Takes place around the time of "High Noon(ish)" and "Devil is in the Details," so spoilers for those. I've decided this is why there is no B-story in "Devil is in the Details."

Juliet sighed as she looked at the papers in front of her. She and her partner were just finishing paperwork for a case heavily tied to his childhood, and both were very tired.

"I can finish up here if you want, O'Hara," he told her, looking at the clock. "We've already been here for two hours after end of shift."

She started to shake her head, then nodded. "Alright. Just let me check my email, then we are both going to dinner. You need to eat just as much as I do."

He sighed, but nodded.

She walked over to her computer and logged in to her email. She gasped.

"Something wrong, O'Hara?"

She turned in her chair to face him. "My mom is coming into town with my step-dad."

He scrunched up his eyebrows. "Why is that a problem?"

She rubbed the back of her neck. "I, uh, may have told her I have a boyfriend."

"Why did you do that?"

She shot him a look.

"I just mean she sounded pretty understanding any time you've talked about her."

"Well, she is. Just... other than Ewan, I'm the only one not married. Conran and Donnan have been married for years, and they both have multiple children. I don't even have a boyfriend."

He nodded. "I understand. My mom is still in denial about the whole Victoria thing. My dad won't leave me alone, either, despite the fact that I rarely speak with him. Out of my five siblings and I, the only other one without kids is Lauren. I have eight nieces and nephews. I'm also the only one divorced, and my romantic prospects are nonexistent."

She nodded, perked up, then deflated again.

"What?"

She looked back at him, "I just had an idea, but nevermind."

He gave her an odd look. "What's this idea of yours?"

"Well... I was thinking... Maybe you could pretend to be my boyfriend?"

"Me?"

"Well, yeah. I already spend all my time with you, and it would be a great reason for no one else to know about it."

"But they already met me. I know I made an ass of myself."

She shook her head. "Not completely. My mom and step-dad didn't get in until the next day, so you didn't meet them. My aunt said you were handsome and seemed nice, and my uncle thought you were well-meaning. My nephews had mostly nice things to say, and they talk about you every year, now. Plus, it's been years. I'm sure no one really even remembers."

He sighed. "I don't know, O'Hara. You know my track record with undercover operation isn't all that great."

"I don't know if you've forgotten, but it's not my strong point, either. I just don't know who else to ask."

"You could ask Spencer?"

She laughed. "Shawn means well, but I just can't really see myself with him. He's too much of a child, and I just don't know if I could trust him to take this seriously. Plus, my parents would never believe it."

Carlton sighed, shutting down his computer and closing his folder. "Are you sure about this, O'Hara?"

She nodded. "Absolutely, partner. There's no one else I trust as much as you."

He nodded resolutely as he stood. 'Then I'll do it. When do they get in?"

"Tuesday evening."

He picked up her purse and handed it to her. "Then we've got a lot to prepare for."

Let me know what y'all think, and much love to Loafer