Henry's office in the OCME the next day ...

"You've been pretty busy lately," Jo playfully commented after learning that Henry had shared his secret with Lucas the day before. Henry raised his eyebrows, smiling and nodding. Her smile softened as she took in a breath through clenched teeth and released it. "I'm glad you've decided to open up to some of us. It's a good thing, Henry," she assured him.

He hesitated before replying as his gaze left hers and fixated on Lucas sitting on the other side of the office's glass walls. "I sincerely hope you're right. Only time will tell."

The way that his eyes appeared to cloud with memories made her curious to know what they were but also made it harder for her to tell him about Hanson's ultimatum delivered to Reece and her yesterday. She turned around and went and shut his office door then returned to sit in one of the chairs facing his desk. "Henry ... Lieu and I had a little talk with Mike yesterday."

Henry frowned slightly. "About what?"

"We didn't tell him anything!" she emphatically told him in a whispered tone. "But ... he ... he wants to ... "

"He wants to know what the two of you know about me," he finished for her. Jo lowered her eyes and nodded. "Dear Lord, when will this end!" he hissed as he rose from his chair and shoved his hands down into the pockets of his white lab coat.

Jo jumped up and quickly joined him on the other side of the desk. "He doesn't know anything, he just suspects and ... he just wants to help."

He scoffed and released a mirthless laugh. "Oh, HE can help me. HE can end my curse!"

"Henry!" Jo knitted her brow as he rushed past her and began to pace the small distance between his desk and the door. She rushed up to him and met him halfway, placing her hands on his chest, her left thumb resting atop his perennial scar. He briefly wondered if she was aware of it or how her slight touch affected him. And how nice it felt.

The caring and concern in her eyes met the apprehension and doubt in his. In a lowered voice, she stressed that her official partner was just as trustworthy as she and his other two colleagues who already knew.

He scoffed "Then, of course, by all means, tell him, too," he sarcastically stated. "For that matter, why not I rent out Carnegie Hall and sell tickets? I'm sure there are many more people who would simply love to hear my long, implausible story!"

Jo dropped her hands from his chest, allowing her arms to flop down and dangle at her sides. She lowered her eyes and searched her mind for the right words to calm his fears. At the same time, his outburst released, Henry felt his anxiety level lessening a bit. Just a bit. It pained him to see her looking so dejected when he knew that all she was trying to do, all she had ever tried to do, was help him and advise him as best she could no matter the circumstances. He slowly and gently took one of her hands in his and squeezed it. With his free hand, he lifted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes.

"Jo ... I'm sorry," he began. "I didn't mean to raise my voice like that but ... " He paused, licking his lips and releasing a sigh of frustration. "I, I can't ... I simply can't DO this again so soon, Jo." He searched her eyes for any amount of understanding. His anxiety level lessened a little more when he saw it.

"Henry, I'd be lying if I said I knew exactly what you were going through," she began in earnest, "because I don't. However, I do understand that it's your call. Totally your call." She paused and returned his semblance of a smile. Touching his cheek softly, she added, "When or if you're ready. And that's okay if you never are."

His smile flattened out and he shook his head, briefly closing his eyes. "It's just that I've never experienced a time in my long life when so many others - besides Abigail and Abe - knew of my secret. And ... and generally meant me no harm." He let out a soft laugh. "Your detective partner is a good man, I have no doubts about that. I just need some time." He laughed again when the irony of his own words hit him. For if there was anyone who didn't have to beg for more time, it was Henry Morgan.

"Lieu and I will talk to him again," she promised him. "We'll make sure he understands that." They both seemed to relax even more and when she gently ran a finger down the side of his cheek and playfully chucked him under the chin, his smile widened into a grin.

"I leave it in your trusty hands, my dear," he said, bowing slightly. "And thank you; to both of you," he added.

vvvv

Reece's office 45 minutes later ...

"I wanted to keep this short," she said, eyeing Hanson. "But I also wanted to make myself clear," she sternly added. "The situation with Dr. Morgan does not prevent us from performing our duties. He has been a valuable part of our team and will remain so, hopefully, for as long as he wishes." A vision of Henry in a Dr. McCoy-like medical uniform flashed briefly through her mind. Oh, yes, for as long as he wishes. "We will refrain from doing anything to make him feel ... uncomfortable." She felt as though she were channelling her high school English teacher when she'd harshly disciplined her and her classmates for having marginalized a bookwormish student.

"Like I said, Lieu," Hanson said, flopping a hand up and down, "Doc has nothing to worry about from me. I was just ... blowin' off steam before. Whatever's up with him and you guys know about it ... okay. Okay. I get it. Maybe one day when he's more comfortable sharing it with me, fine. I can wait."

"Be patient with him, Mike," Lieu urged, her previously stern voice softened. "Remember, Jo and I found out by accident and he merely confirmed our suspicions. He did not willingly share anything with us; and he's still a good guy."

"We just wouldn't want you or anyone else to do anything to scare him off," Jo told him.

"Hey, not me, no," he replied, raising both hands in surrender. "His secret - whatever the hell it is - is safe with me," he said with a frown of confusion. "Cross my heart and hope to die," he added.

The two women fought against the urge to rivet their eyes to each other and burst into nervous laughter.

"Good," Reece managed to say. "Glad we're all on the same page, then."

vvvv

Notes:

In the next chapter, Hanson will find out Henry's secret but since I haven't quite formulated it in my mind and my back is killing me, I'll post this newest short chapter instead of having all interested readers wait. Thank you all and for all your comments. Stay safe and healthy.