Hey fellas, here chapter 3.. And Ken you must be right O:).. Well read and find out (remember it's a multichapter and short story so I won't take forever on the upcoming chapters).

Thanks again for your reviews and hope you'll enjoy.

When Jo knocked, Abe opened the door and found himself barely speechless

- wow.. Jo.. Okay you're going to melt him away.

Jo scoffed and gave his hand a quick squeeze as he was stepping out to let her in.

- thank you Abe. I hope Henry will like it
- you don't have to worry about him kid, trust me, he's going to be blown away.

A slight blush covered Jo's face. She wanted him to look at her like she was his whole world but she didn't want him to freak out as well.
Abe called upon Henry

- hey Henry ! Jo's there. Come on, you don't want to make a lady awaiting.

Henry replied from upstairs

- thank you very much Abe, I am aware and I'm going down in a few minutes.

Jo was excited but kinda nervous too. Both of them have been working together for over a year and they were close, very close but being partners and 'lovers' were two different things, here she was hoping, everything would go as she expected.

Henry rushed into the stairs and stopped halfway in his tracks, nearly breaking his leg as he watched Jo, waiting for him still with that slight blush on her cheeks.
His jaw dropped open as Abe rolled his eyes

- told you he will like it.

He winked at her and silently wished them a good evening as he made his exit to let them having a moment. Henry slowly came down the stairs and faced his beautiful partner, his heart beating down his throat.
He took her right hand and kissed it like a gentleman as she giggled like a kid

- Jo! Dear. You are gorgeous.
- thank you Henry ! So are you. I think it's the first time I'm seeing being to classy and without the scarf.

He laughed as he entwined his fingers with hers

- yes ! I'm not sure it would have fit for the kind of evening we're about to spend.

She couldn't help the huge smile that was spreading on her face. That man was warming her heart in some ways no one could.
He held her his left arm

- shall we ?

She happily took it and they walked to her car and as they climbed on it, Jo asked

- so.. Where are we going ?
- ChinaTown, if that's all right with you.

Jo didn't except it and nodded

- okay ! But you, in ChinaTown ? Knowing your food tastes.
- no worries Jo, I trust this one.

She shrugged and drove them until ChinaTown. She parked and they walked hand in hand and Jo had no idea where they were heading until the neighborhood started to look familiar.
She gripped Henry's hand tighter as her heart started to beat faster and when they stopped in front of the restaurant, she gasped as Henry just moved one arm behind her waist and drew her closer to him.

- Jo, I never intended to wake up bad memories by picking up this restaurant. I just want you to have a good time and to.. Well to show you that there's nothing wrong with coming back somewhere you've been with Sean, it is a whole new meaning now but if you're not feeling good we can go somewhere else, it's all up to you.

Jo knew she wouldn't avoid some places forever. She raised her eyes to meet his and shook her head, softly replying

- it's all right Henry. I think, deep down, I needed to come here. Let's go and have fun.

Henry gave their names for their reservation and they got one pretty table in a corner of the restaurant, with some romantic touch.
Henry had ordered one bottle of wine just for them. Jo was surprised

- I thought they didn't have any alcohol here especially wine.

Henry just smiled

- yes that is true. But this was a special request for a special dinner.

Jo melted a bit on her chair. She would totally forget about the fact this was her favorite restaurant with Sean. Henry was doing everything so she would spend a good night and so far, it was working.

They settled and ordered their meal and once they started eating, Jo spoke

- thank you for bringing me here. I never dare coming since I told you I went back only once and you had the courage to bring me here and I'm grateful for that because truth to be told, it doesn't hurt as I thought it will

Henry smiled

- I'm glad then

She smiled back to him and said

- but also because I'm with you and this makes me happy among everything else in the word.

Henry nearly choked on his own food and took her hands on his, slowly rubbing his thumb all along her wrist.

- that's all I want Jo. I want you to be happy and I'm glad you are.

He cleared his throat

- to be completely honest with you, I was really nervous about that date

Jo scoffed

- so I noticed. You struggled to ask me out and you never do.
- well.. Jo, you have one power of persuasion over me.

Jo licked her lips as she bit on her food and kept going

- but I was nervous too because you know we're partners, we're working together so it was a bit weird but I was ready for it.. I really want to make it work Henry.
- so do I but I have no doubt it will.
- sure it will ! How's your food ?

She knew Henry had his tastes and he wasn't eating anywhere and especially not in ChinaTown but he made the efforts and he seemed happy with his food

- actually it's excellent. Maybe I should learn not to judge everything from this century by its appearance.

Jo frowned as Henry just caught up what he said and shook his head

- you know I'm a classicist.
- I know.

They ate in silence for a while as Henry was staring at her. She was really enjoying that date. She was so happy and it warmed his heart even more.
He didn't know if he should bring up the tough subject about his immortality and the whole picture's thing or if he should just tell her what he felt. Abe advised him not to scare her away so better keep the immortality stuff for another time and not on a first date, so instead of waiting ten more dates, he would try and tell her what he really felt for her. It has been a year after all and he knew it was true now.
She raised her eyes to meet his and noticed the way he was staring at her. She blushed and asked

- is everything all right Henry ?
- yes ! It is perfect Jo, really perfect. Are you enjoying this evening ?
- I am Henry ! I never been so happy in a while. Being with you.. I mean being so happy, having a goal, is more than I could have asked.

Henry smiled and sighed. He decided it would be the time to confess some bits.

- I do agree on that. Jo.. I know sometimes I have been.. What you would call a pain in the ass and I'm truly sorry for all the useless pain I have caused you. You didn't have to back me up the way you did all year long but you always did and I would like to thank you for that.

Jo slid one hand on his and squeezed it

- what partners are for ? This is my job to protect you and no matter what you will say or do, I'll always do it.

Henry thought she would probably change her mind once she'd know the whole truth about his condition and he would like to say, that wouldn't change the fact if he had to take a bullet for her, he would, no matter what.

- and I know I have been an idiot on countless occasions but Jo you really make me happy. I didn't want to admit it but you changed my life like nobody did in years and I want to be there for you in every single way. My life has been a constant failure and broken hearts and I had truly no real purpose, I was so deep in my work but I met you and the day you walked into my morgue, everything changed, the way I was seeing life and indirectly, the way I was seeing death. You and I.. We suffered a lot, we understand each other pain and all I want is moving on with you.

Jo was touched deep down her heart and she felt all emotional.

- Oh Henry.

She couldn't finish her thought as the waitress came back to take their plates and asked about how their meal was.
Their took a sip of their wine and cheered to their new life together.
After the date they decided to take a walk all along the streets. Jo was holding on to Henry's arm, her head resting on his shoulder as he was humming her shampoo.
The fresh air was really nice and the streets were pretty quiet in that side of NYC.

- Henry I really had one wonderful evening - Jo said once they stopped near a park, facing each other, their breath intoxicating the other.

Henry took a step forward and cup her cheek, blowing on her lips

- I am so happy that you had a good time Jo. And so did I.

She met him halfway, sliding her hands on his chest, looking at him straight in the eye

- and I would like to do that again Henry.
- so detective, does that mean we are a thing now ?
- I think we are doctor and to be honest, I think we've always been.

They leaned toward the other and their lips met. At first it was soft and shy but quickly passion took over and Jo moaned, opening her mouth to deepen the kiss as Henry wrapped his arms around her waist as she tucked into his suit, feeling his tongue battling for dominance.
They were lost in their world, their own bubble. They have been waiting so long to get where they were.
Once the kiss was over, they were so happy that they rested their forehead against the other.
Both of them had their eyes closed and were happily breathing, hugging each other for dear life.
Everything could have keep being perfect, they could have just end up their evening together, rolling in bed or just snuggling watching a movie after a full stomach but something happened.
As they were hugging each other and Henry was ready to confess his whole feelings to Jo.. They heard a loud bang and none of them got the time to react.
It was like a slow motion as Henry turned his head to look at Jo and the horror's on his face was real when her hand pressed her right side where blood was spatting, she looked at him with a desperate look as she said
« Henry »

And collapsed against his chest and he just got time to catch her, as his heart rate increased
He leaned her into his knee, holding on her head and calling 911 with her phone as he looked around them to try to understand where the shooting came from. No one could be seeing, or nothing. The streets were are empty as when they started walking down there.
Henry pressed her wound, brushing her hair as he called for help

- Jo ! Jo listen to me, stay awake Jo. You're going to be all right, I'm right with you. You're going to be fine.

She slowly opened her eyes as Henry kept pressing on her wound, wishing he could give his immortality for the time being so she would be fine. Henry had now tears in his eyes. She cup his cheek and let her hand dropped to his lips

- Henry... There's something I wanted to tell you.. For over..

He shut her up

- shtt Jo, please don't talk ! You're going to be all right I promise. Emergencies are going to be there any time soon, you are not going anywhere Jo, please I need you to stay with me, keep your eyes open.

She was blinking, she was losing a lot of blood but Henry had faith she could live and she will. There was no way on Earth he would lose her but if only he knew who did it.
He hugged her closer to him, wrapping her in his jacket and whispering to her that everything would be all right. As she struggled to keep her eyes open, emergencies finally arrived and took care of her. Henry climbed on the ambulance with her and noticed a figure who was standing near a dark wall. He didn't have time to see but something seemed oddly familiar
As he held out her hand, she blinked a few times, looking at his features, she tried to open her mouth to say something but she couldn't. She just smiled and closed her eyes as Henry felt like a hundred knives were killing him all over again.