Well I figured I'd tackle an actual case this time but don't worry there will still be plenty of John/Joss to sink into. I hope you like this one as much as Intentions. Either way please read and review, it really helps us writers stay motivated. I don't know how long this is going to go but I hope you enjoy the ride with me!
Chapter 1
Although it was barely past dawn, Finch was not surprised to find Reese glaring at the computer screen when he entered the library drinking his usual cup of tea. He had intentionally left a password Reese could figure out but it only allowed him access to surveillance footage of Fusco and Carter.
Every since Detective Carter accepted a date invitation from a Narcotics officer who had been sniffing around John had been slightly agitated and snappy to everyone especially Carter. Since the date occurred the previous night, Finch figured Reese would beat him to work to review Carter's surveillance file. From the scowl on his face, it appeared the date went well.
"Good morning Mr. Reese," Finch said startling John as he quickly closed the file he was looking at and stood from the desk.
"Finch," Reese acknowledged as he gave his boss a quick glance and walked over to a chair on the other side of the room and sat.
Harold saw the poorly concealed anger in the brief eye contact but more importantly he sensed the hurt underneath.
"Why don't you just tell her how you feel," Finch asked tentatively not sure how Reese would respond?
John fixed an icy, cold, emotionless glare at Finch. He opened his mouth to respond but no words came out so he just closed his eyes, took a deep breath and leaned back into the chair.
Reese was trying his best to reign in his emotions. None of the C.I.A. techniques seemed to be working. He couldn't explain to himself why Carter going on a date made him so angry so how could he explain it to someone else? He knew their connection was tenuous at best but it was vital to him and her opinion meant more to him than anything. She was such a good person, she deserved someone equal to her moral fiber but selfishly he had to admit he wanted her for himself.
They had been shamelessly flirting with each other for months but it never went beyond that. Sometimes he got the feeling she was waiting on him to make a move but he always convinced himself that was just wishful thinking on his part. Jocelyn Carter would never be interested in someone like him whose past was littered with questionable homicides and present involved saving lives by any means necessary often with disregard to the law she coveted.
The officer had been a gentleman. He'd opened doors for her, entertained her during dinner indicated by her constant smiles and moments of outright laughter. Watching the replay had been tough, he wanted to be the only man to make her laugh like that. John recognized he didn't deserve her but it didn't make it hurt any less. He dreaded watching the conclusion of the date at Carter's doorstep but he couldn't turn away. The officer had kissed her gently on the cheek, told her he had a great time and he hoped they could get together again soon. Jocelyn had agreed and entered her home alone where there were no cameras. He wondered if she'd rejoiced behind the door and a fury from his past started creeping through his system when Finch had interrupted him with his entrance.
"She deserves to be happy," Reese said not opening his eyes.
"So do you Mr. Reese," Finch said as he sat and began pounding away at his computer.
Reese opened his eyes and stared intently at Finch's back. He still didn't know how to take Harold at times. He knew he could trust him which was a feat for him because he'd learned over and over never to trust anyone. For a long time he thought he was just an asset to Finch but when he got shot by Snow, Finch had risked his own neck to save him. Since then Finch had proven time and time again that John was not expendable and he cared for his well-being.
Harold had become his friend which was a strange thing for John for he hadn't experienced that type of relationship since he was a very young man. He worried about the older man's injuries that had yet to be addressed. Reese noticed some days Finch moved around with greater difficulty and was most likely in more pain than usual. He also worried about the emotional pain he suffered while allowing Grace, his fiancée, to continue to think he was dead. That being said he was not ready to discuss Joss with anyone including Finch, so he took his boss' lead and steered the conversation to familiar ground.
"Do we have a new number," he asked as he rose from the chair and made his way back to the desk?
"As a matter of fact we do, a 28 year old construction worker named Michael Ogle," Finch said pulling up a driver's license picture of a young brown haired man with green eyes.
"He's single, he lives alone and I've searched his social sites and nothing stands out as to why he'd be in danger or about to commit a crime."
"Does he have a record?"
"Just a simple assault conviction from college, nothing since then," Finch said as he continued perusing his variety of search parameters.
"Well text me his address and I'll see what he's hiding at home," Reese said as he got up to leave.
"Will do, you might want to give Detective Carter a call and see if she can back you up since Fusco is out of town," Harold suggested.
"I don't need her help, I'm a big boy," Reese snapped as he walked out the door. Just the mention of her name made him angry all over again.
Reese drove the Ducati to Ogle's residence expelling some of his anger in the exhilaration of the ride. Once he arrived at the high rise apartments, he realized Ogle lived in a rundown not particularly nice area. After parking the bike, he removed the main fuse and stuck it in his pocket sure it would have been stolen by the time he returned if he didn't.
John made his way to man's apartment and was able to enter the residence quickly with the help of one of his lock picking tools. This wasn't the kind of building where neighbors paid attention to each other's comings and goings so he didn't have to worry about anyone identifying him later. Reese immediately did a cursory sweep of the living area and kitchen and found it to be a typical bachelor's pad. There were sports magazines in disarray on the living room table along with a couple of empty beer bottles. There were three remote controls scattered on the couch which likely controlled the large flat screen television and monstrous surround sound system.
Noticing the empty takeout bags and pizza boxes in the kitchen, he figured Ogle wasn't much of a cook. Reese made his way to the two bedrooms in the rear. He approached the larger room first and stopped in his tracks when he stepped across the threshold and his eyes were immediately drawn to a large swastika flag hanging over the queen size bed. The anger he felt earlier came back full force. Sitting on a bedside table was a copy of Mein Kampf along with other neo Nazi literature.
Everything in him revolted against what he was seeing. He'd seen first-hand how unfounded hate had destroyed entire communities. He'd witnessed the mass graves left behind by genocide and there were no words to describe the bodies of women and children including nursing infants crammed into a crudely dug hole in the ground. Overwhelmed by horrors from his past and emotions he'd thought he'd conquered, John exited the apartment and headed back to the library.
Finch was still searching for information on their number while waiting for Reese to contact him to let him know he'd installed surveillance equipment. Concentrating intently on the screen in front him, the door slamming against the wall caused him to clamber to his feet.
Reese stormed into the library and glared at Finch.
"I don't care if he is in danger, I'm not protecting that piece of shit," Reese said in a louder voice than Finch had ever heard from him.
Finch hadn't seen John this angry since the case with the U.S. Marshal abusing his wife. He wasn't sure what had set John off but he knew he had to tread delicately.
"What's wrong," Finch asked slowly resuming his seated position hoping to defuse the conversation?
"Ogle has Nazi paraphernalia in his bedroom and a swastika flag over his bed," Reese snarled as he paced in front of Finch in a failed attempt to calm himself.
"I see," Finch said slowly understanding John's agitation. He also despised people who promoted hate especially without cause. Reese's feelings for Detective Carter were most likely making him more sensitive than he would have been typically.
"You see," John said incredulously stopping to glare at Finch.
"Yes, I of course abhor that manner of thinking but it is irrelevant to our purpose other than maybe providing a motive," Harold said calmly.
"That asshole is probably planning on attacking some unsuspecting person for the crime of not being like him."
"If that is true, then you would have the pleasure of stopping him but you also have to be prepared to protect him if someone else is targeting him for his beliefs," Harold said facing Reese head on.
"No, he'll be getting what he deserves. I won't interfere with karma," Reese replied shaking his head.
"John, just because you don't like what he believes doesn't mean he deserves to die."
"It's because of jerks like him Joss has to warn her son that people will hate him and call him degrading names just because of the color of his skin," John said disgusted.
"Trust me, I know it isn't right but we still don't get to choose who deserves to live or die, that's the reason I started this crusade," Finch said sincerely. "If we choose not to save him, how are we any different from the government ignoring these numbers in the first place?"
"You haven't seen what I've seen," Reese voice was low and cold.
"No I haven't but I trust you to do the right thing. If you think I'm being unreasonable ask Carter what she thinks," Harold said returning to his search of Michael Ogle.
Reese was still furious. He didn't want to be reasonable. The last thing he wanted to do was expose Jocelyn to that kind of hate but he trusted her and he needed her advice. John stepped outside and dialed a familiar number.
Jocelyn was surprised to see the unknown number on her burner phone. She hadn't spoken to Reese in over a week and then he had been just short of rude. She was aware that he and Finch had eyes on her everywhere except for her home. Since Detective Parrish had asked her out at her desk, she was sure John knew about their date.
She didn't understand why he seemed to be angry at her. For months she had waited for him to make a move and he'd done nothing but flirt and give her that sexy smirk that made her want to slap him and kiss him at the same time. After a while she resigned herself to the fact that he used his charm to get her to do what he wanted but he wasn't interested in anything else. When she'd met the attractive Detective Mark Parrish while working a case that involved narcotics and he showed interest she hadn't deterred him and eventually she agreed on a date. While she had a good time with Mark, she couldn't help thinking about a certain pair of intense blue eyes and the man that accompanied them.
"Carter," she answered trying not to sound excited to hear from him.
"You have a minute, I want to run something by you," he asked not realizing how much he missed talking to her?
Carter looked at the pile of paperwork at her desk and decided it was as good a time as it ever was going to be for a break.
"Yes I do, can you meet at the diner in 30 minutes?"
"Sure," John said before considering he wasn't really ready for a face to face.
"See you there," Jocelyn hung up the phone and straightened her desk before leaving.
Arriving at the diner at the allotted time, Carter was surprised to find Reese already sitting at a booth. She took the seat opposite him and waited for him to brief her.
Reese wandered if Carter realized how beautiful she was. Even with her hair tied up and the not so flattering pants suit, he noticed the men in the diner watching her. Her skin was always so flawless and the air of confidence she exuded just drew him in. Well she had someone else to admire her now he remembered and the anger skimmed the surface.
"We have a new number and Finch and I disagree on how to proceed," Reese said purposely omitting a greeting.
"Give me the rundown," Carter said ignoring Reese's rude behavior.
"The guy is a construction worker with one assault conviction in his past so I went to his place to try to get more information," John looked away from Carter reluctant to continue.
"So what did you find," Jocelyn prodded when Reese went silent?
"Neo Nazi literature and a swastika flag," John said in a low voice she barely heard.
"I don't understand, what's the problem," she asked confused?
Reese looked up in shock, "I don't want to protect that guy!"
"Seriously John, I protect people who hate me every day, I've been called all sorts of names even by people whose lives I've saved," she smiled at him trying to get him to relax.
"If he's the one planning to hurt someone, I'll take great pleasure in stopping him but I won't protect hate," Reese stated indignantly.
"You don't have the right to pick and choose who you help," Carter said angrily.
For once John Reese was floored. He'd always known Carter was compassionate but he had underestimated the depth of her moral fortitude. He was starting to acknowledge the truth to her and Finch's position and while he didn't like it, he knew he would never disappoint her.
"Fine since you and Finch are ganging up on me I'll do it your way but my gut tells me I'm going to regret this," Reese said meeting her brown gaze. He was happy to see the anger leave her at his statement.
"I always suspected Finch was the real brains of this operation," Jocelyn said breaking the tension.
"Yeah whatever, so how was your date," he asked smirking?
"I'm sure you already know but it was great. I can't wait to do it again. Why do you care," she asked wiping the smirk off his face?
"I don't," John lied, "just making polite conversation," he answered with a grimace. "I need to know the details on that assault charge," Reese said as he left abruptly.
Carter tried not to let the smile surface but she couldn't help being amused that John was pissed about her date. While she wasn't going out with Parrish to spite John maybe he would step up now and make that move. Meanwhile she would have to have a talk with Parrish. He was a nice guy and now that she was sure John was interested she didn't want to lead him on when her feelings belonged to someone else.
Reese realized he had erred at the diner and now Jocelyn was aware he was upset about her date. He should have never brought it up but he just couldn't help it. Well now he just had to sit back and see what she did with that information. As far as the other matter, he was on his way back to Ogle's home to plant the surveillance equipment with a wary countenance because he hadn't been lying to Jocelyn when he said his gut was warning him about this one. His gut has never been wrong to date.