Soooo, when I posted this in my mind is was complete. But after I kept getting ideas for how to continue the story for myself. Also got a few requests to continue so here is the next chapter. This won't be long, probably just one more chapter or to. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. You all made feel like ten feet tall. Seriously. J

Joss began to stir. Legs stretching, her arms snuggled to her pillow and to a warm body. Her eyes flew open and she turned her head. Her heart twisted. John was sound asleep. Head tilted downward, lashes resting against his skin. His hand resting on her back. She smiled up at him.

He was handsome. He really was. It was nice to be able to admit it. Carefully Joss eased up causing his hand to slide off her back. Joss tucked her feet beneath her thighs, relieved her headache was gone. A yawn escaped her as she leaned her back against the couch turning attention back on John. As badly as she wanted to wake him and look into those baby blue eyes, she knew it was better for him, to let him get some rest. For now she settled for watching him sleep. His chest rising and falling.

His neck no doubt would be sore when he awoke, due to the way his head was hanging. Maybe she'd have to give him a massage after he woke, she thought with a lift of her mouth.

She wasn't sure how long she watched him, but something unsettled his sleep and his head shifted. His hand moved as if searching and she realized he was looking for her. His eyes opened reluctantly. She saw the temporary moment of disappointment when he saw his lap only held the pillow.

"I'm right here John." His gaze lifted and his eyes lit. "I wanted to be here when you woke up."

He stifled a yawn. "Do you feel better?"

She nodded. "Yes." Joss ran a hand down her thigh, feeling slightly nervous. She didn't need to lose her nerve. "Thanks for staying with me."

"I wanted to. You know you're-"

"Not alone?" she finished with a smile which he returned.

He ran a hand down his face. "Carter, do you mind if I use your restroom?"

"Be my guest. I would point it out to you, but I'm sure you already know the way." She said with a knowing smirk. He stood walking off, Joss watching. She blew out a breath realizing she'd have to be patient a little longer. He woke up guarded. He expected the walls and barriers to be back in place. Well she still planned to surprise him. Tucking her hair behind one ear she jumped up going to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee.

She poured them each a cup and padded back into the room. John had returned and was sitting in the same spot. "Coffee?"

"Thanks Carter." She handed his cup slightly annoyed by how he addressed her. She couldn't tell if he was calling her Carter just out of habit or if it was a verbal reminder for him to keep the distance between them. If the latter it was time to end this.

She sat down, sitting closer than necessary. "It meant a lot that you stayed with me."

He swallowed a drink. "You don't have to thank me. I wanted to be here. It's the least I could do. It's been a hard enough recovery for you. You did take a bullet that was meant for me."

She heard the roughness in his voice. Her hand seized his pulling it to her lap. "Are you saying you stayed with me out of guilt?" She challenged.

His focus became temporarily glued to the hand that was wrapped in hers. This was the first time she initiated a touch. After a moment he came to himself. "You know that's not what I meant."

She nodded and lifted his hand to kiss his knuckles. He visibly swallowed. Those blue eyes twinkled with hope. Inwardly she glowed with pride. She had actually made John nervous. "I know it isn't John." Joss placed her cup on the coffee table. "So, what should I wear on our first date?"

His brow slightly furrowed, and he held a breath. "Date?"

"Yes! You didn't think I'd let you just keep kissing up on me whenever you feel like it without ever taking me out. Please. This is me you're talking to John. I'm not going down like that. No matter how good you look." She threw him a smirk.

His eyes were serious. Doubting her words. She had surprised him. Really surprised him. He wanted this more than she realized. The look he was giving her was proof of it. Joss felt like she held his life in her hand. What was it that made her special or different from the hundreds of women he had met? What caused him to want her? A cop with a chip on her shoulder?

Finally a smile stretched across his face. A real smile, that took Joss's breath away. It really ought to be illegal to look that good, she thought. She lifted her brow. "Well? What should I wear?"

This time he actually thought, looking away. He frowned thinking and Joss mentally ran through the different stores to visit in search of the perfect dress.

"Something comfortable."

That snapped her from her musing. "What?"

"Maybe jeans and a jacket?"

She stared at him trying not to be disappointed. Jeans and a jacket? "A-are you sure?"

His eyes lit with confidence. "Yes."

"Ok. Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he replied his normal smug attitude returning. Joss's curiosity was peaked, but she knew interrogating John would get her nowhere. He pulled out his phone realizing he had missed a few calls. "I need to go." He said nodding towards his hand which she hadn't let go. She relaxed her hold, but he tightened his grip, drawing lazy circles on the top of her hand. "Joss does this mean I have to wait until after our date before I can kiss you again?"

She blushed pretending to actually think. "Hmm. For you I guess I can make an exception." He leaned for and placed a lingering kiss on her mouth. Her finger tips graced his jaw holding him for a moment longer when he intended to pull away.

He looked into her eyes. "I'll call you."

Joss smiled caressing his face. "I'll answer."