AN: Thanks again to those of you who have checked out/read or reviewed the story so far. I will confess to having been a little uncertain how this chapter would go, hopefully you like it. Cheers to my good mate and beta Mashnut for reading this over and giving it the OK - couldn't have done it without you!

Feedback and Constructive criticism are always welcome.

Jaxx

Aim Higher: Chapter 6

It was the most difficult conversation that Jo had ever had to start, and one that she had never envisioned. How exactly did you tell someone that because you had done something stupid their life was in danger? If that were it then it would be bad enough but when you had to explain the reasons behind that danger too…well even if that person were a Saint there was no way on earth the news would go down well. It was for this reason that Jo's voice cracked before she managed to utter another syllable.

'Joey…I've missed you'

Great. Compounding the guilt she already felt was the fact that Blair meant every word she had just uttered. Jo could hear it in her voice, the sincerity of the feeling was behind each one especially the nickname that no one but Blair ever used. A nickname she would most likely never hear again once this phone call had ended. Why did Alex Cabot have to have such a strong moral compass? Why did she take the damn phone? Who was she trying to kid? Jo knew that Alex was right, and apart from that hearing Blair's soft voice after so long was…well it was the best feeling she had felt in a long time. She couldn't dwell on that though.

'I've missed you too Princess, I'm sorry I disappeared on ya…'

'I was worried …'

'I know. It was a last minute op… Cassidy screwed up and they needed a backup plan.'

'Cassidy? That charming Detective you introduced me to at the ball last year?'

'Yeah. He did somethin he shouldn't have and I hadda clean up the mess…'

'Did you clean it up?'

'Sorta…I always hated cleanin up'

'I remember…'

Jo knew she had to snap out of it. She knew she had to tell Blair what was going on. It wasn't fair to pretend that this was simply a 'how's it goin' call when Blair was in very real, very immediate danger. Or at least she would be if she came home too soon. But it was hard to find the words, Jo was smart – she was an ace when it came to academics, she had made many speeches over the years both at school and since becoming a cop. She could talk her way out of most situations… so why not this one?

'Joey…What's going on?'

'I just got back…'

That much was true. She had just gotten back and she always called Blair when she returned from a stint under. That wasn't a lie.

'And… Come on Jo, it's me you're talking to.'

'I needed to warn you… Look what did Alex tell you?'

'That staying in London was the best thing for me for now. She said you would explain.'

Of course she did. That had been the deal. Alex would explain the situation in part, but Jo owed it to Blair to be honest about what was really going on. Even if it cost her the woman who had been her best friend since she was sixteen years old. The woman who gave her life meaning.

'OK here goes… I need you to listen until I'm finished Blair, no matter how you feel about what I'm sayin or how angry you get…'

'Angry?'

'Please Blair… Princess… I…'

'Alright. I promise. No matter what you say.'

'Princess… I really screwed up…'

Jo took a deep breath and she began to relate her story. She missed out some of the details, certain things just couldn't be said over the phone but she related the important information. How Cassidy was certain to go after Blair, how it would be obvious to him who she had been referring to when she was talking about her 'forbidden love'. Blair for her part listened carefully. Jo had never experienced Blair being so quiet, so intense. Jo tried to keep the truth of her own feelings under wraps – how after all these years could she relate her true feelings in a phone call?

'So I need you to stay in London…just until we catch him and the others…'

It was a lame ending to an impressive tale. One in which she had admitted her own stupidity and arrogance. She had tried to down play the danger that she herself was in, preferring instead to focus on Blair's well-being, on her safety.

'Why me?'

'What?' The question had caught Jo completely off guard. It shouldn't have but it did. 'I needed the story to be believable…'

Blair was silent as she contemplated what Jo had said. It was unsettling. Jo had expected fury, yelling, anything but silence. Silence meant Blair was thinking about everything and if she did that then she would figure out the truth behind the tale, she would realise what Jo hadn't told her, had in fact avoided at all costs. If she did that then Jo wasn't sure what would happen next. She had always been so careful to keep her feelings secret.

'I can't stay in London Jo…'

'Can't? Or won't?'

'Both. Jo I need to be in Peekskill on Friday. I need to get back to Eastland to begin interviews for the new term…'

'Blair! Didn't you listen to ANYTHIN I just told ya?' Jo was growing frustrated, her voice becoming louder. 'These guys ain't kiddin around.'

'I am well AWARE of that fact Jo Polniaczek…but the fact remains that I'm needed at Eastland. I will not live in hiding while you attempt to catch a drug cartel…'

'Blair… please…be reasonable…'

'Reasonable? Is it reasonable to expect me to give up my responsibilities because of your mistake? To expect me to hide in London for who knows how long because you say I'm in danger… because you put me in danger!'

'Blair please. Don't do this to me. I need you to be safe…'

Jo was trying desperately to keep hold of the last shred of her temper. She knew that if she lost it she would say something stupid and that would ultimately lose her this argument. She was no stranger to arguing with Blair, hell they had been arguing for as long as they had known each other. It was the way their friendship had always worked.

'You need me to be safe. What about what I need? Have you ever thought about that?'

'I ain't thought about NOTHIN ELSE Blair! I've been thinkin about what's best for you since we were at school!'

'Obviously you haven't or we wouldn't be having this conversation right now!'

Jo tried desperately to coach herself. How had she managed to lose control of this conversation so quickly? Count to ten Jo. Don't lose it more than you have already…It's the only way you're going to convince her that staying in London is the best thing for her. If you lose it any more she'll be on the first plane out here for no reason other than winning this damn argument,

'Jeez… Blair…Princess. I'm sorry. I just need you to understand…'

'I understand perfectly…'

'You don't…I really need you to be safe. If something happens to you I'll…' Jo swallowed hard, she couldn't allow herself to verbalise that thought.

Blair seemed to sense that Jo was at her limit; she sighed heavily on the other end of the phone and waited patiently. Some of her earlier anger seemingly vanishing. Jo however couldn't speak. She didn't know what else she could say. She knew Blair well enough to know that the blonde would be on a plane back to New York first thing tomorrow as she had originally planned. Nothing she could say was going to change that. Blair for her part, needing to keep the conversation going, to assure Jo that she would be alright, eventually spoke up.

'I'll be in Peekskill, I'll be in the school the whole time. Nothing is going to happen to me Joey…'

'How can you be so sure?'

'I'll be surrounded by people the whole time.'

'That won't be enough…These guys ain't exactly shy Blair…'

'Nothing will happen to me Jo, you won't allow it…'

'How can you be so sure?'

'You love me Joey. You always have. Alex has my flight info I'll see you tomorrow.'

Without another word Blair hung up the phone, leaving a stunned Jo on the other end