Dating

Today marked the end of the first month since Lassiter and Karen had begun to go out. Well, that is, if going out meant dinner with a seven-year-old and watching Disney movies while throwing popcorn at each other… then realizing they had to clean it up.

Lassiter smiled when he caught Vick looking up at him. He finally had control of himself, the blood flow remained normal as he watched her smile back. Things were perfect, a kiss here, or a kiss there (always out of the way of prying eyes)… he even was getting along with Iris, she loved all his crazy stories… whether they were true or not. She was deeply engrossed with even his clown story. The first child that didn't run from him, or think he was scary. Whenever he came over the first thing she would do was give him a big hug and ask how he was doing. Then she'd either lead him to the living room to play some sort of game, or to the dining room table if dinner was ready.

It was… nice, he enjoyed it. He finally found himself smiling again. He could relax and enjoy himself a little… Iris was melting his icy heart… and every time he saw her, he always remembered the day she was born, the day he had been there for Karen and her husband was stuck in traffic. When he made a fool of himself, got to cut the cord… then passed out (though he would never admit that to anyone). The day he had felt happy to be there, helping Karen, and holding her daughter pretending that she was his own.

He sighed happily then looked back down to his work, frustrated that there hadn't been any action for a good while. It was starting to make him wonder what all the creeps in the area were planning, and hoped that whatever it was it would be easy to take care of, but it would also make up for the dry spell they were creating.

Karen smiled when she noticed Carlton was watching her. Her heart fluttered and she remembered the three words he had whispered in her ear the night before after she had tucked Iris to bed.

Her daughter never seized to amazing her, but she hadn't expected Iris to say 'Goodnight Daddy' to Carlton. She had looked up in shock to see his reaction, genuinely surprised to see him smiling. He stepped into her daughter's room and kissed Iris's forehead before replying, 'Night Iris.'

It made her beam that he was willing stepping up, and stepping in, not only in her life, but in her daughter's as well. Her ex hadn't been by since the hearing, not even to pick up his things, and it made her sick that he would just forget about his daughter like that. She had never thought of him to be like that… but she guessed that was the side of him he never showed anyone… unless they were to make him angry, like he said she had. To imagine she was saying 'I love you' to a man who wouldn't even see his daughter after a divorce. God it made her sick to think that after all this time, she hadn't been able to see that maybe she was supposed to be with Carlton.

Two months and their relationship was still unknown to the precinct… even to Shawn, who had picked up on Lassiter and Barry so fast it made her head spin. Well… maybe he did know, but he sure wasn't spreading it around if he did, and that's all that mattered. Two months of homemade dinners and Disney movies with Iris. Filled with fun, and laughter, and the joy of truly smiling, and truly meaning it (as well as cleaning up the popcorn Lassiter and Iris had been throwing at each other during the boring parts of the movies).

Life had changed for the better, and she was basking in the happiness it had brought to her. She had a man who really did understand all her problems at work, one who was there with her to witness the good, the bad, and the ugly. She had a daughter who was embracing Lassiter into her life, even while not completely understanding what had happened to her real dad, and she had a crew of wonderful co-workers who did their best and more to help keep the city of Santa Barbara safe.

She smiled one of her more rare smiles and grabbed the smoothie Shawn had dropped off in her office. Taking a sip she almost snorted it out when she realized that once again he hadn't given her what she asked for, but instead ordered everyone his own personal favorite. Laughing to herself that she had forgotten that, she continued to sip at the very pineapple filled drink and watched the sun shine against Lassiter's professionally gelled hair.

"I'll get it!" Iris called happily when the doorbell rang. Karen peaked out of the kitchen to make sure it was Carlton before going back to pull the lasagna out of the oven.

"Mommy! Daddy's here!" Iris skipped happily into the kitchen dragging Lassiter behind her.

Setting the lasagna down on the counter, Vick closed the oven and removed her oven mitts, "Just in time Carlton, the lasagna needs to sit for a few minutes while it cools, giving us plenty of time to set the table." She smiled and leaned forward to meet Lassiter's lips with her own.

Pulling away they laughed at Iris who stuck out her tongue, crinkled her nose and said disgustedly, "Yuck."

"We're having salad and mashed potatoes as well, and for desert, the raspberry tart I made yesterday."

Carlton smiled and headed for the cupboard that contained the plates, "It smells wonderful, but I always have to wonder how you can home make most of your meals when you're always at work."

"I have my ways…" She said (making sure Iris wasn't looking) with a sexy smile.

Carlton laughed as he pulled three of the plates out, "Iris could you get the utensils?"

"Kay," Iris ducked under his arms and slide out the utensil drawer.

"Placemats are already out, I'll get the glasses, and if you could Carlton, grab the Martinelli's cider from the fridge after you set the plates out?"

"No problem," He replied as he made his way out of the kitchen to the dining room (with Iris in tow) as Karen opened the dishwasher to remove two wine glasses and a plastic cup.

During the meal Carlton listened to Iris tell him how school had gone, and about the boy who had been mean to her. She then smiled and declared proudly to the boy that her mommy was a cop, and so was her daddy. He had asked her if it had scared him off, and she nodded enthusiastically in response. Lassiter had laughed and put out his hand earning a hand stinging high five, then he told her that whatever she were to do she wasn't allowed to physically harm someone, because then she would end up in more trouble then the person being mean to her. Karen had smiled brightly when her daughter promised that she'd always come to either her or Carlton if she needed help in anyway.

When dinner was through Carlton helped Karen clean up while Iris went and picked out the movie they were going to watch… she chose Bambi… which ended up being turned off early because she couldn't stop laughing that Carlton started crying (silently of course) when Bambi's mother died.

After they tucked Iris in for bed (after her bath) Vick and Lassiter were sitting on the couch laughing and having a good time when Lassiter's cell phone rang, "Shh… it's O'Hara, let's not have her find out we're together over the phone."

Karen snorted as she took a sip of her wine and nodded as he answered, "Lassiter speaking, what is it O'Hara?"

'Man was found shot to death in a back alley near Blossom and Tyler.'

"Blossom and Tyler, that's not all that far from the Chief."

'Or from you, but Vick is still closer.'

"Finally… some action… well, I mean, I feel terrible for the guy who was shot… but at least now we don't have to sit around all day doing nothing but paperwork all day," Lassiter replied, earning a muted giggle from Vick. Putting his finger to his lips she nodded again and stood up, leaving the room.

'Was that… a giggle?' Juliet asked on the other line, 'Oh my God, Lassiter you have a girl over?'

"No, it was this commercial on the TV. I don't know what for, but I just turned it off," He said sternly.

'Uh-huh… right… whatever then, come down to the scene, Shawn's already here but he said that either you or the Chief may be able to uncover something he can't.'

Lassiter almost spit up the sip of wine he'd just swallowed and asked incredulously, "What? The guy can't figure it out on his own?"

'The man has no ID on him, but Shawn says he looks a small bit familiar, like he's seen him somewhere in passing while either at your house or Vick's.'

"Be there ASAP."

'See you in a few minutes then. I'll call the Chief.'

"All right," he hung up and stood from the couch setting his glass down.

"Let me guess, I'll be getting a call soon?"

"You sure are, murder on blossom and Tyler. I'll see you there," He kissed her, grabbed his coat and started to make his way out the door when she stopped him by gently grabbing hold of his hand.

"I love you."

"I love you too," he kissed her again and smiled when he heard her cell phone ring. Pulling from her, he ran his hand through her hair, "but don't forget, we'll see each other again when we get to the crime scene."

"I know, but I can't tell you I love you while we're at a crime scene unless you want our relationship to leak out."

He smiled again, "Well, I'll see you there, make sure you answer your phone."

Karen pulled her phone from her pocket and kissed him good-bye again before pressing the answer button.

Lassiter sighed as he ran a hand down his face, "No, I don't know who he is. Maybe K- Chief Vick knows though."

Shawn and Juliet gave the older detective a funny look as Karen's car drove up and she stepped out. Walking over she nodded to them as a whole, "Sorry I'm late, I was making sure Iris was asleep before I left."

"Not a problem, Lassiter doesn't know the body, but seeing that we're not too far from your home we thought maybe you would," Juliet said, "Male, estimated to be about forty, dark peppered hair." She continued as she stepped aside to let Vick see.

Karen's face paled as the body came into her view. There were twelve holes fired into his chest and by the looks of them most were close range. Oh… dear… lord…

"Chief? What's the matter?" Carlton asked professionally but when she turned to look at him she could see the concern in his eyes.

"His name is David Lawrence. He is, was, my neighbor."

A/N: Yea, I couldn't get on very much earlier, so here's two chapters. I'll post the other two in this story later, maybe today, or tomorrow. Then there's the next one that I'll get up sometime soon as well.