#ofmckirk

She takes her time putting the crayons back and flipping the drawing over before getting up, staring at him expectantly with a raised eyebrow. 

Jo walks as if she's being led to bedtime or worse and Jim looks around as they walk, hoping that no one thinks he's kidnapping her. 

"Is something wrong, Jo Jo?"

She whips around just as they reach the door to the deli, glaring daggers at him. "Don't call me that. You're not my dad."

He raises his hands in surrender. "Sorry."

She narrows her eyes as he opens the door, holds it so she can pass. "Do you always hold the door for everyone or just for me and daddy? You know he can get the door himself. He's not a girl. And I'm not a baby..."

He takes a deep breath and follows her into the shop. He can just see how this will all turn out and it devastates him. Under no circumstances will Bones be with someone his daughter hates. 

They order their sandwiches and head back to the apartment, the feeling of dread growing as they get closer. 

Joanna gives up drawing to run around the room, making sure to 'bop' everything with the large dolphin stuffed animal Bones gave her. 

"Bop, Jim! Bop, bop, boppy bop."

"Calm down, kid. I'm just trying to date your dad!"

She stops hitting him over the head. "You are?"

He rubs his hair down, sure to be a static mess. "Yes."

"You love him?" She drops the dolphin and climbs onto the couch so they're at eye level. 

"Yeah, I think so."

"Laura Keppler's sister Katie said that you're a flirt and a man whore."

"Who's Laura Keppler? And aren't you a bit young to know what a-"

Jo has picked up the dolphin again and hold it like a sword aimed at Jim's chest. "Are you?"

"Um, maybe? But not with your dad, I swear."

"Do you like me too, Jim?"

"Of course, I do! When you're not being terrifying that is."

"And you won't replace me?"

His face softens as he notices the tears in her eyes. He relaxes his posture. "Never. Why would you think that?"

"If you get married and fall in love and have a baby, I could be forgotten. That's what happens sometimes."

"Never."

He hugs her, even if he thinks that might cause him some bodily harm and turns when he hears throat clearing. 

Bones looks about as wrecked as Jim feels. 

"Oh hey. Didn't see you there." He lets Bones step into the room before opening his arm up and pulling the other man toward them. 

As they all hug, Jim allows himself to fully relax.