The Missing Number(A Person of Interest Fanfic)

V

By 10 pm that day, everyone was together. Shaw, Fusco, Zoe, John, Finch and Bear were gathered together in what John calls "their head of operations". In this place was a long, wooden dining table. On top, there were papers scattered everywhere. There were blueprints and other files there, too. Harold and John have been trying to come up with a plan all night with help from their associates. They were all gathered for one reason and they all knew it too well. John and 

"First off, thank you all for coming. I know last year has taken a toll on us since...well, you know", said Finch. Everyone knew. The death of Carter took a toll on everyone's heart. They lost a valuable member of their team. 

Their dear friend. 

Their family.

"I'm sure you are all aware of the new developments we came across but I will repeat it. We have reason to believe that Detective Joss Carter is alive and in the hands of Samaritan." Everyone showed faces of shock and worry. The development of the new AI ruined their lives. It drove Harold and John away from their home, killed many people and forced them to work under more critical secrecy. In other words, they hated Samaritan. After everything they've been through, they've wanted to infect it, kill it even. But since it had similar capabilities to Finch's original Machine, it proved difficult to get to close. Before it went online, Root made new identities for everyone so that Samaritan wouldn't recognize them and annihilate them. Everyone has been doing things in hiding since then. But now that Samaritan has captured their friend for a whole year, every bet on the table was off. 

"Hey glasses, I got to know. Is she ok?", asked Fusco.

Fusco was Carter's partner in the NYPD homicide unit. They grew close as the years went by, so close that Fusco always considered her a sister. A cranky, no-nonsense, funny sister who he would kill for without hesitation.

Finch decided to answer his question. "She's fine, for now. But I know all of you are worried about her. Which is why I did some negotiating with the Machine. It has allowed me to give you access to talk to Carter. She's not supposed to have any electronics, but she slipped a burner phone in her shoe when she was captured." John chuckled. "Of course she did. That's how good she is", he thought. "Each of you will have an opportunity to talk to her but only for 2 minutes. Once your time is up, the timer on my phone will sound and the next person will be given the phone. I advise all of you to use your time wisely. I'm sure she misses all of you and after tomorrow morning, you all will be able to have full conversations with her too."

>>>In Samaritan's Jail>>>

Carter looked at her watch. It was 10:05 pm. According to Finch, the 1st call will be in 2 minutes. He didn't tell her who will be calling first but she's eager just to hear another voice again. When it was 10:07, she called. Then came a scratchy, masculine voice.

"Hope you didn't die yet."

Fusco. Of course, it had to be Fusco.

"Nice to hear from you too, partner", Carder replied. "Missed me?"

"Like hell. The department's been quiet without you around."

"What's that supposed to mean? I talk too much?", asked Carter.

Fusco chuckled. "You know what I mean. How you holding up in there? They feeding you?"

"Yeah, they are. They better, too. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so calm right now."

Fusco laughed. He missed this. Her voice, her sense of humor, everything. But then, his whole tone changed. "Hey. We're going to get you out of there. You hear me? Nobody abducts my partner and gets away with it. Stay strong."

Carter smiled. She needed to hear that, especially from him. "Thanks, Fusco. Be safe, ok?"

"You too", said Fusco. Then he hanged up. By the end of the call, he had tears in his eyes. All this time, she was alive. His partner was alive. "Watch out Samaritan", he thought. "I'm coming for you."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next was Shaw. And then Zoe. After their mission together against a playboy billionaire, the ladies grew closer than ever. Those two were the closest Carter ever had to sisters. They were strong and crazy, which was one of the many reasons why she loved them.

Finally, it was John's turn. Carter's heart beat fast as the tone rung on her phone. How she's waited for this. A chance to hear his voice again. It feels as if it's been a lifetime. But then, she heard footsteps down the hall. She put the phone in her pocket and walked closer to the bars. She looked to the left and the right. Nothing there. She breathed a sigh of relief. She turned around and walked back to her bed. Her hands were shaking. Getting caught will surely kill her. But there was no one around so why not? She pulled out her phone and dialed the number. As she put it up to her ear, she heard a voice. 

"Tsk tsk tsk. Oh no, Detective. Now, we can't have this now can we?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Finch's office

"Mr. Reese?", asked Finch.

"Yes?"

"It's your turn", said Finch as he handed him the phone. John didn't take it. "What should I say?", John asked.

"Pardon me for sounding clique. But I think you should say what's in your heart."

John considered what his friend said. But then again, he wished he didn't. He doesn't like letting people know of his feelings. Finch knows this. But he also knows that Joss was all that mattered. And he was only wasting time. So he took a deep breath and took the phone. He placed it in his ear. 

"Joss?"

"Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Reese", said Greer.