Last chapter! This is the longest story I have ever written and I want to thank everyone for sticking with me. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it
Thanks again to my wonderful Betas, ReeseisLAVAhot and Maddsgirl75. I also need to thank everyone who reviewed my story, I have tried to PM everyone that I can with a personal thank you. Thanks to all the Guest reviewers, I wish I could PM and thank you personally.
A week later, Joss was released from the hospital. John, Finch and Taylor brought her home, and got her settled in her apartment.
Finch and Taylor left in search of takeout food for dinner. Joss saw Taylor give John a sly wink on his way out the door and she was quite curious as to what was up.
Joss turned to John, puzzled and noticed that he looked…nervous. That was new. She had seen him in a lot of sticky situations and he had never looked nervous, he had always been cool and calm. Now the tips of his ears were turning a soft pink, along with the skin along those fabulous cheekbones. He shuffled his feet and ducked his head so that he was looking at her from beneath his eyebrows. Joss barely managed to suppress a laugh, he looked so freaking CUTE.
John cleared his throat and pulled a velvet case out of his pocket. "I got you a Welcome Home gift."
Joss put her hand over her mouth, eyes wide with tears as John opened the box to reveal a heart shaped gold locket with a script J engraved on the front and a rather large diamond nestled in the curve of the tail of the J. "John it's beautiful," she gasped. "Put it on me, please."
John smiled and took it out of the case and slipped the chain over her head. The chain was long enough that the locket hung over her heart. Joss opened the locket and nearly cried when she saw the inscription, "Always."
John put his arm around her and kissed her temple, "Do you like it?"
"Oh John, I don't think I will ever take it off." Then she paused and smiled at him, "Does the J stand for John or Joss?"
"Both," he kissed her and held her tight.
Joss buried her face in John's chest and blinked back tears. She had been alone for so long and it was hard for her to believe that she finally was not alone. She thought to the moment John had shot her CI to save her life and how he had gently whispered to her that she was not alone. Little did either one of them know that promise would grow and change into something so special.
John looked down, saw her tears and cupped her head in his large hands, "Are you alright?"
Joss smiled through her tears, "I'm more than alright and you've made me so happy, John."
John kissed her gently, "I know, I feel exactly the same. I never thought I could move on after I found out that Jessica was dead. Then this kick-ass cop started chasing me."
Joss tucked the locket inside her shirt. She realized that it was a good analogy for her love for John, something she couldn't really share with the world, but something she would keep close to her heart.
Finch and Taylor walked in at that moment and caught John and Joss in a passionate kiss. "I take it the present was well received?" Finch asked, his eyes dancing.
Joss smiled and nodded, "I love it!"
"I'm delighted to hear that. Mr. Reese spent a long time carefully selecting that gift."
"Well it's perfect," Joss said snuggling up to John.
"Lets' see it, Mom," Taylor came bounding up to her. Joss pulled the locket from her shirt and showed it to her son. Taylor studied it for a moment then slapped John a high five.
"Come on peeps, food's getting cold," Taylor declared, leading the way into the kitchen.
They ate dinner, then Finch took his leave. "Enjoy your evening off Mr. Reese. I'll call you in the morning if we get a new number. No need to come in unless I call."
"Thanks, Finch."
A little while later, Taylor left as well. "I have my homework done, I'm heading over to Dante's for a couple of hours."
Joss gave her boy a hug, sent him on his way and then joined John. He was at the French doors leading out the small balcony, staring out the windows, but he didn't turn to look at her when she snuggled up to his side. She rested her cheek against his shoulder and waited for him to say something. His jaw moved from side to side briefly, then he finally spoke.
"I never apologized to you, for failing you." He said softly.
Joss looked up him, genuinely puzzled. "Fail me? When did you fail me?"
John looked down at the floor. "I thought you were safe after I killed Carlos Vasquez. Mulroney tried to tell me that the cartel would not have put a hit on you, and I didn't listen to him. I let myself get distracted."
Joss reached up and placed her hand on his cheek and turned his head so that he was looking at her. His eyes were damp and her heart hurt when she saw the pain there. But she was touched that he was letting her see him so vulnerable. She suspected that she might be the first person since Jessica to see him so open and unguarded. Gently she ran her fingers through his the hair at his temple.
"John, pay close attention because, I'm only going to say this once. You did not fail me." John opened his mouth to protest and she moved her hand swiftly to his lips. "Shush, I won't listen to single word you say. Finch, Fusco and I all thought the danger was over. We all thought Carlos was our guy. We all had the same information you did and we all reached the same conclusion. I will not allow you to beat yourself up over this. Stop it."
John didn't answer, but pulled her to his chest and held her tightly while he rested his cheek on top of her head. Joss rested her head against his chest, enjoying the sensation of having his strong arms around her, holding her, making her feel safe and loved. No words were needed.
"I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you," John said. "I don't think I would want to live anymore."
"Don't talk like that, John. You would still have the numbers and Finch. And I would need you to look after Taylor for me."
John turned away from her and resumed looking out the French doors. "I'm not good at losing people, letting people go. You saw my condition after Jessica's death."
Joss slipped her arms around John's waist and leaned her head against his back. "John…"
"I don't let many people in, Joss. I have very few friends. I've been in love only twice. First Jessica, now you. I lost Jess to the one person who should have loved and cherished her like she deserved, like I did. I couldn't bear to lose you, too. I came close, too close in that stairwell. I've lost a lot of people over the years and you know what? It doesn't get easier, it gets harder." John's voice choked off and he was silent.
Joss was stunned, to have someone like John Reese declare that he would not live without her in his life was unexpected, to say the least. Joss never thought of herself as anything special, but she knew John was very, very special. To think that he felt that way about her was…shocking.
"John, I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything. I never told Jessica how much she meant to me and I pushed her away. I just don't want to make the same mistake again. I want to do this right this time."
Joss suddenly realized that despite all John's Bad Ass skills, as Taylor had referred to them on more than one occasion, his big unselfish heart was even more vulnerable and loving than she had previously imagined. She was humbled that such man had allowed her in, had laid his vulnerability at her feet and trusted her so much. She swore she was going to prove herself worthy of that trust, of that love.
Gently she turned him so he was facing her and reached up and kissed him with all the emotion she could muster. She didn't have the words to tell him how she felt, all she could was hope that her actions would somehow let him know how she felt. Somehow he would know that she understood the trust he had placed in her, that he did not place that trust lightly, and that she considered it an honor to be on the receiving end of that trust.
John's arms came up around her, holding her tightly in place while he returned her kisses. Somehow Joss knew he understood what she was trying to say. She pulled back and looked up at him. "I love you, John Reese", she whispered. "Take me to bed."
"Joss, you just got out of the hospital."
"I know and I didn't get any while I was in there." She took his hand and dragged him to the bedroom.
"I don't want to hurt you, Joss," he protested.
"I know you won't," she replied as she pulled her shirt off.
John came up behind her and moved her hair off to one side and slipped his arms around her. He whispered into her ear, "I will do everything in my power to make sure you will never be hurt again." and he began nibbling on her earlobe while she dropped her head back and moaned.
John took advantage of her exposed neck to kiss and nibble his way down to her shoulder while his nimble fingers made short work of the clasp on her bra. The bra joined the shirt in the corner and his fingers went to work on her nipples, rolling them between his thumb and forefinger and tugging on them. Joss groaned and leaned back against his chest for support to keep from dropping to her knees.
After a minute or two she had regained enough presence of mind to realize the while she was half naked, John was still fully dressed. That would not do at all, she wanted this man naked and inside her.
She turned and pushed his jacket off his shoulders. John kissed her and slid his tongue smoothly in her mouth. Joss unbuttoned his shirt while he plundered her mouth, and his shirt was soon on the floor where it belonged. John pulled her close, feeling the skin on skin contact of their naked chests.
Joss's hands dropped to his belt, unbuckled it and popped the button on his slacks. John's hand reached down and stopped her before she could lower his fly. "Are you sure you are up to this?' he asked. Joss could feel his erection, long and hard through his pants, "You seem to be," she purred.
"Joss, baby, I'm serious. I don't want to hurt you."
"I'm fine John. Please, I want this. I need you in me tonight. Take those pants off and get on the bed. now."
John gave her the amazing smile, "Yes, ma'am." he toed off his shoes, lowered his fly and dropped his pants, setting his erection free. He lay back on the bed, and reached his hand out to her, his eyes begging her to join him.
Joss could not get her pants off fast enough. She straddled him and began kissing her way down his chest, loving every scar on her way down while he writhed beneath her mouth and he grasped the bed sheets like he was drowning and they were his lifeline. She smiled against his skin, she loved that she could pull this reaction from him, that she alone could make him feel this way.
Joss took his cock into her mouth, licking the head and lightly scraping it with her teeth. "Ohhh, baby," John moaned as his hips bucked up, fucking her mouth. She took him in until he hit the back of her throat and hummed, eliciting another moan from him. She attacked him, licking and sucking, trying to give him the maximum pleasure she could, until he was on the edge. Then she stopped and smiled a triumphant smile up at him.
"Evil, evil woman," he growled and grabbed her, pulling her up so he could attack her lips. While he was kissing her, he grabbed her hips and moved her over his throbbing erection. He swiftly thrust up into her, causing her to gasp as he filled her completely.
Joss swore she could feel every vein, bump and ridge as he slid into her and she nearly came just from that alone. She managed to control herself, she didn't want to come too soon, she wanted to drag this out as long as she could.
John didn't help when he reached down and started rubbing her clit. He could feel himself tightening, building to climax and he was not about to leave his woman unsatisfied. He felt her walls tightening on him and knew she was close as well. They came together in an intense explosion of feelings and sensations that drained them both.
Joss collapsed on top of John breathing heavily. He touched a cluster of bruises, still visible on her side, "Are you OK?" he asked with concern.
Joss slid off him and snuggled up his side. "Never better," she purred happily.
John reached down and pulled up the sheet and blanket, making sure Joss was covered and warm. He gently stroked her hair and sighed with contentment.
"Go to sleep, Joss. There won't be a new number until the morning."
"Are you going to stay?" Joss asked sleepily.
"Always, my love," he whispered.
THE END