4pm "Hey John baby. Hope you get this message. I won't be home tonight. Fusco and I have to stake out a suspect. And don't forget Taylor won't be home either. He's with his dad. I hope we can wrap up before dawn, but you know how these things go. Love you. Try and get some rest."

10:30pm

John stared at the ceiling. This wasn't working. He looked to the air occupied space at his side. Every time he closed his eyes and started to sleep, he would automatically reach for her, only to come up empty. With each vain attempt, he would awaken with a fresh longing for his wife.

How did he ever sleep without her? The room felt so barren. Cold.

John sat up. This was useless.

Grabbing the comforter and his pillow he left the room. The couch was a welcome sight. He stretched his long body against the cushions and closed his eyes. And saw her face. A face he hadn't seen in hours.

Was she okay? She mentioned a stake out. Who was the suspect? He tried turning onto his side. What if she needed him? What if something happened and he never saw her again?

Great! Now he was paranoid! This was enough. John grabbed his phone.

"Finch, what's Joss' location?"

….

From the passenger seat, Joss kept her eye fixed on the brownstone occupied by their suspect. The night had been quiet save for the few guests who dropped by to visit. Each face, holding a name worth remembering.

Fusco took a drink from his coffee. "Given the shady figures that have been in and out that door, this guy definitely had something to do with Gleason's murder."

"Mm-hm. I knew it. Saw right through that little baby face he wore in the interrogation room. Man's guilty as sin. And we're gonna prove it."

They both were surprised to hear the click of the locks, followed by the backdoor opening.

"John!" Joss yelled at seeing her husband, sliding in, wearing black sweats and matching pullover hoodie. "What are you doing here?"

"You think you could give someone a warning Wonderboy before you decide to join the party? It's a good thing we were ready to ask first and shoot later."

Carter turned in her seat. "John, you didn't answer me."

"I couldn't sleep."

In a blink her eyes softened. "Did you try the couch?"

"It didn't help."

Her heart constricted.

"Why not just pop a sleeping pill?" Fusco shrugged.

"John and meds. Yeah, that's never going to happen," Joss mumbled to her partner without breaking contact with John. "You should be home, trying to sleep."

"Joss, I tried. I can't. Might as well be here with you. I haven't seen you all day." I missed you.

The corners of her mouth lifted. She had missed him too. Although neither would say it. Not in front of Fusco. They tried to tone down their emotional displays around the others.

"You know when you two look at each other like that you might as well be neckin'. It's just as bad."

"Just watch your suspect Lionel." Reese warned.

Still watching him, Joss touched her fingers to her lips. With the same two fingers, she placed them against his mouth. He soaked her in, knowing she was glad to see him. He also saw the spark of excitement in her eye, no doubt for the suspect she was about to catch. As she withdrew John grabbed her hand planting a kiss to her palm. He would never get enough of this woman, he thought kissing her hand again. Lips lingering. "I hope you can get comfortable back there."

"I'll be fine." He released her hand, relaxing into the seat. Joss went back to watching the suspect. Another face on the wanted list walked to the door.

"I get the feeling, once we catch this guy, we'll get to take in a few others with him." Joss said with a smug smile. Another ten minutes passed before her thoughts returned to the man in the back seat. She wondered if John had eaten anything. It was no secret, he didn't take the best care of himself. Especially when she hadn't been around. Joss glanced at the paper bag that held the last uneaten sandwich from her dinner.

"John," Joss turned and the words died on her tongue. His eyes were shut and the top half of his body had awkwardly fallen onto the seat.

"He's out cold Carter." Fusco said glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

Joss couldn't stop her smile. He would probably wake up with several aches and pains. But knowing he was more comfortable in a cramped back seat with her, than their soft large bed without her, warmed her heart. She touched his leg lovingly. The man didn't even flinch.

"Unbelievable. Around you, the dark knight turns into a cuddly puppy. Every time."

She grinned throwing Fusco a look. "Whatever you do, don't let my cuddly puppy ever hear you say that."