Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"My fucking head," he groans, holding onto it while trying to make the room stop spinning at the same time.

"Here, have some Aspirin." She places some in his hand followed by a glass of water. “Come on, drink.”

"What the hell are you doing here?" JJ asks, looking first at Kiara then around the room urgently.

The reason he never lets anyone in his house is because all of his secrets are hidden in there in one way or another. The last thing he remembers is throwing up by the beach but not much else.

"Well, good morning to you too, sunshine. Drink."

He begrudgingly drinks because she looks like she means business. “Happy now?”

“Deliriously,” she replies sarcastically. “On that note, I’m just going to let myself out.”

She’s wearing the same outfit as last night, that much he remembers because of just how snugly her jeans and shirt fit. Her chestnut waves are pulled back into a long ponytail leaving her bare but also very kissable neck to tease him from afar. If he didn't feel so shitty he'd want to do just that. 

“Hang on,” he answers, standing up and trying not to fall back over. He's never fucking drinking again as long as he lives. “I’m sorry for being so…”

“Rude? Ungrateful…”

“Yeah, all of that,” he interrupts. “I might regret asking this but what exactly happened last night?”

“You might regret it? Would spending the night with yours truly be that bad?” She asks, then clearly realises what she said. “Nothing happened. Well, you hurled but I’m not surprised given the amount of beer you chugged.”

“Don’t say beer or hurl,” he pleads, suddenly feeling sicker. "Please tell me I didn’t make an ass of myself?”

“What do you mean like now?” She drawls. “I don’t know you that well, Rivers, but you’re not exactly a ray of sunshine at the best of times.”

“I’d be offended but my head hurts too badly for that much effort.”

“Okay, cheery,” she says louder than usual, clearly just to make a point.

JJ has to admit this behaviour would usually royally piss him off but when Kiara does it, it just makes her infinitely more adorable in his eyes.

“You were fine for the most part and were kind enough not to throw up on me. I gave you a lift home and you asked me to stay.”

“I did what?”

“Not like that, get your head out of the gutter. We just talked and you showered and threw up some more,” she chuckles. “It’s okay.”

“Maybe for you.”

JJ’s immediately worried about what he might have said. He wasn’t in the best headspace last night after finding out about his father and drinking on top of that was probably the worst decision. He's supposed to be laying low and staying incognito not getting smashed and extra chatty around town.

Half of him wants to find out what she may or may not know for his own security but the other half prefers to stay ignorant because it would be a lot less awkward. He also hates anyone pitying him and the last person he wants to feel sorry for him is Kiara.  

“It really was fine,” she smiles. “Now, I need to go and explain my whereabouts to my very nosey best friend.”

“Oh shit, what time is it?”

“A little after nine.”

“Oh fuck, fuck, fuck. I’m so late for work,” he gingerly makes his way to the hamper to try and find some clean clothes.

“Well, lucky you know the owner’s daughter. I swapped your shift tonight.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” JJ murmurs.

“Well, that’s what friends do,” she explains. “And, I don’t know, I’d like to think we are. Friends, that is.”

JJ’s face softens, he’s insanely attracted to Kiara physically but maybe there’s a lot more to their connection. It feels like she’s the first person to really see him because most of them don’t bother. He’s pushed everyone away and, unsurprisingly, they let him but she isn’t letting him off the hook and it means more than she probably knows.

“Friends sounds good. But just don’t go around town telling everyone about all the throwing up.”

It’s JJ’s way of asking her not to betray his full confidence without having to say it. He’s still not completely sure what he did and didn’t say to Kiara but his incredibly sore head is stopping him from investigating further.

“You’re on, friend,” she smiles. “Good luck with the hangover. Also, try not to be rude to anyone else today.”

She’s gone before he can reply and even though he feels terrible he smiles. Kiara seems to bring it out in him and it’s been a fucking long time since he's felt this way.

Kiara

“And where were you last night, young lady.”

“My parents didn’t even ask me that on the way in, Cleo.”

“Well, clearly they’re not doing their job, Kie.”

“I’m over twenty-one, I think it’s more than okay and I really need a little less judgment and a lot more sleep.”

“If you call me wanting you to have sex with Jesse judgment then sure,” she quips. “At least tell me how good he was. Did he take you in those strong arms and manhandle you?”

“Manhandle? I think someone has been reading too many erotic novels.” Cleo goes to speak but before Kiara holds up her finger. “No, he did not manhandle me, in fact we did nothing at all. Happy now?”

“Uh, no. So, you’re gone all night long and nothing happened? Excuse me if I’m a little cynical.”

“Not that I should have to explain anything but the guy had a lot to drink so nothing could have happened.”

“Okay but why did you have to spend all night with him? Don’t tell me you took care of him.”

“And if I did? That’s what friends do for other friends. I seem to recall holding your hair back while you threw up many nights during college.”

“I thought I said never to speak of that again? Okay, fine, you helped the guy out but did you do anything else? I mean nothing fun obviously but did you talk? Did you ask about his mystery boyfriend?”

“Oh yeah, the boyfriend was the first thing I brought up,” she replies sarcastically. “What do you think, Cleo? The guy is skittish enough as it is so why would I interrogate him?”

“You’d make a sucky detective, just saying,” she shoots back. “This guy appears here out of nowhere, meets with some stranger at the beach and is acting skittish. You said that in your own words, Kie.”

“He’s really a serial killer on the run, is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

“Well, you never know. Actually, he’s probably too hot for that,” she says, talking to herself more than Kiara at this point. “Actually, Ted Bundy was good looking and we know how that ended.”

“I’m a little concerned where this conversation is going, Cleo? Are you sure you slept last night because you sound like a crazy woman.”

“Well, on that note, I’m going out.”

“And where are you going?”

“I met this real cute guy at the bar last night if you must know,” she explains. “He’s going to show me the town given that my host is busy spending nights with strange men.”

“At your encouragement,” she scoffs. “Who is this guy? Should I be asking whether he’s a serial killer too?”

“You know the guy so I really hope it’s not the case.”

“Who?”

“Suddenly you’re not so sleepy,” she jokes. “It’s Pope.”

“That sneak. He told me he couldn’t make it last night when I asked.”

“Apparently his dad insisted he go out and enjoy himself and wouldn’t let him take no for an answer.”

“He told you about all of that with his dad?”

“He did,” she murmurs. “We actually had a really good talk after John B and Sarah left us alone so they could go home and be all coupley. I wanted to dance on top of the bar but Pope prefers to chill.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. And I mean about you not dancing on the bar,” she teases. “I promise after this sleep I’ll be a much better host.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it, Carrera,” Cleo laughs. “You go to sleep and have sweet dreams about Jesse.”

Even though she’s exhausted, Kiara doesn’t think sleep will come quickly. After showering and slipping into her pyjamas her brain is still going one thousand miles an hour.

Kiara wasn’t completely forthcoming with Jesse because he’d said more in his drunken state than she admitted. For one thing she didn't think it was her business and for the other he was in one hell of a bad mood to bring it up this morning. 

“You’re really bossy, has anyone ever told you that?” He grumbled, attempting to put his key in the lock but failing miserably.

“And you’re really annoying especially when you’re drunk,” she muttered, grabbing the keys from his hand and trying each in the lock until one clicked. “But at least I can get inside.”

“I’m fine,” he mumbled, making his way inside and stumbling onto the nearby couch.

Kiara didn’t know where he lived up until now and she had to admit it wasn’t what she was expecting. It was a small studio in The Cut but surprisingly bare from the walls to the furnishings. It was like someone was just passing through town; the contents were that sparse. Given he’d resided there over six months, Kiara was surprised it didn’t look more lived in. 

She made her way to the small kitchenette and poured him a glass of water. A quick scan of his basically empty cupboards for some aspirin came up with nothing.

“Do you always go through people’s stuff?”

“I’m trying to find you some aspirin, so sue me,” she replied.

“Well, I don’t know about you but I keep my aspirin in the bathroom."

“Has anyone told you what a smart ass you are, Rivers?” She huffed, moving into the bathroom and opening his cabinet. “Not only did I drive you home but here I am getting you some pain relief. Maybe I should take some too because you are a pain in my ass.”

“It’s not Rivers,” he mumbled, nestling further into the couch.

“What’s not Rivers?”

“They gave me that name.”

Now, Kiara could tell the guy was drunk but to say that was weird still. Maybe he changed his name because his mom got remarried but he said she’d passed away. Maybe he was talking about having his dad’s name forced upon him?

“Yeah, parents have this huge responsibility and then they turn around and give you Mabel for a middle name.” she chuckled, hoping he’d offer something similar in reply.

“I liked my name,” he sighed defeatedly. “JJ Maybank. But I’m not even allowed to have that anymore.”

Kiara stilled. Why did he have to change his whole name? Maybe one of the J’s was for Jesse but his surname too? Suddenly, his standoffish behaviour was starting to make sense. Was he hiding out and had to change his name? Maybe Cleo was right and she shouldn’t be alone with him.

Looking over though at his tousled, blonde hair and sleepy expression, Kiara felt something much stronger than fear. She felt sympathy and a weird sense of understanding that she couldn't quite explain.

“Here,” she murmurs, sitting beside him on the couch. “Have some Aspirin.”

“Are you trying to drug me?”

That sure was an interesting response. Was he actually scared or just joking in his usual grouchy way?

“Says the guy who told me where the aspirin was,” she shot back. “It’ll make you feel better, I promise.”

“Don’t make me a promise,” he growled, sitting up unsteadily and holding his head. “Because then you’ll have to break it.”

Kiara’s heart broke for him. What had he gone through in his previous life to be that jaded?

“Well, this is on the people who make Aspirin, not me,” she said, attempting a joke. “I, uh, should really get going now you’re home.”

“No,” he pleaded, surprising Kiara by placing his hand on hers. “Please stay for a bit.”

She definitely wasn't expecting such vulnerability but between his expression and the way he was touching her Kiara couldn’t say no. If she was honest, she didn't want to leave anyway. 

“Will you be less snarky if I do?”

“You secretly love my snark, Carrera,” he smiled. He was one hundred per cent correct not that she'd ever admit it aloud. “But I’ll try.”

“Well, that’s all I can ask,” she murmured. “Maybe a shower might make you feel better?”

“Oh really?” His raised brows caused her to nudge him playfully in the shoulder. 

“You wish. Also, get your head out of the gutter,” she shot back.

He took her up on the suggestion but what she wasn’t expecting was for him to come out of the bathroom dressed in only a towel tied low and tight on his hips. She'd seen him topless on the boat but this seemed way more intimate. Kiara gulped and looked away trying to calm her breathing. Almost like he could read her mind he spoke.

“Sorry, I, uh, left my clothes out here.”

“Yeah, no problem,” she lied.

There was a stray drop of water sliding down his bare chest teasing her from afar and Kiara knew she couldn't be responsible for her actions if he stayed that way much longer.

“I can go if you like so you can change in private.” She didn’t want to go anywhere else, especially now.

“If you want to,” he replied but Kiara could tell he was unsure too given his tone. “I’m really sorry you had to look after my sorry ass tonight.”

“Yeah, you’re a terrible patient,” she teased. “I don’t mind staying if you want.”

“Thanks,” he exhaled. “I just don’t feel like being alone tonight.”

Their gazes locked and Kiara could feel the tension in the room skyrocket. Everything inside her wanted to go to him. She’d start with brushing away that drop of water and kissing that dimple in his left cheek that drove her crazy when it appeared out of nowhere. His towel would come off too and pool around his ankles then she'd…

“Are you okay?” He asked, clearly concerned.

“I’m totally fine,” she coughed. “So, you wanna watch some tv or something?”

And that’s how they ended up together on his bed. Somehow during the night they became wrapped around each other and Kiara did nothing to stop it. It felt right not to mention fucking amazing. It was only as the sun rays peeked in through the broken blind that she realised she should move. Kiara didn’t know what Jesse would think waking up to it in the sober light of day.

Then she realised Jesse might not even be his name as it all came flooding back. Kiara thought about raising it with him but at the same time he was drunk and might already be regretting confessing about his dad’s death already.

So, she pulled away from him slowly, as much as she didn’t want to.

After revisiting her night Kiara realises that sleep won’t come anytime soon. She gets up and goes to her laptop. As much as she feels like she’ll be betraying his trust, Kiara needs to know just who Jesse or JJ is.

At the same time, it could reveal things she really doesn’t want to know given her burgeoning feelings for the guy. That’s exactly why she didn’t say anything to Jesse or Cleo, she didn’t want to believe anything might be wrong with him.

She navigates the search bar and enters JJ Maybank, holding her breath as she presses the enter button.

Thirty-nine year old Larissa Maybank has died in a car accident on the outskirts of Philadelphia.

Her sixteen year old son JJ Maybank, who was travelling with his mother at the time, was badly injured in the crash and taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Sources close to the investigation have revealed this wasn’t an accident and could be the work of the powerful Groff family whose drug dealings in and around the United States are prolific.

Luke Maybank, the former partner of Larissa and father of JJ, was incarcerated last year on drug related charges tied to the Groff family. Some are calling this latest attack retaliation for Maybank’s deal with prosecutors in naming key operatives in the drug ring.

Kiara can’t believe what she’s reading. If he’s The JJ Maybank in this article then the fact he’s changed his identity makes so much more sense.

There aren’t many search matches or photos to identify if JJ Maybank and Jesse Rivers are the same person at first. Until she comes across a news article from a local county newspaper with a grainy photograph. Sure, he looks younger but Kiara can’t mistake that unruly, blonde hair.

Jesse Rivers is JJ Maybank.

He said Jesse Rivers is the name they gave him. Did that mean he's changed his identity and is in witness protection or something like it? Of course, she wants to ask him everything but at the same time she doesn’t want to scare him away for good.