Rifiuto: Non Miriena

"Every time I look at her, I want to wring both of their necks."

"You aren't the only one." Zane looked up as Allison joined him.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be... taking care of that ten-inch slug you and Jo found?" He asked, making his way down the steps towards the research lab at GD.

"Already taken care of. Besides, I'm a doctor, Zane." Allison said, following him. "I take care of people, not squids."

He chuckled softly, but stopped in his tracks when he saw Jo. She was talking to one of her colleagues, so engrossed in the conversation, that she didn't notice the two people who hated her most staring at her from halfway across the room.

"She looks so happy." Allison muttered through clenched teeth. Dressed in her typical black, she had forgone her usual uniform, but Zane and Allison could still see the small handgun at her hip.

"What do you say we put our plan into action?" Zane asked, glancing back at Allison.

"Sounds good to me." Taking a deep breath, Zane strode towards Jo, going over what he planned to do silently. She looked up, giving him a quick, tense smile.

"Zane. What can I do for you? Something wrong?" He shook his head.

"No, but I need to talk to you." She shrugged.

"About what?" He glanced around.

"Alone." One perfectly plucked eyebrow raised in suspicion.

"I don't think so, Zane." She replied, moving past him. Allison watched from across the room, following her every move.

"Come on, Jojo, you know me. We're in love." Her head snapped up and she turned to look at him. She was in Zane's face in minutes.

"Don't. Call me. Jojo. That nickname is not for you to use! I don't love you, I love Carter. Get it through your thick skull, Donovan! We were not together before you left, and we will not be together now that you're back. Okay?" She turned to start walking again when Zane grabbed her arm and pulled her into the hall and into an aclove. He pushed her up against the wall, even as she struggled to break free. "What are you doing, Zane? Let go!"

He didn't say anything, instead, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. As soon as his lips touched hers, she jammed the heel of her boot into his foot. He cried out and pulled away and she shoved him aside, rushing down the hall, wiping her mouth on her jacket sleeve. She stormed past several other researchers and up the stairs. Allison turned to watch her and the two women locked eyes.

When Jo finally rounded the corner, she pulled out her cell and dialed Jack's number. He didn't pick up, so she let him a message.

"Jack, it's me. We need to talk. It's about Allison and Zane... there's something off about them both, and it's worrying me. I'll see you soon. I love you."

Once she hung up, she returned to work, keeping a close eye on both Zane and Allison.

She looked up, relaxing when she saw Jack closing the door. He watched her for several minutes before finally asking,

"So, what was so urgent that we need to talk?" She sighed. Jenna sat at the table, finishing her homework. She looked up, and upon spotting Jack, got up and rushed over to give him a hug. "Why don't you go finish your homework upstairs, sweetie. Jo and I need to talk."

"Okay, Daddy." The girl gathered up her things and went upstairs, leaving her door open so she could listen. Once she was gone, Jack went to Jo and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Now, what was so urgent? You sounded upset." She looked up at him.

"Zane... Zane.."

"Zane what?" He prodded gently. She took a deep breath.

"Zane... cornered me at work today and kissed me." She swallowed, making a face.

"Kissed you?" He asked. She nodded. "Did you... did you enjoy it?" He asked, feeling sick to his stomach.

"Jack!" Her eyes widened in horror.

"I was just asking." He said gently. "What did he say before he kissed you?"

"He told me that he and I were in love and that we needed to be together. And then he... he called me Jojo and kissed me." She blushed, ashamed. "It was only a quick kiss on the lips, and I... I stepped on his foot." He chuckled softly. "And, when I went to call you, I looked up and... Allison was watching me."

"That's my girl." He said, rubbing her back. "And as for Zane kissing you... give him time. He's struggling to deal with being back here. He needs time. They all do. And Allison... she's taking all this hard. Leave her alone and let her adjust. Time, Jojo. We all need time."

He held her close, rubbing her back. She burrowed into his chest, letting his words sink in. But even so, it didn't feel right. Something was off with both of them, and she didn't like it. She knew that Zane and Allison were struggling, but their little display of creepiness today did more than just worry her; it frightened her.

When they went to bed that night, they stopped by Jenna's room and kissed her goodnight. As they went to the door, Jenna sat up and reached for Jo.

"They can't take Jo away from us, Daddy. We love her."

"They won't take Jo away from us, sweetie." Jack told her, going to her and stroking her hair as she settled back against the pillows. Jenna looked up at them.

"Yes they will."

Jo shook her head. "No one- no one- is going to take me away from either you or Daddy, Jea. I promise."