Chapter Text
"Oh, that sucks. You should've swiped right, she looked amazing."
Morgan looms over Karadec's shoulder, a cheeky grin on her lips. Having heard what she said, Karadec moves to shut off his phone, setting it face down on his table. He lets out a deep sigh through his nose, turning to face his partner.
"Make your own profile and you do the swiping, Gillory."
"Whoa." Morgan raises her hands up defensively, the cheekiness in her lips still present. "I would do it but I'm not interested in relationships right now."
She walks on over, settling on the side of her partner's table. Her fingernails tap on it rhythmically, checkered blue press-ons becoming a bit of a distraction towards her "busy" co-worker. The bullpen has been slow this morning, which was a surprise, as Morgan has gotten used to being fed with case information as soon as her presence is made known to everyone else. It was almost going to be noon in a few hours, and the boredom is eating her up so she's resorted to messing with Karadec for a bit just to kill the time.
"Yeah, I still think you should've swiped right on her, Karadec." Morgan says after a while of just studying how stern he looked in front of the monitor.
Karadec pauses for a bit, typing put into a halt to give his attention on her, "And, pray tell, what makes you think that?"
"I don't know, just seemed like your type, I guess."
Morgan shrugs, settling herself in a better position on the table. In just a few seconds, she's already become a decoration on Karadec's tabletop, much to his annoyance. The stacks of folders have been pushed a bit to the side, to give way for the spot where Morgan was currently sitting. Even the pen cup almost fell when her ass made contact with it.
"Would it kill you to sit on a chair?" Karadec says in a deadpan tone, "Surely that must make you uncomfortable."
"No, Karadec, it would not kill me to sit on a chair." She quips as soon as he finished speaking. "And no, it doesn't make me uncomfy. On the contrary, it feels cozy. I can swing my legs whenever I want to. Standing up is so much easier to do because technically, this position is like a half-sitting position."
Karadec resumes typing, who knows if what Morgan said went through his head or if it even managed to reach his ears at all. He'd been silently wishing they get a distress call now so Morgan can do something else, something she's better at doing. Anything just to keep her off of his tail.
A message tone causes the both of them to have their attentions piqued. Morgan didn't feel any vibrations from her own phone so it could have only been Karadec's — only because the message tone was within earshot and all the other detectives were far from them. She even makes a surprise eye contact with Karadec upon hearing the tone.
"Well, what is it?" Morgan asks when Karadec moves to check if the tone really came from him. She waits as she observes how Karadec makes a few expressions she'd always seen him do: brows furrowed, lips pursed — the usual expression not until Morgan notices a few crinkles on the corner of his eyes. That was enough for Morgan to surmise it was a personal thing, which kind of puts her teasing attitude to work. "Seems like you had a successful right swipe then!"
Karadec spares her a menacing glance, "Knock it off, Gillory."
"Aw," she crouches a bit, matching the level of his glare with her own, amused ones, "you'll get your chance, buddy. Just keep trying, alright?"
Karadec heaves a sigh, looking off to the side. Morgan sees him purse his lips, one she thinks is his look of contemplation as if he's thinking of a life or death question. His gaze shift between hers and the time on his monitor, brows furrowing further. Morgan's definitely sure that he was in the middle of debating with his inner self. She was almost going to follow what he was staring at after his eyes collide with hers but she fights against it, ultimately settling to look over at a clock from a far. It was going to be lunchtime soon, and a light growl appears from within the pits of her stomach.
It was really weird for the bullpen to not be in such a chaos, let alone have them work on solving a case and putting a perp behind bars.
Hunger begins to make itself known to Morgan Gillory so she moves to hop on to her feet, stepping to retrieve her purse when Karadec speaks from behind her, a hand gripping her wrist.
"Want to get lunch together?" He asks, half-standing from his chair as he chased after Morgan. The position earns a few prying eyes from the others in the bullpen so he lets her wrist go.
Morgan is frozen on her tracks, her head whipping to look behind to see Karadec's sort of pleading gaze. She's confused as to why he'd display such vulnerability as he's usually stern and a sudden pin drop would never even faze him.
"Uh, sure," it comes out in a bit of an unsure tone, although Morgan knew she was going to take up that offer, "only if you're treating since you asked me ever so nicely."
"Yes, I'm treating you, Morgan." Karadec replies, keys already being fetched from where he left it on a spot on the table. Morgan kinda picks up on him sounding a little dejected but doesn't ask further. Karadec might take back the offer if she pushes all his buttons.
"When you offered to take me for lunch, I thought you'd take me to that diner I usually eat from."
Morgan stares up at the fancy restaurant in front of her, adjusting her clothes after getting off the car. She feels her eyebrows raise in question, she looked way too casual for this type of place. After all, who wears a plain graphic tee with the design of cats at a place like this? Not to mention, her denim miniskirt just doesn't fit in this place. The high boots could work, only if it was properly matched for such a high class place as this restaurant.
"You could've told me to dress fancy, Karadec." She jokes, following closely behind him when he began to move forward.
He pays her no mind, instead, he converses with the worker behind a stand.
"Reservation for Adam Karadec?" Morgan hears him say and this piques her attention. His detective partner has a reservation at this fancy place? For lunch? For a potentially busy day if they were actually working on a case?
Morgan watches as the worker sifts through the list with their finger, muttering Karadec's name to himself as he looked. Eventually, he finds the name and confirms the booking. Both of them were led inside, the calming sound of an orchestra playing making its way into Morgan's ears. There wasn't much chatter inside, and the sounds mostly consisted of utensils clattering against the plate. What she noticed of all, was that she was sticking out like a sore thumb because of her outfit. When they walked through the tables, Morgan noted how everyone else dressed formally; the women were wearing dresses and the men with suits. It's not like Morgan cared if she was different — she was really different in so many ways — it was just that every time her heel clicked, someone would be looking up at them.
"Here's your table, sir." The worker points out with an open palm, leaving as soon as they've been escorted.
Morgan was about to pull her own chair out, not until Karadec beats her to it and guides her to it, "Oh, thank you…?" The usual teasing attitude seemed to fly out of her in this instant, but she mentally noted how she was going to joke about this later.
Both raised the menus to choose what to eat, except Morgan's eyes almost fell out with what she was reading. Her broke ass found the prices extremely outrageous, and she wished that Karadec just went ahead and dropped her off to the diner she usually ate and bought food for dinner. After all, if he was treating, that meant he'd also pay for those greasy grilled cheese sandwiches she loved to eat.
"Karadec!" Morgan whisper-shouts, trying to get his attention. "When you said you're treating me, I didn't think it would be like this!"
"I didn't say I was treating you." His lips curl into a smirk, eyes still scanning the menu.
"That's my cue to leave."
Karadec stops her, putting a hand above hers. "Look, something happened and I didn't want to waste this reservation."
Morgan thought back to the message tone they heard in the bullpen, Karadec's contemplation and his sudden lunch offer. Oh, it started to make sense to her, quicker than how she can find suspects, if she were to admit. She was just a replacement for Karadec's failed date!
The thought of being a replacement makes her heart throb a bit.
"You could've just told me your date stood you up, Karadec." She chuckles, trying to cover whatever that feeling was that sprung up. "I'd understand and pat you on the back for consolation."
"Morgan, please." He sounded like he was begging? That was just weird.
"Yeah, yeah," Morgan straightened her shoulders, adjusting her posture. She shakes her head a bit, hoping it'd fix the hair she chose to flow freely today. Closing her eyes for a bit and taking a deep breath, she got into her 'role', "what should we get then?"
Morgan settles for a shrimp scampi, and a steak with asparagus for Karadec. Service happened quickly, the food was in front of them in less than 20 minutes, and it was fresh and hot. They eat in silence, with the occasional, watchful stares from Morgan. When she finished twirling her pasta, she'd look over in front to see Karadec slicing his steak and taking a bite of it. For someone who eats a lot of Chinese takeouts, he's sure carrying himself well, she thought. Well, it's to be kind of expected if he was going on dates with women he's matching up with, to give off a strong first impression maybe.
"Did you want a piece?" Karadec offers when he catches one of Morgan's gazes. He's actually noticed her doing this ever since the food came, but she'd turn her attention back on the pasta when he almost caught her once.
"Thanks, but no thanks." She replies quickly, taking a forkful of pasta in her mouth in embarrassment of being caught. She shifted the topic fast though, "You come here often with your dates?"
Karadec chews on the piece he just put in his mouth, a soft look on his eyes, "No, you're the first, Morgan."
Morgan Gillory stops mid-twirl, the words replaying on her head. She could literally feel warmth creeping up on her cheeks. She just silently thanked the dim lighting for covering the pinkish-red tint that began to appear. It doesn't help that the look he gave her was another vulnerable one she'd never seen before. It was rare enough that his chocolate brown eyes looked like it was freshly made hot cocoa with marshmallows that represent the spark on them. Besides, the corner of his eyes were crinkling in satisfaction, seemingly showing he was enjoying his company with her, his very own partner and consultant.
"Is that so…" Morgan says shakily, pursing her lips in a small smile, "that's nice to know. Whoever it was that stood you up today doesn't deserve to go out with you again."
Karadec nods in agreement, finishing the last bit of his meal. Morgan does too, and she secretly hoped to get dessert. Unfortunately, the bill has already been asked for and he was back to checking his phone. Morgan assumes that they haven't been called to do something as he doesn't tell her anything, but she noticed he was reading a message for quite a while before replying quickly. He typed so fast she thought he was mad at whoever he replied to.
Yeah, the poor woman who stood him up just lost the opportunity of a lifetime, she thought.
The duo handled a small-scale criminal activity after they've returned from the restaurant. It wasn't too significant and it ended quickly as it got reported. Morgan didn't even shed a sweat to solve it.
Morgan was leaning against Karadec's desk — their desk, as she stared at the glassboard, twirling at the lollipop she asked from Daphne. It was still in its wrapper, not yet ready to be eaten so Morgan was just playing with it. She was seemingly lost in her own thoughts, the case has already been solved so what was she staring at on the glassboard?
Truth be told, the taste of the shrimp scampi still lingered in her mouth. What Karadec said in that restaurant got stuck in her mind, replaying like a broken record. The idea that he never brought the same date twice to a location should've been off-putting to her but for some reason, it tugged at her heartstrings. She was special enough to be brought to that high class place while wearing something so casual she'd be refused service if she wasn't accompanied with a man in a suit.
Morgan could've been treated in a special way if that lunch date was meant for her.
Her eyes widen at the ridiculous train of thought, the lollipop slipping off her fingers. She moves to pick it up however, her current position proved it to be hard. Morgan had to stand up first and bend to get it. Sighing, she had no choice but to get on her feet, but Karadec was quick enough to wheel his swivel chair towards her direction, retrieving the candy for her.
"You okay?" He asks, seeing as she was lost in a daze.
The sight of the candy placed atop of her skirt sends her back to reality. "Yeah, the candy just slipped. That's all. You don't need to worry about me or anything."
Her tone was mixed with aloofness but he chooses to let it slide and instead, nods at her response. "If you need to have a debriefing, I'm right here."
It's not really a need for her to have a debriefing, this wasn't some top notch case that caused a stress to her nerves. Something else did cause a stress to the said nerves, but Morgan chooses not to address it. Not when she feels her back getting watched from time to time.
"I'm fine, okay?" Morgan says over her shoulder. "My mind's just in a haywire— not like it's any different."
She hears a stack of papers get squared on the table, a stapling sound following after.
"I'm almost done. Let me take you home."
She turns around at the offer, "It's fine-"
"This is not up for debate, Morgan." Karadec says firmly, brown eyes boring into her own blues. That stare makes her settle in place, thinking he kinda sounded authoritative to her. And she knows full well how she responds to authority.
"Why not, Karadec?" She challenges, legs swinging from the side to face him now. "You know how I dislike being told what to do."
"I'm not telling you what to do, I'm saying that I will take you home-"
"Whether I like it or not." Morgan finishes with a shrug. "See, you're still telling me what to do."
Karadec eyes her up and down but her glare doesn't falter. Weren't they making quite a progress earlier? What happened, why are they back to what they were when they first started working together?
"Help yourself then." He resigns soon after, leaning back on the chair as he couldn't go back to working on his desktop as he already shut it off moments ago. Karadec chose to tinker with his phone, much to Morgan's dismay. He surrendered so easily to her, Morgan could only hope he'd banter with her for longer as she finds their banters amusing.
Feeling like Karadec ended their conversation, Morgan shifts to her feet and prepares to go home. She would end up taking the bus home; it was Karadec who picked her up today so her car was left at home. It sucks, really, as she ended up liking the classical jazz playlist Karadec plays on his radio on the way home. Admittedly, it puts her in a relaxed mood, ultimately silencing the chaos happening in her mind. Unlike taking public transportation, where she comes across all types of people and it doesn't put her mind to rest.
Morgan retrieves her purse and coat from the rack, not even bothering to look back and say her goodbyes to Karadec. She did wave at Daphne and Oz though, they weren't part of the reason why her mood has turned sour.
When Morgan reached the bus stop, she fought the urge to roll her eyes at the sight of a crowd forming to board the bus. It was such a bad timing to go home now, but her pride wouldn't let her walk back to the precinct to kill time— to let the others get home first. Besides, she had to whip up dinner for the kids as she has no time to stop over to buy food. She sighs, finding a free spot to stand on.
Not too long after, the bus approached the stop. Everyone was already pushing to get on it in a rush to get home that Morgan had been pushed around. Her height and body type didn't even give her an advantage to squeeze through the others. Morgan presumed she'd just catch the next one, and that would arrive half an hour from now.
Great, just great.
Morgan sulks. leaning on the side pole. Maybe if she just didn't have that rebellious attitude, she could've hitched a ride by now. She would feel the cold air blowing through the air conditioner, the jazz music putting her at ease and potentially, getting a short rest for her eyes. Not to mention, she'd be sitting in the most comfortable way against that leather couch.
"Gillory!" Morgan snaps out of her trance at the call of her last name.
"Karadec?"
The passenger side window has been rolled down, revealing her partner gesturing for her to get in. She was about to take it, the thought of her feet aching because of her heeled boots making it's presence known to her mind so it tempts her more to accept the offer. Her stubborness though, that was the other equation.
"Get in, I'll take you home." He says, softly this time.
It would be half a lie if Morgan would say she didn't feel pressured by the envious eyes of the public who was going to wait a while for the next crowded bus.
The ride home was peaceful, thanks to that playlist.
Morgan has never been this thankful for saving her from standing for so long on that bus and the walk home when she gets off at her stop. Her feet wasn't going to ache that much, she still had to move around to cater to her kids at home after all. She makes a full blown stretch of her limbs, a satisfied groan releasing from her lips. This warrants a chuckle from Karadec, and she gives off a glare.
"Can a girl not stretch in your car?" She asks, a playful smirk appearing on her lips.
"Just say you're glad you're sat in my car and not holding the railings of public transportation." He quips back, looking over her quickly.
"Hmm, yeah, I'll give you that." Morgan concurs, her gaze drifting off outside the window. The city lights became repeated for her and soon enough, her eyelids became heavy. She let them close all on their own, snuggling further into the cozy, leather chair.
Next thing she knew, Karadec drove up to her driveway. She feels him shake her lightly, calling her name out softly.
"Oh, sorry." She sits up, rubbing the sleep off her eyes. It's surprising enough that she managed to take a peaceful nap, and that she didn't wake up on her own even as Karadec slowed down to park in front of the house.
When her eyes had adjusted to her surroundings, Morgan gets off the car. She struts off to her porch in silence, not until the sound of a car door closing stops her momentarily. She sees Karadec walking up to her; she even guessed that she left something in the car, except he has nothing on his hands.
"You need something else?" Morgan asks, her throat a bit dry so it came out in a bit of a crack.
"No, just walking you to the porch."
Morgan's eyebrows raised in amusement, a teasing smile dancing on her lips. She chuckles, deliberately slowing her pace evven though it's only a few more steps before her palm can grab hold of her doorknob.
"You ever do this on your dates?" She jests, hands rummaging through her purse for the keys.
"What kind of question is that?" Karadec catches up to her, standing side by side. "Isn't it only proper for a man to escort a woman to her front door?"
Morgan's tongue click in her mouth, "If I didn't know better, I'd think you'd be flirting with me."
The keys drop accidentally on the floor. Their reflexes worked at the same time, bending over on one knee to pick it up. Fingers grazed over the other, waves of shock sending up towards Morgan's nerves. She even managed to hold a longer eye contact with his brown eyes, which was kinda bad because it just emphasized the loud thumping in her ear.
It was Karadec who stands up first, almost colliding with Morgan when she also moves up to stand.
"Goodnight, Morgan." Karadec blurts out, walking away as soon as he bids goodbyes to her.
Morgan lets her keys dangle between her fingers, her blue eyes following the sight of her partner's back becoming more distant from her. The low, dim light didn't cover the fact that she saw a bit of red from the tips of Karadec's ears, something that made her mouth hung agape in fascination. It didn't help that a warm sensation slowly crept up to her cheeks, painting it a rosy pink.
This is dangerous, she thought.
Morgan was about to enter a dangerous territory, one that she knows she can't get out off easily.