Three days passed, and Jessica was fighting the urge to kiss John more and more. She made sure to keep her distance, and it seemed like he was doing the same. They still spent time together. The more they talked, the more she grew to like him. John was like her in that they both longed for something simpler. They felt nostalgic for a time in which they never lived. The times of their parents and grandparents, before the wall went up, and before technology became so dominant.

John had been raised on his father's music. He even admitted that his middle name was Reginald, after one of his father's favorite musicians, Elton John, whose real name was Reginald White. Jessica had been raised on her mother's books. While the material still existed in electronic form, Jessica felt nothing could compare to the feel of a book and turning its pages. While neither of them fully objected to technology, they both agreed that it sometimes went too far, and that some of it was downright unnecessary. It was something that they quickly bonded over, since not many others felt the same way.

The fourth day with no word from the captain, and John was getting frustrated. He wanted the job to be over. He wanted to be able to take Jessica out and get to know her outside of the concrete walls they temporarily called home. He wanted Dorian to stop grinning at him like an idiot whenever Jessica entered the room. But Dorian wasn't an idiot, and John knew it. Of course, Dorian had to know. John had felt his heart beat faster around Jessica. No doubt Dorian picked up on that. He was just thankful Dorian hadn't embarrassed him by saying something in front of Jessica.

She was in the kitchen making herself a sandwich when John decided to get something to drink. He leaned against the entryway to the small kitchen for a moment, watching her at the counter, before he stepped behind her. He felt her body tense against his as he pressed into her, reaching over her head and into the cabinet for a glass. Her head turned toward him as he backed away.

"Just getting something to drink," he said, holding up his glass.

Jessica nodded and put her focus back on making her sandwich, but not before she let her eyes linger down John's body. He smiled to himself as he poured a glass of water, then leaned against the refrigerator.

"How have the nightmares been," he asked.

"Not so bad anymore. Just flashes really." With her sandwich made, she began cleaning up. "What about you? You still having nightmares about the ambush?"

He shook his head. "Flashes, like yours. It's getting better." He took a sip of his water, working up the nerve to ask his next question. "Am I still saving you? In your dreams?"

Jessica smiled, but didn't look him in the eye. "Actually, they don't even get that far anymore. The droid is there, and then it isn't. It happens once or twice a night, but it's over fast."

John pulled away from the fridge and started back toward the living area. "I was kinda hoping you were still dreaming about me," he said with a grin.

"Who said I haven't been?"

John turned back to her. "You just did."

"No, that's not what you asked." She never looked away from her task. She knew if she looked at him she would be gone.

"Okay, so I haven't been saving you," he said as he leaned against the entryway again. "What do I do in these dreams?" Jessica didn't answer, so he moved behind her again. He put his water on the counter, and his hands gently gripped her hips and pulled her back into him. "I'm a trained interrogator," he said. His voice was deep and low, and his breath on her ear sent a chill down her spine. "I can pull it out of you."

"I can't tell you. Not now."

John grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. "When," he asked, with raised eyebrows.

"After the job," she said. Her voice wavered when she saw the look in his eyes. If that look meant what she thought it meant, she felt the same way. She couldn't wait to be free from this case. "If I can make it that long."

"You don't think you can?"

"Not with you this close. Not with your hands on me."

John slowly slid his hand from her arm and took a step back. "I've tried to keep my distance."

"I know... so have I."

"It's hard."

"I know."

Just when Jessica decided to go for it and kiss John anyway, he turned and walked away. She blew out a breath and grabbed her plate and drink. John was sitting on the sofa, so Jessica opted for the chair.

Four more days passed. The tension between John and Jessica was so palpable, that Jessica knew Dorian sensed it. He had to. He was intelligent, and, as a droid, he was able to pick up on things humans couldn't. He hadn't said anything to her, a fact that she was quite happy about, but she saw him smiling sometimes when she and John talked or passed each other.

Of course Dorian knew.

That afternoon, John sat sideways in the chair, with one of his legs hanging over the arm, and Jessica sat on the sofa. They had been watching television, but Jessica found herself staring at John. She followed the lines of his gun holster, which he wore everyday, despite the fact that he swore she was safe. The straps made his chest much more prominent, and she imagined running her hands over it.

The computer beeped, and Jessica gasped, startled out of her day dream. John looked toward her as he stood.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," she said. "It just scared me."

John walked over to the computer and connected to the police station. Captain Maldanado's face appeared.

"We got him. The arrest is being made now."

"Captain, I really wanted to be in on that."

"You're where you need to be, John. Peter Alexander will go quietly, but he won't go down easy. Where's Ms. Townsend?"

John waved Jessica over, and she stood next to his chair in front of the computer.

"Did you really link it back to him," Jessica asked.

"Yes, we did. Rudy left little room for doubt."

Jessica felt the relief wash over her. She felt tension leave her shoulders that she hadn't even realized she was holding. "That's great," she said with a sigh.

"It's very good news," the caption said, "but we still need your help."

"How so?"

"We have a very strong case against Alexander. The only thing that could make it stronger is your testimony."

Jessica shook her head. "I don't know... I don't think I could face him in court."

"You wouldn't really have to. You're in protective custody. We can have you appear in court holographically from a secure location."

"From here?"

"No, not from there. The signal wouldn't get out."

"We'd likely take you to a secured hotel for testimony," John added.

"That's right," the captain said. "As soon as we have a trial date, we'd make the arrangements."

"How long would I have to wait here for the trial?"

"If we tell the judge that we have a witness in protective custody, it will move the trial date sooner. A couple of weeks. A month at the most."

Jessica walked away from the computer. She paced back and forth behind the sofa, shaking her head, her arms crossed in front of her. John watched her for a moment before turning back to the screen.

"Captain, let me talk to her. I'll see if I can get her to agree."

"Okay, John," she said with a nod. "Contact me once she makes a decision, so we know how to proceed."

John nodded, then turned off the monitor. He sat for a moment, watching Jessica pace, before he finally stood and walked toward her. She turned around in her pacing, and almost ran into him. She looked up into his eyes.

"I don't know if I can stay here another month, John. It's starting to get to me."

"What's wrong? The company not good enough for you?" He smiled, but Jessica didn't. He realized that humor wouldn't help. She was too stressed. "Look," he said, "I know it's hard, but your testimony could make the different between a few years in prison, or maybe life. If you tell the court what happened to you... how those droids attacked you... it's more personal than some lawyer or cop retelling the events."

"And you'll be here with me?"

"I'll be here."

"See," she said as she shook her head, "I don't know how I feel about that."

John's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"You know how it's been between us. We're constantly on guard, making sure we don't get too close to each other, trying to stay away from temptation. I don't know if I can do that for another month."

"Do you want another guard?"

"No... I trust you. I even trust Dorian, now." Jessica walked to the sofa and sat down. Leaning forward, with her elbows on her knees, she covered her face with her hands. "Do you really think me testifying would help? I mean, honestly, truly help?"

"Yeah, I do." John stood behind her and waited.

"Okay," she said. "I'll testify."