A Sort of Prologue
Chapter One: Good Morning Sunshine
Rating: PG (as of now)
Word Count: 623
Disclaimer: I own Crossing Jordan. Um, right. That was a lie. I don't own anything. Except my own insanity. I can't even claim to own DVDs for Crossing Jordan. Though I am hoping to soon.
Summary: An glimpse of what could have been.
Pairing: Woody/Jordan
Author's Note: Ok, I know I haven't updated Soulless. In my defense, this is an old story that was supposed to be more (could be more someday but don't hold your breath) that I've had sitting around and tonight decided to clean up and post. This is just short and sweet (too sweet?) as it was just setting ground work for a massively involved AU/Crossover that I haven't started.

Good Morning Sunshine

He woke up smiling, the fragrance of her hair tickling his nose. He refused to open his eyes, to let daylight and reality come in. He wrapped his arm tighter around her waist, unwilling to let her go.

He knew she'd leave. She'd probably panic and run the minute her eyes opened. It wasn't like he hadn't been warned—by the department, by Max, by almost anyone who knew her. She had a reputation. She was more than that, better than she gave herself credit for, and he'd always believed that. It was just hard to believe this moment would last. She hadn't wanted more than a kiss from him, just friendship, but one for the road had become two, then three...

This was more than a kiss, but less than a commitment. He loved her, probably always would, but the most he could say for certain about her feelings was that she liked him. He groaned softly and kissed her neck. This might be all he had. He was going to enjoy this, commit every detail to memory.

"You're awake," she whispered.

He debated denying it. Maybe he'd get a few more minutes. But she turned around in his arms and kissed him full on the mouth. His eyes opened, and his arms tightened around her.

"You don't worry about morning breath?" he asked, curious and yet trying to avoid the elephant in the room. Don't make me go, Jordan. Please. Let me stay. Let me stay forever.

She laughed. "Well, it's never really been an issue before now."

He frowned. "So, it's bad?"

She shook her head, smiling. "No, most men have seen the door by now."

"You overslept today?" he teased, trying to keep the mood light even though he dreaded what was to come. Here it comes, the "you should go" line.

"Oh, Farm Boy," she began, but he could tell he'd said the wrong thing. She was close to crying, as close as Jordan would let herself be.

"Hey," he said, touching her face. "I'm sorry, Jordan."

"Why?"

"For whatever I did. I just—I didn't want you to tell me to go. I know you didn't want to take things this far... I don't regret last night. I wish you didn't—wish every night could be like last night. I love you, Jordan. I—"

She put a finger to his lips. "You've been listening to too many rumors, Woody. You're so simple and sweet... I was trying to tell you—maybe I was too subtle—that you were different."

He looked at her, confused. She'd thrown him for a loop. She rolled her eyes. "I don't want you to go, Woody. I...I am kind of frightened by all this, but... Hell, why don't we change our layover in Kansas to one in Vegas?"

He blinked. A few minutes ago, he'd been afraid of her kicking him out, and now... "Did you just propose?"

"Ahha. Now who's afraid of commitment?"

"And if I call your bluff, Jordan?"

She looked directly into his eyes. "Double or nothing."

It wasn't the most romantic proposal in the world, wasn't the traditional one with flowers and dinner and a ring that he'd always planned on making, but Jordan wasn't that type of girl. This damaged, emotionally fragile woman had offered herself to him. He wasn't about to walk away from that. "We're not getting married by Elvis. Or a new age...whatever. Or... I don't even know why I'm protesting. I love you. I'll take you anyway I can."

"I've always wanted to get married by Elvis..." Jordan said wistfully.

Knowing she was teasing him, he shook his head and kissed her.

"Uh, Woody, do me a favor? Brush your teeth."