Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Thanks to Ghostrider for reviewing 7.

The bell over Cafe Diem rang as Grace entered and quickly scanned the area. She spotted the back of Allison's dark head and made a beeline towards her.

"Hey! I've been looking all over for you."

Allison looked up, giving her a big smile. Two days had passed since her binge drinking with Zane, and she was trying hard to adjust to the situation, but it wasn't easy. Jenna sat beside her, holding several playing cards.

"You want to play the winner?" She asked, giving her a smile. Grace sat down across from the little girl.

"I wish I could, Jenna. Maybe next time, though."

Jenna sighed, putting her cards down. She only half-listened to the conversation between the two women, and only perked up when they mentioned data.

"You mean you're gonna find out why my mom was gone for so long?"

Grace nodded.

"I'm just glad to be back." Allison told her, patting her arm. The little girl looked at her mom, but noticed the door open and a familiar figure enter. Her eyes lit up as Jo walked through the door. Her hair pulled back in her customary ponytail, she'd traded her deputy uniform in exchange for a pair of slimming black slacks, button down blouse and black jacket.

"Just a chai with a double espresso shot, Vin."

"How are things with you and Carter?" He asked. Jo sighed.

"They're good. We're... adjusting to having the crew back. It's just... hard."

He set her drink on the counter and took the cash she held out. "Here you go, Jo." She gave him a big smile.

"Thanks, Vin." He nodded and turned to take another customer's order before turning back to her.

"Just give it some time, Jo. Everything will settle down soon. Just give it time."

"Thanks." She took a sip of her drink and give him a smile.

"Jo!" Allison and Grace looked up from their conversation to see Jenna getting out of her chair and rushing towards Jo. "Jo, I won Uno!" Jo looked up, and her eyes widened in delight as the little girl threw her arms around her waist.

"Hey! Good job!" She said, giving her a hug. "I'm so proud of you!" The girl pulled away, taking her hand and swinging them.

"Can we go hiking today?"

"I wish we could, Jea, but I have to help with the Astreaus today. Maybe tomorrow." The girl's face fell. "But, I'll tell you what," She set her cup down and knelt down to the girl's eye level. "how about we make cookies tonight with Daddy?"

"But Daddy can't cook." Jenna said. Jo nodded.

"I know. So how about we make the cookies and we let Daddy decorate them?"

"Okay." She threw her arms around Jo's neck and squeezed. When Jo straightened, saw Grace and Allison at the nearest table. Taking Jenna's hand, she went to them, deciding it was better to get this over with than drag it out. They were working together, so they had to play nice.

"Hey. I'm going out to the Astreaus to help you with the offload."

"Great." Allison muttered through clenched teeth. Grace gave the deputy a tense smile.

"Well, get your backpack and I'll drop you off at school." Jenna took her backpack from her mother and slung it over her shoulder, and then took Jo's hand. Grace and Allison watched as the two slipped through the doors and headed towards Jo's car.

"I hate her." Allison muttered. Grace looked at her.

"Hate's a strong word, Ali. Use it wisely." She stood, going to the door.

"I am using it wisely." Allison replied. Gently, Grace laid a hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze before leaving the cafe.

"Goodbye Allison." Vin called as he went to the counter, setting down several dishes. She nodded, turning and following Grace.

Jo glanced out the window as she put the car into drive and pulled away from the curb. Grace and Allison were standing on the sidewalk having some sort of discussion. Shaking her head, Jo turned her attention back to the little girl in the backseat.

"So, what are you going to be learning today?" She asked, glancing back at Jenna. The little girl shrugged.

"We're learning about the Civil War." Jenna replied.

"The Civil War? That's an awful lot of information for a five-year-old to learn."

"Well, mainly just the Gettyburg speech."

It took Jo a minute to figure out what she was talking about. "You mean the Gettysburg Address." Jenna nodded. "Well, that's a very important speech made by Abraham Lincoln when the Civil War ended."

"What was it about?"

"Well, it's about... how people need to stop fighting and work together. How we can't wage war on another person or people and expect to come out unharmed. Because no one comes out of a war or battle unharmed. No matter if they're right or wrong."

They fell into silence the rest of the way. When they pulled up to the school, Jo climbed out and grabbed Jenna's bag for her. She walked the girl into her class, and gave her a hug.

"Have fun today, Jea!" Jo told her. The girl waved to her before rushing to put her stuff away.

"Bye Jo!"

She watched the girl for several minutes, not realizing one of the teachers had come up behind her.

"Thank you for dropping her off today, Mrs. Carter." Jo looked at her.

"Oh, um... Jack and I... we... we aren't..." She stopped, biting her lip. "Thanks." Then, she turned, heading out to her car.

"We'll see you after school, Mrs. Carter!" The teacher called.

This time, Jo didn't bother to try and correct her.