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01x04: The Art of Murder

During the case she's shown and told him countless times. She hasn't been really subtle about it, declaring flat out that she considers him her partner. Even when he reminded her that there wasn't anything official and that her real partner was Hanson.

Jo Martinez thinks of him as her partner.

He likes that. He likes it very much. He hasn't been part of a team for very long. Since Abigail's death he's not befriended many people. He hasn't bothered because sooner or later they'd all die and he'd be left alive. Because he's different. He's immortal. He cannot die like normal people. Which makes him strange and weird.

"There you go. We're talking. Getting to know each other."

"You know, just because you don't have a body doesn't mean you can't investigate with me."

She considers him her real partner, takes him with her even if he's kicked off a case and she works to get to know him. He can't think of anyone who really bothered since or before Abigail. It leaves him with a warm feeling inside his chest that Jo actually seems to value his companionship.

He told her about Abigail. He still can't believe it. She makes him trust her and want to share things with her.

What does that mean?

He even went back to the museum. With Jo and later on alone. Everything there reminds him of Abigail and his fond memories of Gloria, but still, he went because Jo wanted him to.

It slowly dawns on him that there aren't many things he wouldn't do for her which is a scary line of thought to follow. Because it means he's starting to develop feelings for her and this shouldn't be happening, right?

Still, he's got a partner now. Henry cannot help but smile.

It vanishes when he realizes he hasn't been a really good partner to her. She's put much effort into this. Taking him with her when she didn't need to, asking him questions and making him face his sad memories.

He knows she's still terribly sad about her husband's death and that it will take a long time, maybe forever to get over him. But there has to be something he can do, right? He lets the red wine circle in the glass.

He'll think of something.

Jo's already in sweatpants when there's a knock on her door. She hasn't been the most fun person to be around lately, so she can't think of someone who would want to pay her a visit, especially at this hour.

"Who's there?", she calls.

"It is me," a familiar says, the sound muffled through the door. "Henry."

She can't help but smile, even if she's surprised. What does he want? She unlocks the lock and opens the door to reveal indeed Henry Morgan.

"Hi." He smiles shyly and she smiles back.

"Hi. Want to come in?" Jo doesn't know how he knows where she lives. But then he is Mr-Know-It-All. Why wouldn't know about this, too?

Henry nods and follows her, nervously stepping from one foot to the other. He looks curiously around and fidgets with his hands.

Jo watches him for a minute. What's going on with him? "All right, spit it out."

She can't believe her eyes but she's sure he's actually blushing a little. He lowers his gaze and the same shy smile plays around his lips.

She has to smile to herself upon his nervousness.

"You consider us partners, right?", he starts and she looks at him confused. Alright. Where the hell is he going with this?

"Yes."

"I realized tonight that you really want this and that you helped me dealing with some difficult memories during the last days. So I want to do something for you." He eyes her thoughtfully. "I see you are already out of your street clothes. Are you up for some outside activity though? Please."

She wants to say no. She really does. But he looks so hopeful and gosh, he wants to do something for their partnership and she likes it so much seeing him putting effort into an interpersonal relationship.

"Alright," she concedes, "let me change quickly."

His smile, the shy adorable one, lights up the whole room and small pieces of her heart. Oh god, she really needs to be attentive.

She jogs into her bedroom, quickly trades her sweatpants for a pair of jeans and puts some shoes on.

"I'm ready," she announces, reappearing at the door.

"Great. Let's go."

She nods, quickly grabbing her phone and keys and following him out of the apartment. "Where are we going anyways?"

At that he looks nervous again. "I am not going to tell you," he says honestly. "Remember, I want to do something for you." He smiles cautiously and they get into his car.

During the drive he tries small talk and succeeds in occupying her mind that she doesn't try to figure out where they are going.

When they suddenly stop, he turns towards her, his face showing uncertainty and nervousness.
"I know this seems really forward, but I think this would be good for us. We both have lost the one we loved and while I know it seems impossible to get over this, I think we should try. You helped me face a difficult place, so I thought I could return the favor."

And before Jo can figure out what he is talking about, he points to a little store in the middle of Chinatown.

Her heart instantly beats a mile a minute. "Henry," she whispers, pain making her voice hoarse, "I can't. I tried once. I can't do this again."

"That's what I'm here for," he murmurs back, squeezing her hand unexpectedly. "Partners, remember?"

He gets out of the car and is at her side a moment later, opening the door in one swift move.

Jo's heart's still beating like crazy and she can't believe she's letting a practical stranger do something that intimate like holding her hand while they eat a late night dinner at her special Chinese place. But that's exactly what she does.

Henry's hand is warm around hers, soft and rough at the same time. She finds she likes holding his hand which is another terrifying realization. But he and his presence help. She's actually able to do this. It still hurts and she still wants to cry, but it's bearable. With him, she can do this.

"Thank you," she mumbles around her chicken.

He smiles shyly. "My pleasure."

She doesn't know for sure but she doesn't believe she imagines his thumb drawing soft circles on the back of her hand. It's nice. She wants to get closer and him to wrap an arm around her shoulders. Not in a romantic kind of way but still intimate. Like a really, really good friend would. Because that's what she feels they're becoming.

He's right. They both need to get over the loss of their loved ones. And she has a feeling, Henry needs to start caring about other people in a more friendly context as well.

It's pretty late when he finally stops in front of her apartment. She blushes when she notices Henry, always the gentleman, gets out as well, guiding her back to her door. Suddenly, this feels ridiculously like the end of a really nice date which is totally inappropriate because she almost cried while holding his hand, eating Chinese and missing her husband like crazy. But it doesn't change the fact that she really likes Henry Morgan, would go as far as call him pretty handsome and attractive and he did something really nice for her tonight.

They stop at her door and he smiles charmingly at her. "I hope you forgive me for being as straight forward as I was, but I think this did us both some good."

She smiles back, gently squeezing her hand. "I know. It was hard, but thank you anyways. You're a good partner, Henry." And because this evening is kind of exceptional circumstances, she lets the situation get the better of her and kisses him.

To her complete surprise he's not as stiff as she feared. He kisses her back, soft and careful and completely appropriate.

When she pulls back, she gently puts her hand to his cheek. "Thanks again," she mumbles, before quickly disappearing into her apartment.