In the last weeks, they'd shared a few phone calls, but nothing more. Nothing, since things got... complicated. She knew part of it was Finch hiding him away to heal; he always became so protective when John was injured. Compromised. But the other part, the part she worried about, was that John might be trying to pull pulling away after the recent admission of her feelings.
But Carter quickly swallowed her welling emotions after hearing the seriousness in his voice. "John. What's wrong?"
He didn't answer her right away, instead the line filled with the cryptic noises of clanking metal, grunts of effort, and then a loud, tinny pop. "John?"
The disheartening sounds had her holster and badge clipped back in place, keys in-hand and moving toward her door. But it was the next unexpected series of sounds that halted those movements. The most tenderly whispered words, laced with the deeply soothing baritone of comfort and love, floated across the line, touching her soul.
"Shhhh... baby don't cry, it's ok now. I'm here for you, to help you. You're Daddy's right over here sweetheart. Shhhh... it's ok Sophie." John released the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding when the trunk popped open and twin, tear-glazed, green eyes blinked against the sudden light. He gently scooped the frightened little girl into his arms, glad that she seemed to instinctively know he was not a threat. Children were closed his eyes and pressed his check to her head, wishing he could have shielded her from what had just happened.
"Sorry Carter.., everything's ok now. But, I have a situation here that could use your... sensitivities."
It took her a moment to catch up to her racing thoughts. His gentleness had overwhelmed, then amazed her, for a split second she imagined being on the received end of that enveloping warmth. Shaking herself, she could now clearly hear the sniffling weep of what sounded like a little child. "Text me the address. I'm on my way."
"Daddy!" Still protectively cradling the little girl in his arms, Reese walked toward an absolutely emotional Randy Norton.
John allowed Sophie to slide into her father's anxious arms, unconsciously pulling one arm to his aggravated injuries and acutely aware of the lost contact. Not for the first time he wondered about their sweet Layla, then turned to resumed the vice-grip on Miss Elliot's arm - not necessary, but oh so satisfying.
"How did you know?" Randy looked at Reese and kissed the top of Sophie's head, happily buried in his shoulder. "Thank you, thank you for saving my little girl... and me. Who you are you?"
"Just someone that wants to make sure you stay out of trouble and don't miss your second chance. Take good care of her. She'll need a real father, a role model. And Mr. Norton.. - I will, be watching." Reese's ominously veiled threat garnered a paling swallow and vigorously vowed nod. "Start by getting her checked out at a hospital. She might be dehydrated."
"Yes, yes... Thank you so much."
"Mr Reese. I sent Mr. Norton a text; the information for his new construction job. He can start next week."
"That was nice of you Harold. Didn't know social worker was another of your assumed titles."
Finch ignored Reese's comment. "Also... I hate to impose upon you further, I know you haven't rested in days and are still wrapping things up there, but I think it's advisable that you come to the library as soon as you're able."
Finch's uncharacteristically rattled tone was unsettling to say the least, that alone was enough to chase away his creeping fatigue. "New number Finch?"
"You could say that."
"Carter's on her way to deal with Miss Elliot. I'll be there soon as I can." Reese finished.
"I emailed the information about Miss Elliot to the Detective's computer. There should be enough evidence of child abuse, abandonment, and now kidnapping to get her out of Sophie and Randy's lives for good." Finch added.
Carter honestly had no idea what she would see as she pulled into the parking lot. She studied the exchange between John and the man utterly clinging to a little girl, not more than five years old.
She knew the look on the man's face. That look, of immeasurable relief and joy. That look, that John had put on her face when he rescued and returned her baby to her.
"Detective." His sexy voice was like a shot of smooth brandy. She couldn't help the melting heat caused just by hearing it. "Mr. Norton here, was just promising to take good care of his daughter."
Carter suspiciously eyed Randy's impish demeanor. "Glad to hear it." She pointedly stated, quickly adopting John's attitude and did her best not to be distracted by the typical 'Reese body count' littering the ground, and waited for Mr. Norton to move out of earshot.
"Back to work I see? Definitely looks like you're feeling better." She inspected the obviously broken perps, relieved they were still breathing, then locked onto the pathetic tweaker in John's grip.
"Carter. Meet Mary Elliot... deadbeat mom of the year. Finch sent you the details, but the short version..? Mary tried ransoming that little girl's life against her own father, locking her in the trunk, until she got what she wanted."
John literally saw Carter bristle with a boiling display of protective fury. That's why he'd called her and not Fusco. Normally he didn't like disrupting her nights. Fusco on the other hand... he preferred it.
"The trunk?! Oh - hell no!" Carter roughly yanked Mary's wrist from John, slapping cuffs in place. "Soon, you're gonna know what it feels like to be locked up in a small space. - for a long... long time, if I have anything to say about it. Get in the car! You have the right to remain silent..."
John smiled, enjoying watching Carter manhandle Miss Eliot and listening to the familiar song of Joss reciting the Miranda rights. Only she cold make it sound beautiful and always poetic. Mary Elliot would get what she deserved. "Carter, I'm sorry, but I have to get back." He called as she slammed the cruiser's door.
"John, wait." She was getting pretty good at reading him and he seemed... distracted. "What's going on?" It was a loaded question - she knew, but she'd let him decide how to interpret it. If he wasn't ready, pushing him on the subject of their feelings would only shove him farther away... She desperately wanted to know. Something. Anything. But she vowed she would wait for his move.
"A new number I think? But somethings got Finch worried. If I'm not mistaken that was his version of 'A call to arms.'"
She tensed with her darkening thoughts, unable to stop the flood of nightmarish details of their last case. "Guess thinking we could catch our breath was a vain hope. Hell, I'd just settle for something a less epic!" She humorlessly laughed.
"I know, I'm sorry Carter. I have no idea what it's about this time, but you know there's no shortage of evil or people needing help." He surprised himself as he involuntarily stepping closer to her, but did manage to halt his hand from reaching out. "I'm also sorry you've had to pick up the slack these past weeks." Dammit. That's not what he wanted to say... He wanted to tell her he'd missed her, that he was sorry they hadn't seen each other, or had a chance to process what happened. Idiot.
Every fiber of Carter's being vibrated as if he'd strummed the very cords her soul. How could the simple nearness of this man do this to her? Any more would be unimaginable.
She was so beautiful. So strong. Flawless. Suddenly the need to touch her was overwhelming. He bent in a slow, questioning decent, cupping her cheek with his hand. An internal battler raged; one side fighting to keep him back and the other pushing for more. He met her skin with the softest whisper of a touch, a mere hint alluding to the power and passion held so tightly in check by his complicated fears and a marred past.
It felt like a small victory to maintain her composure and respond. "Don't worry about it." She whispered. Just the smallest contact had her hopelessly surrendered to however much he would share.
With a gentle stroke of his thumb, he moved away. But the look of longing still burned in his eyes, easing her doubts that he in fact, wanted her as much as she wanted him. And for now.., that would be enough. "Hey. Do me favor. Let me know what new hell-spawn we're up against. Like to have more time to prepare stakes and crosses."
John laughed, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood, but he worried she may not be far off - again. "Promise."
Notes* I love the sexual tension Reese and Carter share, as well as their conflicted relationship dynamic... Though this is not a love story, they do deal with some questions regarding it. At least until the situation at hand, takes their complete focus.