Work Text:
"Bye, Julia. It was a pleasure to meet you," Sarah smiled warmly at the dark haired woman. In fact, what she said came from the heart. Charlie's ex-wife was indeed sympathetic to her, and she had met a woman who did her work with passion, just like herself.
Julia smiled back, "Likewise. Take care, Sarah."
Sarah nodded and turned towards Charlie. There seemed to be some kind of silent communication between the two of them, and it seemed like she only had to say it out loud so as not to exclude Julia. "I'll wait for you by the car. Take your time."
They watched her retreat in silence. Julia Tillman fiddled nervously with the hem of her blouse. It had been a surprise for her to meet Charlie and his team at the site of their excavation, of all people. They had not exactly parted on good terms, and so even after all these years she felt strangely self-conscious and inhibited towards him. It played a not insignificant role that it was she who had ended the relationship at the time.
Rex, who was sitting next to Charlie, seemed for a moment undecided whether to follow Sarah or stay with his partner. He decided on the latter and looked curiously at the two people who stood opposite each other in silence.
"So ..." both began to speak at the same time, only to immediately fall silent again. Charlie motioned for his ex-wife to continue.
"Thank you for clarifying this matter so quickly, and for allowing us to continue with our work," said Julia and ran a hand through her dark hair, embarrassed, before continuing, "I really appreciate it."
Charlie waved it off, "That's our job, Julia. Well then ... Gotta go. Take care." He was already preparing to leave, but Julia held him back. He turned to her and looked at her curiously and perhaps a little suspiciously. She sighed inwardly. She had to put that down to herself. He would probably never forgive her for her breach of trust. Before she could change her mind, she began to speak hastily.
"Charlie. I’m so glad you found the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with."
Charlie stared at her speechless and Rex made an indefinable sound that could perhaps be interpreted as approval. Julia smiled and shook her head. "I didn't mean you, Rex."
Charlie still looked at her blankly. Before he could open his mouth to contradict, Julia raised her hand. "Just don't say anything now. I've known you long enough, Charlie. It happens, whether you want it or not. I've seen it today; I've seen the way you look at her. I've seen your unwavering trust in her knowledge, in her abilities, in her judgment."
Charlie seemed to consider her words in silence. So she continued, "Some people are meant for one another. We were not. I can't put into words how happy I am for you. You deserve this. You deserve a woman who respects you and makes sure you're happy, and that's exactly what she does."
His eyes scrutinized her for a long time, as if he wanted to convict her once again of a lie. When suddenly his gaze softened, she knew that his blue eyes had wandered a tiny bit further and were now resting on Sarah, who was laughing and joking with Jesse.
Finally, he said in a low voice and it sounded as if he was speaking more to himself than to her: "Seems I can't help falling in love with her more and more."
Now there was a big smile on Julia's face, and she put her hand very gently on his arm. “Don't wait too long to tell her, Charlie. She already knows anyways. She's just giving you all the time that you might need to acknowledge it."
With that she returned to work. The knowledge that her ex-husband had found his true happiness and would go his own way filled her with joy. The little bit of sadness that crept into her heart when she threw one last look over her shoulder and saw how the two looked deeply into each other's eyes and smiled at each other as Charlie gently put a hand on Sarah's back and directed her to their car as if he couldn't get out of here fast enough, she simply tried to ignore.