A/N: Thank you for your patience. I hope this chap was worth the wait.

Jo turned, stormed back to her desk, threw her jacket on and grabbed her helmet. She'd only gotten a few steps when a hand grabbed her arm and she heard… "NO! You can't go!"

Had it been anyone else, Jo would have yanked her arm away with a nasty retort, but, after what the girl had just gone through, Jo couldn't do that to her. Instead, her demeanor relaxed and, sighing, Jo turned around. "Bailey…ya gotta let me go," she said softly. "I'm…"

"No, Jo…" the girl said, looking at her with a mix of disappointment and pleading in her eyes. "…you have to protect Blair. She needs you. You're the only one who can…"

"No, Bailey…I'm not," Jo answered calmly, as she shook her head slightly. "The FBI…they can take care of.."

"No!" Bailey interrupted, determinedly holding on to Jo's arm, a hint of anger in her voice. "David came here for you. He wanted you to protect Blair, not the FBI. He asked for you, Jo," The girl then turned to David and demanded. "Isn't that right? Tell them…tell them you wanted Jo to protect Blair, cuz you knew that she would. And," the girl said with boldness. "she has already. She kept Blair safe, she kept me safe."

David stared at Bailey as he thought about what she'd said. He'd already been thinking about it. Despite turning him down and walking away, Jo had not only called out a warning, she'd also covered his daughter's body with her own, and, though it had only grazed her, she took a bullet in the process.

Agent Rachel Finley could see the wheels turning in the tycoon's head and quickly spoke up. "Mr. Warner, while what Detective Polniaczek did was admirable…"

"No, Agent Finley…" David stopped her with a raise of his hand. "Bailey's right," He looked at Jo with an evaluating gaze. Despite what had happened in their past, the brunette would keep Blair safe. Though she might argue the point, David knew Jo's concern for Blair's well-being went beyond 'Doing her job'. He turned back to Finn. "I came here specifically for Detective Polniaczek's help in guarding my daughter. And today, she more than proved herself capable of doing just that," His attention returned to Jo. "I'd be very grateful if you would agree to take the job."

Jo eyed him warily. Sure, David's tone had changed and he seemed to be looking at her with…respect. Still, Jo wasn't sure she could trust him or if she even wanted to. Besides that, there was…Blair. Jo knew what it meant to be a bodyguard. It was a 24/7 job and, she didn't know if she could bear being that close to the woman who once meant the world to her. Jo looked at the blonde who was watching her…waiting for Jo's answer…her expressive brown eyes, filled with hope and uncertainty.

Jo's hesitance in answering, gave Finn the opportunity to protest the idea once again and suggest that she, David and Ames, discuss the matter further in the captain's office.

Jo stared blankly as the three went into the office, then felt Bailey tugging at her arm again.

"Come on Jo," Bailey smiled at her. "David will straighten things out, you'll see. And then, you'll be watching over Blair."

Numbly, Jo let the younger girl pull her back to her desk, only to shake her head in wonder as Bailey then went to sit with Blair again.

"She's something….that kid," Rafe said, nudging Jo. "The way she worked you and Warner?" he added with a small grin. "But tell me…" he looked at her questioningly. "..why are you so bent about losing a job you didn't want to begin with?" Rafe asked with a raised brow.

"Shut up," Jo scowled at him, but knew Rafe was right. Why the hell was she so upset? And why did she pause instead of just saying 'No' again to David? "Aren't you supposed to be tracking that plate information?" she asked harshly, which only made Rafe chuckle.

"Now Jo, that's no way to treat your partner."

Jo looked up and a small smile formed on her lips. A reddish-blonde haired woman in a lab coat walked up to Gallo's desk. "Give me a break, Casey. If you had to put up with him, you'd treat him the same way," Jo offered in her defense. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here because your partner, Detective Gallo, called me." she said grinning at Rafe. "That's why you should be nice to him," the woman answered as she moved closer to Jo. "I should have known if there was a shooting, you'd be involved, Polniaczek. All right,...sit up on the desk and lift your shirt," she said sternly.

"He called the M.E.? I ain't dead!…C'mon Casey…not here," Jo blushed slightly as she pushed the woman's hands away from the hem of her shirt.

"Not here? Fine…you want to do it in the morgue?" Casey asked.

"Like you haven't heard that before, huh Jo?" Rafe asked smiling, while Jo glared at him.

"Watch it, Rafe," Casey said harshly, pointing a finger at him. "Come on then," she waved at Jo as she turned to go.

"No…no…here's fine," Jo stopped her. Jo hated the morgue even more than she hated hospitals, unless she was working a case. Then, she could focus on the victim. "Here…" she said, as she slowly lifted up her shirt so Casey could examine the wound. "It's not even that bad," Jo emphasized, trying to downplay her injury as she lifted her shirt, while continuing to glare at Rafe.

"Hey…you're the one who mentioned stitches," he replied, with a slight grin on his face and his hands raised in defense.

Jo just shook her head at him as Casey carefully removed the bandage. "No anesthetic, I'm guessing?" she asked looking at the wound. When Jo shook her head 'No', Casey 'tsked' and said.. "Okay…hold still..this is going to sting some."

While Bailey watched, fascinated by Jo's toughness, Monica and Blair both winced in sympathy when Jo grimaced a little, as Casey stitched the brunette's side. Monica turned her eyes to Blair as the M.E. finished her work, and, once again, saw scowl of anger and a hint of jealousy on her daughter's face as Casey ran her fingers over Jo's skin.

"These should do. They'll dissolve in about a week, maybe less. Until then…no strenuous workouts. Got it?" Casey said, pulling down Jo's shirt.

"Yea..yea.." Jo muttered. "I know the drill."

"I'm serious, Jo. I know you," Casey emphasized. Then, not letting go of Jo's shirt, she moved a step closer. "Besides.." she grinned. "you still owe me a night out, and….I intend on collecting," she said with a smirk and a wiggle of her brow, bringing a hint of color to the brunette's cheeks. As she turned to go, she ordered Jo's partner, "Watch her, Rafe," as she passed by, quite pleased with herself, that she had gotten Jo Polniaczek to blush.

"Yes, ma'am," Rafe answered grinning mischievously at Jo, and the blush that touched her cheeks. "Damn, Jo…" he started when Casey was out of earshot, a hint of awe in his voice. "How do you get all these women…?"

"Not now, Rafe," Jo cut him off, her eyes indicating Blair and her mother. "Have ya got anything on the plate yet?" she asked, easing off her desk and stepping towards him.

"Oh..right.." he nodded. "Well…it's lookin like the plates were stolen, cuz they aren't…" They were interrupted by…

"Blair! Dear! Are you okay?"

All eyes turned to see a well-dressed, handsome man, a little under six feet tall, with sandy brown hair, stride into the squad room and head straight for the Warner women.

"Oh, Justin," Blair responded dramatically, as she allowed herself to be pulled into his stilted embrace. "I'm okay," she sighed against his chest, before she leaned back and smiled up at him. "I'm so glad you're here." Blair declared feigning relief. She knew Jo was watching them and, even though she knew it was irrational, Blair needed the brunette to know that she wasn't the only one who was wanted. That, in fact, Blair Warner was not only wanted, but had someone steady in her life.

"Of course, dear," Justin said as he smiled down at her. "Where else would I be?" he asked, as if his being there was a given. Then he looked over Blair's head. "And Monica? You are uninjured as well?" he asked, appearing concerned.

It took a second for Monica to answer, as she was staring at Blair, taken aback by her daughter's behavior. In the two and a half years they'd been together, Monica had never seen Blair fawn over Justin the way she was now. Not even at their wedding a year ago. "Yes, Justin. Bailey, David and I are fine as well," Monica finally answered, with a small smile and a slight shake of her head. Still, she couldn't help wondering what Blair was up to. It was then she noticed that Blair's focus had drifted away from Justin, and, following her daughter's gaze, realized who really had Blair's attention. Ahhhhh…I see. Monica smiled to herself, but, from what the older woman could tell, Jo only seemed curious…nothing more. Monica directed her gaze back at Justin and Blair. "Unfortunately, Johnathan wasn't as lucky," she added, but this time with true regret in her voice. Monica felt guilty using her driver this way, but she not only wanted to gauge Justin's reaction to the news, but, she wanted to see how Blair felt about his response as well.

Jo had leaned back to sit on her desk, observing the scene, wondering who the guy was and if she was the only one who noticed Justin's surprised, or was it…disappointed, expression when he realized that Blair wasn't hurt. She scowled at his disingenuous tone, when he asked Monica if she was okay. Jo knew his type. He wasn't truly interested in their well-being - none of them. She had heard that fake tone before…had been on the receiving end of it, and, if the listener didn't know any better, they'd think the speaker was sincere. Jo knew better now; she'd learned the hard way. And Blair was no better. Jo swore they were in school again. and the blonde was playing up to one of the pin-heads she dated back then. Mentally shaking her head, Jo thought. She's still the same. Sitting there, watching and listening to them both, Jo took an immediate dislike to Justin.

"Johnathan?" Justin asked with a blank look.

"Mother's driver," Blair clarified.

"Oh…well...yes…that is too bad," Justin offered.

Blair closed her eyes and cringed slightly. She knew without looking that Jo had an expression of disgust on her face at her husband's dismissive attitude. But, what was worse, she knew that she had once been just like Justin. Uncaring and indifferent to hired help. That is, until she'd met Mrs. Garrett and a certain girl from the Bronx. Blair was a better person because of them.

"So typical of him, the snob that he is, Justin probably doesn't know his own driver's name," whispered Bailey as she lifted herself up to sit next to Jo on the desk. "He's a real jerk isn't he?" she asked, looking at Jo for confirmation.

"Wh-what?" Jo asked, a bit surprised by the girl's bluntness . "I didn't say anything " the brunette said a bit uneasy.

"You didn't have to," Bailey replied conspiratorially, winking at Jo. "I saw the look on your face," Seeing Jo's tense expression, Bailey quickly added, "Hey…I agree," The young girl then fixed her eyes on Justin and scrunched her nose as if smelling something awful. It was a look that reminded Jo of Blair. "I don't like him. He's just not right for her" Bailey stated firmly.

The harsh, dismissive tone of Bailey's voice had Jo staring at her, wondering where the kid that she'd dealt with just moments ago had gone. The kid who was so afraid, she'd attached herself to Jo, looking for comfort and reassurance. The kid who called the Bronx native 'Super Jo' with 'wide-eyed' innocence. Again, Bailey reminded Jo of Blair in their younger days - how the older girl could be naïve one moment, but be mature beyond her years the next. Mentally Jo shook her head. The perils of growing up rich, living in the world of adults while still being a kid. Jo thought But then, growing up poor was no different. She sighed remembering how surprised she and Blair were when they realized that they weren't all that different after all. Though their backgrounds seemed different, their problems were very similar. 'Boy, you and me with the same problem. No one would ever believe that' Jo remembered saying at the time. To which the blonde replied, 'Well, we just won't tell them.' Jo shook her head…that connection seemed like a lifetime ago to her now.

"Ummm…" Jo let her gaze follow Bailey's as she leaned toward the younger girl. "..not to sound dumb, but…who is he exactly?" Jo would have found the stunned expression on Bailey's face when she looked back at her funny, if it wasn't directed at her. "What?" Jo asked self-consciously.

Still shocked, Bailey asked…"You don't know?" …a bit too loudly for Jo's taste.

"Shhh!" Jo shushed her, quickly looking in Blair's direction. She saw Blair, Justin and Monica watching them. "If I knew..I wouldn't be askin, now would I?" she asked angrily, through gritted teeth.

At the harsh tone and embarrassed expression on Jo's face, Bailey hung her head as she apologized. "I'm sorry, Jo," she said in a soft voice. "I thought you knew who Justin was."

Jo's anger quickly died and she felt guilty at how ashamed the girl acted. "Hey…" she reached out for the girl's hand and squeezed it, getting Bailey to look at her. "It's not your fault. I shouldn't have gotten mad at ya. I was wrong. I'm sorry...okay?" she said with an apologetic smile.

Bailey's face lit up at the sincerity in Jo's voice and the smile that went with it. "Okay," she said happily, before her tone turned serious. "But, I should have known you wouldn't know him."

Jo smiled as she nodded, glad that she and Bailey were 'good' again.

"I mean…" They young blonde went on. "..you have more important things to think about than who my sister married. Like catching criminals," Bailey offered. "That's Justin Cooper Worthington….Blair's husband."

Jo weakly nodded and frowned. "Yea…of course," she said hoping she sounded convincing. She'd tried her best to forget that Blair had gotten married, even getting hammered the day of the nuptials, and…it had almost worked.

"But, Blair shouldn't have married him." Bailey added with a frown. "She deserves better."

Jo could see that the girl was more than just a little troubled. "Hey…so he's bein a jerk…he's probably just really upset is all. Havin yer wife shot at, ain't an easy thing to deal with," Jo offered as an excuse.

"No," Bailey said shaking her head. "He's always like that," She turned to look Jo in the eye. "He's a fake. He's nice when Blair or mom are around, but if they're not…" she stopped, stole a glance in the adults direction, then dropped her head.

The way Bailey acted, caused a sick feeling to form in the pit of Jo's stomach. She looked at Rafe and saw the 'Don't jump to conclusions' warning expression on his face. Jo sighed, then nodded. Rafe Gallo knew exactly how his partner felt about people who mistreated kids. He also knew another 'incident' would cost Jo her job.

Taking a small calming breath, Jo gently squeezed the young girl's hand. "Hey," she waited for Bailey to look up. "How bout we check out the vending machine? I'm kinda hungry." Jo said giving the girl a mischievous smile.

Bailey's face lit up at the suggestion and she eagerly nodded. "Yea!" she answered. Then, stealing a peek at Monica, she whispered to Jo. "But, don't tell mother.

"Ok," Jo said, winking. "Come on," she whispered back, motioning with her head. As they got down from the desk, Jo felt eyes upon her. She turned to see Blair, her posture stiff, her eyes, questioning.

Blair had been concerned at the change in her sister's body language and the look exchanged between Jo and her partner. But, when Jo met her gaze, and with a hint of a smile, her green eyes told Blair all she needed to know, she relaxed. Blair knew Jo would take care of Bailey. She was so at ease, that Blair didn't even hear the almost wistful tone she used when she answered… "That's Jo," to her husband's question of… "Who's that with Bailey?" However, Monica did.

With a couple of drinks and candy bars, Jo got comfortable with Bailey, sitting on a bench away from the others. She waited until she was sure Bailey was relaxed, before bringing up the girl's unfinished statement. "What were you going to say..before…when you said Justin's 'nice when Blair and your mom are around, but when they're not?' Has…has he ever done anything to you?" Jo asked her voice low and calm.

Bailey furrowed her brow with confusion when she looked at Jo. "Done anything?" she asked.

Jo let out a small breath. I hate this she thought. "Ya know…has he ever…physically hurt you?" she asked as delicately as she could, while stressing the word. Jo had quickly grown fond of Bailey and, though she knew it would be the end of her career, Jo wouldn't be able to control herself if Justin had hurt the girl.

It took Bailey a moment to understand what Jo was asking, but when she did she reassured the detective… "Oh…no. Nothing like that," she answered shaking her head. "I learned about that in school. Nobody…touches me," she stated firmly.

"Good for you," Jo said encouragingly, and nudged the girl, smiling.

The young girl smiled up at the brunette, happy that Jo appeared proud of her. But, then she thought about what Jo asked her and Bailey's smile faded. "I-I didn't mean to make you think…" she started, her cheeks tinged a bit red with discomfort.

"Hey…it's ok," the brunette said. "But, how bout you tell me what you did mean?"

It took Bailey a few seconds as she thought of the right words, then she dropped her gaze. "He-he's…rude to me," she said hesitantly, her voice low.

Jo heard the hurt in Bailey's voice. Putting one arm around the girl, and lifting Bailey's chin with the other hand, Jo looked into soft, sad eyes and asked softly. "What do you mean by rude?"

"He treats me like I don't exist," Bailey sighed. "I know it's…stupid…and he's supposedly so 'busy'."

Jo couldn't help but grin to herself at the finger motions Bailey used. So like Blair.

"It's just that…" Bailey continued, looking away. "Justin calls me kid," she said in an annoyed tone. "I know that's not a big deal, but it's also how he acts interested in me as long as Blair or mom are around. If they're not, he looks at me funny…like I'm a bother…and brushes me off or ignores me altogether. I hate that," she added with a pout.

Jo did her best to hide her smile at the girl's cute pout. Oh…you so got the Warner pout down. the brunette thought.

"You want to know something?" Bailey asked in a serious tone, as she lifted her gaze to Jo. "I don't trust him."

That one statement, and the tone behind it, captured Jo's full attention. Experience had taught Jo that kids are damn good judges of character. "Why do you say that?" she asked, sitting up a bit straighter.

"Because…I don't think he really loves Blair," Bailey answered, her expression sad. "I've heard him talking on the phone, when he thought no one was around…. I wasn't spying, honest. He just never notices me," Bailey quickly added in explanation, when Jo gave her a look.

"It's okay…I believe you," Jo reassured her. "But, what makes you think he doesn't love your sister? Just talking on the phone is not…"

"Because…" Bailey interrupted. "..whoever Justin's talking to…he calls them honey. And, it's the way he says 'honey'…like he means it. You know, like when Blair calls me 'sweetie' sometimes….it's lovey."

Jo nodded her head in understanding.

"She doesn't even love him," Bailey said sadly, shaking her head.

Jo looked at the girl, a little shocked, and scoffed. "Now hold on a sec. The Blair I know would never marry someone she didn't love."

"She only married him because she was expected to," Bailey gave as an answer.

"Ex-pected to?" Jo asked incredulously. "What is this…the dark ages? What does that mean anyway? Expected to? Pffftttt!" the brunette said sarcastically.

"Mom argued that too, but I heard David telling her it was good for the business," Bailey answered, shrugging. "Everyone at Warner Industries knew Blair and Justin were dating, so, according to David, marriage was the next logical step, and besides, according to David (him)... 'It was good PR'." When Jo just stared at her, Bailey went on. "You know, daughter of the CEO marries the 'up and comer'?" Bailey sighed sadly. "But, I know she doesn't love him. Not really. I can see it in her eyes."

Jo turned her gaze to where Blair stood with Justin, his arm around her shoulders. The brunette had to admit that the blonde's body language read less than happy, but, it wasn't surprising after what she'd been through. While Justin's posture, standing next to his wife, gave off a vibe of indifference. What Jo also noticed, was that they both seemed to be watching her as well. There was apprehension in Blair's eyes, which Jo attributed to not knowing whether or not the Bronx native would be protecting her. Justin's gaze though, made Jo uneasy. It was the same feeling Jo got when she was with the Young Diablos and a rival gang member was sizing her up.

The brunette felt herself 'posturing up' under Justin's scrutiny and looked him straight in the eye as she stared back. Mentally, Jo patted herself on the back when it didn't take long for him to 'blink' and drop his gaze. However, Jo did feel a bit self-conscious when she noticed Monica looking at her with a questioning expression on her face. "Come on Bailey," Jo said turning to the young girl. "Let's get you back to your mom."

"Ok," Bailey agreed, standing up, then stopped short. "But…you won't tell them what I said, right?" she asked with worry in her voice.

"Nah…" Jo shook her head. "It's just between you and me," she answered, with a grin and a wink.

Bailey smiled relieved, knowing she could trust Jo. She reached out and held the detective's hand as they walked back.