"You guys have golden hearts", Joss sat beside Finch on the couch. "First you gave John off to catch me up at the hospital, even though there are probably other things on his mind and now you also take care of me."

After saying goodbye to her son, who was leaving for a University project only hesitantly, Johns boss has shown up at her place unexpectedly.

"Dont worry, Detective. The cases are coming in uncommonly slowly. I rather fear that Mr. Reese feels a bit underchallenged these days", Finch tried to calm her.

"Thats not what I mean."

"What is it then that worries you?"

"His relationship issues."

"His relationship…?", Harold asked, not being able to hide his confusion.

"Hasnt he told you?" Joss wondered. "Well, honestly, I dont know much either. He just mentioned that its complicated. I wouldnt have asked if I hadnt seen a lipstick mark on his shirt in the first place. The cherry red however wasnt to overlook."

"Cherry...", Finch repeated with a sudden lost in thought gaze.

"Yes, at least I guess so. I mean… I didnt get him in trouble, did I?", she added with a sudden uneasiness.

"No, its just… not that important", Harold laid his focus back on her.

"What about you? Were you able to remember anything that happened in the meantime?" Joss shook her head.

"I wish. Sometimes it feels like there are fragments; moments that are like single puzzle pieces, but I cant see the bigger picture yet. Every time I try to follow a thought it seems to slip through my fingers like sand."

"Give yourself time. Amnesia mostly eases off as quickly as it came."

"Thats what the Doctor told me as well but what if it wont come back? Honestly, I feel like I dont even know who I really am."

Watching her counterpart taking a moment, he evaded her glance once more.

"Dont we all know that feeling at times?", he replied in a way that made her realize to be familiar with the topic.

"Well, maybe youre right and everything will be okay again soon. Patience isnt my strongest asset, though."

"Seems like youre in good company with a common friend", a brief smile stole back in her visitor's face.

"Contrary to you. You seem to have all the patience in the world."

Watching her guest taking another moment, Finch rose the glasses on his nose.

"Something I have learned is that certain things take time. As much as you want to hurry the outcome, it wont be possible or even turn out for the worse if you do."

"So youre giving me the advice to give my memory the time it needs."

"Thats what I suggest, Detective."

After saying goodbye to Finch a little later, Joss sighed. While she understood his way of thinking on a rational level, the situation made her feel restless, nonetheless. Looking around the apartment, she reached for her handbag that Fusco gave her in the ER, turning its contents upside down onto the couch.
Tissues, customer cards, lipstick, a grocery list, she went through the things that didnt seem to solve the mystery. Grabbing for the lipstick next, she opened the lid as something made her pause. For a faint moment a memory passed by; a split second of lips touching hers, followed by an electric feeling that rushed through her veins. In an intuitive reflex Joss grasped for air at the surprising revelation as she tried to focus on whatever her brain was telling her.
What was that?, she focused the lipstick as if it would be able to tell the answer. Lost in thoughts she twirled the item in her fingers when her eyes widened.
"Cherry red", she read the color imprint on the bottom out loud, as her glance fell to the door.
No, this must be a coincidence, Joss told herself, while her thoughts pondered every interaction with John.