-SECURE LOCATION- LIBRARY

DATE: 9/15/2013

TIME: 9:45:01

"What?"

Harold smiled at John's question. They were working a new number, Shaw was out in the field and John had come back to the library after seeing Jocelyn for information. Finch had been quietly watching his friend, marveling at how happy John seemed ever since he began dating the detective. It was as though Mr. Reese had begun anew. Although, it seemed his observation had been noticed.

"You seem happy, Mr. Reese. I'm glad that you are allowing yourself to be with someone great as the detective is."

His friend exhaled. "Curb your enthusiasm, Finch. Last time I felt happy it went to hell."

"Not this time," That got John's gaze. It was shuddered but there was an emotion deep within them: hope. John was hopeful, it was the first time he ever saw it and Harold wanted to do whatever it took to nurture that. He wanted John to let the detective in, to let himself be happy and to live.

"Maybe I'll screw up and lose her," John replied softly.

He shook his head. "Jocelyn won't let it," Finch said after a moment to choose his words carefully. He didn't want to press or prod but rather gently guide.

His hope when he found Mr. Reese was not only for him to be skilled enough to work the numbers but had the empathy to connect with them, which he did. But also Finch had hoped to rehabilitate John, to ease his guilt over being the cause of John's retirement from the CIA and losing any chance to saving Jessica. Not only had John surpassed every expectation but Mr. Reese had become a dear friend, someone he wanted to help and not just to ease his guilt, but because John was a valued friend who he wanted happiness for. If only John would let himself experience it.

"The only way you'd lose Jocelyn is if you choose to let yourself." John dropped his gaze. "She's not going anywhere as you well know. Jocelyn cares about you and wants to be with you. I know that you feel the same but there is other…" he hesitated wanting to find the right words. Calling out Mr. Reese's mental health didn't seem appropriate, not when it would backfire. "…emotions within you that might try to tear you down."

John's expression was masked and turned away, facing the broken glass pane where their new number's photo and possible leads to who wanted them dead were taped to. Finch was alright with dropping the subject, at least, having been able to have his say and hoped that John took his words to heart.

"Living in the moment is all I can do, Finch."

"No one said you needed to think of the future or debate the existence of happily ever afters," he reassured.

A faint smile tilted only one side of John's lips up before it vanished. "Well, before Carter and I have any chance of finding out if 'happily ever after' is real or not; we need to finish Decima, who won't stop until Samaritan is up and operational."

"I agree."

"I don't like this plan of using you as bait, Finch."

Neither did he honestly, but Finch didn't see another option. Greer nearly murdered John and severely injured Miss Shaw, both who would never have given up the machine or him. Decima was only going to get more desperate in their pursuit of power and the lives that were at risk due to that was near incomprehensible.

Finch understood John's unease but everyone else risked their lives on a daily basis. He had to do this for the innocent lives that could get caught in the crossfire. "It's the only way, Mr. Reese. But we have to do it right, make them believe that it was all by accident or else the plan won't work."

"I assume you, Root, and the machine are busy working on that part."

Finch nodded. "We are. We'll bring you, Miss Shaw, and the detectives in the fold once the plan is all in place. Until then, we just need to continue working our numbers and bide our time."

"And hope like hell Decima doesn't make a move first."

Well, there was that too.

-SECURE LOCATION- LIBRARY

DATE: 10/27/2013

TIME: 20:02:59

The adrenaline coursed through his veins. John's pounding heart echoed in his ears. They succeeded in luring Greer into a trap. It was over. The number Decima thought came up because of them to lure Finch out of hiding was actually, in fact, their doing. It was the top secret project Root, Finch, and the machine had been working on to end Decima once and for all. They had crafted such an elaborate alias that Root assumed, that had John not known it was their doing he would have sworn Decima was behind the number coming up.

By design they had to split up, losing all communication with each other, to make Decima believe they were winning. John was with Finch and Fusco while Shaw, Root, and Joss worked together. They needed to separate as many of the Decima agents as possible; they were like HR, if you didn't get the leader than they would just keep coming back. Greer realized that he was set up when John and Fusco got the drop on him after pretending to leave Finch alone to go help the ladies. They hadn't been able to take Greer alive. John was forced to shoot him when he tried to shoot Finch. And while he trusted the ladies' skills to round up the agents on their tail trying to kill Root, he'd breathe a bit easier when he was reunited with Joss.

"Mr. Reese, relax, they'll ping us," Finch tried to reassure as he anxiously moved around their HQ of the library.

Relax. He couldn't until he heard from Joss. It wasn't his idea having Fusco with him and Finch. Fusco had complained about going with, as he called them, Lucy and Ethel. "What happens if something went wrong? Lambert won't hesitate to shoot them." And if there was one hair on Joss's head out of place, the world would burn to ash.

Fusco smirked. "If Lambert tries to shoot at Carter then he's dumber than I thought."

"You were worried about us, John?—how sweet. Does this mean you like me now?" Root joined the conversation.

John turned seeing Shaw, Root, and Joss walking towards them in the library. His focus was solely on Joss, who appeared fine except her clothes were a bit disheveled. He strode towards her, not bothering to look at Root or Shaw's direction.

Joss smiled. "I'm o—" But he didn't let her finish whatever she was going to say he grabbed her cheeks and kissed her. The kiss lasted moments but he poured all the adrenaline, worry, and love into it. John pulled back slightly to stare into her eyes. "—kay…" she finished a bit breathless, which made him grin.

"Ping us next time," he admonished, before pressing another kiss to her lips.

"Shaw was supposed to," Joss said, eyes wide, and he looked to his supposed friend with ire.

Shaw's grin could only be called wicked. John looked around the room and he felt his ears heat up. He had lost his cool and had kissed Joss in front of everyone. Fusco was looking with a vague look of horror. Finch was smiling ear to ear. It was much the same with Root but sappier. He had remained professional with Joss while their friends were an audience, but not this time.

"It must have slipped my mind Reese, whoops," Shaw deadpanned, then motioned at them. John looked down at them and he had, at some point, tucked Joss against him with an arm wrapped around her, and her arms were looped around his waist. "You're welcome for the public display of affection, Carter."

But Fusco responded, "Yea thanks, Shaw, now I have the image of wonder boy kissing my partner forever embedded in my retinas." But even as he griped, he seemed happy about it.

"May I suggest we head to the safe house to share drinks? It's not every day that we manage to bring down a criminal enterprise," Finch offered, seemingly deciding it was high time to change the subject. John was grateful.

He looked down when he felt Joss's tap on his hip. She was looking up. "It's late. How about we leave, they can have drinks together, and I can make it up to you over the missing ping?"

John smiled. "I'd like that."

Root made a noise which earned their gazes. "Ooh, I just love good love stories. Maybe eventually I might have one too." Root murmured, with a longing look Shaw's way.

"In your dreams," Shaw replied scathingly.

John felt wicked. "Don't give up, Root. Sometimes dreams come true." he drawled, earning a murderous glare from Shaw and a dopey look from Root.

Feeling content getting the last word with Shaw, he nodded his chin at his friends and escorted Joss out wanting to be alone with her.

-SECURE LOCATION- DETECTIVE CARTER'S HOME

DATE: 10/27/2013

TIME: 23:14:39

Joss rested against John's side, naked, sated, and so incredibly tired. She had work, then work, and wanted to make love to John after he had suffered worrying about her due to Shaw's stupidity. And what amazing lovemaking it had been too; John is a thorough lover and she'd take being tired after that.

Her head lied on his chest, acting as her pillow, and she murmured warmly as she snuggled closer. Their skin was still slightly heated from their recent lovemaking. She felt nearly lulled to sleep from the constant rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, felt the soft tease of his fingertips up and down her spine. She felt in heaven. Taylor aside, nothing in her life ever felt so right, so perfect. Joss was almost scared to be this happy, like one day she'd wake up and they'd be just friends again, and this love was gone.

Her eyes snapped open. The urge to tell him that she loved him was strong, same with wanting to hear it back. "Joss, what's wrong?" John asked, feeling the change in her.

She looked up and saw he was watching her, his fingers didn't cease their movement. "Nothing is wrong, just thinking about the day," she mumbled her partial lie before rolling onto her back. Nothing was wrong, being in love with John was incredibly right. Telling him was the issue.

John rolled over onto his side, propped up on his arm, and rested his cheek in his palm to stare down at her. "Seems to be more to it than that," his attentiveness was just as attractive as the rest of him. He grabbed her hand and was lightly running his thumb over her knuckles. "I thought you were almost asleep."

God, did she want to tell him what was really on her mind. Go slow and don't spook him, her brain reminded. But her heart was yelling louder: do it, do it. She felt at a loss, caught between what she ought and what she wanted.

"I could distract you." he purred, smiling suggestively. He shifted so he could press an impossibly warm open mouth kiss to her lips. His tongue dipped in just for a second before he leaned back and propped up again. "The offer is good for the next minute."

Joss laughed softly. "Only for a minute, what kind of offer is that?"

"Well, figured you'd like a choice. After the minute is up and you're undecided, well, the choice is mine then and I can distract you any way I want."

John couldn't distract her from these feelings. Even if they got lost in another round of lovemaking the feelings she had would still be there, and once thought processes returned the fact that she wanted to tell him would increase tenfold.

The voice from her heart won. She reached up to touch his chin reverently. "Honestly, I was thinking about how much I love you," she declared, voice soft. His thumb stopped its movement. "And I just...was struggling to keep it to myself because I don't want to go too fast on you, but I can't stay silent." Joss pushed up and twisted so they were close. He tucked her hair behind her ear. "Are you okay?—my telling you that I love you isn't going to overwhelm you?"

He made a noise in his throat as his eyes searched hers. "Being cared about is overwhelming, Joss," his voice was thick with emotion. "You love me?" he whispered.

How could John even question it? But it wasn't about believing her. It was about why she had to go slow to begin with. It was why he was alone and never could move on. "Yes. I love you." she said, firm. She kept her eyes direct and waited.

"I've loved you since the moment I met you, Joss. It was just a journey to figure it out."

She reached for him and kissed him. They were locked in an embrace as they kissed and kissed until breathing took priority, and they touched bringing their need to a fever pitch within mere seconds. Joss was pushed onto her back and he entered her just as she wrapped her legs around his hips.

This time was different yet the same. The passion was the same, intense. John's every movement spurred them towards a climax. She still reveled in touching him and feeling him inside her. The only difference between this time and any other was that the love she had shuddered and hid for his benefit was on full display. And so was his.

When they reached the pinnacle, almost simultaneously, Joss edged John out by seconds with an expert touch of his fingers; they didn't avert their eyes and basked in bringing each other so much pleasure, and so much love. It wasn't until John held himself on his forearms to keep from crushing her, as they both panted ragged breaths that she realized they were finally on the same page. Now they just had the rest of their lives to finish writing the rest.

AN: This is it for this story. I do have another one that I'll be posting soon. I might eventually write a sequel to this since there are a couple loose ends hanging out her like Joss's sister and *cough* couch John *cough*

Thank you for reading this little thing. And to everyone that left a review (shout out to the guest reviews who I cannot thank personally) I appreciate it and thank you. XOXOX