Disclaimer: Properties used solely for entertainment.
Pre A/N: And of course when I say how short this will be, you evil reviewers are already suggesting a sequel ;) I just love reading your reviews and who know, like with this story, my muse just might decide that it's time to add more. For now, let's move on with the second to last chapter :D
Chapter 4 - The Truth
John was asked by the principal, Samantha Groves, to stay home from school for one day while they tried to figure out exactly what happened. The school was supplied with a number of security cameras in the hallway and classrooms. Nathan come to her before the start of classes that day to express his concern that what happened wasn't merely an accident. As he explained that it would have been impossible for the chemicals to get switched unless someone did it deliberately.
She assured him that she would personally look at the footage, not liking the idea of one student causing bodily harm to another. Samantha was all about reputation and this school was highly regarded in the community. She didn't want that to be squandered because of one bad apple. When Nathan left her office, Samantha took whatever free time she had to take a look at the hallway camera and the one in Nathan's class. She cursed herself for taking too long to even consider checking since it was first reported to her, Samantha had brushed it off as a mere accident.
The video would fast forward a few seconds at a time, but before long her attention was needed to look over and sign a few documents. As she was signing one, out of the corner of her eye, something caught her attention. There were two students that entered the empty classroom. Looking at the time stamp, Samantha knew they had no business being in there, especially when Nathan was not there. She hit rewind and turned her attention towards the hallway just outside the classroom. There were two figures that made their way out of the classroom minutes earlier. It was clear that one was a student and the other was Nathan. She had a hard time identifying who the student was because of the way their face was angled away from the camera. The proof was there. Samantha just needed to find it.
John was glad to be back in school. The hiatus the previous day had made him annoyed and restless. His thoughts constantly turned to what Joss was doing or who she was with. It did make him happy when she visited after school, bringing him some food and company while his mom worked as a daytime nurse. They had watched some TV and she reviewed what happened in literature class. John loved how comfortable she looked and he had felt the same around her, enough now to call her Joss thanks to her insistence that she thought of them as friends.
He could have sworn she had the skills of an interrogator as she battered him with questions about his favorite show or music, which was all taken in good humor with him responding accordingly. John knew that she was curious since she still didn't know a lot about him and just like before, he wanted to offer her answers to her questions about him. He didn't want to have any secrets between them. Well all except the one about Peter and Jessica. John couldn't help but continue to feel bitter at the idea that he hadn't done enough to keep her by his side.
As the students filed into the lab, Nathan took a moment to ask John if he was alright. He gave a nod of the head and assured him that he was fine. As he watched his student take his usual seat, Nathan felt impatient since Samantha was still going through the videos to try to pinpoint exactly what happened. Either way, Nathan felt a terrible that he was somehow responsible for a student getting hurt and hoped that the video would tell him otherwise.
When Joss entered a few students behind Cal, her beautiful hair was curled at the end and lips glistening thanks to some lip balm she had applied. John wondered if she did it one purpose to draw his attention there. She quickly took the seat next to him and when they looked at each other, there were warm smiles on both of their faces. This was not lost on Cal, who was annoyed that his attempt to have Joss hate this guy had failed. Even if he had gotten her out of harm's way, Joss should have at least distanced herself because she thought he was dangerous.
The class went on without any incident, much to the relief of John and Joss. As the bell rang and everyone began packing to move out, John laid a hand gently over Joss's wrist to stop her. "I want you to have lunch with me," he said quickly. When he saw those big doe eyes widen in surprise, he thought he had overstepped his boundaries and took his hand off of her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…" John was interrupted by Joss.
"Oh no John, it's okay. I would love to," she wanted to assure him that he hadn't made a mistake in asking her. In fact, Joss was wondering if she was going to have to give out an invite herself. There was another friendly jab at his shoulder. "Besides, you have a better spot all the way in the back where no one will bother us." It took a second for Joss to realize how what she said sounded and inwardly cringed. It was just a joke…or maybe not.
John standing up caught her attention. "We should probably hurry up or we'll be late. I'll save you a seat." Joss was caught off guard when he held out his hand to help her up. She accepted it as the expected spark coursed through her. This attraction she felt was more than physical. Joss couldn't help but think there was something truly special about John, that there was this connection between them that brought them slowly closer together. When she looked at his warm smile, Joss's heart fluttered because John was handsome with his gorgeous blue eyes that she could drown in, and product-free hair with the cute cowlick that sprung up in the front. Joss thought John had the boyish look down pat.
After smoothing her clothes, she headed out of the class with John close behind her. She was so aware of him that she hadn't notice Cal, Patrick, and Raymond leaning against the lockers, watching them with a glare. "I'm going to put a stop to this at lunch. Make sure that he doesn't get any help."
"Alright Cal" his two friends said in unison before heading for the cafeteria. He was going to make sure that Jocelyn understood she was making a mistake.
Much like the other days out of the school year, the cafeteria was filled with hungry students that were eager to get some food before getting through the second half of the school day. John was already at his seat, after breaking with his usual habit by getting in line early so that Joss wouldn't have to wait on him. She told him before they went to their different classes that she always brought her own lunch.
His eyes scanned the crowd, looking for the girl that had undoubtedly stolen his heart. Before long he spotted her at the double doors, her head moving back and forth, looking for him. When they made eye contact, they smiled at each other and she waved before making her way over to him. Before she could make it to John's table, however, Cal got up from his seat and blocked Joss's path. Joss's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance as her boyfriend moved side to side when she attempted to get around him. He could see annoyance clearly reflecting on her face as she finally confronted him.
"Get out of my way Cal." Joss tried to get around him and once again he stepped right into her path.
"No, I think that this little game you've been playing has to end. That guy is getting too comfortable around my girlfriend and I don't like it. Then you go behind my back and accept his invitation to sit with him."
Realizing that she needed to clear the air, Joss stopped her attempts to get past him and folded her arms over chest with her lunch bag hanging from her right hand. "So eavesdropping has become your new habit Cal? You know damn well you have no right to tell me what to do. I thought I told you this before when you tried to stop me from seeing him at the nurse's office."
"Well excuse me for not liking the idea of my girlfriend cheating on me with some nobody. If something like that got out, I'd be the laughing stock of the school."
"Okay Cal, first of all, I have been faithful. My parents taught me that it's very important to have trust in a relationship but it looks like you don't trust me as much as I do you. I have never once accused you of cheating, even when I've been told by many people that you've been getting too close to other girls. I never believed them because I cared about you, but now this possessive crap is starting to grind on my last nerve. I don't need to justify it to you but I and John are friends. Now if you'll excuse me."
This time she made a more forceful attempt to go around but winced when she felt him tightly grab to her wrist. "You're going nowhere."
Joss started twisting her hand. "Let go Cal. You're hurting me."
"Not until you listen to reason."
"Let her go" was heard in a low growl behind them. When Joss looked up, she gasped when she saw those beautiful sapphire eyes looking back at her, but they were almost black now. It was an amazing and terrifying sight because she was used to being around the humble and gentle John. This John looked to possibly do harm if he was given a reason.
Cal, trying to put a brave front, shrugged his shoulders before releasing Joss who began rubbing her wrist to ebb away the pain. Ignoring Cal, who John saw as nothing more than a little boy now, he stood in front of Joss to check on her. "Are you alright?" His hand tenderly touched the skin that now had a light bruise on them.
"Yeah" she assured him. Joss looked around, noticing a number of students were looking their way. Obviously the scene had caught the attention of people since Joss and Cal were such a popular couple.
John didn't notice, his only concern being for Joss before turning back around to confront Cal. "What is your problem Cal?"
"It's none of your business guy. This is between me and my girlfriend."
"Just because she's your girlfriend doesn't give you the right to put your hands on her." Joss was amazed that he was defending her. Normally she would have been offended because she knew that she could handle the situation on her own, but Joss could see a flash of hurt in his eyes and wondered if he had seen this before and done nothing. She would ask him later once the situation hopefully calmed down. For now, she remained the silent observer.
"So of course you come to her rescue because she's your 'friend' right?" Cal then began rolling up the sleeves of his beige shirt. "I never would have thought someone like you would have the stones to try and steal someone's girl but I guess I'll have to teach you a lesson." The first swing of his right hand was a surprise to not only Joss but the rest of the students. Just as a far off voiced yelled that there was a fight, all of them had been surrounded by a circle of curious students.
John, who had suspected that this was all to lure him into a confrontation, moved his head to his right while pushing Joss a few inches away to protect her. Instead of retaliating, John just waited for Cal's next move. He didn't want to fight, even if he was on the defense.
Joss was about to step forward to stop it when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw that it was Shaw and she had a confident smirk on her face. "He's got this. Don't worry." Joss didn't know what she was talking about at first but as she continued watching, she saw that John hadn't thrown a punch, instead he was simply deflecting whatever Cal threw at him. She couldn't explain the ache in her heart at the sight of watching her boyfriend attacking someone that had become a good friend and had been nothing but kind to her ever since she plopped down next to him after switching partners with Leon.
The crowd was getting all fired up over the fight, even though Cal had been trying to go on the offensive for a few seconds now. John remained calm and continued to avoid him. Joss's eyes skimmed the crowd, hoping to see some kind of authority figure approaching to stop the fight. She spotted Mr. Finch making his way over and asked Shaw to help her meet up with him, which she was glad to do. With a few elbows and forceful shoving, the pair managed to get out and run around to meet the teacher.
"What is going on here?" Mr. Finch asked, concerned as two security guards began trying to calm everyone down. Joss couldn't keep the distress from her voice as she explained how Cal went after John who is defending himself. "Oh dear, I do hope that John is alright," Mr. Finch readjusted his glasses, his smaller stature making it difficult to see what was going on. After a few minutes of shouting and numerous threats of suspension, the crowd finally dispersed. As students walked passed him, Harold overheard a few students say how the fight was boring because the other guy did nothing.
The guards escorted everyone out except for the two combatants. John didn't even notice anything except the guy in front of him that was breathing heavily because he had been on the offensive the whole time but couldn't land a single punch. He was in a different mindset, a different focus, that Joss's voice only just penetrated that fog by calling out his name. His attention briefly went to searching for her and that was the only opening Cal got and took it to his advantage.
Another swing was thrown and this time connected, however Cal's face was distorted from the pain in his hand while John took the punch, only moving a few centimeters back from the momentum.
"That's enough Cal" Mr. Finch announced, the two combatants looking his way before he stepped forward with Joss and Shaw on either side of him. "This is very disappointing Mr. Beecher. I would have thought that you would have some respect for your fellow classmate."
Before anyone could say anything else, the double doors swung open with a bang, catching everyone's attention. Obviously, everyone was confused to see Mr. Ingram and Ms. Groves walk in. "I'm very disappointed at this turn of events." Ms. Groves started as she slowly walked to everyone with Mr. Ingram close behind. "I would like for all of you to come to my office. There is something that must be discussed." She then turned around and walked back out.
Joss gave John a worried looked but he just gave her a reassuring smile in return. He didn't even notice the small bruise forming on his cheek. Joss didn't know what to expect before following the rest of the group to Ms. Groves's office.
The beautifully decorated wooden door closed behind John after he entered the office. All the students were standing shoulder to shoulder. Sitting in front of them all at her desk was Ms. Groves, who had her hands crossed over a manila folder. Mr. Finch was off to her left while Mr. Ingram was to her right, standing next to a large TV monitor on a stand. The tension in the room was thick as each student wondered what was to be their fate. Joss wouldn't have been surprised if a suspension was in order for John and Cal. Even though John hadn't thrown a single punch, Cal would probably have Patrick and Raymond vouch that John started everything. Joss's fingers found themselves twisting and turning, needing to help relieve her nerves. She already knew that she and Cal were over. There was no forgiving what he did. Besides, Joss had already felt her love for him wane in the last couple of days. It happened when she spent more and more time with John.
John was someone that Joss felt close to. All she wanted to do was dig deeper and find out more about him. Each time she was rewarded with something that had her smile. John's mother was such a sweetheart to her, too, and a hard worker. The night that she visited him after he had been told to stay home, she offered to help him make dinner for his mother as he knew she would come home tired. With their combined effort, they were able to make a decent meal. When Margaret had seen what they had done, Joss saw the tears of appreciation in her eyes. John joked how she always did that when he cooked for her, commenting on how she raised such a good boy. Joss knew that she wanted to be around that loving environment more often. Even though her parents had shown her the right amount of love, they didn't do much together as a family.
When she and John cooked, there had been moments when a hand bumped into someone or a shoulder got a bit closer than expected. It was just nice to be able to spend time with someone that took such enjoyment out of doing something so simple.
John watched as the principal's steel gaze roamed over everyone standing in a line. He had already accepted that he was going to be in some serious trouble over the fight. With Cal's bitterness, it probably wouldn't stop at a suspension. He felt like he was disrespected by John for what happened with Joss but John wasn't about to let him touch her the way he did. His dad taught him to never put his hands on a woman and respect them if he wanted to have something specialwith them. He did his best but Jessica left him for another, so John thought that it was best that he'd just stay alone. Joss changed that when she inserted herself into his life the way that she did.
"Alright everyone" Ms. Groves started, pulling John from his thoughts. "It has been brought to my attention by Mr. Ingram that he was concern over a certain incident that occurred a few days ago. He had a few concerns about whether or not he was at fault for Mr. Reese's accident and asked me to look into it which I did. After looking at the surveillance footage during my free time, I have found the answer. If you'd please Mr. Ingram." He turned and hit the power button on the TV. Once the static was visible, he hit the play button on the VCR.
The static gave way to a black and white video as Mr. Ingram began his commentary. "So as it is shown here, there is nothing out of the ordinary. I remember working at my desk grading papers when Patrick came to me in a panic, telling me he saw something outside and was concerned." As if on cue Patrick entered the classroom. After a few seconds, he reappeared with Mr. Ingram following him.
At this point, Ms. Groves took over. "Now we have two angles for the next couple of minutes. When we wait a little longer, we see that two other people entered the unsupervised classroom." Moving forward again a few seconds, the unidentified people entered. "Now if we switch to the classroom." This angle caught the faces of the students who entered the room and Joss gasped in shock and disgust as Cal's face was looking back at her along with Raymond's. The video's speed was increased, showing the next series of events when Cal grabbed the keys for the cabinet, to his search for the chemicals, and switching them before leaving. The tape was stopped and the television shut off before Ms. Groves pushed her chair back and stood up to approach the five students before her.
Her presence was intimidating as Ms. Groves was the person with the upmost authority in this room. She then stopped in front of Cal, Patrick, and Raymond, giving them a stern look. "Care to explain why you planned to sabotage an experiment to bring harm to your fellow student Mr. Beecher?" He wasn't looking her in the eye. "Mr. Simmons, Mr. Terney?" They also turned their gaze away in shame. Ms. Groves nodded her head before pacing once again. They had confirmed their guilt and it was time to pay the consequences. "I am the principal of this school and it is my duty to make sure that students are in a safe and inviting environment. You three have jeopardized that. Therefore it is my decision that the three of you as of this day are expelled. I will give you until the end of the school day to make arrangements to collect your things but you are no longer welcomed in this building."
"But Ms. Groves…" Cal started, the severity of the punishment was too unbelievable for him to comprehend.
However he was stopped when Ms. Groves interrupted him. "There will be no negotiations. You are dismissed." Shamed and embarrassed over what happened, they went out the door without another word. Ms. Groves then turned her attention to John and Joss, the harden expression softening along with the tone of her voice. "I offer my sincerest apologies to the two of you for not taking action sooner."
John shook his head. "I don't hold any ill will towards you or Mr. Ingram. It was just something that happened because of Cal." Now he was aware that Cal had it out for him for a long time now. The fight in the lunch room was supposed to be his moment to finally end things. John looked over, wondering if Joss was alright because she hadn't said anything. He could see her eyes glisten with unshed tears and her face an expression of pure sadness and hurt. John wanted to reach out and hug her, tell her that everything would be alright and that it wasn't her fault.
"Can I be excused?" She asked suddenly.
"That is not a problem. I'm sure you need time to process everything that happened."
"Thank you very much Ms. Groves." Without another word, she was out the door without another glance towards John. He waited to see if there was anything else that was needed from him.
"I believe that is everything. You and Jocelyn can head home early today. I've already contacted your parents to update them on what happened and they are expecting you."
John gave a nod. "Thank you Ms. Groves, Mr. Ingram, and Mr. Finch. I will be leaving then." With those set of goodbyes, John set out to find where Joss disappeared to.
Her back was pressed again the cold brick wall outside the school where she bawled into her hands. The swell of emotions had overwhelmed Joss and she needed someplace private to be able to let them out. How could Cal do such a thing? Maybe it had been her fault that he had grown so jealous. She had been the one that wanted to be partners with.
The thoughts and tears stole her attention long enough that she didn't notice John going through the double doors. When he saw her, John breathed a huge sigh of relief. He asked around and found that Lionel and Shaw saw her head outside. John's heart broke because he could see that Joss was crying. Someone that she trusted betrayed her. He knew the feeling all to well and it wasn't fun.
He slowly approached until he was right next to her and touched her shoulder, finally grabbing her attention. Joss gasped because she hadn't heard him coming and feverishly wiped at the tear streaks on her face. "Are you okay?" John asked gently. Joss desperately wanted to say yes as to not worry him but her heart was weeping. He pulled her into a tight hug, tenderly kissing the top of her head as his hands did their best to comfort her by rubbing circles on her back.
Shaw almost fell over, glaring at Lionel who had accidently pushed her before giving her room to sneak back. He moved up next to her to see what was going on. "Wow, so wonder boy and Carter huh?"
"Wonder boy?"
"What? I saw the fight. He's got some moves, even if he didn't throw a punch." The duo couldn't hear anything but watched with interest as Joss's arms wrapped around John the best that she could, gripping tightly at his back as if she never wanted to let him go. They stood like that for a few seconds with the silent observers of Shaw and Fusco waiting and urging something to happen already. Almost as if they heard them, something did.
Finally pulling apart, they looked at each other meaningfully. John said something that the two spies saw caused Joss's cheeks to blush and her eyes widen. Then John leaned down, gently pressing a kiss to her lips. Shaw and Lionel had to stop themselves from laughing in happiness at catching them like this. There was no way they weren't going to make fun of those two now. Deciding to give them some real privacy, they went back inside.
Joss felt like she was in a dream when they separated, that the kiss was something that her heart had imagined happened. John looked at her like she was his whole world while he waited to see how she reacted. When he got the smile, his heart began thumping again.
"How about we head home John? You said that Ms. Groves gave us permission." Joss suggested, wanting to take things nice and slow, happy that John had felt something for her too.
He took her hand. "I would like that." And that was how their relationship got to it's next step.
Post A/N: And many kisses to all of you who have been following. As sad as it is, the last chapter will be on Wednesday but I'm glad that you all have been along for the ride. Reading the reviews definitely got more than a few chuckles and of course, have to again say thanks to JimCaviezelFan for this A/U idea and SWWoman for the beta ;)
