Rating: Mature (eventually, cause you never know)
Standard disclaimer I own nothing, just borrowing characters and having fun. Not making any money. Characters belong to JE.
Spoilers: One For The Money

Title: Half Past One
November 2006
Author: TammyC

HALF PAST ONE
What should have happened at the end of One For The Money

Chapter 1

"You are scum, Morelli, scum."

"Probably," Morelli said, "but I give good...pizza." (ending of One For The Money by Janet Evanovich)

I couldn't believe he'd written that poem on the stadium wall about me in high school. I knew about Mario's sub shop. That had been bad enough.

I chased Joe around the room, trying to slap him. He was too quick for me, since I had seventeen stitches in my butt.

"Yea, you give really good pizza," I relented.

We locked eyes for a couple of heart beats, and a knowing grin spread across his mouth. I stared at his lush lips for a moment too long and unconsciously licked my lips. So kissable. He seemed to know what I was thinking and grinned even wider.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and returned my gaze to his eyes.

"So," I said on a sigh, "are we going to finish watching the game?"

"That depends."

"On what?" I asked.

"Promise not to hit me?"

I thought about this for a moment before answering. "Fine, I promise I won't hit you."

Morelli eyed me warily, but joined me back on the couch to watch the football game.

Scooting a little closer to him with my donut, I settled in and sighed. Joe reached his arm around my shoulders and pulled me a little closer. I inched my hand over and rested it on his chest. He pressed a kiss on the top of my head, and I gave his chest a hard pinch.

"You pinched me!" Joe yelped, and jerked my hand away.

I laughed and gave him an evil smile. "I said I wouldn't hit you. I didn't say I wouldn't get even."

"Are we even now?"

"Not even close."

Joe let out a heavy sigh and held my hand.

Some time later, I awoke slowly. The game was over, and the television played only static.

I was still sitting on my couch beside Joe. I was leaning into him with my arm thrown around his waist. My head was resting on his chest, and I could hear his heart beating. He had one arm around my shoulders, his fingertips lightly caressing my arm. His other hand gently held my cheek. It felt relaxing to be held like this. Too good to move.

We stayed that way for a few minutes longer. I brought my hand to my mouth and covered a yawn. I really hated to break up this little party, but my butt was falling asleep. I wriggled my behind a little, trying to get comfortable again.

"You awake, Cupcake?" Joe whispered. His fingers brushed across my face.

"No," I moaned.

"I didn't think so." He chuckled, and the vibrations in his chest tickled my ear.

"Is the game over?" I asked sleepily. I stifled another yawn.

"Yea, it's over."

"Who won?"

"I don't know. I fell asleep. When I woke up there was just static on the tv."

"What time is it? Why didn't you wake me?" I asked.

"It's half past one. And you felt so comfy, I didn't want to move," he said, hugging me to him. I squeezed him back, and he kissed my forehead.

"And you were snoring," he said, "so I thought you must be exhausted. I didn't want to wake you."

"I don't snore," I protested.

There was that chuckle again. "Yes, you do."

I raised my head to see his face. "Was I really snoring?" I grimaced.

"Like a chain saw." Joe grinned.

I closed my eyes and groaned at the indignity of it all. Snoring, in front of Morelli. No, on Morelli. At least that's all I was doing. It could have been worse.

"Sorry, I haven't slept well in days," I said.

"I don't doubt it," he said. He pressed a kiss to my cheek. "Probably I should tuck you into bed and head home."

I gave him one more hug before reluctantly letting go. He felt so good to hold. Who'd have thought Morelli and I would be so comfy together?

Joe stood up and stretched. He held a hand out to help me up, and led me slowly to my bedroom. My heart beat faster, and my head started to swim. I numbly crawled into bed, and Joe tucked the covers around my neck. He leaned over me and kissed me softly on the lips.

"Sweet dreams, Cupcake," he said.

He stopped at the bedroom doorway with his hand paused on the light switch.

A sob escaped me, and he turned to look at me. I was sitting up in bed, the pain of my stitches forgotten. My heart hammered in my chest, and my eyes darted around the room. Tears started streaming down my cheeks.

"Cupcake?"

I swiped at the tears, but fresh ones kept falling. This is where it all happened four nights ago. Where Jimmy Alpha had broken into my apartment. Where he had waited for me. And where Ramirez had been caught on my fire escape while I was unconscious, intent on killing me slowly.

"Cupcake?" Joe crossed the room and sat beside me on the bed. He cupped my face in his hands and looked into my eyes. "It's okay, Cupcake."

"D..d..don't go," I stammered. "Please don't go."

To be continued...