A/N: I DO NOT own any part of the Law & Order francise, nor do I own the rights to the song Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield. I also do not own the rights to Earth Song by Michael Jackson or Bennie and the Jetsby Elton John. I tell you, I absolutely cannot wait to write the wedding and honeymoon chapters. Abolutely...cannot....wait. I also do not own the rights to the song At Last by the great Etta James.

Pocketful of Sunshine

"Is that everything?" John asked as he closed the trunk of the Kia Sorento Jodi was renting while her car was getting fix. She was reluctant to leave Nikita in the city but John had forced her into thinking that her life was more important, although she personally had other thoughts.

Jodi nodded before sighing as she took a last look at their home. After calling an old friend who she knew traveled and asking a favor, she and John would be on their way to Pittsburgh for about two weeks to try and throw off anyone after Jodi once again.

She ran up the steps quickly before locking the front door as though they were moving out forever. She slowly walked down to where John was waiting at the car.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded before taking a deep breath and getting into the car.

"You okay?" John asked.

"Yeah I've just....never spent more than a few nights away from home since I moved in here." she shrugged.

He looked at her quizzically before starting the engine. They were going going about two and a half hours away. She had been getting so emotional the past few days for extremely stupid reasons. He hadn't said anything for fear of upsetting her even more, but he was just observant.

He grabbed her hand as he drove down her street, stroking it softly. She smiled and held it tightly. It was finally a chance to get away from everything.

************

"Why don't we pull over here so I can stretch my legs for a bit?" Jodi asked as they neared a strip mall in God-knows-where.

John nodded before turning into the parking lot. He immediately regretted not leaving until it was nearly sunset, seeing as how traveling two hours in the dark had left him exhausted even though he had been up for a week straight before working on a case. Now that he felt as relaxed as he would probably get, he became tired easily.

The parking lot was beyond packed which was a surprise since it was seven at night, so he turned into the back of the building. There were only a few cars back there and several people taking a smoke.

As he turned off the car Jodi got out and stretched against the cold night air. Up above the sky was starry and the moon full. John got out as well before closing the door behind him.

"I'm thirsty. Want to run in there with me?" Jodi asked as she stretched. John smiled as he watched her. Her red hair was piled on top of her head she she wore a pare of black leggings, UGG boots, and a hoodie. As usual, she looked like the epitome of beauty, her face make-up free and her attire casual.

"What?" she asked as she watched him staring at her.

"You." he grinned before walking over and kissing her. She smiled before returning it. She had been longing to just kiss him and hold him while they were driving.

He wrapped an arm around her waist before walking towards the grocery store they were parked at. They looked like such an odd couple, him in his constant work attire and her in relaxing close.

"You know, we have never been grocery shopping together." she pursed her lips as they walked through the sliding doors and were met with the cold chill of the air conditioning.

"There's a time for everything." John replied before grabbing a shopping cart. She smiled happily before placing her hands on the other side of the handlebar as well. They began to walk slowly through the store, enjoying each others company for the first time. John found small ways to touch her. His hands around her waist, his lips on the back of her neck, his fingers laced with hers.

"What flavor icing?" she asked as they stood in front of the various flavors.

"You pick." John urged her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his lips to the back of her neck. Their breif stop to get Jodi a drink quickly turned into an adventure where they began picking up their comfort foods with plans of just eating it in the backseat somewhere before resuming on their journey.

"Fine. Just plain vanilla okay?" she looked up at him, leaning into his body.

"That's fine."

She added it to the cart among the pile of fresh fruit, Pop-Tarts, graham crackers, energy drinks, Big Red, Strawberry Shortcake Rolls, and countless other junk food.

Just as she began to move John turned her around before leaning in and giving her yet another long kiss. The newlywed feeling was all over them both despite the fact that they stlill had two months until they were married.

"Um, excuse me." a young man asked as he stood watching them play tongue hockey in front of the frosting.

They both broke away slowly before looking at him.

"I need the uh..." he motioned to the frosting.

They both looked at each other and grinned before grabbing the cart and walking down the aisle. The young boy quickly grabbed his can of frosting before nearly bolting out of the aisle as though a disease lingered.

****************

Jodi giggled softly as she and John sat in the backseat of the car eating the food they had bought. After driving for another half hour they pulled over behind an abandoned strip plaza.

"This is as close to a picnic as I've ever gotten." she smiled.

In the background, Eath Song played softly. Outside the only light came from the stars above and the building across the street. They were parked next to the back door stairs, basically invisible unless anyone drove within ten feet of them.

"Interesting. I would think you'd have tried everything." he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

She hit him playfully before dipping her slender finger into the container of vanilla frosting and sucking it off her finger.

John watched her, feeling warmth stir in his loins as he watched her lick it unintentionally seductively off her finger.

She looked up at him, and caught him staring at her, close to drooling. She struggled not to laugh, having seen the look countless time before. Wanting him to sweat, she grabbed a strawberry from the nearly-empty carton (they were surprisingly good even though they were about five months off-season) and bit down slowly and deliberately, sucking on it.

John's heart pounded in his ears, and he shifted where he was sitting. Her lips curved around the red fruit, and he imagined them elsewhere. He felt his pants become tighter as he struggled to fight off his erection.

Jodi looked down at the strained bulge in his pants and felt her own hormones begin to rage like a machine. She set the leftover leaves back in the container before pulling off her hoodie, revealing nothing but a tank underneath that barely covered her bra and barely fit at all.

John found his eyes planted to her breasts as they strained against the fabric of the small shirt. Now he wondered how he had gone on those long streaks without having sex with her.

She shifted to her knees before crawling over to him slowly. They both looked at each other before he leaned in and kissed her. His hands automatically flew to her large breasts, squeezing them through the fabric. She paused for a moment before crawling back to the third row of the car. She sat smirked at John coyly, urging him to join her. She followed suit quickly before immediately going for her mouth again.

While she tried to adjust to the lack of space, John's long fingers quickly pulled down both her bra straps and the straps of her t-shirt. He pushed her down on her back before beginning to unbuckle his pants as if in a hurry.

"Seems like you've done this quite a few times." Jodi grinned, as she herself still struggled to get comfortable.

"You haven't?" John replied before pressing his lips to her neck.

"No actually. My first time was at the Waldorf, on my boyfriends prom night. Typically cheesy and romantic."

His lips broke from her skin and he stared into her green eyes.

"So this makes me your first for something." he smirked.

"No...." she shook her head.

"What? I thought you sa-"

"More than one thing. Your the first and only guy I'll ever be this insanely in love with." she put a hand on his face.

He paused, taking in her words before kissing her wrist. He could remember, all those years ago, when he finally convinced his girlfriend Eloise Davenport to give it up in the backseat of his father's Mustang. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and the next day they were done. He remembered bragging to all of his friends the next day while actually feeling like the world's biggest jerk. The was brought back into reality when he heard the sound of Jodi's soft moan as his lips caressed her skin.

"I love you." he whispered in her ear about ten minutes after what she had said.

She gave him a smile that said everything needed before pulling his shirt off.

He slid out of it before pulling her own off along with her bra. He pressed his lips gently to her warm breasts before taking one of her nipples in his mouth. She twitched underneath him and grasped his hair. Her ribs pushed against her her skin as she arched her back and she wrapped her legs around his thin waist.

John slid his pants off before pulling off her own things and pulling her onto his lap. He positioned himself before pushing himself inside of her. She let out a small gasp before moving her hips slowly.

Bennie and the Jetscame on, enhacing the moment. John dug his fingers into the small of Jodi's back before biting softly at her shoulder. She threw back her head thrusting her hips faster.

As he held her body tightly, she closed her eyes feeling another dizzy spell pass. She clung to John and consciousness as tightly as possible before it passed. After wondering what they could have possibly been coming from she remembered that diabetes ran heavily in her family. Her father was a type 1 diabetic as well as her brother. She was the only one in a few generations who hadn't had it. She was certain that she didn't, but now she was having second thoughts.

Her vision returned back to normal and she became aware of the tremendous sensation throughout her body as John counterthrusted into her. He buried his face in her neck, breathing in her familiar and sultry scent. The heat radiated from her body and surrounded him.

"Oh God, John. Harder." she moaned directly into his ear, sending a chill through his body. He quickened his pace, bringing her hips into him faster and faster until her entire body ceased and tensed around him. He followed only seconds later before shuddering inside of her. She rested on his lap for a moment before climbing off and laying down across the seat. John got on top of her, resting his head on her chest.

She ran her fingers lightly through his damp hair, before letting out a quiet chuckle.

"What?" John asked, looking up at her.

"Good thing we didn't rent that Toyota. We would've been in the store probably." she joked.

He grinned before kissing the top of her breasts and closing his eyes. Everything felt so right.

***************

"This is a nice place." John commented as they closed the front door for the final time, done moving everything in.

"I know. Lindsay is never here though, which was why she offered to let us stay for awhile. She lives in Columbus. Stock brocker."

John nodded before flipping the switch to the living room. The North Shore estate spoke volumes for its owner. Everything was meticulous and tidy, not a thing out of place.

They small patter of Sadie's feet sounded as she came in behind them. She looked up at John and Jodi and sniffed before turning and walking away. After their little adventure in the car, it was brought back to their attention that she was in fact there and that they hadn't paid any attention to them whatsoever. After easing her out of her withdrawl from having been previously abused, they had spoiled Sadie so much that she was actually becoming quite the little diva.

She both chuckled as she flounced off before turning to each other.

"So...we have any plans for tonight?" Jodi asked raising an eyebrow coquettishly.

"Depends...what did you have in mind?" John replied, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"We could head upstairs and see what happens." Jodi bit her lip before leaning in and kissing him.

"I have a feeling I know what will happen." John replied before grabbing her and throwing her body over his shoulder like he used to. She giggled loudly before watching the stairs retreat underneath her.

***************

Jodi walked into the kitchen slowly, wiping the sleep from her eyes. John sat on a stool reading USA Today and the National Enquirer. As usual, all she wore was one of his shirts with her hair piled on top of her head.

"Morning." she grinned before wrapping her arms around him and kissing him on the cheek.

"About time you woke up. How does breakfast sound?" John asked.

"That sounds good." she smiled before sitting down next to him. While they were gone Betsy would be vigorously searching for the perfect place to hold the wedding. Jodi really wanted to have it on the beach, but all the guests simply wouldn't fit there. The Plaza seemed too cliche after Bride Wars, and she didn't really want to have it in a church.

"How does a shower sound?" she asked before standing up and putting her lean body on display.

He didn't even give it a second thought before he grabbed her hand and led her upstairs.

***************

"Hi Anthony. I'm Detective Benson, the one you requested?"

Anthony watched her as she walked into his room, and was instantly blown away by her beauty. She was absolutely beautiful. He wasn't into the whole cougar/cub thing but he was going to add her to his list of things to do in New York.

"Yeah."

"To start thing off can I ask why you were so interested in me?" she put her hands on her hips, looking down at him. He almost looked just like Jodi. Her beauty certainly matched his handsomeness.

"My sister said that I would probably be most comfortable with you although...she didn't tell me you were such a gorgeous woman."

Olivia had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes. She had been hit on by a fair number of men in her line of work, and she was in no mood to deal with this.

"So, you decided to press charges after all?" she walked over to his bedside.

"Yeah." he said getting serious. "Might as well be a martyr."

"Well, I'm surprised you even know what that word means."

"Well aren't you funny? Maybe if you went out to dinner with me sometime you could show me a little more of that facetious humor." he grinned.

"How about you cut the bullshit so I can get started with this case because it'll be a hell of a lot of paperwork when I get back to the precinct."

He grinned. This was going to be an interesting few months.

***************

John held Jodi's hand as they strolled down the busy sidewalk. After an extremely steamy shower they had gotten dressed and departed for the heart of the Steel City.

Her phone rang in her back pocket and she quickly dug it out before continuing their walk in search of food.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Jodi! It's Grace. Grace Hamilton."

"Oh hi! How've you been?!" Jodi oozed false excitement.

John looked over at and grinned. She was the queen of pretending she liked people when in fact she actually hated them.

"I had just heard you were in Pittsburgh and I was wondering if you wanted to come to a little dinner party I'm having tonight?"

"Oh? Where at?"

"The Andy Warhol Museum."

"Well I would be delighted. I'll be bringing someone as well. What time?"

"Nine. See you there darling."

"Bye-wait! Who told you I was in the city?"

"You know how word travel. Bye darling."

"No! Grace, I need specific names!"

"What's gotten into you? Paranoid all of a sudden? I can't remember. By the way, it's black tie...but like I needed to tell you that. See you."

She hung up before Jodi could utter another word. John looked over at her with a dozen questions in his eyes.

"I'll tell you when we get there." Jodi sighed before putting her phone back in her pocket. Something about this gave her a bad feeling.

***************

The Andy Warhol Museum

117 Sandusky Street

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Saturday, January 30th

"Relax John. There's nothing to be nervous about." Jodi whispered soothingly into his ear as they approached the building which honored the famed painter.

"Yeah there is. I always seem to make a complete jackass of myself around your friends." John replied, his body tense underneath her hands.

"Well you'll only see them a few times throughout the rest of your life so it doesn't really matter. I can't believe you're actually nervous about something." she stood on her toes before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I don't want to embarrass you."

"John just relax. Hm...I have something that might take your mind off things." she smiled wryly.

"What might that be?"

"I have a surprise for you when we get home." she grinned, wrapping her arms tightly around his.

"What kind of surprise?" his attention automatically shifted to the seductive grin on her face and her well-endowed body underneath the tight dress she wore.

"You'll see." she smiled before leading him up to door of the museum.

He put an arm tightly around her waist, and she winced momentarily. John looked over at her but she rearranged her face, hoping her hadn't noticed.

"Names please." the doorman looked up at them both as they approached.

"Jodi Stanford and plus one." she said confidently, grasping his hand tightly in hers.

"Have a nice evening." he nodded after quickly looking through the list and opening the door for them.

She smiled before leading John into the grand museum.

"Plus one? What is this the Oscars?" he half-joked nervously.

"Ugh. Grace think everything where she's present is a phenomenal event. She's more in love with herself than...I can't even find a comparison." Jodi smirked before looking around for some sign of human life.

"Jodi Stanford!" Grace's annoyingly high-pitched voice cried.

Jodi ran up in false excitement to meet her so-called friend before giving her a stiff hug. For some bizarre reason in high school, Grace fell under the impression that Jodi actually liked her. The simple fact was that Jodi hated her. She was one of those girls who did absolutely nothing but gossip about everyone, including those they were supposedly friends with. Beyond that she had to be one of the most selfish, spoiled, and lazy people Jodi knew. She did nothing for others, nor did she care, and Jodi was absolutely appalled that her parents raised her that way.

"My you look fabulous. Gaining a little weight though I would say. And who's this?" she moved on to John.

Jodi ignored the blow before turning to John.

"This is my fiance, John Munch. John this is Grace Hamilton."

"Nice to meet you." John nodded before shaking her hand. Grace gave him a tight lipped smile before going back to Jodi.

"Well come have a drink. Everyone has been dying to see you again. I heard the engagement rumors but I didn't know if they were true."

"Of course you did."

John suppressed a chuckle as Jodi snapped at her. Grace looked back momentarily but shook it off. An interesting night indeed.

************

"When can we leave?" John leaned over and whispered in Jodi' ear as they sat on a couch talking to some of Jodi's friends. He had already embarrassed himself enough and decided to just stop talking,

She looked over at him before rolling her eyes. She was actually having a good time, but if he was really that uncomfortable then she wa willing to leave.

"Fine. Just another 20 minutes okay?" she replied irritably before returning her attention back to her friends. She placed a hand on his thigh to let him know that she wasn't angry.

The minutes crept by slower than he could have ever imagined before Jodi stood up. She swayed on her heels ominously for a moment before grabbing onto John.

"You okay?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Yeah...I think not eating is making me retain too much fluid because my ankles are so swollen right now." she whispered before turning around and waving to everyone. They all raised their drinks to her before she grabbed John's arm and they walked out.

************

"So what exactly is this surprise?" John asked as soon as they walked into the bedroom.

"Sit down." Jodi commanded, pushing him back on the edge of the bed before standing up. She took a deep breath before unzipping the back of her dress and letting it fall to the ground. Her lacy underwear followed suit, bringing John's attention to an image over her right hip bone surrounded by red skin and leading down to what he had deemed The Promised Land.

He looked closer at the scripted scrawl, his eyes putting together his name. Underneath was a single line from the great song At Last, reading At last my love has come along.

"I thought you said that getting someones name tattooed was the worst idea on the planet." he looked at her over his glasses.

"That was before I realized that I'm going be with you for the rest of my life." she tilted her head to the side.

The words echoed through John's mind. She really wanted to be with her for the rest of her life? He had only doubted her feelings for him fleetingly, but this had to prove more than anything that she really did love him.

"Jodi....I love you." he put his hands on her waist, at a loss for words. It was so great to come home to her, when he went through the day at work unable to show his softer side. There was sort of an emotional shield he put up, so that the cases wouldn't affect him so badly, and when he came home to her...it was like everything just seemed to dissipate.

She gave him a smile that said everything needed before leaning in and kissing him. He retaliated hungrily, pulling her down on top of him.

Jodi heard the distinct sound of muffled clatter from downstairs and sat up. John looked up at her, questions filling his brown eyes.

"Did you hear that?" she asked.

"Hear what?"

There was the sound of muffled voices and she got off him.

"Someone is down there." she looked over at him.

His body took over for his mind as he went into cop mode. He got out of the bed before grabbing his gun off the table.

Jodi got dressed and stood up to follow him but he stopped her.

"Stay here." he commanded.

"Wait! John, I can take care of myself!" she insisted, following him.

He turned around and gave her a menacing glare before putting his hands on her arms and pushing her back into the room.

"Stay here." his tone suggested bad results if she argued. She crossed her arms before watching him leave the room and close the door behind him.

John walked down the stairs slowly, the sounds of voices conversing becoming louder. As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs he walked as silently into the living room as possible. Two burly men stood, dressed in black. As John looked them over he he noticed one was giving orders while the other looked to dumb to even know where he was. Common criminals.

"Hey!" John shouted, stepping into the room.

They both turned around before pulling out their guns.

"Drop it!" John screamed, walking closer.

They both took a step back before the leader turned to his buddy.

"Find the girl. Bring her down here, alive. I want this fucker right here to see what we're going to do to her."

John didn't allow him to make another move as he pulled back the hammer on his gun.

"I said drop it!" he screamed yet again.

Both men retaliated with glances and John had no idea what literally hit him before black clouded his vision and he hit the ground.