Chapter 1

"Jo, you want to come?" Zoe asked.

"No, no you two go ahead I'll see you tomorrow" Jo said kind of disappointed. She felt pretty uncomfortable when Zoe asked her to go out with her and her supposed boyfriend, whom she kissed just a few minutes ago.

Jo practically ran out of the Sheriff's office. She felt sick by the idea of what could have happened if Zoe had come earlier and caught them kissing in the office. Jo -her best friend- kissing her boyfriend. She would hate her to death. When Jo closed the door behind her she stood silent and confused on the sidewalk. She had no idea what to think about the mess she was in because of this stupid kiss. 'How could he just kiss me?' – Jo thought 'and why did I let him. Why did I kiss him back? What's wrong with me, this was so stupid!' Jo was kind of glad that Zoe dropped by so she didn't have to answer Zane's question about what had been had happened between them. She knew how stubborn Zane could be when he really wanted something especially hearing the truth of what was happening or made her sad. 'How could I just loose myself in this situation? I have to be strong. I need to resist him even though … even though he smells so good, even though his blue eyes catch my view, even though his hands touch my cheek, even though he leans closer to me, …' Jo was totally confused. She knew that she had to be strong, but was she able to handle that after they kissed? She knew exactly what she missed and kissing him felt so incredibly good. She needed to resist him even though all she wanted, was to just be with him, to just tell him and get him back. She missed being with him so much. The pain grew inside of her and she felt so sick that she might break down. She definitely needed to leave before Zane and Zoe came out of the office. One of the last things she wanted was him to see her sad or even see her crying because of him. She's supposed to be the pain in the ass, the tough girl in this alternate timeline.

Right after deciding to leave, the door to Carter's office opened. 'Too late' Jo thought. The couple came out and Jo stepped off to the side. She caught sight of Zoe hanging on Zane's arm smiling at him happily like Jo always did when she was with him.

"Oh no" Jo whispered feeling a huge pain in her side.

"Oh! Jo, did you change your mind and want to come celebrate with us?" Zoe asked.

"No, no. Sorry. You two go ahead. I need to get back to GD." Jo replied, looking at the ground so she had not to stare at them being so happy together. Jo turned around and was just about to leave when Zane stopped her. "Jo! Wait." He yelled after her. Jo stopped walking and turned around when she saw Zoe looking confused at Zane. He actually had no idea what to do next but he knew that he could never let her leave like this. He knew that there was something between them and he needed to figure out what it was. She shouldn't leave on her own being sad because of anything he had done – he thought.

"Ehm, … Jo, could you give me a ride?" Zane asked unsure.

"What?" Jo could see an angry and very surprised look in Zoe's face. "I thought we were going to go out celebrating?"

"I am sorry, Zoe. I have a lot of things to do at GD and … a lot of stuff needs to be done in the lab and I couldn't do anything since yesterday because of spending my time in jail. Sorry. Maybe another time. Ok?" Zane turned back towards Jo. Zoe looked over to Jo who shared her confused look. Both were unsure and had no idea what was going on or what to think about that.

"So, Jo. How about the ride? Back to GD!" Zane asked again taking a closer step to Jo. She felt too uncomfortable to say anything intelligible.

"I .. am … sorry Zane but I …"

"You what? You said you would drive back to GD to do some paper work or whatever it was and I don't have my car because Carter picked me up, disturbing our last conversation, because he needed me for some questionings which ended up in jail, so … I guess one ride should be the last problem any of you guys would have. So please, can I come with you, Jo-jo?" Zane tried to catch her view but she avoided it. Looking down to earth Jo didn't know what to respond.

"Jo?"

"OK then, … hurry up I have to go."

"Great thanks." Zane said. He turned around to Zoe for a last "See you. Bye." Before Zoe could say anything he had turned around and went over to Jo's car.

Zoe was left by Zane in front of the office. She stood there alone and all he said to here was 'See you later?' Nice – she though. Very kind. She was pretty pissed and needed to have a walk around Eureka to think about that? 'How could he be so rude?" – she thought.

Jo and Zane walked over to her car. She looked the ground the whole time and felt sick about the idea of having him in her car right after their kiss. She knew that he was going to talk about it and she couldn't escape him in the car while driving. 'I just need to avoid any conversation he'll try to start. What the hell does he want from me? He has Zoe. Why is he doing this? He doesn't even love me. Or? No he doesn't. He is with Zoe. But leaving her like this isn't really nice and not boyfriend material.' Jo thought. She opened her car door, sat down and started the engine. About a minute later the inevitable happened. He tried to start a conversation about what had happened.

"Thanks, Jo-jo. For the – I mean." Zane said adding "And for the kiss. It was awesome, wasn't it?" Jo was shocked. She didn't answer him. She didn't want him to ask any more questions so she decided avoiding this conversation with the hope of having a silent ride for the rest.

"OK, was it that bad? I mean … am I that bad in kissing, because I really enjoyed it." Zane said still trying to keep up a conversation. "You know that I am not going to be quiet, Jo-jo. You know I'll get on your nerves until you'll tell me what happened and especially what we meant to each other."

Jo still avoided talking to him. She didn't nod, she didn't look at him and she didn't talk to him. She just hoped he would stop talking to her but she knew exactly that he wouldn't because it was typically Zane. Even her Zane begged her and pushed her forward if he wanted something really badly. He is too similar to the Zane she knew and he always got the truth out of her. He always did. And hell, she missed arguing and fighting with him about this habit.

"So, this kiss … I mean c'mon I am not stupid. It definitely didn't feel like the first one. OK, you know what, I'll tell you something. I'll tell you what I think about all of this. First of all you came up to me on Founder's Day telling me you would marry me and … to be honest, I just thought you were crazy. I thought it was just a bad joke of yours and you needed an excuse to taze me again. But everything makes sense now. You had my grandmother's engagement ring, you wanted to marry me and you weren't even shocked when I kissed you – besides you knew exactly how to respond it." Jo had never felt so uncomfortable. He knew – she thought. For the first time she had no idea what to do or how to escape without shooting him. She lost the colour in her face and could feel the pain inside of her growing more and more. Noting this Zane didn't stop talking about it "You've changed since Founder's Day. You are friendly and even kind of funny. You are able to laugh which I would have never expected. I mean, you were always bitchy, serious and the hell of opposite of being friendly. So, …" Zane looked over to Jo "C'mon Jo-jo. Just tell me about it. May you'll feel better than? You can trust me. I promise you. I don't want to lose this version of you Jo. I would never do anything to hurt you."

Jo kept avoiding him even it was really hard for her.

"Well then…" Zane leaned back in the seat " I won't get out of here until you'll tell me."

Jo cleared her throat "You know I could get you out of here with one or maybe two moves."

"I know, but you won't. You like me too damn much to hurt me."

"You sure?"

"Surprisingly I am. The way you kissed me and the way you looked at me make me pretty sure about that!"

Zane was so right – Jo thought. She would never hurt him in any way. She cared too much and still loved him. This Zane might still be an annoying jackass like her Zane was when he arrived in Eureka but besides that he was still the same person and she loved him no matter what.

Zane began to feel comfortable in her car. "OK then, … just drive. I can wait. I have plenty of time. And it is pretty comfortable in here. So no need to hurry." He said leaning more back in the seat.

Although she was pretty pissed, Jo had to smirk at that. He was definitely like her Zane – she thought. Annoying as hell. Typically – she thought.

"What are you laughing about?" Zane tried to start a conversation again when he caught her smiling.

"Nothing." Jo tried to be serious again.

"Well, laughing is not a crime, Jo-jo. Don't be that boring … ehm … serious I mean. I know you think that this awkward situation and maybe my behaviors is funny so c'mon just let it out. There's no need to be serious all the time. No one's around besides me right now and if I would tell anyone you laughed while driving with me in one car no one would ever believe me. About you being able to laugh or us driving in one car together. Just laugh at me if you want. I won't blame you for this." Jo couldn't stop herself and started laughing.

God, how much she missed these weird situations with Zane. All these funny moments. He was everything she ever wanted but she had no idea if she could go back to that with this Zane. She hoped so much she could trust him but as long as she wasn't 100% sure about it she couldn't. She was not the only one at risk. There were still Carter, Allison, Fargo, Henry, Grace and even Grant she would be risking. Maybe he was the same Zane she knew … but how could she be sure about that?

They arrived on GD's parking area but Zane made no sign of moving out of her car. Both sat there in silence. No talking, no smiling, no looking at each other.

"So, will it go on like this? Us sitting here without sharing a word or anything?" Zane asked.

"Zane, what do you expect me to do? I told you everything's fine and nothing happened."

"Yes, but I don't believe you. I will find out what happened and you know that. I can do it without your help."

"Zane, …" Jo knew she's not allowed to tell him but he seemed to really like her. He said it. And she knew he would find out on his own sooner or later.

"Jo-jo." Zane leaned over to her and took her right hand in his. "I know that we meant something to each other. I mean … I even asked you to marry me. We were engaged. So please stop lying at me." He tried to catch her eye but she avoided it and turned her head to the left. Tears formed behind her eyes and the last thing she needed now was Zane seeing her crying. She opened the door and left the car.

"Fine. If you want to stay here go ahead. I have work to do." She said while leaving him. He left the car too, ran after her and grabbed her arm. He turned her around and held her head in his hands about to kiss her but stopped when he saw her watering eyes. A lonely tear ran down her face and this was the first time both watched each other in silence. A second tear left her eye. For Jo it felt like hours, standing there, crying in front of him, but he didn't leave her. He could have left her when he saw her crying, if he just tried to play with her but he didn't. He watched her. He just stood there and watched her. Minutes later, which felt like hours for both of them, Zane broke the silence.

"Jo, …" he dried her tears, pulled down her hair tie and smoothed through her hair. "I really want you to have faith in me. I won't let you go now that I have at least a chance to be with you, which I never expected after your behavior in front of me. I tried to get you since I arrived here and you tazered me whenever you could and threw me in jail. Now that you … kind of changed I won't let you go that easily. And I know that there had been something between us. What did this other Zane do that you could have faith in him? What have I done wrong?"

"Zane … I can't." Jo turned around and tried to leave but Zane grabbed her arm again, turned her around and kissed her just like he had done a short time ago in the sheriff's office. Jo was tired of fighting him and let this kiss just happen. It just felt too good to fight it again. She knew that they were supposed to be together and she needed him in her life. She couldn't live without him. She knew that. He deepened the kiss and held her tight. His hands wandered from her head down to her back so that he could push her more to him. Jo enjoyed this too much to end it. When both needed to get some air they breathed heavily and looked in each others eyes.

"So, … was it that bad?" Zane smirked still holding her in his arms.

She smiled back at him "No. definitely not, but …"

"Psssst …" Zane put her finger on her mouth to shut her up "I won't push you or beg you to tell me anything about what happened. Maybe you'll tell me one day if you are ready. Right now all I want is to have the chance to be with you." Zane looked deeply into Jo's dark brown eyes. The most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.

"OK" Jo responded.

"I am not good at this relationship stuff, but I'll try to be, if you let me." Zane asked her when she pushed him away.

"What about Zoe?" She had totally lost her mind by kissing him and forgot that he is with Zoe.

"What about Zoe?" Zane asked trying to get nearer to Jo again.

"I mean, you're with her." He saw the sadness in her eyes again when she tried to push him from her.

"Zoe and I are not together, Jo. We're friends and we have fun hanging out with each other, but I do not love her. My feelings for her are way different than they are for you."

"But she has feelings for you and I am not going to hurt her."

"I'll talk to her, OK?"

"No, we can't do this to her Zane. I am sorry." Jo turned around and ran to the next door leaving Zane behind.