“Has he announced it yet, then?” the newcomer asked eagerly as she jostled her way through the crowd.

“No, not yet,” someone whispered and was shushed by his neighbour.

“Shhh. He’s reaching into the bag…”

A collective gasp circled the room as every elf strained forward to eagerly hear what Santa was going to announce. This ceremony had become the highlight of their Yuletide season. Held on December 1st it represented the true meaning of Christmas; a chance to reconnect with one of their special clients whom they had lost to adulthood.

Each year, Santa reached into his sorting sack of grown-up names and drew out the name of someone who needed a special dose of Christmas magic this year. The magic saw to it that they all remembered the child now grown; every visit, every gift, the triumphs and the tears. It was always exciting to see the dear child in adulthood, though often disappointing.

“Has he pulled it out yet? I can’t see!” complained a young elf at her elbow.

“Here, let me give you a leg up,” the newcomer said kindly. “He’s just pulling out the name now.”

They all watched as Santa looked at the gilt edged parchment. He nodded his head, smiling in remembrance and then looked out into the crowd. “This is going to be a very special Christmas indeed,” Santa told them, holding up the card for everyone to see. The words magically sailed off the page and grew into a shimmering neon-lit billboard flashing a name they all knew and loved. Their minds were flooded with memories, both happy and sad and they waited eagerly for Santa’s next announcement.

“Dewberry, I think. Yes Dewberry, I think you’re the best match.”

“Oh my goodness, that’s me!” the newcomer squealed excitedly, toppling the young elf she was holding onto the ground. “Sorry. Excuse me. Let me through please. That’s my name Santa just called.” Dewberry made her way to the front of the hall and stood bashfully next to Santa. She was still a terribly young elf for this kind of honour.

Santa squeezed her shoulder warmly. “You’ll do just fine,” he told her, passing the parchment into her hands. “Remember, your assignment is to make our Special Client’s Christmas wishes come true.”

^^^^^


Okay I have started to write a little story in addition to trying to finish my other one. Dewberry’s thoughts and such are written in green. I wrote over ten parts before I decided to post it, please tell me if it really sucks. On the whole I think the posts will be quite short but you never know I might throw some longer ones in too.




Part 1
Sue sighed in was proving to be a long day, they had four urgent cases and they seemed to be getting leads on all of them at once after several days of nothing. She had been out interviewing people with Jack, interrogating them with Jack and this evening Tara and Lucy wanted her to go with them late night shopping for outfits for the Christmas party. Sue said she was sure she had a dress in her wardrobe already that would do perfectly well for the occasion but the girls insisted that a new dress was in order. Tara and Lucy thought a new dress which they had first approved of might actually knock Jack off his feet and land him appropriately at Sue’s.

Sue stopped and gazed at the computer screen seeing nothing but her thoughts, Christmas was fast approaching Lucy kept asking her if there was anything she wanted. There wasn’t anything that money could buy, she wanted to be with Jack, but there were the rules and so she couldn’t, material things didn’t seem equal to her growing need to have Jack in her life to be more than the friend he was.

Dewberry stood in the corner of the bullpen by the coffee machine in invisible mode, not wanting to be spotted at present while she assessed the situation before her before her wondering how she was going to implement this Christmas wish for Sue Thomas. She had a dog noted Dewberry, Dewberry was a little afraid of dogs having being chased by one last year when she had accidentally made her self visible to the big wide world she was now standing in as opposed her home the North Pole.

Poor Dewberry ... but Levi is a nice doggy

How to land Jack to her feet ??? ... hum ... I like the idea !

Rosa, this sounds good already?? Why am I not surprised that Sue's Christmas wish would be Jack??

Poor Dewberry - don't be afraid of Levi - one lick and you will be his for life!!

This is going to be fun!!!

Joy

maybe Dewberry could get Levi to help her....i am sure she can speak doggish...and i am sure Levi would lend a willing paw...

This sounds great...I love Dewberry...she's so sweet being afraid of dogs....i was chased by a dog once too!!!! terrfiying expereince!!!!!!!

Can't wait for more

I love that line...and the girls' thinking.

Can't wait for more.

Kav

Thanks for the feedback Here is another small installment

Part 2

The girls got back to Sue and Lucy’s apartment tired but with a sense of achievement as they all had found and bought something for the Christmas party. They flopped down onto the couch whilst waiting for the coffee they had started to make, discussing their purchases when Sue got a call on her blackberry. She excused herself and went to her room for privacy and Lucy and Tara shared a puzzled and concerned look.

“So Sue can you help me” came the message over the blackberry it was the second time the sender had asked after revealing who he was.

“Look I don’t know”

“Please”

“I’ll see what I can do”

“Okay thank you and please don’t call me I’ll contact you”

“Okay” she said and the conversation ended

She sat on the bed and wondered what on earth Brian Lockyear thought calling her after all this time and how he had got her details in the first place which was rather disturbing in itself.

Sue took her time before entering the lounge she had to compose herself as she felt unsettled.

“Everything alright?” asked Tara and Sue nodded sitting down once more.

It did not go unnoticed by Tara and Lucy that Sue was a little more than quiet after that.

“Oh no” thought Dewberry “This is not part of the plan at all” she took a step back as Levi came sniffing around while she was sitting in the corner almost as if he could sense the presence of the elf and she shooed him away with her small hands, shaking her head at him and putting on her best frown wondering if in fact dogs responded to frowns or elf's for that matter.

Who is Brian Lockyear and what does he want with our Sue???

Okay, Rosa, I'm hooked now!!

Joy

I'm with you Suesfan ... Who's that Brian guy? And what does he want with Sue?

mmmm Brian....mmmmm

and levi keep sniffing...

I don't like the sound of this Brian...

Great start, please post more!



gracie

Who is that Brian guy?????

Come on Levi, keep on sniffing


Great start, love to read more

great start!

side note: Dewberry rules!

No insult, Brian...but that name give me goosbumps...

I'm sure Dewberry can handle him!

Thanks for the feedback It's greatly appreciated. I might be able to post twice tonight but have people coming round so I'll have to wait and see

Part 3

Brian was in a fix an old school friend had told him that Sue worked with the FBI and when he found himself in DC he thought she might be able to help him out of his sticky dilemma.

Sue lay in bed awake, sleep would not come, and all she could think of was Brian. How she had liked him, really liked him and he had let her down, hurt her feelings which had been in tatters for months afterwards.

Dewberry still not happy with the turn of events waved her hand in one clockwise circle and soon Sue was in the land of nod. Dewberry liked the land of nod there were some very nice people there, she must remember when she wasn’t so busy to catch up with them. Leaving Sue asleep she went to pay a visit to Jack Hudson. Jack was still awake too although he was working at his computer doing something which was beyond Dewberry’s comprehension and she decided to leave him to it and try to find Brian Lockyear he was a nasty piece of work in her opinion.

I'm with Dewberry on Brian!! Yeah, I've run into some very interesting people in the Land of Nod!! Great place to go!!

What is Jack up to???

Loving your story, Rosa!!

Joy

Hi Joy thank you. A teensie little bit more then I have to go, sorry. I'll be back tomorrow hopefully I just mean I have to go for tonight

Part 4

Brian was drinking in a late night establishment and not looking sober the proprietor eventually refused to serve him anymore and threw him out onto the street. The street was cold and large flakes of snow fell and landed on top on the carpet of snow already there. He staggered down an alleyway finding a bed in someone’s rubbish.

Dewberry pitied the man in the trash, she scratched her head thoughtfully, this was her first proper assignment and she couldn’t mess up she had to come up with a plan and fast. The arrival of Brian was unforeseen and while Dewberry knew all about what had happened of how Sue had known Brian. Sue had not told any of her co-workers about him, in fact she hadn’t told anyone about how he had upset her one Christmas a long time ago.

do i foresee a Flash back!!!!!

I know it's Christmas and everything but i have a hard time warming up to Brian ...

What has that Brain guy done to our Sue ?????

Jack, what are you doing??? a Christmas gift for Sue???

I know what you mean, Marlo! I feel if he landed in the rubbish, he found his way home!!

Joy

do I really need to add my opinion....

Sue, I know that Christmas is the season for giving....but don't get yourself into any trouble ok? Another phenom story Rosa

Hi thanks for the feedback. Sorry for the update delay had a bad and difficult day.
Please don't panic at my update.

Part 5

The next morning everyone was at work when Sue got the email from Brian requesting her to meet in a park which he specified at lunchtime. Sue thinking that it would be okay to meet in broad daylight agreed. Making excuses not to join the rest of the team for lunch she and Levi headed to the park where Brian was waiting on a bench for her to show.

Dewberry followed close by this was getting out of hand and she still didn’t have a plan of action, she had thought about calling into base for some backup but she was stubborn and determined to do this all by herself no matter what the consequences.

“Sue glad you could make it” Brian said extending his grimy hand which she shook with her gloved one.

“Brian” Sue said remaining standing feeling inside that she should have at least told Lucy where she was going

“Look I need some help I kind of got myself into a bit of trouble with some guys who wanted me to help them”

“With something illegal?” she asked and he nodded

“I thought it would be okay, I needed the money except when I found out it wasn’t okay it was too late. I think they’re trying to kill me” he explained

Sue not having any reason to trust or believe him was hesitant “What did you do?” she asked “I need to know if you want my help”

Dewberry stood there and shook her head “No, no, no Sue” she said “Please don’t get involved” but as a car zoomed round the corner and fired at the trio in the park Dewberry knew it was too late.

Dewberry!!! What were you thinking!!! You'd better make this alright asap, younglady!!!! I mean, being an elf I think you can freeze time for a second to get Sue down on the ground so the bullet will not hit her?! Or you can turn time back, so that she is just a little late in the park??? Think of something!!!!

First thought was ... noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second thought was ... he wasn't lying

Third thought was ... come back here ... you cannot injure Sue ...

Uh Dewberry?...are you falling behind in part of your job?

What a way to finish that post! Let's hope the guys a very bad shot!

Looking forward to your next post and I hope your day gets better.

Take care,

Sairs

aileen covers eyes and sobs.....

Dewberry do something...

If Sue is hurt in any way I'm jumping in there!

Oh NOOOOO!!!
this is not good.....

Don't panic. It's not that bad and Dewberry... well read the update and you'll see....

Part 6

“Phew! That was close” thought Dewberry as she managed to spook Levi who ran in the opposite direction right at the last second and Sue followed with Dewberry trailing after them.

It was an hour after the end of the lunch hour and Jack was worried Sue hadn’t come back and wasn’t answering her blackberry either, no one else seemed to notice they were busy with the cases they were all drowning under. He slipped across to her desk and randomly flicked through her emails until he reached the one from Brian. Something gave him an involuntary shiver down his spine and he looked up into the face of Lucy.

“What are you doing reading Sue’s emails?” she asked

“Checking something” he replied He stood and grabbed his coat adding “I have to go out be back soon, if you need me call”

He reached the park and looked round for evidence of Sue and he spotted her car parked some distance away thinking that was a start he went over to investigate.

It was empty he scanned around unable to see her or Levi either.

“Excuse me” said a voice to his left and he turned to see a gnarled old man standing there. “Are you from the police, did you come in response to the shooting at lunchtime”

Jack’s heart leapt into his throat and he replied tersely “What can you tell be about that?”

“Are you the police or not?”

“FBI” said Jack displaying his ID for the man.

“Oh well, there was a scruffy man and a smartly dressed woman and a dog and a car screeched out of nowhere and stared firing at them”

“What happened to them?” Jack asked trying to keep calm and professional

“It all happened rather quickly but they stopped firing as soon as they had the man’s attention then dragged the man into the car, the woman got away”

“Thank you” said Jack wondering where on earth Sue had got to if she had gotten away.

Dewberry having been with Sue had then backtracked to the park in the hope that one of her friends might stop by looking for her. Pleased that it was Jack she knew that she would have to use her powers and create some magic as it didn’t appear to be proving as easy as she first envisaged. She waved her hand up and down this time in front of Jack’s face and he jumped as if startled thinking he had seen a retreating form of a golden retriever and he followed quickly. Dewberry decided she didn’t like being a dog as she ran through the back streets making sure that Jack was following her all the way. She dived into a trash can turning back into an elf just as Jack rounded the corner and found Sue sitting behind a dumpster.

Whew! Okay Dewberry...your forgiven.

That's better ...

Can breathe now

He found her!!!

poor Sue, she must be in quite a shock......

WAY TO GO DEWBERRY!!!!!!!!!

Boy, that was scary at first!!!

Dewberry, you make an excellent golden retriever!!! I wonder if Sue is going to ask Jack how he found her behind the dumpster? Especially if Levi has been with her the whole time!!

Rosa, this is a wonderful story - can't wait for more!!

Joy

Ouf! of relief!

Great job, drewberry!

Thanks for all the feedback sorry I haven't been here much today had another difficult day. Life is sometimes harder than you think it's going to be. I was refering to myself not the story.



Part 7

“Sue” Jack touched her on the arm as he crouched down to see if she was hurt

She opened her eyes and looked at him “Jack” she said registering that he was in front of her.

She shook her head and stood letting him aide her and enjoying the feel of his arm around her waist as he steadied her.

“Are you alright?” he asked concern etched upon her face “You’re not hurt?”

She shook her head “No I don’t think so, but I don’t really know how I ended up here”

“What do you remember?” he asked

“I was in the park with, with, with someone and then there was a car next thing I knew I was here, I think actually Levi took off and I followed him then I slipped and” she paused and she gingerly put weight on her right foot, then winced as pain shot up he leg like a steel rod.

“Okay” said Jack his heart thundering loudly in his ears at the thought that she had been in a highly potential dangerous situation without backup and frustrated that he didn’t know why she hadn’t told anyone where she was going “Can you put any weight on it at all?”

She tried and he watched as she attempted to pretend it didn’t hurt and as her foot buckled under her weight he hoisted her into his arms instead.

“Jack!” she exclaimed “This isn’t necessary”

“I think it is” he replied, he turned round and said to the patiently waiting dog “Levi, come on”

They set off back to the car with Dewberry following behind rubbing her hands with glee. This was getting back on track she just wished Jack didn’t walk so fast her little legs had trouble keeping up afterwards she thought she should have flown it would have been less tiring.

Jack is so sweet!! But I think Sue still has some explaining to do!!

Joy

Just got the chance to read this one. Great start Rosa! I love what you're doing so far. Look forward to more...

I'm pleased Sue's safe and Jack found her! At least Dewberry's back on track.

Take care and I hope everything gets better for you soon.

Best wishes

Sairs

Love this...Sue...I would make the most of Jack being in a good mood because once he gets over the shock, I don't think he's going to be too happy about you going off without telling anyone!!!!

Sue is save and sound, and add it the sweetness of Jack

Prince Jack!

This is great Rosie. and I'm sorry life is giving you troubles. You're doing a great job with this Christmas challenge. Poor Dewberry has her own kind of challenge with our stubborn Sue. I'm sure Jack can help her in that department . Can't wait for more.

kav

Dewberry i can relate, i am small and often i have to run to keep up with my 6foot3inches friends....mind you they laugh at me for doing soooo...but i do get my own back ....

so glad Jack found her adn whisked her into his hands.....how romantic....

Thanks for the great feedback I know I shouldn't but I do fret about what I write.

A little update but I should be back later with some more.

Part 8

Not wanting to admit it, but his arms were aching a lot by the time they reached the park he set Sue down on a bench.

“I’ll bring the car round” he told her shortly trying to process all of his emotions at once and not succeeding.

Jack sat in his car for a few moments and ran his hand through his hair, still not able to rationalise everything at that moment, just glad that Sue was okay if not a little shaken and hurt.

She sat there feeling alone and vulnerable, not understanding why Brian had contacted her and feeling all the hurt she had buried deep inside well up like a new found spring. Just as she was getting all teary she saw Jack step out of his car and she wiped the back of her hand over her eyes and composed herself. Jack saw the way she tried to cover up the fact she was crying but he innocently assumed it was to do with her ankle rather than her heart.

Dewberry sat in the back of the car with Levi whom Jack and Sue had to continually tell to ‘sit’ they were not to know he was aware of Dewberry’s presence. Dewberry was more than happy when they reached the hospital then she could keep a safe distance from Levi whilst keeping a close watch on Jack and Sue.

he swept her up her feet... and now he's paying for that
Great post!

Thanks Bell Here is another snippet may have time to post one more today but not sure

Part 9

Whilst Sue was being examined by the doctor Jack made a call to the bullpen and filled them in on the details of Sue’s lunchtime escapade. Putting the cases they were working on aside Bobby and Myles went to the park and the area surrounding to see if they could dig up any dirt on the incident.

He then proceeded to pace up and down the waiting area unable to sit still as he waited wondering what this thing with Sue was all about.

Luckily for Sue it was only a sprain, she was given orders to rest her foot for a few days, some pain medication and a cane which reminded her of the time Myles stepped awkwardly off the kerb.

Jack took Sue home, it was after seven and Lucy greeted them at the door looking worried.

“Myles and Bobby find anything?” Jack asked her after Sue had gone for a soak in the bath.

“They spoke to people who lived nearby and got a number plate of the possible car” she told him “When I left Tara was checking to see who it belonged to”

“Good” said Jack rubbing his temples

“Are you staying?” Lucy asked wondering what Jack’s next move was

“Yes I need to ask Sue some questions about her lunch appointment”

“You mean you have spent all this time with her and you didn’t discuss it?”

“She was in pain and the doctor was with her and I thought it best if she relaxed first” he said, anything to spend a little longer in her company.

Dewberry was happy with the way things were panning out, except for the sprained ankle that was not good, but it had brought them closer together even for a short while and Jack was still at Sue’s apartment and this was only day two of her mission. The other great thing that had made her day was seeing the twins Cherry Pip and Cherry Blossom their assignment had also had to visit the ER, for a broken nose though which Dewberry thought was very unfortunate could hamper the twins plans considerably.