12. Apology

*Contains spoilers for 17x02*

"What have you done this time?" Clarissa asked as Jack skulked into the office looking guilty. He'd been called to meeting with the boss of their lab ten minutes ago and had just returned to their work station looking slightly wounded.

"Nothing," he said quickly attempting to bury himself in his work

"Which means you've done something," Clarissa sighed "Who do you have to apologise to this time?"

"Why do you always assume u have to apologise to someone?" he protested

"Jack, you spend half your life pissing people off. You naturally spend the other half apologising to people for pissing them off," she said

"You're so wise," he said sarcastically

"So you do have to apologise to someone then?" Clarissa asked, already knowing the answer

"Maybe," he shrugged. The guilty look on his face returned

"What did you do?"

"I might have maybe accidently on purpose somehow hit DS Banks in the face," Jack said

"You punched him," Clarissa summarised and Jack nodded "Jack!" she chastised "We've spoken about your temper before. You're a good forensic scientist but if you don't get your temper under control then you'll end up out of the job or in prison!"

"He started it," Jack began to protest "He's clearly got tunnel vision in regards to this case and then he accused me of being uncooperative due to having a grudge against the police,"

"You do have a grudge against the police," Clarissa pointed out

"True," he nodded "But not one that affects my work,"

Clarissa cocked an eyebrow "You lamped a police officer. I think that suggests otherwise,"

"Yeah well they're not going to press charges apparently,"

"This time," Clarissa told him "Next time you might not get off so lightly,"

"I didn't get off lightly this time," Jack told her "I have to write a letter of apology. It's like being back in school,"

From that comment Clarissa imagined that Jack had to write many letters of apology during his schooling years.

"Just write it," she advised

"He started it,"

"What are you, five?" she asked "Actually don't answer that," she said quickly, already knowing the answer

Jack sighed and pulled a piece of paper towards him. He picked up a biro and after a moment's thought started scribbling on the page. Clarissa, curiosity getting the better of her, leaned over Jack's shoulder to see what he was writing.

"Dear DS Banks," she read out loud "I'm sorry you're such an idiot. I hope that my fist didn't damage any of your few remaining brain cells. I hope we can resume our work and that you'll finally see sense and do what I tell you to do. Maybe then we'll have a chance of solving this case,"

"What do you think?" Jack asked as he signed his name at the bottom

"How is that an apology?" she asked incredulously

"I wrote that I'm sorry," he said

"And then spent the remaining 96% of the letter insulting him!"

"That is an apology in my book," Jack shrugged

"Now I see why you have to apologise so much. You piss people off. Apologise for pissing them off. Then apologise again because you apology pissed them off even more,"

"So do you think I should go and give it to him now?" Jack asked hopefully

"I think you'll get fired if you do," she sighed "Here, let me write a proper apology. Then all you have to do is read it out and then we can get on with some actual work,"

"Fine," Jack sulked "Thanks," he added as afterthought

"Why do I get the feeling this won't be the last time I do this for you?" she said shaking her head as she crafted a finely written apology that would exonerate Jack

And maybe embarrass him a little in the process.

Author's Note: The Silent Witness Gods listened! There were so many good Jack and Clarissa moments in 17x02! I really love how Clarissa is getting a bigger role this series and that we're seeing more of Jack and Clarissa's friendship.