She tried to breathe. Something she did every day that suddenly seemed so complex. She held John's hand. It was cold. Her heart lurched. Rubbing his skin, she tried to warm his fingers. Glancing at Finch, she watched him press his expensive suit jacket to the open wound in John's side. Too much blood. He was losing too much blood.
"Just hold on John. Fusco will be here soon." Finch encouraged. John's only reply was a shift of his eyes. Slowly his gaze moved to the woman at his side.
"Joss." The word was soft. Whispery. She looked into his eyes. He was so pale. John saw her worry as their gazes locked. "Kiss me."
Swallowing the lump in her throat she bent down and touched his lips to hers treasuring the softness of the kiss. Finch watched them no longer bothered by their display of affection. He had caught them in many an embarrassing and intimate moment. No longer did he blush at a simple kiss. Instead he was blinking back tears. He couldn't watch John die in front of Joss like this.
Joss bit back a sob as she lifted her head, tears escaping. "Aww Babe," John groaned, even this close Joss strained to hear. John used all his strength to lift his hand and wipe the tears away with his thumb. "You know…hate it…when-when you cry."
She held tightly to his hand. Memorizing the feel of his fingers brushing against her cheek. His eyes were dull and he looked so tired. "Baby, you're scaring me." She forced the words past her lips. "I don't want to lose you."
His eyes softened. "I love you."
That didn't bring her much comfort. It sounded like he was saying goodbye.
"Detective Fusco where are you?!" Finch demanded growing uneasy at the seconds ticking away.
John's head slipped to the side, his eyes closing. Panic and anger replaced Joss's misery. "John! John wake up." He didn't respond. Her voice grew louder. "John! I said wake up." She grabbed his face giving him a light slap. "You aren't dying. Do you hear me! You don't get to leave me John Reese. Now wake up. I said wake up!" A long thirty seconds later his lashes parted and he tried to focus on her.
"That's it baby," She encouraged. "You have to stay awake. You're not dyin' on me. You hear?"
His lips tried to lift. "It's easier…you're not crying."
She rubbed his hand. "Alright. If it'll make it better for you, I won't cry and you won't die. How's that sound?"
A ghost of a smile was on his lips as he gave a barely there nod. "Deal."
Joss let out a whoosh of air when moments later, Fusco entered with the paramedics. John's current cover allowed for the luxury of an ambulance. They lifted him onto the stretcher and into the back of the vehicle. Joss settled in never letting his hand go. She leaned close to him trying to keep his attention. "Now remember John," her voice brooked no room for argument. "We have a deal."
He sighed, his thumb stroked her cheek. "You…won't cry."
She blinked back tears. "And you won't die."