"Taylor you know the rules on a school night curfew is eleven at night." she said not budging an inch even as her son's face implored her to sway differently. She applied her lipstick to her lips, and puckered them slightly in the mirror even as her son sighed.

"Please ma."

"No."

"I know it's a Thursday night mom, but please let me stay out even until eleven thirty. I got my homework done, and my friends want to go to the movies. The movie doesn't end until eleven fifteen."

"Taylor…"

"Please mom you're going out."

"Yeah so? You think because the first time in months I can actually meet up my friends for drinks that I will allow you to hang out with your friends past curfew on a school night?"

"Yes." he smiled hopefully. She eyed her son with a look. She exhaled roughly.

"Just this one time Taylor you got until eleven thirty on the dot to be home, and if not you're grounded understood?"

"Thank you mom." he rushed to her kissing her cheek. She smiled grateful she had a good son. He was getting mostly As, and one or two Bs but overall he had good grades, and never complained about her long hours at work. If this made him happy then she would do it. "Hey ma!" he called out, and she peeked out the bathroom around the corner to her son who had his jacket already on.

"Yeah?"

"Have some fun for once. You deserve some."

"Get out of here Taylor." she chuckled and he didn't need to be told twice as he whirled around disappearing out of their apartment. She finished reapplying her makeup after her much needed shower. Today had been a pretty quiet day at work which was surprising since she did work in New York police department, and her little side project of working with John and Finch rarely left her any time to herself. She wondered if she should be worried that she hadn't heard from either man in a couple days? Why was she even wondering she should be happy that they didn't need her to break a few laws for them! She actually had time to herself, and could go out with some of her friends that she hadn't had a chance to in a few months.

But even though she knew she should feel elation she felt sad instead which clearly she was going insane. She was sad John didn't need her help on anything. She missed talking to him, and him asking for her assistance in that sexy low incredibly male voice that he had. She scowled at her reflection as she realized he was monopolizing her thoughts again. Damn that man! What was it about John Reese that was intriguing her so much? It wasn't just because the guy was insanely handsome she seen pretty faces before but his wasn't just any pretty face. She wasn't that shallow sure he could turn any female's head that was within a fifty mile radius of him, but it wasn't just his sex appeal that captivated her. John had real substance to him he was smart, funny, and dare she say kind to those who deserved his kindness. He was also very mysterious he had piqued her interest back when she thought of him as nothing more then a sad hobo.

She sucked in a giant breath and eyed herself in the mirror. She was going out to Mario's with her girlfriends, and she was going to effectively put that man out of her mind for a damned night. She was going to have some fun for once, and as Taylor said she deserved it!

"I'm just excited you actually came out to hang with us." Joss smiled at her friend as they sat at a small booth with their cocktails in front of them. Carly McNamera had been one of her friends for a long time she had been at her wedding.

"Look whose talking Carly you are a doctor I can't imagine you have much free time." she said with a pointed stare. She nodded her head as her blonde hair shook slightly.

"You got me there." Carly grinned. Joss was really happy she had decided to go out tonight for drinks with Carly, and Gabby who was running a bit late. It had been a very long time she had gone out with anybody. "So we've caught up on my life what about you Joss?"

"Not much just been working on putting bad guys away."

"How's Taylor?"

"He's good I think he's got a girlfriend but won't talk to me about it. Typical teenager he's doing great in school though."

"You sound proud."

"I am he's the light of my life."

"He's such a cutie too. Girls will be flocking towards him."

"I know hopefully he won't break too many hearts." Joss sighed making Carly chuckle.

"Speaking of hearts how's your love life going?" Carly demanded.

"What love life?"

"Ouch please say that's not true." Carly chuckled as she sipped her cocktail. Joss shrugged her shoulders.

"Lets see the last time I had a date was…" she stopped and looked towards the ceiling, and raised her fingers up as she squinted her eyes. "…four or five…" she tilted her head back and forth.

"Please say days." Carly plead with her.

"Years."

"Oh my god Joss girl you need a man."

"No I don't need a man."

"Let me rephrase that since I know how incredibly independent you are. You don't need a man in your life, but you need a man in your bed."

"I don't need a man in bed either." she snorted with laughter.

"Yes you do if you want to have sex. No offense but vibrators don't always work." Carly chuckled, and Joss looked around the restaurant in alarm.

"Could you say that a little louder I don't think the people in the bar heard you!" Joss said in a loud whisper. She leaned back with a smile on her face as she stared at her friend for a minute. "I don't know Carly I haven't met a man that made me want to try again." she looked away.

"Oh my god!" Joss immediately looked back at her friend as her eyes were wide, and a giant smile graced her pretty face.

"What?"

"You so have!"

"I so have what Carly?"

"You met a guy."

"No I didn't." was she that transparent?

"Yes you did. Who is it?"

"Its no one."

"Joss I've known you for a very long time, and I can see it in your eyes. WHO. IS. IT?"

"Its nothing really he's just a friend."

"Sometimes the best relationships happen from friendship."

"Not this one because we are strictly FRIENDS."

"Really?"

"Yep." she nodded her head taking a sip of her cocktail wishing Gabby would arrive so they could grill her on what was happening with her, and forget about her life.

"Is he cute?" Carly asked taking a sip of her own cocktail. Cute, and John didn't go together.

"He's handsome."

"Handsome like Brad Pitt, or Denzel Washington?" Joss shook her head at both choices.

"Neither, he's better looking then both of those men put together."

"Damn and you're just friends with him?"

"Yes just friends." she assured Carly and then looked around the restaurant again. "Where is Gabby?" she said trying desperately to get off the topic of John. Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. "This isn't happening." she sighed closing her eyes.

"What's wrong Joss?"

"Nothing." she plastered a obviously fake smile on her face as she looked back at Carly hoping he didn't see her. Oh god please let him stay away. Please please please.

"Detective Carter." she didn't even need to look up she could feel his presence near her. His sexy voice washed over her spending a little chill up, and down her spine which always seemed to happen whenever he spoke to her. She opened her eyes, and looked up at John Reese who stood looking impossible sexy in his usual suit. His hair was a bit windblown from the brisk cool winter air which added a ruddy look to his cheeks, and nose. His mouth was curled slightly up into a small smile, and his blue eyes were gentle. He looked almost happy which wasn't a term she used with John very often. The man gave new meaning to the tall, dark, and brooding type.

"John what a surprise." she tried to stop the roll of her eyes as her friend stared comically at him as if shocked at how utterly beautiful he was.

"I am sorry to have disturbed your night I just came over to say hello." he shifted his gaze from her to her friend who was staring almost unblinkingly at him. John looked back at her uncomfortable with the stare, and then nodded his head at her before slowly making his way over to the bar. Her gaze tracked his retreating form until he disappeared from her view. She shifted her gaze towards her friend who had done the same thing, but had leaned out of her seat in the booth almost falling on the floor.

"Carly!" she sat straight up, and smiled as she blushed for a moment as she put a hand to her chest.

"Oh my god is that the guy?"

"What no?" she tried to lie.

"You know Joss you could never lie worth of spit."

"Fine, yes he's the guy."

"How are you just friends with him? He's not handsome he's drop dead gorgeous."

"I think you scared him with the way you were drooling all over him. Its quite pathetic doctor!"

"What just because I'm a doctor, and seen the human anatomy doesn't mean I'm dead. That guy is sexy!" Carly fanned herself Joss snorted with laughter. "He wants you Joss."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh come on Joss he's got it bad for you. He was totally disrobing you with his eyes!"

"How would you know you were staring at him like a starving woman stares at a steak!"

"And what a steak! He's got eyes only for you my girly girl, and clearly not going to make the first move. You need to ask him out."

"Oh no I'm not."

"Why not?"

"Because didn't you hear me when I said we are JUST FRIENDSSSSSS? Just friends means just friends."

"Uh didn't you just hear me he wants you as more then just friendsssssss!"

"I think you need to get your eyes examined. There is nothing going on between John and myself." their relationship was platonic except for at night when she dreamed of him in her bed, but she wasn't about to tell Carly that.

"Are you kidding me?! He barely looked at me Joss his eyes were all over you. Why don't you go over there before some chick thinks he's available?"

"John's a big boy I think he can handle himself with women."

"I bet he is a big boy." Carly waggled her brows, and she shook her head trying to stop her mind from going straight into the gutter along obviously with Carly's.

"Does everything lead back to sex with you?"

"Yes. Especially since I am married to a man that's a chiropractor I have to live my life vicariously through my single friends. Namely you and Gabby."

"Speaking of Gabby where is she?"

"I don't know its not like her to be this late." Carly sighed picking up her cell phone looking at it for any missed calls. Joss did the same thing wondering where the hell Gabby was at she was getting a little worried about her.

"I'm going to call her."

"You just don't want to talk about your hottie with a great body anymore." Joss completely ignored her as she put her cell phone up to her ear.

He had been shocked when he entered Mario's, and saw Carter sitting with another attractive female across from her. But it was Joss that had took his breath away. She had her hair down and curled slightly, and she was wearing darker makeup then she normally did. His eyes strayed back to where she was sitting and he watched as she stood up pacing back, and forth near the booth with her friend. She was wearing a formfitting black dress that showed off her curvaceous body. His eyes slipped from the top of her head down to her spiked heels adding a few inches to her height. He forced his eyes away from her towards the glass of whiskey that sat in front of him. He had arrived here at the request of Finch. He suspected they had a new number, but he hadn't told him anything as of yet so he wasn't entirely sure. The bartender walked over with another whiskey glass to place it in front of him.

"I didn't order this."

"No but the lovely woman over there ordered it for you." he looked at the other end of the bar seeing a pretty red head woman grinning at him with emerald colored eyes. She made her way over towards him.

"I know its clichéd and you probably get hit on all the time, but I had to try." John smiled a little as his eyes strayed back to Carter who was now once more sitting at the booth. He brought his eyes back to the woman that was speaking to him. She was flipping her hair to the side, and generally doing her best at flirting with him. "My name's Amber."

"Its nice to meet you Amber." he smiled a little at her not knowing how to let her down gently.

"Its okay I can see it in your eyes you don't know how to tell me to get lost." her shoulders slumped, and he felt bad.

"Its not you Amber its me."

"No its me. I'm too desperate aren't I?"

"No Amber truly its me." he said wishing the young woman didn't look so sad. He touched her hand. "You'll find the right guy." he smiled at her as he saw Finch enter. He nodded his head at her as he walked past her, and made his way over to the booth that Finch was being seated at. His eyes widened when they were directly across from Carter, and her friend.

"Oh god." Carter looked away. John smiled at the women, and sat down across from Finch. Finch looked at Carter, and her friend and then looked back at him clearly unsure of how to proceed.

"Well Joss how about we join your friends I am sure they don't mind." John looked at Carter as she shot a glare at the other woman clearly unhappy with something. Finch looked between the two women, and then him and John shrugged his shoulders. They would just have to wait to talk business once the women left. John watched as Carly sat quickly next to Finch practically pushing Harold into the corner in her hurry to sit next to him. He hid a smile at the look on Finch's face as he scooted further away from the bubbly blonde woman. John looked up at Carter who looked like she was being sentenced to death at having to sit next to him.

"I won't bite." he assured her which earned him one of her deathly glares that probably made most men shake in their boots. But all it served to do to him was make him shift uncomfortably in his seat at the heat it produced inside him. She sat down next to him and his eyes shifted lower to her chest. He blinked clearing his throat as he shifted his gaze away from the tops of her breasts. He narrowed his eyes on her friend who was positively glowing across from them.

"You two look so cute together don't they…um I don't know your name." Carly said looking at Harold.

"I-I'm Harold."

"Its nice to meet you Harold I'm Carly. But Harold aren't they adorable?" Carly asked shooting them a look again. John looked at the blonde woman, and then to Joss.

"Carly can you shut up for five minutes?" Joss asked sugary sweet. John leaned towards her to whisper in her ear.

"What's going on Joss?" he said quietly.

"Nothing." she whispered back. He nodded his head looking back to Harold who appeared to be just as confused as he felt. Finch kept sending both women odd looks as he opened his menu up. Carly waved over a waitress. "Can we get the bottle of your finest champagne please." she grinned. "We have lots to celebrate don't we guys."

"Like what Ms. Carly?" Harold asked politely.

"Like Joss's reinvigorated love life." John's eyes shot to Carter's face.

"You met someone Carter, and you dare not tell me?" he said as he felt himself tensing not happy that he felt something akin to jealousy in the pit of his stomach.

"I-I-I he's no one John."

"No one?"

"As in none of your business." she corrected throwing back the rest of her cocktail she had brought to the table with her. John nodded his head looking away from her not happy she was seeing someone. "I need to use the restroom, and Carly come with me." she stood up. He watched as Carly did with narrowed eyes something was going on between these two women, and he wasn't quite sure what. John looked to Finch once they disappeared.

"Now that the women are gone Mr. Reese we got a new number."

"Who?"

"Her name is Gabrielle Mandella. She's a defense attorney. She was actually supposed to be meeting up with Detective Carter tonight which she failed to show up for."

"Do you have her address?" he asked quietly looking around to make sure no one was listening to them. Finch nodded handing him the slip of paper. He exited out of the booth glad for an excuse to leave while Carter was away. He didn't want to hear anymore about this mystery man, and the fact that she was clearly happy with him. He made his way towards the front entrance to exit when that same red headed woman stepped forward again.

"So I know that you said it wasn't me it was you, but can I still give you my phone number if you decide to change your mind?" she asked. John sighed nodding his head unable to deny the young woman her request. He didn't want to hurt her feelings again.

"Sure." she handed him a slip of paper she had clearly already written it expecting him to say yes. He took the piece of paper and exited the restaurant wishing thoughts of Joss, and this mystery man would cease. He was glad he had a distraction of a new case to keep his mind off of her, but he was worried about the fact that it was one of her friends. He wasn't sure if he should bring her in on this one or not. If he needed her help then he would decide on it then and only then. But for now he was going to go look into what was going on with Gabriella Mandella himself.

Her green eyes tracked his every move until he disappeared into the night. She smiled as she threw back the last of her beer throwing a twenty on the counter before grabbing her purse exiting herself. She made her way to her gold colored Ford Fusion climbing inside turning the overhead light on. She opened her purse pulling out the photos she had taken weeks ago of the very mysterious John Reese, and Joss Carter. She pulled out her cell phone dialing her number and she waited several rings before finally her answering machine kicked on. "Hello this is Joss Carter I'm out right now please leave your name, number, and message after the beep and I will try my hardest to get back to you in a timely fashion. Thanks!"

"Hi Carter remember me. I know you do and I am here to make your life a living hell." she grinned evilly her eyes still on the photos. "I am going to destroy your life just like you destroyed mine. Payback's a bitch Joss, and I'm coming for you!" she pulled the phone away from her ear quickly ending the call before she threw the disposable phone out the window listening to the satisfying smack as it hit the pavement. She dragged in big gulps of air as her hatred of Joss Carter burned bright inside her. She revved her engine to life and peeled away from the parking lot disappearing into the night.

Author's note: Okay I am so unsure of this story? My friends I sent this first chapter told me its good but I've always been a bit harsh on myself(lol) so I'm tentatively posting this if people hate it I will delete it I promise. Anyways thanks for reading, and as always I appreciate everyone's kind words of encouragement they really do help me :)