Hey guys,
thank you so much for your reviews again. Some of you asked me in their reviews, some via PM if I could continue 01x16 and I really thought about it, but I think I'd like to keep the chapters unrelated for now. I might do a sequel and put 01x16 and the sequel as a new two chapter long story tough, but I'm still thinking about that.
Okay, number 17 really did a number on me because I kinda wanted Henry to keep his secret, especially after the terrible flashbacks with Nora, but then again it seemed like the most fitting plot if Henry finally confessed. I hope it did turn out okay :) Enjoy!
01x17: Social Engineering
He feels different kind of emotions. There's definitely relief, still a little fear, but also shame and cowardice. Actually at two points during the case he's been willing to have Jo informed about his condition, but as soon as there was the chance his secret wouldn't get out and he could have a choice in telling her, he chickened out.
Henry recognizes that time has changed. While it was already difficult for his condition to remain a secret over a hundred years ago, he sees that it's going to be even more difficult now, in modern times.
And a part of him, if he's being completely honest with himself, actually wants to tell Jo his secret. He likes her a lot and trusts her.
A time might come when he doesn't get away that easily and he knows Jo should not hear this from anybody else besides himself. But to be honest, not having to tell her in person sounds quite appealing, but he knows it's the cowardice way.
Taking in a deep breath, he makes a decision and gets up from where he's been sitting. He knows and trusts Jo enough to know she won't make his condition public and if she says she doesn't want to work with him anymore after she knows about him, so be it.
Decision made, he takes his keys, tells Abraham he's got something left to do and leaves.
He's quicker at Jo's than he'd have liked and god, he's nervous. Henry tells himself he needs to knock, but before he actually can, the door is opened and he and Jo almost collide.
"Henry?", she asks surprised, a garbage bag in her hand.
"Good evening," he says formally and notices that he seems to get even more formal and old fashioned if he's nervous. He quickly takes the bag from Jo and steps back to the trash can to throw it in.
"Thanks," Jo says when he's back with her and invites him in. Henry follows her, puts his coat on the rack and tells her he'd like a glass of water when she asks him.
"What are you doing here? Haven't seen enough of me today?", she asks and grins as she pours them both some water.
"Funnily enough it's not the main reason," he answers, cracking into a brief smile and Jo grins again and motions for him to sit on the couch with her.
Taking a sip of his water, Henry forces himself to talk. He's nervous and afraid because once he's said it there won't be a way to unsay it.
"You were right," he finally starts, "I've been hiding some things from you. Or to be accurate only one big thing that connects everything." He knows he's rambling and Jo arches an eyebrow at him.
"So what's the secret?", she asks and he swallows against the lump in his throat.
"You asked me why I am so fascinated with death. It's because I want to find the reason why I cannot die." He forces himself to look her in the eyes, but all he sees is confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"I am saying that I'm immortal, Jo. I don't know how or why, all I know that it's true." His heart is beating a mile a minute and he's so desperate for her to understand and believe him.
"Henry, are you alright? I think you're talking nonsense here."
He wildly shakes his head and takes her hands in an almost death grip. "No, I'm stating the truth. Please believe me."
She stares at him. "Henry, I don't understand what you're telling me. It's impossible. No one's immortal. That only ever happens in comics and movies."
"I can prove it," he says panicked because Jo really doesn't believe him and oh god, what is he going to do?
"How?", Jo asks doubtfully.
"I kill myself and you can pick me up later at the Hudson shore."
"Are you out of your mind?"
He stands up and quickly grabs the nearest knife from the kitchen counter. "Do you trust me, Jo?", he asks, his voice trembling and he pleads to everyone who'll listen that she won't turn her back on him.
"I do trust you, Henry, but this is crazy." She sounds panicked now and she sees that he's got the knife.
"I know, but I promise nothing is going to happen to me. I'll be fine. Naked and humiliated maybe, but I'll be fine."
"What?" She looks like she's going to faint any minute now and he believes he needs to act quickly or he's definitely going to lose his nerve.
"Meet me at Hudson shore. Ask Abraham if you don't want to come alone," he tells her and then his pushes the knife right into his heart.
The pain is unbearable, but he manages not to scream. Everything his spinning, he's quickly losing focus and he barely notices how Jo shrieks and runs towards him, but he's already on the floor and he knows it's going to be over any second now.
"Bring a blanket," is all he manages to say before everything fades and spins. He closes his eyes, the pain still there and it doesn't take long until he feels the cold water of the Hudson around him. He pushes up, trying to get to the surface as quickly as possible. It's freaking icy and if he doesn't get out of his fast enough, he's going to die all over again. Breathing hurts like hell, making his muscles move too, and he desperately wants to be warm again.
This definitely was a stupid idea. What if Jo doesn't come? How is he going to explain that to her? There are so many questions.
When he finally emerges from the water, gasping for air, Henry already sees the lights from a car. He desperately hopes it's not a police car because Lieutenant Reece is going to kill him.
"Henry!"
His heart almost jumps out of his chest when he recognizes Jo. She's standing next to her open car door, her face unbelieving and teary and he thinks she's shaking.
Slowly, Henry walks out of the water, aware of his nudeness, but he's more concerned about Jo's state of mind, to be honest, but she surprises him as she runs forward, crashing into him and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Please don't ever do something like that to me again," she cries against his chest and Henry hugs her tightly, his heart beating so hard and he feels her pain, hates that he did this to her.
"Shh, I'm here, I'm okay," he mumbled into her hair and Jo's grip on him seems to tighten.
It takes some time for her to calm down and take a step back and he quickly grabs the blanket she's been holding because now that she's not crying anymore and seems to have a grip on herself again, he's become highly aware of the fact that he's naked in her embrace.
He wraps himself up in the warm material but he still feels cold, chilled to the bones. Jo touches his chest, her fingers gently tracing the spot where he stabbed himself earlier.
"Oh my god, Henry," she whispers awed and looks up at him. "You're like some kind of superhero."
He actually laughs at that because no one's ever put it like that before. "I don't think I am a superhero, Jo," he tells her and is surprised when she hugs him again.
"I thought I'd never see you again," she whispers against his skin and he feels how goosebumps erect his skin. "I can't lose you too, Henry."
"You won't lose me, Jo, I promise," he murmurs and gently starts to move them to her car. It's cold and in the middle of the night and not to forget completely public and anyone could see her hugging an almost naked man.
"Let's get home and warm," he says and gently makes her sit down in the driver's seat and because she still looks like she thinks he's going to disappear any second, he leans down again and presses his lips against her cheek.
She blushes and he uses her stupor to quickly shut the door, circle the car and get in himself.
When he's seated and has fastened his seatbelt, Jo finally starts the engine and while he thinks she seems sorted out again, he's not entirely surprised when she quietly laces her fingers with his as they drive through the night.