears.

"Of course I am! I mean you're a walking talking miracle."

"Yeah Carly! Yet again, you're always my Irish Superman," Lulu said gushing like the proud baby sister she was.

"It wasn't a miracle. I just really wanted to leave this den of devastation and boredom."

The three jumped when they suddenly heard Chief Vick respond. "I'm sure it was for you Carlton, but it was hell for anyone and everyone who had to treat you."

"You mean that woman that wanted to beat you with the bed pan?" Shawn said as he just walked in, Gus following close behind.

"Hey when I see a woman as big as McNab coming at me, I'm gonna protect myself!"

At his response, Lulu and Juliet couldn't help nor hide their simultaneous giggling.

"Well regardless of you been discharged detective, I'm putting you on sick leave for the next two weeks."

"Chief I'm fine! You heard the doctor say..."

"I heard you were cleared to go home. Not back on active duty. Now this is a direct order Carlton: stay away from the station and this case for the next two weeks. After that you're going to the mandatory psych evaluation. After that, we'll see where we go from there. Do I make myself clear?" "Crystal."

"Well Lassie, not all crystals are..." Gus started but shut his mouth with an audible click at Lassiter's withering glare.

A few moments later, a male nurse came in with a wheelchair. And thankfully, Lassiter didn't put up as much as a fuss as he's known to do in the past.

Once they were all outside, Lassiter quickly got to his feet. Thankful to stretch his long legs and to be out of that retched hospital. Lulu wrapped her arms around her brother's lean torso as they walked to his Ford Fusion that Juliet brought there.

The silence in the car was peaceful as Juliet drove them to Lassiter's town home. Lulu drove Juliet's beloved Bug behind them because she planned to stay with her brother that night but had to leave for school the next morning.

Soon they arrived at the town home with Juliet putting the car in park while saying, "Here we are." Before Lassiter cold react, Juliet was already on his side of the car easing him out. "Thanks O'Hara." "No problems partner. I'll call you tomorrow." Juliet reluctantly said as she saw Lulu pull in and get out of her own Bug.

After Juliet got in her Bug and pulled out of the parking space, she for some reason felt jealous of Lulu Lassiter. Whoa girl…that's a new one. Jealous of a man's baby sister! Her inner voice exclaimed.

I'm not jealous!

Yeah you keep telling yourself that.

Juliet knew she had a lot more thinking to do.

TBC