Rifiuto: Non Mirena

A/N: This shifts to Carter/Jo; and there is going to be an in-depth look at Carter's reaction to Jo leaving that is seperate from this, called 'Part of Me' that I just need to finish cleaning and then I'll put it up.

Thanks to crazy4jacksonrathbone for reviewing 2.

"You sure you don't wanna come? We could probably share my bio-pod." She scoffed gently, shaking her head.

"Tempting... but I have some... other stuff I need to do. I... I have to do this." She whispered, reaching down and touching his hands before wrapping her arms around him. His scent enveloped her, and she breathed deep, wanting to remember this for the rest of her life, if they decided it didn't work between them. She sighed, and he gently swayed them back and forth to a familiar tune only they could hear. He tightened his arms around her waist, burying his face in her neck.

"I'll be thinking about you, Jojo." He whispered, his warm breath caressing the shell of her ear. A moment passed, as he nuzzled his nose into her dark hair, feeling tears beginning to prick his eyes. She chuckled softly.

"I'm sure you say that to all your alternate-timeline hookups." They pulled away, staring into each others' eyes, and he caught the brief flash of pain. He shook his head.

"No." He whispered, taking her hand. "You were never a hookup." Her heart swelled at his words, and she leaned up, capturing his lips in a deep, passionate kiss. He tugged until she was flush against him, her small, lithe body melding perfectly to his. When it got too heated, she pulled away.

"Be safe up there, Zane." Then, she pulled away, rushing from the area before he could stop her. He watched her disappear through the doors, tears beginning to cloud his vision.

The song played low on the stereo in the office, and she took a deep breath. She could do this. She was writing a simple note, only a few sentences, not the Declaration of Independence, for God's sake. And it was Carter she was writing to, not her brothers or father, or anyone else... but all the same, the simple fact that it was Carter made it that much harder to put pen to paper and write. Her hands shook as she stared at the single word on the paper in front of her; the name of the man who'd become a father-figure when she had none here, who'd been like an older brother, looking out for her, protecting her, the man who had become her best friend in the short span of five years.

Carter meant more to her than even Zane. And therein lay the problem. My Josefina... you're like what Lexi never was to me... actually a loveable little sister... She sniffled. Loveable little sister, my ass.

Carter,

She took a deep breath. You can do this. It's just a note, a simple note. Make it short and sweet...

"What's... goin' on?" She looked up, her mouth dropping as Carter slowly walked into the office, hands in his pockets. Tears began to mist her vision.

"I was... trying to write you a note." She sniffled again, taking a deep breath. "I was always... better with weapons than words."

"Just gonna leave without... saying goodbye?" He asked; hurt flashed over his face and her heartstrings tugged, she'd hurt him, even if he'd caught her before she could flee. She'd still hurt him. Him showing up was only going to make this harder.

She gave a quick shake of her head. "I don't do... goodbyes." She the pen nervously on the paper and watched him. He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.

"Jo, I need you." She sighed, putting the pen down before climbing to her feet and moving around the desk, hands in her pockets.

"You're part of the reason I'm going, Carter."

"I'm... what?" He stopped, confused by her turn of speech. Maybe she meant Zane, maybe she meant Eureka, but not... not him. She took a deep breath.

"When you first came to Eureka, you were smug and self-centered and a... really crappy boss." He grit his jaw, unsure of how to respond.

"You really are bad at goodbyes." She struggled not to cry even though she wanted desperately to laugh at his corny joke at her expense. He was trying to make her smile, and for that, she was grateful.

"But you found your place here and you made it a home, and now you're making this family-" She waved her hands briefly, moving past and turning back to him. Allison's words came back to him as he listened to her speak; she'd known, but hadn't told him what Jo was planning on doing- skipping out of town with only a note as a goodbye. Have you spoke with Jo? You probably should.

"And I consider you a part of my family." He emphazised as his former deputy nodded, biting her lip.

"Me, too." She took a deep breath. "But these last few months have made me realize that everything I do is to prove myself to someone else. My father, my brothers, my boyfriends and..." She took a shaky breath, whispering, "You." He started, confusion breaking through the shock. "I need to figure out what I want." Tears flooded her eyes and she closed them to keep from crying.

He shuffled his feet like a child asking if he could go outside and play. "You can't... figure that out.. from here?" She shook her head, licking her lips.

"I don't think so. Not yet." He watched her, tears in his own eyes.

"I hope you do." She gave him a sad, soft smile. "And uh... I... hope you come back. Soon."

She nodded. "Me, too." Then, she wrapped her arms around him. He buried his face in her silky black hair, holding tight to her waist. A moment passed, before she let the tears slip down her cheeks, and slowly, they began to sway- a sad, parting waltz taking place of the normally fiesty salsa. They swayed softly, gently to the music, before she pulled away. He stared into her dark eyes as she reached up and cradled his face. After several seconds, she leaned up, pressing a firm kiss to his cheek.

"I'll be seeing ya, Carter." She whispered, pulling away, even as he grabbed her hand to keep her from leaving. She gave him one last smile- a true smile- before grabbing her duffel and heading out of the office. He felt his heart drop. Those words, he'd heard them before, and they always ended badly for the people who said them. He swallowed, letting the tears fall freely.

"Okay."