Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Yes, this is Jo and Zane's long awaited first meeting...

Thanks to paradiso31 for reviewing 7 and 8 and mondler1998 for reviewing 8.

She awoke at eight, to the sounds of Russian Trepak streaming into her room. Groaning, she pulled her pillow over her head, as an automated voice greeted her over the speakers. "Good morning, Jo. Breakfast is ready when you come downstairs. Would you like a shower first?" Her eyes snapped open, and she sat up, a scream escaping her throat. When she looked up next, Zoe was rushing into her bedroom in pink heart pajamas, with Carter right behind her.

"Is everything all right? Are you okay?" Carter asked, looking around. Jo took a deep breath, slowly unfurling from around the pillow she was clutching.

"S... sorry, Sheriff Carter. I... I woke up and... forgot where I was and... and then I heard... that..." She pointed to the ceiling. "I... overreacted, is all." She said, as Carter nodded.

"I'm sorry if I scared you, Jo. That's wasn't my intention." SARAH replied. Carter chuckled softly.

"Don't worry Jo, yours is a... typical reaction when you first stay here." He said. She nodded.

"Oh... okay. Um... I... I think I'll go... take a shower..." And she climbed out of bed, slipping past Carter and making her way towards the bathroom.

After a quick shower, she returned to her room and pulled on a pair of black leggings and a white tank, before pulling on her black wrap jacket and her light pink ballet skirt. She pulled her hair back into a tight ponytail that she would later pull into a bun- a habit she could never break, no matter how hard she tried- and then pulled on her white leg warmers before slipping into her black glitter flats and grabbing her dance bag. She'd pulled on her scarf and the fingerless gloves her older brother Luca had sent her from Spain. The red rose design- intricately painted on the back of each glove, was perfect for the Lupo's Spanish Rose, as they often referred to her. She double checked that she had her Pointe shoes and her music, before heading downstairs.

Carter and Zoe looked up as she entered the kitchen. "Hey Jo. What's with the... ballerina gear?" Zoe asked. She glanced down.

"Does it look that bad?"

"Not if you're going for an audition to Swan Song." Carter said. Jo stared at him for a moment, before realizing his mixup.

"Swan Lake." He returned her confused look with one of his own.

"What?"

"Swan Lake. Not Swan Song." Then, she grabbed an apple out of the bowl and dashed towards the door with a nimbleness that surprised both Carters and SARAH. "Thanks, Sheriff Carter! I'm gonna go wander around before I go to the studio." And without another word, she was gone.

She walked the two miles into town- why had the Carters decided to live in a bunker on a hill overlooking downtown?- munching on her apple and enjoying the air. Eventually, she made it to downtown, and dashed across the street, her Pointe shoes swinging back and forth, hitting her hip as she leaped over the gutter and rushed down the sidewalk towards the cafe. Eurekians watched the young girl from New York, some surprised by her, others wondering when she'd leave them to their peace. She managed to slip into the door as it closed, sliding to a stop in the middle of the cafe, causing everyone to turn to stare at her. She looked around, suddenly exceedingly aware that she was the object of their attention. Clearly, newcomers were a dime a dozen in this town.

She took a deep breath, rolled her shoulders back, and brushed a stray strand of hair away, going to the counter and taking a seat. "Morning, little dancer." Vincent said, setting a cup of coffee in front of her. She smiled at him, instantly taking a sip and pushing a few bills his way. He shook his head. "No, no, everything here is free."

"Keep it. For the excellent service." He gave her a small smile.

"So, what can I get you this morning?" He asked. She thought a moment.

"Um... surprise me." She replied. He nodded. Once he was gone, she sat sipping her coffee, trying not to stare back at the people who stared at her. "H... hey, Vincent?" He came over to her. "Where's the dance studio?" His eyes widened, and the others in the cafe laughed, some snickering behind their hands. She turned to stare at them. "What's so funny?"

Moments passed before, "There's no dance studio here. The closest thing we have is the gym at GD." She turned, to see the same young man who'd been watching her the night before standing in the door way. He sauntered over to the counter, taking a seat next to her, as Vincent brought out her order and his.

"What do you mean there's no dance studio?" She asked, as he sipped his coffee. He glanced at her.

"We don't have a dance studio. Look around, bright eyes, no one here is going to be a dancer." She glanced around.

"How am I supposed to practice? Osmosis? I can't do that. Just because I'm on break-" She stopped when he turned to her, his blue eyes locking on hers.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but... if you're on break, aren't you supposed to... I don't know, crazy idea, take a break?" She licked her lips, turning back to her meal.

"I can't. If I slack off, I could lose my spot in the company, and I've worked too hard for that. Taking a break is not an option." He leaned close, so that when she turned next, their lips were inches apart.

"Would that be such a bad thing?" He asked. She stared into his eyes for a moment, before leaning close-

"Leave her alone, Zane! She's here to hang out with me, not make out with you!" The pair pulled apart, to see Zoe and Carter in the doorway. He raised his eyebrows.

"Geez, little Carter, ever hear of sharing?" He asked, getting up. He grabbed his cup, and turned back to Jo. "Personally, I think the kid's got a bit of a crush on you. But then again, I don't blame her." He smirked at the startled look on her face. "Catch you later, bright eyes." He whispered, pressing a kiss to her cheek before leaving. Zoe turned, watching him saunter off with an air of possessiveness about her. Once she was sure he was gone, she followed her dad into the cafe.

"Seems like he's taken a liking to you, little dancer." Vincent said, leaning against the counter. Jo turned back to him.

"Who was that?" He glanced back at the door as Zoe and Carter took seats at the counter.

"Zane Donovan." Zoe grumbled; clearly, she was still pissed about Zane moving in on her penpal.

"He's a particle phsycist, and the youngest person to win-" She only half-listened as Vincent rattled off some prestigious award in science. Her direction returned at the mention of GD again.

"Where is this GD? What is it? I keep hearing it, but I have no clue what it is, and he said that the only gym they really have that would work for my dance would be the gym at this... GD." Jo asked, looking at the others. Carter and Vincent shared glances, before he got up.

"Come on, Jo, I'll take you. We'll talk to Allison."

Half an hour later, she found herself being escorted by the sheriff into the Allison's office at Global Dynamics. "All I want to do is use the gym to practice my dancing. I don't care about science or... technology. Just give me a space to practice, I'll be fine on my own, I promise. Please." She begged. Allison glanced at Carter, before sitting back in her chair. Minutes passed before the older woman nodded.

"Fine. You can use the gym, but only if you agree to stick to the gym and the cafeteria." Jo nodded.

"I promise. Thank you."