A/N: I forgot that automatically shows k-t rated stories. That kinda irks me.

Jo lay on the sofa, feeling lonesome. She had spent the morning scribbling to entertain herself after Laurie left for work. Twelve pages later she found her story overly eventful, contrasting her day and sending her into a bout of pity. Jo thought of visiting her family but for once the walk was beyond her energy, so Jo was resigned to pottering about the house searching for chores she had already completed.

Oh if only she had amusing company! Jo imagined up a family of four and proceeded to talk to the chairs in which they would have sat as she remained lying down. One advantage to make-believe people was they were never to fussed on your own behaviour, although Jo found it queer to imagine the little girl glaring at her own lazy form.

That was how Laurie found her when he arrived, not an hour till dark. He approached quietly, noting how her lids drooped and her hand curled under her head. Why Jo was falling asleep! Fighting the urge to scare her wits out he shuffled on the wooden floor to alert her of his presence.

"So you've come!" a little voice so unlike Jo's replied to the sound. She moved her head groggily, thanking Laurie when he helped pull her up into a sitting position. A little light-headed from the pull of gravity Jo's head leant against his, "I missed you today," and she sounded so forlorn that Laurie was instantly sorry for his days achievements.

"I'm sorry Jo, but they needed me today. It was great you should've seen-" Laurie stopped his increasing excitement when he saw Jo's shoulders sag. "Oh. Sorry."

"No Teddy, it's no fault but my own." Jo lifted her head to look him in the eye. "You shouldn't have to apologize for doing your job, I've been selfish and idle all day and now you're facing the product – a tired and dazed, bitter Jo. I am very proud of you," she patted his shoulder, "very proud indeed. I should be apologizing for my behaviour – this is no way to greet my successful boy!" Jo smiled at him, pretending to loose her lethargy.

"I think you need a good petting, Miss Jo. Not me," and at her challenging look he added with a pat for her knee, "not today love." She sighed heavily not entirely pleased with his suggestion but too drowsy to argue, especially when he began to take out the pins she hadn't realized were digging into her scalp. His fingers smoothed her hair out and she began to fall on him again at the pleasant feeling. "Don't worry Jo; everything will be well tomorrow when you're put right." Laurie encouraged thinking she was still gloomy.

"All is well now, Teddy."

…

Laurie's eyes darkened and Jo felt the tingling that appeared in her belly when he first touched her deepen into a throb. Jo sat, still adjusting to the sensation and emotion the man who knelt before her induced. "Teddy," she began but he leaned in closely and she forgot how to speak. He placed his hands either side of her and moved his head dangerously near hers. Jo shivered when she felt his breath on her face and she found it odd – she was hardly cold.

Laurie's eyes were on her mouth now and she swallowed. Oh, she knew that look. "Jo," he moistened his lips "I want you." The levity of his statement filled the small amount of air between them and Jo knew she couldn't refuse him. But he didn't. Jo smiled suddenly and Laurie sensed her mischievous spirit appear.

"Oh?" Jo stood, sure to brush her hands across his chest. Jo had never been any good at flirting but after paying close attention to Laurie she learnt how to mimic his actions, even if she hadn't quite got the right tone in her voice.

Laurie smiled; playing along with Jo's experiments generally earned him some reward even if they mostly ended in failure. He followed his wife to the dresser where she was putting away the clothes she had folded before he interrupted earlier. Presently he held her hips, grinning as she vainly ignored him and continued to tidy. Her arms continued to bump into his as she tried to maneuver the clothes from the bed into the drawers, whilst attempting not to smile at the feel of Laurie's lips pressing against her shoulder and neck.

Finally Jo dropped the garment in her hands and she spun around to face her husband, taking hold of his head. "Theodore Laurence, you're impossible!"

Smiling his thanks Laurie moved his hands to her face too, "and you, Jo March are entirely uncooperative." There was a slight pause where Jo's thumb stroked his hair before Laurie bent slightly to kiss his wife with the passion of the boy who proposed in the forest. "But by Jupiter! do I love you," he breathed heavily before starting the backwards tumble to the bed.

…

"Egh" Jo moaned as she sprawled by the sink. She had been ill for the last few days and her mood continued to swing form bliss, to disdain to depression before she could end a sentence. "I hate this!"

Laurie sat at the table nearby, his patient hand rubbing her arm reassuringly contradicting his concerned and frustrated look. Water hadn't helped and when her mother had visited yesterday she had merely smiled at him mysteriously and left him at his wits end with an especially unpredictable Jo.

"I'm so sorry Jo, I'd be sick with you if it'd do any good." The dark look he got made him shrug apologetically. Lord, if he could just help! "Jo isn't contagious" was all Mrs. March had told him in regards to Jo's sickness and she had shooed him away before he could learn how to ease his wife's discomfort.

"I need a doctor Laurie, not a husband." Her mood was sour since she expelled her breakfast and while she realized he meant well she couldn't stop being cross with everything. She just wanted to be well!

Another heave and Laurie stood to rub her back, coming to a decision. "You're right Jo. I'm calling for Dr Banks" and once he saw she was alright for the moment he dashed off.

Sigh. So predictable.