The next morning was an eventful one for Joss, who exited her car at the given coordinates. It was hot and muggy but catching Snow wouldn't wait for cooler weather. Shaw had held up her end of the deal with getting in contact with Root. After she had left John's place last night she had received a phone call from an unknown number which so happened to be Root. The woman was an oddball that was for sure. But Root had already finished force-pairing with Mark Snow and had explained her next step was to break into his apartment and see if she could glean anything from there. Joss had been only too willing to help which seemed to surprise Root but after a little cajoling she got the mystery woman to agree. Joss was going to make sure Root had enough time to fully search his apartment without worrying that Snow would show up unannounced.
Joss saw Snow standing off to the side with another suit, clearly working on something for the CIA. That didn't deter her but rather it helped. She parked her butt down on an empty bench, crossed her legs, and lifted a newspaper up appearing to be perusing it when she was blatantly watching her target. She wanted him to see her. This wasn't meant to be stealth. Joss wanted him to know she was watching him. Part of her wanted to call John and triumphantly remark that she was pulling a fast one over Snow but didn't. Knowing John he was probably lurking around following her watching this and was steaming mad. She smiled at the thought.
When she focused on Snow again he noticed her and she locked eyes with him. His shock faded instantly and it appeared as though he pretended he hadn't seen her. He went back to looking at some black man, in a similar looking suit, and conversed. Joss kept sitting and waiting, knowing he wouldn't resist coming over to try to rattle her into giving him any crumb on where John was.
After a little while she kept a neutral expression as she watched the two men part ways and Snow made his way towards her. He was careful in his steps and clearly didn't want anyone to know that he was seeking her out on purpose. Ah, so he was afraid someone else was watching him which made things even more interesting. Maybe John was putting the screws to Snow that she wasn't aware of. That or Snow was as paranoid because he was selling secrets to the Chinese.
"Detective, you need to work on your tailing," he commented dryly, as he came up in front of her. His hands were thrust in his pockets of his jacket and stared down at her with barely concealed contempt.
She set the paper down with a smile. "I was going to say that to you," she lied. "So now you're following me to parks where I can't even read a newspaper in the sun without you shaking me down. Hear me Agent Snow; I don't know the man you're looking for. How many other ways do I need to spell it out to you?" she said playing her part expertly.
Snow looked at her questioningly before shrugging. "I was here on business."
Joss cocked a brow up. "So, looking for this guy you won't leave me alone about isn't for business?" she asked. The look on his face showed his anger that he fouled that one up.
"Not what I meant!"
"It's what you said," she pointed out.
Snow's brows came to a point as he frowned so hard before his expression cleared up. "You caught me detective, I am looking for John personally," he answered. Joss arched a brow though hid her surprise that he was actually admitting to it. "If the CIA had their way, John would be retired. I don't want that to happen to him."
Joss nearly laughed at the line of bull. Trying to lie to an expert interrogator, eh? "If he is as dangerous as you claim he is than why are you trying everything in your power to save him?"
"Because John was broken by the things our agency asked him to do. He's a very good friend of mine and doesn't deserve to be put down like a rabid beast. John would benefit from psychological help and that's what I'm determined to get him," Mark said, in what sounded like a sincere voice to anybody else but her.
Joss arched a brow once more. "So you want to lock him up in a straightjacket?" she muttered and Snow nodded. Instead of pushing, Joss backed off as she stood. That should have bought Root more than enough time to do some investigating, and now she knew that he was working at the moment it was time to head back to the precinct. She eyed her watch. "My break is nearly over, and I wish I could say it was a pleasure." Joss said as she grabbed her newspaper.
Snow stared at her. "I know you know him, detective," he assured her. Joss simply stared him down. "But I was wrong in thinking that it appeared that he became attached to you. It seems he has cut you out of his life as easily as he did his ex. You mean little to him as everyone else in his life before you. Good for you, bad for me since the longer he remains on the loose the more likely I won't be able to give him the help he desperately needs."
"Bye, Snow," she said and barely stopped herself from saying 'good riddance' along with it. Mark Snow didn't respond verbally as he just dipped his chin, turned, and walked away. What was that supposed to do, trip her up and claim she meant a lot to John? And she wasn't stupid to believe that this meant that she could relax now.
Joss turned and headed for her car and hoped like hell that Root had gotten some good info on that man. She couldn't wait for someone to slap some cuffs on that traitor. As she walked, she texted Root that Snow was working so she had as much time that she needed. Joss climbed into her car and before she could even pull her seatbelt on the sound of her passenger door opened and she gaped as John climbed in beside her.
"John! Where the hell did you come from?" she demanded before looking around. "Snow's close, you need to go or he might see you!" she ordered. John sat saying nothing but anger glinted deep in his steely blue depths. So did glassiness. "Were you drinking?" she snapped.
"What the hell are you thinking?" he growled instead. "Snow isn't stupid, Joss he'll know you're onto him. Are you looking for him to kill you?"
Joss looked away feeling as though they were baking in the car without her A/C on, so she stabbed her key into the ignition before putting her seatbelt on, turning on the A/C, and pulled away from the curb determined to protect John even if he wasn't willing to do it for himself. "I was buying Root enough time to comb through his apartment without fearing of being caught. Now I know he's working so he won't be going home anytime soon, she's in the clear. And I'm not stupid, John, though you seem to think I am, but I made him believe we met on coincidence."
"You think he bought that?"
Joss tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "I don't care if he did or not. I'm angling to have this situation resolved sooner rather than later, unlike you."
"What does that mean?"
"Seriously, why haven't you put the screws to him yet, John?" she demanded angrily. He was letting himself be hunted and it was upsetting that he wouldn't fight back.
John looked away and stared out the windshield. "Do you really think that Snow was the only one that wanted me dead in the CIA, Joss?" he asked quietly.
"Are you saying there're more?" she commanded, needing to know what she was up against.
"Beale, Mark's boss, wanted me gone. The more questions I asked about the legitimacy of the work the more I became a liability to them. They want yes-men, Joss, not people who question their authority. There was never a formal investigation in my or Kara's death, why do you think that is?" he inquired though they both knew the answer. "The moment I am found alive is the moment I'll have the entire agency looking for me. That puts a lot of people at risk: you, your son, Harold and Grace. I can't risk them looking into past cases looking for clues, then they might realize Harold's alive."
Joss let out a string of expletives. She didn't realize just how shitty things were for John. No wonder he wasn't willing to fight. It seemed the deck was stacked against him. And he placed everyone else's lives ahead of his. She drove them around until she pulled over in an abandoned parking lot far away from where Snow was. Leaving the car on for the A/C she removed her seatbelt and angled herself to look at him.
"I understand why you have kept hidden all this time now. Thank you for telling me the truth," she murmured sincerely.
He looked at her warily. "Now you know why you need to stop. Why you need to stay away," he acknowledged, equally sincerely.
Joss merely eyed him liking the fact that he had gotten a haircut and shaved that godawful beard off. Not to mention she hadn't noticed last night that he had evidently gotten some sun. His handsome face was tanned, and at the neckline of his white t-shirt he was wearing, showing it carried to his chest and stomach too. Her mind wandered to him on a beach, sunbathing, out in the open. And she scowled as she thought about women offering to lather him up with sun-tan lotion or got a birds-eye view of John coming out of the water after a swim. Her gaze drifted down and noted the way his shirt stretched tight over his muscular chest and smiled at the khaki shorts, and brown flip-flops. John looked like a damned tourist which probably was the look he was going for to throw off anyone looking for him. He looked hot like this as much as he did in jeans and a button down shirt. Her mind tried to conjure him up in a nice suit or a tux and felt saliva filling her mouth at the thought.
"Joss," he said making her blink and forcing her gaze up to his handsome face. His eyes were on her clearly annoyed that she was drifting off into la-la land while he was telling her something important. And what was that again?—oh yea, he wanted her to back off and leave him.
"On contraire, it just makes me more motivated to help you, John," she countered. He glowered at her. "Once Snow is dealt with you won't have any excuse for why you can't live your life. The CIA won't have a clue you're alive and no one will believe Snow if he tries to oust your secret."
"Joss…" he exhaled roughly.
Her eyes raked him over and didn't like the fact that he appeared disheveled and fighting a hangover. "Stop drinking to numb yourself, John. It doesn't work which you know by now," she demanded. He lifted his gaze and fury built in his eyes.
"You think because you've insinuated yourself into my life that it qualifies you into knowing what's best for me?" he snarled.
She scoffed at him. "Coming from the man that inserted himself into my problems that's very funny," she snapped back.
"You were pregnant Joss. Did you think you could out run Elias alone?"
"And what are you?—you lost all will to fight, so someone has to do it for you."
"You can't fight a losing battle, Joss," he stated bluntly…sadly.
"How would you know it's a losing battle when you haven't even tried?" she demanded bitterly.
"There's no point." he responded shortly and curtly.
"Well, I think there is!" she argued right back. They sat glaring at each other, neither willing to back down, and the next moment they were kissing in her car and it was glorious. Anger was still very much simmering in both of them as they kissed with intensity. The bite of his fingers on the back of her neck gentled, pulling her towards him, she leaned forward, letting the gearshift press hard against her thigh as she rested her hands on his shoulders.
Lips parted and tongues met and warred for dominance, which she won for all of three seconds, and then he played dirty by cupping her aching breasts, making her gasp and falter until he was plundering her mouth for all he was good for, and she damned well liked it. Drawing in ragged pants through her nostrils as the kiss raged on like a hurricane, battering them both from multiple sides, neither wanting it to end, but knew it would eventually have to or they'd both pass out. She clawed his shoulders as she angled closer, bumping her nose against his, both were making ragged gasping noises, and broke the kiss to press her warm mouth to his cheek as she climbed over the gearshift and straddled him.
They shared a mutual moan of pleasure as they fit together like two interconnecting puzzle pieces. She was delirious with need as his hard bulge pressed against her soft and quivering mound. When they both ground against each other the sizzling sparks of their shared passion ignited; hands roamed over each other as wetness pooled in her panties, and his dick throbbed madly beneath her. Good to know he was just as aroused as she was. Joss lowered her mouth to his, drawing him in for another hot and lengthy kiss, that would have her brain short circuiting, perhaps him too, and poured all her pent up frustration from years into the kiss. The hazy fog of lust made her solely focused on his mouth and devouring it that Joss didn't even realize that he was undoing her pants until she gasped as she felt a hand sliding into her underwear, and fingers finding her clit like a sharpshooter found a bullseye. He stroked her taut nub of desire as it was so hard and tight with need that she shook from one small gentle touch. Joss pulled back and let out a loud moan of pleasure as he rubbed her.
"Oh John, what are you doing to me?" she whimpered as her hips undulated as she leaned her head back, eyes snapped closed, and felt like he just lit the fuse of a stick of dynamite and at any moment she'd explode. She never experienced passion like this. Never experienced need like this and she was helpless to it as she rotated her hips thrusting herself onto his fingers harder. Her body trembled as he stroked her with expert fingers. She held onto his shoulder blades as the tension in her built to the point of pain, and when he speared her pussy with two fingers, pressing against the exact spot that made it feel like thunder in her pussy, she came with a loud shout.
John moaned as her wetness spilt over his fingers coating them making his dick throb madly against his khaki shorts as she climaxed with a few strokes of his hand. He knew how to please and did exactly that, knowing he couldn't offer her anything else. John pressed the base of his palm against her, careful to keep his middle finger buried in her, and ground gently against her to draw out her orgasm. She thrust her hips against his hand and was utterly beautiful as she gave herself over to the moment. Her entire body heaved and shook from the force of her orgasm. He wondered what she'd be like in a bed, legs spread, pussy wet and slippery, and being fucked ruthlessly until she was screaming his name. John nearly came in his pants at the thought.
After it was over he regretfully removed his hand from inside her panties and redid her pants resolutely. Joss stared at him with intense brown eyes that held need in them, the orgasm he gave her seemed to only make her hunger for the same mating as he did, and he shook from the force of his own desire. Her penetrating gaze seemed to see right through him. John didn't say a word as he lifted her up and pushed her until she was back in the driver's seat so that he wouldn't find a way to get her in the backseat of this car and do exactly what they both wanted.
"John," she gasped.
But he didn't say a word as he opened the car door and climbed out. A blast of hot and humid air met his already overheated body, his dick was heavy and erect to the point of pain, and her wetness tempted him still as it clung to his right hand. Just one lick, his mind cajoled. He shuddered at the thought but pushed it away. One lick wouldn't be enough because then he'd know that she tasted as he expected, like a delicious honey that he'd want to gorge himself on. He ruthlessly strode away from the woman in the car which took every ounce of his fledging willpower to muster.
Joss, sat on her kitchen island, after a long day at work, and wasn't even the least bit tired even though last night her son had gotten her up twice. Also she had put in a twelve hour shift trying to catch up on some paperwork after finishing up a homicide. No, she was still jazzed after her little encounter with John in the afternoon. And she was still tense as hell. You'd think after an orgasm she wouldn't be. Maybe she wouldn't be if John hadn't walked away after it. So they could go back to her place and make love for real. But maybe it was better that it didn't happen. Fusco would have had to cover for her. And she hadn't given John the cold hard facts yet either. Like they weren't going to simply fuck and get it out of their systems. Not that she thought they could. Their connection was strong and unerring. John hadn't given into the darkness and she wasn't being egotistical in acknowledging it was because of her. It was the humble truth; she saved him from himself, but now, now she needed him to open himself up to the possibility to more than merely existing. That was the tricky part because John seemed hell bent on doing just that.
He also needed to know that she was invested in him. Her failed marriage with Paul had hurt but she could learn from her past mistakes and move on. And she wanted John to let her in and wouldn't accept anything less. John, being the military man he was, viewed the world differently: being out in the open was dangerous, which she was sure was how he viewed his feelings too. Showing how he felt outwardly scared the fuck out of him and rang every internal alarm bell he had. Internalizing everything was far safer. But she didn't want him feeling safe, alone. She wanted him to feel safe with her just as she felt with him. And then there was Taylor; she wanted him in her son's life. Taylor didn't have a father and while she would never pressure John into stepping into that role unless he was ready, willing, and able to; she couldn't deny that she would pray for it to happen. Because her son deserved the love of a father and John deserved to feel the love of a child.
She sighed as she dug her spoon in further into the ice cream. Probably working out would be a better way of burning off this tense energy but working out didn't taste like chocolate chip cookie dough though. After another few spoonfuls she resolutely hopped off the kitchen island and put away the carton of ice cream, there was just enough left for a future binge.
Just as she exited her kitchen her cell rang. Sighing, knowing it wasn't going to be who she wanted to hear from, she moved to the phone lethargically. A tiny smile filled her face when she saw it was Fusco. "Hey, what's up?"
"Sorry to disrupt your evening, Carter, but I thought you should know that the Captain officially removed me from the investigation of Paul, Elias, and Marconi."
"What?!" she demanded as she went rigid. "Doesn't the Captain want to know who offed these men?"
"Not up to her. The FBI pulled the plug." he grumbled.
"Why?"
Fusco laughed humorlessly. "Come on, Carter, those suits aren't going to tell us squat. They either found something or are tired of pooling resources on a lost cause and pulled the plug."
Joss bit out a curse word that would get her mouth washed out with soap if her mother heard it. Ladies didn't swear, or so her mama said. But her mama wasn't told shitty news. "Do you think they suspect Snow at all?"
"Probably not, I could never find a way to connect Snow with the crime without spilling what I know when I shouldn't know it. Donnelly didn't believe it was the Russians but he wasn't completely off that some other enemy that Elias had found his true identity and offed him with everyone else in the car," Fusco said sounding tired. "Months of investigating down the drain too."
"It's okay Fusco, you tried," she assured just as wearily.
"Just thought you should know…."
"Thanks," she remarked sincerely and with that hung up with her friend. Joss dropped her cell phone onto the mantle with a disgusted sigh as Snow was getting away with his crimes again, and there wasn't a damn thing she could do to stop it. "No, I have Root now. I'll save John and nail that bastard in the process." she whispered to herself.
A knock on the door caught her off guard and her senses went on full alert. Joss wouldn't put it past Snow to not show up after their cold encounter earlier. She headed, with purpose, to the door and peered through the peephole and frowned, the woman on the other side was someone she never seen before.
Joss pulled the door open and asked; "May I help you?"
"Are you Detective Carter?" the woman asked with a breathy quality to her voice.
Joss looked over the beautiful brunette standing in front of her. She was dressed to kill in a sexy red number and wore a beguiling smile. "I am, and you would be?" Joss asked guardedly. She had to be wary of anyone and everyone feeling as though she was channeling her best Harold Finch with the paranoia. But John's very life depended on it.
"We share a mutual friend," the mystery woman explained secretively. When Joss didn't immediately respond she added; "A certain good-looking tall, dark-haired, and blue eyed friend."
Joss schooled her reaction, not about to make a slip up. "That description fits lots of men I know. Care to be more specific about this friend we share? And you still haven't introduced yourself."
"I'm Zoe Morgan," the brunette introduced as she held out a well-manicured hand. This time Joss didn't camouflage her reaction because this woman wasn't a threat to John. "I see you've heard of me. Hopefully it's all good things."
Joss stepped back to let the woman enter her home. Once inside she offered Zoe something to drink which the exotic woman declined, and she led her to her couch. Once seated Joss blurted out; "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Before I answer your question I want you to answer one of mine, detective. What have you heard about me?" Zoe inquired.
"I only know that you're a fixer and you have information that others don't possess," Joss answered as vague as possible. She wasn't going to admit to running a full background check into her and asked her informants for details. Zoe Morgan was a rather respected woman which made her feel slightly better about what John had done previously for her with this woman.
Zoe seemed satisfied with her answer because she spoke once again, but this time answering her question; "I'm here to meet you since you mean so much to John."
"Seeing as you're a fixer; it's no surprise you connected the dots. You had to have heard about Carl Elias's death. And John had just asked you about information on that man and then my statement came along with a physical description of the good Samaritan that matches John who've you met before," Joss muttered. Zoe smiled seemingly impressed.
"Intelligent as well as beautiful, it's no wonder John's smitten," Zoe said with a chuckle.
"Being here to meet me isn't why you're here and I want to know what that real reason is," Joss spoke bluntly as she sat forward, her dark gaze accessing. Zoe's expression was neutral. She would hate to face this brunette in poker because you couldn't tell what the hell was up her sleeve.
"I came to see you because I think our goals align," Zoe admitted after a moment.
"What goals?" Joss asked, feeling clueless.
"Protecting John," she supplied simply.
That got Joss's attention. "What do you know?" she demanded.
"Before I get to that let me be clear: I care about John, and I don't care about anyone other than myself."
Joss felt her brows rise at that. "From my understanding your relationship was purely superficial. You give him information and he gives you a good lay." Joss replied bluntly.
Zoe nodded not the least bit embarrassed. "Oh it is," she agreed. "Or rather it was. John doesn't want to continue with our liaison because of you I suspect. I always thought John and I were cut from the same cloth but I've come to realize we aren't. We share similarities but have vast differences. But, while our relationship was always sexual in nature that doesn't mean that I didn't come to value him as a friend." Joss arched a brow at that. Friend?—a friend with certain benefits! "But a word of warning, Detective, hurt him and I will make your life a literal living hell."
Joss looked at Zoe in surprise and saw nothing but honesty staring back at her. Zoe, no doubt, could ruin her with the people she knew and who owed her favors. Her career could be gone in an instant with a simple phone call. A small smile born out of respect graced Joss's lips. Perhaps there was more than met the eye with Zoe Morgan.
"I have zero intentions of hurting John." she replied.
Zoe nodded. "Figured, but I had to make sure. And I sincerely hope you are the lone woman to get the chance to bypass that near-unbreakable exterior John has to keep others out. I suspect what lies within is far less unbreakable," she murmured seriously. Joss felt the same way. "Last night John called me asking me if I knew any information on a private investigator named Root; specifically information that would blackmail her into deciding to not take a certain case."
Joss couldn't find it in her to be really surprised. John already knew she wouldn't cancel with Root so he was trying to remove Root himself by any means. She shook her head as a smile tugged on her lips. That man was determined to protect everyone except for himself.
"What did you tell him?" she asked finally.
"Not much. Like I said, Joss, I care about him. I know everything there is to know about the woman he wants to know about. But I didn't because I wanted to speak to you first. Because if there is anything to know about the mysterious Root is that once she takes a case she starts immediately and gets results quickly," Zoe explained primly.
"Don't tell him anything. I think I can convince him that he doesn't need to blackmail my private investigator off my case. And don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't blame you for coming to me."
Zoe smiled. "I'm sure you can convince John of anything, Joss. But I must be going though it was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you again soon," she murmured as she stood. Joss showed her to the door and once the door was closed she knew that she would be seeing Zoe sooner rather than later.
AN: And Zoe sides with Joss, in this case ;D
Thank you for reading!