Jensen referred to any civilians they worked with – whether they be victims, witnesses, reporters, or even suspects – as “clients”. It was exceedingly rare that he allowed Micah to actually work with “clients”, however – preferring to assign him to grunt work, which equated to doing a lot of research, paperwork, and trudging through surveillance footage.

Micah desperately wanted to point out exactly that, but Jensen was still talking. (He enjoyed the sound of his own voice.)

“It really is unfortunate because I have a pair of parents here to report their son missing. I’m swamped with other cases and I was going to assign this particular project to you – even let you take the role of lead detective – but if you can’t even be bothered to dress appropriately for work…” he trailed off.

For the first time, Micah noticed the thin manilla folder in the man’s hand. He didn’t even care that Jensen was literally holding the case above his head. Micah had never been assigned lead detective to a missing persons case before. He’d assisted in a handful, sure, but he’d never been in charge.

“I’ll tidy up in the bathroom,” Micah offered immediately, although there was not much he could do except attempt to smooth down his hair.

Jensen raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting more.

“And… I’m sorry for my tardiness this morning.”

That seemed to do the trick. Jensen handed him the folder. “Here. There’s not much there. Just a copy of the picture his parents brought in and the form they filled out when they got here. They’re in interview room three. And Micah,” – Jensen waited until Micah’s eyes met his (they were dark brown, almost black, and arguably the man’s best feature) before continuing – “don’t make me regret this.”

“You won’t,” Micah assured, “I swear.”

It was enough to get the man to nod and back up out of his space. Jensen looked to Tessa. “Tessa,” he greeted plainly before taking his leave.

She waited until Jensen was out of earshot before…

“You know the only reason that man rides you so hard is because he wants to actually ride you, right?”

Good thing Micah hadn’t had time to pick up that white chocolate mocha because if he had, he would undoubtedly be spitting it out right now. “Do not put that disturbing image in my brain ever again,” he ordered. Not because Jensen wasn’t objectively good-looking. He was tall, and fit, with the kind of short, but thick beard that Micah generally found attractive on men. He just also happened to be an uptight prick. “He’s nearly a decade older than me.” And that.

“And here I thought you were into older men.”

Micah stood, recognizing Tessa’s taunt as the attempt it was to reel him back into the conversation they’d been having about Damon before Jensen had interrupted. But for once, he had better things to do than entertain her with his clusterfuck of a love life. “In case you missed it, I have an important case to get to.”