Disclaimer: I do not own Person of Interest or its characters.
Epilogue
March 2014
Joss Carter smiled as she stepped out of her brownstone into the sunshine. After the constant chill of a long winter, spring appeared to be just around the corner. The weather seemed to follow the pattern of her life. After a bleak few months, things were finally looking up. She happily strolled to her favorite coffee shop and got in line. A few minutes later, she was placing her order. "How are you, Joss?" Laney Burke inquired of the police detective.
"I'm doing well, Laney. How are you?"
"Great. It's been a rough few months, but it seems like everything is falling into place. You know what I mean?"
"I know exactly," Joss said.
"What can I get you?" Laney questioned.
Begrudgingly Joss responded, "Medium decaf and a large regular."
Laney laughed good-naturedly and poured Joss's coffee, setting the paper cups on the counter and ringing up the purchase. "Would you mind telling Harold that I'll be a little late picking up Bear for his walk? I have an appointment to fill out some papers for my scholarship at the Fashion Institute."
"Laney, that's great, but I thought that scholarship didn't cover enough for you to start in the fall."
"It's the strangest thing. I got a call a few days ago that some new funding came through and I could start in the summer semester." Joss smirked to herself. Strange indeed. She strongly suspected a little birdie had made a generous donation to the Fashion Institute recently.
Lionel Fusco sat chewing on his pencil as he stared at the computer screen. Another drive by shooting with no leads. It had been a few weeks since the Jessup investigation wrapped up. He and Carter had barely had time to breathe before the news of New York's latest serial killer hit the media. As a result, their phones were ringing off the hook with desperate families wanting answers and other jurisdictions with cold cases. Since Jessup's arrest, they had two more murders in Chicago that met his MO and another in upstate New York. Fusco lifted a hand in silent greeting as his partner entered the station, carrying two cups of coffee. She silently sat one on his desk as she peered over his shoulder at the computer screen.
"Back to chewing on a pencil, I see. What's got you stumped, Partner?" Joss asked as she took her seat at her desk, opposite Fusco.
"Drive by. Nobody's talking. It's clearly a gang retaliation, but the entire neighborhood is too scared to come forward." Carter swiped the folder from his desk and bit her bottom lip in concentration as she perused the contents.
As Carter started to ask a question, she stopped when she heard someone calling her name. "Detective Carter? Detective Fusco?" Both detectives turned to see George O'Malley strolling into the precinct. Carter and Fusco stood and shook hands with the savvy assistant DA.
"George, what brings you to the Eighth?" Fusco asked.
"Just an update on the Cameron Jessup case." Fusco and Carter exchanged a look, waiting for George to continue.
"I see those looks. Don't worry. I already took myself off of the case. I just came to let you know that Daniel Lewis, out of Brooklyn is taking over the prosecution. He's a smart guy and has handled a lot of high profile murder cases. I know the case is kind of at a standstill now because Jessup's mental evaluation is still pending, but on the upside, it gives Daniel more time to shore up any issues with the case and to communicate with the other jurisdictions that suspect they have victims," George explained.
"Thanks for the update, George. Let Lewis know if he needs anything, to give us a call. We want to make sure that nothing falls through the cracks," Fusco responded.
"How are Isabella and Allison?" Carter asked.
"They are hanging in there. Allison is even more devoted to her work if that's even possible. Isabella is a resilient kid. We have her in counseling. She's been having nightmares, but I think having someone to talk to is helping," George responded.
"Send them my best," Joss said.
"I will. And thank you both again for everything. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around," George said as he departed the squad room.
After delving into a few of her neglected cases, the morning was over and Joss exited the precinct on her lunch break. Normally she would take the subway instead of a cab, but today she was on edge and needed the calm of a cab ride instead of the chaos of the subway. As the cab stopped in front of her destination, she thanked her driver and handed him a generous tip. She strolled by the security desk, no one asking to see her ID or her destination. Her shield and gun were clearly visible. Silently she entered the elevator, breathing a sigh of relief when the doors closed, leaving her alone. She didn't know why she was so nervous. She felt like she was undercover, and yet she was playing herself. All too soon the elevator stopped on the seventh floor and Joss exited into the reception area. It had been almost two years since she entered this office on a much different errand.
"May I help you?" Susan Fleming asked as she saw the woman step off of the elevator. She gasped when she saw the police badge and gun.
"Hi, I'm Jocelyn Carter. I'm here to see Mr. Warren," Joss responded, smiling in an attempt to put John's assistant at ease.
"Umm. Let me see if he is available." Shakily, Susan picked up the phone and turned her back to Carter, trying to speak in hushed tones but failing to prevent Joss from hearing the exchange. "Mr. Warren. There is a Ms. Carter here to see you. I think she is a police officer," Susan said as she warily glanced over her shoulder at Joss. Carter pretended to study the Picasso print hanging in the reception area. Joss quietly laughed to herself. That was no print. It was an original. Of course Harold Finch would stash a real Picasso in the reception area of a fake business where the fake John Warren worked.
Joss turned as she heard footsteps approaching. John easily closed the distance between them in three short strides. "Hi, Sweetheart. This is a nice surprise," he said smiling as he gave her a soft kiss on the lips. Even though they had discussed how this would go, Joss still sighed slightly as they pulled apart. Because it wouldn't be long before Joss's pregnancy started showing, she, John and Finch decided that it was time that the world met Joss's boyfriend, investment banker, John Warren. Since John Warren remained John's clean cover and the closest to his real past, it only seemed fitting that John Warren would be the father of Joss's child. To achieve that, John and Joss decided that John Warren and Joss would have to be seen together. They had scripted her visit to John Warren's office two days before they put the plan in motion.
Shaking her head to clear the errant thoughts, Joss went back to the plan. "You always surprise me so I thought I would surprise you this time. A case had me in the neighborhood, so I thought you might have time for lunch."
"Sounds great. Let me get my coat." John glanced to see Susan and two of the other female assistants gaping at the reception desk. "I'm so sorry, Susan. How rude of me. Joss, this is Susan, my assistant. Susan, this is my girlfriend, Joss Carter. She's a detective with NYPD."
"Nice to meet you, Detective," Susan said in greeting. Carter knew she was going to like Susan. She could tell the woman was no-nonsense and worked hard at her job. She, however, was not impressed by the other two younger women flanking Susan, shooting daggers with their eyes when John placed his arm around her as they went to the elevator.
John paused and turned back to Susan. "Susan, I'm taking a long weekend and don't expect I'll be back in the office until Monday." Without another word, the elevator door closed and the two found themselves alone. Joss let out a deep breath and leaned against John. He smirked, "It wasn't that bad."
"Maybe for you. You're still playing a role. I'm playing myself but not really myself. This is so confusing," she said exasperatedly.
Pulling her close and linking his fingers with hers, he lightly kissed her forehead. "Joss, this is all going to work out. We've been through too much. We're going to have the happily ever after, at least as happily ever after as a homicide detective and ex-CIA operative can have."
"I know I have to believe that, but there is so much uncertainty in our lives, John. It feels like I'm waiting every day for the next catastrophe."
"How about we not think about the next one and enjoy that we've come out of the last one unscathed." She smiled, squeezing his hand as he opened the door for her and a cold blast of air greeted them. "So are you free for that lunch?"
"I am starving, but what time do you have to meet Jessica at the airport?" she questioned.
"I have time. Let me guess. You're in the mood for pad thai."
"You certainly know the way to a girl's heart."
A short time later, John had put Joss in a cab back to the precinct and he was on his way to LaGuardia to meet Jessica and Harold. He found them seated at a Starbucks outside of the Delta terminal, Harold sipping his tea and Jessica finishing her latte. He pulled out a chair, seating himself at the table between the two. "How long until your flight?" he asked facing Jessica.
"I probably need to head to security in the next few minutes," she responded.
"Do you have everything you need?" John asked.
"Yeah, I'm good. It will be nice going back to the West Coast," she responded.
"Are you sure this is what you want, Jess?" John questioned. "It seemed like you were making a life for yourself here."
"How could I turn down an opportunity like this?" she responded. "Plus I could use another fresh start. Allison is going to come out to Portland in a couple of weeks to help me find a location. The opportunity to open a second shelter in the west couldn't have come at a better time. It's funny how the worst of circumstances can lead you to your calling."
Harold cleared his throat and stood from his chair. "Mr. Reese, Ms. Allen, I'll leave you to say your goodbyes. Good luck, Ms. Allen," Finch said warmly as he left the table.
"Harold?" Jessica called. Finch stopped and turned to face her. "I know you wouldn't know how to reach the anonymous donor that made this possible, but if you did ever find out his name, thank him for me. His donation is going to help a lot of people."
"I'm sure he or she knows, Ms. Allen," Finch said as he nodded and left the coffee shop. Jessica and John followed as Jessica pulled her suitcase. "Well, I guess this is it, John. Kind of different from the last time we met in an airport."
John leaned in and kissed Jessica lightly on the cheek. "Take care of yourself, Jess. And know that you're not alone. You have friends here."
"Thanks, John. And be happy." With a soft smile, Jessica made her way to the security line and gave a small wave over her shoulder to John and Harold. John walked to rejoin Harold as they departed the airport.
"Well, Mr. Reese, is there somewhere I can drop you off?" Harold asked as he entered the waiting town car.
"I think I'll take the subway, Finch."
"Alright, John. Oh and by the way, perhaps you should take a few days off. I'll have Ms. Shaw handle any numbers that may come along. And I took the liberty of having the Owen Island house cleaned and stocked with groceries yesterday," Finch stated matter-of-factly. Finch shut the door, leaving John standing at the curb.
John exited the subway a couple of stops before he would normally get off to go to Joss's brownstone. He wanted to walk in the sunshine before he went to pack her a weekend bag. He smiled to himself as he leisurely strolled down the avenue, looking in the windows of shops as he passed. For the first time since childhood, he could say he was genuinely happy. Yes, he had had some happiness all of those years ago with Jessica, but their relationship had always been slightly tainted. He was a soldier and he knew that she could never be a soldier's wife. He had thought at one time he could give up that part of his life for her, but at the first opportunity, he returned to what he knew, leaving her behind. He didn't have to hide from Joss. She knew who he was and amazingly loved him anyways.
As John strolled by a small boutique, something sparkled in the window, catching his eye. He entered the shop without hesitating and the shopkeeper greeted him. She smiled as she glanced at him, not her typical customer. "Hello, may I help you?"
"Yes, the mobile in the window," John responded. The woman crossed the store and gingerly removed the mobile from the window. The multi-colored stars glittered as they caught the light and made a soft tinkling sound as she moved it.
"You have a good eye. It is one of a kind. Also plays "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." The shopkeeper wound up the mobile and John watched as it rotated round and round, the soft strains of the children's lullaby filling the shop. It was perfect.
"I'll take it," he responded as he followed the woman to the cash register and she carefully began wrapping up the mobile.
"Is this a gift?" she asked the man in the suit.
"Yes, for my wife."
"Oh," she gasped in surprise. She hadn't noticed a ring when the attractive businessman entered the shop. "Your first?" she asked kindly.
"Yes," he responded, not able to hide the smile that came to his face.
"Congratulations."
Tony Marconi strolled into Elias's Brighton Beach townhouse in response to his boss's summons. He lightly rapped on the mahogany door. "Come in, Anthony," Elias called.
"What's wrong, Boss?" Tony asked as he plopped down in one of the wingback chairs facing Elias's desk.
"The ATF raided Lou's today, Anthony. Do you know anything about this? It's not like you to be off your game," Elias responded coolly. "Do you know how this happened?"
Tony groaned in frustration. Elias was right. He had been distracted after the entire Allison saga. "Our favorite Detective, Boss," Tony responded.
"I'll be damned if I'm not still fond of Detective Carter. Fortunately, we were between shipments. Lou's loyal. He'll do a few years and keep his mouth shut." Elias looked up to see Tony checking his watch. "Do you have somewhere else to be, Anthony?"
"No, Sir," Tony responded quickly.
"I am not uninformed about your nightly activities, Anthony. Get out of here, but remember when you play with fire, be prepared to get burned."
Tony laughed as he left Elias's Brighton Beach townhouse. Getting burned was the least of his worries when it came to being involved with her. He wasn't surprised to find her at her usual bar stool. They never made plans to meet, but somehow over the last few weeks, both had ended up here on several occasions.
Tony sat beside her. "Waiting for someone?"
"Nope," she responded as she downed her last shot. Without another word, she hopped off the stool, put on his black leather jacket she claimed two weeks ago and walked out. Pausing at the door, she turned to him. "Are you coming?"Tony wordlessly followed behind her. She paused. "And wipe that stupid smirk off your face."
As he strolled down the sidewalk beside Sam Shaw, Tony considered the paradox of Joss Carter and Sam Shaw. Joss Carter was the type of woman you changed your entire being for a chance to make her happy. She was beautiful, loyal, smart and damn gutsy. Sam Shaw—he didn't know what she was. They were more alike than he wanted to admit. Both loners who were married to the job. Soldiers who didn't fit within the confines of a civilized society like Joss Carter did. Whatever they were doing, it was fun and after dredging up the past and finally leaving it behind, he could use a little fun.
Tiredly, Joss left the Eighth precinct after finding no leads on Fusco's drive by. She scanned her immediate area for danger as usual and spotted John across the street, leaning against a black Corvette. Quickly, she crossed the street and stopped facing him. "What's going on, John? Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, Detective. We are going for a little drive," he said as he opened the passenger door, gesturing for Joss to get into the car. Joss entered the car and John carefully closed the door, and went around to the driver's side.
"Where are we going on this little drive?"
"We are getting away for a couple of days. Taylor is on spring break with Austin's family and I know you have the weekend off."
"John, I hadn't planned to be out of town," she protested.
"That's the point. It's a surprise. I stopped by your place and packed you a bag. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride," he said interlacing their fingers as he expertly maneuvered the Corvette through New York traffic, to the open road. As they continued traveling towards Owen Island, John noticed Carter's eyes drooping. Carter didn't wake up until he pulled the car into the garage. She smiled sleepily and stretched her arms as she exited the vehicle. Silently, they entered the house, John carrying the bags and a mysterious box, peaking Joss's curiosity.
Always the detective, Joss perched at the kitchen counter, eyeing the box. "So what's in the box?" she asked coyly.
"A gift," he responded nonchalantly.
"So when do I get to open it?"
"You have no patience. And who said it was for you?" he asked, his eyes twinkling. He then placed the package in front of her. Without hesitation, she untied the silver ribbon closing the box. As Carter pushed aside the tissue paper, she gasped. Gently, she pulled the mobile from the box. Mesmerized, she wound it, listening to the soft strains of a lullaby. He saw her eyes well up with tears as she returned the mobile to the box. As one managed to spill from her eye, he wiped it away with his thumb.
Regaining her composure, she placed a hand on his cheek. "I hope you know that I love you. I wasn't trying to push you to her. I just wanted you to be happy," she said quietly.
"And I hope you know that you, Taylor, and this baby make me happy." He placed a hand on her stomach as he leaned in, capturing her lips.
A/N: Well, that's it for Double Crossing. Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. I appreciated every single review as well as all of the favorites and follows. This has been a fun journey. I'm considering a third story in the series. This AU won't seem to leave me alone. The tentative title is Crisscrossing. I'm not sure when I'll start posting, but I hope you'll continue to read!