Open Case File [COMPLETED]

A Bad Day

Donovan clenched his fists, not able to speak. Carter's eyes cut into him, seeming to see deep into his soul.

Without saying anything, she grabbed Donovan's hand and guided him out of the training center into an empty locker room.

"What is going on?" she asked, her anger dimming.

"I don't want to see you get hurt," he said, needing to hold onto his anger, needing it to act as a shield.

"We've just been over this, I can protect myself."

"That's not it!" Donavon shouted, his hold slipping. "I can't see you hurt."

Instead of responding, Carter studied him. The annoyance that had created tension in her face softened.

"What happened this week, Donovan?" she asked.

Flashes of a gory scene crowded Donovan's mind and he took a step back. He tried to grasp for the rage that had been pulsing through him moments ago but it was all gone. All that was left was the feeling that someone was cutting him open.

Carter closed the distance between them, cupping his face.

"I'm right here," she whispered, trying to read where he had disappeared to.

Her touch grounded him and he focused on her eyes. They were so familiar to him, they were his safety, they were his home.

The wall he had been forging crumbled and his shoulders sagged as his head dropped.

"I lost an informant," he said, the words leaving his throat like they were knives.

Carter said nothing, leaving space for him to go on.

"She was barely twenty-one. A recovered heroin addict. She was helping us keep tabs on her dealer." Donovan's jaw flexed as the memories pummeled him. "I didn't get her out in time. He beat her to death. Her body was barely recognizable."

He stared at the floor seeing so clearly the mangled form of the girl, the arms twisted at wrong angles, the lacerated flesh, and shattered bones. He closed his eyes, wanting to erase the images from his mind, but knowing he never wanted to forget. Never forget what it had cost so it would keep him from making a mistake.

Wordlessly, Carter eased Donovan down onto a bench - situated between the lockers - and settled down with him, wrapping her arms around him.

Donovan buried his face in the crook of her neck, clinging to her, feeling the life that flowed through her body. Safe in her arms he let himself feel it all. His grief spilled out, tears sliding down her shoulder, and Carter held onto him tighter, saying nothing, letting him feel all that he needed to.

As the minutes passed and Carter comforted him, running her hand through his hair and brushing his head with soft kisses, the pieces of himself that had been fracturing since the incident began to heal. When he raised his head, she kissed the tear tracks on his cheeks.

"You are not going to be able to save everyone," she said. She rested a hand on his chest. "But because you care so deeply, you will save so many. Remember that."

Donovan kissed her, stealing the words from her mouth and carving them into his heart.

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Buttered muffins!
(Gosh like I even know, I guess cause I could, do I need a better reason?)

Soooo...what did you think?

Honestly, I wasn't sure how this chapter was going to end when I started out but I kind liked the ending, it definitely was surprising. Who knew Donovan had such a big heart! It makes sense that Carter is the only one he shows it to. Also this was my version of Donovan being jealous-ish.

I have one thing I would like to discuss with you. Sometimes I can't always answer every comment, okay most of the time I can't but I try to answer at least one comment for every person who comments.

I honestly wish I had all the time in the world to write extremely witty replies to all your comments but I have to also focus on writing and I figure you would rather have more things to read than just my replies.

So even though I do read all the comments sometimes I can't answer with more than an emoji. To me an emoji says, 'Hey, I see you. Thank you. I love you and appreciate your support.' Is that still worth it to you if I just comment an emoji?

Anyways, just know that I love your comments! You have no idea how much they make me smile and laugh! For reals, thank you for being the wonderfulness that is you!!

If you feel so inclined to do than vote, comment, follow!