Joss felt numb as she moved forward towards her apartment. Gabby died on the way to the hospital as she watched helplessly as the paramedic that sat in the back tried desperately at reviving her, but unfortunately it wasn't enough. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she pushed open her door. She had to call Carly to let her know what had happened, and cry for their fallen friend together.

"Mom you okay?" she blinked her eyes when she saw her son grateful he was home, and safe.

"Thank god you're alright." she wrapped her arms around her son grateful to hold onto him. She just needed to be close to him for a moment knowing her son probably had no idea what was going on.

"I'm fine mom." he held onto her tightly as if knowing the kind of night she had. When had he become the one she leaned on? She was the parent she should be the rock, and she should be comforting him not the other way around. She pushed back from her son, and blinked her eyes in surprise when she saw John appear from the small hallway leading towards their bedrooms.

"John what are you doing here?"

"I was told about the threatening phone message you received earlier." she nodded her head. No doubt Finch had told him, and since he was in her apartment either he let himself in like before, or Taylor had. Her son liked John, and always referred to him as Mr. Badass asking how he was, and if she had seen him again.

"Gabby is dead."

"What?" Taylor's eyes widened in stunned surprise. Taylor had met Gabby a few times though he was closer to Carly. She looked up into John's eyes seeing a flicker of some emotion in them before she looked back at her son's sad ones.

"Gabby was murdered tonight Taylor that's where I was at the hospital. She died in the ambulance on her way to the hospital from her injuries."

"I'm so sorry mom." he whispered wrapping his arms around her once more. She wanted to cry like a baby, but she needed to stay strong for him. She rubbed Taylor's back a moment before pushing away to peer down at him.

"I'll be alright I'm going to miss her like crazy though." her eyes lifted from her son's to John, and kept them there. "Honey can you give me some time alone with John?"

"Sure mom, but you aren't going to like what he has to say." with that he turned and hurried towards his bedroom. She flung the blanket that the hospital gave her since her jacket had been covered in Gabby's blood onto the back of her couch not caring. She flung her heels off her feet had blisters forming thanks to the running she had done earlier all for nothing. Gabby was gone, and she wanted answers from John.

"Why were you there John?" she asked her eyes never leaving his face as she walked directly in front of him noting his hands that had been covered with Gabby's blood at some point had been washed. She lifted a hand and pushed his jacket, and suit jacket out of the way to look at the wound at his shoulder noting it appeared like it stopped bleeding. Their eyes searched one another's, and he waited until she took a step back away from him before he spoke.

"She was our new person that we were trying to save."

"Why didn't you tell me about her being in danger?" Joss tried to clamp down on the rising anger that was building up inside her, but it was hard since she felt like he had deliberately left her out and now Gabby was gone. She had the right to know that her friend had been in danger!

"Because it was too personal of a case for you, and I didn't want to get you involved in it until I needed your help."

"Well you should have because maybe if you had Gabby would be alive right now." she knew it was wrong to lash out at him. It wasn't his fault that Gabby had been murdered, but she wanted to hurt someone like she was hurting and he was it. "I told you that someone was going to get hurt because you are playing god and I was right. How dare you decide if I should know, or not that my friend is in grave danger John!"

"I'm sorry that she's gone Joss."

"No your not. How can you be when you probably don't feel a god damn thing?! Your nothing but a damned killer you don't care that she's gone. You don't care that she was a sweet woman that had everything to live for, and now her life was cut short. You don't care about anything except for your damned purpose. But your purpose failed me." she hated feeling like she was drowning in a sea of grief. "You failed me." the words were barely audible barely above a whisper, but the impact was immediate. John's entire body jerked as if she had slapped him, but it was his eyes that really gave away his feelings like they always did. Pain radiated out of them, and she felt like a dam broke inside her as tears began falling. Joss wanted to apologize for the words, but she couldn't speak the stuttering sobs stealing any chance at telling him anything. She felt his arms wrap around her cuddling her close to his strong body, and she took what he offered quickly wrapping her arms around his neck burying her face in his chest sobbing.

"I'm sorry Joss." his soft murmur of apology as he continued to hold to soothe her made her cry harder. She was such a terrible person blaming him when he had been just trying to protect her even if it was a misguided intention. His heart had been in the right place, and she had blamed him as if he killed her friend. She was appalled at her own words as she pushed back from his warmth needing to apologize to him. Joss forced herself to reign in on her emotions keeping her hands on his strong forearms, and she looked up into his face not seeing anything in his expression.

"I'm so sorry John I didn't mean what I said." she whispered as she swallowed a sob that tried to escape her.

"Its okay."

"No its not I'm in a bad place right now, and I took it out on you which I have no right to do, and I am really sorry for that."

"You have nothing to apologize for Joss I deserve your anger."

"Why?"

"I saw the woman that ultimately killed your friend. I thought she was just an innocent she gave me no impression she was doing anything other then just walking home. I refocused on watching Gabrielle when she hit me in the back of the head with a bat. It was the same woman. So I deserve your anger since I made a fatal error which cost your friend her life."

"John even as much as you wish it different you aren't super human you couldn't have known she was going to kill Gabby. The only error you made was not telling me about Gabby being in danger." she rubbed away the tears from her eyes.

"Carter I-"

"No one expects you to see every bad thing that could happen John least of all me. I just have one request for the future."

"What?"

"Just keep me in the loop from now please John regardless if you think you are doing the right thing for me or not. We are friends at least I think so, and you want my trust well I think I more then proven to you that you can trust me back."

"This had nothing to do with trust or lack of it Joss. I just wanted to prevent you from unnecessary pain."

"Which I will eventually come to appreciate, but right now I am still pissed at you for not involving me with what you knew about Gabby. But I am truly sorry for lashing out, and lets find the bitch that killed Gabby!" she wanted to collapse in her bed and hide away from the world. But she couldn't not when the woman that killed her good friend was out, and about who could harm another person just like Gabrielle.

"Joss, I need you to go pack up some things like your son already has because you both are going to a safe location for the time being." that startled her since the change in conversation was swift, and sudden. She would worry about herself later her first priority was the killer out on the loose that murdered her friend. She wasn't going to do as he suggested, and cowardly tuck her tail between her legs and hide. She wasn't built that way. She was an NYPD homicide detective of course she was going to arrest someone that was going to hold a grudge. The only thing she agreed with him about is sending her son somewhere where he'd be protected. She shook her head.

"No."

"You don't get to decide this Carter its not up for discussion." was he trying to piss her off? Because if he was it was damned well working.

"You're right John its not since I'm not going anywhere. Taylor can stay with his grandma while I first find the woman that killed my friend, and then find the person that's threatening me. Once that's done my son can come home."

"Joss you're not listening to me I said you are going to a safe location."

"You're not listening to me John I said I'm not going anywhere." she went to turn away from him, but he grabbed her elbow tightly forcing her to look at him. John didn't often touch her only when he had too. He immediately dropped his hand from her elbow, and she felt heat spread from her elbow through her body.

"Joss, this is serious." she tried to ignore the warmth spreading through her thanks to his simple touch but it was difficult.

"I know John, but I need to find my friend's killer first before I even consider myself. You need to tell me everything you can about this woman you saw, and you need to get to talking now."

"I think she's the same woman that is threatening you."

"What?" she didn't want to believe that because that would mean Gabby died because of her. She stared helplessly up into his eyes seeing he was speaking the truth, and she shook her head. "No I don't believe you."

"Joss you know our source is never wrong well we have it on good authority that your son, Lionel, and your friend Carly are the next targets."

"No no no no no." she trembled hating the panic bubbling up in her. Her son was a target. She tried to drag in breaths.

"Your mother isn't an option for Taylor to go too since we are putting her into a safe home as well. Our source didn't give us her name, but if this woman is targeting your friends, and family it will be only a matter of time before they target your mother as well."

"Oh god. She's in her mid eighties John she has health issues."

"Its going to be alright Joss. Harold has already figured out the perfect location for your mother to hide out in, and all expenses are paid for already." she nodded her head. She closed her eyes as a stress headache began throbbing all over again. "I promise Joss I will not allow anyone to hurt anyone you love ever again." she blinked her eyes open at his tone. Joss nodded her head knowing he would do whatever it took to protect her family, and friends.

"Thank you John."

"Now you see why I am telling you to go into a safe house Joss."

"I see what you mean, but I'm not going John."

"JOSS." he growled in frustrated anger. Well hell she was pissed off at the world too and was more then willing to fight right now.

"John its my life." her voice just as loud and angry as his grew to be.

"Its your life that you will throw away. Do you think she will stop at your family, and friends Joss? She will come after you."

"Well she can come after me all she wants, but to me she's being a damned coward going after my family like this."

"She's hitting you where it hurts Joss! She knows everything about you, and how you feel about the people you care about. She wants to torment you before she tries to kill you."

"How would you know what she's thinking John?"

"Because I talked to her!"

"When, better yet how?"

"I met her in the bar at the restaurant this evening Joss. She had come out of nowhere, and was hitting on me. She gave me her phone number, and I figured I'd never would have to use it. That all changed when I realized she was the same woman that killed your friend Gabby."

"John does this woman know what it is you, and Finch do?"

"We believe she does, but we cannot figure out how as of yet."

"Do you think maybe that's why she's targeting me for helping you guys or something?"

"No at least I don't believe so I mean from our conversation tonight she's clearly not stable, and she hates you for some reason."

"What did she say John?"

"She said that you ruined her life, and she eluded that you killed someone she cared about a lot, and you made her watch that person die." Joss wanted to sink to the floor feeling like her legs couldn't hold her up anymore.

"I would never do that."

"I know that Joss."

"So she went after Gabby because of me? How did she even know I was friends with Gabby? I mean I'm not exactly the social butterfly most of the time my job takes away my personal life, and I hadn't seen either Carly, or Gabby in a very long while." Joss was at a loss. The people she loved, and cared about the most were in danger all thanks to a vendetta against her for something she didn't do. This had to be the worst day of her life, and she blinked her eyes hating the moisture gathering in them all over again. She wasn't one to cry easily or often, but this would be the second time in a matter of minutes in front of John.

"I don't know Joss, but she has a fixation on you for whatever reason. She has red hair, and green eyes. She is an average build I would say, and pretty ordinary looking." Joss tried to think back to a woman that matched that description, but not a single person came to mind.

"She doesn't ring any bells John. I don't know who she is, and I have no idea why she hates me so much. I didn't kill anyone, and make someone watch it!"

"Have you had to kill someone recently in the line of duty Joss?"

"No not recently its been a few years since I had too, and my most recent shootouts have been with you, and I clip them usually in the leg."

"Who was the last person that you had to kill in the line of duty?"

"I don't recall his name right now, but we had gone to his house on the reported gunshots at his home. When I got there he had already killed his wife, and when he turned the gun on his daughter I shot, and killed him before he could hurt her."

"How old would you say the daughter had been at the time?"

"She was probably seventeen at the time I would say."

"And how long ago would you say this happened?"

"I would guess at least three years ago."

"Do you recall what the girl looked like?" the girl had light brown hair, but she didn't get a chance to really talk to the young woman.

"Wait are you saying that you think the woman coming after me is the girl I saved?"

"I don't know but it's a possible lead, and I want to go check into it some more."

"I could go look through the old case files for you, and find it I'm sure."

"No you need to go into the safe location until I can figure out whose coming after you Joss." this man just didn't give up did he?

"John I'm a big girl, and I can handle myself. Believe it or not, but I took care of myself before you ever came along." she was not some damned damsel in distress she could take care of herself. She was grateful to Harold, and John for finding safe places for the people she cared about, but she wasn't going to go with them.

"I'll die before I let her touch one hair on your head." his eyes were icy blue his voice was just as cold, but the meaning behind his cold stated words brought a warm fuzzy feeling spreading through her body. She knew he cared about her, but knowing it, and hearing it were two different things. He sighed roughly looking away from her. "Will you please just go with your son?"

"I can't John. I can't do it I'm sorry I can't run away and hide. I'm not that type of person, and you know that. John would you do that? Would you willingly go into hiding knowing that someone is out there targeting the people you care about the most for no other reason then for a grudge being held against you? Answer me honestly would you, or wouldn't you?!"

"No I wouldn't."

"So why should I?"

"Its different."

"Why?"

"Because Joss I have nothing to live for, and you do. You have the rest of your life to live, and you have a son that needs you."

"No its different because you are the one taking the risk, and not me."

"You got me Joss." he snapped brushing past her. "I don't want anything to happen to you!"

"Why?" she wanted to cry. Why were they arguing about this? He was yelling at her, and she was yelling right back surely Taylor could hear them easily as anyone in a fifty mile radius of them probably could hear their fight.

"Because I don't think I could live without you!" the words sounded like they were born out of desperation as they were spoken rough, raw, and clearly not meant for her ears by his reaction to his own words. His eyes closed, and his shoulders slumped a bit. Joss stared at him without moving, or even breathing as the words hung in the quiet apartment wishing she knew what he meant by them? Was he acting out of just purely a platonic nature, or was it more to it then that?

"John-" she whispered quietly and he shook his head as he reopened his eyes imploring her to not ask.

"Harold's on his way over to pick up you and Taylor as we speak, but since you are being stubborn I guess he'll be taking just Taylor to the safe house with Carly. If you insist on working while wearing a bullseye on your back then I suggest you wear your bulletproof vest at all times when outside exposed understood?" she nodded her head when she couldn't work her mouth sensing he needed her to keep quiet. "Can you make sure Lionel does as well since he has refused to go into the safe house?" when she nodded again answering his question he turned brushing past her to make his way to the door. She wasn't about to let him go without at least trying to get an answer about what he meant when he said he couldn't live without her.

"John-" she tried again, but he shook his head clearly not wanting to talk about his admission.

"Not now Carter." It wasn't the words that hurt it was the clear stiffening of his back telling her to back off. John was already distancing himself from her which wasn't fair to her, and yet she had no way of stopping it either. "Get me that file, and call me if you need anything." she watched quietly as he opened her door, and slammed it shut behind him. She leaned her head back rubbing her forehead for a moment.

"I care too." she whispered to herself.

"Are you, and Mr. Badass something?" she turned her head and saw Taylor standing in the hallway with his backpack, and jacket on.

"Honestly honey right now I have no idea." she didn't have it in her tonight to even define what they were to anyone not alone her son who was very overprotective of her.

"If you are its cool as long as he treats you right." she smiled softly at the protective tone to her son's voice.

"Thanks for giving us the permission, but right now I am going to concentrate on keeping you, and everyone else safe."

"Are you sure you won't come with me?" god they had to have been yelling loud, or her son had been eavesdropping on them.

"I can't Taylor. This woman is after me, and if I go running she might take it out on innocent civilians. You know I can handle myself."

"Yeah I know." he lifted his hand, and they fist bumped. She then wrapped her arms around her son. "I love you mom just be careful."

"Love you more Taylor, and I am always careful." she closed her eyes holding him knowing Harold would be here soon to pick up her son soon.

"When are you going to kill that knuckle scraper?" Root huffed quietly sitting at one of the small booths in the corner. Amber smiled as she eyed all the photos she took of the handsome John Reese tonight.

"He's a masterpiece in the making." Amber started cutting into them talking to herself. The words were mumbled, and sounded like jibberish which none of it made any sense to her, but she didn't care since all she cared for was Harold, and the machine.

"I wanted him dead first so Harold, and I could get reacquainted without the overbearing testosterone filled Neanderthal lurking about." she needed Reese out of the way, and this girl had been so promising when she had noticed her stalking the detective that worked with Harold.

"She ruined my life, and I am going to eradicate everyone she has ever loved."

"That includes John she loves him too." reasoning with this psycho was quite a challenge even for her, but she remained optimistic most people were easily manipulated especially ones that were not all with it.

"Oh he's going to be my finale. I never seen someone bleed beautifully like he does he's quite the sight to behold." Amber showed her the photo of an unconscious Reese, and Root shrugged her shoulders. It would have been a sight to behold if he had been dead instead of unconscious, but she kept that little tidbit to herself.

"I much prefer my Harold." but maybe it could still work the way she hoped. If this crazy girl could keep Reese distracted on his little detective then she could still get to Harold. "Amber if you can keep Reese out of my hair then I will continue to help you get your revenge against this horrid detective."

"I promise."

"Good, and since I know them pretty well that means they will be all preoccupied with protecting her spawn of a son, the idiot partner, and her ditzy best friend from all those hitmans looking to collect on the bounty I placed on their heads. So that leaves you a chance to go after someone else Jossy holds near, and dear to her heart." the red head looked up from her photos she was cutting into, and even Root felt a little uneasy with the look on her face.

"Who?"

"Its an old mentor of hers." Root opened her purse up, and pulled out a photograph of the man handing it to the young woman in front of her. "He's the man that shaped the detective that stole the life of the man you loved away." the red head girl trembled and picked up her steak knife, and began piercing the photo of the man's face with the tip of the blade.

"He's as much to blame for killing my George as Jossy is." Root nodded her head grinning. She wanted to get the girl moving onto Reese but unfortunately this girl was beyond insane, and wanted revenge against the expendable detective. But maybe it would work in her advantage since John was in love with the detective, and would be so worried about her well being that she could easily move in on Harold while his attentions were diverted. Once she had Harold back there was nothing going to stop her from setting the machine free.

Author's note: Soooooo I know people have been wondering who was the brains behind the fact that Amber knew who John, and Finch were and hopefully its a pleasant surprise of Root but probably foreseeable by you guys since you guys really rock, and love POI so much :) All I can say is that all isn't what it seems in regards to who Amber really is, and hopefully everyone is in for a wild ride because the craziness is on its way ;) and maybe even some movement with our Reese/Carter babies :) :) Thanks for reading/reviewing as always I appreciate you guys for taking the moment to read my story!

p.s. sorry for any errors I wanted this up yesterday, but things sort of didn't work out the way I hoped and it got pushed to be updated till today :(