A/N: Last chapter folks. I hate to end happy stories. I wish they could go on and on forever but, I do have a life too. lol. Hope you guys have enjoyed reading it, as much as I have writing it. Thank you for all the reviews. You all are too kind. :)

As Joss sat the the table of the restaurant trying hard to engage in the conversation and appear pleasant, her mind kept wandering back to the conversation she had with her son.

'Don't settle for anything you don't really want' , those words were ringing in her ears. She knew she didn't have any romantic feelings towards Szymanski, but she just wanted someone to spend time with. Someone to enjoy her company and who was willing to give her some time and attention. But the longer she sat across the table from him, the more wrong she felt for having accepted his invitation. She didn't want to lead him on, and he is a nice man, but he's just not the man that she wanted to be with. She had to end this charade somehow without him getting hurt.

He walked her to her door like a true gentleman.

"Joss, I really had a nice time. Maybe we can do this again sometime."

Joss inwardly cringed. 'There's no way that this is actually going to happen again, but how does she break it to him without hurting his feelings?'

"Bill, this was nice, but... uh, I don't think we were made to be more than friends. Don't get me wrong, you're a nice guy and I do enjoy your company but I don't see us heading down the non-platonic path. I hope I haven't upset you much. I do like you."

"Joss, hey...look it's fine. I'm OK with us being friends. Would have liked to be more, but no hard feelings, at least not on my part."

"I'm glad to hear that." Joss smiled.

"Thanks for dinner."

Bill smiled back, then leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight Joss"

"Goodnight Bill"

He turned and walked to his car and left. She slowly began walking up her steps when she heard his voice suddenly from the shadows.

"I have to say detective, that date ended rather anti-climactic."

She turned around to face him, while he began climbing the steps.

She whispered in hushed tones, "What are you doing here? You realize the CIA could be watching my place don't you?"

"I searched the perimeter, there's no one lurking around besides me." he said with a smile.

"You still haven't answered my first question, "What are you doing here?"

"I'll answer your question if you answer mine first, 'Why were you on a date with that guy?'

"Why! ? Why not? He asked me."

"So you make it a practice to go out with any guy that asks you out? Is that it?"

Joss stared at him increduously.

"Wow! I never believed in reincarnation John, but I guess you're living proof my daddy's come back!" she exclaimed, dripping with sarcasm.

John laughed, "I'm not trying to be your daddy Joss... at least not that kind of daddy."

Joss' eyes went wide as she tried to hide the smile she was holding in.

John spoke again, "One more question, 'If I were the one who asked you out, would you have agreed to it?"

Joss looked him the eyes and pondered the question at hand. She knew in her heart she would say yes to anything he requested of her, but sometimes her head over-ruled her heart.

She tried to answer honestly. "If my feelings were taking the lead, then I would've said yes."

John couldn't hide the relief he felt from hearing that. It made him feel less vulnerable in her presence. He had already exposed so much of himself, he didn't think he could bear her rejection.

He stepped up one more step so he could be at eye level with her and said, "Well, I will say this, if you'd went out with me the ending of our date would've been more eventful than that pitiful display I just witnessed."

Joss laughed. "Were you listening in on my date?"

"No, but I saw that little peck on the cheek... Lame, or shall I say, tame?"

"Well John everyone can't be a wild rebel like you? It takes all sorts to make the world go round."

"Hmmm," He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Why don't you let me show you how a real date should end?"

Joss beamed from ear to ear. "Alright, daddy." she said seductively, "Or do you prefer papi'?"

John smiled and leaned in to give her a soft, yet passionate kiss to her lips.

All the while Taylor was spying out his window cheering on the whole display.

"Yes! Mission Accomplished!" He couldn't hear anything that was being said, but he did like how it all ended.

Taylor reached for his phone and sent John a text message.

; )

John looked down and smiled.

Joss grew curious, "What is it? Message from Finch?"

"No...just an enthusiastic friend," he said while texting his reply, 'go to bed'

Joss smirked. She'll worry about that tomorrow, but tonight she'll just enjoy the moment.

Taylor put his phone on the charger, turned off the light and got under his covers smiling.

"Now on to Operation Step-daddy!"