So this one takes place sometime after The Crossing and after Joss has recovered. I didn't know what to call this one so I just went with something simple. Sorry in advance for any mistakes. And of course I don't own any of these characters.
Joss stumbled. She couldn't think past the pounding in her head. Another migraine was coming on. Why did it have to hit her now of all times? After surviving the bullet to her chest the traumatic experience left her with a post traumatic after effect. Awful and severe migraines. They didn't come often, but when they did it was usually as a result of stress. And unfortunately she had allowed her current case to stress her out.
She fumbled for her keys her eyes narrowed. Opening them any wider made the pain worse.
Why did she have so many keys? How was she going to drive home like this? But home was the one place she was longing to be. Where she could rest. She groaned when she couldn't steady her hand enough to put the key into the hole and had to close her eyes for relief.
In that moment she felt a presence at her backside and then a hand covered hers.
"Let go Carter." He whispered in her ear. "I'll drive you home."
John. She didn't know how he knew to come, but she was too relieve to resist. The keys slipped from her grasp and she leaned her back against his chest confident he would hold her up. His free hand slipped around her waist and he guided her to the passenger seat. He tried to softly close the door once she was inside.
Although the ride was smooth Joss was restless. When they arrived John came around and helped her out. He guided her into the house and eased her out her blazer. Then he lowered her into the chair in her living room. "Lean back. Take it easy." His voice was soft. Soothing. He knelt down on the floor and slipped off her shoes. John then took off his own jacket and shoes.
"John." She called knowing she sounded weak, but the pain made her vulnerable and all she wanted was for it to end. "John it hurts so bad." She didn't know why she was crying to him. What could he do? Why couldn't she be stronger?
He caressed her hand. "I know." His voice was full of compassion and pain. Seeing her distressed always moved him. A tear she couldn't fight ran down her cheek. So carefully he wiped it away. "Oh babe." He sighed softly.
Babe? Did he just call her 'babe'? Her heart picked up speed. He had never called her that before. But it stirred something inside. A longing to hear it again, even though she knew she shouldn't wish such a thing.
She heard him move. "Lean your head back." She did as he instructed. His large hands slipped into her hair. Connecting with her scalp his fingers began to massage her head. Within just a few minutes she felt a noticeable break in the pain. As if the migraine knew better than to fight against John Reese. Her eyes remained closed. She couldn't believe she was letting him touch her like this. With these hands that had once been used in countless assassinations. But the caution and care he was using now were not the hands of a killer.
He worked consistently for a while leaving Joss in a blissful state. His hands slowly began to change position as he shifted around the chair, coming to kneel before her again. He settled on her temples and began to knead a sensitive spot.
She couldn't deny that she was glad he was here. Taylor was gone for the weekend with his dad. When the pain had hit her she really didn't want to be alone. But like always John showed up and decided to take care of her. And she liked, for once, being the one being taken care of. She could get used to this. Especially with John. She always marveled at the man he was when he was with her.
Her eyes slit open. She was pulled in by his blue hypnotic eyes. Their intensity soften as he looked deeper into her brown orbs. With the lightness of a feather he drew his finger across her brow, down the bridge of her nose. Circling her eyes and down her cheek.
When had his touch turned into a caress? A caress that was just as hypnotic as his eyes.
And the way he was looking at her… The air around them thickened. They were no longer Reese and Carter. But John and Joss. Man and woman.
Joss swallowed starting to tense up. Knowing where her mind was going John cupped her cheek and the back of her head. He leaned in and his lips graced her brow. Joss's blood raced. She knew where this was going.
"John." She said knowing how weak the protest sounded. She was too tired to really resist. Part of her, a much louder part, didn't want to resist. But wanted the affection she knew he kept hidden. Another soft kiss was laid to her closed eyes. Cheekbones, jaw. His thumbs brushed her lips.
"Joss." He whispered her name. Then lowered his head. Making the final connection. All the tension evaporated. Every muscle went lax. She felt complete. Like the last piece of her life had finally been set in place. The kiss was so sweet and tender. John poured all his love for her into it. Joss found strength to kiss him back if only for a moment. She sighed with contentment before he finally pulled away.
Her eyes opened. When had her hands lifted to cup his jaw? She wandered as she stared into his eyes.
They let it happen again. Another unexpected kiss. They had to work this out. There was so much they needed to talk about. They couldn't just jump into a relationship.
How could he be so calm? She thought frustratingly. Didn't he know how complicated this was? How it was the last thing they should be doing? If it weren't for this blasted migraine they would talk right now.
"You should rest." He said and stood. Joss looked at him in puzzlement when he leaned over her. His arms slipped under her legs and around her back. She felt her body lifted up. Instinctively she curled against him resting on his shoulder. He gracefully laid her on the couch before leaving the living room. For her moment she thought he was going to leave and walk out the door. He returned shortly with two bottles of water and a blanket. Sitting down he placed a pillow over his leg, sat the waters on the table, and pulled her down to rest on the pillow. The blanket was thrown over her body and he held her hand as he turned on the TV.
"Go to sleep Joss." He bent to kiss her cheek. "I'll be here when you wake up."
She sighed. Was it this easy? Is this why he was so calm? Something about this whole arrangement felt right. It had felt right from the beginning. There was a pull John had on her that she had never experienced before. And his actions proved that that pull was not one sided. As the light of her television glowed, she felt John's fingers sifting through her hair.
Maybe she was overthinking it. Making too big a deal of this. Yes! It was complicated. Yes it was going to be difficult if they ventured down this path. This path of caring for each other. Of loving each other. But she was firmly convicted deep in the bit of her stomach that it would work. She snuggled a little closer to him, the idea growing on her.
Perhaps it was this simple. Maybe God brought them together. Maybe divinely John was her ONE. God must've realized John needed someone in his corner. And she definitely needed someone in hers. They BOTH needed just a little taking care of.
When she woke up, she would surprise him. Instead of talking about all the reasons it would be bad for them to be together, she would ask him what she should wear for their first date. Hopefully a really nice dress. One she would have to go shopping for later.
A small smile tugged on her lips as she entangled their fingers, stroking his skin, she started to drift off to sleep.
Ok so hope you liked it. I tried to focus on Joss having an internal battle of head vs heart. Anyway hope it flowed and was a decent read.