Don't own the characters

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Again if anyone has a title happy to hear about it.

Sorry for the update. Too many hours spent working on a syllabus…

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Ty walked into his house looking around for any signs of life. There were no signs of Melissa, he felt relieved because he wasn't sure if he had it in him to talk anymore. He wanted to go up to bed and sleep forever. Walking to the bedroom he kicked his shoes off and dropped onto the bed curling up on top of the covers he felt himself drift off to sleep quickly.

Melissa had been in the bathroom and watched her husband as he walked into the bedroom dropping onto the bed. She could tell by looking at him that he needed sleep. He needed time, and she would give it to him. Before she walked out she kissed him on the head, not disturbing his already deep slumber.

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"We should probably go home." Dean said avoiding answering the question. It was the best he could do at the moment he needed time to think of which path he wanted to take.

"Or you could answer the question Dean. You've been strange ever since you came to my apartment and found Scott there." She remembered that night. How sad Dean looked, how upset he was, and she wasn't there for him. Practically told him to get lost, without so much as a thank you for being there for her. It was a mistake, she knew that now, but would Dean allow her to make up for it.

"you were just reading into it too much. Seeing what you wanted."

"So it was just sex?"

"I didn't say that. But we can't do this Jamie."

"Why not?"

"Because we work together. At some point our lives may depend on one another and we can't have other things in the way."

"You mean like feelings."

"Anything Jamie. There have been enough mistakes recently by all of us that has led to people almost dying or people dying." Dean said knowing he would reach her through the people dying she would remember her first undercover operation in which the guy died.

"So you don't want to give us a try?"

"It has to be just sex. It can't be anything more. If Carter finds out he'll be pissed. He might even kick one or both of us off the team. And I like my job."

"I can settle for just sex." She said knowing both of them knew it was more, but if he wanted to lie to himself and her she'd let him. "If that is what you want."

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Carter fought to consciousness again, the fog was not as strong as last time. The battle to reach consciousness took only a few minutes. He opened his eyes, feeling a pain radiating from various parts of his body. Closing his eyes he swallowed trying to gain some moisture in his mouth. It hurt to swallow because no moister came. Looking around he noticed starch white walls, and felt the rough sheets under him. Hospital, he was in the hospital, he remembered waking up before struggling to breath choking on something. Hospital, why was he in the hospital? He tried to remember, pain, mostly came from his shoulder, chest and abdomen. Why?

Then he remembered he was shot. He felt the first bullet, but he didn't remember feeling the second one. The first bullet that tore through his shoulder. The second one he did not feel, adrenalin probably. But why was his chest hurting too? Sharp shots of pain every time he took a deep breath. Broken ribs, that's what it felt like, how did he break his ribs?

Before he could work out anymore a nurse walked into his room. She smiled at him, "Good to see you awake Mr. Shaw." She moved over to the bed taking note of the information on the heart monitor.

"How long have I been here?"

"A day now." She answered smiling at him as she looked over his bandages, noting the amount of blood and fluid in the chest tubes that ran out of him. "Do you need some water?"

"Please. And call me Carter please." He said his voice still scratchy.

"Sure Carter. I'll be right back with fresh cold water. Then I need to finish my check up."

"ok." He said closing his eyes, he was already exhausted again. What did they have him on?

The nurse returned shortly after she left and noticed the patient was resting. Quietly she took his temperature using an ear thermometer.

Carter opened his eyes and looked at her. He did not hear her enter the room again.

"Oh sorry I thought you were asleep." She said. "Let me get you that cup of water." She poured a coup of water from the pink pitcher into a clear plastic cup. Putting a straw in it she held the cup for Carter and let him drink from the straw.

Carter suddenly realized he was thirsty. He drank quickly the cool liquid that seemed to help his sore dry throat.

"Slow down please Mr. Sh…Carter." She warned him.

Finishing the cup Carter closed his eyes again. He felt better, at least his throat felt better.

"What is your pain rating?" She asked.

"Five." He answered truthfully.

"I'll page the doctor about getting you a bit more pain killer. We wanted you to maintain consciousness for a bit before we gave you too much. Anything else?"

"When do I get out of here?" He was already itching to be away from the room.

"You'll be lucky to be released in a couple of weeks." She paused noticing the disappointment in his face, "You sustained serious injuries. You're body needs time to recuperate."

Carter just wanted to be out of here, he hated hospitals. He felt trapped, he hated being trapped.

"I should probably call your friend." She said turning to walk out of the room.

"Who?" Carter asked his voice better then the harsh tone it held earlier. Who was his friend?

"Um a Ty something. He stayed with you all of last night." The nurse turned around and walked out of the room leaving Carter to his thoughts.

As he was thinking about what happened, remembering the events that led him to this moment, he was interrupted by the sound of Dean clearing his throat.

"Boss." He said walking into the room.

Carter could smell the alcohol from his position prone in the bed. "Bring the bar with you?"

"No sorry Captain would probably kill me." Dean smiled at him. "But once you are out I'll buy you a drink."

The nurse returned. "The doctor gave me permission to give you a bit more morphine." S he fiddled with the IV adjusting the drip rate. "Meanwhile I'm going to give you a shot to help with the immediate pain."

"Getting the good stuff. Feel like sharing?" Dean asked taking the seat next to Carters bed.

"Sure if you bring the bar back with you."

"Got it." Dean said relaxing back in the chair. He wanted to ask Carter a question, but he wasn't sure how to get phrase it without giving the question away.

"What do you want Dean?" carter asked after a few moments of silence. He felt exhaustion overtaking him again. He shifted uncomfortable, a tube running up his penis insured it was impossible to be comfortable. What he really wanted to do was drift off back to sleep, but he could see his most promising employee had something bothering him.

"Do you think Ty lost his ability to do this job because of his connection with Melissa?"

"Are you asking me this because you are worried about Ty, or are you worried about connecting with someone and it ruining your ability to do what we do?"

"Both." Dean said taking the easy route.

"It depends on the person. Melissa doesn't understand what Ty does. It makes it hard for Ty. And this was always just one step in the path. Ty isn't a career UC. "

"But I am?"

"I didn't have to promise you anything but a big bust." Carter said. That fact is what made Carter respect Dean more the most of his other UC's. He was in it for the job. Yeah there was the impressing his mother and father, but everyone had that issue. The job meant the most to Dean.

"What about my other question?"

"I thought I answered them both." Carter said his eyes started to close, "Just remember Dean whatever you do with Jamie could affect you undercover. You might have to work with her sometime, and will you be able to do that? It is never a good idea to date someone you work with."

Dean could see Carter was struggling to stay awake. "We can talk about it later." Dean relaxed back in the chair closing his own eyes and letting himself drift on his own thought process. Debating his options still. He left Jamie without a clear cut answer. Stating again that they should go home and meet up later to go visit Carter and see if there was anything they needed to do at work. Instead of going home he came to visit Carter.

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Ty awoke alone in bed. He still felt exhausted when his ringing phone pulled him from his slumber. Grabbing the phone off the night stand he answered it, "Ty."

"Hey babe." Melissa's voice filtered through.

Ty smiled as he rolled over onto his back.

When Ty didn't answer Melissa continued, "I thought you might want me to wake you up before it got too late."

"What time is it?"

"2 in the afternoon."

Ty sat up, "Thanks."

"I also wanted to let you know I have to go to this dinner thing tonight for work."

"oh."

"I'll be home afterwards. Probably around 9."

"ok." Ty said stretching.

"Any news about Carter?"

"No not yet." Ty wondered if that was a good or a bad thing. He felt the guilt tighten his chest again.

"Honey I have to go. I have a meeting soon. I made lunch for you it's in the fridge."

"thank you."

"I'll see you when I get home from work."

"Goodbye. I love you."

"Bye Ty. I love you too." She hung the phone up.

Ty walked to the kitchen finding the food in a taperware container. But as he looked at it he realized he wasn't hungry. Instead he grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge, opening it he took a sip before putting the cap back on. He continued down to the bathroom quickly undressing, turning the water on and climbing into the shower. Closing his eyes he leaned against the shower wall. His arms crossed, with his forehead rest on his forearm. He let the water run down his back and relax his muscles. It felt good to shower, to try to wash off some of the grime from the past few days. He wished he could wash away the guilt he felt.

After awhile he quickly washed up, climbing out of the shower after turning the water off he grabbed a towel wrapping it around himself. He walked into the bedroom picking out clothes to wear. After dressing in a pair of blue jeans, and a black t-shirt he grabbed his cell phone dialing the hospital. A few transfers later he was talking to the nurse on duty at the ICU desk.

"I am calling to check on Carter Shaw." Ty said waiting for the nurse to respond.

"Are you family?"

"I was the gentlemen with him last night." Ty said, "I left my name and number with his nurse."

"Yes sorry. His son is visiting right now. We did not call you because he had his son there."

Ty was confused, as far as he knew Carter did not have any children. "Would it be ok if I came and visited?"

"I'm sure that would be fine. He is doing better. He's been lucid a few times."

"Great." Ty said, "thank you for the update." Ty hung the phone up and continued to ponder about Carters son.

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Jamie found herself at home alone. Laying in bed looking up at the ceiling. It was hard to come down after the stressful night between Carter getting shot, the end of her relationship with Scott, and Dean's inability to decided what he wanted it was hard to just drift off to sleep. Her mind ran circles round each event. Could she have done anything different to prevent Carter from being shot? Would he be ok? Would he be able to return to work? If he was not able, would whoever replace him be willing to work with her? She had her file, but it did not mean someone else couldn't get it. Would they forget the information like Carter had?

What about Scott? Was this the end? Or did he need another break? And if he needed another break, was he worth the effort? He never would understand what she did. Even if she explained it to him, he could never fully understand why she needed to do it so bad. Why this job was perfect for her.

Dean, that was even more difficult. Did she want a relationship? She did not want to become one of those girls. Those girls that sleep with their co-worker and when people find out the assume it's to further her career, or that she is just slut. She didn't want to be that girl. Not that Carter or Ty would assume either. What about when Carter found out? He would not be too happy about it. Would he kick her off the team. He respected Dean, so there was no way he would get rid of Dean. She was way more expandable. Which meant when the relationship ended it would be her who would have to move from the team.

All of this and much more kept racing through her mind as she desperately tried to rest. The alcohol did nothing to help her. Normally it would have dulled her thoughts enough to let her sleep, but today it did not help. It only reminded her of drinking with Dean.

Her cell phone rang bringing her away from the never ending cycle of thoughts. "Jamie."

"Hello, This is Captain Maynard. I need you to meet with me in the safe house today at five."

"What about?"

"Just be there at five." Captain Maynard said, "See you then." He hang up the phone leaving Jamie with another question and a new fear. Did he find out about her past? Was that why he wanted to meet her to tell her she was done and possible facing criminal charges?