Chapter 4
"First question, after telling us about the virus, what else did Future John want you to do?" Asked the tough-talking but lovesick Vigilante as he looked into the eyes of the woman who owned him.
"John I've already explained that Jonathan didn't ask me to do anything else. He simply told me about Taylor. I assumed he wanted me to be comforted with the knowledge that my only-child was not only prepared for his future but actually trying to help others through law enforcement." Said the surprisingly calm Army Interrogator as she looked directly into the eyes of the man who owned her heart.
"Yes you said that but why would he think you needed to hear that? That's what I want to know. I should warn you that evasiveness and deflection is considered a lie Jocelyn." John grinned as his fingers quickly unbuttoned her blouse.
"Wait John, you said I'd lose clothing if I lie, well I'm telling the truth. It's not my problem that you're a stubborn, suspicious, trigger-happy, adrenaline fueled control freak and you don't believe me." Joss said quite rationally considering her predicament.
John gave her a full smile before remarking: "Flattery won't get you anywhere with me baby. But understand that your answers have to satisfy my bullshit meter and I know without a doubt that you are withholding information. So this blouse is gone." He smirked as he tore her blouse in pieces ripping it off her shoulders.
The ever-patient Interrogator was gone, now replaced by a pissed off woman. "John Reese let me inform you that at some point tonight you will uncuff me and when I'm free, I will taser you several times purely for my own amusement, then I will tackle you face down on the ground and zip-tie your ankles & wrists together. Then I will open your weapons case and retrieve your favorite gun: the brand new Glock with the silencer, and with it I will proceed to shoot my initials into your kneecaps. After that I will get really hormonal and cause you, your boss and even your snoring canine clone real pain. Do you understand me?"
John's eyes widened as he smirked and proceeded as if she hadn't threatened him & his best friends. "Question 2: What else did he tell you about the future? Question 3: What specifically does he want you to do to change the future?" Question 4: Will your action or inaction have consequences that will affect The Machine or its Assets in the present or future? Question 5: Does the future involve you and I getting married and/or having kids?"
She said nothing but glared at him with growing anger evident in her face.
"Silence Detective? Aw, sorry wrong answers to my five questions, oh and by the way, silence is also considered a lie." He tapped his finger against her tight lips and traced it down her chin to her neck where he couldn't resist tracing her collarbone. From there his finger continued to trail along her skin until he came to her bra and he let his fingers outline the smoothness of the material and finally his finger stopped at the front-clasp ready to unhook it.
"Feel free Detective to give an answer anytime and I will force myself to stop undressing you... Still have nothing to say? Well, I'm actually glad because now I get to do all the things to you that I've only dreamed about. I must admit that I am turned on by seducing Future John's wife. "
He chuckled to himself as he slowly unclasped the bra and pulled it away from her skin. He audibly gasped at the full round shape of her breasts and her long pointy nipples that begged for his tongue. Fully intending to accommodate his growing desire, he first picked up Jocelyn's glass of wine taking a sip then swirling it around his mouth before bending down to flick one nipple with the tip of his tongue. Wanting more of her in his mouth John used his hands to push her breasts together and moved his head back & forth between both of her tender tips. He worked his tongue around her areolas before pulling and sucking them into his mouth. To add to her torture John's thumbs were caressing the underside of her breasts causing multiple sensations to flow through his prisoner's body.
Jocelyn tried to remain silent and unmoved by John's actions but the pleasurable combination of his efforts was felt throughout her body, making her skin tingle, making her wet with need as she began to writhe and moan in response to his talents. She closed her eyes and began to breathe heavily thinking to herself: "I've got to stop this before I spill all my secrets."
"Did you want to say something Detective? If not, I have three more articles of clothing to rip off of you." Said the cocky Vigilante as he pulled her belt out of the loops and unbuttoned her pants. John looked into her eyes and saw her silent warning to him. He continued undressing her with a growing enthusiasm brought on by her moist parted lips and heavy breathing.
After unzipping her pants he leaned down to kiss her stomach and tongued her belly button causing her to react by lifting her hips in excitement. Using this opportunity, John put his fingers inside the waistband of both her pants and panties and began to pull them down in one piece.
"No, John, please stop STOP…Okay you win." Said the conceding Detective with a somber expression.
John halted his actions and looked into her eyes expecting to find a delay-tactic. Instead he saw a woman used to being in control but presently feeling exposed & vulnerable. She broke eye contact first, turning her head away from him and John's victory felt suddenly hollow. He lifted her shackled wrists off the hook on the arm of the sofa and opened the unlocked cuffs, gently rubbing her skin.
Joss sat up and swung her legs to the floor now sitting upright on the sofa. She looked down at herself and stood up, zipping her pants, then fastening her bra. She exhaled and looked around for her blouse and saw the shreds of it on the floor. She looked at John and he nodded and went to his bedroom returning with one of his lilac dress shirts which he helped her into.
"John, I…" Joss began.
"Wait, let's sit down and eat dinner then you can tell me." John escorted Joss to the dining room table and poured her another glass of wine. He took the casserole from the oven to the center of the table then he lit the tapered candles and then set the dishes & silverware on the table.
He brought the wine bottle and the fruit tray to the table before he sat down and looked at Joss who gave him an unreadable expression which soon turned into a soft smile as she finger-combed her hair before she spoke.
"Now I see why you're so successful at your job. Your torture techniques are quite effective." Joss blushed with unsatisfied lust and took one last sip of her wine before pushing it away and asking her host for a glass of water.
John excelled at reading people and he knew she was about to reveal something personal. While he waited for her to speak, he decided that he would share his feelings about her first.
"There has been an attraction between us from the start which we never acted upon. That attraction grew into a friendship that's been through tests & trials. That friendship became mutual respect. I've come to admire your combination of kick-ass strength as a cop, your soft-heartedness as a mother and friend, and now I admire your beauty and sexiness as a woman. I'm ready to take this relationship deeper." John's confession made him feel invincible instead of weaker and as he brought her water to her, he sat back down and calmly waited for her reply.
Joss had been listening and watching John intently, wanting him to know that she was going to protect their expanding relationship but first she needed to define and set her boundaries.
"John the day you walked into my world I knew that my life would be forever changed. You brought your unique brand of chaos but you've also made life better, safer and I thank you for that. I admire your persistence to get the job done, your integrity to always do the right thing by protecting the Irrelevants; and I admire the room you have in your heart to invite me and my son into your life."
Joss took a few swallows of water before she continued. "The answer to your question about Jonathan is dependent on your answer to me first. Let me explain that I've worked hard to be taken seriously as a soldier, then a cop, then as a Detective. I've had three things working against me: I'm a woman, I'm Black, and I have a pretty face. Because of those things I've have to prove myself to be equal and capable on my own before I'm taken seriously by my fellow soldiers & cops. So what I need to know from you is can I share my future status with you without you overprotecting me and keeping me locked in a plastic bubble?"
"Jocelyn, I can't honestly say never but I promise you I will try not to overprotect you, okay?" said the Vigilante.
Joss softly sighed, recognizing that he was trying to meet her halfway.
"Okay, that will do… Jonathan led me to believe that I will die on the job. His affections toward me and the depth of feeling in his eyes when he kissed me helped me reach that conclusion. And I assume that is why he wanted me to know how successful Taylor turned out to be." Joss was carefully watching John's facial expressions. She could see the hypothetical wheel spinning in his head wondering how he could prevent this.
John heard and absorbed the info Jocelyn had given him but he would never accept it. But there was no need to inform her of that so he stood up and pulled her up too and gave her a big hug like they shared earlier in the warehouse but this time it was an emotionally supportive hug that meant so much more to both of them.
They released one another and sat down to enjoy dinner and light conversation. Moments later, Carter's cellphone buzzed and she went to look at the message and smiled.
"John I really have to go. Cathy Fusco is worried about me so I'd better check-in."
"Well, so uh…we've certainly come a long way and learned a lot about one another today." Joss said with a soft smile and head tilt.
John helped Joss into her jacket and she turned to look at him while pulling on the lilac collar of his shirt saying: "I will return this someday okay? Good night John and thank you for a very interesting day."
"Good night Detective. Drive safely and call me in 30-minutes let me know when you're at home." He responded softly.
"Isn't this being overprotective John?" she inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"No way Joss, because overprotective is what I want to be. I want to drive you to Cathy's to pick up Taylor then escort you both home where I would do a quick surveillance of your place before you enter it. That, My Lady, is overprotective. You're lucky I'm letting you walk out of my apartment on your own accord. I'd prefer to carry you." He said jokingly with a big toothy smile.
He opened his door for Joss and leaned in for a goodbye kiss. He still hadn't done to Joss what Future John had so as he leaned in, Joss stopped him and spoke softly. "Oh no, your lips are lethal weapons and I've had more than my fill of John Reese today, so I will take a raincheck. Okay?" She smiled and quickly ran out of his apartment to the parking garage down the block.
While driving, Jocelyn thought about what Jonathan wanted her to do to change the lives of all the Assets. She considered the personal sacrifices John & Finch had made to keep The Machine secret and safe. She thought about the danger she & Fusco face on the job every day in the name of serving and protecting humanity. She already knew her own future and Taylor's future so how could she not sacrifice her comfort zone as well? Would it be so wrong to help Fusco, Finch, and John have the women they love in their lives and be happy? Is she really being asked to do anything beyond her moral boundaries? No. Jonathan simply wants her to play cupid for the men she claims to love and care about.
Detective Carter made a pitstop at her office to lookup a file and make an appointment. Joss was ecstatic when the person readily consented to meet. Headed to the Fusco house, Joss sent Cathy a text to let her know she was coming for Taylor.
She parked her car in front of the Fusco house and smiled to herself because she had already been playing Cupid for Cathy & Lionel ever since she confronted Fusco in the bathroom stall and discovered that he was already an Asset for Finch & John. When he turned in the HR bosses and began working as a man of honor and sincerity, Joss knew Lionel had found his purpose and was earning the right to get his family back. So she had been planting seeds in both their hearts to reconcile.
Cathy opened the door for Joss giving her a warm but worried hug and informed her that Taylor already planned to spend the night with Lee. Before Joss could protest Taylor came toward her giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
"Mom, I thought you and Mom Cathy already said it was okay if I spent the night. We're on Level 2 of the newest game John bought us, plus we planned to go to the movie theatre at the Mall tomorrow and... " Taylor said with growing enthusiasm and excitement.
Joss cut him off and said, "Taylor let's not impose on Cathy more than necessary okay?"
Cathy interrupted, "No Joss, it's no imposition at all. Lee & Taylor are like brothers so let them spend all the time together they can. Let him stay, I'm good with their plans since I was going to the Mall anyway."
"Taylor Michael Carter you are to be on your best behavior understood?" Mama bear Carter scolded.
"Yes, Mom you know I will. LEE, I CAN STAY!" Taylor hollered as he ran back to the bedroom and continued playing the latest war game.
"Well, goodnight Taylor and kisses to you too…BYE!" Joss said to the dust trail Taylor left in his wake.
Cathy raised an eyebrow at Joss' attire and said: "Let's go to the kitchen. Nice shirt by the way, anything you'd care to share?"
Once there, Cathy poured herself some coffee and handed Joss a bottled water. Joss blushed and lowered her voice saying: "No, we don't need to discuss my shirt; I've got the situation under control. Now, did you think about what we discussed? What have you decided?"
"Don't try to change the subject. So he's a 'situation' under control huh? Well Jocelyn Penda Carter, the fact that you're flushed and wearing the dress-shirt of a certain man you have a major lovejones for tells me that the 'situation' has you under control. But okay, whatever you need to tell yourself." Cathy said while laughing at Joss before she continued speaking.
"To answer your questions; Yes, I do believe you that Lionel isn't working for HR anymore. I couldn't live with him again if I thought he was dirty but thanks to the influence of the two of you, I believe he can be trusted so I'm going to take him back and give him the chance he wants to be a good husband and father. I've already discussed this with Lee and he is very happy to have his dad move back in with us." Cathy said with a serious expression.
Joss could see she was downplaying her excitement because neither Cathy nor Lionel could ever fool Joss who knew how much they still loved one another. "Have you told Lionel what you've decided yet?" Joss asked.
"I will tomorrow. I asked him to join me at the Mall while I'm doing my power-walking exercises and he agreed. So while I've got him exercising I'm also going to get a healthy tuna & avocado wrap and some fresh veggies down his throat too." Cathy winked and laughed conspiratorially at her BFF.
"So Joss, what are your plans tomorrow? Would you like to meet up with us at the Mall later?"
"No I can't. I'm going to the office for a bit. There is a missing person I need to track down and I don't want to waste valuable time."
Joss hedged a bit but knew she needed to say this to her BFF. "But listen Cathy, you know that you are my girl and with love in my heart I need to tell you this. I need you to not break his balls when he tries to explain himself. Let him talk. Let him apologize for his bad choices, his failures and moral shortcomings. He needs to get all it off his chest to know that you accept him for who he really is: a human being.
He needs to be vulnerable and open with you to become the husband & father you need him to be. He will be honest with you only because you're the keeper of his heart."
"Yes Joss, I realize that sometimes my angry words have drawn blood but I've done some soul-searching too. Our divorce wasn't all Lionel's fault, I know where I went wrong and I won't take my insecurities out on the man I love." Cathy stood in front of Joss holding her hands while looking into her eyes.
"Joss I know my shortcomings and limitations, I know what I want, and I know who I want. I won't sabotage this. I won't get complacent; this time we will keep each other on our toes. We're gonna make this work."
They smiled & hugged one another but before Joss turned to leave she had a favor to ask. "Cath, I'm working on something personal & confidential, I can't explain now but very soon I will need your help. Can I count on you?"
"You never have to ask. You know I've got your back whenever you need me. No questions asked."
"Thank you, that is exactly what I needed to hear. Goodnight, oh and congratulations on your new marriage." Joss said teasing her friend.
Jocelyn returned to her quiet home and turned on the soft music station John was playing at his place. She took off John's shirt and hung it on the doorknob while she took a quick shower. After she dried off and lotioned herself she put his shirt on again deciding to sleep in it so one way or another she would have John Reese in her bed.
Walking from her fridge back to her bedroom with her refilled water bottle, Joss heard her doorbell ring. Her living room lights were off so she quietly walked in the dark to look through the peephole to see John Reese standing there. Opening then locking the door after he entered, Joss just watched as he silently walked in, removed his jacket and tossed it over her sofa.
"John, what are you doing here?" a puzzled Jocelyn asked.
"You didn't call, plus you took something from me and I came to get it back." He explained.
"You want your shirt that badly?"
John snorted before he responded. "I want what belongs to me: first my shirt, then my goodnight kiss, and finally my wife, in that order."
He stalked toward her grabbing a fistful of his shirt and pulling her to him. Now face to face, he focused on her lips while his magic fingers unbuttoned the shirt. Tilting his head from side to side searching for the perfect angle for their first kiss, he gave her a couple of light, soft kisses that quickly turned hot with passion as John & Joss worked their tongues into one another's mouths.
John opened his shirt to find his wife naked beneath it, he reached around her waist to cup her round, fleshy bottom lifting her up; and she responded by locking her legs around his hips. With their mouths still attached, John walked to her room and laid her on the bed. He stood up looking down at her and felt a lump form in his throat so he swallowed to ease his nervousness.
She looked up at him with a shy smile, intense eyes and open arms. She too was nervous and began breathing hard. Joss rose to her knees on the bed and reached for John to unbutton his shirt. He exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair before looking around her room. He found what he'd been searching for and grabbed Joss' hands from his chest to kiss them as he walked to her dresser and lit the scented candle jar. He turned off the bright bedroom ceiling light and returned to stand in front of Jocelyn. The soft, sensuous glow of the single candle gave the lovers enough light to begin their journey.
They looked into one another's eyes while their hands began exploring. John tried to remove his lilac shirt from Joss' body but she was adamant to keep it on. So instead he slowly kissed her body all over starting at her forehead to the tips of her toes and he made a special point of lingering at all the sensuous places in between until Joss was incoherent with lust and passionate need for her man.
Jocelyn needed to explore the warmth and contours of her lover's body so she pushed him onto his back and removed only his pants, for now. She sat on top of him and winked as she finally removed the lilac shirt and pulled her hair to the right side of her neck. She grabbed his arms lifting them above his head and wrapping his fingers around the brass headboard posts.
He understood her wishes and kept his hands in place however he wasn't strong enough to resist the temptation of her breast dangling above his lips so he stretched out his tongue to lick it and then pull it into his mouth. She gasped and pulled herself away shaking her head at him.
This was her time to explore and torture him a few times so she placed her finger over his lips and traced the outline of his mouth. She couldn't resist the urge to taste him and she did it quickly before he could respond.
Continuing where she left off, Joss took her fingernails and slowly tickled the palms of his hands, which led down to his forearms, which became his underarms, and then she moved to his chest & nipples, then back up to his handsome neck and face. She again leaned forward molding her breasts into his body as she kissed and bit her way from his left earlobe to his neck and across his shoulders, continually making mental notes of what areas would elicit a moan or a pulse jump from her sensuous lover's body.
While she kissed him and rubbed her hot flesh along his lean, muscular body, John forced himself to remain in place and allow her to lead. He knew the limits of his control were fast approaching so he watched her movements in the flickering candle light and let himself feel everything she did to him.
He gripped the brass posts even tighter to keep from rolling his wife underneath him and thrusting himself into her waiting feminine center. John Reese could be a man of substantial patience when necessary but watching his wife kiss her way down to his manhood while her fingernails teased and caressed his skin with her unique design was not one of those necessary moments. So he would wait until she removed his briefs and then he would strike…
Her startled cry of surprise was followed by her begging him to let her finish her task but John was beyond comprehension and chivalry. He wanted what he wanted; and right now his want was pointed at object of his desire. He was operating on pure primal need to be inside his future wife right now and so he did. Their mouths, their arms, their legs, their bodies and especially their hearts entwined together and they became one, over and over again.
Neither of them noticed the candle flame slowly burn itself out causing the flickering images on the bedroom walls to fade and be replaced by the sounds of their passion echoing into the night.
JR-JC-JR-JC-JR-JC-JR-JC-JR-JC
Daylight found the inseparable lovers tangled in one another's arms & legs. John was snoring deeply, so Joss moved carefully not wanting to wake him up. Joss quietly washed, dressed and slipped out to be on time for her morning appointment.
Joss entered the Diner looking around until she spotted her party. Smiling as she approached the booth, she extended her hand and spoke first.
"Good morning, I'm Detective Jocelyn Carter and I thank you for meeting me on such short notice."
"Good morning Detective, I'm Grace Hendricks. Our mutual friend Jonathan Careese told me to expect your call."
A/N: I didn't want to do another cliffhanger because now I want your ideas for a final chapter. Finch will not take kindly to this development. Thank you for your continued support of my J & J tale.