Since my oneshot turned out sooooo short I decided to add a follow up.

Title: Smile
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: Diamonds are forever

After helping his wife tuck two tired boys into bed Mike returned to the living room. He found Jo smiling as she looked at the family photos on the fireplace mantel. He stood there by the stairs watching his friend for a moment. It warmed his heart to see Jo smile. He knew this last case had drug up a lot of the past for her a lot of ghosts she wasn't ready to deal with. As Mike watched Jo he couldn't help but think of one of his mother's favorite sayings 'A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.' He knew Jo wasn't bouncing back as fast as she claimed to be. Mike knew her too well. He saw the pain when she thought no one was looking. Jo was one of the strongest people Mike knew. She'd be fine; grief was just a long road.

Life was so fragile. Henry had taken a huge gamble when he instructed Jo to hit the barricade. Mike still had nightmares of that phone call. Of making the wrong decision. Getting to the scene and finding Henry had lost that gamble. Thankfully Morgan had been right once again and Jo had spent a wonderful night with Mike and his family. One more thing he owed Henry for.

"Hey Jo,"Hanson called gaining the police detective's attention. "Let me get my coat and I'll take you home."

"You don't have to."Martinez replied with a shake of her head. "I can get a ride I know your arm is still bothering..."

"Doc cleared me to drive."Mike interjected with a smile waving off her protest. "I just can't do it for very long yet. I'll get your coat and some hot chocolate to go."


Since Jo had taken public transit into work that day she was secretly grateful Mike had offered her the ride home. As enjoyable as playing with the boys had been the temperature had dropped into the teens and the wind had picked up. Jo huddled back into the passenger seat her gloved hands tight around the paper coffee cup. She plucked back the slot cover on the plastic lid and took a long sip of hot chocolate as Mike merged into traffic.

Jo was truly fortunate to have such good friends. Henry had been an invaluable help the last few days helping her say goodbye to Sean. Now tonight with the Hanson family had rejuvenated her. Reminding her of what Sean loved and what the blessings in life were. Jo knew grief was a personal thing. Something that ebbed rather than completely went away. The past few days had been bittersweet. It helped to remind her of the man her husband was and that he'd always be with her.

"Thanks for the snowball fight."Mike stated breaking the silence. "The boys think you're the best person ever."

"It was fun."Jo replied with a laugh. "Though next time we get to drag Henry into it."

"That I want a picture of."Mike agreed with a smile.

"Seriously, tonight was wonderful. Thank you."Jo said as she took another sip of hot chocolate.

"Anytime."Mike replied.


Twenty minutes later Mike dropped Jo off at her townhouse. She waved as after she unlocked the door and stepped into the doorway before closing it. Mike waited for a light to come on before he pulled away and headed back home. Snow was falling once again so he turned his wipers on. As Mike drove his wounded arm started to throb a little. He ignored it shoving it aside. Corny as it was he was lucky and Mike knew much as his kids sometimes drove him nuts he loved them more than anything.

Being a cop you were part of a family. Jo had been one of the people Mike had been partnered with the longest. They'd looked out for each other on the job and off. Then Henry had been put in the mix and there'd been one more member of the family to look after. Mike had been happy to see the M.E. Was looking after Jo when Mike wasn't there. What family was about.

end