Disclaimer: Anything familiar doesn't belong to me although I wish it did.
Pre A/N: Okay, so I guess this was sort of expected. I apologized to my muse profusely because of course she yelled at me, questioning how could I not do a chapter with the roles reverse. Of course as a sincere apology, I'm give her and all of my lovely readers this second chapter. I promise there won't be any more for this story. My apologies in advance for any mistakes that you catch. That's why it's nice for the website to allow you to update the chapter fixed up for that very reason. So if you catch anything, go ahead and let me know and I'll fix it no problem :) Much love to all of the people that left reviews on the last chapter as well since the site did have another hiccup with reviews disappearing. Thankfully they have come back and they are always greatly appreciated. Okay, enough with rambling. Enjoy my friends :)
Chapter 2 - John
John felt miserable. Even the reassurance from Harold that he and Shaw had the numbers covered didn't ease the irritation over his current plight. Trying to get some rest proved to be difficult as his inner alarm clock demanded that he wake up, even if all he wanted to do was sleep the cold away. John made a note to ask Finch to send him to a doctor so that he could find a way to strength his immune system in the future. "Damn cold" he grumbled behind his closed lids.
Out of nowhere, a sweet and familiar voice spoke to him. "Aww c'mon John. It's not that bad."
His body stiffened as he slowly eased the arm that was keeping the sun from his eyes. There, in the glow of the morning light, was a vision that he swore was only a dream. Joss was sitting on his bed with a soft, sweet smile on her face. "At least my dreams are something I can admire."
"Dreams?" Joss questioned, tilting her head before reaching over to dab a wet cloth on his forehead.
John closed his eyes momentarily to enjoy the relief that the cool rag brought him. "That's what this is Joss, a dream induced by my illness. I haven't been sick in ages so it's hitting me pretty hard."
Joss nodded in understanding before pulling away. "That makes sense. It's probably why I asked Harold for your address when he told me you were indisposed today." John groaned as he slowly eased his tired body to a sitting position. "Hey, take it easy" Joss advised gently before putting her hands on his forearms to help him.
He took a good long look at her and realized something. "You're really here, aren't you?" Joss bit back a laugh before nodding her head. John slowly reached to take her hand. "Why Joss? Surely you've got something better to do."
She turned her head, not wanting John to see the blush on her face. "I uh wanted to return the favor, you know, for what you did for me when I was sick." Her gaze soon returned to him. "Although I'm still a little mad that you left me to sleep."
Now it suddenly made sense to John. "You needed the rest Joss" He explained, his lip twitching to smile at the memory of seeing her look so vulnerable and sweet as she slept. Soon a smell reached his stuffy nose and he sniffed appreciatively. John stomach then growled almost as if to remind him that he had refused any food thanks to the lingering churning feeling from lunch the day before. "That smells really good."
Joss smiled as she remembered what he had been doing in her kitchen after she found him. "Well I'm not exactly as good of a cook as you but I know this really good place that makes quite the chicken soup. I picked some up for you while on my way over here." She raised her hand to stop what he was about to say. "And don't tell me I didn't have to. You're going to be hungry, believe me." Joss used her hands to help stand up. "Just relax here; I'll bring it to you. You have quite the kitchen by the way John." She threw out there before disappearing behind the wall.
"Well thank Harold for all of this since this was his gift for my birthday" John explained loud enough for her to hear as he readjusted himself on the bed. He felt heavily under dressed, only sleeping in a pair of boxer briefs the night before because the fever he was running making it too hot to wear a shirt. John's ears caught the sound of cabinet doors opening and the clinking of dishes. John wondered how long it'd take Joss to find what she needed because he had the same problem when he first moved in. It had been years since he had a real home to call his own because of all the moving he did in the CIA and on the streets. John remembered how long it took to get readjusted to having four walls surrounding him that didn't harbor any potential threats around their corners and only served to shelter him from the harsh elements. He still wasn't sure he deserved it for all the evil deeds he committed, orders or not.
With a lowered head, John failed to notice Joss return with a large tray. She stopped in her tracks, noting the sad look on John's face. She shook her head in disbelief. The man was always brooding about something and kept to himself. Joss called out to him softly, grabbing his attention. She noticed his face brightened at the sight of the food as she stepped closer to lay the tray over his lap. "I also got you some orange juice from the supermarket. I have to say that your fridge isn't that impressive either." Joss joked before taking her seat beside him again once.
"In my defense, I'm usually out most of the day following the number so the local fast food joint will get my business more often than not." Picking up the spoon, John dipped it into the soup and brought it to his mouth. He let out a moan of appreciation as the broth, chicken, and vegetable slid down his throat. "This is really good" he complimented, pointing the spoon towards the bowl.
Joss nodded her head before her eyes turned back to the floor. A piece of her hair slipped from behind her ear to frame her face, hiding it from John's view. "Unfortunately, I can't take credit for it like you did."
John shook his head. "It's the thought that counts Joss, although I still think that your motives are misguided."
Of course Joss was quick to disagree. "I don't think so. If you hadn't stayed with me as long as you did, you wouldn't have gotten sick John."
Putting the spoon back down, John reached over to grab Joss's hand to get her down cast eyes to look back at him. "You don't exactly know that. Besides, it's not like I didn't know the risks knowing you were under the weather. I wanted to go and make sure you were alright. I care about you after all."
Her eyes widened slightly at his words before smiling and squeezing his hand in return. "Well I care about you too so I can't help but feel guilty. I managed to do a first, knock out the man in a suit, even for a few days." They couldn't help but laugh at the idea as her eyes then spotted a nearby clock.
John felt awful because he knew that Joss would be busy catching bad guys on her end and now she was going to be backed up because she put him first. He let go of her hand, fighting the pang of hurt at the loss of her warmth, and returned to the food. "You should probably head back. You've done more than enough for me Joss."
"I want to but it's worth the hassle as long as I know you're okay. What? Did you think that I was just going to sit back, knowing that you caught my cold, and let you be miserable?" Joss gripped the soft bed sheet tightly to keep her anger in check. How could John think that he wasn't worth the trouble? She hated when he put himself down like that.
Minutes passed while they sat there in silence, the only sounds being when the spoon made contact with the porcelain bowl until the last of the meal was gone. John let out a loud sigh of satisfaction. He had to admit that the food made him feel better physically but emotionally, he was a mess. His eyes observed Joss when they could, seeing the emotions flashing on her face. John moved the tray aside so that there was nothing between them. "Joss, you know who I am as well as Harold does. I don't deserve the kindness of someone like you, even for something like this. Even though you both know what I did, you still try to help me and I'm really grateful. There are times though when I think that your time could be spent helping someone that really needs it."
Joss sighed as she readjusted in her seat. The bed creaked slightly as she turned her body more fully to him but instead of looking at John, her eyes continued past him to look at the sight of the New York skyline that was given by the floor to ceiling windows. The sun was high in the air now and its warmth can be felt on her face. "John, you know as well as I do that its old news. What happened can't be undone and there's nothing you can do to change that. You're in my life so like it or not, I'm going to care about you." She paused to collect herself before finally looking him in the eye. John was taken back by how soft and vulnerable those beautiful, doe eyes were at that very moment. When her ears caught John chuckle, a scowl marred her face. "What's so funny?"
"Just thinking back when all you wanted to do was put me in jail. I guess I should be disappointed that you've gotten over your handcuff obsession with me."
Scoffing at the comment, Joss helped move the tray to the closest bedside table before retaking her seat. "Oh shut up. You sound like the one obsessed with how often you bring it up." Soon she felt a wave of sadness at her next memory. "Besides, I didn't think I had the right to go after you anymore since I almost got you killed."
"Joss…"
"I know, it's not my fault. It doesn't change the fact that I have this guilt because I'm the one that called Snow, you know." She then waved off any further objections John had. "Besides, this isn't about reliving the past. It's about you getting better. No matter what you say, I owe you that much because friends take care of each other right?"
John was stunned that she really did consider him a friend. Although they have gone through so much, he had never been sure where he stood when it came to her social circle. Then again, he remembered back when she was seated next to him in the back of Donnelly's SUV, defending him even though she was about to lose everything. A sliver of a smile reached his lips before he nodded his head. "Right."
Joss then padded his leg that was under the bed sheets, unaware of the jolt that she sent up his spine and the wish that there wasn't the thin piece of fabric in the way. "Good." She removed her hand, much to John's disappointment, and stood up. After straightening out her clothes, Joss gave him a nod. "So I'll come back later when I'm done with work, see how you're doing and maybe bring you some more food."
Again, John tried to dismiss her. "You don't have to Joss. I didn't exactly stick around for you after you got some sleep."
"Remember what I said about friends John? I'm not keeping score of what you did and didn't do for me. I want to come back. Besides, you've got a really nice place so I wouldn't mind taking a little tour for myself when I get back." They shared a laugh before Joss gave him a soft smile.
"I guess I'll be seeing you later then Joss." She gave him a brief nod before grabbing her things and making her way to the door with John's eyes following her every step. As she opened it, Joss turned to give another brief glance at John's direction. Catching him watching her, all she asked was that he take care of himself before letting herself out. The sound of the door closing echoed off the walls as John let his tired body slid down until he was lying flat against the mattress. John took slow, deep breaths to help calm his body down from the lingering effects of Joss's simple touch. His thoughts were now of his own angel that sought to take care of him although she didn't have to. It enlightened John to know that there was something between them, even if neither one was ready to put words to their feelings just yet.
A glance at the bright skyline relaxed John enough that he felt his eyes slipping close. There was no worry about getting some rest because he knew that just like this time, he'd wake up to find Joss here with him again and he was thankful to have that privilege.