"Here's what we're gonna do. And yeah…I said "we"…you're gonna need my help to pull this off, man."

Chapter 2

The two of them, after much debate and another pizza, had come up with a plan. It wasn't a perfect plan by any stretch, but Taylor was convinced that it would get the point across.

Any kid who could come up with the plan he had and gotten the phone number he'd bet he would, had Reese's grudging respect.

But what exactly was the point? Reese wasn't sure if he even knew where the whole thing would end up. The feelings he had weren't new, but he'd been afraid to let them loose; afraid that, if he was wrong, he'd end up ruining a friendship he could see being one of the best he'd ever had, so he'd locked them away.

And he was taking advice from a teenager.

He was pretty sure he'd lost his mind.

Nothing ventured…as they say. Reese tapped his earwig.

"Good morning, Finch."

"Good morning, Mr. Reese."

"Do we have anything this morning?"

"Not at the present. Did you need something?"

"Two things. First, I need you to transfer the video feed from Fusco's desk to my laptop for a few hours. And second…thank you."

There was a pause between the two men. He could hear Finch clicking away on his keyboard and knew he was trying to think of something to say.

"Was I correct in assuming Detective Carter would be of some help?"

Reese smiled. "As usual, you're correct. She was very helpful."

"Am I also to assume that the video feed has something to do with her insight?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes."

He heard Finch clear his throat. "The transfer is completed; click the icon I placed on your screen for access. And Mr. Reese?"

"Yes, Harold?"

"It's about time."

The connection terminated and Reese found himself smiling in spite of himself. If Finch had seen it, why didn't he? It didn't matter. He did now and he was going to do something about it.

He booted up his laptop and poured himself a cup of coffee, looking at the clock. Wouldn't be long now. He clicked the icon Finch had mentioned and Carter's desk came into view.

She was there, looking bored, occasionally scribbling notes, and trading banter with Fusco. Every time she smiled, Reese smiled too. He caught himself a couple of times, but finally gave in to the feeling of it.

He knew the moment her face changed that it was about to start. The delivery man came into view and placed the flowers on her desk, asked her to sign his sheet, and left as quickly as he came. Someone didn't want to be in a police station any longer than necessary was Reese's guess.

He watched her stare at the small crystal vase with the bright, multi-colored flowers, a small smile tilting her mouth up. She reached forward and plucked the card from the middle of the arrangement and pulled it from the envelope. She didn't look at it right away, just held it against her chest and leaned back in her chair.

"Aren't you gonna read the card?" Fusco's voice snapped her out of her daydream.

She pursed her lips and tried not to smile again. "I know who they're from."

John swore she looked directly at the camera, but it couldn't have been possible…she didn't know about the camera. Did she? He sat up a little straighter on the couch and moved the laptop to the table in front of him. He couldn't tear his eyes from the screen as she looked down at the card and the simple words he'd written. Thank you. It was all he'd been able to write. He'd wanted to say more, much more, but he couldn't. He wasn't quite ready to put himself that far out there yet. Besides, this was only the beginning of the plan.

She leaned forward and smelled the flowers, closing her eyes. "Smells a little like honey…and…" she took a deep smell again.

"I smell mint." Fusco's voice.

"Yeah, I smell it too. I wonder what kind they are; they're beautiful."

"Um…" John saw Carter smirking across the desk at him and could only imagine the look on Fusco's face.

"Do you know?"

"Yeah. They're Freesia. Must be from someone close."

John laughed out loud. Leave it to Fusco to know flowers. This might work out perfectly. Only in his world could a dirty cop, turned asset, turned…friend…turn into an unsuspecting matchmaker with a love of flowers.

Carter watched him for a moment, surprised. "How do you know this stuff?"

Fusco came into John's view as he moved over to Carter's desk and leaned a hip against it. "My mother loved flowers…always had them in the house…different kinds, depending on what time of year it was."

"Why do you say they're from someone close to me?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Because of their meaning, Carter. All flowers have meaning."

"I knew roses did. Guess I didn't realize…."

"Yeah, they all have meaning. Some have more than one. I'd say, given your smile, someone values your friendship and trusts you."

John watched Carter's face closely, the way her eyes widened just a tiny bit and the corners of her mouth fought to turn up. She looked at the camera again.

"Good thing it's mutual."

**** XXX ****

Reese grinned when he heard the phone vibrating on the table after he switched off his laptop. The screen blinked as it rang: Carter.

He still didn't believe she knew about the camera on Fusco's desk, but he couldn't be absolutely sure. She was a detective. The look she'd had when she'd turned to the dollcam was…interesting. As were her words. So much could be interpreted by them.

He thumbed the answer button.

"Good afternoon, Carter."

"Thank you for the flowers; they're beautiful."

Short and to the point, just as he had learned to expect from her. He started pacing the loft, holding the phone close to his ear, his arm wrapped around his stomach. "You're welcome."

"You didn't have to, you know. Friends take care of each other."

He could hear the smile in her voice, the lower timber. She was still at work. "I know that. You went above and beyond, I think. I'm not a fun drunk."

She chuckled into his ear and his eyes closed with the sound. "No, you're not, but I think I can handle you."

Unconsciously, his voice dropped an octave. "Yes, it seems, you can."

Neither said anything for a moment, but he heard her clear her throat nervously. She didn't know what to make of this either. At least they were even in that department.

"Well, next time you decide to tie one on, let me know ahead of time; I'll bring my handcuffs."

He was shocked into silence with the image that popped into his head. Then he laughed when he heard her mutter, "Shit."

He tried to picture the blush he was sure was staining her cheeks. "I think we've discussed this fetish of yours before, haven't we?"

"Couldn't just leave it alone, could you?" She laughed again. He was really starting to enjoy pulling that sound from her.

"It was too easy."

"You only get one free one, you know. The rest are gonna cost you."

He leaned against the window frame and watched the world below. "I'll cover it. You should laugh more."

"Hmm…so should someone else I know."

"That's what I have you for. Maybe we'll get our chance one of these days."

He heard her quick intake of breath and closed his eyes, pursing his lips. Had he gone too far? He heard Fusco calling her in the background. Saved by the bell.

"I have to go, John. Duty calls."

"Be safe."

Another pause and then Fusco again.

"I will. Stay out of trouble so I can go home before dawn, OK?"

She hung up before he could say anything else, but the corner of his mouth turned up slightly. That went…well.

TBC