Disclaimer: Only for entertainment purposes.
A/N: Happy 2017 everyone :) I hope that the holidays were wonderful and safe for all of you. So basically this is just a goofy multichap that I keep telling myself will be short but there's a reason why I pretty much stopped trying to give myself word limits. My muse likes to be cute and have me putting more than I expected. Anyways, I titled it this because DegenerateStar already posted a wonderful story with a similar title that I had marked this story as while working on it and I didn't want to be rude by having the exact same title :) Story of my life for being a super slow slowpokeXD But yeah, I hope that this can be fun for everyone too. Enjoy :)
Chapter 1 - R
Joss was hard at work trying to look over video footage of a crosswalk for her latest case when the beep from her phone caught her attention. Pausing the footage, she reached over and saw in her notifications that she got a new message. After unlocking her phone, she brought it up but scrunched her eyes in confusion at the subject line that simply read Game? With the sender being from a familiar unknown number.
The thing that caught Joss's attention was the single letter that was the message itself. As the R stared back at her, she decided to give her boyfriend a call and see what he was up to. "Fusco, can you cover me really quick? I gotta give John a call."
He looked up from his case files then removed his reading glasses. "Sure Carter and tell wonderboy I said hi." Although he had been reluctant to accept the idea of them getting together, Lionel warmed up to it because, after a few months of being Joss's partner, he realized that she showed some feelings too. Lionel saw the shared looks between them and knew something was up and wondered if he should tell them about the bet he made with Shaw on how long they'd take to get together.
Joss moved to get out of her chair with the phone in hand and head towards a back room so she could have some privacy. She nodded her head in acknowledgment at fellow officers she passed along the way, some in the holiday spirit with Santa hats and decorations covering the precinct walls. Christmas day was only 12 days away but Joss paid no mind as she saved herself the stress of shopping by doing it early and getting gifts for all her friends. They were already wrapped in festive paper and hidden away in her hallway closet.
After leaving behind her colleagues, Joss reached a rundown door. Captain Moreno made plans for this room to be turned into a proper interrogation room but for now, Joss would use it to hide from any prying eyes except for their trusting Machine friend. She was still having a hard time believing that Harold built such a thing but it was also a comfort knowing that there was something so powerful that wanted to protect people too.
Scrolling through her short list of contacts, Joss patched the call through before putting the phone up to her ear. It rang once before John picked up. "I'm surprised that you called so quickly Joss." John's voice was a soft purr, meant to send a rush of heat through Joss's body each time she heard it.
This time was no different as she shifted her stance, hoping to alleviate said heat before bringing up the reason for her call. "Very funny John. I got the message but what's it for?"
"Well, I thought that since you were bugging me about your Christmas present…"
"I wasn't bugging, I was merely asking" Joss interrupted.
She was met by John's chuckle. "As I said, bugging me, I thought that I'd give you a chance to figure it out through a game. There are only a few days until Christmas and it's just the right amount of the word that I have for you. Here are the rules. Every day I'll send you a letter in a different way and all you have to do is unscramble it."
Joss was confused once John explained everything. She was apprehensive to believe that it'd be too simple. "That's it?"
"That's it" he reassured. "I'm giving you a chance to know what your gift is in advance without actually telling you. Have fun."
"Oh, joy. Maybe I'll get the answer out of you tonight when you come home" she teased, dropping her voice to a sultry tone.
"I doubt that Joss. I have a high pain threshold after all." Now they both laughed.
"That's what makes it all the more fun. I should get back to my desk. Fusco's covering for me. You don't need my help with anything?"
"Not at all my love. I have everything under control." Hearing the term of endearment caused Joss's heart to flutter. She remembered how long it took him to say those three little words. It was just another day as they spent time in her kitchen making dinner. She had her back to him when he embraced her from behind and whispered the words in her ear. Suffice it to say that dinner was delayed by an hour as they each showed each other the love that they felt.
"Okay. Please be careful John."
"Don't I always? I'll see you later." The phone call ended and Joss took a second to look at the message he sent. Remembering the rules stated, she decided to wait until she had gotten a few more letters before even attempting to try and decipher the message.
Joss got into Detective mode again before exiting the room and heading back to her desk. "So what did he want?" Lionel asked when he saw her.
"Nothing" she responded simply before retaking her seat and getting back to work.