“O’Hara,” Lassiter barked, spinning around in his chair so he was facing his junior partner.

“Huh?” She looked up from her work, blinking herself back into reality after being focused intently on her reports.

He hesitated for a moment, a question lingering in the forefront of his mind, but in the end he couldn’t form the words. He just scowled, turning back to his desk. “Nothing.”

She watched him go back to work, but she could already tell his heart wasn’t really in it. He was working on a murder case, after all. He should have been giddy.

Well, as giddy as Carlton Lassiter ever got, that is.

And yet, he was clearly distracted. His eyes kept darting back and forth between his watch and the wall clock on the other side of the precinct, as if he was certain they were somehow conspiring against him.

“Is something on your mind, Carlton?” she asked finally when it became clear he wasn’t going to willingly disclose whatever was bothering him.

He looked up from his watch. “Why would you think there’s something on my mind?” he demanded.

“No reason,” Juliet shrugged breezily, patiently waiting out the initial resistance before he inevitably spilled his guts. “You just keep looking at the clock like you’re going to be late for an appointment or something. Or a date.”

She smiled brightly at the prospect.

She’d been hoping he’d get a date.

Things always went more smoothly for her when he had some kind of social life outside of work.

“Did you get a date?” she asked hopefully. “Is it with Rita in payroll? Because I told you she thought you looked handsome in that gray suit jacket you wore last week. Why didn’t you wear it again?”

“Because you told me Rita in payroll thought I looked handsome in it!” he snorted disdainfully. “Good God, O’Hara. I’d rather date Spencer!”

She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly shut it again when he glared at her sharply.

“If you don’t have a date,” she pressed on. “Why do you keep looking at the clock? Is there somewhere you have to be?”

He hesitated again; a sure sign she was getting closer. “No.”

She tipped back in her chair, leveling her most threatening glare at him.

No way he was getting away with such a flimsy lie.

Not on her watch.

“Carlton,” she growled, her blue eyes narrowing at him.

He sighed, finally admitting defeat, even though they had both known all along it was just a matter of time. “It’s not a big deal, O’Hara,” he insisted, reaching into his desk and pulling out a card. He handed it to her, clearing his throat.

It was an invitation. On the front were colorful balloons and a happy clown. On the inside, it invited Carlton Lassiter to attend Benjamin Tyson’s birthday party.

According to the time and date, the festivities started in approximately three hours.

“Aww,” Juliet smiled, handing the card back to him. “Benji’s having a birthday party.”

“He’s turning twelve,” Lassiter nodded slowly. “The Hendersons are giving him a party since he’s never really had one. At least, not recently.”

“That’s nice of them,” Juliet agreed, still confused. “But, what’s the problem? You’re going, aren’t you?”

Lassiter looked down at his desk. “It’s a damn birthday party, O’Hara. What if there’s a clown?”

“Well, for starters, you don’t shoot it,” Juliet warned him, only semi-joking. “Then, you just smile and enjoy it. It won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“I’m not afraid of clowns!” he snapped, looking back up at her. “They’re just creepy little--”

“He’s twelve,” Juliet interjected. “That’s a little old for clowns, anyway. I think you’re safe.”

“It’s not about the clowns!” Lassiter growled, slamming his pen down.

“Then, why aren’t you going to Benji’s party?”

Lassiter sighed, leaning across the desk, his eyes darting both directions as he lowered his voice conspiratorially. “I…don’t know what to get him.”

Juliet smiled gently as she leaned forward so their faces were close enough that their whispers didn’t carry beyond the desk. “You didn’t get him a present?”

“My wife always bought the presents when we went to those stupid little kid parties our friends had,” he told her, sitting back up ever so slightly. “And we never actually stayed until the kid opened them, so I don’t even know what she bought. Those parties always ended up with us in a fight and a quiet car ride home…” His eyes grew distant for a moment as he was lost in the memories that were apparently surging back. “I wanted kids, damnit! That wasn’t the point! I just wasn’t going to do it on her timetable! I was trying to make detective! I wanted to wait until--”

He stopped, clearing his throat when he saw his partner watching him intently, almost sympathetically.

“I’ve never bought a birthday present for a kid,” he concluded finally. “I’ve never really even liked a kid. Not enough to want to get him something, at least. Or be in the same room with him for more than three consecutive minutes. Usually, I just want to toss their punk asses in juvvie and be done with it.”

Juliet nodded. “Right. Well, where have you looked for a present?”

“Uh…” Lassiter thought for a moment. “The evidence room…they confiscated some stolen iPods…what’s the policy on birthday presents the kid has to return in seventy-two hours for a court date?”

Juliet rolled her eyes. “Just buy him something, Carlton. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Benji will like whatever you get him.”

“It’s his first birthday party, O’Hara,” Lassiter groaned. “His first real party…it has to be good.”

He looked up at her, on the verge of asking her something.

Once again, he stopped just short. He inhaled deeply, trying to build up to it.

“You have nephews, don’t you?” he asked finally, getting it out in one breath. “What do you get them?”

She smiled, leaning back as she finally caught up with his train of thought. “Carlton,” she asked, trying not to laugh. “Do you want me to help you find a present for Benji?”

He nodded slowly. “I need help, O’Hara. I’m in over my head, here.”

She stood up, grabbing her keys and cell phone off the desk. He quickly joined her.

“Don’t worry,” she assured him, already mentally plotting out at least four stores in a five block radius that they could try. “We’ll find him a great present. It’ll be the best birthday he ever had.”