Affected

By rese

Summary: Change makes waves and Jo is caught in the rip.

Disclaimer: Louisa M. Alcott owns the Little Women jazz.

…

They ushered themselves into the cold front room still smiling at Mr. Brooke's surprising joke. Laurie bent to brush the snow off Jo's coat while she gently removed everyone's scarves.

"What a night! Wasn't Amy just perfect on the piano?" Jo gushed when she saw Laurie 'making those eyes'. He smiled to himself and took off his hat and in a change of gravity winked at Jo with brotherly affection for the topic. "Certainly she was, but nobody could think anything less of our littlest." And with that paternal tone he clutched his chest "surely she won't be a growin' up and leavin' will she?" he mimicked Jo's question from earlier that evening. Jo blushed and looked down – anywhere but at that knowing face. "Well you know I hate to see a family all 'broked up'."

Laurie's face turned instantly serious and just as quickly flicked back when Jo looked up, "Thank you for visiting us this weekend Teddy, Amy would've been desolate without you and it always does Marmee's heart good to hear and see you out of trouble." Laurie laughed at that last addition and waved over to the motherly soul who had finally entered the house after helping her husband up the three small steps that prevented any such quick movements on his own behalf. Mrs. March smiled back at the boy who was becoming more and more a man, at least in terms of height.

"But what about my girl? Didn't she miss her boy?" Laurie asked returning to their conversation once Jo had removed the new-comers' winter cover-ups. She grinned at him, "For sure!" and patted his jacket collar which had somehow turned up. If Jo had met the tall boy's gaze she would've had a tough time trying to look away, but as it was she safely bent to undo her laces, catching her mother's warning look as the rest of the family moved to the sitting room to greet Beth.

Once finished with her boots she turned to find Laurie still waiting patiently for her. Jo raised her brow and Laurie unwisely remained pensive, an expression he had determined to hide from her previously in fear of her evasive temper. "Jo –" he was stopped as she rushed pass him mumbling about Beth and the warm fireplace.

"I'll have my say yet Jo March. You can't escape what fate has decided." He spoke softly after she entered the crowded room. Laurie had learnt a great deal of patience over his twenty or so years and was quite willing to put it to full use when it came to the particular subject of Josephine March.

…

Jo was quite happy to have Amy's admirers gone. Laurie had spent too much of his time plaguing her and ignoring the rest of the family and from her youngest sister's look, Jo knew he'd been missed.

She lay in her bed and shut her eyes at the memory of his looks that evening; he was becoming far too attentive. Amy clearly reveled in his praise and small flirts and Jo wished he would focus this newer trick of his onto her sister. Then they could all be happy, for she was becoming more and more certain that she was hurting his feelings by ignoring him. But it was all for the best.

Yes, Jo reassured herself, all for the best.

…

"I'm not ready." Jo called over her shoulder, struggling to do the apron ties. Why they didn't make bows for the front where she could see them, Jo didn't know. Luckily two large hands with long, warm fingers took the strings from Jo's and tied a nice, secure bow for her.

"Thank you," she cringed, knowing as she turned she'd be facing Laurie. His helpfulness and complete warmth was not helping her firm and decided position at all. Jo had to stop his silliness before it was beyond her own sudden fluttering heart.

He was so much closer than she expected and Jo assured herself that her quickening heart was only so due to his warm breath. Yes, it was cold and she just needed some heat. But when Jo looked up into Laurie's frightfully steady gaze she was abruptly too warm.

"Are you hot or cold?" Jo's unexpected question made him blink and he gave a puzzled look. "Uh," he began but as recently normal, Jo had breezed by without two proper words of apology and was out in the snow without his answer.

She determined it was too hot.

…

"Jo. Jo!" Laurie caught her arm and anchored his friend to his side. "Didn't you hear me?" she looked about nervously and answered negatively, praying that he'd stop touching her quickly for she was loosing feeling fast. Maybe he was holding too tightly.

Laurie steered her into an empty sitting room and discreetly made certain they would be quite alone. He fiddled with his gloves, smiling at the knowledge that Jo must've been just as uncomfortable in her party clothes. "Jo, I need to talk to you about something."

"Oh no," she tried to stop him, her distress evident. He looked at her queerly for a bit before kneeling by her chair. "Here it comes," she thought as his face hovered by hers. Laurie was going to say something regrettable and she would be stuck playing the horrid part. Oh why did he have to do it now, in a stranger's house?

"It won't take a moment. Jo dear," his hands rested on hers, "would you mind if I seriously… ah," he cleared his throat, uncomfortable with his words. "Would it be horrible of me move to New York?"