A/n: The final chpter!
Chapter Ten
The sudden loud knock on the door several hours later woke both of them up with a start. Joe nearly threw Halloran on the floor as he automatically went to get up. They laughed as their limbs entangled with the light blanket they had been snuggled under and when the knock came again, Joe shouted "Coming!" as he struggled to get his long legs underneath him. He did somehow manage to gain uprightness and he quickly stumbled towards the door. Throwing it open, he just shook his head. "Frank, why didn't you just walk in? Not like you've never done that before."
"And walk in on you two going at it like a pair of rabbits?! No, thank you." Frank grimaced.
"Hey, we aren't that bad!" Joe retorted indignantly. Halloran just giggled, red faced. "Besides, we were napping."
"Wasn't willing to take the risk, Little Brother. Still haven't gotten over walking in on Mom and Dad." Frank gave a shudder in remembrance.
"Yeah, well I am not sure I have forgiven you yet for that. You know I always wanted a little sister..." Joe teased his brother. Frank just rolled his eyes and plopped down with a sigh on the couch.
"Thought I'd remind you dinner is at 630 sharp." he said. "Did you guys want to ride over with me, or what?"
Joe looked at Halloran, who shook her head. "Nah, we're giving the chauffeur the night off. We'll meet you there after we've had a chance to freshen up." he said.
"Works for me." Frank stood up and headed out. Pausing at the door, he turned and said, "Your turn to bring the wine. I've got the flowers covered." Joe nodded in acknowledgement then shut the door after his brother. Turning back to Halloran, he asked "Did you want another bath or shower?"
"Just a quick shower I think. Do I have clean clothes here still, or not?" she replied.
"How should I know?! Check your half of the closet." He gave her a quick hug before continuing. "I'll pop on down to the liquor store while you are getting ready. I'll be gone ten minutes, tops."
"I was kind of hoping to entice you to conserve water and share..." she pouted.
"And prove my brother right?!" he laughed. "No way Jose. Besides we'd end up being late for dinner that way." Secretly, she was relieved as she could continue to hide the reminders of her recent ordeal from him.
Actually, she was torn between wanting to return to normal as soon as possible and wanting to shield Joe from the more blatant reminders. The last thing she wanted to do was keep seeing the anguish and pain in his eyes every time he found a new bruise. None of them were particularly painful, although the scratches were tender. And she was dimly aware that her continued sense of cold was more mental than anything else, but it still bothered her more than she could stand every time she glimpsed the self recrimination in Joe's sapphire blue eyes. She didn't blame him one bit, and she knew he understood that, but it didn't keep him from feeling guilty anyway. It was one of the things she loved about him most, his ability and willingness to shoulder responsibilities that weren't his to worry about. The merest kernel of an idea began forming in her mind, and she decided to send out feelers before the night was out regarding his willingness to take the next step.
Joe returned in just over ten minutes with a bottle of his mother's favorite Burgundy to find Halloran already out of the shower. Something in the way she was acting made him suppress the initial impulse to focus on her mottled skin and with supreme effort he ignored the yellow and purple splotches and the scratches. Instead he plastered on a big goofy grin and wolf whistled appreciatively at the full sueded skirt that swirled around her legs. She also had raided his closet for one of his older sweaters that didn't quite fit him across the shoulders any more but she filled out nicely, the green almost exactly matching her eyes. "Gimme five minutes to change and we'll get outta here." he raced into the bedroom and quickly swapped from jeans to navy blue slacks and the sweatshirt was replaced with a dark red rugby shirt. They were quickly on their way to Elm Street in the terribly sensible used car Joe had bought with the insurance money from his late, lamented Mustang.
Halloran was determined to put everything behind her now that she had given her statement and to that end she kept the conversation far away from such talk, declaring over pre dinner drinks that she was declaring a moratorium on the subject. "It's done and I don't want to dwell on it any longer. Let's just relax and enjoy ourselves!" Everyone agreed , even Joe who, if he had any misgivings, kept them to himself all night. Laura had cooked a predictably delicious meal of scalloped potatoes and ham with a green salad and pineapple upside down cake for dessert. Halloran insisted on doing dishes and of course guilted Joe into drying. After that was done, they all retired to the living room where Laura had coffee ready to go. They sat around amiably chatting about little things until Fenton broached the subject of Halloran's plans for Infotech.
"Well I was thinking of taking over as CFO. But I need someone else who can lead the company on to bigger and better things. Unfortunately, I don't have the necessary technical background. I imagine it will take some time before I find someone I can trust."
"Perhaps I can offer a suggestion, dear." Laura, of all people spoke up.
"You offering to join the cutthroat world of computer technology,Mom?!" Joe asked with a laugh.
Laura gave him a pointed look as she shook her head no. "Don't be silly, Joseph. I was thinking of Phil Cohen actually."
"Mom, he's in Chicago.. with his own company." Frank was puzzled at the suggestion.
"Not any more. Ever since his father died, Elizabeth has had a very rough time of it and can no longer handle things by herself." Phil had two younger siblings still in school and his mother Elizabeth was stretched very thin. "He's moving back to Bayport after the Holidays. From what Elizabeth has said, I gather Phil is selling his half of the company to his business partner." She smiled at Halloran before continuing. "I don't remember of you have met Phil or not Dear, but he's as much of a Geek as Frank is."
"More" Joe whispered into his girlfriend's ear.
"Actually, Phil would be kind of perfect, especially since he already has Defense Department contacts." Frank mused, excited at the prospect of his best friend moving back home. "If you like, I can put you in touch with him on Monday and you can take it from there."
Halloran agreed, happy to have a possible solution fall so neatly into her lap. She had been worried that she did not have the necessary background to keep the company solvent, and she didn't want to betray her grandfather's legacy. She eagerly asked Frank about Phil's background and credentials and by the end of the evening was optimistic that she and Phil could come to terms.
It was getting late and when Frank and Joe both yawned hugely at the same time, Fenton decided that he was going to bed and suggested that his offspring do the same. The boys each kissed their mother goodnight and Halloran gave her a hug as well. With parting handshakes among the men, everyone parted company. Joe promised that he'd be at the office "No later than 10, I swear!" although Frank privately doubted it would be before noon.
As they got into the car, Joe asked Halloran where she wanted to spend the night. "With you."
"Well yeah, that goes without saying. I was just wondering which way to head." He replied.
"No. I mean I want to spend every night with you. Forever." Her voice was low and shy. "Let's move in together."
To say that Joe was shocked was an understatement. He twisted in the seat, facing her. "Are you sure?!" he asked, incredulous.
"You don't want to." she said it flatly.
"Babe, that's not what I meant all!" he assured her hastily. "But I don't want it to be a delayed reaction from the kidnapping. If we are going to do this, I want it to be because we are ready to take it to the next level, not because you are feeling extra needy for a few weeks." he leaned over and cupped her chin in his hand. "I love you, and I don't want us to regret a single thing about our relationship. I want to take care of you, and wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life. But by the same token I need for you to want it too, not just need the security it brings." He stroked his thumb over her cheek gently. "D'ya understand what I am trying to say?"
"I think so." she replied. "You want me to be absolutely sure, and not just a gut reaction to stuff."
"Exactly. Tell ya what. Thanksgiving is in a few weeks. If you still feel this way by then, then we'll start making plans for after the first of the year. New year, new beginnings." He smiled at her. "That sound fair and logical?"
"Nobody ever accused you of being logical, Studmuffin." she teased. "But I concede that maybe, just maybe my emotions are running a bit rampant at the moment." she took a deep breath. "So I agree to your terms. The discussion is tabled until Thanksgiving night. Neither one of us can mention it at all until then. To anyone." She pointed a finger at his chest. "Not even Frank." she warned.
"Only if that applies to Melody as well." he responded.
"Deal." Joe unfastened the seat belt and leaned over the gear shift and kissed her gently before straightening back up, refastening the seatbelt and starting the car.
"Until then, which way?" he asked before heading out of the driveway.
"My house, I think. I have stuff to do and am out of clean clothes at your place. Oh!" she sat up straight. " My car?! Where is it?!"
"Impound probably as they towed it so they could process it. Give Greg a call in the morning, he'll be able to tell you when you can go get it. In the meantime use the Impala."
"In this weather?! Are you insane?!" she asked, shocked at the suggestion.
"Honeyscrunch, it does have a roof you know." he admonished.
"Yeah a puny cloth one that will collapse the first time it snows, not to mention the fact that it does a crappy job keeping the heat in. If I have to wait a few days, I'll just rent a car in the meantime. Not like I have a desperate need right away. Tomorrow I will just call Infotech and set up a meeting for later in the week." she decided. "I need to decide what to do next, and how much to tell the employees about what happened." she grew introspective then, mulling over decisions that would need to be made shortly. She was quiet the rest of the drive to her place, and declined Joe's offer to spend the night, reminding him that he had promised to be at work first thing in the morning. "I will not be responsible for you being late." she declared.
So Joe walked her to the door and kissed her goodnight on the porch. On the way back to his apartment, he went over the last few days in his mind, hoping he had made the right call by insisting Halloran think things over a few weeks before committing. He decided to do a little discreet packing 'just in case'.
The next few weeks flew by for everyone. Cavenaugh jumped at the chance of a plea bargain and ended up doing minimal time in prison. Joe was peeved, but Halloran convinced him she was okay with the outcome. Albert Monroe's office was cleared out by the time she came back to work, and the rumor was Halloran's abduction had caused a minor health scare so he opted to retire. No one who knew the truth saw the need to disabuse anyone of the notion. Joe's undercover work with the FBI led to the prevention of a terrorist act in a major city and he was quietly awarded a special commendation and a hefty reward, half of which he gave to the Agency. Frank promptly commissioned a software package from Infotech. Phil and Halloran had been on the phone constantly over the past few weeks, discussing salaries and contracts and he was glad of the chance to stay in the Tech security business even as he fulfilled his duties as the eldest son. Joe had also offered Phil( very privately) his apartment above the Agency as he fully intended to move in with the love of his life regardless of what she ultimately decided. He figured if she decided to not ask him on Thanksgiving, he'd ask her. Problem solved.
Thanksgiving morning dawned crisp and clear, with a bright blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds hinting at a gorgeous fall day. Halloran had offered to take over dessert duty from Laura and had been baking pies all week. Frank's favorite pumpkin, Laura's preferred pecan, even an apple pie for Fenton and Joe since Key Limes were out of season. Laura had opted this year to have a smaller intimate family gathering, declaring she was too old to keep all the boy's friends fed any more. Joe picked Halloran up just after 1 and helped her drag all the pies out to his car. They arrived at the house to find Frank already there, shanghaied into making the gravy.
"Joseph, help your father put the leaves in the dining room table, please." Laura requested before he even had his jacket off. "And then you can set the table with the good china."
"Yes, Mother" he sighed in resignation, knowing that meant there was no way he could sneak a piece of turkey skin now. Halloran was put to work filling serving bowls with all the sides and then bringing them out to the table. Soon, however, everyone was seated and eagerly awaiting Fenton's carving skills being put to good use. Frank and Joe laughingly fought over the wishbone, with Frank coming out the victor. Joe pouted about as long as it took for Halloran to distract him with a turkey leg. Dinner was filled with laughter and love and the joys of being with family. Halloran was only a little sad as she reflected during quieter moments than she no longer had any family of her own, although Fenton and Laura had each gone out of their way to assure her that she had a new family now.
After dinner, as they were all settling down into the living room to relax a bit before pie and coffee, Joe cornered his mother and asked her to come upstairs for a second. Laura followed her son upstairs, curious as to what he wanted and why he didn't want the others to hear. They were up stairs long enough for the others to notice their absence but when they returned back down, neither one would say what they had been up to. Fenton thought he saw a bit of a gleam in Laura's eye, and Frank was convinced Joe was looking terribly smug about something. However, Mother and Son deftly managed to distract the others and the matter was soon forgotten. They talked and laughed until late. A thinly disguised yawn from Joe's girlfriend was the signal to call it a night. After the hugs and handshakes, Joe and Halloran, each laden down with leftovers, drove in companionable silence towards her house. As Joe pulled int the driveway, he lightly placed a hand on her leg before she could get out of the car. "Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked.
"Just a pie plate, but I told your mother I would get it after the pie was gone." She was confused.
"Not that. About what we haven't been talking about for the last month."
"Oh. That."
"Yes, that." he looked at her, the first hint of worry peeking through. "Have you changed your mind?"
In response, she leaned over and planted a big wet one on his lips. "To be perfectly honest I am kind of disappointed that you didn't crack sooner and beg me to ask you earlier." She smiled at him. "Not only have I not changed my mind, Joseph Hardy, I am not sure I want to wait until after the first of the year to make it official."
"What are you doing this weekend?" he smiled at her. "I've been mostly packed for a couple weeks now." the smile turned decidedly Cheshire Cat like in its' smugness.
"Oh, you brat!" she laughed as she punched him in the arm. "I suppose you are going to ask Frank to help?"
"No, I don't think I will. I really don't have much stuff, I can easily transport it in a just a few trips. I'll tell him Monday at work. Luckily I have it sub let already."
"Oh? Who?"
"Your new Chief Operations Officer." he smiled at her evident delight. "Phil didn't really want to move back home home, especially since his girlfriend will be visiting as often as she can. Apparently his younger sister is a bit nosy..." Joe got out of the car and walked around to open her door before escorting her to the door. "Since the building rent covers the apartment, he can just pay utilities like I did in exchange for being an on site security guard."
He lingered at the front door, making the goodnight kiss last a little longer than usual. "I'll be around first thing Saturday morning. Make sure I have a few empty drawers." With a final kiss, he walked back down to the car and drove off into the night. Halloran's smile never left her face even after she fell asleep that night.
A/n: So, you like? I hope so. I have a week to get my you know what in gear and post my Christmas one shot. Hopefully that will keep you all entertained until after the holidays when I start work on my next big one.