The heels of his hands rubbed his eyes momentarily before falling back on either side of his head as he began to blink up at his ceiling. The room was dark, his alarm the only indicator that it was actually morning.

"Right," he said with a yawn as he propped himself onto his elbow. Was he unusually tired this morning or what? He didn't even have an excuse.

Getting out of bed, he ran his hands through his hair a few times - attempting to tame the wild locks sticking out of place. Then he got dressed, pulling on his usual uniform and making sure to finish it off with his bandana.

The words written across it were always enough to push him through his bedroom door instead of climbing back into bed. Even though his bed looked very tempting right now…

Outside.

Arlo listened to his inner coach, leaving his bedroom and making sure to chug down a quick glass of water. He thought to splash some of it face to snap him out of whatever drowsy cloud had decided to hang over him this morning.

Heading towards the entry, he grabbed his gloves off of the front desk. He slipped them on as he used his back to push the door open and allow the morning air to brush against his bare ears, to stab into his cheeks.

Bloody spring. Where is the warm weather anyway?

Turning forward, Arlo's attention was still pointed downward as he tried to get his gloves placed just right. He was even going as far as using his teeth to move the gloves fully over her palms. Really, he should have spent more time trying to get them set when he was inside. The chill in the air had cramped his fingers practically making them useless.

As his teeth pulled, he looked up and caught sight of something that instantly made him drop his hand from his mouth.

"Jo…?" he spoke.

She was sitting on the stone ledge only feet away, but she had been turned away - her attention on the view rather than his front door.

But now she looked over at him.

"Oh, Arlo!" she said, jumping up from her seat.

Once standing, Arlo was able to see what she was wearing. Her hair was in a high ponytail as she wore a zip up jacket, some shorts, and running shoes.

"How are you not freezing to death?" his thoughts came streaming out.

Jo glanced down at herself now, looking as though she hadn't even realized what she was wearing.

He couldn't help but look too. It was the first time that he had seen her bare legs, the skin appearing soft and tan despite the weather likely draining some color.

You're staring. Stop staring.

His eyes shifted back up to her face just in time, avoiding the chance of getting caught.

"I hadn't really noticed," she told him. "I woke up, and had this nagging thought so I kind of acted out of impulse."

He chuckled. "Really? Doesn't sound like you at all."

She wrinkled her nose slightly at him. "Oh yeah? You've got me all figured out?"

Not even close.

He answered the question honestly in his head. There were characteristics he had been picking up - her...spontaneous nature being a big one. However, seeing her the other night in the grass also proved that there was so much more to learn.

If he'd ever learn it.

"Yeah, perfectly. Did I not mention my secret power as Captain of the Corps? I know everything about a person after two seconds of meeting them," he told her.

Jo gasped, shaking her head at him. "Traitor."

"I prefer rogue spy," he stated.

She laughed at this, causing him to smile. He was glad to see that she was feeling better.

"Anyway, let's go back to the beginning so I can explain why I'm here," she told him.

Oh, right. That.

"I know it probably seems silly," she began again. "But I wanted to apologize for the other night."

He quirked a brow, his hands moving to rest on his hips.

"I don't really think there is anything you should be apologizing for," he told her. And he meant it. She hadn't done anything wrong or hurt his feelings in any way. She didn't owe him any sort of apology.

"On my end there is," she said. "I know it was a little awkward and I felt like I projected my pity party on you briefly. It wasn't fair of me."

He felt his expression shift, his indifference wearing on his face.

"I appreciate that then, I suppose," he stated. "Only… you shouldn't be apologizing to the person who had intruded on you."

She waved this off. "I was laying in a field in the middle of the night. In low temperatures. You were concerned and just doing your job."

Had he been just doing his job? He didn't know if that was necessarily the case...

Well, maybe he partially had been. But only by coincidence. His checking in on her had not been his duty to the town, but was caused from his own personal concern.

Was that an issue?

"Let's call it that, then," Arlo said, realizing his statement sounded a bit off.

A small wave of surprise passed over Jo's face, but he watched as it quickly smoothed away and she replaced it with a smile.

"And I also wanted to thank you" Jo told him.

But for what?

"You showing up really helped me," she finished.

It had? How?

Arlo felt his blood run warmer as he deciphered her words. However, he began to realize what she meant. His appearance was likely only helpful as being a sign for her to go inside. For someone to cause a break up in whatever relentless thoughts she had been facing alone.

He had just been a minor distraction. It wasn't really him specifically. It could have been anyone.

"Of course," he replied.

They stared at each other. Jo's smile no longer as apparent on her lips, but instead shining in her eyes. He wasn't exactly smiling either as his lips sat parted as they remained in the morning air. The slight breeze.

He needed to get moving to shake off this chill.

Now it was his time for a distraction in order to help breakup the thoughts entering his head.

"Well, I was just about to go for my morning run," he informed her. "You're welcome to go inside and warm up a little before making the trip back down. Rem might even make you some eggs before he heads out."

Jo looked towards the door to the Corps, looking as though she were actually considering his offer. However, she was soon shaking her head.

"No, thanks. But … I would like to join you for that run."

"What?" he asked, his voice showing his disbelief.

"Yeah, I'm in," she confirmed, starting to jog in place with high knees. "Morning cardio is very important."

"Uh," he breathed. "Jo you cannot come with me."

"Why?" she asked, though she kept up her little warmup.

"Because… uh…"

Because why?

"You're not dressed right," he tried, gesturing towards her.

"Nonsense," she replied. "My legs will warm up as we go."

Try again.

"It's a three mile run. If you're not used to it then there are going to be terrible consequences," he said.

She rolled her eyes. "Then I'll stop if I need to. Although, I don't like what little faith you have in me, Captain. This cadette does not like to be underestimated!"

Captain again.
And cadette?

"Jo…"

"I think you're running your mouth as an excuse not to actually run," she said as she began to move backward. "Come on, Cap!"

And she was off, running down the hill towards Central Plaza.

He sighed to himself, but not without following it with a smirk.

And then he was running after her.

Colors passed through the sides of his vision as his lungs expanded and contracted with cold air. Their feet patted over the stone of town as they went from ramps to Central Plaza and then to the grass of the fields.

If he were being honest, Arlo had expected her to give in all ready. There had been multiple occasions in the past where people in town had expressed interest in training with the Corps, which meant coming on their morning runs. However, within two minutes of the first day, they were tapping out and heading home.

But Jo hadn't let up.

Arlo had matched her pace from the start, choosing to run alongside her instead of ahead. They moved slower than he normally did, but not by much. Regardless, he didn't mind. And she didn't try to push herself and race him like Sam did. Instead, she seemed to enjoy their partnered jog as much as he did.

They continued their run through the fields - passed Amber Island and down towards the Portia Harbor. Neither of them spoke, the only sound passing between them were their attempts to stabilize their breathing with small pants.

It occurred to Arlo that, without even realizing it, he had led her through the same path he took every morning. Not that any other person wouldn't think to take the same route. It was nearly a large circle - focusing on some of the basic outer edges of their town.

He was sure his face was stained red from the air blowing into his cheeks. It felt like ice stabbing into each pore. Glancing over slightly to Jo as they passed the Harbor, he could see that her bare legs were also flushed now, which made him instantly tear his eyes away.

They continued on, but it wasn't long before Arlo began to slow his pace, he feet stumbling into the grass as he came to a stop. Jo followed suit, appearing as though she was thankful for the break. She was taking small gasps of air, but she kept her footing. He was glad to see she hadn't collapsed as she tried to stand on stable legs.

"Well done, builder," he said as they each continued to try and catch their breath. "Or should I say, cadette?"

Laughing at this, he watched as Jo beamed at him before huffing once again.

"Thank you, Captain!" she said, now lowering down to sit on the ground. Her legs sprawled out in front, her exhaustion evident. "I have to admit, though - I think I overdid it a bit. I never want to move again."

She then laid back on the grass, her chest rising and falling quickly as she closed her eyes. Little wisps of her hair brushed around her face, likely tickling her cheeks and forehead.

Arlo looked away, staring out at the water as he sat down next to her. They had ended up by the Western Beach, sitting in the grass only feet away from where the sand began. He sat silently, his breathing quieting now as he rested his elbows on his propped up knees.

"I think your stubbornness got the best of you," he finally said, glancing over at her. Her eyes were still closed, her limbs laying out in all directions as if she had no control over them.

"It's a small price to pay," she replied. "The consequence of never being able to breathe again just so I could prove you wrong."

Arlo let out a laugh. "Ah. Good to know you thrive on throwing yourself into danger just to make a point."

"Can't change who I am now," Jo said as she propped herself up on her elbows. Her breath was steady once again as she looked out in front of them.

"Welcome back," he teased.

She rolled her eyes at this before pushing her foot into his leg. The action made him smile.

Settling into themselves again, he heard Jo hum as she continued to look out at the water.

"Sure is beautiful in the morning," she spoke.

He nodded. "That's why I usually end my runs here. It's nice to actually be able to take this view in instead of just passing it."

"That was almost poetic, Arlo," she mused, laughing quietly. "But you're right. This is worth taking in."

She was looking out at the sea, her brown eyes studying the way the tide came in - grazing the sand before it pulled back out. Realizing what he was doing, he took his eyes off of her as he turned to stare out as well, seeing the water come in again.

"It's beautiful," he stated.

"Portia is beautiful all around," she was quick to reply.

"There's a thought," Arlo said, daring to look at her again. "How are you liking it here?"

Jo shrugged, her eyes now looking up to the sky. "Oh, just fine. It's more than I had imagined it would be."

"Despite the snailbobs having it out for you," he reminded her.

"I'm bound to have some enemies," she stated, the corners of her lips turning up slightly as she looked over at him.

He lifted a brow. "I find that hard to believe. You don't seem like the type to be hated."

"No? Mmm, well then, I should introduce you to a wormy, little man named Higgins. Absolutely loathes me."

They chuckled together, Jo shaking her head as she looked down at the grass.

They had so easily found themselves in such comfortable conversation. Not that Arlo hadn't been capable of this with others before. But it felt different with Jo.

How was it different?

It was different in a way that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Perhaps it was the exhaustion after their run and being too tired to care. Or maybe it was the energy between them… or just the energy from her side. There was something about Jo's energy. It was something you wanted to wrap yourself in.

Clearing his throat, Arlo moved on.

"Alright, aside from Higgins… I'm glad you're enjoying Portia."

She nodded. "It is… trying at times." She paused briefly before continuing. "You're the only one I've actually admitted that to. So don't go spreading it around."

The thought made a buzzing begin in his bones.

"I think I can say that to you, though, because you saw how I was the other night," she continued. Her voice was steady, unbothered as she recalled the moment. "But I've realized that it doesn't matter. Regardless of the challenges - I'm supposed to here."

Arlo's expression became softer as he stared at her. There was a determination in his eyes as she chose to look out rather than at him.

"Because your father left his workshop to you?" he asked, his voice was gentle.

Jo didn't answer at first, just shifted her shoulders and legs a little.

"That," she stated. "And other reasons."

He spoke again, surprised by his confidence to voice his thoughts.

"I'm sorry about your father, Jo."

Then there was silence. He stared at the side of her face, not knowing whether to kick himself for mentioning her father - twice now - or pride himself on finally being able to voice his condolences. The thought to do so had crossed his mind before, but he never found it right. Apparently he felt now was a good time.

As the silence drew on, he began to think he should take the first of his options - kick himself. It wasn't his place to say something to that caliber. Sure, Jo and him had spent time together on a few different occasions now, but did it really give him the right to mention her father?

Ready to apologize, Arlo began to open his mouth, but Jo beat him to the punch.

She sighed. "I appreciate that. But it's no one's to be sorry for."

She didn't sound angry, only honest as she turned to look at him now. Her smile was weak as her words sat in the air between them.

But Arlo remembered Jo's words from the other night.

"Do you ever just feel… so sorry for something that isn't even your fault?"

Apparently, despite her words now, she did think it was someone's to apologize for. And that person was sitting right next to him.

He knew it wasn't his place to point this out, nor did he dare to after the things he had said already. With that thought, he decided to try a different approach. A way to attempt to reassure her perhaps without her realizing it.

"I'd imagine that everyone in town wants to give you their regards, though," he told her.

She continued to look at him, furrowing her brow. "Why is that?"

"Because we knew him," he stated. "You moved here really only because you lost him… that's kind of asking a lot of a person. I think a lot of people in Portia see that and want you to know that you're welcome here."

He didn't really know where he was getting "a lot of people" from, but it seemed like the right thing to say. At least he knew that there was one person who felt the way he described.

"You can work all that?" she asked, her voice lowered. Tender.

He nodded. "I think I can.

He licked his lips quickly, looking down at the ground before speaking again.

"I know you probably hadn't planned to move to Portia so suddenly - potentially ever. But I hope you know we're glad you're here."

He could feel her eyes on the side of his face, causing him to continue.

"Sam's crazy about you, it seems. Emily only had nice things to say in your regard when she brought us eggs the other afternoon. Bloody hell, even Isaac made a grunt in your approval when he saw the table and chairs you built for him," Arlo said, finishing with a laugh.

He looked up at her, catching the way she looked at him as her head was tilted to the side. She had the smallest of smiles upon her lips.

"I have no place to say any of this."

And he had no idea why he was.

"But… I just wanted you to know."

Arlo studied her expression, glad to see that it was still soft - suggesting appreciation.

"Well," Jo finally spoke as she hugged her knees to her chest. "I think that's alright, Considering we're friends and all."

Arlo quirked a brow, her words hitting his chest and staying there rather than bouncing off.

"Oh, so we're friends, are we?" he asked, his amusement obvious in his tone.

"Yeah," he could hear her smile in her voice. Even her eyes were glowing, but maybe that was just due to the light provided by the rising morning sun. "I'd say we're friends alright."

He wanted to say more, but he found that he couldn't. Or, rather, he didn't dare to as they were suddenly interrupted.

"Jo!? Is that you!? You came on the run?" Sam was beyond herself as she jogged up to them, panting as she came to a stop.

Rem was right on her heels, his breathing much more controlled as he stood next to Sam. His eyes went from Arlo to Jo, and then right back to Arlo.

Not a word, Rem.

"Yeah, I figured I could use the exercise," Jo replied. "And Arlo was nice enough to humor me."

Humor her?

"Right on," Sam said before throwing herself onto the ground next to Arlo. She stretched out like a starfish, gazing up at the brightening sky.

"Sorry we didn't join sooner," Rem chimed in as he sat. "Sam got carried away with challenging Paulie to some sprints in Central Plaza."

"Kicked his butt too," Sam confirmed.

"I think he let you win," Rem stated, obviously trying to get a rise out of her.

"And if you say that again then I'll kick your butt," Sam replied.

"Try it. I'm not Paulie and I won't let you win," Rem said, not skipping a beat.

Jo laughed from Arlo's other side, causing him to glance over. It was crazy how quickly this entire picture had shifted.

"Oh, Arlo," Sam spoke again. "Phyllis was looking for you."

Now Arlo looked over to Sam, feeling Rem's eyes on him as he turned.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"She was wondering if you two were still on for later," Sam said, winking at him.

"Later, huh?" Jo said. He looked at her again, feeling as though he were going to tweak his neck if they kept this up. He noticed how she was smirking, a hand now placed under her chin.

He felt his skin prickle.

Yeah, he didn't like this.

"Right," he drew out, now just facing forward. "I'll make sure to catch up with her."

"Don't keep her waiting, Arlo," Sam butted in. "Ladies don't like it when men keep them waiting."

"Noted."

"You two going on a date tonight?" Rem asked.

REM.

"Something like that," Arlo spoke nearly through his teeth.

Don't look at her. Don't do it.

How was it that his two crew mates were the ones completely screwing him right now?

"Cute, cute, cute," Sam said, still completely oblivious. "You two can thank this matchmaker later."

"I'll write you a card," he said dryly. Then he was rising to his feet. "I should go."

Not because he intended to go see Phyllis, but because he didn't want to be part of this conversation anymore.

He brushed off his jacket briefly as he shot a look to his team and then looked over to Jo.

"Thanks for coming. You're welcome anytime," he said, trying to make his voice come off friendly despite the weighing tension in his shoulders.

"I'll keep that in mind, Cap," Jo replied with a smile. She, for one, seemed completely unphased by the conversation that just occurred.

Then he walked away. Only imagining the things that would be said once he was gone.

"So that confirms that," Jo said once Arlo was out of earshot.

"Confirms what?" Sam asked.

Had she said that out loud? Darn her unpredictable tongue.

"Oh…. Arlo and Phyllis," she responded. "I couldn't help but notice something was going on."

"Definitely something going on there," Sam told her. "All thanks to yours truly."

Rem shook his head, looking to Jo. "She's really proud of putting the idea in their heads. At least Arlo's…."

What did that mean?

"Well, look what came out of it!" Sam retorted.

"What do you mean - putting it in his head?" Jo asked, her tongue getting the better of her again.

Sam was happy to explain. "Mmm, Arlo doesn't really do the whole 'emotions and girls' thing - at least before Phyllis. He's not someone who discusses those kinds of things and is pretty private about it all. But I saw the way Phyllis looked at him… and him at her. So I gave him the push. I mean, he would never have done it otherwise."

Jo let Sam's words sink. It all did make a lot of sense. No wonder he had avoided her questions regarding Phyllis the other day.

"You know, I don't think you can call yourself a matchmaker when you force people together," Rem stated. His tone wasn't harsh, but it also wasn't teasing. Jo wasn't sure what to make of it.

She also wasn't sure what to make of his statement.

"Force!?" Sam said, spinning around to face him. "Oh, come on. I just pointed out what as already there."

"Sure," he responded, not impressed.

The whole interaction was very confusing to Jo. But she didn't manage to catch the rest of their bickering as she was lost in her own train of thought.

Jo couldn't deny the little… moments that had occurred between her and Arlo over the stretch of time she had known him. They had made her head spin a little - taking up way too much of her thinking space throughout those days. But now, at least, she could understand what those "moments" had been and determine that they were completely harmless.

Though the thought had slipped into her mind, there was nothing strange going on between her and Arlo.

What a relief.

The only thing really going on was a blooming friendship. And she could confirm that after the conversation they had shared that morning. They were friends.

And it was nice to have someone she could call her friend. She hoped she could say the same thing about the other Corps sitting next to her - as well as Emily and a few others.

Although, Jo had appreciated that Arlo was one of the friends who had been willing to even mention her father. But in a way that hadn't pushed her. A way that she could keep herself at bay and not repeat the incident that occurred at Sophie's.

But his words, though he knew close to nothing about Jo and her father, were comforting. Perhaps it was the lack of words that really were where she found reassurance. Or maybe it was something else entirely. She couldn't be completely certain. I was just...different.

How was it different?

It was different in a way that she couldn't quite put her finger on. But maybe it wasn't worth trying. It could just be that simple.

It was different.

The thought made her smile as she heard Sam going on about challenging Paulie to an arm wrestling match. She tried to focus on the conversation occurring beside her, but she was having trouble keeping her brain from straying back to her interaction with Arlo - her friend.

She liked the sound of that.

They were friends and that was that.

What else would it be?