Hello again all! I REALLY apologize about taking a while to update. But I just really wanted to make sure I was happy with this chapter before I posted for all of you! And… I think I'm pretty pleased with how it came out. I hope you all are ready for more Jock ya'll! This chapter picks up right where Chapter 8 left off. Enjoy! :D

(Brick's POV)

Well… this can't possibly get anymore awkward.

And that's coming from me!

Jo and I just spent the last 40 minutes eating omelets in silence at this diner and hardly even looking at each other.

I just… I don't understand?

There's so much I want to talk to her about after… everything that happened. But, it's like I just can't 'get the words out'. Right as I think of what to say and I try to open my mouth, I end up feeling my throat swell up and have to bite my lip as I break out in a sweat to hold myself together.

And especially after the park earlier… I wish I knew what was going through her head right now?

I mean, I heard Jo say things that honestly… I have never heard her say, or even close to it!

To take a quote from my mom, Jo is not the kind of person to 'sugar coat' anything.

If she has something on her mind and she wants to say it, she will! Even if it's harsh, it doesn't stop her. I know that just well if not better than almost anyone.

And even though she was mostly shouting at me and telling me all this was somehow 'my fault' for some reason?... This is the first time I have seen Jo ever seem guilty if not genuinely... sorry for what she did to me.

Even if she won't totally admit it, maybe I was actually right about Jo before. No matter how harsh and tough she acts… there's more to her than everyone thinks.

And I want to find out.

Although I immediately snapped out of my train of thought as I saw Jo slam a $10 bill on the table before grunting in frustration, "Agh, this is stupid!" And then just storming out, making the undivided attention of everyone in the diner who lost interest in us earlier come right back.

But, I didn't care anymore since I immediately pulled out my wallet and threw $20 on the table to cover my omelet and everything else.

Because even though the omelet itself was only $8, I thought a twenty was more than fine. One because it was all I had in my wallet and two… because I still felt bad about disrupting the other patrons trying to have a nice breakfast and also for accidently yelling at the waitress out of fear even though she was just asking if I wanted coffee.

So between dealing with me and Jo… I think she earned a pretty big tip after this.

Besides, I didn't want to give myself time to think about it as I immediately ran after Jo.

Well, until my gut sank I realized I already had no idea where she went. But, I wasn't giving up that easily. I never leave a man behind… and I also don't give up that easily.

A soldier always pushes through to accomplish their mission. And I was not about to let Jo leave without talking to her.

I had no idea where I was going until I heard an unmistakable tone yell in an alley just ahead of me followed by a loud crash, "Agh, DAMMIT!"

Well… I think I found her.

As I looked around the corner, I was proved right as I saw Jo with her body shaking and looking almost rigid, a knocked over and massively dented trash can (probably what I heard 'crash') lying in front of her.

Then before I could make any other moves, she took a couple steps back before putting her back against one of the brick walls and slowly sliding down until she was sitting on the concrete. Her elbows were resting on her knees and had her head almost like it was being squeezed in a vice between her knees.

I hesitated until I took a couple steps in. I was hoping to try and be more 'stealth', but walking in military issue combat boots on concrete kind of makes that impossible.

Well… I knew being in a stealth unit was never going to happen anyway.

Ever since I was in junior cadets, my commanding officers always said I was 'heavy footed'. But, hey, who was always put at the front of the units when we'd do our marching drills? I had the best timed stepping of everyone!

Plus I knew Jo heard me anyway since I saw her head glance in my direction before.

But, she didn't say anything so I just took that as my signal to keep approaching. She still didn't move as I sat down next to her, also resting my elbows on my knees and clasping my hands together since I had no idea what else to say?

I bit my lip and rubbed the back of my neck before starting, "Jo, I… meant what I said, ya know? If this is about what you think I'm 'thinking about' with you. Because I meant it. I don't think you're pathetic. I'd never think that. But… Why is it so hard for you to just tell me about any of this? I mean, I know you…"

"LOOK! You want to know why?! Well here ya go, Brick! Because I don't know what the hell I'm doing with any of this crap, okay?! I'm 17 and I've never had a boyfriend or kissed a guy or even been on a real dumb-ass date until now! And all I do is get jabbed at by a bunch of prissy-ass preeners because no guy ever wants to touch me with a ten foot fucking pole and instead want useless girls like them that can't even lift a fucking tooth pick without breaking a nail! Do you have ANY IDEA what it's like to feel like some stupid reject to everyone you everyone you ever liked, huh?! Because guess what?! I know who I am! I'm an Olympic level athlete! I hold sprinting and throwing records at my high school! I've won powerlifting competitions! And for WHAT?! For every guy I know to be idiotically 'intimidated by me' since I can wipe the floor with any of them and have a bunch of morons like 'Sha-Dumb' back on the Island not even see me as a girl even though I AM ONE!"

I didn't even have time to react as butt felt like it was glued to the ground as she got up, fire in her eyes as she stood over me and continued in her explosion (since I had no other way of describing this), "WHAT?! I can't be an athlete AND be a girl at the same time?! Just… What?! Maybe I do need to wear makeup, get stupid mani/pedi whatevers, or wear a damn dress again to remind everyone that I'm a girl?! Just… AGH! DAMMIT!"

Then she immediately kicked the same trash can she kicked earlier again into the wall across from us.

I still just sat there and locked up in shock as I 'processed' everything I just heard her say.

Again, I know Jo usually is never afraid to say whatever is on her mind… but, even I'm pretty sure Jo shared WAY more information with me just now than she probably would've otherwise if she wasn't like this.

I kept processing everything until I repeated the intel she 'revealed' earlier as my eyes went wide in shock.

She never went out on a date or kissed a guy… until me?

This whole time I thought I was the 'last option', but… not now.

I was her first kiss.

If I wasn't so freaked out and overwhelmed, I probably would've been pretty happy and even honored about that fact if I'm being honest with myself.

Sure I technically kissed a girl before her, but it's not like I was exactly 'dating' or ever had a girlfriend, considering all the girls I ever liked at the academy never were really 'interested' in me at all and usually looked like they would date almost every other guy in my unit that wasn't me.

And before going with Jo to her Prom, I've never been on a date either.

Honestly, now that I think about it, I've never been 'first choice' or even just 'a choice' honestly with any of the girls I had crushes on and even though I don't know if Jo would believe me or care right now, but… I understand how she feels more than she thinks.

But, and somehow, I know there's not much I could say that would do anything at this second to make her believe me that I understand her.

Finally I got to my feet as she looked like she was still 'stewing' to herself as I figured out how to approach her.

I kept thinking until I remembered my mom's advice, mostly about doing everything true to who I really am.

Being honest, brave. True to my actions.

Just like my dad…

I straightened up and eventually got the courage as I stepped forward.

Look, I'm not always the best with words and I know words with Jo can only get so far. I've always let my actions speak louder… and I know Jo (in her own way) is a lot like me there too.

So, if I want her to listen, I'll have to give her a reason to while still being me.

To show her.

And I think I know how.

I came up right behind her and started, summoning all my bravery I had, "Well, whether you believe me or not… I don't think you need to do any of that if I'm being honest. And… I understand more than you think, about feeling… rejected."

She slowly turned around and even though she still looked guarded and frustrated, I wasn't letting it deter me from what I wanted to get through to her. I tried subtly keep getting closer and she wasn't stopping me or trying to get away from me.

As much as I was still a little nervous and unsure about 'this' with Jo, I wasn't going to let it stop me.

I've decided and wanted to take up this mission and I don't quit until I see things through, especially since I know this is far from over… and I don't want it to be if I'm being honest.

Feeling a little braver and not giving myself any more time to hesitate or think about it now that I was pretty close to her at this point. I slowly leaned in and closed my eyes and kissed her.

Sure none of this seems in any way like I really would have liked to happen, but after being tackled on my morning today, almost getting falsely arrested twice for public indecency, and making a scene at a small town diner… I don't think any of this is going to seem normal at this point between Jo and I.

But, considering how I still feel about her… I think 'normal' just needs to be thrown out the window at this point. Besides, I was kind of surprised to feel her press herself into me and the kiss after a few minutes.

Sure, we kissed earlier back at the park earlier, but this time it felt different.

It wasn't rough or 'hurried' or anything. It was actually slow, soft, and kind of… nice.

Honestly I was kind of liking this better than that time we made out for a few minutes in my car. Just actually taking in the feeling of her lips on mine, us slowly but fully moving our lips over each others, and I was even kind of taken off guard when I felt her hands going to the back of my neck and head and head to hold me closer and I decided to 'try my luck' as I hesitantly put my hands on her sides to hold her closer to me (not really knowing how she'd feel about), and she wasn't doing anything to let me know she didn't want me doing that considering she kept holding onto the back of my head as we kept kissing.

I was trying to keep myself calmed down, which was surprisingly easy right now with 'everything' she just told me.

But, and even though I have no idea why Jo kept saying most guys don't see her as 'girl' since I never had trouble seeing that about her.

Especially, considering that one time...

I was trying to fight off my face going red as I kept thinking about it.

Look, I'm never going to admit it to her probably ever since I didn't mean to and even I feel pretty ashamed about it even though it happened completely by accident. But back on the Island a little before I was voted off, I was walking by the window of the girl's side of the cabin after doing some pull ups on a lower tree branch.

And while I was walking by to go to the mess hall for some water, I heard Jo sounding like she was doing work out repetition counting from inside the girl's side that she was currently staying in by herself since she was the last girl on our team.

Then, without even thinking, I reacted to hearing her and looked into the window that was right next to me out of instict and I just remember not seeing anything for a second until I saw her hop back up to her feet and… she was naked. I stood there locked up for a few seconds as I kept standing there staring as she started wiping off her face with her workout towel I saw her use after our laps around the island.

Well, accept for the obvious.

Almost immediately after I realized 'what I just saw', I just remembered my face feeling like it was burning that it almost hurt and I took back off into the woods to try and 'calm down' by going on a run, feeling… wrong.

I just felt... disgusted.

Not because of her!

Definitely not because of her if I'm really being honest.

I mean, not that I've ever 'seen a girl like that before' since the furthest I got with girl before that point was some 'prank kiss' at a Halloween party and Military academy 'policy' on 'close fraternizing' is pretty strict anyway so… that was all 'new to me'.

But, I just hated that the first time I saw a girl like that (and that girl being Jo of all people) was me unintentionally 'peeping on her' like some perverted stalker for those couple seconds.

BUT, IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!

Except for me… it was too late after that.

WAY too late.

If I wasn't sure about my crush on Jo before that point, it was definitely there after that.

Again, I would never admit it to Jo (since I have NO idea what she would do to me if I told her I saw her naked like that anyway), but I think about 'that'… a lot.

Even though it still kind of makes me ashamed of myself and whenever I got an opportunity at some 'privacy' in the showers at the academy, I'd just 'think about' and pretty much start 'losing myself' as I started fantasizing about her... and her with me.

And that situation at the park also didn't help anything and I was just glad nothing happened when she was pressing her weight down on my crotch earlier, especially considering that's also something I think about very often with her.

But, I was trying to stay focused right now on the kiss as we kept up what we were doing.

Even though I didn't want it to stop… this still wasn't over. And I still had more I wanted to say.

I slowly pulled back and I started opening my eyes almost hesitantly (since I had no idea how she would react).

It's like I was so 'conditioned' to always expecting some 'witty or snarky remark' from her that even I was kind of internally shocked when I saw her just looking at me.

But, not in a harsh or angry… just 'looking' at me with this expression that was maybe 'confused' at most.

And honestly… She's not alone there right now.

Although now that we were looking at each other… I felt like I was right back to where I started at the diner with what I wanted to say but it was like I couldn't 'put the words all together'.

I could feel my face get red as her expression got visibly more confused and almost… annoyed. Yeah… this might take longer than I thought.

Alright, I know I left you on a pretty brutal and crappy cliff hanger on this one, but with what I have in mind for the next chapter… I hope you forgive me. Stay tuned! Haha. Speaking of, I also hope you enjoyed the 'shoe drop' over the 'spilled tea' that was revealed in this chapter than I REALLY wanted to work in since the TD writing team just HAD to put this into the show and get my thoughts going to a 'leading place' as a teenager. But… looks like Brick secretly 'saw more' of Jo than she knows, even if it was just on accident. ;) XD Now look, maybe this is an 'overshare' from me right now, but this was also a show shown on Primetime and directed toward younger audiences and they [the writer's] brought this on themselves since I think we all remember that very 'different' confessional Jo made toward the last ⅔'s of the season. Where the writer's had Jo reveal that now that she 'had the girl's side of the cabin to herself' that she was going to take advantage of the 'privacy' and space to workout 'naked like the Ancient Olympians' (which while historically accurate is also a very random detail about Jo for the writers to insert into this show and her character that she likes to work out 'in the nude'). Not shaming at all! But, even as a 16 almost 17 year old watching the season for the first time, I thought it was kind of an 'interesting' thing for them to insert… and then my mind immediately went to 'another place' involving my 'Jock shipping heart' that was just at the start for me back then that maybe they were going to have Brick in the next scene accidentally see Jo naked. I mean, this is a show that was not afraid to have nudity references in it since TDI! Harold back in that first season literally lost a challenge after he saw Heather's boobs after her shirt was accidently ripped off by a tree for crying out loud! So don't tell me that my head canon is far fetched here! Lol. But, like many things with this ship with me being MASSIVELY disappointed about the reality the writer's created, right after that confessional ended and teen me was expecting some kind of 'juicy drama'; we instead got a bird vomiting upon seeing Jo doing jumping jacks naked. And to this I say… WTF? For MANY different reasons, including me personally feeling bad for Jo since we got to see more and more why Jo seems to have some secret 'body image' issues as hinted in the series. So… I wanted to change that! :) I mean, Jo is technically one of the show's antagonist characters, but to me this girl was done dirty here and deserved better. So instead, I decided to unleash my headcanon in this fanfic by revealing that Brick (by genuine COMPLETE accident) saw Jo naked and it was just not caught and put into the final cut of the show. To elaborate a bit here on Brick, I wanted to show this sort of a situation in a way that would seem realistic for him. And to me, I don't think Brick would EVER be the type of guy to be a 'peeping Tom' with a girl he likes. He's just too morally sound, sweet, and a gentleman to do something like that intentionally; however, he is still a teenage boy with a crush so… he wasn't walking away from the situation with no other 'after effects'. And it appears that him accidently getting those 'couple seconds' of seeing Jo was enough to fuel his crush on Jo even more. But, like Brick said himself here, he would never reveal that he saw anything out of shame that he saw Jo like that without her knowing or consent… and because he is kind of lowkey afraid that Jo would kick his ass at a minimum or never want to see him again at a maximum. But, as to where things will go from here now that Brick seems to have Jo's attention? I'll leave you all to write your guesses in the reviews and also throw your virtual tomatoes at me in the comments for leaving you on another cliffhanger. Sorry again! Lol. XD Anyway, thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read and constructive reviews are welcome as always!

Stay classy and wonderful all!

Dexter1995