darker_london | Karma (Joe, Jordan)

Julian had assured his father he was alright and he had returned to his own home, though Joe had told Renee to watch out for him. They had had a long talk about how things just never really got better because even if Julian dealt with his issues of addiction, Damon still wasn't there. Joe said he knew. Jordan wasn't either. Julian was going to struggle until he dealt with his feelings of abandonment and betrayal, which wasn't easy when heroin promised to take all the pain away. He didn't want to be crowded. Joe understood. It might make Julian feel like he was already failing to have his father constantly looking over his shoulder. And if he was already failing, why not fail more? Joe still worried.

Joe had cooked supper for Galina, Adam and Crystal and then excused himself from the table after Adam promised to clean up. He took a long run on his treadmill and then he slipped away for a shower before returning to his room, exhausted. He was going to spend another night in solitude, reading a book or whiling away the hours while he wished he could fall asleep. His empty bed was ont conducive to a full night's rest. He probably hadn't slept the entire night through since June, and he was expecting more of the same tonight. And then he saw something which took his breath away.

"...Jordan?" Joe's voice was small and shocked. She was as beautiful as he remembered, and his heart both leapt at seeing her, and missed several beats because he wondered if it was too good to be true. His wife. Here. With him again. Maybe he had fallen asleep in the shower. He hoped not, because that could lead to a rather terrible drowning incident...

Jordan stood and she smiled at him. She was wearing his sister's clothes again, and they didn't fit her quite right. Still, she looked amazing. "Joseph."

"I...what are you-?" Suddenly, Joe realised he didn't care what she was doing here, or how it was possible. He crossed the room in two strides and pulled her into his arms so he could kiss her. He felt her body relax against his and her lips were on his and for a few brief moments, their world consisted of nothing but their kiss.

When Jordan pulled away, she looked up at her husband and she reached up to wipe his tears away. "No crying, Joseph. I'm here for Julian."

Joe hadn't realised he was crying, but he sniffled and did his best to stop as she asked. "You saw he's having a hard time?"

Jordan nodded. "Harder than he's admitting."

Those words made Joe panic enough that he actually let go of his grip on Jordan. To Joe, his children always came first. Julian was the last one now. If Julian was having a harder time than he was admitting, Joe might lose him again. If that happened, Joe wouldn't be able to go on. He would be finished. "I should go over there!" Joe breathed, and he hunted around for some jeans. He couldn't show up on his son's doorstep wearing a towel.

"Joe," Jordan reached out to calm her widower. "He's not going to run away again. At least not yet. He's mad enough that Damon did just that. In fact...he's probably beginning to understand how we felt when he left. He's just far more broken up about it than he's letting on. I want to be here for him."

"Oh..." Joe relaxed a little and he reached out for her hand. "Oh, good... I mean, not good, but-"

"I know what you mean," Jordan smiled and she winked at him.

"You always did," Joe stated, and for a moment, a sad silence hung in the air. "Thank you. I really think he needs this. Though...I'm not entirely sure what to do about Galina. She's my sister-"

"I know that too," Jordan said, shushing him gently. "We'll just have to sneak around. I can stay with Julian most of the time, as long as his roommate Kristina doesn't see me and ask questions. I wouldn't not see you, though." Joe looked plenty relieved at that. "We'll work it out. Joe, I really love that you took her in. You're a wonderful man."

Joe smiled gently at her and he reached his fingers up to trace her cheek. "I miss you like fuck."

"You're such a gentleman," Jordan chuckled and she grinned at him. "I'm having a very hard time not removing that towel, Mr Littleton."

Joe's lips curled up into a wicked grin, and long-dormant nerves all over his body awakened. This was his wife. He was allowed to feel that with her. His heartbeat sped up and his fingers slid into her hair. "Give in, Mrs Littleton. I dare you."

And Jordan did.