A/n: Just a reminder: this site is for fans to write their stories for fun and maybe spread a little joy. If you want professional level writing, go to amazon. That isn't to say that I don't consider a few writers here to have the potential to be a commercial success, cuz yeah, a couple I really do; but at the end of the day we do this for the enjoyment. Don't like what we write or how we write it, don't read. it's really that simple. If we want help, we have Betas for that. I have both been a Beta and have asked for advice from one.
And now, Halloran returns!
Chapter Seven
"Joe?" Halloran's voice rang out as she entered the hallway. "Honey, are you home?"
"In the kitchen, Babe." Joe's voice drifted out.
Halloran kicked her luggage out of the way as she hung her light jacket on the coat rack. She continued to speak as she walked into the kitchen. "gawd the flight sucked. Turbulence the whole way, My back feels like..." she stopped mid sentence as she came in and beheld her love. "Joe!" she screamed. "What happened to you?!" Abruptly her tone changed from shock and worry to anger. "You promised me you wouldn't take on any new cases!"
"Babe, I swear to you I am not on a case. I promised and I meant it. This," he raised his splinted wrist; "is the product of simple bad luck. I fell. That't it. I wasn't ducking bullets, I didn't punch anyone out. I was walking until I wasn't." he smiled and used his non broken wrist to chuck a finger under her chin to gently tip it up so he could kiss her. "I'd like to lie and say I jumped into the path of a speeding train to save a puppy from getting run over, but the truth is, I tripped over my own two feet. Can't even blame a loose shoe lace. I was in loafers." He earnestly gazed into her eyes, which slowly changed from anger and hurt to concern and a little bit of shame for having jumped to the conclusion she did so quickly. She finally nodded and he kissed her again, eve more gently.
"Guess I shouldn't have assumed the worst." She softly said.
"It's okay, Babe. Even I can admit that very rarely I deserve the reputation." Even so, sometimes Joe wished that his past wouldn't keep coming back to haunt him quite so often. (All I want is to be treated like a real adult all the time) he sighed silently. He was hoping the wedding would hammer home the point once and for all. He mentally shook his head to clear the morbid thoughts and smiled brightly. "I had planned on surprising you with dinner all laid out, candlelight, wine, the whole nine yards." he ruefully lifted the splinted arm. "Obviously, that isn't happening." He shrugged. "But!" he continued brightly "I did manage to have it catered." he stepped around the kitchen island and indicated the several take out containers that bore Mr Pizza's logo. "One of Tony's delivery guys dropped it off about ten minutes ago so it should still be warm. But you'll have to serve."
Halloran laughed and shooed him out of the way, as she was downright starving, and the rich spicy aroma of lasagna and garlic bread was making her salivate. Luckily, they owned a wine opener that was attached to the counter and could be operated one handed, so Joe took care of that as she ladled dinner onto plates. She also took a sneak peek at the dessert and squealed at the sight of tiramisu. It was one of the few baked goods she never quite mastered.
They spent dinner with her telling him all about the trip to Chicago and Phil's masterful sales pitches to the potential DoD contractors. She confessed complete cluelessness with regards to the specifics, but trusted that Phil and the team could deliver for the price they presented. "If we get it, it means the main Team will be working steadily for at least the next 5 years. Long term projections are looking to be Millions in revenue!" When Joe didn't react quite as enthusiastically as she had expected( and hoped) she asked what was wrong.
"I saw some of those programs in use, Hon. People died. Sure, most of 'em were the enemy. But not all of 'em. I'm not saying you are Stark Enterprises pre Avengers, but don't get caught up in the hype. That technology can be used for very destructive purposes."
"But you use it all the time!" she cried, a little offended.
"Yes, yes we do. But Dad beat into our heads the enormous responsibility we have in using listening devices, and software programs to track bank records and all that junk. Look, Sweetheart I am not accusing you of being irresponsible or doing anything illegally, just be very aware of what your programs are being used for once it leaves your research lab." He tried to smooth things over, and she let him, more out of exhaustion than anything else.
It was an early night for both of them. Without proper support from a real cast, Joe's wrist throbbed continuously, and Halloran had been going non stop for the week in Chicago. They both fell asleep in minutes, although their normal routine of being cuddled in each other's arms was not possible. Halloran woke up early as she had a ton of stuff to do and almost no time to do it in. It was nerves that woke her and yet she padded downstairs and started a pot, extra strong, and had no intention of actually eating anything.
When Joe came down about half an hour later, he tut tutted at her and said she should eat something.
"I can't. My stomach is all knots." she wailed.
"Honey. You need to just relax. Everything is going to be just perfect." Joe soothed.
"Something is going to go wrong. I know it. It always does!" she refused to be comforted.
Joe needed every ounce of his natural ebullience to keep her spirits up as well as his own. Luckily his cheesy humor and bad puns elicited smiles and reluctant chuckles. They spent the morning quietly, joe having talked her into just staying put and not worrying about this that or the other. Of course he also knew that at 1 Gloria would be showing up to take Halloran to her bridal spa day. Early in the planning stages she had expressed her opinion that she didn't want a bridal shower, as they needed nothing for the home and had plenty of money to pay for the wedding themselves. But Laura had privately suggested to Joe a solution: let her and (at the time) Melody book an overnight spa experience for the three of them. Massages, mani, pedi, facial, the whole nine yards. Joe was all for it and even promised to pack an overnight bag so it would be a complete surprise. When Gloria replaced Melody as Maid of Honor after Mel's untimely demise, she insisted that they keep the appointment.
Of course breaking his wrist complicated matters but Joanna felt sorry for him and had come over one morning to do the packing for him. It was currently sitting in the coat closet buried beneath some ski equipment. All he needed to do was keep her occupied until 1. Unfortunately his preferred method was right out. (shoulda gotten a real cast after all. Who needs a tux jacket for a wedding photo anyway?!) So he was forced to come up with more and more ludicrous things. Although after a bit it got pretty easy , once he started using the 'The doc said I can't use this wrist for anything, Honey' line.
He had successfully invented enough trivial things to get to 1230, but by then he was tapped out. Luckily for him Halloran decided to make lunch at that point, declaring that afterward she would be taking off to do some last minute errands. There was a slight panic at that announcement as he was wondering how to delay her leaving until his mother and Gloria arrived. Fortunately, they were early and showed up as she was putting her purse together.
"Oh, good, you're ready." Gloria said as she entered the kitchen from the back door, Laura right behind her. Halloran just looked at her like she had two heads.
"Ready for what?!" she exclaimed, eyes widening even more at the sight of her soon to be Mother in Law. " I need to do some last minute checks on stuff, I really don't have time to visit."
"Actually, you already have plans, Dear." Joe chimed in. After letting the ladies in, he had gone to the closet and grabbed the overnight bag and was handing it to Halloran, who took it automatically. "You are being whisked away for some self indulgence." He smiled at her. "And I am being whisked away for a night of beer, pizza and manly talk at the cabin."
"But!" she tried to argue.
"No Buts, young lady." Laura spoke up. "It's all arranged. Has been for weeks. And there are no refunds." She smiled to take the sting out of the ultimatum. "Besides, while you were in Chicago, I took care of any last minute things that came up. Which weren't many. Therefore you have no leg to stand on."
"Seriously, Babe, it's fine." Joe urged. "I am being picked up in about 2 hours myself. And it's bad luck to see each other before the wedding anyway. I'll see you in two days, when we are both rested, refreshed and ready to spend the rest of our lives together. Look at it this way, you now get out of having to wait on me hand and foot!"
Halloran finally allowed herself to relax at that comment, and even smiled a little wanly. "So basically, I have no choice?"
"None whatsoever" Gloria replied cheerfully. "Tell you the truth,I need this about as much as you do, maybe more. You are just getting married. Me, on the other hand, am preparing for the most important test of my life."
"Fine!" Halloran gave up with a laugh. "I know when I am beat."
"That's my Girl." Joe said fondly as he kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Go. Have fun. I'll see you at the alter." He also gave his mother a peck but declined to take Gloria up on the offer for one as well, settling for a one handed hug instead. He followed them to the front door and stood on the porch waving until the car turned out of the driveway.
It was less than half an hour later when Frank arrived. "Thought you'd be here at 3?" Joe asked in surprise as he opened the door to the ringing of the door bell.
"Figured you'd need somebody to pack for you." Frank replied.
"Oh. Yeah. That. Good idea." Joe said sheepishly as he stepped aside to let his brother walk in.
Packing took no time at all, as the Tux had been hanging in the closet for a week and so was the bag that held the shoes and accessories. Under instruction, Frank tossed a pair of jeans and a button down shirt into that bag, along with Joe's shaving kit and spare underthings. "Oh, Phil called about an hour ago, Pam's in labor. So he sends his regrets." Frank said as he loaded the SUV. "That means Chet is riding with us now. Biff and Tony will be coming later, after Tony gets off work."
"Works for me." Joe replied affably.
Picking up Chet took no time at all as he was already outside the apartment waiting. He climbed into the back with his bag and directed them to the store where he picked up two 12 packs of Joe's favorite beer. Before 3, the three friends were on the road towards the cabin.
A/n: I know I got a little morally high handed there for a bit, and I really toyed with the idea of cutting it altogether, but at the end of the day I wanted to show the world that my characters are, essentially, human. Joe has always been a little more morally on the straight and narrow when it comes to esoteric stuff( B&E not s much of course heheheh) and has strong opinions about doing the right thing.. such as as shoving aside his personal desires and trying to save Al-Rousasa. It is why he'd suck royally at a true government job, where obeying orders can be in conflict with conscience.