Hey Careesers and POI fans! Hope everyone's been enjoying their summer. Wanted to share my latest Careese story.
The air left his lungs the moment his body hit the ground. John faintly heard another gunshot fill the air. Before he could give way to fear, Carter was kneeling at his side. Urgently she elevated his head. Supporting him with her legs and arms.
"John! John! Look at me. Look at me!"
She was panicking. He could hear it in her voice. He tried to focus on her in hopes she would calm. He moaned weakly, feeling her hand press against his abdomen. An attempt he sure was meant to staunch the flow of blood where the bullet had hit him.
"Too much blood," Joss muttered. Her eyes bucking at the crimson steadily coloring his shirt. "You're losing to much blood."
"Simmons?" He questioned on a whisper.
She blinked. What had he asked? "Gone. I shot him. We're safe." She pressed harder against the wound. "It's too much blood," she repeated.
She was right. John didn't need to see the wound to know she spoke truth. He could feel his strength draining. Could feel the numbness claiming his lower body. Perhaps he was going to die. His number had come up for a reason.
"Joss."
Joss cradled him closer. Her bloody fingers touching his face.
"Shh. You're okay. J-just stay with me"
He saw the tears in her eyes. Heard the unsteadiness in her voice. Felt the tremble in her fingers and knew for certain. Yes, he was dying.
But not alone. She was here. And she was safe.
"Joss…" He tasted blood, but forced himself to speak. "Joss…it's okay. I'm ready."
That seemed to calm her some.
"Keep going. HR is down. You did exactly…what you wanted. Don't stop…being the good cop…you are. If you ever need help Shaw and Finch…will always be one call away."
Vehemently she shook her head. The tears falling in the process.
"No John," she whimpered.
John managed to keep his eyes open, but it was so hard to focus. "Thank you. You've...you've made these past few years…worth living. I don't mind dying now. Here…with you."
"No!" With that one word, the strength returned to her voice. She bent closer to his face. "Stay with me. Please."
Then a moment of heaven on earth. Her lips covered his face. Pressing to his forehead. Then his cheek.
"I'm not ready for you to die. Don't leave me."
"You'll be okay." He was convinced she would. As a friend he had done all he could for her.
"No I won't! John please."
Her mouth found his. The sweet taste of her made him fight harder to maintain consciousness.
"Don't leave. Please. I need you," she whispered against his lips. "Please."
The utter despair tugged at resolve. Did she really need him? Why? She had her son, her job. She had defeated HR. And she had Finch and Shaw to watch over her. With him out of the way, her life might return to normal. He needed her, not the other way around.
"Why?" He murmured. Some part of him needed to know.
She bit her lip. She didn't answer. Only brokenly whispered. "Please."
The please. So simple yet so effective.
He felt the soldier in him rising again. Felt his resolve to surrender to death fading away. She must've sensed it too. For when she spoke next, for the first time, he heard the hope in her voice.
"Yes, stay with me John. We're going to get you some help." She touched her forehead to his. "Just stay with me."
Thanks for reading. I will post chapter two asap.
