Disclaimer: I don't own Eureka, the characters, the Ivy, or anything that goes on in, with, or between said intellectual properties.
The alcohol in Jo's belly was starting to make her warm and light-headed. She knew it was the alcohol, but somehow she felt more optimistic about her and Zane. He was no longer with Zoe, and the Zane she knew would keep her secret. Maybe she could tell him about going back in time and screwing up Eureka. Maybe he could help?
"Jo! There you are. I need your help."
Bright afternoon sun invaded the small bar as Sheriff Carter entered the bar and zeroed right in on her. "Sup, Carter?" she called, almost forgetting to glare.
"There's a situation at GD. They really need you, quick."
"Sure. I'll be on my way as soon as I-" she got up to use the restroom before she had to save the town again, but wobbled and almost tripped had her arms had not been caught and supported by both Carter and Zane.
"Are you okay, Jo?... You're drunk?" It was clear from Carter's voice he was surprised...and disappointed.
"I don't know, Sheriff, I thought I had another 12 hours before the town tried to blow itself up again." She sighed in frustration, ripping her arms away from the two men, and straightening her suit jacket. "But as it happens, yes, I have had some alcohol."
Carter looked back and forth between Zane and Jo. "Jo, what did you ..."
Jo looked at him, her vision clear, at least for the moment. "Nothing, Carter. Just a drink. Give me a lift to GD. I'll be fine by the time we get there."
"If you're sure, Jo," he said hesitantly, but his hurry was evident in the tense lines of his body.
"Want me to drive you car after you?" Zane offered. Jo had forgotten he had been listening.
"No. You've been drinking too," she called over her shoulder as she followed Carter to the door. "Besides, you suck at stick shift."
When the were outside, Carter threw her a worried look. "You sure you're okay for this, Jo?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll let my team handle any necessary firearms."
"No, I meant with Zane. What are you going to tell him?"
"I don't know," she replied, looking down at her hands in her lap. "He has a lot of questions. He's been watching us for a while, and I think he knows something is up. Maybe not how big... but he has an idea."
"We should talk to the others. This has to be a decision we're all in agreement on."
"What about with Grace?"
"Grace was different. We could be sure of her loyalty and her secrecy. With Zane..."
Jo sighed. It was different with Zane, and she hated that it was. "I know. We can't trust Zane the same way we could Grace."
"I'm so sorry Jo. We'll bring it up to the others, of course."
"If it's okay, I'd rather not be the one to tell him." Jo said quietly. She could feel Carter's sympathetic gaze on her, but she needed to get out of her head and start thinking like a soldier. "Enough about Zane. Tell me about what's going on at GD."