Joss couldn't keep the smile off her face as she finished her make up. John had told her to dress casual, so she kept her make up light, wore her hair straight and parted to the side. She settled on a trendy pair of dark blue jeans, and an orange tiger print sweater. The sweater had been a Christmas gift from Taylor that she had yet to wear. Apparently, her son thought she needed something more fun in her wardrobe. Since she was not on duty tonight, it seemed like the perfect time to put the sweater to use.

Though she had initially been surprised by John's request to dress down, she hadn't been disappointed. This whole date was a trial of sorts. A chance to ease them into a relationship. She expected it to be a little awkward and a little challenging.

They were making a big step tonight. So, if dressing down and having a casual evening in helped them, and especially John, get use to the idea of…well them, then Joss would not complain.

There would be plenty of time for fancy dates in the future.

John Reese didn't get nervous. He was a soldier, a former CIA agent. He was no stranger to danger, so few things made him sweat. But tonight, he stumbled around his own kitchen as he struggled to make the perfect meal.

He paused to survey the fruit of his labor. The meal was complete and he had managed not to burn anything. This time around. Now he just had to wait for Joss to arrive.

How could he both love and hate the idea of tonight?

He had yearned for Joss for years, but always managed to keep his feelings at bay. However, his determined detective had cunningly gotten the truth out of him and now he was committed to this date. He nearly swallowed his tongue. Date. That's what tonight was.

He hadn't been on a date in years. What if he screwed this up?

He and Joss were great partners when working. They were good friends. But relationships like this, where romance was involved… were complicated. And he was out of practice. He couldn't afford to screw up with Joss. Losing her wasn't an option.

A knock stole his attention from his thoughts.

Swallowing, he crossed to the door and slowly pulled it back. He blinked, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. It was a different look for his detective. The animal print sweater, fitted jeans, and simple heels. The subtle make up and dark hair that swung over her shoulders gave her an even softer look.

John was so glad he went lowkey tonight. He didn't think he could handle her dressed up and looking more intoxicating than she did now.

She eased through the door, saying something about how he cleaned up nice. He shook himself angry that he hadn't opened his mouth to tell her how beautiful she looked.

She took in his place and made her way to the kitchen, where she placed the cheesecake, she was carrying on the counter. Her eyes then caught the array of food.

"I feel guilty for only bringing the cheesecake. I hadn't expected you to make all this John," she said in awe. Her face lighting up. "Now I know why you never called me today wanting to help on a case. You were too busy fixing this. Thank you John. It's beautiful. You ready to eat?"

He had been watching her the entire time. Enraptured with how she moved around his place. How natural it looked to have her here. Seeing her eyes light up and her bright smile. But while he stood back and admired her, he'd left her to have a conversation with herself.

He made quick work of getting them settled at the table. At least eating would give him something else to do other than stare at her. Joss, sensing how nervous he was went easy on him. She talked about her latest case, knowing he would be interested in her findings.

It worked and soon they were talking and joking in their usual way. Until the conversation slowly moved beyond their cases, to everyday things and random topics they rarely spoke to each other about.

Joss sipped her drink looking at John incredulously. "So you're trying to tell me that you, while bleeding out, managed to escape being blasted away by the CIA. You've taken down multiple professionally trained men at one time and survived a bomb vest that Finch miraculously figured out how to stop at the last minute. You did and survived all these things, but action movies with Liam Neeson and Denzel Washington are unrealistic."

John smirked and shrugged. "I never said their movies aren't good. Just unrealistic."

Joss rolled her eyes. "Yeah whatever John. I still say your life only proves how possible all those storylines are."

John noticed her eyes go to her empty dessert plate and he felt his heart drop suddenly. It had taken him a while to feel comfortable with her being here. And now that he was, he wasn't ready for her to leave.

"Here, I'll put the plates in the dishwasher. It's the least I can do after this absolutely delicious meal you cooked."

He leaned back and let her take his plate. Following her with his eyes as she loaded his dishwasher and cleaned up some of the serving dishes.

"How about you stay and we can watch one of those movies? That way I can point out all the unrealistic things in them."

A small smile touched her face. She recognized the invitation as a reason to keep her here longer.

"Unless Taylor's expecting you back home."

"Nope. Taylor's with his dad. I can stay. But maybe we should watch something else. I'm kind of in the mood for something that won't make me think of work," she eyed him, wanting his reaction as she continued. "Like a romantic comedy."

She giggled as his eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong? Those too unrealistic for you too?"

"Among other things," he muttered and stood. But if that's what she wanted to watch, he wouldn't stop her. Not as long as she stayed. "You pick."

She followed him to the couch and sat on one end… and watched with disappointment as he picked the side furthest from her.

Joss thought they'd been making progress, but he was still so hesitant. It was a side of him she was not used to. He was normally so self-assured. Now, he was walking on egg shells around her. He'd never exercised this much precaution in all the times she had been mad at him.

"You know John, I'm not trying to arrest you anymore. You don't have to be afraid of me."

He let out a weighty sigh. This night had had more awkward moments than he ever wanted. "I'm sorry Joss. This is just new territory for us. I'm not sure… how we do this."

Joss sighed. She knew he didn't like admitting how unsure he was about this new relationship.

"Things will be like they've always been." She encouraged gently. "Except now," a corner of her mouth tilted upward, "we'll be closer than we've ever been before."

His brow lifted as he watched her carefully.

"Like tonight," she continued. "There'll be more nights like this. When we can be around each other, just because we want to be. And we'll be closer in other ways too. Like…" Joss shifted on the couch, moving until she was pressed into his side, "this. And this." She pressed her hand against his chest where his heart beat accelerated. Wrapping her other arm around his waist. "And…" She raised her hand to his face. "This," she whispered, guiding his lips to hers.

John couldn't suppress the moan that escaped him as their lips connected. This woman had had a mysterious hold on him since the day they met. It was why he kept his feelings for her buried so deeply. The smallest crack in his defenses only ruled him powerless against her.

Like now.

The uncertainty fled. The hesitation disappeared. All that mattered was her and her touch. He cupped her face, pulled her closer as he took control of the kiss, feeling her smile against him as she let him.

He eased his kisses until he finally could bring himself to part from her after a few minutes. He leaned back slightly. Waiting for her eyes to open. And when they did, there was no mistaking the dazed expression that clouded her normally sharp brown eyes.

"Joss," he whispered as he stroked her skin.

"Yeah John."

"Promise me one thing. If… if we can't make this work. Promise me you'll always stay in my life."

She wanted to roll her eyes. To tell him to stop worrying. But she knew this was important to him. He needed her promise.

"I promise John. But we are going to make this work. Trust me."

Not waiting for his reply Joss snuggled against him and turned her attention to the television.

John kissed her head and held her close. Letting himself enjoy this moment of being with her. He barely glanced at the movie she selected, which turned out to be just a regular comedy. Instead he kept his eyes on her. Watching her laughter fade. As her eyes drooped. Watching her breathing become deep and even until she succumbed to sleep.

A part of him felt he should wake her. Let her get home. But a selfish part of him wanted her near. At least for tonight. He needed a few more of these precious moments before they'd have to face the world and the many challenges that awaited them as they learned how to be together.

With ease, he stretched out on the couch, taking her with him. Holding her close. Tonight, she was going to have to stay with him because there was no way, he was waking her up. She might be mad at him come morning, but that would be alright. He thought with a smirk. After all she'd been mad at him plenty of times before.

Joss stirred feeling something foreign beneath her and a mysterious weight on her back. It was warm, solid, had a heartbeat… her eyes popped open. Her face was pressed into John's chest and the rising sun was streaming through the windows. She couldn't believe she'd fallen asleep. And he'd let her, she thought with a purse of her lips.

Leaning up slightly she saw his eyes were closed and he was sleeping soundly. His arms secured around her. He looked so peaceful. Not at all like a former assassin. She reached carefully for her phone and released a breath when she saw the time. She wished she could stay with him longer, but unfortunately she was not on a vacation.

Joss eased out of his hold, praying he didn't wake. When he didn't stir, she slipped across the apartment running her hands through her hair. She was nearly to the door when she looked back at him. Something in her, wouldn't let her leave like this. Not without telling him. Going back to the couch, she sat at the edge and gave him a light touch to the arm.

"John. Hey John." Her fingers trailed down his cheek effectively opening his eyes.

"Morning," he said with a slight smile. "Did you wake me up to yell at me?"

She paused for a moment before her brow lifted in her understanding. "I'm not angry at you. This time. I needed the rest. I just wanted to let you know I have to get to work. You get some more sleep." His eyes were already dropping again. Joss leaned in to still a few pecks to his lips. "I'll call you… later."

"Mm-kay." He mumbled his eyes remaining closed. "Love you."

Joss's body went rigid as she leaned over him. Had she heard right? And more importantly had he realized what he had said. The words lingered in the air for a moment before John's eyes snapped open. He turned to her, his fear prevalent. "Joss… I" he scrambled to a sitting position. "I didn't- I mean I shouldn't have…"

Joss watched him. Waiting for the simple denial that would undo his slip. The one that didn't make it past his lips.

"I…Joss I…"

I didn't mean it. Joss thought. That's all he had to say. But he couldn't say it. He wouldn't let himself say it. Because he knew it would be a lie.

The wind escaped her. He had meant it. He just hadn't meant to say it then. Joss realized. She placed her fingers to his lips, ceasing his stuttering words. She looked into his eyes for a silent moment before she spoke

"Me too John. Me too."

His eyes widened. But she held his gaze then leaned in for one last kiss to seal the words. "Bye John," she whispered and slipped out of the apartment. John stared after her. Replaying her words. Still feeling her kiss. Suddenly a grin overtook his face.

Maybe Joss was right. Somehow they would make this work.

THANK YOU to all who read, to all who reviewed. Hope you enjoyed this latest chapter.

I thought it would be fun if John was cynical about action movies, even though all the things he's survived can be viewed as unrealistic too.

I'll have another chapter coming.

Edit: The inspiration for Joss' look came from Taraji P. Henson's look at a SiriusXM event in2018