Chapter Text
Betsy still wasn't able to move her arm and was going crazy in the flat, so Carla offered that she could join her in the factory and work on some design sketches there. The teenager was over the moon, and immediately took her up on the offer. That's how they found themselves entering the factory together. Carla entered first but subtly held the door open long enough for the teenager to step through without it seeming like Carla held it open just to help her.
“Come on here Bets, you can use Bobby's desk,” she said and pointed to the smaller desk in her office. The heads of the workers turned towards them, especially as Carla closed the doors and helped the teenager out of her jacket.
It wasn't until 15 minutes later that Carla saw her workers still looking. Part of her was happy that Betsy sat with her back to the windows unaware of the stares. Carla got up and went out to the machinists.
“Oi, it's not break time is it? So all back to work you nosy lot,” she barked and went back to her desk to go through more paperwork.
Roughly an hour later Carla went over to Betsy and looked at the sketch, she had to admit that the teenager was very good at it.
“Thank you,” the young blonde said.
“Nah,” Carla replied.
“You have no idea how good it feels to get out,” she continued.
“Trust me Betsy I know. You can always come here. If you want, we could even get one of the machinists to work on a design of yours,” Carla offered.
“You're just saying that to make me feel better.”
“Nope, I mean it. You really are good at it. It is also kind of how I started, y'know. Stole one of my then-husband's machinists and worked on some of my children's clothing designs with her. And see where I am now,” she said, showing off the office.
“Selling knickers and dating a woman,” she laughed.
“Yeah, a lot has changed,” the brunette joined the laughter.
“I'm gonna grab us a mug,” she continued and left her office. It was awfully quiet and she went to look where her workers were at.
“I heard it was the DS herself that fired the shot,” Izzy said.
“She wouldn't,” Fiz replied, shocked.
“But it would make sense wouldn't it, that's why she's here with Carla. Instead of home with her mother,” Izzy continued.
“I could never,” Sally chimed in before she added, “shoot my own daughter I mean.”
“Wouldn't CPS investigate,” Fiz offered.
“But she's a copper. I assume they'd cover it,” Izzy commented. Carla took that second to make herself known.
“Oi, I told you before that it's not lunchtime yet. And I swear to you, if I ever hear any of you speak about my family like that again, getting fired will be the least of your concerns. Now get out of my sight, all of you,” Carla yelled as she pointed to each and every member of the team.
“Your family ey,” Kirk commented as he walked past and if it wasn't for Fiz’ fast reaction of pushing him forward and throwing an apologetic look towards Carla he probably would have suffered her wrath.
Carla took a moment to collect herself before she went back to her office.
In there she found a grinning Betsy as well as the teenager's smiling mother.
“Whatcha doing here? And what are you grinning at?” She asked them both. They just shook their heads innocently.
Lisa had brought lunch over because apparently it was lunchtime after all. They ate in silence with Carla still fuming about her workers gossip and keeping her eyes trained on every movement outside her office. She looked almost like a feral cat ready to jump at anyone and scratch their eyes out.
As they were done Betsy excused herself to the washroom and Lisa took the chance to whisper in Carla's ear.
“We heard you know?”
“You heard what?” She asked, the angry energy still very present in her voice but a softness creeping in too.
“You, yelling at them,” Lisa said with a smile. Carla's head snapped towards her instantly.
“It meant a lot to Betsy, you protecting her like that. It meant a lot to me, too. I love you,” Lisa whispered and kissed Carla softly. It took the brunette a moment to shake off her aggression but then she returned the kiss softly.
“So we're family huh?” Lisa mumbled as she pulled away momentarily. Carla smiled and hugged the blonde tightly.