Hello ! So last time Matt Miller told us some interesting things about the end of season 2 and about Jo & Henry's relationship. So I decided to try to do something. I know I already wrote plenty of stories when Henry revealed himself but there are so many possibilities and well this time it's based off what Matt told us. It's a multi-chapter story. I'll try to post as much as I can because I need to write. That idea has been playing on my mind for a while now and maybe it's going to be a sappy story with the two mains characters being in a love drama lol, but that's how I'm picturing it and well, their love story is, after all, a part of the show, like a big part of it. I don't know how many chapters there will be but shouldn't be too much. Hope you'll enjoy. And again, sorry about my English, don't review just to make a comment about it, it's not my native language as you should know by now.

As for the title of the story, I was out of inspiration and didn't know what else to take and well I was listenting to that song "In my veins" and maybe it does actually fit lol.
Done wit the rant, enjoy :)

Henry was pacing back and forth. That was close, very close... Too much close and he couldn't remain like that not doing anything.

Jo nearly died because she protected him, she took a damn bullet for him, him. He was immortal and he should have been the one taking that bullet for her but when he was about to do so she pushed him on his side and was shot in her abdomen. Henry didn't really remember what happened afterward as he ran to catch Jo.

That run behind a suspect really didn't go well that day and even Hanson basically jumped on the guy after Jo's shot, that didn't make them any less worried or even satisfied with their work.

But fortunately, as they said, she was more shaken than injured. The bullet didn't reach any vital organ, Henry guessed her bulletproof vest really did help her on that one.

She was out of surgery since a few days and she was getting better. She got the authorization to leave the hospital but with the order to rest and be off work for at least 10 days.

She argued but she knew she didn't have the choice.

Henry was visiting her from time to time and telling her what was going on at work.

And the immortal had a lot on his mind. A few weeks ago, Jo and him had started dating but it was mostly occasionally, they were always so caught with their work, they basically really didn't have much time for themselves. He didn't even have the occasion to kiss her yet which was very frustrated.

And which was also frustrated is that he realized that he was so dumb because he didn't tell her the truth yet, he tried and they were always interrupted so he never gather the courage to do it again. And now that she almost died because of one of his hints and Jo following him on his steps, even she assured him it wasn't his fault, he couldn't put that feeling of guilt away and he needed to come clear with her.

She became more important to him than he could ever imagine one year before.

And that's the reason he was pacing back and forth at the shop, in front of Abe who was so done watching him.

- how's Jo doing ? - he asked, hopefully his father would sit but he did none

- she's going to get better. She told me, her stomach still hurts a bit and she's truly annoyed she has to sit at home but she'll be fine.

- great then ! So why are you so nervous ?

Henry sighed and never stopped walking, Abe thought he was going to get sick

- I want to tell her the truth this time Abe. There is no way she's ever going to take another bullet for me. I almost lost her, she needs to know. That's the only way things between us can work anyway.

Abe nodded

- well ! I've been encouraging you for a year and I know you tried to tell her plenty of times. I agree, she needs to be in the confidence, especially if you're going to spend the rest of your life with her.

Henry furrowed his eyebrows

- we are not there yet. We are just courting.

Abe rolled his eyes

- yeah, keep believing that.

Henry ignored him

- nonetheless ! I will tell her. But I would like to take a walk with her before

- so you're going to play all that immortal charm on her so she won't be mad at you ?

- well.. Perhaps. If it does work, why not.

- you're incredible. So are you going to bring a picnic in Central Park, being your whole romantic self and drop the bomb on her ?

Henry shrugged

- I don't know. Yes I wanted to take a walk through Central park and dropped some clues here and there about the past but not sure she's going to take the hint

- You've been dropping clues on her for over a year and I think she knows by now, something is up.

- I do know that but I do not wish to scare away, do you understand ?

- I do. Well, do what you have to do and come back here because you know you'll need me to confirm your story and tell the kid that you're not crazy.

Henry seemed to consider the offer and opened his mouth to say something

- I don't want to think in a negative way but what if she just runs away from me after I told her while we're out?

- then you better run faster.

Henry arched a brow and Abe laughed

- thank you for the advice, son! - he replied in a sarcastic tone

- and you're quite welcome! Now go, she has a lot to hear.

Henry had brought a picnic basket and was nervous as hell when he reached Jo's porch and stood in front of it deciding whether he should knock or not.

He climbed one step and took a deep breath and found himself frozen when his hand reached to knock.

He was about to change his mind, thinking this wasn't worth it when the door opened on a very surprise's Jo, wearing just an usual outfit that he wasn't used to see her in and it just made him lose the track of every coherent thought

- Henry ? Can you tell me why are you creeping in front of my door ?

He tried to say something but nothing came out of his mouth. Jo then saw the picnic basket. She chuckled

- is there something you want to tell me?

She pointed out the basket and Henry finally found the strength to speak

- actually, yes! And that's why I brought that picnic basket. I was thinking, maybe we could stop at Central Park, take a walk and eat a bit there. I mean, if you are willing to, I know you still need to rest.

Jo seemed to be relieved and motioned to him to get in.

- God ! You must know it's driving me crazy to stay home. So anywhere you take me right now is good.

Henry couldn't help his smile.

- make yourself, at home. I'll be down in a few minutes, I need to change

Henry shook his head

- oh, Jo, you don't have to. You're good the way you are

She suppressed a smile

- thanks Henry but this is actually something I usually sleep in. I can't get out with you, especially you, looking like, well honestly, looking like a trash bag. Be right back.

He stifled a laugh and couldn't help watching her climb the steps. God, he was a gentleman but still a man and he had needs and he was starting to be frustrated not to lay one hand on that woman.

He rubbed one hand on his forehead, feeling he was about to get a headache. He was thinking way too much. This wasn't such a big deal... He made a face. Okay, this was definitely a BIG deal. But Jo was a comprehensive woman and a realistic one, plus he dropped a hundred clues on her, she couldn't be that surprised, could she?

He knew he was just trying to convince himself but he just didn't want to lose her, he had no idea what he was up against if Jo was reacting completely differently to all the scenarios he was making up in his mind.

She came back a few minutes later, wearing a long tunic and a legging, her hair tied into a ponytail and he gulped.

If she was trying to make him lose his focus on his main task, well; it was working.

- I'm ready! Of course, I'm driving.

By the look on his face, she knew it wasn't an option. She rolled her eyes

- Henry ! I'm fine ! I can still drive

- I have no doubt about that Jo but you're still in recovery and you should manage yourself, which means, avoiding to drive.

- fine ! But you don't drive and even if you do, not that I don't trust you but I don't trust you behind a wheel.

He couldn't blame her, he hadn't driven in a very long time and he wasn't sure he wasn't going to crash her car somewhere.

Jo leaned on her doorframe

- so, do you want to take a cab or something?

They were a bit far from Central Park so they really didn't have the choice.

- yes ! Let's do that. I'm sorry, I wish I could drive you there myself.

She laughed

- don't worry about that! I'm not that kind of girl.

She noticed he was nervous all the way long. He obviously had a lot on his mind but again this was Henry, he always had a lot on his mind but today, he seemed completely off, more than he usually was.

She knew he was still feeling guilty about her getting shot for him. She reached for his hand which made him startled

- Henry ! I hope you're not blaming yourself again? Whatever happened out there, wasn't your fault. This is my job and if means protecting you, I will do it, no matter what.

He looked at her straight in the eye. That's why he needed to tell her everything

- that's the thing, Jo. You didn't have to do it, I don't deserve someone to take a bullet for me.

She frowned, wondering if he was hearing himself talking

- what are you talking about? If I wasn't there, you would have been dead. It's fine, again, it's my job.

He mumbled

- this still doesn't convince me. You just shouldn't have to do it

Arguing with Henry was the last thing she needed so she chose to remain silenced until they reached their destination.

Henry paid the cab driver and ignored Jo's protestations and took her hand to start walking in the park.

It was almost summer and the weather was very nice, the reason Jo was wearing a simple outfit. He kept thinking about what and how to tell her the truth. He didn't want to scare her away and he needed her to come to the shop with him after dropping the bomb on her, he hoped she wasn't going to run.

He released her hand to move one arm around her shoulders and she entwined her fingers with his, leaning her head on his shoulder and kissing his palms. Both of them walking like the perfect married couple.

They were just enjoying the moment while Henry was still very lost in his thoughts.

Jo cut him off short

- so, how are things going at the precinct?

He blinked twice and replied

- to be honest with you, things are a bit boring without you and the cases aren't very exciting. I feel like all the bad guys are hiding knowing you are in recovery.

Jo felt proud and whispered in his ear

- I'm that good, am I?

Henry smiled and nodded

- yes ! You are.

Henry found a spot near Bethesda fountain. As it was pretty much late, there wasn't a lot of people around. He put the blanket down and guided Jo on it. When she saw the delicious meal on the basket, her face enlighten

- my stomach is grumbling with pleasure just by looking at it. Let me guess, Abe was around?

- Yes ! You know, I can cook but Abe is pretty much kicking me out of the kitchen all the time and he really wanted us to enjoy our meal before...

He stopped himself and melted a bit on the blanket. Jo raised a suspicious eye brow

- you didn't bring me here only for a romantic picnic, did you?

He shook his head

- that is right. There is something I need to talk to you about but first, I would love for us to eat

Jo kinda felt the talk coming and started stressing out, she was scared what he was going to reveal because she was certain, it was a revelation.

Henry removed the plates and the silverware and they ate in silence, sharing some jokes and smiles from time to time.

After the meal, Jo decided to move to sit between Henry's legs and snuggled against him.

Henry couldn't take his eyes off her and tried to capture her whole beauty like it was the last time he was seeing her. He leaned his chin on her head, closing his eyes at the contact between them. He wished they could remain like that forever but before that, he needed to come clean about his past and from there, then he would quickly know if he was going to have many more moments like these with her.

When the fountain started to be deserted, Henry knew it was time to tell her that part of him. He got up and held up a hand for her. She took it and they walked toward the fountain and Henry motioned her to sit while he was standing in front of her. All the sudden, all she was thinking about had nothing to do with any revelation. She looked around

- huh.. Henry... What are we doing exactly ?

He didn't understand at first and Jo gestured toward her pose and the way he was standing in front of her and the fact he was nervous.

He laughed

- calm down Jo, I'm not proposing. I'm afraid it's far more complicated.

Jo bit her lips. Of course she didn't expect him to really propose or maybe, Henry was very old fashion but they didn't even kiss yet so that would have been awkward.

- tell me then ! I will listen

Henry nodded

- I know you will. I'm just afraid of the after.

- I can support anything.

- yes... Jo, it's very complicated and I know you are strong and comprehensive but this time, I'm not sure you will.

She seemed to get it

- does it have anything to do with that picture I found at the station last year and that we never had a moment to talk about it?

She was giving him a big opportunity there

- Indeed it does - he sighed - well, now I can't back up from that one

- no ! Come on, I'm listening.

He took a sit next to her, not to close, in case she was deciding to shoot him even she wasn't wearing her gun right now... Or was she ? But where the hell would she hide it ? He shook his head, this wasn't the time to think about that.

- all right Jo ! I have to warn you, you're going to think I'm crazy and that my story comes from a fairytale and I won't blame you, you have the right to think so because I can still hardly believe it myself. Before I start talking, I would like you to make me a promise ?

She nodded

- I would like you to come with me to the shop once I'm done talking. Because I need Abe for a part of this story and if you don't believe me right away, only him would help.

There was also Lucas but right now, Jo didn't need to know that. Now she was starting to be concerned

- huh.. Okay. I promise. What are you so afraid of?

- I'm afraid you are going to run away once I dropped the bomb

- come on Henry! I'm not such a girl.

- trust me, you'll feel the need to run away.

- okay Henry, stop trying to avoid it. Just talk.

This was it. This was the first time he was going, to tell the truth all by himself, without the other witnessing him die like it happened with the few people that knew his secret like recently Lucas.

This was a huge step from his very long life and to do so, Jo needed to be someone special and she was but was she going to accept him the way he was or was she going to end their partnership ? He had to consider every options even the ones that could hurt more.

- so, that picture you found at the station... Isn't a fake.

Jo started squirming

- I never thought it was, the quality of the picture made it pretty much hard to make it like a photoshop.

Henry kept a straight face and Jo apologized for interrupting him.

- well yes, it's a very real picture. It was taken after World War II... The baby is Abe.

Jo couldn't help the « aww », that escaped her lip. Henry smiled, he could have taken that as a good sign at least.

- the blonde woman is... Abigail.

And now her face started to change, almost frozen. She blinked

- wait... Like your Abigail? As your ex-wife?

He nodded and she was confused

- but Henry... How?

- please, let me finish

- all right! Sorry. Go ahead.

He closed his eyes and went with the whole

- the man standing next to her... Is me.

Jo's eyes opened widely so as her mouth. She was confused, lost, maybe afraid? She didn't understand

- Abe is my son... my adoptive one but still. I still look the same and I won't ever change.

Jo kinda expected what was coming she just couldn't wrap her mind around it, this couldn't be real, could it? This was the real world and she was a very realistic woman, what on Earth has gone through Henry's mind?

- What are you saying ? - she asked, almost dryly

He looked at her, he was surely going to lose her, she wasn't ready to believe him but he needed to tell her anyway.

- Jo ! I am immortal.