It took a few days, but Zoe managed to find John. A friend who owed her a favor did a cell trace while she and John had a chat.

"Hey, listen to me. I helped you and your friend. The least you could do is call me and let me know you were both all right."

"He's gone."

Taken aback, Zoe asked sharply, "What? You didn't get there?"

"No. Look, why don't we meet and I'll tell you the whole story."

"Ok, sure." She glanced over and saw the thumbs up, indicating they had his location, and watched as he replaced the phone in its cradle. "Where? When?"

"In an hour, the park."

"Sure, see you then."

Disconnecting, she pocketed her phone and turned to her friend. "Thanks for that, Carl."

"You and me, we're square now."

"For now."

"What? No, not for now, forever."

"Oh, we're square this time. But there will be a next time. You can't keep your fly zipped or your mouth shut. So, I have no doubt we will meet again."

"Screw you, Zoe."

"No thanks. You'd probably give me something that won't wash off. I appreciate the thought, though. Bye."

"Bitch!"

Zoe smiled at his assistant as she exited Carl's office and walked to the door. It grew wider as the young woman gave her two thumbs up. Catching the elevator outside the corporate offices of Cell Link, a pay-as-you-go cellular service that skyrocketed to the top thanks to criminals and politicians, she rode to the first floor. Her car service was waiting and she instructed the driver to head toward a new address. The city was busy, business as usual for most people, but that went unnoticed as she attempted to consider all of the angles before this meeting.

When the car stopped twenty minutes later, she looked up, surprised to see her destination. "You want I should wait, Ms. Morgan?"

"It's all right, I'll get home safely." She smiled and handed him a generous tip. "Have a good day."

"Thank you, ma'am, you too."

He sat at the curb until she entered the building and then drove away. Zoe paused outside of John's apartment, steeling herself for whatever might happen, and knocked. The door opened, revealing a very surprised John Reese. She smirked up at him and shifted her weight.

"Hello, John."

"How did you find me?"

"You have your people, I have mine, remember?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came by to talk. Don't be rude, invite me in. Unless you can't."

"Right. Please, come in."

Zoe looked around, impressed by what she saw. "Very nice, John."

"Yeah, Finch got it for me. He said I needed roots or something."

"He's right. So, tell me what happened." She made herself at home on the sofa, putting her bag on the floor.

"When I got back, I found a dead woman where the car was supposed to be and no Harold." He sat beside her heavily, resting his head in his hands.

"Well? Aren't you looking for him?"

"Of course!" Taking a breath, he lowered his voice. "Yes, and I have contacts helping me."

"You didn't ask for my help."

"We have already put you in danger. I didn't want you getting any deeper."

Touched, she rested her hand on his back and rubbed. "That's very sweet of you, but I want to help."

"Right now, I don't have anything we haven't covered, but if something comes up, I'll give you a call."

"That isn't a very good brush-off. You need to work on your game."

"It wasn't a brush-off. I really don't have anything new to check out."

"Maybe," she drawled and angled her head close to his, "You just need a friend."

He smirked and turned his head, their faces inches apart. "I thought I already had one with me."

Grinning, she reached out and gently touched his cheek. His eyes closed at her soft touch and pressed his face against her palm. Her breathing hitched at his silent request. His eyes opened, meeting hers, and something passed between them each had felt before but never acknowledged openly. Slowly, they drew together, their lips touching lightly. Within minutes, they were mindless with need and clothing was falling to the floor.

Zoe straddled him, her lips exploring his jaw and neck as their bodies moved together, creating a delicious friction. His hands came to rest on her backside as he rose to his feet. Her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him, she pulled him into a deep, wet kiss as he blindly stumbled to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them.

~end~