Recovering.

[ata_beckett]

In the two days since Valentine's Day, Carson had been doing his best to avoid everyone that he knew. It was no understatement to say that he'd made a complete idiot of himself- with Jill, Radek, Rodney...but with Catherine most of all.

Avoiding them all was surprisingly easy, considering that there was work to be done. And if he had spent a

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[pieta_md]

She gave him two days-- the day after Valentine's Day, and then another, just because she thought he might need the extra space. And, if she was honest, she was worried about if he would be angry with her.

But on Friday, Catherine rapped gently on the door of the clinic, and then stepped inside.

[ata_beckett]

Carson looked up from his work, and the surprised expression on his face was hard to mask.

"Hullo," He said, not really sure what else to say. All he could think about was how he'd made himself look like an idiot.

[pieta_md]

"Hi. How are you feeling?"

Catherine shut the door behind herself, and went further in, towards him. "I would have come sooner, but I wasn't sure."

[ata_beckett]

"Fine, thank you," He said, closing his laptop and giving her his full attention. He was actually surprised that she'd come to see him; what else was there to say? Sure, he hadn't meant to just blurt the question out the way that he had, but it didn't change how he felt. "No more sudden urges t'go 'round admittin' thin's..."

...and asking questions that he shouldn't have asked.

[pieta_md]

"Carson," she said, her shoulders slumping down a little bit. She allowed herself to sit on one of the beds. "I didn't say no because I don't love you. I do. This is the best-- the best relationship I've ever been in."

She sighed, brushing a curl back behind her ear.

"It wouldn't have been right. We can't hold people to things they say or do during these... times."

[ata_beckett]

Carson nodded, both understanding and not understanding. It hurt even now that he was in his right mind again.

"I meant it, you know," He said, with a sigh, "Every word." Then he paused for a second, remembering.

"...except for the thin' about the handcuffs."

[pieta_md]

"I couldn't know for sure," she said softly. "What if I'd said yes and trapped you into something? I could tell you weren't yourself."

Catherine wiped at one of her eyes. "The problem with trying to think ethically, I guess."

[ata_beckett]

Carson stood up and walked over, taking a seat next to her on the bed. "It's all right, luv," he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I didn't mean t'put you in such a bloody awkward place..."

[pieta_md]

"I'm not saying never," Catherine said, leaning against him. "And I wasn't saying that. I would just need to know it's what you really want and not part of some island magic."

[ata_beckett]

Carson had actually been concerned that it all meant that she'd want to end things. He wrapped an arm around Catherine, holding her close. "I did mean it," He managed to say, "Though I didn't exactly mean t'let you know just then..."

The way that he had felt that day had been odd and a bit excessive, but it had all been geniuine.

[pieta_md]

Catherine nudged her face up against his throat, kissing his Adam's apple. "Try me again another time, Carson, and you'll get a different answer."

[ata_beckett]

"Oh?" Carson asked, eyebrows slightly raised as he glanced down at her. He grinned for what was quite possibly the first time since he'd seen her last.

[pieta_md]

"Mhmm. Would I lie to you?"

She smiled up at him, looking content once again. "And I promise, you don't even need to worry about Valentine. He's better too."

[ata_beckett]

Carson laughed a little. He'd definitely make it a point to ask her again. At a better moment.

"Oh, thank god," Carson said, of Valentine, "Between you and me, he was beginnin' t'scare me a bit. There's such a thing as too friendly, you know?"

[pieta_md]

"We had a firm talk," Catherine assured him. "He knows better. And really, he's neutered. I imagine it was just whatever got into you."

[ata_beckett]

"I don't think you know how happy I am to hear you say that." He said, though it wasn't clear whether or not he meant that the dog was back to normal now, or that the dog was neutered. When it came down to it, Carson really had a love/hate relationship with Valentine.