Hello, readers! I really hope all of you have had a wonderful and safe summer. It has been a long six months, but I am finding my footing and I hope to be back to my old self soon. I am not sure I have any readers still hanging around, but I thought I'd post this new story. It's an original CaReese love story with no bad guys—just bad bugs—and maybe a curve or two in the road. However, the team—and the Machine—will be playing cupid to bring the two star-crossed lovers together. I hope you enjoy.

I don't own Person of Interest.

Song prompt: "The Greatest Reward" by Celine Dion

This story is dedicated to Taraji Leah—the newest member of the family, and the most beautiful and sweetest brindle Boxer on planet earth. Welcome home!

The Greatest Reward

Detective Joss Carter was not having a great day. Hell, she would go so far as to say that she wasn't even having anything resembling a good day. Desperate to get her bearings, she had been tempted to call in and use a sick day. But the rational part of her being—the military trained side that dictated she "suck it up"–– argued that she really needed to go in––if for no other reason than she took an oath to protect and to serve.

Now, here she was barely shuffling into the 8th precinct, her coffee in one hand, and a brown paper bag containing her breakfast in her other. Never had her office chair looked so inviting. She sat down heavily and tried to get her bearings before she attempted to tackle her IN box.

"Morning, partner," Detective Lionel Fusco greeted cheerfully as he raised his head. Realizing that something was wrong, he removed his reading glasses and peered closer at Joss. "What's wrong?" he inquired.

"Tired," Joss replied. She pulled the lid off of the coffee cup and took a long sip. The hot java burned her tongue and gave a little kick to her system, but it was going to take more than one cup to jump start her this morning. She wondered if there was an intravenous way of supplying caffeine directly to her brain, and if there were, how could she get one before her shift started?

"Well, you do look like hell," Lionel observed comfortingly.

"Thanks, Fusco. You're a big help," Joss groused and took another sip.

Lionel stood up and walked over to Joss' desk and took a seat on the corner. "What's wrong? Wonderboy and Glasses got you working over time on another one of their super secret missions?" he joked.

"I wish." Joss ran a hand over her weary forehead. "I can't sleep," she confessed and followed it with a yawn.

"Insomnia?"

"Never had it. It's...something else." But what, she couldn't say. For once, her detective abilities failed her, and it frustrated her beyond all reason. Or it could be that she was so sleep deprived that she really no longer cared. Either way, she was dragging and it made life suck. And when life sucked for Joss Carter, it was best not to be on the criminal side of life.

Lionel appeared worried by the non-revelation. "What do you mean?" He didn't want to go there, but, after all, he did have a male brain, and the thought that popped in made him suddenly want a drink. "Is it a guy thing?" he wondered a loud.

"No. I keep waking up every morning around 3 a.m. I thought it was a noise outside, but after three nights..." Joss shook her head "...it's something I can't put my finger on. It's like I wake up itching. Right around my ankles."

"Allergies?"

"I don't know. Here. Look." Joss raised the cuff of her tailored slacks to reveal her ankle. Lionel leaned over to inspect. The little red dots were like nothing he had ever seen. He gave them a flummoxed look.

"Ants?" he guessed.

"Probably." She lowered the cuff. "Never had a problem with them before. Guess I should call the exterminator," she mused, then groaned. "Ugh!"

"What's wrong?"

"Just that Taylor is getting ready to go on his European trip next week, and my mother is thinking about moving in," Joss confessed. "I don't know if I have the time to worry about scheduling exterminators and having to take time off from work..." She sighed. "I'll give it a month."

"Are you sure?" Lionel asked. "I heard that once ants get inside, it's practically impossible to get rid of them. Especially the flying kind."

Joss looked apprehensive. "Flying ants? That's a deal breaker. Okay," she relented, "by the end of the week. Do you know anyone?"

"Funny you should ask. My ex-brother-in-law owns a pest control service. It's completely state of the art; if there is a bug in your home, he can find it. Guaranteed. How about I give him a call for you?" Lionel offered and pulled out his phone. "I can get you set up this week."

Joss held up her hand. "Fusco, that's going to be expensive, and I have to watch my budget so I can fund Taylor's trip," she argued. "It can wait."

"Think you can go a few more nights without sleep?" he challenged. "You know that reviews are coming up next month and we'll have to put our best foot forward."

Joss debated for a moment before caving. "Alright. How much is it going to cost?"

"Nothing. It's on me."

"Really?" Joss asked incredulously at the thought of her partner being so altruistic. Maybe things were starting to look up after all.

"He owes me one, so I'll call in my chips just for you," Lionel grinned and stood up. "An...nd, there is that one report I need to get done," he hedged and handed over the folder in his hands. Joss took it, opened it and scanned the contents.

"This is the Sullivan arrest from last month," she admonished. "I thought it was closed."

"I got behind helping out our mutual friends," Lionel tried to absolve himself of not having completed his task. "Now the Captain is riding my ass over it."

Joss shook her head and closed the folder. "Lionel..."

"Come on, Carter," he pleaded. "I'm helping you; help me."

Joss struggled with herself for a long moment. "Oh, okay. This one time," she conceded. "But your ex-brother-in-law better be as good as you say he is," she warned.

"If he isn't, I'll do your reports for a month," Lionel offered. He stuck out his hand. Joss hesitated for a moment, then shook it to seal the deal.

"Call him. But get me another coffee first."

Kenny Carpenter carefully inspected the cracks and edging in Joss' brownstone interior with a special light. The minutes passed by as he took his time to go over every single inch. Absolutely nothing was going to escape his attention to find the culprit.

"When did it begin?" he asked before getting down on his knees to check out the base boards. He ran his finger over the edge and then brought the tip to his nose. Sniffing carefully, he made a note on his clipboard.

"Uh...a few nights ago. I guess," Joss answered while warily watching the classically handsome, blonde man inspect each room. "I didn't think it was a big deal," she continued.

"It was a mild winter with some cold snaps," Kenny observed casually, "and the summer is supposed to be hot and dry, so the ants will be coming in to look for water and cool air." He stood up and looked around. "Where did they first bite you?" he inquired.

"The bedroom. I think. Follow me." Joss led the way up the stairs to the master bedroom. Kenny stepped inside the large, tastefully decorated room. He opened the dresser drawers and checked the cracks. Finding nothing, he moved to the closet and opened the door. He spent a few minutes inside before stepping out.

"The chair," he nodded toward the high-back chair near the large window. "How long have you had it?"

"Uh, forever. My grandmother gave it to me."

"Hmmm." Kenny leaned down and used his flashlight to examine the upholstery. Moving the cushion, he stuck his hand down in the crevices. Pulling out, he examined his fingertips. "How about the bed? How old is the mattress?"

"Ummm..." Joss tried to remember when she purchased her bed. "I got out in 2004...uh, ten plus years. Why?"

"And it was brand new?"

"Brought it home from the showroom that day."

"Your sheets, the comforter...?"

"A few years. What's going on?" Joss looked at Kenny and tried to read his body language, but he was guarded. She could feel herself getting nervous.

"I need to look at your son's room, if that's alright."

"Sure."

Ten minutes later, Kenny stepped out into the hallway.

"Well?" Joss asked and crossed her fingers.

"I couldn't really find anything," he concluded. "But I want to lay some traps down."

"Traps?"

"Insect traps. Do you have any pets?"

Joss shook her head. "No."

"I am going to put them around your room and in your son's. I am going to give it a couple of days, then check them."

"Two days?"

"Just long enough to catch anything that might be hiding. If there is something, I'll know what it is and how to treat it," Kenny explained.

"Do you think it's serious?"

Kenny shrugged. "I don't know. But we'll find out, Detective." He checked his watch. "I guess I should go get the traps so I can let you go back to work," he excused himself and Joss.

"Can I get you a cup of coffee first?" Joss politely offered.

Kenny smiled. "That would be nice. Cream and sugar, please."

"Coming up." Joss turned to leave.

"Lionel was right about you," Kenny said out of the blue.

Joss stopped and turned around. "Lionel was right about me, how?"

"He said you're no-nonsense and don't mess around. You give honesty and expect it in return."

Joss looked surprised at the description given by her partner. "Oh?"Joss smiled warmly. "Well, ditto. I'll get that cup of coffee."

Two days later it was the moment of truth. Donning her best military bearing and trying to tap down her worst fears, Joss stood off to the side as Kenny opened the trap and used a magnifying glass to inspect the insects.

"It isn't what I was hoping for," Kenny said simply. His face was blank but his tone spoke volumes.

Joss braced herself and asked, "What is it?"

Kenny used tweezers to hold up the pest so Joss could get a good look. "Bedbugs."