Disclaimer: I do not own Person of Interest or its characters.

A/N: I'm back! Sorry it's been so long. Thank you all for the reviews and the thoughtful PMs. Life has been getting in the way. For those who are waiting on Loyalties, I will finish it. I'm hoping to work on the next chapter this week. I have a stay-cation coming up which will give me time to work on Loyalties and Crisscrossing.

Chapter 2

When Joss Carter awoke the next morning, she yawned and stretched as she glanced at the clock. It was already 9:15. She realized that John had turned off her alarm in an attempt to keep her home from work. Slowly she sat up and swung her legs to the edge of the bed. She took in a deep breath and discovered she could breathe again. She also wasn't the least bit queasy which was a pleasant surprise.

Gingerly, she padded into the living room towards the kitchen, listening for any signs that John might still be home. She rounded the corner to find a note directing her to a bowl of fresh fruit and juice. She turned towards the kitchen counter and saw he had also left her a paper bag from her usual coffee shop. The bag crinkled as she opened it and spotted her favorite, a blueberry streusel muffin. Tucked inside was a piece of paper. In a curly script, it said:

Joss,

I heard you were sick. I hope you feel better. Stop by the shop soon. It's been too long.

Laney

Joss smiled as she read the card from one of their past numbers. Unlike most of their numbers, they had kept in touch with the young barista, who still regularly walked Bear for Finch. Carter took a bite of her muffin and then retreated to the bedroom to get dressed for work.

Forty-five minutes later, Joss Carter strolled through the doors of the Eighth and lifted her hand in greeting to the three unis exiting the building. She quickly plopped into her desk chair and began sifting through a stack of files. It appeared that every detective on the Task Force was going to take full advantage of her being on desk duty to do their dreaded paperwork. She sighed and got to work.

"I thought you were taking the day off, Partner," Fusco said as he arrived back at his desk after his first coffee run of the morning.

"I'm feeling much better, Fusco," she responded.

"Are you sure because Wonderboy called and put you on the sick board?" Fusco asked.

"I'm fine," she responded as she leaned over her desk attempting to see Fusco's new file. "Whatcha working on?"

"Oh no you don't. New case, but you're on desk duty," he stated.

"Come on, Fusco. I think I went on desk duty prematurely. Fill me in on the new case."

Before Lionel could response, Carter's burner phone beeped. "Saved by the bell," Fusco muttered, using Carter's distraction to retreat.

Carter placed the phone to her ear, "Carter."

"Want to get away from that desk?" Shaw asked over the phone.

"What's going on, Shaw?" Carter questioned.

"Something a lot more entertaining than that stack of files in front of you."

"Are you and Finch still watching me through that damn doll on Fusco's desk?" she said glaring at the policeman figurine staring at her.

"Are you in?" Shaw pushed.

"Why not? It's not like I'm serving a purpose here."

"Good, meet me at the park across the street. You're driving," Shaw stated. As Shaw disconnected the call, Carter sighed and wondered what Shaw had up her sleeve today. Anything would be better than sitting at her desk as her sight blurred staring at files.

John took a deep breath as he ran his hand through his hair. He watched as the second graders ran from exhibit to exhibit, peering for a closer look at the animals. Surprisingly, he and Natalie, along with the parent volunteer chaperones, had moving the students through the zoo down to an art. The kids were actually so engrossed with the various wildlife, there was little misbehavior, except from John's nemesis—eight year old Mark Gellar. From his first day at Woodson Elementary, Mark had been a thorn in John's side. Pulling hair, sticking gum under desks and refusing to stop talking, Mark was quite the handful. John's thoughts were interrupted when he felt a hand on his arm.

John turned to face Candace Rogers. As soon as the bus had arrived at the zoo, Candace latched on to John. She was a recent divorcee and the mother of one of Natalie's students. Apparently talk of the new handsome substitute teacher had spread like wildfire through the single mom's at Woodson Elementary. John glanced at the chaperones and noticed they were heavily female, wearing no rings on their left hands. Candace leaned in and in a breathy voice said, "So, John, tell me about yourself." Suddenly John felt sorry for the caged animals because in this moment he knew exactly how they felt. Before he could answer, he heard a voice.

"John, I think some of the boys need a bathroom break. Do you mind?" Natalie called as she approached.

"No problem," John responded a little too enthusiastically.

"Maybe the girls need to go too," Candace stated hopefully.

"Actually, Candace, if you could take the rest of the students to the giraffe exhibit with me, that would be great" Natalie responded. Candace huffed and with one last disappointed look at John, she proceeded down the path with the students.

"Thanks, Natalie," John said as he started to usher the boys towards the restroom.

Natalie laughed good-naturedly and went to follow Candace. "No problem. I've had both of Candace's kids in the last couple of years. I know how she can be, especially with single men."

Joss Carter couldn't stop herself from smiling as she watched John Finley and his second grade class at the zoo. Shaw had disappeared as soon as they arrived on a search for food. Carter stood just far enough away to be out of sight but close enough to have an excellent view. As she watched John lean down to speak with one of the little girls in his class, Carter began thinking that in a few years she and John might be taking their child to the zoo. Absent-mindedly, her hand went to her stomach.

Carter found herself inching closer as she saw blonde, bimbo Barbie latch on to John's arm. She felt a slight twinge of the green-eyed monster, even though she knew she had nothing to worry about. After the Jessica debacle, there was no doubt in her mind that John was a one woman man. She continued to survey the situation and laughed as she saw John's number, Natalie running interference. She already liked the young woman and hoped she was the victim and not a perpetrator. When Bimbo Barbie and the kids continued to the giraffe exhibit, Joss followed at a respectable distance, knowing John would meet back up with the group. A few minutes later, John arrived, three boys trailing behind him in an orderly line. You could take the man from the military but not the military from the man.

Sighing as her stomach rumbled, Carter started to leave when she heard the pitter-patter of a child's feet. She whirled around in time to see a little boy in a yellow checked shirt, trip his pigtailed classmate. Within seconds, the girl started to wail and the mother in Carter forgot all about remaining inconspicuous. Instantly, Carter was at the girl's side, crouching next to her. "Honey, are you ok?" she asked softly.

The girl sniffed. "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."

"It's ok, Sweetheart. I'm a police officer."

"Mark pushed me," the girl choked out between sobs.

"I know. I saw him. Let's get you off the ground and see if we can find a first aid kit." Carter stood and held her hand out to the little girl, helping her to her feet. "What's your name?"

"Deena. What's yours?" Deena asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"You can call me Joss. Let me see your hands, Deena. It looks like you scraped them up pretty good along with that knee."

Deena held her hands out as Carter dug through her purse looking for a clean tissue. "Do you wear a uniform with a hat and stop people who speed? Sometimes my mom speeds."

Carter laughed. "No, I'm not that kind of police officer. I'm a detective." Before Carter could continue, she heard someone yelling.

"Who are you? Get away from her. Deena, are you ok?" Candace asked, placing herself between Carter and Deena. Before Deena could answer, John strolled up to defuse the situation.

"What's going on here? Are you ok, Deena?" he asked focusing on the child. Carter didn't miss the eyebrow raise in her direction.

Huffing, Candace cut off Deena. "I saw this woman with her, John. I don't know what she thinks she was doing."

Ignoring Candace, John faced Carter and put out his hand. "Hi, I'm John Finley. Deena here is one of my students."

"Detective Carter," Joss said as she took John's hand and held up her badge with the other for Candace to see. "It seems the boy over there in the yellow and white checked shirt tripped Deena. I stopped to make sure she got patched up."

"Mark. I should have known," John muttered before focusing on Carter. "Thank you for your help, Detective. You wouldn't happen to know where the nearest first aid station is would you?"

Carter started to answer when Candace interrupted. "I do. I can go with you and Deena, John."

"Actually Candace, I need you to tell Angela to call Mark's parents and take him to the entrance to meet them," John replied. Before Candace could protest, John gestured for Joss to lead the way. "After you, Detective." As Joss and John walked, Deena wedged herself between them, holding hands with both. John and Joss shared a look above the child's head and continued on silently as the little girl chattered.

After the nurse bandaged Deena's knee and hands, Carter said goodbye to the child and Mr. Finley. She watched as John and Deena reunited with the rest of the field trip group. As if in a trance, she didn't hear Shaw approach. "Told you this would be more interesting than all of that boring paperwork," Shaw commented as she finished her ice cream cone.

"I'll give you credit, Sam. You were right," Joss responded as the two women walked to the exit.

After surviving the field trip, Natalie did not give John much of a respite. She was immediately on the ferry, making her way into the City. John was no closer to figuring out why Natalie Jacobsen was their latest number.

"Mr. Reese, I show you are presently outside of the Eighth Precinct. Is that correct? Are you still following, Ms. Jacobsen?" Finch questioned.

"I just followed her here, Finch. Why would she go to a police precinct and one so far from Brighton Beach? I don't like this. Where is Carter?" John responded.

"I show that Detective Carter is three blocks from the precinct, heading in your direction."

"And Fusco?" John asked.

"Inside the precinct," Finch replied.

"I'm going to head off Carter. We still have no idea what is going on with Natalie. I don't want Carter walking in there with so many unanswered questions. Call Fusco and have him meet Natalie."

"I'm calling Detective Fusco now," Finch said as he disconnected his phone call with John. Quickly he dialed Detective Fusco's familiar number.

"I knew it had been too long since I'd heard from you, Glasses. What's up?" Fusco answered.

"Detective, there is a young woman entering the precinct named Natalie Jacobsen. I want you to find out why she's there," Finch explained.

"That's it. No breaking and entering. No stealing files. You just want me to ask someone at a police precinct if I can help her."

"Yes, Detective. I'll be listening," Finch said as he disconnected the call.

"Of course you will," Fusco muttered under his breath. As he looked up he saw Natalie Jacobsen enter the bullpen and glance warily. As Fusco approached, he stretched out his hand. "I'm Detective Fusco, may I help you?"

Natalie continued to search the room as if looking for someone. She ignored Fusco's hand and he pulled it back. "Is Detective Carter here?" she questioned. Fusco raised his eyebrows.

"No, Sweetheart. Detective Carter went to grab some dinner. I'm her partner. Is there something I can do for you? Are you a witness on one of her cases? Family member of a victim?"

"I really need to speak to Detective Carter. I—I better go," Natalie responded as she turned to exit the precinct.

"Wait!" Fusco called in an attempt to slow the young woman. Before he could follow her, his phone rang. "What?" he barked.

"Let her go, Detective," Finch said.

"How's she connected to Carter, Finch? I don't like this. Is Carter in danger because of this woman?"

"I don't know, Detective, but I intend to find out."

"Where is Carter now?" Fusco demanded.

"Don't worry, Detective. Mr. Reese is outside of the precinct. He is going to intercept her. Ms. Jacobsen will not be meeting with Detective Carter unless Mr. Reese is present." Unceremoniously, Finch hung up the phone. Their new number asking for Detective Carter was both perplexing and disturbing. Finch reached for his phone to fill John in on the latest development.

"Hi, I didn't expect to hear from you until later tonight," Carter said into the phone.

"And I thought that you would be home already. Carter, you can't keep pushing yourself so hard."

"John, picking up dinner for myself and Fusco is hardly strenuous or dangerous," Joss retorted. "How are things going with the number? Did Shaw relieve you for the night?"

"Nice change of subject, Detective," John responded, smirking into the phone. "Actually, Natalie is why I'm calling."

"What do you need?" Carter stated unable to hide her excitement at being brought into the loop. The last few weeks, John and Finch had kept her away from the numbers.

"Joss, you saw Natalie this morning. Are you sure you don't recognize her?"

"No, John. Why?" Joss asked.

"Come meet me at the park. I'm across the street."

"Let me drop this food off with Fusco and I'll be right there."

"Joss, I need you to come now." Until he had figured out why Natalie was asking for Joss, John didn't want them crossing paths. Natalie had just left the precinct. He wanted some space between their mysterious number and Joss.

Within five minutes, Joss was approaching John who stood by their usual bench. Gently, she placed her paper sack and cardboard drink holder on the seat. She turned to face John. Lightly she reached up to smooth out the crease in his forehead. He was worried. "So, care to fill me in?"

Quietly, John grabbed her hand and tugged her down on to the bench. Interlacing their fingers, he brought her hand to his mouth, lightly kissing it. "Something is off here, Joss. I'm no closer to figuring out whether Natalie is a victim or a perpetrator."

Leaning her head on his shoulder, she asked, "Why were you so freaked out on the phone?" John remained silent causing Joss to lift her head and make eye contact with him.

"She came all the way from Brighton Beach to the Eighth," he stated.

"I'll admit that's weird but hardly cause for panic. I'm assuming you called Fusco to intercept her."

John nodded his head. "The problem is when she got inside, she asked for you."

Joss bit her lip as she concentrated, wracking her brain to determine what connection she might have to Natalie. Nothing came to mind. "John, there is no reason to read too much into this. Maybe she's a witness or has a tip. Someone gave her my name as a homicide detective. It doesn't have to be something nefarious—at least not her asking for me."

"I'm not taking any risks when it comes to you, Carter. Promise me if she shows back up and I'm not there that you'll run the other way."

"You know I can't ignore someone who needs my help, John."

"That's the problem, Joss. We don't know what agenda she has or who is calling the shots."

"Then it's a good thing that my ex-CIA operative boyfriend is also moonlighting as my personal bodyguard." Joss leaned in as she stood from the bench and gave John a peck on the lips. "I better get this food inside or Fusco is going to go on a rampage."

"Joss, this discussion is not over," John called as she retreated to the precinct.

"Oh I know. I'll see you at home," she called.

Shaw stood across the street from Natalie's apartment, waiting on the young teacher's arrival home. She had been in place for about fifteen minutes when she saw Natalie approach her apartment door. Scanning the area, Shaw immediately noticed a dark clad figure quickly advancing on the teacher. Instinctively, her hand went to her gun. As if sensing the threat, Natalie spun around to watch the man as he bounded up the stairs, onto her stoop. "What do you want?" she called in annoyance more than fear.

"Peter wants to see you, Natalya," the man stated.

"Well, I don't want to see him," she retorted.

"He has been temporarily transferred to Rikers. He may be entering a plea this week. It is not a request, Natalya. He insists on speaking with you. He'll be expecting you at visitation tomorrow," the man said. Without incident, the man descended the steps and disappeared into the dark. Natalie hurriedly entered her apartment, slamming and locking the door behind her.