I do not own Eureka or it would not have been cancelled and we wouldn't have to wait a year for a new season

Jo found Zane easily in the infirmary. She smiled when their eyes met. Hurrying over to him she pulled him into a hug. "I'm so glad you are ok. I was so worried when I heard about the explosion." She whispered into his ear.

Zane pulled away "We need to talk."

Jo felt deflated. Nothing good ever came from the words we need to talk. But she nodded. "Can you walk? We can head to my office for privacy."

Zane nodded, stood and took Jo's hand as he headed for the door.

At least he wasn't pushing her way right now Jo thought as they made her way to her office. It had been two weeks since they had any conversations at all. She knew she had to make this right before he left. She couldn't lose him again, never again.

The door to her office slid open and the pair walked down the steps. Turning to him Jo simply said "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for bailing on Titan and I'm sorry that I hurt you."

Zane looked into her eyes "Don't be sorry. I get it now. You always felt like you had something to prove, but you don't, not anymore."

Jo took in a deep breath and steadied herself for what she was about to say. "On my first date with other you, you said something that made me feel stupid, like I would never be able to keep up with you. I always wondered if that was what made you hesitate when I wanted to get serious. Always wondered when the other shoe would drop and you... no when he would see I couldn't keep up. And then you would leave me."

"Jo, he was an idiot"

"Yeah he was sometimes. With you though I have never felt that way, you never made me doubt myself. You make me feel smarter. Like today all the time we spent studying the life support system, you gave me the knowledge and the confidence to save the day. And I'm glad we took the time to become friends" Sighing again she stepped closer to him.

"When I started studying and training for Titan I had a chip on my shoulder. I never felt that I fit in here, brain power wise. Getting on Titan would prove to everyone in this town, to you to him to me that I belonged here that I was good enough."

"In the interview watching the memory of me and my brothers it hit me. I earned Eureka and I would have earned Titan but I didn't need it. I no longer felt the urge to prove myself. Not to anybody, not to him not to you. Titan should be for scientists who can push new boundaries and explore new possibilities. Not for someone who just wants to prove that she could"

Closing her eyes she continued. "I loved him, I really did and we would have been happy, pestering each other, pushing all the right buttons, fighting, almost breaking up and then making up. This feels like I'm betraying that, because I am pretty sure I love you more. So please don't think I was giving up on you when I gave up on Titan. I am so proud of you. You deserve this, you earned it and you can use this opportunity to redefine the laws of physics" She beamed at him. She needed to say these things let him know how she felt and she needed to stop hiding from him and herself.

Zane closed the remaining gap between them and hooked a finger under her chin forcing her eyes up to meet his. He smirked "I am a narcissistic, jackass, idiot and I'm the one who should be sorry"

Jo couldn't believe her ears, he was apologizing?

"After meeting one of your brothers and seeing the way he treats you, I get it. Carter and I decided to take turns kicking his ass for the way he spoke to you this morning. No one has the right to speak to you like that."

"I can take care of myself but I don't remember him being this bad.. before."

"It doesn't matter that you are more then capable of kicking his ass. The point is that you are MY Jo and I want to protect you. Call it primal instincts."

"Primal instincts huh?" she laughed pushing him back towards her desk. "Like, you Tarzan?"

"Yep Me Tarzan, you Jane. Want me to rip off my shirt and beat on my chest?"

Jo smiled "Yes please. But remember this Jane can kill a man with her thumbs."

"And that is so hot!" He sat on the desk and pulled her close.

"The truth is I'm disappointed you won't be with me on Titan. I'll miss you and I'll miss us."

"It's only six months. That's a cakewalk when talking about the 12 to 18 month tours I've done and I'll be here waiting for you when you get back." She paused waiting for his reaction, she was really asking if he wanted her to wait. Did he?

"I'm done playing games and jumping trough hoops Jo."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Jo stiffened a little. Maybe he didn't want her.

"It means I love you too and I definitely want us to be happy. As long as I can still pester you and push your buttons."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Breathing a sigh of relief.

Zane pulled her in for a kiss; their mouths melded together both fighting for control. Two weeks had been a long time, much to long for him to have been angry at her but six months would be longer. Jo's hands slipped under his shirt. Thoughts of time apart could wait, Zane didn't want to miss a second of the time they had together.