A/N: I had a chance to watch season 1 & 2 during Christmas break and I felt Joss never had a chance to vent about certain things LOL. his is just the beginning if you like it I'll keep going. I do not own POI all mistakes are mine.

Forgiveness is a Funny Thing

Joss was awakened by soft kisses on the back of her shoulder. She exhales a soft sleepy moan as she rolled over to face her husband and began to kiss him, gently at first, and as the kiss deepened things become heated, passionate, they begin to make love. The tangle of bodies moving in union until they are both satisfied. Her husband goes to take a shower and as he prepares to leave for work he kisses her on the cheek. "What a wonderful way to start the day, dinner tonight at our favorite place, babe?" he asked. Joss groaned a sleepy "yes."

"I love you Joss, see you tonight."

"I love you too," and she happily fell asleep.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Fusco made his way to the umpteenth crime scene of the week there had been so many he actually lost count. The homicide and robbery rate had gone through the roof after the blackout and the explosion at the old post office. Add to that the take down of HR, and the shortage of manpower made for a toxic mix. Some of the cases he handled would have been something glasses and Tall Dark and Stormy would have handled, but it seemed the earth had opened and swallowed them all up... The night of the blackout was the last time he had any contact with Reese and he was with that weird government spook that had lurked around the precinct looking into Alicia Corwin's murder. That had been over a year ago. Fusco wondered what happened but he shook off the thought, now he had a case to investigate. "What do we have? "As he crossed the crime scene tape.

White male approximate age 40. Got caught in the cross fire of a shootout possible cause of death GSW to the abdomen", as Lionel approached the body a scowl spread across his face, he recognized the victim, It was Ian Murphy.

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When Lionel returned the precinct he had been busy pulling evidence files. He was preparing to contact Murphy's next of kin, and as he returned to his desk he saw a guy messing with the computer on Carter's old desk. "Hey what are you doing?"

"IT dude, just setting up your partners computer."

"Whoa, what do you mean what partner?"

"Some hotshot just made a big bust, got promoted from narcotics. He can tell you all about it." As IT guy acknowledged John.

Lionel turned to face none other john Reese now Detective John Reilly. "Detective."

"You?" That one word said it all, where the hell have you been?

"You guys know each other?" the IT guy asked.

"We've met," Reilly responded.

"All set make yourself at home." As IT guy finished up.

Lionel was full of questions this was the first time he had seen or heard from any member of the team in over a year Fusco knew he would never get an explanation of where they had been. "Welcome to the eighth." Fusco nodded, they shared a look as Reilly settled in at Carter's old desk.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Joss had waited for over an hour for her husband to arrive for dinner. She checked her cell phone there were no text or voice mails, odd she thought it was not like him not to check in if he was running late, and he was definitely not one to be a no show. Joss called his cell, the call went straight to voice mail. She called his office his assistant said he had left hours ago, where was he? She waited for another thirty minutes paid for her coffee and headed to her office.

Joss went to her office to help quash her worry, she decided to put the finishing touches on her closing augments on her latest case as an ADA. She couldn't believe she had quit the department and finally started using her law degree. The take down of HR, the explosion at the old post office had left her shell shocked and she thought she would be better off prosecuting cases than chasing criminals on the streets. If she were honest those things contributed to her leaving but the truth was it had more to do with John not communicating with her after that night in morgue. He had shared his feelings for her and after everything that happened, it was the silent treatment that left a sour taste in her mouth. She had forgiven him before when he distanced himself after the incident at Riker's or even before when he left her to handle the IAB investigation of Fusco and having to dig up a decomposed body to save him from the hands of HR.

If they needed anything John or Finch would contact Fusco. Occasionally Shaw would call her to see how she was doing but when Joss would ask about John she stopped calling too. The whole thing left her numb how could a man tell you he loved you and then so callously break all communication. When she was back at the precinct one particular day the weather matched her mood, she needed some fresh air so she decided to go out for lunch where she literally ran into Ian Murphy and almost knocked him over. He had come to check on her and he was looking as handsome as ever. "Ian fatherhood looks good on you." Joss said playfully trying to hide her dour disposition.

"Joss I heard about the shooting and the explosion and I wanted to see if you were alright I would have come sooner but Alex and I were out of the country."

"As you can see Ian I'm alive and kicking." She half-heartedly joked.

"Look Joss you don't have to put on a brave front for me." When Ian said that something in Joss broke and all the emotions and frustrations that she had been carrying had crushed her defenses and she began to cry, from that day forward Ian would call and check on her take her out to lunch or dinner sometimes bring her coffee when he was in the neighborhood, send little gifts to lift her spirits. Just being there for her. It felt good not to feel abandoned and to have someone to lean on. She was not alone.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Fusco eyed her as she told him Ian had asked her to marry him.

"Of course Fusco I'm not asking your permission I'm just telling you."

I'm just thinking of our mutual friends what would the tall guy say?

"What are you talking about Fusco John has no say in what I do or who I see. Besides where is he?"

"I'm just saying Carter you're telling me you're getting married like we're talking about a case."

Joss turned off the tablet she was making notes on, she was worried not having heard from her husband.

Her mind went back to that night when she in the alley with her then CI Bottle cap. Her being on the ground after he had shot her in the vest point blank. And the man in the suit declaring to her that she was not alone whether she liked it or not.

Joss was brought out her reverie by a knock on the door. "Come in." Joss' assistant stuck her head in the door. "Joss, Detective Fusco's here to see you."

Joss got up from her desk and greeted her ex- partner.

"Lionel what brings you to this neck of the woods," she greeted him with a smile

"Sorry Carter I'm here on official business." Joss was taken aback.

What is it Fusco, what's going on?

Lionel looked at her his mouth a straight line a scowl on his face.

"Carter Ian is dead. I'm Sorry. I need you to come down and make a positive id. And there's something else you need to know. "