With windows down and the sunroof open, and breaking all kinds of traffic laws, John arrived at Joss's brownstone in 26 minutes. He left the car running and double parked, as she was sitting outside on the stoop. When the car stopped and John exited, Joss stood after a few moments and began walking slowly toward him. He recalled that she hadn't seen his new car, an Aston Martin DB-11, and prayed that that was the reason for her hesitation. He walked to the passenger door and opened it for her, standing by dutifully.

John took in her appearance as she approached. She was still so beautiful. Joss was wearing a baby blue maxi halter dress. The material was thin as it moved gently with the slight summer wind and he could see the faint outline of her body in the moonlight. Flat thong sandals were on her feet - her hair pulled back into a messy bun. A small bag was draped across her body. The outfit was lovely in its breezy simplicity – perfect for a warm moonlit summer night. And Joss was lovely in the outfit – a perfect companion for a warm moonlit summer night.

John smiled at her when at last she stood before him. "Hey", he said, wanting to pull her into his arms.

It was Joss's turn to smile. She had taken in his appearance when he walked around the car. The jeans hugged him in all the right places and the Euro tee accentuated his broad shoulders. His hair was a bit wind blown giving him a sexy morning after kind of look.

John noted that she hadn't spoken but her smile was warm. When Joss climbed into the passenger seat, she immediately noticed the music playing softly, Michael McDonald's Hail Mary. Joss really liked Michael McDonald. As she sat, John saw that her dress had a slit up to the thigh offering a generous view of those gorgeous pecan colored legs that he loved to have wrapped around him. He closed her door while she was fastening her seat belt.

John walked to driver's side and got in.

"Lily?" he questioned, as he put the car in gear.

"Excuse me?", Joss asked.

"Your fragrance, lily?", John replied.

"Yes", she said, and off they went. As they approached the stop sign at the end of her block, Joss added, "Do you like it?"

"Yes", John answered promptly. "Very much." He gifted her a smoldering glance, then turned right at the corner, intending to take them to Uptown Manhattan.

Once there they passed the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum of Art, and drove through Spanish Harlem, noting the changes that had taken place there in just a few short years. They shot over to the Upper West Side, circling around a deserted Lincoln Center, the crowds having long since left the venerable venue. They skirted Central Park to 59th, on their way to the Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Station. As they passed the Empire State Building, Joss looked up through the sunroof of the Aston and smiled. She remembered a school field trip where they went up to the top of the building, the tallest in the world at one time. She hadn't been back since, though she had visited other attractions many times, most recently, with Sebastian.

Times Square was packed with visitors and residents as usual, in spite of the lateness (or earliness) of the hour. No surprise there. In spite of the closed off streets, they pair wove their way through the Theater District, Carnegie Hall and MoMa. John circled back around to an entrance to Central Park and pulled over near a parking garage.

He checked his watch. "We have a little time before the Park closes. Want to go for a walk?"

After a brief pause, Joss responded, "No. I would really just like to continue riding – that is, unless you're tired? You can take me home."

"No", said John, "I'm not tired. Things have been pretty quiet lately and I actually had a nap today." He took her hand and kissed it gently, wheels turning over in his head as to where they could go next. "Let's keep going – you say 'when'."

Up to this point, Joss had sat silently throughout the drive, looking out the window, gazing through the sunroof and otherwise just enjoying the sights and sounds of NY. She drove these streets often, but had rarely really observed or felt the energy, the light, that permeated the place. She could see why they called it the most exciting city in the world. How wonderful to be a tourist for a change.

Somewhere between Central Park and Lincoln Tunnel, John had again taken her left hand, placed more soft kisses to it, held it in his, and rested both on his thigh. He squeezed Joss's hand gently, and she squeezed back, having no idea how even that small gesture emboldened John.

"How are you feeling?", he asked, smoothing a stray hair from her face. Think you can sleep now?" But no sooner had he spoken the words, he was sorry he asked – it was an opportunity for her to ask him to take her home and he wanted more time. Though he was genuinely concerned he wanted more time.

"No, I don't think so", Joss said.

Before she could elaborate, John spoke. "You know, I haven't had a chance to open this baby up. You in?"

She nodded eagerly.

John put in the mp4 and continued toward the Lincoln Tunnel. Once in the tunnel, he rolled up the car's windows and closed the sunroof against the highway noises. At the first song, Joss looked at the display and saw that the artist's name was Daley, and the song was "Be". He sang:

Meet me at the station

We can take a taxi home, maybe

It's time for conversation

Catch up on some things

I don't know…

She'd never heard of him, but she liked him. She wondered if this were another message meant for her. She had listened to all the songs John had sent – not at first though. She was too angry with him. But the files kept coming – every week for the past 2 months. Eventually her curiosity got the better of her and she not only listened but also began to look forward to his musical missives.

In the car, "Be" continued:

Cause if you don't know what to say

I promise I won't make you feel bad, no. no

Cause you're not the only one who's scared to say you're still in love

If we run out of things to say

I promise I won't make you feel bad, no. no

We'll just roll the windows down

We'll drive around this town and be, be, yeah

Perfect music for tonight, Joss thought. She sighed deeply, watching the landscape go by. More Daley played, this time a duet with Marcia Ambrosius, one of ger favorite singers.

They exited the tunnel, taking the NJ Turnpike South to exit 11 which was the Garden State Parkway then to the AC expressway. John pressed the pedal to the metal and Joss found the speed exhilarating. In no time they were seeing the bright casino lights of Atlantic City. Just as he was exiting, Daniel Caesar's' Best Part' began to play on the car's audio.

You don't know babe
When you hold me
And kiss me slowly
It's the sweetest thing
And it don't change
If I had it my way
You would know that you are

You're the coffee that I need in the morning
You're my sunshine in the rain when it's pouring
Won't you give yourself to me
Give it all, oh

John turned the DB-11 onto Atlantic Avenue, turned again onto Pacific Avenue and lucked up on a parking spot near the boardwalk. John pulled in just as the chorus was wrapping up:

If you love me won't you say something

If you love me won't you say something
If you love me won't you
Won't you
If you love me won't you say something…

Though the song was incomplete, John turned off the car, unbuckled his seat belt, and got out. Rounding the vehicle, he opened the door for Joss, holding out his hand to her and she took it, stepping out into the night, soon to be dawn. They walked up the wooden stairs and over to the rail at the beach side of the boardwalk. They stood there, listening to the roar of the ocean, watching the white-caps over the inky darkness of the waves.

"Cold?", John asked, after Joss wrapped her arms around her body. He pulled her in front of him and covered her arms with his. He pressed his chest to her back and rested his chin on the top of her head.

John's heart was racing a mile a minute. He wanted desperately to talk to her, to explain. Afraid to risk it, afraid not to.

He was basking in her presence, loving the feel of her in his arms. She was his "home". Eventually John raised his eyes to the heavens and turned Joss to face him.

"Joss. I am sorry. So so sorry for all that I did. I convinced myself that I was protecting you – foolish, I know." John dropped to his knees, tears spilling down his cheeks as he held onto her waist. He rested his head on her belly for a few moments. Removing it to look into her eyes again, he continued. "I have been miserable without you. I know that you probably don't care because my misery was of my own making, and it was.

"But I've learned. I have. And I'm ready Joss. Ready for something special and enduring with you. Please take me back. Please."

He watched her, both dreading an answer and hoping for it at the same time.

"Stand up John, stand up. You're attracting attention", Joss admonished. After looking at each other, Joss reached into her small bag and pulled out her phone and ear pods. She scrolled through her music until she found the song she wanted and she handed one of the pods to John. After they each donned a pod, Joss pressed play.

John listened to the sweet strains of a ballad sung with piano accompaniment. The rich silky alto sang…

It doesn't really matter what you did any more

It doesn't really matter what you did it for, or who you did it to

I forgive you. I forgive you. I forgive you, suddenly completely, now...

Was he hearing correctly? She forgave him? He dropped to his knees again, in gratitude, eyes shining with tears in the moonlight.

It doesn't really matter whether or not I understand
It doesn't really matter whether or not you're still my man
I still love you… and

I forgive you. I forgive you. I forgive you, suddenly completely, now...

John couldn't help himself – he sobbed, wetting her dress, clinging to her as if she were a golden lasso tethering him to the shore.

"John, stand up."

He did, as several groups of passersby offered their congratulations, thinking the pair had just become engaged. John even smiled and shook the offered hands. One older lady congratulated them and said to Joss, "Make sure he gets you a ring honey – a big one!", at which John and Joss both smiled broadly. Though John's smile was genuine, his happiness was not yet complete-for Joss forgave him but had not yet said she would take him back.

Once their audience trickled away, John gingerly asked, "Do you really forgive me?"

"I forgave you a long time ago, John. It was myself I couldn't forgive… for still wanting you", Joss replied.

But John had to know more. "Does this mean you'll take me back?" He wiped his tears.

Joss sighed deeply. "Yes, John. Yes. I will take you back. And do not get on your knees again! Your pants are sandy and wet." She wiped his few remaining tears with her hands. "Big baby", she scolded, and no sooner than she had, John swept her into his arms for a kiss so deep and passionate, Joss was totally lost in him. She couldn't get enough. Didn't care about the new crop of curious onlookers, just plain didn't care about anything but being in John's arms.

They broke the kiss but continued embracing. They felt so good to each other. John's eyes were squeezed shut. He wondered about Almeida, but wisely knew that this was not the time to ask. When he opened them, he noticed the lights of the brand new Revel Casino sparkling nearby.

"Joss", John said, grasping her upper arms. "I have an idea."

"Oh- What is it?"

"Let's stay here." Joss furrowed her brows, not understanding.

John continued, "Here, in Atlantic City. At the Revel. Joss, we need to talk-really talk. We have misunderstandings, and we have truths, and we have misunderstandings about some of those truths. Let's clear the air and give ourselves a fresh start. Don't we deserve that? You know how it is for us in the city, between your job and mine, people and things pull at us, pull us in different directions. I want us to be on firm footing -unbreakable-when we get back."

Joss continued to stare at John, not answering.

"C'mon, sweetheart, please. I know that Taylor is down south. What's holding you back? Is it Almeida?"

"No no no no no!", Joss exclaimed indignantly, each "no" uttered with rapid fire precision. You don't get to ask me about Sebastian." She looked John dead square in his eyes with her head held high.

"Sorry", he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

Joss added, "I have no clothes and I'm due at work on Monday."

"Don't worry", John said, "I'll take care of everything – get you what you need for the week." He pulled out his phone. "Just say yes."

"Yes", Joss said, looking at John lovingly.

John kissed her lightly, and stepped away from her to handle business, as promised.

He put the phone to his ear. "Finch.", John stated, all business.

"MR. REESE, I'm surprised to hear from you. We don't have a new number at the moment."

"I need a favor, Finch. I am here, in Atlantic City, with Joss."

"Oh?", Finch commented, clearly surprised. "Are congratulations in order?"

"Yes, we're back together" Finch could hear the smile in John's voice. "It's why I need a favor. I need Joss and me off from work until Monday a week. We want to stay here in AC to clear the air and completely work things out. A lot has passed between us these past 8-9 months."

"Say no more, Mr. Reese. I will take care of it right away. Is there anything more?"

"No – thanks Finch. For everything."

"Give my regards to the detective."

John signed off, walked back to Joss and announced, "Done. Oh, but one more thing." John scrolled through his phone punched in a few things. He put his phone on speaker and turned them both back toward the ocean.

A cello began the plaintive introduction. A raspy tenor then began to sing.

Find me here, and speak to me
I want to feel you, I need to hear you
You are the light that's leading me to the place
Where I find peace again
You are the strength that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
You are the life to my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

"What song is this?", Joss asked. "It's beautiful."

"It's 'Everything", by Lifehouse. For a while there, I was thinking that I'd never get to play this for you", John explained as the song continued.

You calm the storms and you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You steal my heart and you take my breath away
Would you take me in, take me deeper now
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

Cause you're all I want, you're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
Everything, everything

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better-any better than this…

By the time the song ended, they had decided without words to each other, that 'Everything' would be their song, or at least one of them.

John kissed Joss lovingly, squeezed her hand and said, "Let's go."

The two then headed back to the Aston and drove the few blocks to the Revel, anxious for their new beginning.

A/N: Finally! Our star-crossed lovers are back together! To paraphrase Bette Davis, it has been "a bumpy ride". One more chapter (or two) before the events in my story "Not Just Another Day" kick in.

Several of you reported disenchantment with John – he has been a jackass, to say the least. Some are disappointed that Joss would take him back after his stunts. Though in our hearts we know they belong together and it cannot be any other way. But let's see how he acts and if his actions are sufficient to redeem him with you guys (smile) and more importantly, with Joss. I mean she still needs to be a little fearful, right?

I hope you enjoyed reading '…The Beginning of What?' as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please review and let me know. Hugs!