Chapter Text
It’s been two months, not that Jo is counting. She’s still settling at her new place, finding her way around town, trying to be at ease when people approach her. A lifetime of mistrust and loneliness is a hard thing to get rid of but she’s determined.
Live the life you’ve always wanted
That’s what she said. And Jo wanted to, she really wanted to. It was just hard. The first month she cried herself to sleep every night, thinking of all the things she did, the things she let others do, thinking about her. Feeling lonelier she had ever felt and doubting she had the strength in her to do this, Jo almost quit. Until it was suggested to her, she should get a pet, a company that wouldn’t judge or question her, it would just love her and expect love in return. Now that was something Jo could do, even if she wasn’t sure she knew what love truly was, even if she doubted she was capable of it, she knew it was the one thing she wanted, the one thing she dreamed about. Having someone to love. Be loved.
Jo went to the nearest shelter and got the dog. He was just sitting there, watching life go by, she could relate to the feeling. The lady at the place told her to take her time choosing but once she saw the old guy there, she knew he was it. Love at first sight.
Now, two months after her arrival at that tiny cottage in the middle of nowhere, Ireland, Jo was starting to feel that she could actually do this. The dog helped, the crying stopped after she brought him home, and she started to laugh more. Even he looked happier, as if he had found a new purpose in life. Things were taking a turn for the better, Jo only hoped her heart would stop wishing for a visit that would never come.
If there ever was anything between them, it was most definitely gone now. Jo knew it, her heart though, was having a hard time accepting it.
The sun was out that morning, a rare occasion, Jo was getting ready for a walk, the dog running circles around her, just as excited to get some sunlight. A knock on the front door made it all stop. Visits weren’t expected. Ever. The dog didn’t make a sound, just sat there, looking at the door and then at her. Jo steeled herself, pushing her shoulder back and rising to her full height. She opened the door and she the mix of emotions she got was the last thing she expected.
Kate Fleming was bent forward, hands on her knees, breathing heavily, her hair a mess, her face flushed. She was either having a panic attack or finished a marathon.
“Kate?”
The DI put one shaky finger up, asking for a bit of time. Jo smiled, this was too good, could her brain be pranking her?
“What are you doing here?”
“I…ran.” Kate tried to say while still trying to control her breathing.
“You ran? All the way from England?”
Finally, Kate looked at her, eyes locking. Jo knew right there and then, her brain wasn’t pranking her, there’s no way she would be able to hallucinate those blue eyes perfection so flawlessly. And the things that smile made her feel, not hallucinating at all.
“Yeah, all the way from England. I can walk on water for you, Jo Davidson.” She approached Jo, the most beautiful smile Jo had ever seen firmly in place, and softly touched Jo’s cheek.
“I missed you so much, Jo.”
Jo exhaled, happy. Yeah, this was definitely not a delusion.
“I missed you too, Kate.”