Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Thanks to Ghostrider for reviewing 22.

"So Holly had a moment of panic and followed everyone out to the woods with Erica... two firecrackers went on the fritz... just another typical day in Eureka. Just be grateful it's a new year." Jo said, over the pone.

"Uh-huh. How are you two doing?"

"Fine. I'm running late, so I'll be there as soon as I can."

"You don't have to come in today, Jojo. You can stay home with Erica-"

"I know. I just want to check in and work an hour, and then I will go home. I promise."

She spotted Jack talking with Fargo, and after a moment, snuck up to him.

"Hey." He gave her a quick smile, kissing her.

"Where's Erica?" He asked, squeezing her waist.

"At the babysitter's."

"How is the little scientist?" Fargo asked, nodding to Jo.

"Like all one-year-olds. Getting into everything and causing hell." Jo said, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. "Well, I'm going to pick up Eri and go home, since it is my day off." She turned to go, before returning to her husband and reaching out for him. "Jack, are we still on for lunch at the house?" She asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. He nodded.

"Of course."

She smiled at him. "Good. I'll see you at home."

"Looking forward to it." He said, kissing her.

He slipped through the door two hours later, and shut it softly behind him. "Jo-" He looked up at the soft sound of footsteps. Jo was coming down the stairs in a black silk bathrobe. Her hair was in a sexy updo and she was barefoot.

"I thought I heard you come in."

He set his jacket on the back of the sofa and went to her, wrapping his arms around her. "Hey beautiful."

"I love our lunches at home." She whispered, kissing him deeply. When she pulled away, she looked into his eyes and said, "So I was thinking... Jenna's at school, and Eri's sound asleep upstairs... So... how about I spread out a picnic in the bedroom?"

"Sounds good." He said as she untied the robe and let it fall to the floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. Her fingers started working on the buttons of his shirt, and he kissed her deeply. After a moment, he scooped her into his arms and headed to the stairs. "I'll get lunch ready. You just be sure to enjoy it." He told her as they made their way upstairs to the bedroom.

"Where's Jenna? Where's Jenna?" Jo burst through the doors of GD, Erica in her arms. She searched for her husband, and spotting him, she hurried his way. "Jack! I got a call from Jenna's teacher. She left not long after we dropped her off. I don't know where she is, and I've looked everywhere."

"It's okay, Jo, we'll find her. I promise."

They sent out a search party, but turned up nothing. After four hours of searching, Fargo sent both Jack and Jo home, telling them that they'd keep searching. It wasn't until they pulled up in front of the house, that they saw Jenna sitting on the step in the rain. Neither said anything, but Jo was the first out of the car, making her way towards Jenna.

"Mommy?" Jenna called softly, frightened.

"Where have you been?" She asked. "Do you know how wor-" She stopped and slowly took a seat beside her when she saw Jenna's tear-streaked face.

"I went to see my Mom at the hospital. She was gone. I walked there from school, and when I was walking back to school, I heard one of the doctors say that my Mom was living with Mr. Donovan, and that she needed to be back in the hospital because she wanted to take me and runaway with Mr. Donovan. I don't want to go away. I want to stay here with you. I don't want to go, Mommy. I want to stay with you!"

"Mommy?" Jo lifted her head, looking into the girl's eyes. "Did you just..." Instead of answering, Jenna threw her arms around Jo's neck.

"I love you, Mommy."

She held the girl close, looking up at Jack. Erica was curled into her father's arms, with a raincoat, hat and boots on. She looked back down at Jenna. It was the first time Jenna had referred to her as her mother since she and Jack had gotten together. It made her heart swell.

"I love you too, Jea."