7 – Women's Guide to Love and Lasting Relationships
A/N: This was written as part of a fantastic Careese Valentine's Day thread on the POI Discussion Forum a number of years ago. It's been updated with a new section at the end:
"Happy Valentine's Day."
Reese held the envelope up to the light. "You've never given me anything before, Carter." He raised an elegant eyebrow at her. "Should I be worried?"
Joss raised an elegant eyebrow back at him. "Would I be standing this close to you, if there was anything bad in there, John?"
"You're a woman of many talents, Detective," Reese smirked, "I need to be careful." He shook the envelope, then pressed it against his ear. "It is ticking?"
Joss gave Reese her patented glare as she folded her arms. "Will you just open it?"
Reese smiled at her, then tore the envelope open and pulled the card out. "Hmmm…Woman's Guide to Love and Lasting Relationships." He read the front of the card out loud:
Find a man who makes you laugh
Find a man who has a good job and can cook
Find a man who is honest
Find a man who will pamper you with gifts
He paused, his eyes flickering over her luscious curves:
Find a man who is awesome in bed
Joss' face is blank.
Reese opened the card:
Most of all, it is very important that these five men never meet!
"Funny, Carter." He tilted his head at her. "So…are all the slots filled?"
Joss shrugged. "Well…Fusco makes me laugh…Ian," she ignored Reese's narrowed eyes, "has a great job and is an excellent cook…Bear is honest," they smiled at each other at that one, "Taylor gives me thoughtful gifts."
"What about number five, Joss…finding a man who is…" his voice was even softer than normal, "awesome in bed?"
"Well, I have been looking to fill that slot, John. Why, you interested?*"
He pulled her into his arms. "Very interested. You might say I'm…'up'…" Reese pressed his lean frame against her petite one, letting Joss know in no uncertain terms how much he wanted her, "for the challenge."
"Hope so…" Joss slid her arms around his neck. "It's going to be long, long nights, and hard, sweaty work, John."
Reese kissed her, "Slot filled."
XXX
Several glorious hours later, Reese murmured in Joss' ear, "You know there's one man you still need to find, Carter."
Joss stretched luxuriously in his arms. "Hmmm…who's that?"
"A man, Detective," Reese pulled her even closer into his arms, "who will love you forever."
"You think you know where that man is, John?"
"I think he's someone…" Reese kissed her, "very…" he kisses her again, "close to you."
"You don't say."
"I do say, Joss. Over and over again," his blue eyes darkened with passion and intent, "for as long as you'll have me."
"That's gonna be for a long time, John." Joss gently kisses him back. "A very long time."
"I look forward to it," Reese smiled.
"And, John," Joss smiled against his mouth. "You're not alone in that 'forever' gig."
"Glad to hear it, Joss," Reese grinned as they melted into each other. "I'm very glad to hear it."
*Reese asked Joss "Why, you interested?" in the ep Prisoner's Dilemma
A/N: The next drabble, Jealous, will be posted on February 20th.