Author's Note: This is actually NOT the last chapter as I previously warned. I ended up taking a different direction than planned once I got to editing. There's some more story to this that I've decided to include so you haven't seen the last of this tale (for better or for worse). But in the meantime, I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Ten
Turning Tables

Fourteen months later . . .

Jo quietly entered the large lecture hall. Walking slowly along the back wall, she made sure not to disturb any of the people fixated intently on the equations moving along the screen at the front of the room. She placed her duffle bag on the ground and took a seat in the last row. None of the students had heard her enter but a brief flash of acknowledgment from the lecturer let her know that she hadn't been completely stealthy with her entrance.

Coming back from a mission exhausted and frustrated wasn't anything new but this recent three week project had taken more of a toll on her than she was comfortable with. They had gotten the job done at the end but the process of accomplishing their objectives had been a colossal mess from the beginning. Several people had gotten hurt, a couple of them seriously. It was an unpleasant reminder of her own grave injuries in the not so distant past that had sidelined her for many months. It was hard not to feel the years in her bones when she settled down during the quiet times.

The entire affair had been particularly dispiriting from the politicians who pushed through a premature project without the proper vetting to the commanding officers who had ignored sound advice from the field. There had been too many moments where she questioned whether she'd make it out of there. She was drained emotionally and physically and all she wanted was to disappear someplace warm and safe for a week at minimum. When she was finally debriefed and cleared, she had come directly to New Jersey without stopping at home.

She wasn't afraid to admit that she wanted mostly to lie in Zane's arms while he stroked her hair and peppered her with soft kisses. Over the past year, these kinds of encounters had become more common, only the venue changed. Often she'd be returning from military business and would seek him out for some catching up. On the rare occasion, it was Zane showing up on her doorstep during a long weekend or for a scheduled meeting regarding his consultant work.

They didn't put a name on what they were. It didn't feel like a second chance because for him, all of this was new. It wasn't a rebound or consolation prize scenario either. They both felt the difference in this relationship from any they'd had before. They just enjoyed it for what it was—two people with a complicated history who had found each other after separate journeys.

One thing was for sure though. She loved this guy—the Zane Donovan who called her almost every day when she was home; the Zane who took her to the ballet even though he hated it; and the same Zane who unsurprisingly loved to buy her lingerie. He was the man who delighted in grossing her out with his peanut butter and bacon sandwiches and the man with whom she fought occasionally but who would always message her goodnight even if too angry to talk to her. These things were a constant and welcome reminder that he loved her too. He was even buddies with her brother Juan after the two had bonded over a surprise visit and one of the nerdiest nights of conversation she'd experienced since her childhood. But she got back at him by how quickly he and his mom had warmed to each other. She knew that freaked him out more than anything.

Soon they'd have to really go public with their relationship. They'd been seeing each other over a year, however, with the way that they both traveled and the distance from their friends, it was easy to be discreet in the name of simplicity. Now that Jack, Allison and Jenna had moved to Maryland, it would be a challenge to keep things under wraps, especially for Jo who only lived a few miles away. They'd already quizzed her about the person who was making her so happy lately. Jo always just smiled coyly and promised she'd invite him to dinner one of these days. She and Zane would actually be glad for their friends to know of their relationship if not for the complication of how Zoe would react to Jo dating her ex-fiancée. They'd cross that bridge soon enough when they felt ready.

Jo checked the time and noticed that class was due to end soon. As if in sync with her thought, she heard Zane start to wrap things up, mentioning some complicated assignment that was due at the end of the week. She chuckled at the student's collective groan over all the work it likely involved. Zane's amused response was to flash that charming grin of his and promise more irreverent fun later in the semester if they did well and made him look good.

As the students gathered up their belongings, Jo grinned at the frenzied gaggle of young co-eds hoping to score some personal tutoring from Professor Donovan after class. On a previous visit to the school to meet him, one of Zane's colleagues revealed that he was considered quite the catch on campus, even amongst non-science majors. Of course, Zane ate up the attention while promising her that he'd never go past his usual light flirting. She wasn't worried though. When they were together, she was sure she kept him busier than any hot, young twenty-something ever could.

Of course, she noticed that he was looking pretty good at the moment in jeans and one of his button down shirts over what was sure to be a nicely tight t-shirt. She'd enjoy unpacking that later.

Several students noted her presence with mild curiosity but most ignored her, still stressing and complaining about the impending deadline. Up front, a particularly enthusiastic student crowded Zane's space with a question while he made a great show of packing up his materials and rolling his eyes good-naturedly in her direction when no one was looking. He hadn't seen her in close to a month so his patience for his students' thinly-veiled requests for guidance were sure to be striking a nerve. The last glance he gave her made it quite clear he couldn't wait to get his hands on her, the sooner the better. As he secured his bag and made for the exit, his stream of groupies were close behind alternating between hanging on his every word and trying their best to impress him with their questions. Jo met his eyes when he finally started up the aisle closest to hers and instantly felt a little sorry for the young students who were about to get the ultimate brush off.

"So Professor Donovan, would it be okay if I stopped by your lab tomorrow to discuss my progress with the assignment. I've got a few theories that I think would benefit from your opinion." The perky blonde was almost bursting with energy and a need for his validation. If she got any more worked up, she'd probably start scrawling equations across her hand to show to him. It brought to mind the many times she'd seen that same expression on some GD scientist's face around evaluation time. Poor girl.

Zane smiled tightly, obviously not wanting to encourage the woman lest she lodge into a dissertation right then and there. "Sorry Katie, no can do. You'll have to just stick with one answer and turn that in with your assignment on Friday. A big part of scientific discovery is committing to a theory and to whatever conclusion it yields. Collaboration is great but at the end of the day, it's up to you to figure out in what direction you should invest your time and resources."

Jo scrutinized his interactions as the crowd drew closer. She rarely saw him in full professor-mode. Back in Eureka, his superior attitude had grated on her. In a different context, she had to admit it was kind of hot to her now. She'd have to explore that with him sometime.

The group approached the row where Jo still sat patiently waiting for him. "Also, I don't think I'll be having office hours today." He tilted his head noticing Jo's duffle bag and her relaxed but tired demeanor. Frowning a little, he added, ". . . or tomorrow probably." When the blonde student's face fell, he sighed and slowed down to address the group. "However, if you're really stuck and have questions about this week's assignement—and I mean real questions," he clarified looking at a particularly smug student to his left, "you can email me and we'll work it out."

"Softie," Jo whispered to herself.

He stopped abruptly when he reached the woman in uniform who was a stranger to the students standing behind him. They looked up at him expectantly hoping for a nugget of recognition before they ran out of excuses to engage him. "Now if you'll excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I will see you in a few days. With your finished assignments, of course."

Having enough sense to understand his dismissal, the stragglers filed out of the room glancing back curiously at their professor and the mysterious soldier waiting for him. It was common knowledge that Zane did a fair amount of work for the government. Jo imagined that as soon as the door closed behind them, the students would probably speculate about what cool project he was working on that would have someone checking up on him. It surely didn't occur to them that she might be there for more personal reasons.

However, at the moment, a sexy, handsome physicist who she couldn't wait to devour was standing there taking her in with a very welcome hunger. She stood up to greet him and he swooped in for a kiss. The departed Ivy League brownnosers weren't spared a second thought. Instead, the primary constant ringing in her mind was that she didn't want him to let her go.

Zane made sure to hold her in his arms for as long as he could, first kissing her senseless and then simply hugging her to him to ensure that she was really there in front of him. It had been about a month since he'd last seen her and he had missed her terribly. It was getting worse every time they parted and he suspected that they'd have to talk about that at some point in the near future.

But for now, he enjoyed the feel of her so solid against him. It hadn't escaped his notice that she looked exhausted. Luckily, he was free to take off after this last class and was instantly looking forward to getting her to his home and pampering her. Maybe a relaxing bath in his soaking tub followed by a massage? Now that plan had possibilities.

When he saw her slip in the back ten minutes before the end of his lecture, it took all of his concentration not to dismiss his class and start his reunion with her early. Unfortunately, he could sense that his students were freaking out about their mid-term assignment and figured he should calm them as much as possible lest he get a thousand panicked emails in the next seventy-two hours. He was also pretty proud for not making a complete fool of himself over her. She had a tendency to bring that out in him.

"Hey stranger," she said pulling from his embrace. "Thanks for the warm welcome."

"Anytime," he responded beaming down at her. He nudged her bag with his toe. "So you planning on staying a while because, you know, I can clear my schedule if you want me all to yourself."

She hit him playfully in the arm to chastise him before returning her hands to his back and stroking affectionately. "God forbid I keep you from your adoring audience. They seem a little high strung, Professor."

He rolled his eyes and loosened his arms around her, but only slightly. "They'll be fine. Typical overachievers—it's like GD around evaluation time."

"I was just thinking that," she responded with a chuckle. "I'm sure you can handle them. The question is, can you handle me too."

He pulled her close again and kissed her softly. "That remains to be seen but I'll certainly do my best." She smiled brightly and kissed him deeply once more.

Zane reluctantly let her go and leaned over to grab her bag. He immediately grimaced and threw it over his shoulder. Jo shook her head and grabbed the bag from him with ease and followed him out of the lecture hall. After they proceeded down the mostly deserted hallway, he reached for her hand which she playfully withheld to mess with him.

"You sure you want your fan club knowing that you're spoken for?" Although it had been several minutes since the last students had left the classroom, they probably hadn't gotten too far in the building. There was also the open courtyard they had to cross in order to get to the faculty parking lot.

Zane's response was to abandon his reach for her hand as he pulled her entire body against his. He rested his arm around her shoulder and planted a kiss to the top of her head.

Hours later, Jo rested her hand against Zane's chest, occasionally tracing light patterns against his skin. She was draped over his body and in his arms, just where he'd longed for her to be for the past four weeks. At least three blankets covered them in deference to her constant complaints of being too cold. Of course, he had more tried and true methods of warming her up that he preferred.

They made it back to his home in good time. Although it had been barely past the lunch hour, they spent a decent amount of the afternoon in the tub before adjourning to his bed to get reacquainted again. Zane was happy to report that Jo seemed much more relaxed after his attentive hospitality. Reuniting like this had turned into such a pleasurable and comforting activity for both of them. Perhaps it was the absence making every touch so intense. Or perhaps, they had found their balance in each other finally.

Zane continued to caress her bare back as they cooled down from their latest round of lovemaking. His other hand would occasionally take hold of her wandering fingers for a kiss or reach over to stroke her cheek or her arm against him.

He could sense how she'd released much of the tension he felt from their initial embrace. Despite his security clearance, they still didn't talk very often about where she went on her trips unless it involved a project with which he had assisted. This one was no doubt a particularly difficult trip. On the one hand, he was curious but on the other hand, he probably didn't really want to know unless he wanted to keep himself up at night worrying about her. For now, he felt comfortable with their silence, using the quiet time to enjoy lying in bed together.

Zane wished they could be like this all the time. He imagined how it would feel to come home to her everyday; to kiss her goodbye as he headed off to work and playfully tease her about having his dinner ready when he returned from a day at the office. When at their respective homes, they would often video chat or call at the beginning or end of the day. Of course, Zane would take what he could get of her. But their long-distance contact was nowhere near as fun as being together like this, especially when Jo was such a prude about getting too steamy in their conversations. She adamantly refused to be his phone sex hook-up. Although, for his enjoyment as they talked, she had taken to wearing—sometimes full-on modeling—the "presents" he bought for her.

He'd also thought about what it would be like to show her off to his friends and colleagues and proudly introduce her as the brilliant, professional badass she was. Sure, there were a few people that knew about his elusive girlfriend in D.C. but the pride he felt for her was something he wanted to share. Even before they had become close again, he considered her to be incredibly beautiful and intelligent and tough as nails. Getting to know all her little quirks were a bonus, like her love of weddings and reality TV. He'd taken her to the ballet for her birthday and seeing her joy at the spectacle more than made up for the two and a half hours of mind-numbing boredom he'd endured. Being with her full-time, he would be able to bask in all of these other parts of her he had discovered during their relationship; the fierce loyalty, the vulnerability, the traditional values that didn't always coincide with his but left room for her to respect his perspective.

And his mother loved her—a little too much for his comfort as he was convinced they regularly conspired against him.

Every now and again when they were together, he'd sense her looking at him intently, thinking big thoughts that she didn't seem prepared to share. He was curious whether she was thinking about the other version of him in those moments and wondering if he was measuring up in her mind. They rarely talked about that aspect of her life but it would always be a whisper in the background as far as he was concerned. Not that he cared, really. Before, it had bothered him that she'd let her love for him go, even if it was technically with another, somewhat different version of himself. But he had come to understand how difficult that time was for her and that she had done the best she could given what she'd lost and how. It wasn't for him to judge her for how she'd handled things. After all, there was no telling how he would react under those circumstances.

All he knew was that they were together now, a little later than planned, but as close to happy as either had been in years. He was going to hold on to this for as long as she'd let him.

He felt her finger gently tap his chin and he smiled down at her beautiful face in response. "What's got those wheels turning up there?" she inquired.

Zane shifted slightly and kissed the fingertip now resting on his bottom lip. "Nothing much. I'm just happy you're here," he answered truthfully.

It was her turn to smile as she pulled her hand back down to rest across his abdomen. "Me too. Thanks for the bath." Her mention of their shared bath reminded him of the lovely scent that still lingered on her skin, even after all of their intervening activities. Perhaps pondering along similar lines, she added, "and the other stuff was nice too." Her sexy smile dimmed a bit. "It was a hard couple of weeks and I needed that."

He squeezed her briefly, enjoying her warmth. "I figured as much. Wanna talk about it?" he chanced asking. He could find out from his DOD sources if he wanted to but he preferred to let her pick and choose what she wanted him to know.

She lay there silently for a few moments, contemplating his question. Finally, she let out a heavy sigh. "No, I don't want to talk about it." Her succinct reply was answer enough for him. "But thanks for asking." His response was to lean down to place a lingering kiss to her lips.

They returned to their comfortable silence filled with soft caresses and deep but separate thoughts. He couldn't ignore her periodic glances and the way she looked at him in those instances. He got butterflies whenever she directed that kind of affection towards him.

"You know what I was thinking?" she asked after a few minutes.

He chuckled. "Are you kidding? If I had that kind of inside knowledge, I would've kept myself out of a lot more trouble with you over the years." She pinched him gently and he grabbed for her hand, keeping her fingers entwined with his against his chest.

"Very funny." She turned her head to look up at him again as he reclined against the pile of pillows they had displaced during their activities.

The soft weight of her chin caused a slight tickle although he didn't mind if it meant he got to look into those soulful brown eyes of hers. "So what's on your mind? You're looking mighty serious. I hope this doesn't involve me hacking into anything or running to get you some ice cream. Because I gotta tell you, I wasn't planning on leaving this bed for at least the next twenty-four hours." He moved his hand from her back and proceeded to run his fingers over her hair. He was glad to see her smile at his joke, although the serious expression hadn't subsided.

"Actually, I was thinking . . ." she paused glancing down at their entwined fingers for a moment. "How do you feel about getting married?" Registering his confusion at the question, she continued, "I mean, how would you feel about marrying me?" Her hand had stilled in his and this time she looked him fully in the face, trying to read his response to her question.

Within the space of two seconds, his face twisted into an expression of utter shock. In a million years, he wouldn't have expected those words to come out of her mouth.

For several long moments, his mouth opened and closed trying to find some appropriate response. However, that was going to be impossible given the speed and chaos in which his thoughts were running inside his head. 'Did she really just ask me to marry her? Where did that come from; were the signs there and I missed it? What am I going to say to her?'

It was official, he was freaking out.

Jo, to her credit, did not freak out and just sat there patiently waiting and watching him process what she'd said. After all, she had been in his shoes before. He assumed she didn't want to jump to the same conclusions as his counterpart had—at least not without a concrete reason to do so. Therein lay the crux of his mental chaos.

Zane slowly let go of her hand and slipped his arm from around her. Dislodging their many sheets and blankets, he moved to sit on the side of the bed gripping the edges until his knuckles were white with tension. He was only tangentially aware of Jo pulling the other side of the covers around her naked body as he had gathered most of them when he pulled away from her. Yet still he sat there, brain running a million miles a minute.

Finally, he let out a deep breath as if he had been holding it since the moment she uttered the word "married" in reference to the two of them. He felt the situation slowly getting out of control. He had been thinking just five minutes ago how nice it would be to have her around full-time. But married? He worried that they were skipping important steps in their still relatively new relationship. He had waited almost three years before proposing to Zoe. After they broke up, he questioned whether he ever wanted to get married at all. He and Jo had barely been together, although he could admit that what he felt for her was so much stronger than anything he'd had with anyone else.

He was absolutely in love with her. But he had to ask himself if getting married after only a couple years of being friends was a smart move. And with their history? Did he want this right now? It was all so crazy.

The room seemed fifteen degrees warmer and he could sense her intense stare against his back as the minutes stretched on and on without a word from him. The longer that time passed, the worse it seemed and he could not put Jo through any more of this. He did love her and that meant being honest and upfront with her. She may have shocked him with her proposal but he didn't want to hurt her. Yes, he was panicking but they had reached a moment of truth and, hopefully, he wouldn't lose her in the end.

Zane sighed again to calm himself and slowly reached towards the floor where his pants and hers had been thoughtlessly discarded hours before. They were crumpled and partially tucked under the bed and his hands were having a hard time getting a grip on the waistband. When he dropped them in frustration, he could feel the bed shift and wondered if Jo had reached her limit for what a jerk he could be. If he didn't answer her soon, she'd walk out on him and she'd be right to. But he couldn't watch her leave. Another doubt flashed in his mind that they weren't ready for this next step. He pushed that thought away and focused on getting back into his pants.

He again picked up his jeans and felt his hands shaking as he desperately fished out his wallet from the back pocket. When he turned back to her, he was holding a familiar ring in his hand, one that had been given to him twice: once by his dear grandmother when she passed away and again when the woman in front of him had thrown it in his face in the weirdest case of mistaken identity to his knowledge. He had locked that ring away for several years, not wanting to think about the strangeness of her having it or, after her secret had been revealed, what could have been between them. But a month ago after their last parting, he had pulled it out and taken to carrying it around in his wallet, a reminder of the direction he was thinking of going when the time came.

Leave it to his JoJo to beat him to the punch.

There was no way to tell if they were rushing such a huge, life-changing decision. Even with all the doubts, he knew this was right.

He couldn't picture his future without her.

She loved him enough to fall for him twice.

There was nothing else to consider.

Thankfully, Jo hadn't left him as he feared while he got his act together. She had waited for him, although tensely judging by the stiffness to her shoulders and back. Before she could change her mind, he slipped the ring on her finger and kissed it for good measure. He watched as her eyes filled with unshed tears before she reached for him and refused to let go.

He wasn't complaining.

Three days later, they were in Vegas. With Jo in a beautiful, simple white dress and Zane reluctantly sporting some respectable attire for the occasion, they finished what was started years ago and a universe away.

TBC . . .

Author's Note: Yeah, this story hijacked me a little towards the end. There's definitely more unfinished business to squeeze out but it'll have to wait until I finish up a few projects this week. I'm actually curious myself how it'll unfold. Thanks for continuing to hang in there with me.