Author's Note: This is a story about what I wanted to see on the show. I was fanatical about the show, never missed an episode. My favorite character was Jo; I identified with her the most. When George Clooney joined the cast, however, I was even more hooked. Oh, my gosh, I saw so much that could have happened between Jo and George but the writers never wrote the way I wanted. This story takes place the day after Episode #145- Ballroom Dance. To remind you of what happened, Jo took ballroom dance lessons where her partner was Chuck, a college student who was taking lessons as a surprise to his girlfriend. Right before the big recital, Chuck had to back out because his girlfriend found out that his partner was a pretty girl. But, Chuck showed up and he and Jo wowed the audience with their dance. Jo was dressed in Mrs. G's high school prom dress, prompting a smitten George to ask, "Mrs. G, you wore that to your high school prom?" It was always my opinion that there was something more between Jo and George, so this is chance to write something for them. It's Jo/George all the way.

Disclaimer: I own no rights to the Facts of Life, or to its' characters.

I Love You, Damn it!

Jo hummed softly to herself as she worked in the shop. She smiled as she remembered the night before when she and Chuck had shown off the weeks' worth of dance lessons they had taken. Mrs. Garrett and the girls, plus George, had treated her and Chuck to dinner afterward to celebrate. When they arrived home, Chuck called her and they had talked on the phone for almost two hours. It seemed that his girlfriend was not happy that he had gone against her wishes and had danced with Jo.

George approached the shop. Glancing in the window, he saw Jo working by herself. 'God, she's pretty,' he thought to himself. George had always had a little crush on her ever since they met, but he never said anything so as not to ruin their friendship. He didn't exactly have a great track record when it came to relationships.

Opening the door, the bell rang. Jo looked up. "Hi, George," she smiled, turning back to the receipts of the previous days' sales, "how's it going?"

"About the same," he replied and changed the subject, "you were really good last night, you know."

Jo turned around. "Thanks, George," she told him, "it means a lot to me."

"So, what are you going to do now?" he asked, "More dance classes?"

Jo laughed. "No, that was it for me."

"What about Chuck? Are you going to see him again?" He didn't know why he was asking all these questions, but he had to know.

Jo was curious. "Why all the questions, George?"

George hesitated. "Because......because we're friends," he stammered, "friends look out for each other."

Jo wasn't satisfied with that answer but before she could ask him any further the bell above the door rang again. She looked over and saw Chuck walk in.

"Hi Jo," he said, nervously, "You busy?"

"Chuck, no, not really," she replied. "Did you need something?"

"Well, I wanted to ask you out," he told her, "I wanted to do it on the phone last night, but never got the courage."

Jo was stunned. She had no clue what to say. "Chuck, I don't know what to say."

"You can say 'yes'," Chuck smiled.

Jo returned his smile. She liked Chuck as a friend, but she hadn't thought of him as anything more. "Well, okay....."

"No, wait!"

Jo looked over at George. "What's wrong, George?" she asked.

"Jo, can I talk to you, please?" he asked, looking over at Chuck, "privately?"

Jo agreed and they walked through the shop into the living room of the house. "What is it, George? What's so important that you had to interrupt me and Chuck?" she asked when they walked into the living room.

"Well, I......" he began. Jo raised her eyebrows waiting for his answer. "I just don't think you should go out with this guy, that's all."

"What? What's it to you?" Jo asked. "Why do you care who I go out with?"

George paused. "Because......well, I.......I just don't think he's right for you." Jo was mad, he could see, so he tried another tack. "Listen to me, Jo," he began, "this guy just broke up with his girlfriend. You know what that means? He's on the rebound. You don't want to be a rebound girl, trust me."

Jo wasn't buying it. "First of all, you don't know what I want," she began, raising her voice, "secondly, again, what is it to you? Why do you care so much?"

"Because we're friends," George insisted, "I care about you."

"No, there's more to it than that," she replied, "you've never acted this way before whenever some guy asked me out. Why now?"

"Because I love you, damn it!!!"

Jo was stunned again. She had never been in this situation before with not one but two guys after her. This was more Blair's style. All of a sudden, Jo gained a new appreciation for Blair Warner. Blair would know what to say, Jo thought, so why can't I? She looked at George after his declaration. His head was down. All of a sudden she knew what to do. She had always felt something for George, something she couldn't put her finger on. She was content to call it friendship but now she knew the truth. If George could be courageous enough to lay his feelings for her on the line, then she could do the same. "George," she whispered.

He looked up and caught her gaze. He saw something in her eyes, something that he recognized from his own reflection. He saw love. He opened his arms and she rushed into them. The kiss they shared was deep as they put all of their long-buried feelings into it. When they broke apart finally, they were met with thunderous applause as Blair, Natalie, Tootie and even Mrs. Garrett watched from the top of the stairs.

"We have company," George whispered in Jo's ear.

"It's about time, you guys," Natalie said, enthusiastically, as she led the others down the stairs.

"How long have you been standing there?" Jo demanded. She wasn't really mad at her friends. In fact, she expected it from them. She knew they snooped because they cared.

"Well, we couldn't help but hear ya'll yelling," Blair said, in an overly dramatic Southern drawl. "So we came out to see what the fuss was all about and when we saw you, we didn't want to interrupt."

"Oh, is that right, Blair?" Jo smirked. "What did you think you might be interrupting?"

"You two finally admitting your feelings for one another," she smirked back, "we knew it all along."

Before Jo could respond, Mrs. Garrett stepped in. "Now, girls, let's not fight. Let's give Jo and George some privacy." She smiled at them as she ushered the other three into the kitchen. She was just as thrilled as they were over Jo and George.

When they were finally alone again, Jo turned to George. "Sorry about that, they can be a bit nosy sometimes."

"It's okay," George told her, laughing, "I guess my feelings weren't quite as secret as I thought."

"Mine weren't either, I guess," she laughed with him. Suddenly her eyes opened wide. "Oh no! Chuck!" She had completely forgotten that Chuck was waiting for her back in the shop.

She turned and saw him standing in the doorway of the living room. He had seen and heard it all. He too had heard their raised voices and had gone to investigate. "Chuck, I'm so sorry," she began.

Chuck raised his hand. "No, don't apologize please. It's not like we were dating or anything. You can be with whomever you want." To George, he said, "I hope you know how lucky you are."

George wrapped his arms around Jo. "I do, thanks," he replied.

"Have a nice life," Chuck told them, "I had a great time last night. Thank you." Then he turned and left through the shop.

Jo turned to face George. She kissed him lightly on the lips. "I'm pretty lucky myself," she told him.

George smiled down at her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

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