263 As Close To Happiness As He Would Get

  Joy was clearly both surprised and moved by this based on how she teared up. "Really?"

Derek had never been so serious about anything. He may have lost his family but he wasn't about to lose her too. Not when he could actually do something for her. He wouldn't be useless when someone he loved needed him this time. 

"Really. You're all I've got left. Of course I'm going to have your back. Always."

It wasn't exactly an 'I love you' but she seemed to understand at least part of the sentiment he was trying to get across. That she wasn't alone. 

The tears overflowed then and she hugged him tightly as she sobbed. It hadn't been his intention to make her cry but he was pretty sure they weren't sad tears at least. He comforted her as best he could until she calmed down enough to ask questions about how they were going to do this.