Henry doesn't have a date to the NYPD Christmas ball, but when Jo's date cancels hours before Henry gathers up the courage to ask her.
A/N: I know original title but her at least it gets it out there. So these are going to be one shots that I write either if they pop into my head or if I get them prompted to me.
Please enjoy.
It was less than 4 hours until the annual NYPD Christmas ball, and I was positive that I was the only one out of the whole precinct and Medical department that didn't have a date to the stupid event. The last time I had been to one of these things was more than fifty years ago, when Abigail and I were still young and very deeply in love. But the thing that truly amazed me was how truly disappointed I was to be going without a date, even Lucas who had a worse track record with women than I did had a date. It was getting nearer to the event and only those who were urgently needed or were trying to avoid the event were still in the precinct that day. There I was at my desk working on the latest report that would accompany the heart attack victim to the funeral home. I was about to pack up when I heard a light knock on my door. Looking up I saw Jo standing at my door a look of hurt and relief hidden beneath the well placed mask that was carefully in place.
"Detective how may I be of assistance?" I asked smiling up at her
"Why is it that men turn out to be complete utter assholes?" she asked angrily, I frowned at her question, I don't know about the others of my gender but I wasn't an asshole was I?
"Have I done something wrong detective?" I queried and she shook her head finally looking at me
"I'm sorry Henry? What did you say?" she asked and I answered
"You asked why men turn out to be complete assholes, and I was trying not to be offended because there are some men out there who would disagree with you. But my offense to that statement aside, did I do something wrong Detective?" I asked and she looked at me with a small smile on her face
"No Henry you didn't do anything wrong. My date for tonight just cancelled on me, apparently he has a work thing and can't get out of it. Work thing my backside" she said angrily
"I'm sorry to hear that Jo" I said concerned about her. It would explain the look she was trying so desperately to hide. Though why she came to me to vent was a bit of a wonder. We were partners yes. Friends sure but we weren't anything more were we? It was a question that had been running through my head for a while now. Could Jo and I really become more than friends, and if we did would we be able to put our partnership at risk? I knew that I would do anything for Jo, I'd already risked my life once or twice to save her so now and been there when she'd needed a shoulder to cry one, and maybe I could be there for her tonight? Gathering up the courage I made my way over to her and asked
"Jo I know that I'm not the guy who was going to take you to this thing tonight but I was wondering would you like to come with me to the ball?" she looked at me a little shocked before she nodded
"I- uh- yeah. I would like that a lot Henry" she said and I smiled
"Great I'll pick you up outside your apartment at 7?" I asked and she nodded
"Sure. Sounds great Henry" she said a smile on her face as she exited my office. Turning back to my desk and the paperwork that I had deserted when Jo had come in, I shook my head, grabbing my coat and scarf before heading home to get ready for the night.
When I got home, Abe was just closing up the shop for the night. I made my way through the door and was about to head up to the apartment above the store when I heard Abe call
"What has you so happy?" I turned toward him a small smile on my face and at the look of impatience he gave me and the slight groan of annoyance I answered
"I am taking Jo to the NYPD Christmas ball" at the look of shock on Abe's face I almost laughed
"What? Since when? This morning you were complaining because the whole thing was a tedious affair and you were going alone" Abe stated and I nodded
"Your right. But Jo's date cancelled last minute and I offered to take her instead. I'm picking her up at 7" I said and I saw Abe smile
"Finally, alright you go upstairs shower and do what you need to do. I'll have your suit ironed and ready for you when you get out" he said and I nodded taking the steps two at a time.
Once I was showered, dried and in my suit I stepped in front of the mirror. It had been a while since I'd worn this suit, and I had no idea what colour tie to wear. I went for a silver tie, deciding that since I had no idea what colour her dress was going to be, a silver tie was probably the safest bet. Checking my appearance one last time in the mirror, I smiled. That is until Abe came up behind me and smiled
"You scrub up good dad" he said and I smiled a little hesitant all of a sudden
"You sure Abraham you're not just yanking my chain right now?" I asked and he shook his head
"Of course not. You're going to make Jo forget all about that loser and make her feel really special tonight" he said and I nodded. I looked down and checked my pocket watch
"Oh jeez I have to go. I'm picking up Jo in 45 minutes and I still have a stop to make first" I said grabbing the keys to my old 1976 cherry red convertible, that lived in the garage behind the store.
"Have fun dad" I heard Abe call as I made my way down the back stairs into the garage. Getting in the car I started the journey towards Jo's house, stopping on the way to get a bunch of flowers for her and a corsage to put on her wrist, to match the one that Abe had sneakily pinned on to my pocket.
I knocked on Jo's door with five minutes to spare and as I heard her voice call down the hall saying to give her a minute, put the small box with the corsage inside my pocket, and straightened my tie. The bunch of roses and lilies a neat bunch of flowers. I heard the tell-tale signs of footsteps approaching the door before Jo opened it and when she did I felt my jaw drop a little and my breath hitched. She looked beautiful. Her fringe was pulled back off her face but it was wavy just the way I liked it and the dress was breath taking as well. A strapless, sweetheart bodice and free flowing skirt made of chiffon.
"You look beautiful" I said and she blushed a light shade of pink, before she smiled
"You don't scrub up to bad yourself" she stated and I smiled, feeling my own cheeks burn. I looked down slightly embarrassed, this seemed like new territory and I was unsure of what was acceptable or not but after looking down at the flowers I remembered, holding the bunch of flowers out to her
"These are for you" I said and she smiled, taking them and sniffing them.
"Mm, they smell beautiful. Let me put them in a vase and then we can go" she said leaving the door open but waiting for me to follow. When she had the flowers in a vase I pulled out the box with the corsage in it and offered it to her. She looked at me confused, eyebrows raised.
"What is this?" she asked a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips
"Open it" I said and she did. She smiled when she saw the corsage and took it out of the box.
"Help me put it on" she said and I smiled
"Of course" I answered taking it out of the box and putting it on her wrist. She admired it for a couple of minutes before she looked up and blushed again
"I guess we should probably get going" she said and I nodded, holding out my arm and walking with her out of her apartment, waiting for her as she locked the door and then down to the car where I opened the door for her as she got in and waited until she was safely in the seat before heading around the car to the driver's seat. She looked at me as I started the engine and then said
"I didn't know you could drive Henry?" I looked at her and smiled
"Did you assume that I walked everywhere?" I asked and she nodded sheepishly.
"I admit I do walk or take public transport more often than I find myself driving, this is New York after all and traffic can be abysmal but I do like to drive yes" I said and she nodded
"I find I am learning all sorts of things about you, Henry. Every bit more intriguing than the last" she said and I smiled at her.
The car ride was silent, but it wasn't awkward like one might think. I kept on looking over at Jo to make sure she was alright and each time I did she would send a smile my way. When we arrived at the venue, there was a chauffeur and someone waiting to help the women out of the cars, I shook my head and handed the chauffeur the keys before making my way around the car to grab Jo's hand and help her out of the car. She blushed at the gesture but there was also a smile on her face.
"Thank you Henry" she said and I smiled
"You're welcome Jo. Shall we?" I asked holding out my arm for her to grab a hold off. When she took it we made our way down the red carpet that had been rolled down the main entrance. There were a couple of photographers that were taking photos and as we walked in the door they were taking couples photos. So with an arm wrapped around Jo's waist and her turned in towards me, her arm resting on my chest her corsage clearly showing, I smiled at her as she looked at me and we kept eye contact for a couple of seconds too long, causing both of us to blush as we looked away.
"Very nice" the photographer said and we made our way further into the venue. Jo having spotted Lieutenant Reece and her husband, Detective Hanson and his wife and Lucas and his date. She grabbed my hand and pulled me with her toward them.
"There they are" we heard Lieutenant Reece say as we approached the table.
"Sorry we're late but this was kind of a last minute arrangement for the two of us" Jo explained and I nodded.
"No matter, please take your seats" Lieutenant Reece said, we sat down and then she smiled
"Henry, Jo this is my husband. Leon Reece, he's electrician" she said with pride and we smiled
"It's nice to meet you sir" I said and he smiled
"Please call me Leon" he said and I smiled nodding. After that we were introduced to Mike's wife and Lucas's date. Both of them were very nice people. We spent a good half an hour just talking, myself talking to Leon about history and my job as a medical examiner that is until I heard a classical piece of music that had me eager to dance. I excused myself from the conversation and turned to Jo who seemed to have been alerted to the fact that I was about to ask her something.
"Jo would you do me the honour of having this dance with me?" I asked and she nodded, a smile spreading across her lips as she took my outstretched hand.
We danced for what felt like an eternity, I was completely lost in her eyes seeing them filled with happiness as we danced. It was the next slow song that her actions surprised me. She rested her head on my chest and we did a little box dance, completely changing from the dancing that we had been doing together, I was in shock for a couple of seconds before I pulled her in closer and rested my head atop her own. This would be a night I would always remember.
A/N: If you have an idea for a one shot don't hesitate to give it to me :D and please review