What's this? Another chapter? This week's episode was really good, and the jolex end scene was actually really cute, and suddenly got the urge to write again. I will say that I wrote this chapter in a couple of hours, so forgive me for any mistakes, and that it turned out differently to how I first imagined, but oh well. Also, I think I've had 'Placekeeper' by Claire Guerreso (from this week's episode) playing on repeat for the past 3 hours…it's such a good song, and it really helped me write this.

Anyways, thanks for the reviews, follows, and faves! I was surprised by how many people actually read it! Hope you enjoy it! It's set straight after this episode.

After leaving their conversation the way they did, she couldn't help but dig her gun out from underneath their bed when she returned home. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she gently sat down on the comforter and opened the lid to what she had considered to be her lifeline and protector all those years ago. When her fingers brushed across the cold metal, she instantly felt a small burst of adrenaline run through her body, her chest tightening as it took her back to those nights when she lived in her car – alone, vulnerable, scared to close her eyes in case she woke up and was suddenly in a nightmare. But things have changed since then, and she can't help but feel proud for even getting this far and of the life she has made for herself.

There was a part of her that had wanted to keep the gun, as a form of insurance for when she first found this place. At the time, she didn't know if Alex would want to move in with her, and if he hadn't, well then she was glad she'd have it to ward off any intruders and whack-jobs.

The muffled sound of keys in the lock brought her back to the present, and for a moment she wondered if she should just pack it up and shove it under the bed for another time, but she didn't. It was better to deal with it now than having it hanging over their heads for the rest of the night.

Alex played with his keys as he slowly made his way over to her, breaking the silence once he saw her on the bed "Uh, Brandon's doing fine. His bp's…"

She lifted her head to meet his gaze, realising how this looked, and that she most definitely caught him off guard. She gently squeezed the gun, as if she could somehow draw on some of its strength to help her get through this and say what she wanted to say.

Neither one said anything for a moment or two, as both were waiting for the other to break the silence, and whatever he had been about to say was most definitely forgotten, so she took a breath to steady herself.

"I lived in my car when I was sixteen years old. Every night, trying to fall asleep, I would listen to the voices. People going by, people who had nothing going on…nothing going for them. Nothing to lose. Scared to death that they would break in and take my stuff, take me. This gun made me feel like I had something, something on them. But then today…" She hoped he couldn't see the tears starting to form in her eyes, or how shaky her voice was starting to sound. "…that little boy will never walk again."

"Jo, he's still alive."

"Barely." She shrugged, looking away from him as she did so to try and get control of her emotions again. "You know, back then I didn't value my life all that much, but it's different now. I've outgrown this. I don't need this anymore. I don't want it." She looked up and smiled, hoping he understood her reasoning for keeping it.

She didn't know if he wanted to say anything, and rather than sit there in silence waiting, she placed the gun back in the box and closed it up. It wasn't until he took a step forward that she realised he hadn't moved in all that time, which she was kind of glad of, because if had been sitting next to her, touching her, then she probably wouldn't have been able to say what she had just said, especially that last part. Now that her gun was packed up and out of sight, she sat back and let out shaky breath, quickly swiping a stray tear from her cheek before he got any closer.

His lips pressed against hers, so tenderly and caring that it almost made it her tear up again. She pulled him in for another before falling back against his chest, and hugging her arms around his. The fact that one person could make her feel so safe and loved was something she never thought she would experience, and while she was wrapped up in his embrace, she hoped she could reciprocate and be those things for him.

"I didn't know." He murmured against her hair, pulling her a little closer.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't even think about what you had been through, and-"

"It's okay, Jo. I get it."

She felt him take a deep breath and it instantly calmed her, almost as if they were one being.

Eyelids soon became too heavy, and she could feel the fatigue in this body too as his grip started to loosen on her, suddenly noticing that they were now both lying on their sides.

"Okay, I think we should go to bed." She croaked, and started to move before his arms hugged her close once more.

"Can we stay like this for a few more minutes?" he asked as he buried his face in her neck.

She reached behind her, bringing her hand up to run her fingers through the ends of his hair as she spoke, "Mmm…I'm literally about to fall asleep."

"Me too."

She felt his thumb lightly rub the inside of her arm in small circles, just as she did. She dropped her arm on top of his, as it was beginning to get tired, and linked her fingers with his as she let her eyes close once more.

"I love you." She whispered. If it were any other night, she would've gotten up and burst their little bubble, but tonight she indulged him.

He softly pressed his lips against her skin at her neck, to which she let out a small sigh of content. It bemused her how moments like earlier could quickly turn into moments like this, where neither one wanted to leave the other, even to do the simplest of things like turning the lights off, and she honestly never felt more loved, and cherished, and safe than in this moment, which is why she said what said next, "Alex?"

For a minute she thought he had fallen asleep, until he shifted slightly. "Hmm?"

"Ask me again."

"What?"

She rolled onto her back, resting her temple against his forehead, so he could hear her better. "Ask me again."

She could instantly tell when he understood what she getting at, as his body suddenly tensed next to hers, and his fingers gently squeezed her hand before he spoke "Are you-" he quickly cleared his throat as he gently pushed up onto his elbow and met her gaze, "You sure?"

She nodded, a small smile beginning to spread across her face as she looked at him.

He waited a minute before he slowly let his gaze trail down her face, pausing at her lips for the briefest of moments before bringing them back up to her eyes. He couldn't help but reach up and gently run his thumb across her bottom lip, and then her cheek before her asked her. "Jo?"

"Yes?" She whispered, suddenly aware of how close they were. Her heart began to race, beating against her chest so fast it was a wonder she was able to hear him at all. This was happening.

"Will you marry me?"

She couldn't help but smile upon hearing those words, and she brought her hand to rest against his cheek. A few tears had managed to escape, and she tried to wipe them away, but soon gave up. "Yes."

He let out a small relieved laugh, "Yeah?"

"Yeah." She pulled his lips to hers, both laughing as she did so. His hand tangled in her hair, and she tried to pull him as close to her as she possibly could.

"Hang on…" he broke the kiss and stretched behind him to open his bedside drawer where he kept the ring. He opened the navy blue box, and took out the ring before turning back to her. She was now propped up on her elbow, mirroring his current position. His eyes met hers, and he lifted her left hand and placed the ring on her finger. "Third time's the charm, right?"

She let out another laugh before bringing her lips back to his, her tongue running across his bottom lip. "Shut up."

A/N: Reviews make me happy. Love hearing what you guys think!