Finch felt better, better than he had in the last couple of days. He shifted his eyes off the road as he drove himself and John back to his apartment after their little talk. John had tried his best to explain to him it wasn't his fault; though he still felt the guilt within, he also felt like he could see John without being a painful reminder of what had happened and why. John had talked with him about several things that were maddening him, one of which was his cool relationship Detective Jocelyn Carter.

Finch explained as best as he could what had happened, his friend didn't seem pleased however. He had listened without saying much until he was finished and he had taken Jocelyn's side on some of it, while his on others. His mind was very much on their conversation from earlier this afternoon, when he had been surprised in the library when Shaw brought John in.

"Carter said she was upset with you because she felt like you abandoned me. I know you wouldn't have ever given up, Finch. For that, Carter was wrong, but she was upset at the time."

"Never Mr. Reese! You are my friend as well as my employee. I didn't realize when I set out to find you to help me save the numbers that you would become a dear friend."

"I never thought when I started helping you with the numbers that I'd find a reason to go on, but you gave that to me Finch. You gave me that and you also gave me friendship. I will always be indebted to you for saving my life Finch; I was wasting away before I met you."

"You never have to be indebted to me, Mr. Reese."

"And you never have to feel guilty over something you had no control over, Finch; what happened to me wasn't your fault. We'll deal with this man; whoever wants to find you, together, with Shaw, with Fusco, and with Carter."

"I don't think the detective is ready to forgive me yet, John."

"She's forgiven you, she just hasn't forgotten, and you haven't exactly been around to earn her trust back, Finch."

"I know I've been staying away because of my guilt over what happened to you. I knew that it would cause another rift between the detective and me, but at the time it had been worth it. Now I see the error in my ways John. I should have been there for her, to help her with her struggles with HR so that Elias wouldn't have to come to her rescue. I'm afraid now that he has, he'll try to use it to his advantage with her, such as trying to blackmail her into helping him, which the detective will refuse and she will be placed back on his hit list. It was my fault; I could have helped her with HR setting her up but I was so wrapped up in looking for you, working on our numbers, sadly I put her woes in the back of my mind. It wasn't a very nice thing to do to a friend."

"Apologize Finch; you once told me an apology goes a long way." John cracked a smile at him.

"I tried she didn't want to hear it at the time."

"Joss is stubborn like that."

"Finch," John's quiet voice knocked him out of his reverie from their earlier conversation, realizing he had pulled up to John's apartment complex that he had chosen for the simple fact that it was roomy for John to maneuver with a wheelchair and close by so everyone could keep an eye on him. Finch hid a smile; John would surely have done far more to impede his condition had he been left alone to his own devices. Finch quickly climbed out of the car, popping the trunk on the way to get John's wheelchair out of the trunk. He breathed heavily pulling it out, unfolding it for John. He looked up to see John on his good leg, leaning against the car for support while waiting for him.

"JOHN YOU AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE ON YOUR FEET FOR THAT LONG!"

"Finch, relax, I've been on my feet exactly two seconds, you sound like Carter now." he grumbled as he lowered himself onto his wheelchair. They began their slow trek to the apartment complex.

"That's because you have to allow your body time to heal a little before the detective and Ms. Shaw can rehabilitate and work with you!" he scolded his friend. The big man just shrugged a little, not put off by his anger. Surely he should give Jocelyn Carter a healthy check for having to put up with John's reckless disregard of his own recovery. "Do you still have that cushion I got you, when you got shot by the CIA?" Finch asked as he held the door open for John to wheel himself into the apartment complex.

"Yes."

"Why aren't you using it, it will work wonders for your back...and bottom?!" John sighed, and Finch shook his head in exasperation. Right, he forgot big bad former assassins couldn't use the donut to help the lower back hurt less and relieve the numbness Reese was probably feeling in his bottom from sitting in the wheelchair so long. It would make him look weak he supposed.

Finch limped in happy silence with John as he slowly wheeled himself down the hall. Finch grabbed the door knob, glad to see it unlocked, which must mean Ms. Carter was home. He opened the door and they were immediately greeted by Jocelyn Carter and Bear. Finch shifted his eyes to John whose eyes lit up when he saw her. John's affections for the detective were getting clearer as time went on, either that or Finch was getting good at reading John's emotions. Bear was extremely happy to see them, licking at John's hands, waiting to be petted by him. Then it was Finch's turn to be licked and to pet the dog. However it didn't take a rocket scientist to know what the detective was feeling right now, in one word, anger.

Jocelyn Carter's barefoot tapped the hardwood floor, her arms crossed across her chest, with a downright scary look on her beautiful face. Finch shifted his gaze off the volcano about to erupt to John. John seemed unfazed by her anger and was smiling.

"Hello Joss,"

"Hello Joss, that's it?! You said an hour, I beat you home, John!"

"It was only an extra hour." Finch wanted to know why it seemed like John was intentionally baiting the detective. Joss's look could make him sweat and confess all his sins, while it appeared Mr. Reese found it entertaining.

"John you look pale, you needed to take your medication and Taylor was going to change your bandages on your back for me if I wasn't home in time. Did you eat lunch while with Finch?" she demanded. Finch grimaced which the detective noticed. "Thank you Finch for being truthful. What do three square meals a day mean to you John; it means to me three meals!"

"Joss I'm sorry I'll eat right now."

"Oh yes you are, I need to fatten you up, John. I don't like how skinny you are still. The doctor said rest, I know that's a foreign concept to you, but Dr. Stevens was very adamant that you were to be resting these first few days out of the hospital. He didn't want me to be reporting to him that you were doing too much." Finch winced; Mr. Reese was getting a mighty lecture. "And Finch you know better, John needs to rest!" Finch gulped, he felt like he was back as a kid and had upset his mother.

"I'm sorry detective, you are quite correct, I didn't realize the time." Joss nodded before glaring at John again.

"Joss, I was going stir crazy and Shaw came by with an offer I couldn't refuse." Finch heard the detective mumble something under her breath about men being pigheaded morons, but he couldn't be quite sure if that was what she said. Joss walked around grabbed the handles to the wheelchair and pushed John quickly to the couch.

"You put your ass on that couch, and don't move one muscle while I make you a sandwich for lunch." Finch's mouth opened in shock. No one could ever speak to Mr. Reese like that.

"Joss," Mr. Reese's patience had run thin, Finch now heard the irritation in John's voice. Detective Carter smiled.

"Well I wouldn't treat you like this if you would do as you were told! You're in my care John, everyone stuck you with me, so you should be thanking Finch, Fusco, and Shaw for it." she snickered at John before stomping by him towards the kitchen.

"Wait till I'm strong enough, so you can't boss me around you power monger," John called out. Joss looked at him first and then to John who struggled to sit on the couch sideways to look her way.

"Wait till I get to train you John, you'll be begging for G.I. Jane, I can guarantee it!" she called out with Finch feeling like he was intruding on their home life. Bicker and argue amicably, then talk and laugh. Finch eyed her and she shrugged. "Fusco's nickname for Shaw just rolls off the tongue; you want a sandwich too, Finch?" she offered but he held up his hand.

"No thank you, detective. I came to drop John off; I must go help Ms. Shaw out with our latest person in need."

"That murderer."

"Yes I, however, don't see him being a murderer. But I guess appearances are deceptive. Before I go, detective, I want to express my deepest apologies to you." She didn't say anything right away as she began making a sandwich for John.

"For what?" Her words were carefully chosen, as if she was waiting to see his response, if he truly knew why she was upset with him.

"For not being a true friend to you, not being there for you when you needed me to be. I was so self-absorbed in finding John and working on my own persons of interest to save, I left you on your own. I'm truly and deeply sorry for that detective. I don't know if you can find it in your heart to forgive me or not, but regardless if you do or not, I'm here for you now. I'll help search for answers for Szymanski and Beecher's deaths. HR did both deeds, but proving it will be difficult." Joss had looked up at him, abandoning making John's sandwich to eye him during his apology. She nodded.

"Apology accepted; however the trust between us is broken Finch. I don't trust you right now; I'm not sure how long it will be for me to regain my trust in you. But you are my friend, thank you. I need all the help I can get to find Beecher and Szymanski's murderers and take down HR once and for all!"

"I understand Jocelyn, I'm just grateful you accepted my apology. The rest will follow once I prove to you once more that I'm trustworthy." Finch smiled warmly at her and, for the first time in a long time, the detective smiled back at him. Finch rubbed Bear's head before he bid her farewell and waved at Mr. Reese before exiting. He needed to help Shaw with her person, then get to working on Szymanski and Beecher's murders and figure out who harmed Mr. Reese in order to find him.


"Finch, are these people ever going to come home?" Shaw was tired of waiting for these two. She was milling around their home, looking through their things, trying to find out who was a killer and who wasn't.

"Ms. Shaw, patience." his reply in her ear made her smile a little bit.

"Not one of my strong suits, Finch." She had spent the better part of her day in the Bailey's home waiting for them to return home from work. She'd been there ever since she dropped John off at the library to let the two talk. That had seemed to work, Finch had contacted her about three hours ago, seemingly in a much better mood. Since then they have been on contact over the earpieces, waiting for their number and his wife to arrive home. "Tell me a joke."

"I don't know any jokes Ms. Shaw."

"Figured as much, I know one. Have you heard the one about a priest, a rabbi, and a-" she paused in her joke telling when she heard voices outside. "Hold that thought, I think the Baileys have finally come home."

"Good, but your joke telling is less than to be desired, Ms. Shaw." She snickered a little while walking to the front entrance, hanging off to the side of the door, glad for the darkness shrouding her. The door opened and she heard them talking and laughing. She clicked the hammer to her gun, making them both pause.

"Take whatever you want in the house, we don't care, just please don't hurt us." Victor or Oliver said quietly. Shaw rolled her eyes at the man.

"You must have heard that many times Oliver Cavaugh," she stated as she flipped the light switch on. She slid the door shut. "Both of you move, towards your lovely living room and sit on the couch." Shaw shoved on the man in his back with the barrel of her gun.

"So, you aren't Samantha Reed, owner of Animal Haven, I take it," Ada Bailey said.

"Wow, you are smart and teach dance." Shaw said with a slight condescending tone to her voice. The couple sat down and she eyed the two. "Look, I need to know everything, because Harold and I don't exactly believe you to be a killer," Shaw said, watching Victor or Oliver or whatever the hell his name was. He sighed; closed his eyes and opened them to stare at her.

"I'm not, but it is true, I am Oliver Cavaugh."

"He's a good man; he didn't do what they said he did." Shaw shifted her gaze off Victor onto Ada.

"You knew him back then?"

"Yes I knew him back then. He was my boyfriend, I loved him; the police were looking for him and I hid him. When he explained everything to me I believed him; so we went on the run, became different people and we were living a nice life. Now you come out of nowhere bringing up Oliver Cavaugh."

"Well lady, your killer boyfriend's past is coming to bite him in the ass. My friend and I look into saving or putting away people that we get their name from our source. Our source is never wrong, and we were given Victor Bailey's. Who was Victor Bailey, may I ask?"

"A guy that died about ten years ago, he was about my age, so I bought his social security number from one of my friend's that I sometimes ran with in home invasions." Shaw nodded, so his 'friend' must have gotten those social security numbers to sell on the black market, making him some real dough from criminals in need of fake identities.

"So there is one person out there that would know your fake identity then. Okay tell me about this woman you killed...or didn't kill supposedly?" she demanded, never taking her gun off them.

"It's true, the part of the report that said I was going to go rob their home. I smashed in a bay window in what appeared to be a living room. I heard screaming happening as I climbed in. I saw the husband chasing his wife, then he smashed her over the head with a heavy pot a couple times over. I froze and panicked; the husband looked up and saw me. I ran, I ran to Ada." Shaw shifted her gaze from Oliver to Ada.

"Is that your real name?"

"My full name is Adela Taylor, my nickname had been Ada, so when we ran I just shortened it to Ada Bailey. We aren't legally married, but we are married in her hearts."

"Touching, so you witnessed the husband bash in the wife's head." she said without a smile or any emotion. She wasn't like John where she felt bad for the people. John had a heart, she didn't.

"Yes but I ran, no one is going to believe me, a career criminal who was breaking into their home to steal cash and little jewelry, over that guy. That guy is rich, he could buy off anyone."

"Yeah I'd say, since there is a five million dollar bounty on your head for bringing you in dead or alive."

"What?"

"And since we got Victor Bailey's name, that means the guy that you got your identity from talked, probably scoring at least a million or two for the name you went under. You are about to have any bounty hunter or crazed lunatic on your front door step. You have two options, you could turn yourself in to the local authorities or you can come with me until I can lift the bounty from your head."

"I can't go to the authorities, I can't leave Ada." Shaw nodded, really not caring which option he chose.

"You lied to us, why should we trust you?" Ada demanded, sounding like she had hurt her feelings.

Shaw eyed Ada. "Listen lady, I don't care if I hurt your feelings by duping you or not, I need to get you two to a safe house before you are both killed. Unless you want that, which can be arranged. I could just skip out of here, let the bounty hunters come in and take him away." Tears filled Ada's eyes.

"No."

"Then you need to trust in me and Harold to take you somewhere safe for the time being." Shaw waited a few minutes while the couple stared at one another, holding each other's hand. Could she gag now or later?

"Okay," they agreed quietly, solemnly.

"Get some clothes; then you both are coming with me."


The man was infuriating; he wouldn't take his medication because he didn't want to fall asleep before dinner. Joss had a half of mind to force the pills down John's throat. His eyes showed the pain he was in, but he was stubborn. Joss inhaled the air, the scents from his dinner was intoxicating. She was going to make John her permanent chef even when they went back to their own apartments. She was going to have him make her and Taylor dinners from now on. She was decent in the kitchen but her food didn't have delicious aromas like his had.

"Taylor, Ms. Morgan will be here soon you should turn that game off." she said as she checked the dinner for John. He had excused himself to the bathroom only a minute prior, with all the painful movements it took him forever in there. Joss heard a light knock on the door. "Scratch that Taylor, she's here, turn it off."

"Got it, mom," her kid sighed, but she didn't care. They had a dinner guest, they were going to be on their best behavior regardless of if this were their place or not. Joss walked to the door, slinging it open and nearly laughed. Zoe had posed obviously expecting John to be the one to greet her. Her pretty face had a come hither smile that melted to a frown, her arm dropped to her side and her posture straightened.

"Detective?" Zoe Morgan had been caught unaware, something she was sure this brunette rarely had happen to her.

"Ms. Morgan glad that you could join us for dinner." Joss smiled to herself as the woman entered, clearly confused. Joss slid the door shut, taking the bottle of champagne.

"It was for John to celebrate the fact that he was found." Joss eyed Zoe wondering why the woman would even think that John could drink. On his pain medications he was forbidden to have a drop of alcohol. She shrugged, maybe it was more of the gesture, and for the future. Joss didn't really like the fact that she felt a little jealous. John had the right to having Zoe over whenever he wished, he wasn't hers.

"Ms. Morgan this is my son Taylor, Taylor this is Ms. Zoe Morgan." She motioned to her son. Taylor smiled slightly at her and Zoe looked even more caught off guard.

"I didn't realize you had a son."

"I do."

"And I didn't realize he would be here."

"Ms. Morgan, did John tell you anything about what happened?" Joss asked hoping the man had, because poor Zoe appeared to be thrown for a loop.

"You can call me Zoe please, and no, John didn't say a word about you joining us for dinner."

"I see." Joss nodded. Well she was in for a shock, she had no clue what happened to John. "Make yourself comfortable."

"I have a feeling you live here detective."

"That's because we do," Taylor stated. "My mom and Mr. Badass are living together." Zoe's sculpted eyebrows rose high in surprise, before looking at her. Joss shot her son a look.

"Okay, it's not the way my kid is making it sound," she assured the brunette woman.

"Joss, are you still stirring the dinner?" Joss, Taylor, and Zoe all turned to look at John who appeared in the threshold of his bedroom. Joss felt Zoe stiffen beside her, heard her soft gasp as she eyed John. John looked up after he had maneuvered the wheelchair through the doorway, seeing Zoe already there and seemingly sensing her distress. "I'm sorry Zoe, Taylor told me I should have told you what happened to me, but I didn't know how to."

"I-I didn't realize…" Joss felt bad for Zoe as she trailed off, unable to finish whatever she was going to say. She swore she saw tears glistening in the woman's eyes. She had a feeling Zoe cared a lot about John. Joss was a pretty good judge of character; she'd say that Zoe was the type of woman not to get deeply involved with a man. She appeared to be happy by herself, taking a man as a lover whenever the urge struck, but it seemed John was an exception. Joss couldn't say she blamed her; John had that effect on people. He had that effect on her too which was hard for her to admit. When she first met him back in the police station before she got to know him, his haunted blue eyes spoke to her that he was a man that was in need. Her first assessment had been correct, the more she grew to know him the more she cared for him. Her feelings for John were complicated and not something she wanted to figure out for the time being.

"Can I take your coat Zoe?" she asked when the silence became awkward. Zoe nodded holding onto a folder shifting it hand from hand while slipping the crimson colored coat off of her petite form. Zoe was wearing a skintight black dress. Zoe was a little overdressed which she blamed John for, he should have told Zoe about his physical condition. Joss hung her coat up, and moved close to the brunette who was eyeing John from her spot near the door. Taylor had gone to talk with John as he sat on the high rise bar stool stirring the food in the pot.

"I had no idea, I guess I was being naïve to think that John disappeared for six months and would just come back the same."

"It's okay Zoe, you didn't know."

The brunette looked at her. "Is he going to be alright?"

"He will be, but he needs time to recover. The doctor expects him to make a full recovery; his emotional recovery I'm expecting to take a very long time. You don't get over torture that severe in a matter of months. It lives with you, I suspect, forever." Joss sighed as they stood together eyeing John and her son.

"I'm suspecting what I was to get information on was to help you, wasn't it detective?"

"Please call me Joss."

"Alright Joss, was it?"

"Yes people close to me died because of HR, I need to know if Alfonso Quinn is a part of HR or not."

"Then my information for you is what you will want to hear, because I found out some interesting information on Alfonso Quinn."

"Thank you in advance for your help."

"No need to thank me, detective, I'd do anything for John. May I ask why are you two living together?" Was that a jealous tone in her voice? This strikingly beautiful woman was jealous of her? Nah, she was imagining things.

"No one trusted John to live alone because he'd do too much, too fast, so they thought he'd listened to me the most." She shrugged. "He's been out of the hospital only a few days and is supposed to be in bed resting. But John hasn't been resting as much as he should."

"John doesn't strike me as the type to be just able to sit and do nothing." both Zoe and Joss turned to eye John as he talked with her son.

"No he's not," she agreed. Joss motioned for her to follow her towards the dining room of the spacious apartment. Zoe placed the manila folder on the coffee table after she motioned where to place it. When dinner was served, Zoe appeared to be less tense. John had made baked Teriyaki Chicken with a side of steamed broccoli they had on hand. Joss was going to have Finch ask John for a grocery list, that way he could cook whatever dinners he wanted. They all ate silently, enjoying every bite of the delicious meal.

"John you are a very good cook," Zoe sighed as she sipped the wine Joss had poured for her and herself. Taylor opted for his Gatorade, while John drank water. Joss made sure John had a healthy amount of food on his plate, glad to see every last drop was almost gone. Taylor excused himself when Joss steered the conversation to why Zoe had come. Joss noticed the pain in John's eyes, noticed the tiredness in him. This was why he should have taken his pain medication.

"How about we move this to the living room, where you can get more comfortable, John?" Joss stated quietly but firmly. John was pushing his body too hard, and she wanted him as comfortable as possible while they talked about Alfonso Quinn. John nodded without giving her any trouble; Zoe eyed her as they both stood up and followed John to the living room. Joss sighed, seeing just how weak John was thanks to pushing himself too much today. He was having a bit of trouble getting out of the wheelchair. "See John, this is why the doctor said to stay home and rest."

"I'm fine,"

"No you're not John, you're tired and weak," she snapped hoping like hell he hadn't just overdid it today to set him back in his recovery. Tomorrow she was going to make sure he stayed put, then she was going to have a talk with Shaw. She had placed John's recovery on the line to help Finch which angered her. John refused her help and managed to get on the couch, pale once more. Joss sighed, moving towards his bedroom, seeing Zoe look on, not sure what to do. Joss came back in the room with his pain pills, and the half drank bottled water from his nightstand. "Take them." she stated putting them on his fingers. John didn't say a word as he threw them back, and took a swallow of water.

Zoe took a seat at one of the sofa chairs while Joss took the other near John. Zoe grabbed the folder she had brought and had placed on the coffee table while dinner was made ready.

"Alfonso Quinn was the campaign manager for Ed Griffin during his run for mayor, now he's the Chief of Staff for him as the new mayor. Politicians come and go like the wind, the real power players are the people beneath the politician. They're the ones that never go away, like Alfonso Quinn, who is the real head of HR," she stated, pulling out his photo. Joss stared at the woman as she nonchalantly blew her world away. Alfonso Quinn, was the head of HR. Cal had said he was his godfather, that would mean-

"How do you know?" she asked. Zoe eyed her.

"I have many clients and contacts, Joss. My world is filled with power players seeking information or favors. A client of mine owed me for a previous fix, so I offered to nullify the debt if he could clue me in on anything about Alfonso Quinn. He has had dealings with HR before, met briefly with Mr. Quinn, they exchanged services. It is clear that Mr. Quinn is the one that runs things; it's very hush however. It's not well known that he is the head of HR, that way none of their enemies, namely Elias, can take him out." Zoe pulled a photo out of Carl Elias fingering him. "Elias has been making ripples in his pursuit of finding HR's head to chop it off."

"Elias is out for blood, Quinn murdered his men, sided with the Russians, and then nearly offed him," John spoke quietly. "Makes sense why Elias would want the top dog; he's hoping if he kills Quinn then HR folds."

"Do you have any proof that Quinn is the head of HR?"

"Joss, I live in a gray world; not everything is black and white and proof is hard to come by." Joss nodded knowing that, but she was no closer to getting HR for Szymanski and Beecher's deaths than before. Zoe paused before pulling out another photo, this time it was of Terney. Joss stared at the man that had threatened her son.

"Detective Raymond Terney, whom I'm sure you know Joss, is third in command, Officer Simmons is Quinn's right hand man."

"Joss," John's voice was soft, which pulled her eyes from glaring holes into Terney's smarmy face. John's eyes were shutting; he was having a hard time fighting sleep. It was from pushing himself too far and the pain medications were fast acting.

"Stop fighting sleep, John," she whispered wishing to reach out and touch him but was trying to refrain from doing so. Joss lost the fight with herself, her hand reaching out of its own accord brushing his forearm.

"We need to flip one," he yawned.

"Flip one?"

"We need to get one of the top dogs to work for us,"

"How John?"

"You said Terney was against killing women?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Sounds like he's soft; maybe we can maneuver him into helping us."

"Go to sleep John, we'll talk about this more when you get some rest," she whispered. John's voice was getting lower and lower as his eyes struggled to stay open. Joss watched as John finally couldn't resist sleep any longer, when his eyes remained shut, his face relaxed a little. Bear had been sitting near Zoe where the woman petted him from time to time until he saw his master asleep then the dog got up to lay near John.

"You care a lot about him." Joss blinked looking towards Zoe.

"Yes I do," she agreed. She wasn't going to try to lie because she did care a lot about John. There was no shame in that.

"He cares a lot about you too." It wasn't said as a question, more as an observation. Joss shrugged.

"He considers me a friend."

"It's more than that Joss. He listens to you, looks at you in a way a friend wouldn't," Zoe stated as she stood up, eyeing John for a moment. "My world is knowing people; John's a mystery which annoys and interests me. I never find attractive AND interesting men, its either-or, but never both." Joss couldn't help but furrow her brows unsure of where the woman was going with this.

"Okay?"

"He's your mystery and not mine." her eyes widened as realization dawned on her. Zoe was making her way around the couch where John was sound asleep thankfully, not able to hear their conversation. Joss followed the beautiful woman as she pulled on her coat.

"John's not mine." Joss assured the woman. She didn't want Zoe and John's relationship or whatever they were to one another in jeopardy, over Zoe construing John and her friendship to be more than what it was. The brunette flicked her long hair over the collar of her jacket, turning to eye her with a small smile.

"Detective Carter, whether you want him or not, John only wants to be yours." with that the beautiful, mysterious, and downright irritating know it all of a woman exited their place. Joss watched as she disappeared down the hall. She shut the door and couldn't get rid of what Zoe Morgan said out of her mind.


Author's note: Yay, Joss forgave Finch, now they just need to fully heal after things that were said and done. They are inching their way back. John likes to egg on Joss's anger doesn't he :D Next chapter: you'll learn the connection, between a certain case and the people that took John, and Fusco makes an recurrence :D

Thanks as always for reading/reviewing you guys are so wonderful at it, I heart you guys so much!