[[ downtown lexington, kentucky ]]

[itwasjustified]

[ "it's not like a change of scenery would hurt." ]

"And that's the only skyscraper -- and I use that term loosely -- you'll see while you're here," Raylan says, pointing out Fifth Third Bank, its black glass and blue detail standing out like a nun in a strip club against the empty skyline.

The city built out, not up; Lexington sprawls to every border of Fayette County, and Fayette County is Lexington.

"It's really just a big town that thinks it's a city," he adds, and points toward the corner of Limestone and Barr, where his office is, before they hang a left off Main to double back toward Ramsey's Diner.

Comments

[notenlightened]

"There was a time," she says, "when I wasn't exactly a team player."

She likes to think she's gotten a little better, at least.

[itwasjustified]

"And now?"

[notenlightened]

"Now," Reese sighs, "I can tolerate the team."

[itwasjustified]

He reaches for his water.

"But you don't sound particularly over the moon about the team."

[notenlightened]

"I may not be the team's biggest fan," Reese tells him.

"But when your boss tells you you have to work with the team, it's better to just go along with it."

[itwasjustified]

He pulls a slight face before taking a drink.

"Yeah."

Art had made himself clear in no uncertain terms before Raylan and Rachel's trip to L.A.: Raylan is the low man on the proverbial totem pole.

"Are you partnered with anybody?"

[notenlightened]

"I don't know if you've met him - he's been in the Bar a couple times, but not lately."

She takes another bite of pie.

"His name's Charlie Crews."

Her tone of voice sums him up perfectly: unorthodox, a little too much Zen for her tastes, but a good cop. And a good man.

[itwasjustified]

He considers the name, then shakes his head.

"I don't think I've met him."

He can hear her feelings in her voice; if it's not fondness, it's at least respect -- and in the field, that can be even more important than the former.

"You like the arrangement all right?"

[notenlightened]

He's got her back, just like she's got his. Regardless of what he does in his off-time (and a big part of her really doesn't want to know what he does), there's always that.

"Yeah," she says, nodding quickly. "It's all right. Could've been paired with worse."

[itwasjustified]

"So he's not one of those good ol' boy types neither of us are exactly fond of."

[notenlightened]

"Not exactly," she murmurs.

"I mean, he did his time - wrongfully accused, of course, but - it changed him."

[itwasjustified]

He puts down his spoon, admitting cherry-almond crisp defeat, and frowns slightly.

"How long was he locked up?"

[notenlightened]

She's drifting away in thought for a minute, the piece of pie still resting on her own spoon.

"Twelve years."

[itwasjustified]

" -- and he came back to the force?"

After that, Raylan would wager most officers would be too bitter toward the system to return.

[notenlightened]

Reese shrugs.

"I'm not going to question anyone's motives when it comes to that," she says, her voice quiet.

God knows she didn't know if she'd be ready to return after her time away.

[itwasjustified]

"No, I'm not questionin'," he's quick to explain. "I'm more impressed than anything else."

[notenlightened]

"Of course," she quickly adds.

"And you're right, it is impressive."

It certainly says something about the kind of man Charlie Crews is - or a testament to the power of Zen.

(Not that she believes, or anything.)

[itwasjustified]

A slow nod.

"Twelve years."

A pause.

"I don't know if I could carry a badge again after somethin' like that."

[notenlightened]

"He's not like any other cop on the force," Reese murmurs.

Which is to say she both respects and doesn't understand him.

[itwasjustified]

Raylan tilts his head, trying to catch her eyes, and quirks an eyebrow.

"Does he wear a hat, too?"

[notenlightened]

"No hats."

Reese's mouth quirks at the corners.

"Though I doubt he'd pull it off as nicely."

[itwasjustified]

He removes his napkin from his lap and wipes his hands; crumpling it, he sets it on the table.

"You're gonna make me blush over here."

[notenlightened]

"Am I?"

Reese openly grins, letting her spoon fall to the plate with a quiet clatter.

"I'll believe that when I see it."

[itwasjustified]

"Uh-oh."

Palming the check, he offers a small smile and a nod to the server.

"Why do I get the feeling you'll be a woman on a mission for the rest of this visit?"

[notenlightened]

"Why'd you have to go and say it like that?"

Reese crosses her arms over her chest.

"Now you're just going to be all paranoid."