So, now we are in Episode 3. I always loved that scene in the car actually. (: I already draft this episode, it will have 2 more chapters. I can't be thankful enough for your reviews. They really really make my day! yas-m, newtonks, Romantic in Denial and maricejayo thanks so much!

Caution

(S01x03 – Part 1/3)

He didn't know if he should be crying or laughing anymore. It was the second night under the dome and it was the second night in row he found himself in her car. The resolution from the morning that he was going away, leaving her for good, just laid forgotten in the deepest part of his mind. Even though she most likely was suspecting something was wrong with all the dog tags incident, even though he let her close and let her know his real name. She was his biggest chance to get uncovered and still here he was with her in her car heading somewhere. Actually, heading somewhere so fast he started to feel uncomfortable. Pulling on his seatbelt he shifted in his seat uncomfortable. There were two places he liked to be in control the most, in the bed and in the car. Briefly his mind played around the thought if he would just as easily hand over the control to her in a bed as he was in the car but these thoughts were leading him down the way he really should not go. He made a face as he checked the speedometer and buckled his seatbelt.

"You in a hurry or something?" he asked halfheartedly.

"I want to get to the police station before they walk Randolph in." She answered and looked over him with a smug smirk on her face. "What, you don't like my driving?"

"I…" Barbie started but bit back his comment about what he thought about women and driving. "Not that at all. Just uh…" He looked out the window watching their surroundings. He was worried that after this very tiring day, after all that had happened, her focus would just slip. He was worried if they would run into an accident something would happen to her. He was worried about her. That realization was shocking. It was a very strange feeling. He couldn't even remember the last time he was actually worried about someone. He frowned and pressed his lips together in frustration. This sexual attraction was messing with his mind, sometimes he almost felt like he actually cared about her.

"Nothing wrong with using a little caution." he said finally all the way avoiding eye contact with her and fully aware his statement had a double meaning. Maybe it still wasn't too late for them to back away.

"I don't do caution." Julia said softly, her voice had a tint of something like admission maybe even provocation and for a moment Barbie was not sure if she answered the hidden message in his statement. He quickly dismissed the thought from his mind fully aware of how both of them were avoiding eye contact now.

Never the less, on her comment he had to let out a small laugh. "I noticed." All her actions were a proof of how caution was not her thing: The way she took him in and let him stay in her house, a complete stranger. The way she noticed the soldiers using the radio and how she ran immediately to the radio station to find out about it. The way she was in the front line today as they tried to extinguish the fire and again when Paul pulled out that gun.

"You are a real run-towards-the-fire kind of girl aren't you?" He said with a bright smile throwing just one short glance at her way before turning away again.

"I am a journalist." She said as if it would explain everything. "I have got to find out all I can about this dome. So me, you and everyone in this town can get out as soon as possible." She added and the teasing tone disappeared from her voice.

"I have got a husband out there I'd kind of like to see again." The statement sounded a bit insecure but it hit him hard and forced him to look at her profile.

The husband again. Feelings of guilt, jealous, anger and desperation chased each other in his head and he honestly couldn't pick one that was the strongest at the moment… Luckily they just arrived to the town hall and he could push it all back into the depths of his mind. Julia jumped out of the car the moment they stopped and she was already heading towards Linda. Barbie decided to stay behind, leaning against the car he watched carefully as Julia shot questions after questions towards Linda and as the people flow around them in excitement. Small town, it figured, everyone knew everyone and they were all always hungry for gossips and news. Big Jim appeared on top of the stairs, saying his big words again, playing the Mayer or president, or God or whatever he imagined himself to be. Barbie shook his head in annoyance folding his arms in front of his chest and was not disappointed when he saw Julia rolling her eyes and even before Big Jim finished his well performed speech she had turned on her heels to walk away. It did not get lost on him how she walked up right next to him in her frustration and annoyance. It came so naturally for her, for them both, to seek comfort and strength in each other's presence. They turned away exactly at the same time from the riot and got back to the car to get the hell out of there. Honestly he wasn't even surprised anymore. It was just like that with them from the beginning on. Explaining why it was like that, would have caused just more trouble for both of them. For now he just decided to let it go and do things the way he felt was right, and that was always together with her.

So here we go. As I was drafting the next scenes I realized there were some I could try to write from Julia's POV but since everything is from Barbie's I decided not to mix those here. Maybe I will make some separated one-shots with them once. For now this is challenging enough ;)