Disclaimer: This is my response to the Embraceable You episode…an episode that left me feeling somewhat shortchanged, and quite a bit perplexed…and very ticked off. After ranting and raving and swearing at the TV for a while, I decided to seek anger management by writing my own ending to the episode. This is how I would like to see it played out…if per chance, Tim and Allan are listening.

Either way, I don't own Crossing Jordan, but if I did, Embraceable You sure as would have ended differently. Thank goodness in our fanfiction world it can.

Chapter One

What if I would have taken the ring? What would have happened? We would be friends…for sure. At the very least, he'd still be talking to me…Jordan mulled this over in her mind, as she looked out over the Boston skyline from the roof of the morgue. She had gone up there to think…it was her favorite spot…she could be alone with nothing but her thoughts – which weren't too happy right now.

Woody had tried to give her a friendship ring for her birthday. A ring to be worn on her right hand. "The jeweler said they're all the rage now between male and female friends." But it wasn't a mere friendship ring set with her birthstone, a sapphire, it was a diamond friendship ring.

It was beautiful. It took her breath away.

And there was no way in hell she could accept it. Any other type of ring may be fair game. But diamonds….diamonds are different. They signified a commitment yet to come…one she wasn't sure she was ready to make.

"It's too much, Woody…" she had tried to explain. And it was too much….too much money…she knew it must have cost him several paychecks…and it was too much too soon as far as they're relationship went.

"I know it's a little over the top, but I'm just so tired of this dance we've been doing for the past four years," he had replied, his eyes warily watching her, trying to gauge her response.

"I can't accept it…." she said, putting the ring back in the box and gently placing it in his hand. The hurt in his eyes nearly killed her.

"Okay, then. I guess I have my answer," he replied, slowly pocketing the ring. He turned to leave, but then spun back around on his heel. "I'm tired of chasing you, Jordan. And I won't be doing it anymore." He left, slamming the door behind him.

Which brought her to the reason she was up on the morgue roof right now…trying to sift and sort through her thoughts. When he left her office that day…after they solved the case of the pregnant nun and the baby, he didn't speak to her again. He no longer worked with her. Her personal numbers were blocked from his phones…he also blocked her e-mail.

He wasn't just not chasing her any longer, he was cutting off all contact with her. And she missed him…more than she ever thought she would. When he came to her office that last time…and he said once again that he was tired of chasing her…he didn't let her get a word in edgewise.

Jordan had listened to her heart for once. To her heart, and Nigel…and Joey, the father of nun's baby…who had said the only thing wrong he had done was fall in love with his best friend, before she became a nun. Woody was her best friend. And she knew, that despite the fact she had fought it…tried to hide it…even feared it at times, she loved the man.

But he wouldn't listen to her…he spoke his peace and left her office for the last time. And she hadn't seen or heard from him since. She knew he was hurt…every time she had looked in his eyes, she saw it…the pain. Pain she realized she had caused.

She didn't want them to end like Joey and Meg did – separated forever. He had to understand the real reason why she didn't take the ring. But that wasn't likely to happen with him not even speaking to her.

Sighing and turning away from the skyline, Jordan made her way back downstairs to go to work. Work was really all she had left…and the few friends she had. Woody would have to make the next move…either let her back in his world, or shut her out completely and forever.

Nigel was taking his calls. She may still be doing some of his autopsies, but Nigel was going out in the field with him. Woody was requesting the tall Brit instead of her. The action hurt, but she understood. It would be difficult seeing each other right now. She wasn't sure she could look into his blue eyes without breaking down. So she was grateful for Nige running "interference" between the two of them.

When Jordan had asked Nigel the hypothetical question about what to do if Woody was to offer her a diamond ring, Nigel's eyebrows had shot up into his hairline, and he replied, "I think he's trying to tell you something…and I think, hypothetically, it's time for you to step up to the plate, love." But she hadn't. Instead she flinched that time. She had still been running scared.

She still was scared…but the loss of Woody in her life made her realize that if the opportunity ever arose again in her life, she would have to swallow her fears and step up to the plate. After all, it is Woody….and Woody would never hurt me…would he?

Ah. That was the question. Hurt. The pain of separation. It had occurred too many times in her life. Her mother. James. Now her father was gone and she had no idea when or if he would return. Seemingly everyone that held her heart…or at least parts of it … left her alone. She had survived the abandonment so far.

She wasn't sure she could if Woody left her. Her heart was too deeply engaged. One part of her said to keep him away…don't fall in love with him. That way, if he did leave, it wouldn't hurt.

Another part of her loved him so completely she couldn't express it. And all that was remaining of that emotion was a bunch of tangled what if questions…What if I would have had the courage to take the ring…what if he would have just listened to me that last time…what if we could have worked something out…what if, what if what if….

Jordan wasn't sure if she would ever have the answers.