Surrender Will Win the Fight

Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Summary: What if Jo's life wasn't always black and white- even before Zane and before Eureka? What if something- or someone- helped to color Jo's life long before she ever set foot in Eureka, Oregon? When they first meet, Jo Lupo is an Army brat growing up going from base to base with her family, and Fi Phillips is a girl living her life on her mom's tour bus, driving from gig to gig. The two become fast friends, and keep in touch, before losing contact after Jo comes to Eureka. But when Fi comes in search of her old childhood friend, she awakens something long buried within the town.

May, 1983

"What's her name, Mama?"

The three little boys crowded around, trying to get a good look at their baby sister. Their mother smiled at her sons, before turning her gaze back to the raven-haired baby in her arms.

"Boys, meet your baby sister, Josefina. Josefina Cara Margaret Lupo."

The oldest boy looked up at his mother, confused. "Josefina?" Her mother nodded. He seemed to think a moment, before turning his attention back to the baby. "Joey."

Their parents shared amused looks.

"No, Davie. Josie. Not Joey, Josie." The boys shared confused looks, before mutually shaking their heads.

"Joey." Nick cried in agreement.

The youngest boy- three-year-old Alex- leaned over the baby and stuck his tongue out at her. "Joey!" Sighing, the Colonel pressed a kiss to his wife's hair.

"You know they think they're going to win, right Beck?" He asked softly. She nodded.

"I know. But I finally have my little girl." She turned her gaze back to her daughter as her sons rushed to play. "Just as long as she never answers to Jo, I'll be happy."

June, 1995

"Give that back!"

"You'll have to catch me first, Joey!"

The twelve-year-old threw down her glove and stomped after her older brother, determination on her face. He laughed, holding the ball just out of reach, before turning and throwing it towards his brother. Then, he took off running, an attempt to take the ball before his sister could get her hands on it.

The boy dodged the girl making their way towards them, but his sister didn't. Before she could stop herself, she slammed into the girl, throwing them both to the ground. The raven-head was the first to stand, holding her head.

"Ow! Watch where you're going!"

"Why don't you watch where you're going?" The girl snapped, climbing to her feet. An older boy soon joined the younger girl, and pretty soon, she could feel her brother's closing in to make sure she was all right.

"Are you okay, Joey?"

" You aren't hurt are you?"

"If Dad finds out that we let you get hurt, we're all toast."

"I'm fine!" She cried, attempting to move away from her brothers. Instead, she turned to the girl she'd collided with. "Sorry. I didn't see you. Are you okay?" It was then that she realized that the girl was younger than she was. The girl nodded.

"I'm okay. You just have a hard head. I'm Fi." She held out her hand, waiting. After a moment, the other girl took her hand.

"Joey." A blush of embarrassment covered the twelve-year-old's face, and she ducked her head, pulling away. Fi noticed the embarrassment and wrinkled her nose.

"Joey? They call you Joey?" A nod before,

"That's what I get for being the baby of the family, with three brothers. A boy's name for a nickname."

After a moment, Fi cocked her head to the side. "What's your real name?" They stood alone now; Jack and the three boys had become engaged in a game of catch, and left the girls within their sights.

"Josefina Lupo." She replied. "Yours?"

"Fiona Phillips."

"But they call you Fi instead?" The girl nodded.

"Yeah." She thought a minute, before saying, "Why don't you go by something else? Like Josie?"

"Because Josie's girly. I'm not girly."

"Then how about... Jo instead?"

Fi waited, as the older girl seemed to ponder the new nickname. Eventually, she smiled.

"Jo... I like it."