AN: Happy Birthday Jimcaviezelbiggestfan :)
John walked with Joss and Maddie to their suite. Shaw broke apart with them to go meet up with Donnelly to talk about the Wixoms and about the fact that Nigel knew the truth about who they were. John wasn't sure if Nigel knew about Donnelly being there or not; either way they didn't want to tip there hand.
They had spent hours on the beach then walking and taking in the sights at Cozumel. John bought Maddie a pink and white mariachi sombrero that looked cute on her. Just like the pink sandals mommy got her, Joss knew their daughter wasn't going to take the sombrero off her head until she had to. They had eaten real Mexican cuisine for lunch and it was to die for, even for Maddie, who never had an enchilada before, loved it.
Joss reluctantly opened the door to her suite, sad that the day was to an end for them. John needed to get back to work and she needed to get Maddie a bath before she took her to the Fun Factory for a few hours.
"Play with me daddy!" Maddie begged as she wrapped her arms around his left leg unwilling to let him leave.
Joss crouched down to her level. "Maddie, daddy needs to go," she said sternly. Joss knew this was going to be an issue because now that Maddie knew John was her daddy she wasn't going to want him to leave.
"No, he can stay," Maddie countered but quietly, not too sure she should be arguing with mommy, as she held his leg tighter.
"Yes, he does Maddie. Daddy will see you tomorrow."
"But tomorrow is tomorrow, mommy," Maddie stated as if that explained her reasoning why John couldn't leave.
Joss smiled. "Tomorrow is close."
"Not that close," Maddie cried adding tears for effect.
Joss straightened up and looked at John. "Tag you're it," Joss muttered as she folded her arms.
John sighed. "Maddie, look at your daddy."
"No," she refuted as she squeezed his leg tighter, knocking her little sombrero off her head. Thankfully with the string it kept the thing from flying off from the wind.
"Maddie, please look at daddy…" he cajoled.
"No," she repeated.
"Maddie, by not looking at me isn't going to make me stay, sweetheart," he said softly as he reached down and lifted a now a really crying Maddie.
"Don't leave me," she sobbed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Joss felt her heart ache but she led John into their suite as he carried their daughter in as their daughter's wails grew louder.
"She doesn't understand," John whispered as he rubbed her back trying to console her. "Maddie, I'm not leaving forever," he said softly before kissing her cheek.
"Madeline, look at mommy," Joss commanded gently and their daughter responded by doing as requested. "Baby, daddy isn't leaving you forever. Daddy has to go to work," she explained as much as she could to a four year old.
Her body heaved. "L-like you m-mommy?" she said her voice wobbling.
Joss smiled as she nodded, "Yea, it's sort of like when I have to leave you with Gram Gram or with Aunt Grace and Uncle Harold to play with Leila for a while and then there I am to pick you up," Joss agreed and felt John stiffen, but she was focused on soothing her daughter. "Daddy is going to be like that for a while too because daddy is a man that puts bad guys away."
Maddie lifted her head off John's chest and looked at John. He lifted his free hand up and wiped away her tears. "Maddie, I don't want to leave you and mommy but I have to go stop bad people from hurting good ones, just like your mommy does," he murmured before leaning in and kissed her cheek before leaning back and fixed her sombrero to be back on her head. "But I have a little time till I have to go to work." Shaw would just have to stall for him with Donnelly; he already owed her a few prime ribs for coming up with that lie she did, what's one more?
"How about a movie?" Joss suggested knowing her daughter wasn't going to make it past the first ten minutes. She looked sleepy and whenever their daughter cried a lot was telling of how tired she was.
John maneuvered over to the couch and sat down, setting Maddie on the couch between him and Joss and Joss chose a children's movie. It took fifteen minutes, five more than she figured, and Maddie was out like a light.
John smirked as he looked to Joss. "You knew she'd fall asleep."
"Works every time and with Maddie's sleep schedule being a bit off I knew it wouldn't take long. Maddie has been going to sleep late and getting up early. And then there is the night where she didn't sleep much at all because she was going to get to spend time with 'John the gician' who just so happened to be her daddy," Joss explained with a smile as she turned the movie off. "I'll let her sleep for an hour and she'll be ready for the Fun Factory."
John slowly got up so not to wake their daughter. Joss followed and Maddie curled up on the couch and remained asleep. "I guess I should go." he murmured as he suddenly became aware of the fact that he was alone with Joss and their daughter wasn't awake so she wasn't chaperoning them.
"Do you have to?" Joss asked, wanting to prolong his stay. They had only two hours alone this entire cruise and she just needed a few minutes with him. "Can't you stay for a few minutes to talk?"
John stared at Joss. He saw something swimming in her eyes, though he was unsure of what it was. "Sure," he agreed quietly.
Joss knew it was playing with fire as she motioned at the bedroom but she didn't care. "We can talk in there, it will be quiet," she suggested.
"Joss I don't think that's a very good idea," he murmured.
"Why not?"
"You know why not," he countered gruffly.
Joss smiled as she felt a sense of déjà vu. "I remember a time in the past where we had a similar conversation," she purred seductively. John had been hesitant to come to her place for dinner because they'd end up in bed together and they had.
"And look how it ended."
"Amazingly," Joss supplied and John chuckled. "Please, I want to talk and I don't want to have to whisper the entire time," she pleaded.
He exhaled as he relented and followed her into the bedroom and she closed the door but left it slightly ajar. She turned and sat on the edge of the bed while John stayed near the door. She cocked a brow but didn't comment.
"Joss, can I ask you something?"
She looked at him and nodded, "You said Harold, Grace, and Leila to Maddie. How do you know them?" he wondered.
She had, hadn't she?—this wasn't the way she wanted him to find out that she knew his friends but then it was par for course for how things went on this cruise. "I met Grace while walking Maddie through Central Park when she was a baby and it just turned into friendship. I met Harold later and Maddie and Leila became inseparable," she explained.
John shook his head. "Leila always talked about a Maddie and Grace said it was her best friend's daughter," he murmured.
Joss smiled softly. "I love Grace and Harold, they are wonderful people,"she murmured.
John nodded. "They are," he agreed.
Joss sighed. The jig was up; she may as well let the cat out of the bag. "Harold and Grace are the friends that got me this cruise for my birthday," she said and John stared at her. "They knew, John. I told Grace about you and our first meeting and she told Harold off-handedly and apparently he recognized the story about Jessica. They put two and two together."
"And set us up to meet on this cruise," John finished.
"Yea. Harold didn't mean to make it so damn difficult for us. He just wanted additional security for Selma. He wanted someone he trusted to be beside Selma's suite," she said and he shook his head. "I thought you'd be more upset with finding out we are mutual friends with meddlers," she teased.
He chuckled softly. "If this was any other day; maybe I would have because they could have just told me about what they suspected. But I can't be entirely too upset. They gave me a chance to find you and I have Maddie now," he admitted.
"When did you meet Harold?"
"A long time ago, I was in the Army and we were polar opposites; he's a bookworm and a businessman. I prefer having my nose outside and not in some book and prefer doing something with my hands than sit in an office." John said with a laugh. "Though he's done well with sitting in an office; now he can own about a hundred offices if he wanted too."
Joss's eyes fell to his hands and shivered. "You are really good with your hands," she agreed.
He cleared his throat as the air between them shifted. "Long story short; we just became best friends. Harold is like an older brother to me."
"We're you close to Nathan?"
"Not really. Nathan was a friend but nothing like Harold and I. Nathan's death hit Harold hard because he had been in the car too."
Joss nodded. "Survivor's guilt."
"Yea, without Grace I don't think Harold would be around still," John confessed. "She's his anchor. She pushes him when she needs too. Hell, she pushes me when she thinks I need nudging," he said with a laugh but Joss also heard respect in his voice.
"It's so evident how much they love each other," Joss agreed.
"Now with Leila their family is complete."
Joss stood up and he took an involuntary step back. "Really, can't trust being near me?" she asked innocently, debating on whether or not she should take another step forward just to see what John would do.
"No," he agreed readily. "Joss, I haven't been with a woman in a while and after last night…"
"How long?" she cut him off.
"If you're asking me if I've been celibate since our one night, no," he said as he shifted awkwardly not really wanting to bring up his two ill-fated affairs. Zoe and Iris were not his better ideas.
"John I doubted you'd be celibate for this long even if I was," she said softly and he relaxed. "How many were there?" she asked and he tensed up again.
"Two."
"Did they mean anything to you?" Joss asked.
"No, they were just one night stands."
Joss cocked a brow up. "Weren't we just a one night stand?" she asked.
John looked at her sharply and she simply raised her brows up challengingly. He shook his head. "You're different."
"Did you know that I was different when you bedded those two women?"
John stared at her. "Yes. But I wasn't ready to accept what you meant to me then," he answered honestly. "Zoe and Iris offered me an escape from the confusing feelings I had for you. I thought I could work you out of my system if I slept with them but it didn't work in either case because you weren't just in my system, somehow, in that one night, you managed to work your way into my heart, Joss."
Joss closed the small gap between them and kissed him. How could she not after that admission? He moaned as his arms wrapped around her and she sighed as she gladly handed over control of the kiss to him as she let her fingers play with the fine hair at his nape. The gentle kiss slowly spiraled out of control as John's mouth was hard on hers, tongue delving deep into her mouth and his hands were getting adventurous.
Joss hummed in harmony as his hands cupped her butt, drawing her against him more firmly as the kiss continued leaving her breathless and wanting more. She grew restless as her body rubbed up against his body, feeling the growing evidence of his arousal pressed firmly against her belly. She broke the kiss to kiss the rapidly beating pulse in his neck; glad to know he had a strong reaction to her too. She slid her hands down and grabbed fistfuls of his tank top, wanting his skin against hers.
He groaned as he looked up at the ceiling, trying to rein himself in. "We need to stop, Joss," he said, trying to collect his sanity but it was so damn difficult because Joss said nothing as she nibbled at his neck with fists tight in his tank. John's hands rested on her elbows. "I need to leave." he muttered trying to free himself of the sexual lust clouding his brain. He had to get to his stateroom and work, not stay here with Joss and make love to her.
Joss leaned back to stare into his eyes that were dark with desire. "Then leave, I'm not stopping you." She slid a hand between them and cupped him through his swim trunks before tracing the long rigid length being smothered in his swim trunks. Joss loved the firmness of his erection and wanted to let this bad boy out to play. She smiled seductively as she teased him through his trunks, "But I'm also not helping you either."
He kissed her savagely as he backed her up towards the bed unable to ignore her touch. It was too much. Last night and then this morning and afternoon with Joss running her hands all over him on the beach, being so close to her while in nothing but a bikini had worn out his frayed control. Now with her touching him in such a way, it snapped completely.
His hands grabbed desperately at the ties of her bikini and undid the top behind her back and then at her neck and the top fell to the floor without a care from either one of them.
Joss could cry with sheer want as John's hands were cupping her breasts, thumbs strumming her nipples as they hardened from his soft touch that ached with the need of his wonderful mouth. She pulled him on top of her on the bed as she never wanted the kiss to end.
But it ended when John pulled free to bury his mouth in her neck as their hips ground together and she gasped in ecstasy. His erection was pressing against her intimately, rubbing sensually against her but it wasn't enough. It wouldn't be enough until there weren't any clothes in their way and he was buried deep inside her again.
"John, less clothes…" she begged as her hips undulated under him, loving and hating that they were so close and yet not touching the way she desperately needed too.
John sat back on his knees staring down at her as his hands went for her bottoms as he craved her before reality struck him and his hands stopped from undoing the bottoms. Donnelly and Shaw were waiting for him at the stateroom and here he was about to have sex with Joss while their daughter slept on the couch, no telling for how long, and like twenty feet away.
"I have to go." he said raggedly.
"What?" Joss asked feeling like he had singed her from inside out. She was so damn wet and achy, pretty sure if John breathed on her that she'd come out of her mind. But instead he was pumping the brakes.
John kissed her deeply, making a sound of regret before climbing off her and off the bed. "I'm sorry Joss; I have to go. I want you so much but I can't," he whispered avoiding eye contact as she sat up. He turned and hurried out of the bedroom. If he didn't leave now he wasn't going to be able to and if anything happened to Selma Gordon-Wixom because he was being selfish, he would never forgive himself.
Joss flopped back onto the bed when he was out of the bedroom in a flash and after a moment she heard the door to her suite open and shut. She wished she could hate his sense of duty since it was getting in the way of reacquainting their bodies but couldn't. He was a good man with integrity; she loved that he was so honorable; her body didn't, but she did.
She looked up at the ceiling with her fingers playing with her breasts. "Four more days, I can make it four more days," she told herself, not sure if she could or not. John was testing her willpower. But she knew she wasn't the only one suffering. John was too. And with that thought she smiled as she forced herself up and off the bed to change. Since she had some time to kill before she woke up Maddie from her small nap, she could call her son and see what he was up too.
John entered their stateroom and saw Shaw sitting with her legs kicked back on the couch, but before she could open her mouth. He spoke first, "No jokes and no comments, Shaw, I'm not in the mood for either," he commanded gruffly as he stormed past her.
Shaw smirked. "Man, do you need to get laid. You're so grouchy. What? You and your hand isn't enough?" she teased, ignoring his order for no jokes.
John turned to look at her. "Where's Donnelly?" he asked.
"Left. The crybaby was whining about his feet hurting and I was sick of listening to his complaining. He'll be back later to watch the Wixoms room for us while we hit the casino with the them," Shaw explained as she climbed to her feet. "And since I've bailed you out a few times; I think I earned the right to go hit some restaurants. Since the bureau is picking up the tab there is steak with my name on it somewhere."
"Yea, go." John agreed, waving her off as he sat down on the couch and saw the suite empty on the monitor.
Shaw smirked. "Have fun watching an empty room," she muttered before whirling around and heading for the door quickly.
He shook his head as he reached for his phone he had left on the table when he went out to the beach with Joss and Maddie. John quickly found Finch's name and tapped it, putting the phone to his ear as he watched the computer screen.
"Hello, John," Finch greeted the moment he answered. "Is Selma alright?"
"Selma is fine," he reassured his overly concerned friend. "How's everything there?—how's Grace and Leila?"
"They are fine. Actually mother and daughter are out walking Bear," Harold said warmly. "So is this a social or a business call, John?"
John leaned back eyes still watchful of the screen in front of him. "It's a little of both. So Harold, were you ever going to tell me that you and your wonderful wife set me up?"
"Pardon?"
"Joss told me everything," John admitted.
"So you and Jocelyn have been talking?"
John rolled his eyes at the smug tone. "You know we have. Joss told me that you placed her in the suite next door to Selma for additional protection."
"Yes, but my intention was to have someone I knew beside Selma. I would never knowingly put Maddie and Jocelyn in danger," Harold said quickly, wanting to reassure his friend.
"I know Harold, relax," John said. "But, Harold, can you explain something to me?" he asked. There was something fishy going on with this case and John just couldn't pinpoint what was unsettling him.
"Sure, John."
"You said you and Richard talked about my credentials after he wanted security for Selma, right?"
"Yes that's correct, John," Harold agreed.
"Was Nigel in on that conversation?"
"No, not with me."
John nodded. "Well Nigel knows. And you weren't in on the meeting between Control and Selma's father?"
"No. I never met your superior before, John. All I did was tell Richard your credentials and I did so with the knowledge that he'd choose you because I insisted you were one of the best," Harold murmured. "Why do you ask?"
"Something's off Finch. Everyone knows but Selma, the one that we are trying to protect. What benefit is there with Selma being kept in the dark about additional security on her honeymoon?" he wondered.
Harold was quiet a moment. "I'm not sure. Richard said he didn't want to disrupt Selma's honeymoon with security following her around."
John nodded as he leaned back. "Thanks Finch; I gotta go," he said softly.
"Sure. I'll talk to you when you have some downtime," Harold agreed.
John smiled as they hung up. He felt bad for ending the call early. He knew Finch wanted to talk some more and he would have to make it a point to go and see his friends and goddaughter when he could but he had a bad feeling creep up into him about this case. And Richard was Harold's friend. He didn't want to call in question Richard's sincerity to Harold. There was something about this situation that sat wrong with him. And maybe if he could solve this case quickly than he could spend what was left of this cruise with Joss and Maddie. He could make love to Joss again and again, wake up and see his daughter bright and early. Be with them.
He tapped Donnelly's name and the man answered slowly. "Hey Reese, what's up?—please nothing that requires too much walking around because I just sat down to relax for a little while."
"Nothing that strenuous, Donnelly but I was hoping you could call your partner and have her run a fine tooth comb through Richard Gordon, especially his finances," John said as he kept a close eye on the computer screen. Ever since that woman broke in nothing had happened since.
Donnelly gave a noticeable pause. "Richard Gordon? As in Selma's father and the Senator that is good friends with our superior…that Richard Gordon?"
"Yes."
"Are you trying to get on Ma'am's bad side?"
"I'm already on her bad side," he muttered.
"True, you got saddled with Shaw as a partner."
"You see her as a hindrance but I don't. Shaw's a good friend and a good partner," he said sincerely. "But there is something about this case that just doesn't sit right with me and I want to know what it is," he admitted.
"And you think it has to deal with Richard Gordon?" Donnelly asked disbelievingly. Reese had good instincts but this one…he wasn't sure about.
"I think he wanted his daughter in the dark for some reason and I'm naturally suspicious," John said.
"Not everyone does things with malicious intent, John; perhaps he truly wanted his daughter in the dark so she could enjoy her honeymoon without any worries," Donnelly commented.
John sat forward. "But that's just it, Donnelly. She has worries. Selma admitted to Shaw the other day that she is scared over the death threats and has been looking over her shoulder. And that she only feels safe when she's with Nigel and hates that she has to live that way but she won't stop being an activist," John explained. "I think there is another reason why her father wanted her in the dark and I want to know what that reason is."
"But to go after his own daughter?—would he do that and what would he profit from doing so?"
"I'm not sure of anything right now, that's where Root comes in," John stated.
"Alright, I'll call her right now."
"Thanks."
"No problemo, Reese," Donnelly said as they hung up. John leaned back and watched the computer screen deep in thought, grateful for some distraction from his intense need of Joss.
AN: John and Joss will manage to find some 'alone' time soon-ish because if they don't I'm afraid I won't have characters left. They may melt into a puddle of nothingness unless I let them burn off some steam eventually, especially John ;D Next chapter:
Ch 17: Detective Carter
Yes, that's the title I'm going with. Thanks for reading!
