Hi! This is my first time participating in a Challenge. So wish me luck! And please be kind. Feedback of any kind are most greatly welcomed.

As a heads-up, my story will be dealing with:

2) Move the celebrations somewhere and have the party happen there.
4) Jack tries to get to spend time with Sue while owning up to it.
5) Sue has to deal with Howie and his hurt feelings.

And here is a sneak preview:

In the midst of a celebration,
Lucy: We should do something for Independence Day.
Trouble is brewing.
Ted: A bomb just went off at the City Central Bank.
Can Special Agent Jack Hudson and his fellow collegues,
Myles: Good work Team America
Save the Land Of The Free before its too late?
Chris: There's already an attack planned. A mass mercy killing.
And will Jack be able to get his girl
Jack: You wanted to say something?
Before all hope is lost?
Sue: Oh my god! Jack!

So, how does it look?

Looks very good! Just one little thing... one small pet peeve of mine. Make sure you check to put it's and its where they belong. It has nothing to do with the story but it drives me more than just a little nuts when I read a story and see a wrongly used there, their, they're, its, it's... (I know, I'm anal! )

OK, OK. I'll do my best to put all of them in the right places. Grammar isn't really my thing.

Looks fantastic I can't wait for you to post more! This will be a seriously catchy story. I will anxiously be waiting for your first post cuz it looks very intriguing!

Wow, great start. You've got me intrigued! More please

Thank you everyone for the encouraging feedback, so here's the first post of my story.

Howie: She’s still here, all right. But what if she decides to leave again? And not tell me? I don’t think I’ll be able to take it again.
(Myles and Bobby snigger in the background)
Sue: Howie, I’m so sorry. Please. Let me make it up to you. Dinner tonight?
(Howie looks at Otis and back at Sue)
Sue: Of course Otis is invited too…
Otis: Nah, it’s okay. I have a date with a chick anyway.
(Jack looks surprised)
Jack: A chick? You have a chick, Otis?
Otis: Of course. Everyone has a chick. Even serious, uptight FBI agents like yourself, Hudson. What? You don’t have a chick?
(Everyone in the bullpen looks at him for his answer. Jack starts to look uncomfortable and turns to Sue for help. She starts blushing. Howie sees this and tries to ease the situation.)
Howie: Come on, Otis. Give Jackie Boy here a break.
(He looks towards Sue.)
Howie: Dinner at 7? I’ll pick you up?
(Sue nods and Howie, with Otis, leaves the bullpen.)
Lucy: You’re inviting Howie to dinner?
Sue: It’s the least I can do. After the whole New York thing.
Myles: Then, you might want to bring some extra cash. Feeding Howie is going to be like feeding an entire third-world country.
(Lucy shakes her head while the guys try to stifle their laughter. Ted Garrett walks in, folder in hand)
Ted: I hope none of you have anything planned for the next couple of days.
(All of them turn serious)
Jack: Why? What’s wrong?
Ted: A bomb just went off at the City Central Bank. The blast was minimal, no one was killed. But with 4th of July coming up, the city’s on high alert.
Bobby: So, what do you have to do?
Ted: Find out who placed the bomb and stop them from launching another attack on the 4th.
(Ted then hands the folder to D and walks out of the bullpen. D reads the file and briefs Jack on the case.)
Jack: OK, Sue and Tara, go over the videotapes and see if there is any lip movement. Myles, Bobby, go talk to the staff. See what you can get. Lucy, go put a rush on the lab reports. Also, check with all our informants; see if they know anything about the blast.
(All of them nod their heads and started working. Scene ends with Jack looking very grim.)

Oh wow, please add more soon. I don't like seeing Jack looking grim.

There goes the dinner plans...I think!


Great job!!!

Oh, how much fun will dinner with Howie be... or how much fun will it be dealing with Howie when Sue has to cancel on him to work on the case?? Keep it up! It's looking good!

Thanks to all for the feedback. Sorry for posting so late. I had to attend this wedding dinner last night and i arrived home late and so I just crashed. But here the next post.

The bullpen, several hours later
(Sue is talking to the gang while walking towards Tara’s desk.)
Sue: Tara and I went through the tapes a couple of times but there wasn’t any lip movement. The guy just came in and disappeared.
Tara: But whoever who did it, was good. He knew where the cameras and made sure his face wasn’t seen at all. He wore gloves too so there weren’t any prints on the briefcase. Fortunately, the lab found a partial. They’re still running it.
Lucy: And none of our informants knew about the blast, it was all hush-hush.
Bobby: And according to the staff, a security guard spotted the case and pulled the alarm. The building was evacuated.
D: Did the lab find out anything about the lab?
Lucy: Only that it had to be detonated manually. Our guy placed the case in the bank; he went out and blew up the place.
Sue: Then why did he detonate the bomb after the building was evacuated? It doesn’t make sense.
Jack: It does if he was being evacuated with the rest. He couldn’t blow up the place while he was still inside. By the time he got out, the bank was already empty. But he had no choice but to still blow up the bank.
Myles: Good work, team America. Now, if I recall correctly, Miss Thomas is going to be late for a dinner date if she doesn’t hurry.
(Sue glances at her watch and gasped.)
Sue: Oh no. I’m so late.
(She quickly grabs her coat and purse.)
Sue: Lucy, I’ll meet you at home, okay?
(Lucy nods and with that, Sue rushes out of the bullpen to meet Howie.)

At the restaurant
(Howie and Sue are halfway through their meal.)
Howie: You hurt me, Sue. You hurt me badly. After all we’ve been through, you didn’t even holla at me. I was devastated when I heard the news on the street and not from you.
Sue: Howie, please, not so dramatic. Like I said, I’m so sorry. I guess I was so busy, so caught up in my world that I forgot about you. I didn’t mean to.
(Howie places a hand over Sue’s and pats it.)
Howie: Don’t worry, Sue. I understand. To err is human, to forgive is divine. Besides, you had to worry about Jack and all.
Sue: Jack?
Howie: Yeah, him. You do know that if you left for the Big Apple, you would have to leave him, right?
(Sue nods, not quite sure where this is heading. Howie seemed to have read her mind.)
Howie: Sue, dear, you have to stop kidding yourself. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Everyone has. And you don’t have to be an agent to know what the look means.
(Sue is stumped.)
Sue: And what does the look means?
Howie: (exasperatedly) That he loves you, Sue! You’re deaf, not blind. Surely you have seen the look before!
(Sue starts blushing.)
Howie: You have to tell him. Tell Jack your true feelings. He has to know. Before something bad happens.
(Sue’s eyes widen.)
Howie: (hurriedly) Not that anything is going to happen. I’m just saying it in case something does happen.
Sue: But what if he doesn’t feel the same way like I do?
Howie: Then, there’s only one way to find out, is there? Come on, I’ll even give you a ride to his apartment.
(Sue hesitated for a while but after looking at Howie’s hopeful face, she reluctantly nods her head.)

Oh boy, we're off to Jack's!! Go Howie! Though it is a little mood-breaking that Howie is tagging along, but this should make for an interesting read!!
Great story!!
cm21

Howie rooting for Jack and Sue too, very cute.

Rebecca

Go Howie! I knew I liked him for a reason! LoLx

Great job! More J/S warm and fuzzies?!?

:whistle: "Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match...." :whistle: Love Howie as the insightful one....lol!

"Catch me a Catch..." LoLx

Very sweet! I love the way you wrote Howie's character!

Looking forward to more!

QUOTE

Oh boy, we're off to Jack's!! Go Howie! Though it is a little mood-breaking that Howie is tagging along, but this should make for an interesting read!!

After much consideration, I've decided to leave out Howie in the whole Sue going to Jack's place, making him just the driver.

QUOTE

Great job! More J/S warm and fuzzies?!?

Fuzzies? Maybe.....
(She couldn’t believe it. She was going to tell Jack her true feelings. Thanks to Howie. She’s at Jack’s door and knocks it. Jack opens it, wearing a singlet and boxer shorts, a shocked expression on his face.)
Jack: Sue?! What are you doing here? Is everything okay? Does Lucy know you’re here? How did you get here?
(Sue holds her hands out.)
Sue: Relax, Jack. Lucy knows. I blackberried her already. Everything’s fine and Howie drove me here.
Jack: (puzzled) Then, why are you here?
Sue: I need to talk to you. Now.
Jack: OK…um…come on in.
(Sue walks in and Jack hurries to clear up the place.)
Jack: Do you want anything to drink?
Sue: No. I just want to talk.
Jack: OK…have a sit.
(He points to the couch and both he and Sue sit.)
Jack: So, you wanted to talk? About what?
(Sue starts to stammer.)
Sue: About us. About our relationship.
Jack: Relationship?
Sue: Yes. I know we have a professional one, but I would like a personal one too.
Jack: Oh.
Sue: And I wanted you to know that I…that I…um…that I lo…
(Jack gets a phone call right at that moment. He apologizes and picks up the call.)
Jack: (mouths) Tara.
(“Great timing, Tara,” Sue thought. Jack hangs up.)
Jack: Tara says she’s got a lead. Everyone’s meeting at the bullpen. You wanted to say something?
Sue: It could wait.
Jack: OK then.
(Both of them stand up and Jack goes to get dressed. Sue closes her eyes and starts banging her head against the wall. Jack comes out and sees her. He taps her shoulder.)
Jack: You okay?
(Sue looks up.)
Sue: Yeah. I um… I read somewhere that banging your head against the wall can actually burn calories. And since I didn’t walk Levi today, I thought I’d give it a try.
(Levi barks.)

Did Jack actually buy that?

Poor Sue, never getting a chance when she gets up the courage, I hope they come back to this conversation as soon as they can.


Rebecca

Sue you better not try to back out when Jack brings it up, which I'm really hoping he will!
And this lead better be good! I mean look at the conversation it broke up!
More soon please!!!
cm21

Obviously! Next Jack's gonna try it!


Sue, you could have just spit it right out, but it gives her character more realism!

Thanks people for all the nice things you said about my story. So, now I'm back with a new post.

The bullpen, 1st of July, 11 p.m.
(Everyone is gathered in the bullpen to see what Tara has.)
Tara: The lab found a partial, right? Well, they ran it through AFIS and they got a hit.
Bobby: All right, then, sheila. Let’s go get him.
Tara: We can’t.
Jack: Why not?
Tara: The partial belongs to a guy, executed 2 years ago.
(Everyone goes “What?!”)
Sue: Then how does his print…?
Myles: Well, it is possible to duplicate prints. It’s simple if you know what you’re doing. You get them to stick their finger into something soft, you let it harden, you fill it with epoxy, and then you duplicate the print. Or you just use an existing print. But why?
Tara: I did some digging on the guy. His name is Corey Smith. He used to belong to a group big on euthanasia.
Sue: Euthan---what?
Lucy: (fingerspells E-U-T-H-A-N-A-S-I-A) It’s the practice of killing someone really old or really sick without causing pain.
Sue: But isn’t that, like, murder?
D: It’s known as mercy killing. It’s legal in a few countries. But yes, there have been cases where doctors, medical personnel, kill people who aren’t even in pain.
Bobby: So what do we do now, mate? It’s a dead end.
Jack: OK, how about this? All of us go home, get some rest. We’ll come back tomorrow and see what we’ll have. Okay?
(Everyone aggress and proceeds to walk out. Tara stays, though.)
Tara: You guys go. I’ll stay and do some more digging.

This is great! More please..especially warm fuzzies! Darn Tara for interrupting. Keep up the good work!

Should we be concerned about Tara staying so late at night by herself? Creepy.

euthnasia, reminds me of Terry Shivo<sp>, you know?

Anywayz, Great job, and I'm lovin' the story, I'd say more, but I'd gotta go! Buh Baiz!

Hmm...and the story gets even more interesting...

Great twist!

Don't worry, no need to worry about Tara

Yeah, that's where I got my idea.

The bullpen, 2nd of July, morning
(Lucy is trying to convince Myles to have the party at his house.)
Lucy: Myles, please…It’ll be fun.
Myles: I bet it’s real fun until I have to clean up the place.
Lucy: Come on, Myles. We can help clean up or we wouldn’t mess up the place at all.
Myles: A party without a mess? Hmm…That’s a first.
Lucy: Myles!
Myles: The answer is still no. Luce.
Lucy: Fine. Whatever, I give up.
(Lucy throws her hands up in defeat. She walks to Sue’s desk and gets her attention.)
Lucy: Sue, I think we might have a problem with the party.
Sue: Myles said no, huh?
Lucy: Yep. I think we should move to Plan B.
Sue: What’s Plan B?
(Lucy gets the attention of everyone and speaks out loud. She signs for Sue too.)
Lucy: People, due to unforeseen circumstance, (she throws a look at Myles) the Independence Day party will now be held at Sue’s and my apartment.
(Everyone in the bullpen cheers.)
D: OK, OK, people. Back on track. Tara, what have you got?
Tara: I singled out this guy cos he was the closest to our perp at all times. Using facial recognition, measuring the distance between the eyes, nose, jaw line and chin and comparing it with every single database we have, I’m proud to introduce to you, Chris Gordon.
(A guy’s face pops out on the screen.)
Tara: Has a prior record of 2 counts of disorderly behavior and 1 count of vandalism.
Lucy: I just love this face thing.
Jack: OK, let’s bring him in.

The interrogation room
Chris: Look, I know my rights. You can’t hold me here. You have nothing on me.
Myles: On the contrary, we have something on you. You were, what, painting graffiti on public property when we picked you up?
Chris: I was just showing off my creative flair.
(Myles rolls his eyes.)
Bobby: Look, sunshine, we know you had something to do with the City Central blast, we want to know everyone involved and we want to stop them before the 4th.
(An evil grin appears on Chris’ face.)
Chris: Well then, you’re too late. There’s already an attack planned. A mass mercy killing. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
(Bobby lunges for Chris but is stopped by Myles. Chris looks startled.)
Chris: Hey, watch it! I can sue for police brutality.
Bobby: So sue me!
Myles: Look, why did you duplicate Corey Smith’s prints and put it on the suitcase?
Chris: We didn’t. It was a mistake to use Smith’s old case. I told them but they wouldn’t listen.
Bobby: They who?
Chris: The group, duh!
Myles: Tell us about the new attack.
Chris: Over my dead body.
Bobby: Glad you said that.
(Bobby lunges again at Chris but is dragged out by Myles.)
Myles: Look, hotshot, you have to calm down. I’ll call Jack and let him know.

The café
(Jack is telling Sue something very funny from his childhood. Sue is trying hard to control her laughter.)
Sue: OK. (struggling to breathe) I know you didn’t bring me here to tell me jokes. Tell me why I’m really here.
Jack: (sighs) OK. (pauses) I brought you here to spend some time with me. Alone. (pauses) I want to know what you wanted to tell me last night.
Sue: Oh. That. Um…
(She starts to feel very uncomfortable.)
Sue: (stammering) Well…I wanted to um…say that um…that I um…I love…
(Jack gets a call on his cell phone. Jack looks annoyed; Sue looks confused since she can’t hear the ringing. Jack answers the call. He mouths “Myles”. “Great timing, Myles. NOT,” thought Sue. Jack hangs up.)
Jack: Myles said that they’ve something. And we have to go back now.
Sue: OK.
(They both stand up. Sue turns her back towards Jack to leave but Jack grabs hold of Sue’s arm. She turns around.)
Jack: (sheepishly) You were saying that you love…?
Sue: Oh. Um…I was going to say that I love (impromptu thinking) working with you.
Jack: (a little disappointed) Oh.
Sue: Come on. We have to go save the world again.
(As they leave the café, Sue feels a pang of sadness in her heart. “God, why didn’t I tell him?” she sadly thought. )

OMG! Sue, chicken! ptffffffff!!!


Great job, Melissa, anymore?

I finally caught up from the beginning till now. I just wanted to say...

1. Have you seen Endings and Beginnings? There should be a law to stop interruptions!

2. I feel for Sue... be put in the spotlight....

3. This story has REALLY gotten me hooked!!!

Can't wait for more!

Mainly Myles! LoLx

I agree with the law agains interruptions! Although, them most of our stories would end rather quickly--oh well, I guess we'll just have to live with interruptions.

Ughhh....throw the mobile in the river or stop answering the call Jack....let the girl finish first!!!

Great story btw

Thank you all. Yeah, maybe I should stop all the interrupting........

The bullpen, 2nd of July, afternoon
(Jack and Sue walk into the bullpen. Jack very gentlemanly takes off Sue’s coat for her. Lucy notices this, a devilishly grin on her face. Jack proceeds to take off his own.)
Jack: So, what have we got?
Bobby: Chris, here, has admitted that there’s going to be another attack. A mass one.
Myles: And further interrogation has confirmed that the attack will commerce either tomorrow or the day after.
Lucy: That soon?
Tara: Do we know why?
(Bobby, Myles and D all shake their heads sadly.)
D: We know that it’s going to be a mass killing. We just don’t know where.
Sue: Well, mercy killing is associated with hospitals and clinics. Maybe those are the targets.
Bobby: There are over a dozen of those in D.C, sheila. We are never going to find the right one.
Myles: And even if we do, do we know how to stop them?
D: They’ll probably bomb the place, like the bank.
Jack: OK, people, we’re working against the clock here. Let’s see some hustle.

The bullpen, 2nd of July, night
(Everyone is running through papers, trying to find out the attack location. Tension is running high, as everyone is getting frustrated.)
Bobby: (throws papers onto his desk) Dang it! We’re never going to find the location.
Jack: Patience, Bobby. Patience.
Bobby: You try to be patient, mate, after 5 hours going through endless stacks of papers.
Tara: Guys, please, focus here. We need to find the location.

The bullpen. 3rd of July, morning
(Lucy and Sue walk into the bullpen, seeing the agents all yawning and rubbing their eyes. Sue walks over to the coffee maker and makes two cups of coffee. She takes both cups in her hands and walks over to Jack’s desk. She hands one cup to him.)
Jack: (signs THANK-YOU)
Sue: (signs WELCOME) (takes a sip of the coffee) Any luck so far?
Jack: (shakes his head) At the rate we’re going, we’ll never find the place.
(Sue gently places a hand on Jack’s shoulder and smiles at him.)
Sue: You can’t give up right now. The team needs you.
(Lucy comes over.)
Lucy: Hey Jack. Can you bring some snacks? For the party tomorrow. Now I know we’re after some bad guy, but who knows? All these might end by tomorrow.
Jack: (waving his hand) Sure, Lucy. Whatever you need.
Lucy: OK, it’s set, then.
(D walks in, looking grim.)
D: I’m afraid I have some bad news.
Jack: What is it?
D: Chris Gordon just made bail. He’s going to be released in an hour.
Tara: That fast?
D: (shrugging) He lawyered up.
Sue: You know, releasing him might not be such a bad idea.
(Everyone looks at Sue, disbelief evident on their faces.)
Lucy: Are you crazy?
Myles: Have you finally lost it, Thomas?
Sue: No, I have not finally lost it, Myles. I mean, look at it this way. If we released Chris and put SOG on him, he might take us to his gang.
Jack: Which might, in turn, led us to the location.
(Sue nods, smiling broadly.)
Jack: OK, Tara, you heard her. Put SOG on him and let us know if anything comes up.
Tara: Sure thing, Jack.

Sue's thinkin' like an agent!

Thanks people for reviewing my story. This is going to be a short post so please don't kill me. *hides behind monitor*

The bullpen, 3rd of July, afternoon
(Bobby and Jack walk into the bullpen, taking off their coats. Jack walks over to Sue’s desk, handing her a burrito.)
Jack: Here, I got you something for lunch.
Sue: (signs THANK-YOU)
Jack: You know, you shouldn’t skip lunch like that.
Sue: (points to papers and smiles) I had work.
Bobby: So, sheila dear, any movement on our boy, Chris yet?
Tara: He’s been in and out St.Michaels for the past 6 hours. Last visit, I’ve checked, was just before noon. I’ll go check with SOG again.
(5 minutes later)
Tara: SOG just lost him.
Myles: What?! How can that happen? SOG is supposed to be the best elite watchdog team there ever is.
(Lucy hurries over to the group, signing to Sue at the same time.)
Lucy: I hate to be the bearer of more bad news but I just got a call from Diana Groves down at DCPD Metro and it seems that they have a hostage situation at St.Michaels.
Bobby: How bad?
Lucy: 4 assailants, 18 hostages at the waiting area. S.W.A.T managed to evacuate the rest of the staff and patients in time.
D: Any threats?
Lucy: They’re threatening to kill one hostage every hour their demands are not met. If all 18 hostages are killed, they’ll blow up the place. And did I mention that Chris is one of the assailants?
Jack: OK, I want everyone ready to leave in 2 minutes. Lucy, you stay here in case we need anything.
(Everyone starts to spring into action. Lucy lays a hand on Sue’s shoulder.)
Lucy: Promise me that you’ll be safe, okay?
Sue: I promise.
(They both hug and Sue then follows Jack out of the bullpen)

I'm not likin' this! 18 hostages and others can get killed if they want! OMG!!!!!!! :eek jaw drops:

Hostage situations are never good. I have a feeling that one of the team will be in some real danger before this is over! Hurry back!

This does not sound good at all ... Hope everybody's gonna be allright...

Can't wait for more !

Sand.

I agree, Court. Hostage situations are never good.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. This is a gentle reminder to please put on your seatbelts for the next following posts are going to be one great rollercoaster ride. Thank you.

The bullpen, 3rd of July, evening
(The team has just arrived on the scene. An officer points all of them to another guy in full S.W.A.T gear. He’s bend over the blueprint of the hospital that is on the front of a patrol car. They all moved towards him. Jack flashes his badge.)
Jack: Jack Hudson, FBI
(The guy looks up, glaring at Jack.)
Donovan: Hudson. Been a while.
Jack: (dryly) Donovan Ackerman. Leader of S.W.A.T team 5.
(Sue looks confused over the obvious dislike between the two men. She decides to cut in.)
Sue: Um…Officer Ackerman? We’re here about the hostage situation.
Donovan: (looks annoyed) It’s Captain Ackerman. (pauses) They’ve already killed one hostage, Jessica Sullivan. They threw the body out a little while ago. Negotiations with our hostage negotiator are not going well.
Bobby: Surveillance?
Donovan: The cameras in the hospital are still working.
Jack: OK. Sue, Tara, work on the cameras, tell us what they’re saying. Bobby, Myles, D, let’s suit up.

In the surveillance van
(Tara is wearing her headpiece and talking to Sue at the same time.)
Sue: So what was with all the hostility?
Tara: Well, Team 5 has been around longer than I have. But from what I heard, Jack dated one of them. Stefanie something. Anyway, they broke up, I don’t know why. She went mental. Nearly killed herself. She’s fine now, with the counseling and rehab. Considering how Team 5 is tight-knit, Donovan was really upset. He blames Jack.
Sue: And Jack blames himself?
Tara: She’s fine now, so I guess he still blames himself, but just a little.
(“Wow, I didn’t know there was so much to Jack,” thought Sue. She feels a hand on her shoulder.)
Tara: There’s some movement. Can you see what he’s saying?
Sue: (squirting) No. Can you zoom in?
(Screen on the monitor zooms in.)
Tara: Better?
Sue: Hmm…His abuse of the language only allows me to understand every other sentence. OK. Wait…they’re discussing their demands to the police.
Tara: What do they want?
Sue: They want dinner, 4 bulletproof vests, tickets to fly to L.A, I think and then a van with enough fuel to drive to Mexico.
Tara: OK, I’ll go tell Ackerman.
Sue: You know, the back door seems unguarded. Maybe the guys could go in by there and take them by surprise.
Tara: Good idea. (into the headpiece) SAM31, SAM33, SAM36, SAM39, this is SAM1 speaking. The back door seems unguarded. Possible entrance.
Jack: Copy that, SAM1.
Jack signals to the guys, two fingers pointing towards the back door. They nod their heads and proceed to the door and Sue, with Tara, sees them enter the waiting area.
Tara: OK, guys. This is it. Make sure they don’t see you.
Sue watches the monitors with battered breath. Heart in her throat, she silently whispers a prayer. Suddenly, she sees the assailants waving their guns madly in the air and hostages clapping their hands over their ears.
Sue: What happened?
Tara: They saw us. (into the headpiece) Guys, get out of there now!
Jack: No. I have a plan.
Sue then sees a figure in black removing his bulletproof vest and walking towards the assailants.
Sue: Who’s that?
Tara signs J-A-C-K, a worried expression on her face.

Ahh! What did I tell you about someone being in danger! My seatbelt is getting a little tight! Help!

Oh no! What is Jack thinking by removing his vest?

Jack's goin' mental! He's crazy! he just marked his own death wish!

Oh, you guys. Really cracking me up.

And seeing that I'm in a generous mood today, I'll be posting two chapters. However, do remember NOT to take off your seatbelt. We'll be experiencing turbulence.

Good news, everyone. Last night, due to caffeine overdose, I couldn't sleep and managed to dish out the final few chapters. Who knows, if I'm lucky today, I might be able to come up with a fitting conclusion. Wish me luck.

St.Michaels Hospital, 3rd of July, late evening

“Get back here, Jack,” hissed Bobby angrily. He wanted to grab him by the shoulders but Jack turned around instead. “Don’t worry, I have a plan,” he whispered back. “The plan was to get out of here in one piece,” said Myles, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jack held up one hand to silence them and started walking towards the assailants, both hands raised.

In the surveillance van, Sue started worrying. Why was Jack doing this? He could get killed, for crying out loud! “Jack! Get back with the guys!” shouted Sue into the microphone. She hated it whenever Jack decided to do something without consulting the team first.

“D says it’s no use. Jack wouldn’t listen to anyone,” said Tara exasperatedly. This whole Jack-ignoring-everyone was giving her a splitting headache. Rubbing her temples, she heard Sue ask, “So, what do we do now?”

“Pray to God and hope damn well he doesn’t try anything more stupid than that god damn stunt,” snapped Tara, anger slowly rising in her.

St.Michaels Hospital, 3rd of July, late evening

“Please, gentlemen. Hear me out,” said Jack calmly. He slowly walked towards them, both hands raised. “Really. You do not want to do this. I know that you didn’t mean to kill Jessica”.

“Damn straight. She was making a hell lot of noise,” shouted one of them.

“Which is why you guys should stop. If you surrender now, you guys could get a deal,” reasoned Jack. “It’s not that easy, Agent Hudson. We have a cause here,” said Chris. What was the FBI thinking? That they would just up and leave? After all the hard work he’d put in? Forget it! Not a chance.

“We’re not leaving this place until we blow it up!” exclaimed Chris, anger evident in his face. He looked around for confirmation among his accomplices but was enraged when he found hesitation instead.

“That’s it!” hissed Chris, voice dripping with disdain. “I’ve had it with you cops!” With that, he pulls out another one of his guns.

Oh Melissa! I'm going to have to come after you with a big stick! You put Jacks' vest back on NOW....No guns!

Starts stamping foot on ground. Don't make me throw a tantrum! I'll do it!

No!!!!!! Jack!!!!!!!

Melissa, get back here this instant, young lady!!!

Okay Melissa, due to the fact that you have offered both milk and chocolate else where, I will not use the stick on you.

However....


Put Jack's vest back on him pronto!




please?

Thanks kidbrother but if I put back on Jack's vest, where would all the drama be?

SEATBELT ALERT



St.Michaels Hospital, 3rd of July, late evening

Sue’s heart stopped beating for a moment when she saw the gun being pulled out. Fearful of what could happen to Jack, “Get out of there! Now!” she shouted into the microphone.

A split second later, she sees the assailant with the gun fall to the ground. “What’s going on?” she demanded, enquiring a haggard Tara. “Ackerman must have alerted his shooters. Damn him!” she yelled, slamming her palm into the dashboard. “Seize fire! I repeat! Do not fire!” shouted Tara into the microphone. “Shots are being fired,” said Tara to Sue.

Sue scanned the monitors for clues as to what had just happened and was horrified to see one of the guys collapsing. “Oh my god. Who is that, Tara? Who just got shot?” she asked panicky, grabbing Tara’s arm. “Identify personnel, immediately,” said Tara into the microphone, the same fear rising in her.

A moment later, Tara just sank lower into her seat. ‘It’s Jack,” she whispered. Their worst fear has just been realized. “He was the one who got shot”.

OMG!!! Melissa!!!! You get back here this instant young lady! Or I glue you to the computer and force you to write more and make Jack ok!



Help!!! I need someone to hold my hand!

Sounds of wimpering heard in Georgia.

You just couldn't resist, could you? Don't be getting any evil ideas from the other stories...I'll be forced to send my owl to watch you! (sly grin)