After Jo and Javy decided to see where things went, they both agreed to keep it on the down low. No need for people to be butting in. 

(That's not to say they didn't tell anyone. Ellie and Kensi were called almost immediately after Jo got home. And Jake was in the middle of dinner when Javy burst into his apartment to scream his news.)

With the mission happening in the next few days, nothing super serious was going to be started. 

And since the mission was so soon, the group decided to have one last night at the Hard Deck. 

It took less convincing to get Johanna there than she thought. You couldn't have paid her to do this at the start of this detachment. But she was ready to go with little persuasion. 

Dressed comfortably, she got out of her car once she parked. Heading straight to the bar, Jo ordered her drink before heading to the back where the pool tables were. 

Someone had claimed the back area for their group, and they had two games going on at the moment. 

“Hey, look who decided to join us!” Fanboy called out as he spotted Jo. 

Payback let out a whoop. “It's about time, Kaufman. We've got to see how you do in pool, next round is all you.” 

Evidently, he had already had a drink or two. (She was looking forward to seeing everyone loosen up. It's always interesting to see who someone becomes when their inhibitions are lowered.) 

“Hope you're ready to get your ass kicked. Don't need you to go crying that you lost to a girl,” Jo taunted, earning some cheers from the surrounding aviators. 

Payback simply tapped his beer against Jo's drink, taking her deal. 

Just as Jo leaned over to take her first shot, Javy and Jake walked in. And since her back was facing the door, Javy got a good look at her ass. Boy, was he staring. 

Jake had to slap him on the head. “Dude, at least try to be subtle. Everyone is gonna know if you keep staring at her like that.” 

Javy shrugged. Not his fault Johanna was drop dead gorgeous and had fantastic assets he liked to stare at. (But don't tell anyone, his favorite part was her eyes. He could stare into those all day and be happy.) 

The two finally made their way to the group as Jo sunk her ball into the pocket. Jake let out a whistle. “Kicking ass, I see. Don't count your wins just yet, Kaufman. I'm the reigning champ.” 

Jo raised an eyebrow before promptly ignoring the man and watch Payback shoot his shot and miss. 

Soon enough, Johanna had won the game handily and with almost no contest. “What are you, some sort of pro ninja? I don't think you missed a single shot!” 

She smirked. “My job requires precision, Payback. I know nothing but perfection in my shots.” 

Phoenix let out a laugh. “You are a total badass. If you weren't so clearly into Coyote, I would have already asked you out. Total package, babe.”

Johanna wasn't the only person to choke on her drink at the statement. Some of the more oblivious members of the group were surprised. Jo and Javy were both turning bright red, Jo resembling a tomato more than a human being. 

Jake, on the other hand, was howling with laughter. The man was practically bent at the waist, gulping in air. But once he straightened up, Jo hit him right in the stomach with her pool cue, making him double right back over. 

“I, uh, I don't know what you're talking about, Nat. Besides, you are also a badass and the total package,” Jo tries to move the attention, but fails miserably. 

She only gets looks and snorts of disbelief. Letting out a sigh, Jo makes her way to Javy before slipping her hand into his. 

“We're taking it slow, alright. No one get their panties in a twist.” 

A cheer went through the back of the bar, turning some heads their way. 

Finally, the attention was moved off of the new couple and onto something else. Jo wasn't paying too much attention, trying to get her head straight. Javy gave her hand a squeeze and sent her a small smile. 

She just so happened to glance over as Maverick entered the bar, but before she could say anything, she also noticed the way Penny’s face fell. 

Johanna was no stranger to those feelings. She knew exactly what both Penny and Maverick were feeling at that moment, and she knew they needed to be together without any interruptions. 

So she clued back into the current conversation, trying to figure out just what Fanboy was talking about. 

At some point, the conversations turned back to Johanna, everyone wanting to know more about the agent and her cases. 

She had to think a bit. “Well, I had some interesting cases in DC. We solved a few cases with a group of ‘Sherlock's’ that our ME was a part of. And just before I left, we had a body on our roof.” 

Rooster coughs. “I'm sorry, body on your roof?!” 

Jo shrugged. “It was an interesting last case.” 

Rooster shakes his head in slight disbelief. 

“Besides, LA has many more interesting stories. Unfortunately, most of those I am not legally allowed to disclose. Although we've had a surprising amount of run-ins and dealings with the Russian mafia.” 

She says that so casually, Bob actually drops his pool cue. 

Jake shakes his head. “You know what? We are better off not knowing. Plausible deniability, people.” 

Apparently, Jo had softened slightly to him as she tilted her drink to him in acknowledgment. 

They had a few more stories passed around, but the night was quickly coming to an end. They all needed to get home and rest. The mission was happening all too quickly. 

Javy walked Jo out to her car, but before she could get in, she leaned up and placed a delicate kiss on Javy's check. 

She was quick in her car before he could react, feeling like a teenager. 

The new couple may be taking things slowly, but the emotions were clearly bubbling under the surface, just waiting to explode. 

And boy, were they about to. 

✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈✈

Word count: 1,052

Fun little mentions of some NCIS cases. Didn't want to spoil anything and honestly, I can't remember many of the episodes in the seasons she's supposed to be in, as I was in college during those and binged them. 

But we are moving forward, slowly but surely. Our couple is finally here and here to stay!!

So see you next chapter for the mission! 

Bye guys!!