This story takes place after The Crossing, but of course with Joss alive.

Joss placed her keys on the small table and closed the door behind. The house was quiet, as she expected. However, there was an energy in the darkened space that let her know she wasn't alone.

"Hey honey. I'm home," she greeted drily as she flicked on a light. And exposed where John sat on her couch. The mirth in his eyes said he found her greeting amusing.

Joss sighed, leaning against the wall. "I see you've made yourself comfortable. As usual. Did you need something John?" she asked with more concern. Not wanting him to feel that she was truly annoyed by his presence.

He shrugged. "Just wanted to make sure you were ok. We didn't get a chance to talk back there before I had to go."

Joss silently searched his face. He was here to check on her? Of the two of them, he was the one impacted the most by their recent case. He had taken a bullet to the chest, after the latest number turned on him. Thankfully the bullet was caught by his vest.

Although John had been shot at plenty of times, he had been extremely invested in taking care of this number. So being suddenly and unexpectedly turned on by said number, had left everyone a little concerned for his mental state.

In addition to shooting at him, the number turned out to be a total nutcase. She'd become smitten by John's attention and created an entire romance in her head. She had convinced herself that John was then going to abandon her and decided, at the last minute, to kill him before he could.

"I appreciate that John, but I'm more worried about you. You were the one that caught a bullet."

"I've been in worse," he dismissed. "I knew she wasn't well… but I didn't think she was that bad off. I thought we could help her. I guess I did more harm than good."

"You tend to put women under a spell without realizing it. Your good looks were bound to get you into trouble one day John," she teased.

He smirked, his eyes lighting with interest as he leaned forward. "Detective, I didn't realize you had noticed."

"It's hard not to." Joss retorted and held his gaze. Feeling uncommonly bold tonight.

He stared back, a little surprised at her comment and direct gaze. Heated seconds passed as they stood still. Fixated on each other and Joss watched the flirtatious look fade from his eyes as a questioning, uncertain stare replaced it.

Joss knew what she was doing. Weaving a trap for him with her words and her eyes. Intentionally saying things that could have another meaning or be read into more deeply. It was payback for all the times he had bantered and flirted with her. Leaving her to wonder if there was something deeper behind all the flirting or if it was truly empty banter.

When the silence stretched to an uncomfortable length of time, Joss decided to end the moment. "Maybe you should take a couple days off."

"Already done," he grumbled standing. "Finch put me on a mandatory vacation effective immediately. Shaw's handing all the numbers for a few days"

Joss nodded unable to hide her smile. Though John hated it, Finch had been going above and beyond lately, to ensure his employees and friends didn't push themselves from case to case, without recovering fully. In every way. Joss knew the occasional breaks did a lot more good for John than he'd ever admit.

"I see."

"Since I'll have some time on my hands," he muttered, "be sure to call me if you need anything."

She chuckled at the slight desperation she heard. "Sure John."

He took a few steps toward her. Joss knew he was going to take his leave and begin his unwanted vacation. And wait and hope for her to call him for help.

Or he would get bored on his day off and decide to follow her around for entertainment. Regardless, he was leaving tonight as her friend. And for some reason that irritated her.

"Hold on a minute." She raised a hand. "Were you baiting me the night you asked if I ever thought about dating again?"

His eyes widened and his steps faltered at the abrupt change in topic. Joss couldn't blame him. She was equally surprised she had let that question slip out. She hadn't planned on bringing that up, but months of mounted frustration and curiosity finally got the best of her. She could still remember that night in the car clearly. The way his question had caught her off guard.

Why had he asked? Why did her answer matter to him at all? Why had he seemed hopeful as he waited her answer? Months had passed and she still didn't know why.

She couldn't back down now. She rolled her shoulders back and lifted her chin to stare squarely at him.

"I'm serious. That night in the car, were you testing the waters when you asked me about moving on? You know, trying to see if I would answer in any way that was favorable to you?"

"Jos-"

"And if I had given an answer that was in your favor, what would you have done? Would you have taken a chance and I don't know-maybe asked me out?"

"J-Joss I-"

"Would you?" She pressed. "Maybe my answer that night was too vague. But if it hadn't been. If I had given you any hint that you stood a chance with me or that I was interested in moving on with someone like you, would you have done anything? And don't lie to me. I'm giving you the chance to tell me the whole truth now. Not some last-minute confession because your number's up."

His mouth worked and his eyes darted back and forth as he fought for something to say. Something that wasn't a lie, but that also didn't reveal too much of the truth. But he was verbally bankrupt at the moment. "I can't do this Carter," he growled stepping past her.

"John," she called over her shoulder. "Don't let this moment pass. You may not get another one. There's nothing stopping you now."

She waited a beat. Then heard his footsteps retreating. She rolled her eyes and slipped them shut. Coward, she thought bitterly.

The man drove her crazy. Was it that hard? She had given him the perfect opening to put it all out there and he walked way! Something was not right in his head. Shaw said it often, but Joss was finally starting to believe it. All this dancing around what was between them was driving her nuts. All he had to do was-

"Joss."

Joss' eyes snapped open at the sound of his voice. She turned around and realized he was standing at the door. She let out a breath. She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts, she hadn't realized she'd never heard him actually walk out. He'd never left.

She blinked. "Yeah John?"

Though he looked over his shoulder, he kept his back to her and refused to meet her eye. "Would… would you like to… have dinner with me? Tomorrow at my place?"

Hesitantly his eyes lifted, stripped of all confidence, as he watched for her reaction.

A smile stretched across her lips. Pride consumed her that he had taken the chance she'd offered. "I would love to. Text me the address?"

He watched her for a moment. As if he had not heard her. Then slowly, he grinned. The simple movement lighting up his face and leaving Joss breathless. With a brief nod, he was out the door.

Joss sighed. Uncertain how she'd have the patience to wait until tomorrow night.