Please don't hate me for posting this new story instead of making an update to Leap of Faith. I have not forgotten about that story. But this short idea popped in my head and I couldn't resist writing it. It'll be two parts.

"I hate you, you know."

Reese couldn't stop the small upturn of his lips. His chin tilted in Carter's direction. "What have I done to earn your scorn today Detective?"

She scoffed. Bracing her feet against the floor, as she again jerked her upper body. That was her tenth failed attempt to loosen the ropes that kept her wrists bound to the chair at his back.

"You really want me to answer that? 'Cause I will. Gladly." She grunted, fighting with the ropes. John heard her huff and felt her lean against the chair. The action causing her head to brush the back of his. "I knew I should have ignored your call. I knew it. Caller ID exists for a reason, doesn't it?"

John didn't bother answering. He had a feeling the question was rhetorical. Besides, he was struggling to decipher if she was talking to him or to herself.

"But no, I clicked answer instead of ignore and look where it got me? Dragged out of my comfortable home after a long shift at work, to chase some fool around the city with you. Then we walk right into a trap and get tied to a chair. How did they catch a cop and an ex-CIA agent? How!"

"You know I'll make it up to you Carter."

Another huff of frustration. He knew his calm demeanor was only serving to irritate her more. It always did.

"You want to make it up to me? Get me out of here! We've been here over an hour, how come we aren't free? Where's your plan? You choose now to run out of escape ideas."

"I already told you, I have a plan. It's all about timing."

"I'm shooting you when I'm free."

The unmerciful threat had him laughing. It was such a Carter thing for her to say.

"Don't laugh at me. I am tired, hungry. I want to go home. My wrists are raw from these ropes, I have to go to the bathroom and I'm not in a good mood."

"I couldn't tell."

"Don't be sarcastic with me John Reese. I don't understand why I put up with you?"

His chest rumbled with an unbidden laugh that he couldn't stop.

"I can't believe you wanna laugh now. You better pray you get us out of this. And when you do, I'm not talking to you for at least a month. Don't even think about calling me."

Laughter again made it past his lips and he leaned back, listening to her all too familiar rant. Knowing that she would make good on none of her threats once she cooled down. But still, when she was annoyed, she had to get the feelings of frustration out her system, and of course, he was her target.

Her words faded one into the other, while John's laughter trailed off. His head leaning back gently against her shoulder. So busy in her rant, she didn't even shrug him off. John's eyes slipped closed. Her agitated voice in his ear.

"I love you Joss." He breathed in amusement.

Her verbal tangent ended when she heard the whispered words. Her body went still for the first time since they had been placed back-to-back and tied up.

"What did you say?"

He lowered his head, staring ahead. He hadn't meant to say it. But she did this to him. Made him feel things he didn't think he could feel. Made him say things he intended never to speak.

"John?" she pressed.

He could deflect. He'd done so plenty of times before with her. He knew she would back down if he kept the game up long enough. But he was not in the mood to avoid her by deflecting.

He could lie. But he was so tired of lying to people. After years of telling lies in order to keep up with his past aliases, he treasured the gift of being able to tell the truth. Besides, he didn't want to lie to her. Never to her.

"I love you," he repeated firmly. Leaving no room for her to second guess his words or his meaning.

"You don't…" How did he fix this? "You don't have to love me back. Nothing has to change between us. Nothing. You can feel however you want about me, Joss. Just…just let me love you. In my own way."

She was silent. Then sighed.

"John…"

The sound of approaching steps drew their attention. "Carter they're coming back. Wait for my signal, and then we'll put that plan I don't have into action."

Carter blinked, on the verge of asking more questions until she noticed the ropes, once binding and tight, had been loosened at some point during her rant. She could easily slip out of them now. When had John gotten them…? Whatever. At least they were free.

The door opened and she readied herself.