It happened while she was getting dressed, ready to go to his place to try to jog her memory. She had been picking out her blouse, when a kaleidoscope of memories bombarded her. She had dropped to her knees as things flew by so fast, she needed a moment to collect herself. The intense headache came in a flash and was gone nearly as fast as it came. But she was left with her memories, finally. Maybe it was because she stopped obsessing about it, or maybe it was because her brain was getting spotty memories back as it was. Or maybe it was because her concussion was gone, but whatever the reason may be for her memories coming back she was glad. Because she now remembered that night of passion with John, oh, she remembered it to the very tiniest detail.

It wasn't amazing. Nope, amazing didn't describe it one bit because that night was mind-blowing phenomenal. Other worldly, or heavenly, whatever you wanted to call it. And she was just glad she was remembering their night together, because the sex was off the charts.

But what was more important than remembering the incredible sex was remembering her reason for fleeing on him. And she was just grateful she could finally explain herself, knowing her leaving had hurt John's feelings. But it wasn't done because he was bad in the sack or that she hadn't felt a connection to him as he had felt one to her. It had been because the moment he entered her, slowly, she had known she was in love with him. Not falling, nope, she had fallen in love with the man at some point and never realized it until he entered her so slowly as if she was the most precious thing in the world to him. She had watched as his breath caught, his eyes shut, and the ecstasy on his face as they joined as one. She hoped he hadn't seen the tears in her eyes as he moved inside her, judging by the fact that he thought she had left because she hadn't enjoyed herself and couldn't figure out how to let him down told her he hadn't.

After the lovemaking, John had fallen asleep after they silently held onto one another and she just stared at him. Her hands had subconsciously stroked across his body while he slept, he looked so boyish asleep, and she nearly felt like she was invading his privacy knowing John would not enjoy being vulnerable to anyone or anything. Joss had gotten out of bed, got dressed, and left, wanting to be alone to figure out what to do with the fact that she was in love with the man. She never made many friends and she had somewhat panicked at telling John the truth. She left to figure out how to proceed. Joss knew about all his calls, knew he wanted to talk. Joss was something she never figured she would ever be in her life, a coward.

She had been a chicken, ducking his calls, burying herself in work, not letting anyone help her, and refusing to talk to him out of fear of him regretting their night together and lose him. But by ducking his calls she had made the man think she didn't want him and that she regretted their night together. Way to go Joss you giant dunderhead, she thought. She should have known better, should have known there was no way in hell John would have regretted their night together.

Now she sat beside John while he drove her back to his place, attempting to help her regain her memories, even though she already had and still hadn't told him. Joss eyed his profile for a brief second before perusing the passing scenery. Was it wrong not letting him in on the fact that she remembered things fully? Maybe, but he had been obstinately hiding what happened so he deserved it a little bit! Besides, with them at his place he couldn't flee from her as easily as he could from her place and she would leave his place when she was good and ready. He wasn't going to kick her out, he was going to hear what she had to say, and enjoy it! Joss clutched her purse in a vise grip wondering if the dozen condoms she packed were enough in case she got lucky enough to get John in bed again.

John pulled up to his apartment complex. "So this is where you live?" she said as she turned to look at him. His eyes roamed over her face.

"Do you remember anything, Carter?"

She shook her head. "Sorry, maybe I'll remember when we are inside." His sad face nearly had her coming clean but she steadfastly refused to give in. They climbed out of his car and he led her to the complex and then his place. She thought she did a convincing job of acting like she had no idea and John gave no indication that he didn't realize her ruse. He unlocked his place and they entered together. Joss looked around.

"Anything?" he asked slightly hopeful.

She sighed. "It feels familiar," she admitted as she turned to look back at John as he closed the door. Joss smiled. "Maybe a reenactment might help."

"Joss…"

She held up her hands. "I'm not saying the reenactment of us having sex, I meant what led to that point." John looked like he was going to say no, then sighed, and nodded.

"If it can help you remember, alright."

Joss turned around, grinning. "Thank you, John." She removed her jacket and he did as well. He hung them up and she stood waiting for him.

When he turned around he motioned towards the couch. "We should sit, we talked for a while on my couch." She nodded her head and followed him to his living room. His place was one giant room, her eyes skimmed over his bed, and shivered. They sat down together.

"So what did we talk about?" she asked gently as she sat close to him, invading his space on purpose. John leaned back a little.

"A little of this and little of that, we had wine."

"And?"

"Then you teased me."

"And then you kissed me?"

"Yes….wait, you remember that?" John asked.

"It was in my dream," she pointed out.

John sighed and looked a little sad again. "Yeah, I kissed you."

"But it wasn't in your kitchen, where did we kiss?"

"We never went into the kitchen, we were on the couch when you teased me. There was no imaginary dancing."

"Must have been my subconscious wanting to see you dance," Joss admitted. It was true, her memories were mixed in with an erotic fantasy. Joss always felt like making love in a kitchen was sexy and something she'd never experienced, and wanted to experience it with John. Joss scooted closer to him. "So, John, you kissed me on this couch, we made out on this couch? What happened after?"

"Joss, you know what happened after."

She eyed his mouth. "Kiss me, John, you know you want to."

"I do but…" she leaned forward kissing his lips gently. She sat back, their eyes met. "…to hell with it." He moaned as he took her mouth and she sighed as she draped her arms around his neck, tugging him onto her as she leaned back much like they had that night. John's big body covered hers as he laid on top of her, desperately kissing her. She got to enjoy his hot mouth on hers for several moments before he tore his mouth off of hers and immediately climbed off of her. "This is a mistake. You can't remember."

"John I remember everything," she said, exasperated with the man.

His eyes flew to hers. "You do?"

"Yeah."

Joss watched as a flash of anger cross his face. "When did you remember, Carter?"

She shrugged, uncaring about the angry display in front of her. "This morning when I was getting dressed after I suggested you to take me here."

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked and she shrugged again in answer. "Why did you leave that night?"

She swung her legs so she could sit up. "Why do you need to know why I left?" she demanded, not answering his question.

"No, you answer first, Joss."

"No, it's about time you answered some questions, John."

"You lied to me about remembering!" he countered.

"I wouldn't have lied if you were more forthcoming with information."

He glared at her. "So it's my fault you lied to me?!"

"Yea," she agreed not feeling bad whatsoever.

He cursed. "Fine, the reason I need to know the truth is so I know how to proceed. I don't know why you left and I don't know how to feel about that night. You're my friend and I don't want to lose you."

"Oh, so we're just friends?" She was proud of herself of not snorting in skepticism.

His shoulders slumped. "Joss, please I don't want to lose you. If you don't want anything more with me that's fine just tell me, we can still salvage our friendship. We'll just pretend that night never happened." He would just silently love her from afar.

"But if I wanted more you would what?—give me it?" she asked, not giving anything away.

"Tell me why you left," he demanded.

"No, answer me first, if I wanted more would you give me it?" she questioned as she stood up, grabbing her purse. But as he stood there, looking at her, she realized something that saddened her. John didn't know how to voice his feelings. Sex was easy for him, but voicing his feelings was difficult.

Joss felt her heart flutter, loving this emotionally stunted man even more. John's reactions during their night had been baffling because she had kissed his body and he seemed unaccustomed to it. The spot that had him moaning like a madman was just at where his neck joined his shoulder, a spot many men liked but not many men reacted to it like John. Like it was the first time he experienced that touch, she had sucked there gently loving the moans he made. She had found many spots on his body he gave the same physical reaction, as if it was the first time he experienced that tender and loving touch there. John had constantly tried to push her onto her back and get between her legs, making her wonder.

"John you can tell me, you can tell me anything," she prodded as she stopped the slow dance she had begun. She had John nearly to his bed without him even realizing it. She slung her purse on his king bed and he blinked as he looked behind him finding himself between her and his bed. He looked back at her.

"I-I-I…" he started then trailed off.

She smiled softly at him. "Fine since you can't spit out I'll go first, you want to know why I left that night while you were asleep, John? It's not because I didn't enjoy myself, you are an amazing lover. I left because I realized I love you and I needed time to process this revelation." He shuddered as he closed his eyes and she reached out, touching his face.

"No, Joss, you shouldn't." It was almost an instinctive response and not at all what he wanted to truly say.

Joss smiled. "That's not what you really want to say," she whispered. His eyes opened, looking at her. "You love me, John, your eyes always give you away. I'm sorry I made you think I didn't want you, but I was scared that you'd regret our night together. Silly I know, but you can be a hard man to read sometimes, and I just needed time to myself to think." Still silence. John swallowed hard, she could almost see him thinking, trying to work up the courage to tell her the truth.

"Joss," he whispered thickly.

She smiled. "Yes, John?" she asked and when he leaned his head down to kiss her she put a finger over those warm soft lips. "Say it, please. I want to hear it I know you have a hard time voicing your feelings but try." she requested. "For me." she added and his eyes grew soft.

He licked his lips. "I love you," he said it stiffly like he was unused to using those three words together.

Her heart did another little flip. "You haven't said 'I love you' in a long time have you, John?" He shook his head, she slid her hand around his neck and pulled him down. John eagerly kissed her and tugged her to him before turning her, before lightly pulling her down onto his bed. Their tongues tangled and it was glorious, especially with the way they woke up this morning. She didn't figure she would remember anything and here they were, in his place, kissing much like that night, but their feelings out in the open. Finally.

Joss moaned as he palmed her breasts, she broke the kiss, immediately going for his neck, and he moaned. She grabbed his butt before she leaned back. "John, did you ever let women control the encounters before?"

He shifted. "I don't speak about other women while I'm with one." He ground into her and she moaned as she felt his cock stiffening.

"Excuses, I think you distracted the women so they never realized you didn't let them really touch you," she whispered, nipping at his chin, before kissing him firmly.

He broke the kiss and eyed her. "I didn't let them." He admitted.

She smiled. "Well I'm glad you trust me enough to let me see all of you, John." She pushed his suit blazer off and worked on the buttons of his dress shirt. And soon talking didn't matter any longer, because they were tugging at clothing desperately, while trying to get naked to be together. He slid between her legs, pleasuring her for a few minutes before it became imperative that they needed to be together. "Foreplay later," she moaned as he pushed his underwear down. "I brought condoms in my purse."

He eyed her with a look. "Planned this?"

She smirked. "Maybe. I had a feeling once I told you the truth, that I loved you and why I left that night, we may be finding ourselves in bed again," she admitted. His eyes widened as he pulled out the giant roll of condoms.

"How much sex were you planning on us having, Joss?" he gave her a male smile as he held them out. She ignored him, snatching them out of his hand and yanking into a packet. Men and their stupid ego, she immediately stroked him, earning a soft moan before she rolled the condom on him.

"Tease me later, John, have sex with me now. Being with you last night was heaven and hell because you were being pigheaded and not giving a girl a nice time," she pouted, spreading her legs. John moaned as he looked at her before positioning himself as he rubbed against her slick entrance. She hissed in pleasure.

"I'll show you…." He paused before he slid deep into her on one thrust. "…a real nice time." He panted as he stayed unmoving letting her adjust.

After several seconds and when she moved her hips he knew she was ready for him. "You better," she sighed, grabbing his shoulders as John slowly nearly pulled out to thrust back in.

He chuckled which he never did during sex. He didn't allow women to touch him and he sure the hell didn't laugh with them either. John's laughter faded though as he moved inside her faster and she met him thrust for thrust. It was like they were made for one another, knowing how they each liked it as if they were lovers for years. Their eyes met, unlike the other night when he had closed his, trying to hide his feelings for her, but he wasn't going to this time. He was going to try to be open. John sped up his thrusts, feeling the keen sensation, knowing he wasn't going to be able to last very long. Now with how perfect she was.

He slipped his hand from her hip to slide between them, finding her hot little clitoris, he felt her nails bite into his shoulders and she moaned his name loudly. He kissed her to muffle her shout as he felt her orgasm crash into her just moments before his own, he stiffened as he came inside her, and he tore his mouth free to moan her name.

After endless waves of pleasure finally faded from them both John slumped on top of her. "I'm sorry I'm squashing you."

"I don't feel anything right about now, John." She assured as she traced his spine with her nails.

He leaned his head back to kiss her lips gently. "I love you," he whispered between soft kisses.

"Mmm, I love you too, John."

He leaned back a little. "But can this work Joss, you're a detective and I'm a vigilante?"

Joss looked at him, seeing real concern in his eyes. He wasn't sure. "Love is complicated, messy, and doesn't always make sense, John. Maybe it will end badly, or maybe it won't and we'll grow old together. But to find out we have to try."

He gave her a nervous smile. "I'm willing to try with you."

"So am I," she agreed and he leaned down kissing her, she sighed as she eagerly kissed him back.


AN: Sorry for the low-key smut but the hardcore, intense smut didn't feel necessary for this. Besides there are a few stories on deck that have the hardcore smut XD Again sorry for how long this companion piece took, I'm just glad I finally got it posted. And thanks for reading XOXOXOXOXOXOX.