~*I know you think that I shouldn't still love you

I'll tell you that

But if I didn't say it

Well, I'd still have felt it

Where's the sense in that?*~

The sun was beginning to set in New York City. In a sea of bright yellow taxicabs, Joe peered forlornly out of her dirty window. Work had been exhausting, and the pay wasn't quite worth it. Her confrontation with Ephram was anything but forgotten, all day it nagged at the back of her mind. The cab came to a halt in front of her building as she pulled out a few wrinkled bills to pay the driver. Once in her apartment Joe nearly collapsed on her couch/bed.

~*I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder

Or return to where we were*~

Wrapping herself in the handmade quilt her mother had made for her as a baby, Joe willed herself to sleep. The sounds of fighting in the apartment next door, and the sight of the homeless man walking down the street outside of the building made her feel lucky. Even if she couldn't have the man she loved, at least she was healthy and had a roof over her head and food on the table. She was always taught to count her blessings, but right now she felt as if those things no longer meant anything to her. Which she knew in the back of her head, was ridicules.

~*Well I will go down with this ship

And I won't put my hands up and surrender

There will be no white flag above my door*~

Her eyes finally began to feel heavy, and her body gave in. A restless sleep set in, and Joe was finally given a break from the wrenching feeling in her stomach she had dealt with since that morning.

Ephram watched as the sun set over Manhattan. Absently, he moved towards his room. As he went to lie down, he heard the noise of something crumple in his pocket. Reaching into his pocket, he found a wrinkly, folded photograph. After unfolding it, he saw it was the picture of Joe and himself at the Harper's Christmas party a few years back. Both of them had wide smiles on their faces, embracing each other, unaware anyone was taking a picture. Before he knew what he was doing he had grabbed his coat, and was on his way out of the building.

~*I'm in love and always will be*~

A slight, hesitant knock at the door enticed Joe to awaken. Hazily, she made her way towards this door, not even taking the time to look through the peek hole. Unlocking the door, she slowly swung it open. By now she was wide-awake, with the realization that it wasn't just anyone at her door. It was Ephram.

~*I know I left too much mess

And destruction to come back again

And I caused but nothing but trouble

I understand if you can't talk to me again

And if you live by the rules of 'It's over'

Then I'm sure that that makes sense*~

"Ephram, what are you doing here?" Joe finally was able to choke out.

"I lied," Ephram admitted, looking strait into her eyes. Timorously, she gazed at the floor, not knowing what to make of Ephram's revelation.

"Lied about what?" Joe asked, finally looking up. Her heart ached for him to say that he still loved her, but some parts of her weren't so optimistic. Why would he want to drag himself back into a relationship that never seemed to go anywhere?

"Being over you," Ephram said hesitantly. Joe felt as if she were ready to burst. She had never, in a million years, expected that with his new life, and girlfriend, that he's ever want her back. Ephram studied Joe looking for her response, but she seemed to be lost.

~*Well I will go down with this ship

And I won't put my hands up and surrender

There will be no white flag above my door

I'm in love and always will be*~

"Joe?" Ephram beckoned. Her soft green eyes finally shot up to meet his.

"I'm not sure what to say," Joe whispered, "Except for this," Joe lent forward "I'm in love with you Ephram Brown, and always will be."

~*And when we meet

As I'm sure we will

All that was then

Will be there still

I'll let it pass

And hold my tongue

And you will think

That I've moved on*~

Without even having to think, they found each other sharing a hungry, fervent, lustful kiss. Joe felt her hands begin to tangle themselves in Ephram's hair, as his hands did some roaming of their own, finally settling at her waist. He gently pulled Joe closer to him, both of them lost in the heat of the moment.

Outside, the sun had finally set, welcoming the moon upon the city. The stars seemed to shine a bit brighter that night, and the harsh tribulations of the city seemed to lighten, for two people had found their way back home.

~*Well I will go down with this ship

And I won't put my hands up and surrender

There will be no white flag above my door

I'm in love and always will be*~

Disclaimer: I do not own Everwood, though I do own Joe, Chase, Alicia, and this story. I also do not own the song in this chapter, which is titled "White Flag" by Dido. Hope everyone liked it, though I'm sure most of you did. Please, please, please review! If I get 4 reviews, I will update!