Johanna looked to Cade warily as he entered the med bay just minutes after Murdoch had fallen asleep.

"Polowski, you're here early. Ready for your pills?" Was it just her imagination or did he sound annoyed already this morning?

"Yes, sir."

He handed her two Rad-X and a bottle of cloudy water. She wrinkled her nose at the irradiated water, but drank it anyways.

"When you're done, Elder Maxson wants to see you on the upper deck as soon as possible."

She choked on her water, only narrowly avoiding spitting it out.

"Oh. I wonder what for," she managed nervously.

"I wouldn't keep him waiting," Cade told her, raising a brow.

"Of course."

With a heavy heart, Johanna left the med bay and made her way to the upper deck.

She didn't want to see Arthur, but there was nothing to be done about it. She just hoped that she could keep things professional and not let her emotions get the best of her.

The last time they had spoken, she had called him a murderer. Looking back, she wished she hadn't said it. Not because she hadn't meant it, but because it made being professional that much harder.

Arthur stood alone in the command center, his back to her. She stepped lightly into the room, her heart racing.

"Elder Maxson," Johanna called, announcing her presence.

He turned sharply to look at her.

"Johanna." His voice was rough and husky and made her stomach flutter.

Perhaps she wasn't the only one who needed to concentrate on being professional.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

He crossed the room in several long strides and stood in front of her. Jo thought he was purposely trying to look intimidating, standing tall and straight, arms crossed over his broad chest.

Johanna was unprepared for the surge of feelings she experienced when she looked into his eyes.

First was the pain, an unwelcome reminder that he had comitted an unspeakable act which she had vowed to never forgive.

Next there was a kind of longing, when she realized that, after a whole week of his absence, he was finally there, tmright in front of her.

"Can I talk to you privately?"

She was struck by the uncertainty in his voice.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Please, I'll only take a moment of your time," he pleaded, and it was so out of character for Arthur that she couldn't help but to give him a small nod in affirmation.

With a growing lump in her throat, she folllowed him accross the hall, trying not to look conspicuous as passing soldiers stared at the two of them.

He stopped outside of his personal quarters and pushed the door open.

"After you," he said, voice still unsteady. Whatever he had to say, it was important to him.

She entered the room, looking over her shoulder at him as she did.

"What's this about, Arthur?"

He closed the door and took a few moments to rake his gaze over her, first her eyes, her lips, then her body. Jo had to force herself not to cross her arms in defense of his stare.

"I've missed you," he muttered, reaching out to touch her cheek with his hand.

Jo bristled at the contact and took a step back, away from him.

"That doesn't change anything between us, Arthur. I should go."

"He's not dead."

"What?"

"Danse," he explained, running his hand across his eyes in an uncharacteristic display of fatigue. "He's not dead."

She was stunned into silence, so Arthur tried again, taking a step forward into her personal space.

"I didn't kill him, Johanna."

"He wasn't a... a synth?"

"He was. Is," Arthur corrected with a bitter tone. "Listen to me. It's important that everyone thinks he's dead, you can't tell anyone."

"Why? Why would you lie to me? To everyone?" She was suddenly angry and her cheeks turned pink with emotion. For over a week now, she had grieved for someone who wasn't even dead!

"We're going public against the Institute very soon. I can't afford any loose ends, especially not synths who managed to infiltrate the Brotherhood."

She was surprised by this news, but no more than she was upon finding out that Danse was alive.

"If that's the case, then why didn't you kill him?"

"It was Paladin Barber," he admitted. "She begged for his life. I was forced to choose between letting him go or executing them both."

"I hope the decision wasn't too hard for you," she said dryly.

"You're still angry with me."

"You should have told me. You watched me cry for him. You didn't say a word."

"I'm telling you now."

"But why now? Why not a week ago?" She asked, trying to keep her voice level and calm.

He suddenly looked sheepish.

"I... I've missed you," he offered in explanation. "You wouldn't talk to me, I had to do something."

"I see."

But she didn't see, not really.

He reached out again, brushing her cheek with his rough fingertips.

"God, have I missed you," he whispered. She didn't back away from his touch this time, though she wanted to. She was angry that he had lied to her, but in truth, she had missed him too. She quietly told him so, and he ran his thumb over her bottom lip. The action incited a feeling in her like she had never experienced. It felt like her blood was boiling. A peculiar sensation, but it was not unpleasant.

Suppressing a shiver, Jo forced herself to look into his eyes. He looked relieved that she hadn't pulled away from him. She had half a mind to do just that, but his touch was soft and gentle and she was enjoying it.

So she let him trace her lips with his fingers, wondering briefly why he didn't just kiss her as he so obviously wanted to.

"I need your advice," he spoke softly, tucking a few strands of loose hair behind her ear.

"Oh? With what?"

"I need a reasonable excuse to see you in my quarters regularly."

She thought for a moment, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Your terminal needs rebuilt. I noticed the processors are exceptionally slow, almost inoperable, really."

"And I suppose you know how to do all that?" He smiled and Jo felt her heart skip a beat.

"I do. I would need the parts, of course. But I have all the tools in my locker."

"There are bound to be a few spare computers around the ship. You can start tomorrow."

"Might I ask why you need an excuse to see me in your quarters?"

He grinned boyishly and pulled her close with his hands on her hips.

"So I can kiss you whenever I want."

She gasped in suprise at the contact, all too aware of his hard body pressed against hers. Even with his thick jacket between them, she felt his muscles move as he breathed. It was the closest she had ever been to Arthur, or any man.

She cleared her throat, unsure of how to proceed.

"You sound so sure that I want you to kiss me," she said quietly, trying to focus on slowing her heart rather than the male body pressed tightly against her own.

"Don't you?" He suddenly sounded unsure and Johanna took pity on him.

"Sometimes," she admitted, a little grudgingly. His facial expression relaxed a little. "You are a good kisser. Not that I have any experience to compare..."

He looked pleased with her answer.

"No one? I find that hard to believe."

"I've always been more interested in scientific pursuits. I never had any desire to get physical with the opposite sex. Not until..." She trailed off, cheeks aflame with color.

"Go on," he insisted, a smug grin on his lips.

"Not until you," she whispered.

"I'm glad you feel that way." He ran his hands up her hips, settling at the dip of her waist, his long fingers stretched out across her back.

Her body was on fire again, blood burning and leaving her skin sensitive to the touch.

As if he knew this, Arthur squeezed her waist tightly, fingers digging in to the skin somewhat painfully, even through her jumpsuit.

Jo was suprised to find that she liked it.

"I've never wanted any woman as much as I want you," he confessed, lowering his face to hers. There was so little space between them that her lips brushed his when she spoke.

"I'm glad you feel that way."