AN: Thanks once again to those of you who have read/reviewed /checked out and followed and also for your patience in waiting for this latest chapter. Thanks to my good mate and Beta Mashnut for having a wee read over this and for her continued support with my writing endeavours.

As always reviews/constructive criticism are much appreciated. I'm working on a couple of different fics atm - one for FOL and this but I'll do my best to update both regularly. It gives me something to do other than mark a kazillian essays!

Jaxx

Aim Higher: Chapter 7

When Jo finally appeared back in the sitting room Liv was the first one to notice. She took in her friends' appearance, noting the dazed expression and the slight flush to her cheeks. It was no surprise to her – they had all heard Jo's raised voice; it hadn't taken a genius to figure out that things weren't working out as Jo had hoped. She had in fact expected her former partner to storm into the room and immediately treat them to a tirade about Blair's stubbornness and pig-headedness. That was par for the course whenever she spoke with Blair for more than five minutes, yet that seemed to be the farthest thing from Jo's mind. Jo flopped heavily onto the couch beside Liv and then leaned forward, hands on her knees, eyes closed, a heavy sigh on her lips. The others waited, Serena didn't know exactly what was going on, this compounded with the fact that she had only met Jo tonight meant she didn't feel able to speak. Alex placed a hand on Jo's shoulder, a comforting gesture lasting just long enough to settle the Bronx detective. The comfort didn't last as it brought her out of her dazed state, forcing the swirling emotions to the surface.

'Damn it!' Jo threw her hands in the air, rising to her feet 'Why the hell wouldn't she listen to me!? She's comin home tomorrow!'

'You knew she wouldn't stay in London Jo…'

'I thought maybe you'd convince her Al…'

'She cares about you Jo, she wasn't about to stay in another country while there's a chance you're in danger.'

Jo couldn't argue with that, she knew it was true. Blair would never allow someone she cared about to face something alone if she could avoid it. It was one of the things that made her Blair Warner, something that had attracted Jo to the debutante even when she thought she hated her. That knowledge did nothing to comfort her however as her brain pulsed with conflicting emotions. She had never been more angry with Blair than she was at this moment, not even when they were in Langley, the fury she felt burned in her green eyes for all to see. It was lucky that Blair had hung up when she had, which was exactly why she had hung up when she did. Liv slapped her friends back and grabbed her shoulders from behind in a friendly gesture, as if she were a boxing coach preparing a prize fighter for the final bout, knowing that she needed to snap her out of this before they could work on any kind of plan.

'C'mon Polniaczek. We'll figure something out. Right now we have a hospital to visit.'

'I dunno if I should Benson…'

Liv might have managed to stop the tirade before it really got going but the fury was still plain to see in everything about her posture. Her eyes glowed with white hot anger, but there was also confusion. Liv knew that if she didn't put her foot down on this then Jo would be out the door and speeding off into the night without so much as a by your leave.

'It's non-negotiable. It's Carmichael we're talkin about here…'

Some of the tension dissipated and Jo nodded getting up to retrieve her boots and jacket as the others started getting ready too. Liv knew her too well, knew that no matter how shell shocked she felt she would always do the right thing by her friends. Once visiting hours were over then maybe they could figure out a plan of some sort. They needed a way to keep Blair safe, find Cassidy and bring down Foley and Russo.

...

Abbie was standing in the middle of her room passing the baseball from one hand to the other in rapid motions when they finally arrived. She had no intention of sitting back and taking things easy in the hope that her recovery would be swift. Instead she had decided to make the most of her gift from Jo in an attempt to increase the speed thereof. This despite the warnings of the nurses who had been looking after her for so long, she wasn't willing to sit around and do nothing any more. Each movement, particularly on her right side was painful, causing her to wince each time she passed the ball to her left but she continued regardless. Pain wasn't going to keep her down. She had a lot to be thankful for, the bullet had missed her vital organs, she had been found quickly enough to get to the hospital before the worst had happened and her friends had all survived. Now it was time to take stock of the things she was thankful for, top of her list was the fact that even through their ordeal she and Serena had connected in a way that felt real. More real than anything she had ever experienced, even with Juliet whom she had truly believed she was in love with.

The sound of her door opening caused her to pause in her actions as she greeted each of her friends in turn before pulling Serena in for a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek.

'Told ya it was a good present…'

Liv nudged Jo in the ribs before she and Alex gestured towards the door mumbling about coffee. Jo immediately took the hint and began backing out with the others leaving Abbie and Serena alone. Not that either of the two women noticed, they were too busy gazing into each other's eyes, communicating without words as they so often did these days when they were together. The two sat side by side on the bed, holding hands and whispering softly. Talking about everything and nothing but it didn't matter, they were content.

'Your friend Jo is quite a character…'

'Yeah. I'm glad you've finally met her.'

'She seems to think you're going to take me bowling…or was It to the rifle range…'

Abbie couldn't stop herself from the gut wrenching laughter that erupted at Serena's teasing tone. Despite the pain she just couldn't help it, Serena was laughing too and it was a breathless Abbie who finally squeaked out a response.

'We could do both… or we could go fishing…'

'You'd better be kidding…'

At the serious expression on Serena's face Abbie erupted into more laughter until the tears were flowing freely down her face; Serena who had managed to compose herself was forced to dissolve as she always did whenever she was with Abbie. That was something she had noticed, they always seemed to share a laugh. It felt unbelievably good just to be able to sit with someone and laugh for the sake of it.

'Don't worry honey…I'm planning our date to the letter…you won't be disappointed.'

Abbie punctuated her declaration with a soft kiss to Serena's right hand, lacing their fingers together and revelling in the feeling. Serena blushed but leaned further into Abbie, they were sitting on the edge of the bed so close that there was nothing between them. It was then that the others returned, coffees in hand as they waited patiently until the two almost lovers noticed their arrival. The three made themselves comfortable in various chairs, passing a coffee to Serena and a cup of orange juice to Abbie, even having been handed the drinks Serena and Abbie didn't move.

'How are you feeling Abbie?' Alex was the first to break the comfortable silence.

'Great actually…can't wait to get out of this place.'

Liv and Jo in particular understood the sentiment wholeheartedly, neither of them were particular fans of hospitals.

'You want me to pick ya up?'

'You can't pick her up on your bike Houdini…'

'Wouldn't dream of it Spitfire…I can borrow Buzz' wheels…'

'Buzz? As in Ryan…'

'Yeah, he's my partner now besides he owes me a few favours. He's the one I got your present from Liv…'

Liv, given that they were in a hospital, surrounded by medical staff who would not take kindly to a murder happening on the premises did the only mature thing she could. She gave Jo the finger much to the brunette's amusement and the bemusement of Abbie and Serena.

'Present?'

'Yeah…thanks to you Carmichael…you shoulda seen Benson's face…'