Karl was pretty sure that if he ever died, it'd feel like this.
Or maybe he already did. And this was the Hell that awaited him when things were over with.
Paperwork. Lots of paperwork, with no end and no--
"What?"
For the twenty-seventh time, Karl snapped out of the semi-comatose state of thoughts that he had seeped himself into once their "research" had started. The surge back to reality was close enough to unbalance a guy his size in an office chair that was obviously not meant for his size, but Karl had enough experience in achieving the impossible to not exactly fall out of his chair at the sound of Alyssa's voice.
Even if they were in the same office, just several feet apart, Karl felt as if there had been a brick wall installed in it while they were in New York for New Year's. Either that, or a bright red line that every time he crossed, would invoke a look he'd rather not see twice on his partner's face in one day.
"Coffee. No, don't need any coffee. Thanks." He cleared his throat and straightened himself up before deciding to just stand up. A little walk around to the water cooler wouldn't hurt him.