The Joke That Changed It All

by TvFan16

Part 1 of Maggie & Jubal balance work and dating…This is part of my Maggie and Jubal balance work and dating collection. Some people had messaged me on here to see if I would write about how Jubal and Maggie actually got together. There may be a couple more chapters that will be there actual first dates and first kiss.

2. First Date

Maggie had lay in bed last night replaying the conversation between her and Jubal in the conference room, she was still a little bit in shock. She was actually going to have a date tonight with Jubal Valentine. This was not something that Maggie saw coming, she wasn't blind she knew that he was a good looking man and that any woman would be lucky to catch his attention but she had never thought that woman would be her. She can say that she honestly had no idea that Jubal had any interest in her until he slipped up last night, now she was thankful that she had agreed to stay and work on the paperwork together.

Maggie was nervous about her date, they worked together, he was her boss, this was going to change things between them at work one way or another. Maybe Jubal would realise that today and would back out of their date and say that it was a mistake to even think about doing this. She had spent the morning cleaning her apartment trying to keep her mind busy and trying to release some of the nervous energy she had. She was trying not to constantly check her phone as she waited for Jubal to text her, if he was going to text.

Jubal was also trying to deal with his own nervous energy at his apartment, he couldn't believe that he had slipped up in the conference room last night, but he was so thankful that he had. After Maggie had left the JOC last night he had tided up with a smile on his face, he couldn't stop smiling, if this was what he was like at the idea of getting to go on a date with Maggie what was he going to be like after their first date. He had lifted his phone so many times this morning to text Maggie but he didn't want to be too much by texting her too early, but by lunch time it was just too much, he couldn't wait any longer. He took a deep breath and sat down on his couch and he opened a message to send to Maggie.

'Hey, we still good for our date tonight?' He read the message again, he had never felt so nervous about sending a message before.

Maggie was just finishing up the cleaning in the kitchen when she heard her phone alert her to a text message, she almost ran to lift it off the counter. She saw Jubal's name on her screen and took a deep breath before opening the text, she had a small smile as she replied to him.

'You afraid I've changed my mind after a night's sleep? We are still good if you still want the chance to prove your theory right.' She may have felt nervous as she typed out the message but she knew that playful banter was the best way to help that right now.

Jubal sat staring at his phone as he saw the little bubble appear to show him that Maggie was replying, he chuckled when he read her message as he replied.

'Just wanted to make sure you hadn't come to your senses yet. I already know my theory is right, those idiots had no idea how lucky they were. Me on the other hand? I am very aware how lucky I am. You good with me coming over at 7?'

'You always this sweet to women you are going on dates with? 7 sounds perfect.'

'Only the really beautiful one's that I care about. I'll see you at 7, looking forward to seeing you.'

'I'm already seeing a different side to you. I can't wait, see you at 7. And Jubal thank you for setting me up on a date.'

'Trust me this was the only date you were ever at risk of me setting you up on. See you tonight Maggie.'

Maggie couldn't stop the smile on her face as she read Jubal's messages, she sat reading them a few times, who knew that Jubal Valentine could be so sweet. He had caught her completely off guard with how open and sweet he was in the texts, this had her even more excited for their date if that were at all possible.

Jubal had no idea where the confidence had come from while he was talking to Maggie, at some point during their text conversation he had made the decision that tonight was going to change their future relationship no matter what happened. He wanted to make sure that Maggie knew how he felt and he wanted to do what he could to let her see the real him in the hope that she would agree to a second date. He sat back on the couch as he reread the texts from Maggie a few times, she was genuinely looking forward to their date and had actually thanked him for setting up this date, surely that was a good sign.

Maggie needed to keep herself busy for the rest of the day as she knew that sitting around dong nothing would just make her overthink tonight and about how crazy it was to actually date someone that you worked with. She had made sure she was happy with how the apartment looked before grabbing her gym bag and heading to the gym, she knew that would release more of that nervous energy she had still soaring through her body. When she got back home she decided on what movie they were going to watch before going upstairs to shower and get ready for her date. OA and Kristen text her wanting to know if she wanted to do something tonight but she had told them both that after a tough session in the gym that she was just going to take it easy and hang out with her sister and family via video chat. She couldn't help but shake her head laughing as she thought about what their reaction would be if she were to tell them what she was really up to.

Maggie decided to leave her hair down as she knew that Jubal was used to nearly always seeing her with her hair up and she wanted tonight to be different. Now she just had to settle on an outfit, this was when it would have helped to have someone to talk to for advice but right now she wanted to keep this date to herself, at least unit she saw how it went. Maggie finally settled on her skinny black jeans and a nice top that was way too nice to be wearing to work but still casual enough for a date in her apartment. She did her makeup and got dressed before coming back down stairs checking that everything was as she wanted it. God why did she feel so nervous this was Jubal, she knew him.

Jubal was thankful that the kids had FaceTimed him to check in with him, he had told Sam that he would prefer to do it during the day than at night time, he just told her that was because he was going to attend one of his meetings tonight which thankfully she accepted as a good reason. Having them on FaceTime was making him forget a little about his nerves for his date tonight, that was until his kids told him to have a good night and hung up, then the date was the only thing on his mind. He had settled on what takeout he was going to get for them, he felt confident with his choice. So now he had to settle on something to wear, he didn't want to just wear his shirt and trousers that he did to work, so he decided on his dresser jeans and a shirt that was too good to be wearing to work.

Since the shirt was shorter than the ones he wore to work he decided to not tuck it in. He placed the food order to make sure that he could pick it up in time to be at Maggie's door for 7, he checked himself once more in the mirror before leaving his apartment and heading towards Maggie's. He honestly couldn't remember the last time that he had felt this nervous about a date but he knew that a lot more was at stake here since the date was with someone that he worked with. Thankfully the takeout was ready on time and Jubal stood at Maggie's door taking a deep breath as he knocked the door right at 7.

Maggie had been nervously walking around her living room and even though she was expecting the knock at her door it still made her jump. She shook her head chuckling at how jumpy she was as she walked over to the door opening it and she smiled honestly when she saw Jubal.

"I should have known that an FBI agent would show up right on time." She joked lightly with him, trying to settle her own nerves. She stepped back holding the door for him "Come on in."

"That was not an easy thing to do when having to make sure that our food was ready on time to still be here for 7." Jubal smiled as he looked at Maggie he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked with her hair down. He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Maggie telling him to come in, he stepped in to the apartment and waited for Maggie to close the door before following her towards her living room which was only split from her kitchen thanks to the breakfast bar she had

Maggie lead Jubal into the living room where she had the coffee table completely cleared for them "We can eat on the couch if you are okay with that, I don't really use that table for meals unless my family are here." She had nodded at the table in her kitchen.

"I'm okay with eating on the couch, this is your apartment Maggie we can eat wherever you want to eat." Jubal smiled as he sat the takeout bag down on to the table and sat down on the couch as he looked up at Maggie who was still standing.

Maggie was about to ask Jubal if he wanted something to drink when she noticed the logo on the take out bag and she couldn't believe what she was seeing, she looked at Jubal "You went to my favourite Mexican restaurant for this?. How did you even know?."

Jubal knew that he had made the right choice when he saw Maggie's reaction to seeing the logo on their take out bag. "You said that the food was my choice and I wanted to get your favourite. We have eaten take out enough at work that I have heard you talk about what your favourite is and from where."

"I can't believe you got my favourite food and from my favourite place, Jubal that is really sweet thank you." Maggie smiled looking at Jubal, it was a smile that lit up her eyes in a way that showed she was really happy and not holding back or trying to hide that she was happy.

Jubal noticed Maggie's smile straight away, he knew in that moment that it was a smile he wanted to see as often as possible as it made her even more beautiful if that were at all possible. He found himself smiling even more as he watched her "Well I can't take you to the restaurant yet, so I thought this was the next best thing and I can have my sweet moments, just not at work" he laughed softly and raised his eyebrow looking at Maggie seeing her still standing "So are you going to join me or am I'm eating all this by myself?."

Maggie noticed how Jubal had said 'yet' about the restaurant, hearing that had made her heart beat faster, he really wanted there to be more than one date. She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard him about eating all the food himself. "Don't you dare eat all that food. I was going to ask you if you wanted something to drink but then you being so sweet distracted me."

Jubal was a little thrown when Maggie was so honest about his sweetness distracting her, he was glad that he had decided to try and let Maggie see the real him, the one that she brought out in him as he really did feel comfortable with her even if right now he still felt nervous as he didn't want to screw this up. He had told her that he was okay with drinking whatever she had.

Maggie had left in soda that day as she didn't want to drink alcohol tonight, she wanted Jubal to be completely relaxed and not have to think about things too much. She came back with two glasses of soda and sat them down on the table smiling when she saw that Jubal had all the containers sitting out of the bags.

"Oh my God this smells so good, I haven't been able to eat from this place in a couple of weeks so it smells even more amazing than usual."

Jubal smiled when he heard Maggie as he leaned forward lifting one of the containers handing it to Maggie, his smile grew even more when his fingers brushed against hers. "Well in that case let's eat, I know better than to stand between someone and their favourite food. Especially someone that can actually shoot me." He smirked playfully looking at her.

Maggie was trying to ignore the bolt of electricity that went through her body at her fingers brushing against Jubal's, this wasn't even the first time they had physical contact, in the JOC when working so closely on computers it always happened. But this time it was different, they had both let their fingers brush on purpose and this was more intimate now. She slapped his arm playfully when she heard him about her shooting him.

"As much as I love this food I am not that bad, although maybe don't ask me that on a day when I am really really hungry because the answer might be slightly different." She teased playfully.

Jubal couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face when Maggie had slapped his arm, he was enjoying that she seemed to be okay with them finding reasons for physical contact. It was a smile that Maggie hadn't noticed before making her realise that she really was getting to see a side of Jubal that he kept hidden at work. He lifted his own food container and sat back on the couch as she started to eat as he looked at Maggie.

"So how does Maggie Bell spend a rare Saturday off work?." He had decided to try and keep the conversation light and casual as he started to relax more, this was Maggie he knew her, that didn't change just because this was a date. Although he would swear that he saw a slight blush appear on her cheeks at the question.

"Today was not a typical day off though, so are you looking to know about a usual Saturday off or what I got up to today? Because the answers are very different." She teased playfully, Maggie realised that she enjoyed the way that they still had their playful banter as it made her more relaxed.

"Okay see now I am going to need to know what you got up to today that made it so different from the other Saturday's you have had off. You can't say it to me like that and not expect me to be curious especially when it comes to you."

"Hmm but the question is do I want to be completely honest with you? This is a first date I am supposed to be impressing you right?." She smirked playfully.

"Oh we are already past that stage, you impressed me a long time ago Maggie." Jubal looked at Maggie as he saw her freeze a little hearing him, he was hoping it hadn't been too much.

"This side of you is going to take a little getting used to, definitely not what I was expecting your response to be." She really did feel lucky getting to see this side to Jubal "I think that deserves the honest answer from me in return. I may have cleaned the apartment from top to bottom, gone to the gym for a session that was tougher than I had planned and lied to two of our co-workers." Maggie laughed softly as she noticed Jubal was staring at her with his mouth open a little.

"Maggie that is not a day off." Jubal shook his head laughing "Do you not work out enough at 26 Fed?" Jubal knew that Maggie and OA used the gym they had at work as often as they could when they didn't have cases. "Although can I ask who you lied to and why?."

"You can ask but doesn't mean I am going to answer." She smirked playfully at Jubal before laughing softly "It was Kristen and OA, they wanted to know if I wanted to go out with them tonight but I told them that I was taking the night to catch up with my family. And hey I had a lot of energy today so the gym sounded like a good idea at the time I may however regret it tomorrow." She laughed again softly as she set her empty container on the table lifting a napkin to wipe her hands before lifting her soda leaning back against the couch facing Jubal a little more.

"So you chose take out and a movie with me over going out with Kristen and OA?." Jubal was a little surprised with Maggie being so honest about who she had lied to and why, but he was even more surprised that she had chose to spend time with him over spending a night out with OA and Kristen.

"It was an easy choice Jubal, I meant it earlier in our texts when I said that I was looking forward to tonight. I didn't even have to think twice about saying no to OA and Kristen." Maggie could see how surprised Jubal had been when she had basically admitted that she chose time with him tonight. "You seem a little surprised that I said no to them."

Jubal sat down his now empty container on the table and after wiping his hands with a napkin he turned to face Maggie more on the couch "I'm not going to lie I am a little surprised, I thought maybe part of you said yes last night because you were in shock. I mean I could tell it was the last thing that you had expected me to say."

Maggie saw Jubal's hand resting on the couch between them, she wasn't sure where the confidence came from but she lay her hand on his squeezing it gently "Jubal, If I regretted saying yes last night then I would have backed out when we were texting today. I mean yes last night you totally caught me off guard, I never knew you were interested in us ever trying to be more than friends, but tonight I am exactly where I want to be." She smiled honestly looking at Jubal, she knew he had no idea that she was actually attracted to him.

Jubal was surprised when he felt Maggie's hand on his, he couldn't resist as he turned his hand around under hers as he entangled their fingers. This may have sounded like something a teenage boy would have said if he were to say his thoughts out loud, but he couldn't believe that he was actually sitting on her couch holding hands with Maggie. He started to relax at the feeling of Maggie's hand in his and his smile grew as he listened to her words and felt her thumb caressing his hand.

"In my defence I did not ask you to join me in the conference room last night with the intentions of asking you out on a date. Well hinting that I wanted a date with you." Jubal laughed softly, smiling when he heard the chuckle from Maggie "Yes I wanted your company, it was a chance to hang out just the two of us even if it was at work, but when I slipped up I was convinced that you were just going to run out of there."

Maggie couldn't remember the last time that she had just sat holding a man's hand, she had to admit it was really nice. It was reminding her that they weren't just talking as friends anymore, they were both sitting there wanting more from each other. She couldn't stop her thumb as she started to caress his hand and she didn't want to stop when she could feel it relaxing Jubal. "When you slipped up as you are calling it." She smirked teasing him playfully which made him chuckle softly "I thought you were just saying it to be nice to me and help me not feel so bad that none of the dates had turned into second dates. I still have no idea where the hell I got the confidence to ask if you wanted this chance, but where ever it came from I am really thankful."

"You know when you made the joke last night about knowing I wouldn't try to set you up on a date, you walked on ahead of me and looked back to see why I hadn't moved?" When Maggie nodded Jubal continued "I had been thinking that you had no idea how safe you were with me because the last thing I wanted to do was set you up on a date with anyone but me."

Jubal squeezed Maggie's hand gently and tugged on her hand a little to pull her closer to him, he could see that she had been thrown a little again by his honesty so he decided it was time to enjoy each other's company and let what they had just admitted to each other to really sink in. He smiled when Maggie happily moved closer to him and kept her hand in his, this helped him to relax as he turned his head to look at her.

"So what movie did you decide on?."

"Well it is a date so are you ready to watch a romantic movie with me?." Maggie was smirking playfully looking at Jubal, she was surprised when he had gently pulled on her hand to pull her closer to him, but she didn't even have to think twice about it. She was thankful that he was mentioning they watch the movie as she was trying to calm her mind and heart down after they had been so honest with each other.

"Oh God are you going to make me watch something like The Notebook? Because please remember that I did bring you your favourite food from your favourite restaurant." He raised his eyebrow playfully.

"Oh so the food was a bribe then huh?." Maggie smirked playfully as she hit play on the movie that she had waiting on the screen and she leaned back against the couch to get comfortable.

Jubal let out a happy sigh when he saw that Maggie had picked an action comedy that had some romance in it as well "So is this really what you wanted to watch or is this for my sake?." Jubal asked quietly as he leaned back too getting comfortable, he couldn't stop smiling as he was sitting here holding Maggie's hand with her shoulder touching his.

"This is really what I wanted to watch, action comedy movies are some of my favourite. I was planning on telling you it was The Notebook and even starting it but then you showed up with my favourite food and let me see this new side to you so I decided to cut the teasing short." Maggie smiled softly as she looked at Jubal.

Jubal shook his head smiling, he was really enjoying getting to learn these small new things about Maggie, like her favourite movies, and how she seemed to enjoy having physical contact even if a little. He started to really relax as they watched the movie, during the movie he was caught off guard when he felt Maggie lie her head on his shoulder. It filled his heart with so much joy as it meant that she felt so comfortable with him, he lay his cheek gently against the top of her head caressing her hand with his thumb.

Maggie had been relaxed most of the night even though she was nervous, there was just something about Jubal that calmed her down but as they watched the movie and felt her hand resting in his and their shoulders touching she was drawn to him even more. Before she knew it she was lying her head on his shoulder and he seemed to be more than okay with the new development as he had started to caress her hand more and play with her fingers a little, resting his cheek against her head was the final signal to show he was more than okay with the new contact.

They had both really enjoyed the movie and had spent some time after it just chatting about their favourite scenes from it, which is when Jubal learned that it was one of Maggie's favourites. Knowing she had chose one of her favourites to share with him made him really happy. They had stood up and made their way towards the door as it was time for Jubal to head home. Neither of them said it out loud but both were missing the physical contact straight away. Maggie opened the door for Jubal and she leaned her shoulder against the door frame as she watched Jubal step out a little on to the top step.

"So, I could wait until tomorrow to ask so I don't come off as too eager but we both know it would just be on my mind all night."

"You want to know if you have finally changed things and made me want to have a second date with someone?."

Jubal stepped a little closer to Maggie as he kept his eyes on her "Well not someone…" he smirked playfully "I want to know if you'll consider a second date with me?."

"Not liking the idea of me saying yes to anyone else?." She teased playfully before smiling softly at Jubal "I don't even have to consider it Jubal, if you want to go on a second date my answer is a very easy yes."

Jubal was going to make a teasing comment about her saying yes to anyone else but once again tonight Maggie had surprised him by how quickly she said yes and how confidently she had said it. He couldn't help the large smile that was now on his face as he couldn't take his eyes off Maggie. "I wanted a second date before we even had our first date. I'm hoping that you didn't feel the need to use any of OA's suggested date topics or questions to get through our evening."

Maggie couldn't help the proper laugh that escaped when she heard Jubal joke about OA, she realised that he had made her laugh quite a bit tonight and was unaware that he was determined to make her laugh like this more often. "I can promise you that at no point did I have to resort to his suggestions to get through our time together. I honestly had a really great night, it might have been simple but I really enjoyed it."

Jubal leaned in and kissed Maggie's cheek as he ran his hand along her arm taking her hand squeezing her hand gently as he was still very close to her "As much as every part of me wants to lean in and kiss you right now I want to wait. I want to do this right, take things slow because you deserve that and so much more Maggie."

Maggie closed her eyes feeling Jubal's lips against her skin for the first time, it may have only been to her cheek but this was a moment that she really wanted to remember. She squeezed his hand gently when she heard his words as she had to fight the tears she could feel in her eyes. "You know you really should have a warning about how charming you are with your sweetness. Who knew you were this good with words." She teased playfully to try and hide the emotion in her voice.

"Just so you know it's not an act, and I'm hoping to get the chance to show you that this is the real me Maggie. You bring out this side because I meant it, you deserve it and so much more." He closed the short distance kissing her cheek once more "Goodnight Maggie, I'll check in with you tomorrow if that's okay?."

Maggie closed her eyes again at the kiss to her cheek, this man really was going to reduce her to tears, she was never expecting this from him and it was making her fall for him even more. She squeezed his hand gently nodding "I'd really like for you to check in tomorrow."

She watched as Jubal went to walk away but he was still holding her hand and she pulled on it gently to turn him to face her again. "Thank you for tonight Jubal, for proving that some men really are worth the chance of a second date." She smiled honestly as she looked at Jubal, the one that he had noticed for the first time tonight.

His whole face lit up when he heard Maggie as he squeezed her hand gently "Trust me Maggie you have no reason to thank me, it was my pleasure and I'm just glad you enjoyed tonight so much that you want to have a second date. Like I said earlier I do realise how lucky I am….. Good night Maggie." He squeezed her hand one last time before letting go of her hand as he walked down the steps and climbed in to his suv.

Maggie smiled standing at her door as she watched him climbing in to his suv and she waved at him as he drove past her before she finally went inside. She closed the door locking up and tidying up their takeout, this had been her best first date in a very very long time, she really was looking forward to seeing what happened next.