Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Thanks to badkidoh and Ghostrider for reviewing 5.

As the girl settled back against the pillows and Jo tucked the blankets around her, Jack said,

"No one is going to take me away from Jo. Or you. I promise."

"You promise?" Jenna asked. Jack nodded.

"I promise."

"Pinky-swear." She said, holding out her pinky. Quickly, Jack did, giving the girl a smile. When they finished the swear, Jenna held her hand out to Jo, who did the same.

"I pinky-swear, Jea. No one is going to come between Daddy and I. We will always be together. All three of us."

The girl gave them both a big smile. "Goodnight, sweetie." Jo said, kissing her forehead. Then, she went to the door and waited for Jack to kiss her goodnight. Once the door was closed behind them, Jo started downstairs, making her way into the kitchen. She started the coffee and leaned against the counter, Jenna's words running circles in her tired mind.

"Mama took you away from Jo."

She sighed, running her hands over her face, trying to wipe the words from her mind. They made her sick. She only looked up when the coffee finished brewing, and quickly poured herself a cup before adding cream and sugar. Unlike most of her coworkers, she couldn't take her coffee black. She closed her eyes, relishing in the taste as it slid down her throat. The scent calmed her and the taste helped her relax and she sighed in pleasure.

"Mmm."

"Don't tell me you enjoy your coffee more than me." Her eyes snapped open and she turned.

"For now, yes. Would you like some?" She asked, holding out the cup. He took it, giving her a smile as he took a sip. Instantly, his face controted and he shoved the cup back into her hands.

"How can you drink it like that?" He grabbed another cup and poured one for himself, taking a sip. "All sugary and sweet and... yuck."

"I thought you liked sugary and sweet things." She asked, setting her own cup down and wrapping her arms around his neck. He thought a moment.

"I do. But I also prefer certain things spicy and wild. Like you." He set his cup down and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close. She chuckled softly, nudging her nose against his. He kissed her gently, squeezing her waist. She again nudged her nose against his, staring into his eyes. He held her against the counter, running his hands up and down her back. "I love you, Jo."

"I love you too, Jack." She said, surprised at how easily the words rolled off her tongue. Even after four years, that simple phrase still surprised her. The easy of the words in her mouth, and the exciting feeling that filled her stomach as she spoke. But suddenly, Jenna's words came floating back to her and she pulled away, picking up her cup and taking a seat on the sofa. After a moment, Jack followed.

He set his cup on the table and turned to her. She looked down into her coffee and took a shaky breath. She didn't say anything, but Jack knew how Jenna's words had upset her. She kept up a brave face for the little girl, but now, in the quiet of the living room, she let her worry get to her. He reached out and lifted her chin.

"It's not going to happen, okay? Allison is not going to take me from you. I would never let that happen. I couldn't leave you or the kids. I love them and you too much. I love you. I don't- and can't- love Allison."

She sighed. "But you did love her." She whispered. "Nearly five years ago before Astreaus left. You asked her to move in with you. You were going to start a life with her. So you did love her." She pulled away.

"You're right. I did. I know. But you said it yourself, Jo, that was five years go." He took her cup and set it on the table and then took her hands. "I don't love her anymore. When I'm near her, I feel nothing but... but sadness for her. Sadness that she's going to adjust to this badly. I don't feel any sort of romantic feelings for her. And when she kissed me tonight, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing."

Jo's head snapped up and her eyes widened in horror.

"She kissed you!" He sighed, as she pulled away and got to her feet. Tears filled her eyes and she began to shake, the stress of the day was taking its toll on his normally level-headed partner. She went to the window, looking out. Silence filled the space between them for several minutes before she spoke. "I... I can't believe she... did you feel anything for her?" She asked, looking at her. "Did you feel anything when she kissed you? Love, longing? Because if you did, then I need to go..."

"The only thing I felt when she kissed me was awkwardness. Not the longing I feel for you, not the happiness, not the love... I felt none of that." He said, getting up and coming to her. She sniffled, reaching up to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "I feel all that when I kiss you, Jo. Longing, happiness, love- all of it and everything in between."

"But kissing Allison is exactly like kissing me, though." She said, pulling away. He pulled her back.

"Kissing you and kissing Allison are two entirely different things. There is nothing that exactly matches kissing you, Jojo." He whispered, using his private nickname for her. She smiled at him as he brought her lips closer to his. "And there never will be."