Work Text:
Joe had come to the office earlier than usual. The last case had given him a sleepless night. Although the main suspect was in custody, the witness had disappeared. The one witness his best detective kissed while under his protection and supervision.
He was seething inside. After looking at the recordings of the fateful night - Charlie had to be clear that he was not only being watched, but that everything was being recorded - it had been clear to him that he would not let him get away with this unprofessional behavior.
A look through the window told him that the reason for his anger had just arrived and had joined Jesse for a cup of coffee.
Joe got up. It was time for a few straight words.
"Charlie, a word, please."
"Sure," answered the detective and smiled at him, but made no move to come to him. Joe scowled, "In my office. Now."
Charlie raised his eyebrows in surprise and followed Joe. In the doorway he turned around and noticed that Rex, who usually hardly left his side, wasn't following. "Come on, pal." But Rex looked at him with a look that clearly said 'that you got yourself into it, you have to go through it alone' and let his head sink back onto his paws with a low growl.
"O-kay," clearly irritated, Charlie entered the office alone and closed the door behind him. Joe stood behind his desk and his hands rested on the back of his chair. His somber look left no doubt that he wasn't on good terms with Charlie. Suddenly, the detective felt like a little schoolboy who had been called into the principal's office.
Joe cleared his throat audibly and said sternly, "I saw the footage from last night."
Damn. Charlie swallowed and was about to start to justify himself, but Joe silenced him with a gruff wave of his hand. "What the hell were you thinking about kissing a witness? This behavior is unprofessional, most inappropriate and unacceptable. I don't even want to talk about the impossible situation you put your colleagues in, who were there for your safety and who had to watch your misconduct. Of course, neither Jesse nor Sarah reported you. I looked at the video material myself. You can imagine how disappointed I was."
Joe's eyes weighed heavily on Charlie as he let his words sink in.
"I admit I may not really have thought this through." At least Charlie had the decency to look utterly guilty.
Donovan snorted, "To be honest, I feel more like you didn't think at all."
"Well, maybe you are right. But I knew that Sarah was watching from outside, and when Eva approached me, I dunno, I just let it happen..."
"So this whole mess you created is actually about Sarah? You know, I never wanted to interfere in your private affairs, but now that you bring it up yourself ... Sarah gave you all the time in the world, and she was more than patient. She has every right to go ahead and move on with someone new. You have been dancing around each other for over two years and she has shown you very clearly how much you mean to her." In his mind he added that even the tips for the current office bet, when the two would finally get together, had long been exceeded, as nobody had thought it possible that Charlie would take so much time. "So if you have anything to say to her, then man up and finally do it, for god's sake!"
Charlie looked down, his fingers playing with the hem of his jacket.
"That's it for now. You can leave." Joe watched as Charlie left the office, clearly thoughtful. Only when the door closed behind him did a small smile creep onto Joe's face.
Maybe he would give a new tip for the bet when Charlie and Sarah would finally admit their feelings for each other. He had the feeling that it wouldn't be too long. At least if Charlie would finally muster up all his courage and find straight words to Sarah, too.