Open Case File [COMPLETED]

Stuck Together

"And so are you! Why do you think no one will work with you? You pull all that lone ranger crap making it impossible for any team to deal with you. You're in the FBI, try to at least act like these people are smart enough to help."

The statement hit a nerve and she dug her nails into her palms, wanting to break Mason's jaw to keep him from talking.

"Are you going to accept my help?" Mason asked. "Or do I have to leave you down here?"

"I don't play the lone ranger," Carter bit out.

"No, I guess you don't, you have that Boy Scout of a boyfriend to work with. The only one in the Bureau that seems able to handle your personality."

Carter raised her eyebrow. "Look in the mirror, no one ever wants to deal with you or else they have to restrain themselves from murdering you. They put me on this job because I'm the only one that can handle you."

"And you're doing a fine job of it," Mason mocked. "I don't feel like murdering you at all!"

Carter buried her face in her hands, growling with annoyance. They needed to get out of here or else one of them wouldn't make it back at all. She couldn't walk. Even if she tried to bear the pain eventually she would blackout from blood loss or the stress she was putting on herself. She needed Mason. She didn't want to need Mason. She wanted Mason to get crushed by a rock.

Taking in a deep breath, Carter raised her head. "I hate you, Mason. I truly hate you."

"Yeah, the feeling is mutual. Now can we get the hell out of here?"

Gritting her teeth, Carter lifted her arm and Mason draped it over his shoulders. After handing her the flashlight, he wrapped his other arm around her waist. They moved forward and Carter grimaced but managed to keep from making a sound.

Slowly, they left the collapsed wall behind, moving further and further into the tunnel. The tapping of their footsteps echoed around them. The air smelled stale and tainted with the decay of something that had died down there. When it felt like they would continue in the state of tense silence forever, Mason spoke.

"Why?"

Carter frowned. "Why what?"

"Why do you hate me?" he asked.

She side-eyed him but his face was in too much shadow for her to make out his expression. "Was all the things I yelled out not enough?"

"Those are annoyances, common traits that we share and dislike seeing reflected back at us, they aren't legitimate reasons for hatred."

"Wow, that had the sound of intelligence. It's strange hearing it coming from you."

Mason didn't respond forcing them back into the void.

"Why do you hate me?" Carter asked.

She misstepped and tripped but Mason tightened his hold on her, stabilizing her.

"Thanks," she murmured.

"Yeah."

The darkness grew around them, a yawning black hole that seemed to suck everything away. Carter felt her energy waning and she dipped to the side as her body grew heavier. Mason shifted his grip on her waist upwards, offering more support.

"I don't hate you, Carter. I find you extremely irritating and stubborn and smart and strong-willed."

"Don't stop there those last two almost sounded like compliments."

Mason gave a dry chuckle and Carter relaxed further into his hold.

"I don't hate you," Carter said. "Well...not all the time." Mason laughed. "If I'm being honest I've never forgiven you for the way you treated Link in high school. Not only did he have to live in your shadow, but he had to deal with you taunting him for it."

"But we've worked through our issues, why are you still pissed?"

"Because you hurt my best friend when he was already at his lowest."

Mason went quiet and stayed that way for a while.

"I'm sorry, Carter."

She sensed him turn his head to her and she shifted the light up, letting him see as she locked eyes with him.

"I'm sorry too. Hating you for this long seems pointless in hindsight."

Mason raised his eyebrows. "Is Carter Owens admitting she was wrong?"

"Shut up. And it will only happen once."

"Of that I'm sure."

They held each other's gaze, feeling as the tension melted from the air replaced by an equilibrium.

"I could work on not finding everyone less than," Carter said.

Mason shrugged. "And I want to live so I think that means I need to stop giving people reasons to want to murder me."

"Good luck with that."

They continued on, their strides more evenly balanced.

In the distance, they heard the beat of boots and saw spots of light darting back and forth along the ground. A rumble of voices companied the approaching footsteps and Carter sagged in relief picking out one that was as familiar to her as her heartbeat.

"Let me guess," Mason said. "That's Boy Scout coming to your rescue."

She looked at him and smiled. "No, he's coming to our rescue."

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Here's looking at you kid!

(Ha! That's right! Be afraid of my classic movie quote! Quake in your boots because there's plenty more where that came from!)

Okay! Before I drop some knowledge on you and when I say knowledge I mean random thoughts go ahead and drop your knowledge or random thoughts on me. I accept all gladly! 💭🗯💬🐠

So I wrote this because I find the dynamic between Carter and Mason to be interesting because they are both strong headed and will happily push back against the other.

This was me figuring out how they came to tolerate each other. Though let's face it they still get on each other's nerves a good amount of the time!

Also I like the nickname of Boy Scout for Donovan. What do you think?

Also if I was going to write more Mason chapters what would you want to see?

Vote, comment, follow because that's how this works people, I slave away and you give me undying love, obviously!

Haha just kidding, only do the upon mentioned if you feel like it. I legit don't care.

(That sounds like a do but I really don't)