I'm going to give this a go...i hope nobody gets sick of Dewberry....at least not with my story....before I write this though...I'll give you fair warning that I may post a lot at a time and then not post at all---school you know---but I will finish it on time and if you must wait...I hope that you think it will be worth it....well...here it goes....
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Christmas Wishes--Intro Story

“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.”
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I'll be back soon to write the first chapter....

Here's the first chapter...I hope you like it....
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CHAPTER 1
The other elves grumbled amoungst themselves, wondering why, of all the elves, that it had to be Dewberry. Not that Dewberry was annoying or unkind or anything, but the elves didn't like the idea of a newcomer doing this year's Christmas Client.

Meanwhile Dewberry was smiling from ear to ear. She was honored that Santa had chosen her, an unexperienced newcomer, to make someone's Christmas better. "Thank you Santa."

"You're welcome," Santa said. He was plump, just like you always imagine him to be. He had white hair, even though he wasn't that old. Wearing red, as he always did, he smiled back at Dewberry because he knew that Dewberry could brighten up anyone's spirits.

"But, Santa," Dewberry began.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Who is Jack?"

"You mean, you don't know?" Santa asked.

"No."

"Well...."-Santa paused as he surveyed the crowd of the elves- "Vanessa. You probably know his story best of all. Would you explain it to Dewberry?"

"Of course, Santa."

Dewberry followed Vanessa into a room. Vanessa began, "Jack was probably one of the best children I have had the honor of knowing. He was never once on the naughty list. Also, every year, he would leave cookies and milk for Santa. But then, he didn't believe anymore."

"But why?"

"Only Santa knows that and that's confidential information. I wish I did know. Anyway, when Jack was about 22, I think it was, he moved from Wisconsin to Washington, D.C. That's when he joined the F.B.I. He met Dimitrius, Bobby, Myles, Lucy, and Tara over the years."

"Who?"

"Members of his team. You'll probably meet them too. Anyway, most importantly, he met Sue about 4 years ago. You'll definately get to meet her."

"Why is she so important?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Vanessa said.

"Is that it?" Dewberry asked. She wanted to know more.

"That's all that I know and can tell you. But don't worry, you'll find out a lot more when you meet him, but remember these words....Don't let the sun go down on your anger. It will do you good."

"I don't understand," Dewberry said before she heard the door open behind them.

It was Santa. "It's time to go, Dewberry."

"Good luck," Vanessa said as Dewberry walked through the doors.

Dewberry walked through the doors and found herself no longer at the North Pole. She looked around at the snow covered city and thought to herself, Well, here it goes.
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I hope you like it.....I find it the hardest to lead up to the best part---or at least the part that I have planned from the very beginning...so I hope you enjoyed it and I appreciated replies....they keep me going....well...I'll be back

I usually don't get this many comments....but I thank you for them....they're definately encouraging....well....here goes the next chapter....enjoy
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CHAPTER 2

As Dewberry stood on the sidewalk, she noticed that she held in her hands a beautifully wrapped present with the parchment underneath one of the ribbons. She began walking, when, she came to a store window and looked at her reflection. She looked different. With jeans and a sweater underneath her coat, she looked like the people that passed her by. She looked more carefully and noticed that her pointy ears were gone too. But one thing that had remained the same were her rosy cheeks and eyes that sparkled.

She thought to herself, Oh well, and turned around and collided with a man. She fell backwards onto the snow covered ground and dropped the present in the process. But when she looked at the man who had also fallen, she couldn't help but smile. There was something about him that she liked. She reached for the box, but he reached for it at the same time. Dewberry blushed and took hold of the gift.

"Sorry about that," the man said as he stood up and offered his hand to help her up. She took it and he pulled her to her feet.

Brushing herself off, she said, "That's okay. It was partly my fault, I should have been watching where I was going." Dewberry stared into his brown eyes, not being able to look away.

"New here?"

"Yeah," she confessed.

"Hudson," he said as he held out his hand. "Jack Hudson."

Dewberry couldn't believe her ears. This is him! She took his hand and shook it as she said, "Dewberry."

"Is that a nickname?" Jack asked.

"I suppose you could say that," Dewberry answered. She hadn't thought of it, but here her name seemed strange.

"Do you live around here?" Jack asked as he began walking and Dewberry followed.

"Actually," Dewberry hesitated, "I haven't found a place yet."

"I know a good hotel that could put you up for the night," Jack offered.

"I'd like that."

So Jack and Dewberry walked and talked until they arrived at the hotel. "I think I can handle myself from here," Dewberry said as they stood in front of the hotel.

"I should probably be getting back to my place anyway. Well, it was nice meeting you, Dewberry, was it?"

"Yeah. It was nice meeting you, too," Dewberry said as she walked through the doors.

Walking the three blocks to his apartment, Jack couldn't stop thinking about the woman he had just met. There was something different about her. Her cheeks were rosy and they sparkled like her eyes. It was almost like she wasn't human. But Jack soon dismissed that idea. Whistling and kicking up snow, he continued his walk home.
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I hope you liked it...it's strange where the characters can take you....I know I wasn't planning on this happening...but it did....anyway, enough about that....I'll be back to post more soon .......Thank you for your support

Thank you so much for your comments....here's the next chapter....
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CHAPTER 3

Dewberry sat on the bed that was in her hotel room and thought for awhile. Occasionally looking at the package that she held in her hands. She desperately wanted to open it. But she tried to resist the temptation. She set it down on the bed. But her eyes were continually drawn to it. She couldn't stand it any more. Holding it in her hands again, she slowly untied the ribbon and lifted off the top of the box and was surprised at what she found on the inside. It looked like glitter that floated on air, but Dewberry knew, it was Santa's magic.
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Sue woke up unusually early that morning. She didn't know why, but something had awakened her. So, she decided to take advantage of the oppuratunity. She got bundled up, grabbed Levi's leash (and Levi), and headed out.

Her week had gone as it usually did, they were given a case and they had solved it. Now, all they had left was the paperwork. The piles and piles of it, all asking for the same information. That's what she had to look forward to today, which might have explained her slowed pace. But Sue stopped for a moment, just to watch as the cars began to multiply, along with the people. More people were walking their dogs or trying to get in a quick jog before heading off to work.

But Sue's gaze was fixed on someone in particular. She smiled to herself and she was glad she had gone for a walk this morning. She watched as he walked up to her, or more accurately jogged. "Hi. Fancy meeting you here," he said.

"Hi," Sue answered back.

"Hey buddy," Jack said as he bent over to pet Levi. When he stood back up he said, "Nice day for a walk."

"Or a jog."

"Walk with me?" Jack asked.

"Sure," Sue said as they walked down the sidewalk. "Something on your mind?"

"Kind of. Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Ask away." Sue was all ears, so to speak.

"Do you believe in magic?"

Sue was surprised at the question, but answered all the same, "I suppose, why?"

"It's not important. At least not now. Anything on your mind?" Jack asked. He knew her well enough to know when something was weighing heavily on her mind.

"Actually there is something," Sue said. "Can you keep a secret, no matter what it is?" Jack crossed his heart and zipped his lips. Sue half
chuckled. "Well, I haven't told this to anyone yet, but I'd rather have you hear it from me than from someone else." Sue hesitated.

When Jack saw that this was taking great effort on Sue's part, he said, "What is it? You can tell me anything."

"I know. Well," Sue took a deep breath and finished, "I have leukemia."

Jack stopped walking. "I thought I just heard you say that you have cancer." Jack was hoping he was wrong. But when he saw Sue nod her head, tears forming in her eyes, he knew that it was true.

"I found out a week ago."

"Can they treat it?" Jack asked, dreading the answer and his fears were confirmed when Sue shook her head. Trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fill his eyes, Jack said, "How long do you have?"

"The doctors still have to do some tests, but they think I have less than a year." Sue was trying to fight her tears, but she couldn't. She could see that Jack was fighting the same battle. Sue couldn't stand this any longer. "I'm so sorry," she said through her tears before she ran, feeling like a little girl running away from her problems. But this time, no matter how far she ran from this, she wouldn't be able to run far enough. Sue slowed down when she got out of the park. She walked the next couple of blocks to her apartment.

She walked up the stairs to her apartment door and she opened it. She slowly- almost like she had to think about it- took off her coat, hanging it on the hook. She let Levi off his leash and he headed for the kitchen where Sue could smell Lucy cooking. Sue walked past the kitchen with only a glance at Lucy.

Lucy had heard Sue come in the door and she asked as Sue walked past, "Is everything alright?"

But Sue hadn't heard and she wouldn't have wanted to. But she had promised herself, when she had found out last week about her cancer, that she would live her life normally as if nothing had happened.
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Jack had watched as Sue ran. He couldn't go after her even if he had wanted to, his feet wouldn't move. There was nothing he could do, except to go back to his apartment and go to work as he always did. Maybe he would get the chance to talk to her or someone else about it. But then he remembered, "Can you keep a secret, no matter what it is?" She had said and he had promised. He felt so helpless. What could he do?
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I never planned for it to be like this, but it is and it will hopefully work perfectly....Thank you again for your comments ....I'll be back soon to add more

Sorry if this chapter isn't very good....it's one of those chapters that build up to the more exciting stuff....plus today hasn't really been my day for writing....oh well.....here it is...
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CHAPTER 4

Lucy walked in the bullpen that morning, December 5th, as she always did,to find Dimitrius, Myles, Bobby, and Tara gathered around the coffee maker talking about something. After taking off her coat, she walked over to the group.

"Good mornin', Luce," Bobby spoke up when he noticed her.

"Good morning," Lucy answered back, pouring some coffee into her mug.

"Sue didn't come with you?" Tara asked.

Lucy turned around and faced everyone as she answered, "I left early and she wasn't quite ready.....and," she added, " it seemed like something was bothering her."

"Maybe Jack would know," Tara suggested.

"Speak of the devil, here he comes," Myles said as Jack walked in.

"Jack, do you know what's wrong with Sue?" Lucy asked him, but he didn't answer. He was obviously preoccupied. "Jack?"

"Huh?" Jack said, brought out off his daydream.

"Is something wrong, mate?" Bobby asked.

"No, there's nothing wrong," Jack said.

This, of course, triggered everyone's curiosity. For, whenever Jack or
anyone for that matter, had something on their mind they just said it was nothing. The group of agents slowly walked towards Jack's desk. "Nothing, huh?" Myles
said.

"Nothing that I can talk to you guys about," Jack told them as he
shuffled papers around on his desk.

"Does it by any chance have to do with a certain blonde who works here?" Tara asked.

"Levi?" Myles said sarcastically.

Everyone shook their head at his jest and moved their attention back to Jack. "As a matter of fact it does," Jack answered.

"Is it good or bad?" D asked.

"What is this twenty questions?" Jack said annoyed. Then he mumbled, "It's bad."

"Bad?" everyone said surprised.

"But that's all I'm going to say about it. Now, don't you all have something to do," Jack said.

They all looked at each other with questioning looks and then dispersed to their own desks and pretended to work.
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Sue rode on the elevator alone that morning. She wasn't crying anymore, but her emotions were on edge. To distract herself, she watched as the numbers went up, until it finally got to her floor. The doors opened and she slowly walked out. Although the cancer had advanced to the point that it wasn't treatable anymore, she hadn't been affected physically by it. At least not yet.

She stopped before she entered the bullpen. She took a deep breath and said a quick prayer. She walked in and said, "Good morning!"

"Good morning," they all answered back.

Jack just looked at her, feeling sorry for her, but then he told himself, She doesn't need my pity. He knew from experience that that's probably the last thing she wanted. He sighed and looked at his watch, 7:30. It was going to be a long day.
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I've kind of had writer's block all day.....so I want your honest opinion on this chapter.........anyway....I'll be back soon and thanks for your comments

Sorry that this is a sad subject....but I'll have you smiling--for one reason or another-- by the end of the story....enjoy....
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CHAPTER 5

It was December 6th and a storm had blown in. Lucy had come in with Sue this morning, but she hadn't asked her what was wrong, for fear that she herself wouldn't be able to take the news. Sue walked in the bullpen to her desk, which had freshly stacked papers that needed to be filled out. She looked at the papers, but then her eyes moved instinctively to Jack's desk. She felt guilty because she had been avoiding him since she had told him and now all she wanted was to talk to someone, anyone who would listen.

Lucy walked over to the coffee maker, where everyone was again gathered, all except for Jack and Sue. "Did you ask her?" Tara whispered to Lucy, making sure that Sue wasn't watching.

"I couldn't," Lucy answered. Then she turned to Bobby and asked, "Did you get to talk to Jack?"

"Yeah, but he wouldn't say much about it," Bobby answered.

"Yet another of the Jack and Sue mysteries, maybe never to be solved," Myles added.

Just then, Jack walked in. He was covered with snow and he tried to get the circulation back into his frozen hands, rubbing them together.

"Good morning, Jack," Sue said as she always had.

Jack nodded in acknowledgement and signed to her, You o-k?

Sue nodded. She could see his concern for her. When she realized that she had stared at him for longer than she probably should have, she turned back to her work.

Jack walked over to the coffee maker and poured himself some. He
knew that everyone wanted to know what was going on, but he also knew that he had to keep his promise. If Sue wanted them to know, she would want to tell them herself. So, he took his mug and went back to his desk without a word. The others, seeing that nothing was going to be said right now, went back to their desks and talked amoungst themselves while, every once in a while, filling out the piles of papers that filled their desks.

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It was quitting time and everyone was packing up to leave. First to leave was Bobby, then D, followed by Myles, and then Tara. Sue had told Lucy that she had somewhere to be after work, so before Lucy left she went to Sue's desk and said, "See you at home?"

"Yeah. Don't wait up for me," Sue said before Lucy left the room. Now there was only Levi, Jack, and Sue left.

"You're not going home with Lucy?" Jack asked.

"I've got a doctor's appointment," Sue said.

"Do you want some company?"

"I think I'd like that. That is, if you're not doing anything," Sue said.

"I'm not doing anything," Jack said as he grabbed her coat and handed it to her. "Ready?"

Sue nodded. Jack offered his arm and they walk out.


Jack and Sue walked into the waiting room and told the receptionist that they had arrived. They sat down for only a couple of minutes when they were told that the doctor could see them now. Jack wasn't sure if he should go in with her, but when he had remained sitting, Sue looked back at him, her face pleading for him to go with her. So he got up and followed.

"Hello, Dr. Jules," Sue said. They had been waiting in an examination room being asked questions by the nurses and now the doctor had just walked in. Sue took off her coat and Jack held it for her.

"Hello, Sue. How do you feel?" Dr. Jules asked opening her chart and getting out a pen to take notes with.

"Physically? The same," Sue answered.

"And you are?" Dr. Jules asked, turning to Jack with curiosity.

"Jack Hudson. I'm a friend," Jack said shaking her hand.

Sue said, "It's okay. I asked him to come."

"Okay. Well, we got the results to your tests," the doctor began, but hesitating. This was the worst part of the job for her....telling people the bad news.

"It's bad, isn't it?" Sue asked, seeing the expression on the doctor's
face.

"I'm afraid so."

"Is there any way you can treat it?" Jack asked.

"We can try a medication, but at this point, the chance of full recovery is slim," the doctor answered.

"Is there anything I can do?" Sue asked.

"Live life normally. Unless the other tests show something different, there's nothing else any of us can do. I'm sorry," Dr. Jules answered.

Sue fighting her emotions said, "Are we finished?"

"Yeah, but I want to see you again next week, ok?" she told Sue.

"Okay," Sue said getting up and leaving the room.

"Next Wednesday?" the doctor asked.

Sue was turned away, but Jack answered for her, "We'll be here."

The doctor nodded and left. When Jack looked back to where Sue had been standing, she was gone. He went down the halls and saw her leaving the building. He ran after her. "Sue! Sue!" he yelled, although he knew that she wouldn't hear. When he caught up to her, he grabbed her arm and spun her around to find her eyes were puffy and red.

"Just leave me alone!" Sue demanded and tried to break free of his grip, but Jack held firm.

"That's not what you really want and you know it," Jack said trying to remain calm. Sue stopped struggling and listened(you know what I mean), tears running down her face. Letting go of her, he handed her her coat and she put it on as he continued, "I know what I'd want. I'd want the love of my friends......... They need to know."

Sue knew he was right, but easier said then done. "I can't."

"And why not? They love you and they'll give you the love that you need. We'll all help you get through this.....to the end," Jack struggled to say.

Sue cried and Jack offered a hug and they held each other tightly. Sue didn't want to let him go, afraid that he would fade like in some dream.

Jack didn't want to let her go, for fear that he wouldn't be able to tell her all the things he wanted to say. Jack whispered, almost to himself seeing that Sue couldn't hear him, "I'm never going to let you go."
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I'll more than likely not be able to post tomorrow....but hopefully I'll be able to post on Tues(day off of school ).....so I hope you like this chapter and I'll be back soon .....oh...and thanks for the comments....they really do keep me going...thank you

I didn't mean to...but....well it's a long story...but the point is that I didn't get time to post or write anything for that matter on Tuesday....so I'm trying to make up for it this weekend.......enough about me....here's the next chapter....
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CHAPTER 6

Jack woke up that morning of December 7, not prepared for what the day might bring. Sadness, joy....with this job, as he had said before, never a dull moment. How true that statement would turn out to be.

He got ready for work like he would have any other morning. But this time, he was half expecting the phone to ring. Thinking that Sue might call him, but when he thought about it, it seemed silly. Why would she call me? he asked himself. He grabbed his keys and headed out the door.

He drove the same route as he always did and arrived at the Hoover Building around 7:30. He walked through the doors and headed for the elevator. While looking at the floor, he bumped into someone. "Sorry," he said quickly, not even looking to see who it was and he kept walking.

"Jack?" the voice asked.

Jack recognized the voice and he turned to see who it was. "Dewberry?" he asked, surprised.

"I thought it was you," Dewberry said smiling. But then she saw that he
didn't return the smile. "Is something wrong?"

"You have no idea," Jack mumbled.

"What was that?"

"I said something is horribly wrong," Jack answered.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Dewberry asked sweetly.

"Yes. But I can't right now. Doing anything for lunch?" Jack asked.

"Nope."

"Will 12:30 work?"

Dewberry nodded and said, "See ya then."

Jack nodded, pushing the elevator button. He watched as Dewberry walked out the doors. There was something about her, as he had noticed before, that was different. But Jack's thoughts were interrupted when he heard the elevator ding and three people walked up to him. They all walked into the elevator.

All four went for the same button. They all said to each other, "You go ahead."

Jack finally pushed the button. Then there was a silence. Then Sue spoke up, "Somebody please say something."

"There's nothing to say," Jack replied.

Then Bobby whispered to Lucy, "Now I know something's wrong." Jack always seemed to have something to say, so this was an unusual occurance.

The elevator doors opened and they all got out. They all walked toward the bullpen without a word. Myles, D, and Tara were all in their desks when they walked in. "You guys missed the celebration," Tara said.

"What celebration?" Lucy asked.

"There's no more papers to do. Well, no new papers anyway," Myles put in.

"That's good," Sue said. She knew that what Jack had said yesterday was true. She had to tell everyone the truth because they deserved to know. She looked around at her co-workers....her friends. Then she looked at Jack. Why had it been so easy to tell him? Maybe it was because she knew that he would love her no matter what. But....then again....isn't it the same with everyone else?
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It was nearly 12:30 and Jack was getting ready to go out to lunch when Sue came to his desk. "Thank you," she said.

"What for? I didn't do anything," Jack said, trying not to make eye contact.

"But you did." She paused before she continued, "You helped me to see that I can't get through this alone. And that I need the love of others."

Jack looked up at her. "Sometimes, people can't see what they need." Then he looked past Sue and to the doorway. "Excuse me," he said as he walked towards the door. Sue turned around and saw a little girl at the door, she had pointy ears and her cheeks looked as if they had glitter on them. An elf? was Sue's first thought, but she soon shook it off.
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"How long does she have?" Dewberry asked. She was surprised when she heard that it was Sue who had the cancer. Vanessa wasn't kidding when she said that she was important.

"The doctors say that this is going to be her last Christmas," Jack answered. He knew he had promised to keep this a secret, but he knew that he had to tell someone....anyone.

"I'm sorry," Dewberry said.

"I don't know what to do. I don't know if there's anything I can do," Jack said.

"I think all you can do is to help her forget her troubles. To count her blessings and not her problems," Dewberry suggested.

That turned the light bulb on in Jack's head. "You just gave me an idea. Thank you," Jack said as he ran off.

Dewberry chuckled. "You're welcome!" she yelled to him. She knew, without him telling her, what he wished for Christmas.
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"Finally, I'm finished" was the saying of the day. Everyone was getting finished with their paperwork and the sighs that went through that office that day were abundant. Then there was the occasional "Woo-hoo" or "YEESSS!".

Everyone was getting ready to leave when Sue stood up and said, "Before you all leave, I have something I need to say." She looked to Jack and he gave her a reassuring nod. Everyone's attention was on Sue. "This isn't easy for me to tell you, but I think that you all deserve to know." Sue's eyes were beginning to tear up. "I have leukemia."

No one was expecting to hear what they had just heard. Tara was the first to speak, "How long to you have?"

Sue answered, "I don't know. But the doctors think that this is going to be my last Christmas."

Everyone looked at each other with questioning looks. Bobby spoke next, "It's not treatable, then?"

"I'm afraid not." She looked again to Jack. He was proud that she had had the courage to tell them, even if it was hard. Sue grabbed her stuff and headed out the door, Levi following close behind.

"What can we do?" Lucy asked.

"I have an idea," Jack said.
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Thank you for the comments that have accumulated here...I really appreciate it....I WILL post again tomorrow...I promise......but tonight....I probably won't post again because I'm going to a movie with my family ....well I'll be back as soon as I can

I'm sorry...I tried to post yesterday...but then my computer went wacko and it wouldn't work....oh well....here it is....
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CHAPTER 7

Tara walked in the bullpen that morning of December 8, like she would have any other morning. Today was an ordinary morning, that is, except for the fact that she was wearing a red Santa hat. She was the first of the team to arrive. Considering it was not quite 6:30, that wasn't surprising. She took little slips of paper from her bag and was putting one on each person's desk when Bobby came in. But Tara didn't notice him, so when she turned around to see him standing there, she jumped.

"I didn't mean to scare you," Bobby said, setting down his things.

"It's okay. I was just so focused on what I was doing that I didn't hear you come in," Tara said.

"What were you doin'?" Bobby asked walking towards her.

"Nothing," Tara said, hiding the decorated pieces of paper behind her back. Bobby gave her a look that told her he knew that she wasn't doing nothing. "I'm just doing my part to make this Christmas special for Sue."

"I see," Bobby said backing off.

"What are you going to do? Or have you not figured it out yet?" Tara asked continuing to pass out the pieces of paper.

"Well...I...uhhh," Bobby began and then cleared his throat, "haven't thought that far yet?" Tara shook her head and stopped at her desk with the last
piece of paper. "What are you doing?"

"Writing my name like you should be doing," Tara asked pointing to his desk.

"On this?" Bobby asked holding up the slip of paper and Tara looked up to confirm.

"Yep."

"Okay." Bobby was writing down his name on the designated piece of paper, when Dimitrius and Myles walked in.

"What's this?" Myles asked, holding up the piece of paper.

"You'll find out," Tara told him. "Just put your name on it."

Myles did so and D, hearing the instructions, did so as well. D brought
his paper to Tara's desk and asked, "What's this for?"

"My gift to Sue," Tara said.

"You mean...." D implied.

"Uh-huh," Tara said nodding her head.

"You're good," D said and was returning to his desk when Jack, Sue, Lucy, and Levi walked in.

Tara looked at Jack and told him before he could ask, "Just put your name on it. Oh and Sue..." Tara waited for Levi to get Sue's attention before she continued, "along with writing your name, could you also put Levi's name?" Tara motioned to Sue's desk.

Sue noticed the two pieces of paper and said, "Sure."

Tara took her Santa hat off her head and, while walking around to
collect the names, said, "I'm sure all of you are wondering what the pieces of paper were for, so I'm going to tell you. These," she said holding up one of the pieces, "are for this year's Secret Santa."

"Interesting idea," Sue said. Her face, Jack noticed, was paler than it usually was.

"Thank you. But there are some rules. Rule #1: You must buy the present yourself. No having someone else buy the present for you. Rule #2: You can't tell anyone who's name you have. It is meant to be a secret and should be kept likewise. Rule #3: Presents must be bought and wrapped by Christmas and will be exchanged at that time Rule #4: Just have fun. So," Tara looked around, "who would like to go first?"

"This is ridiculous," Myles said, not putting his name in the hat.

"Well, Mr. Scrooge, maybe you deserve a lump of coal in your stocking," Bobby told him.

"Or you could just take your name out. You wouldn't receive a present, but you would still buy for someone else," Tara suggested.

Myles hesitated before he put his name in the hat. "I'll go first," D offered, walking up to Tara. He picked a name and smiled.

"Next?" Tara asked.

"I'll take my chances," Jack said picking out a name. He smiled and nodded, confiming he had not picked his own name.

"Well, I suppose," Myles said taking out a name, but right now it would have been a miracle if he smiled.

"I'll take one, Tara," Lucy said. She looked at the name and walked back to her desk.

"I suppose I'll go next," Sue said picking two names, one for herself and then one for Levi. She looked satisfied at the names they had both received.

"Well, here goes nothing," Bobby said, mixing around the two names left in the hat and finally picked one out.

"And I'm last," Tara said taking out the last name. There was a silence in the room for a little while. But soon Jack spoke up.

"What are we supposed to do on days like today, anyway?"

"You mean the kind of days that there no real work to do?" Bobby said

"I have an idea. Let's get a tree," Lucy suggested. Everyone except for Myles grabbed their coat and were heading for the door.

"A tree?" Myles said.

"Yeah. As in Christmas tree, that you decorate with..." Bobby began before Myles cut him off.

"I know, I know. I just don't see why we should do it now."

"Well you know you don't have to come along if you have better things to do," Lucy said, not being able to help laughing.

Myles grabbed his coat and half-smiled. Ever since he was a kid, he loved picking out the tree. Even though, now, he tried to deny it.

"What are we waiting for?" Tara asked.

"Let's go," Sue said and they headed out the door.
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I'll be back asap

Thank you so much for your comments....I WAS planning on getting this finished by Christmas, but now I see that's not going to happen....but I will be writing much more over this vacation....Well, enough about that...here's the next chapter...
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CHAPTER 8

It was snowing when Sue walked out the door of the apartment building with Lucy. And beautiful snow it was. It sparkled on the not yet shoveled sidewalks. Sue could feel the crunching of the snow underneath her feet. That's when she saw her, the elf, or at least what she had first thought to be one. Sue looked her over carefully. The girl's face was smiling and her nose was a cherry-colored red. But what really caught her attention was the girl's pointy ears and the clothes she wore. She was wearing a red dress that glittered, along with one of those princess pointy hats. Then all of a sudden the girl changed, but only for a second. For that split second, Sue saw that this girl now looked like a young women, wearing normal everyday clothes. Then a semi passed between them and the girl was gone.

"Are you okay?" Lucy asked with a little concern. Lucy realized when Sue didn't respond that she hadn't seen her lips. So, again, this time making sure that she was being noticed, Lucy repeated, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Sue said. "We'd better get going though.

"Okay," Lucy said trying to remain composed as she getting in her car. But Lucy was scared. She had noticed that in the last few days that Sue wasn't herself. She had begun to lose weight and she was unusually pale. Lucy was scared to loose her best friend.
--------------------------------------------------

"Good morning, everyone," Jack said as he walked into the bullpen.

"Good morning," they replied back. Tara, Bobby, D, and Myles were standing by the coffee maker. Everything seemed to be different since Sue told them about her cancer, almost a week before(6 days to be exact). They had all thought of a way to make this Christmas memorable for her. Tara was doing the Secret Santa, Bobby had suggested having a party at his place, D had brought in some decorations and lights to put on their tree which was still bare, Lucy had bought the tree, making sure that it was Levi-proof. Myles had asked Randy- that alone being a big deal- to let them have off for the week before and after Christmas, telling him to consider the fact that they have no case to work on. Jack, well, no one really knew what he had up his sleeve.

"So, who'd you get for your Secret Santa, Jack?" Tara asked, half kidding.

"That's a secret," Jack said with a finger to his lips. Jack acted like nothing was wrong, but everything was wrong. Tomorrow was Sue's next doctor appointment and he dreaded it. The doctors would only tell them that there was nothing they could do. And Jack had noticed that Sue was getting worse by the day. Paler, weaker, and yet she still smiled and was grateful for the little things. How does she do it? Jack wondered.

"Good morning," Sue and Lucy said as they walked through the doors. Levi followed close behind with a wag of the tail and a bark. Even Levi had noticed that something was wrong with Sue- like dogs sometimes can.

"Good morning," the rest of the team said in unison. Sue had a little more color in her cheeks than usual they noticed.

"What do you say we decorate that tree today?" Lucy asked hanging up her coat.

"Sounds like a plan," Sue said hanging up her coat as well, but she winced in pain. Although she was given medication to help with the pain, she had refused to take it. She was going to die anyways, she told herself, but it wasn't much consolation.

"You okay," Jack whispered when they all stood by the tree beginning to put on the ornaments.

Sue shook her head. Nothing was okay right now, especially her.
-----------------------------------------------

Jack had a phone call he had to make. Everyone had left which made it the perfect time to do it. "Hello," the person on the other end said.

"Hi, this is Jack," Jack answered.

"Jack," the person said recognizingly, "how are you?"

"Well, I didn't call to tell you about me," Jack said.

Sue had forgotten her blackberry on her desk and she had gone back to get it. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Jack talking on the phone. She could tell he hadn't noticed her and she watched the conversation with interest.

"You're going to fly out tomorrow,"she saw Jack say. "Well, that's great. But she doesn't know your coming, so could you put yourself up in a hotel for a night or two so I can tell her."

Sue, without meaning to, jumped to conclusions and immediately thought that he was talking to an old friend, that is an old girlfriend. She turned around and left, telling herself that she wouldn't need her blackberry until tomorrow anyway.

Jack said, after Sue had left, "Thank you Mrs. Thomas," and then hung up.
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I'm going to be writing like crazy to sorry if it's hard to keep up with me...I only have six days to finish....so much to write and so little time.....and I'm also sorry if this chapter is too depressing....I'll make sure to make the happy ones just as happy.....if that was confusing don't worry about....anyway....be back asap ....Merry Christmas Everyone!

sorry if this isn't very good...I'm in such a rush with more story to write and not a lot of time to do it....so I didn't reread it.....but as usual it's probably better than I think...well here goes....
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CHAPTER 9

Sue walked in the bullpen that morning of December 14th feeling as if she would explode. She didn't want to face Jack. Even though she told herself that it was probably nothing, the idea of him inviting someone- an old flame in particular- to fly out to D.C. to celebrate Christmas with him couldn't leave her mind.

She walked in, her eyes on the floor. Then after arriving at her desk, she looked at the tree. Now decorated, it was beautiful, but something was missing. She looked it over. Lights, ornaments, and garlend. A star! she thought. That's what was missing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jack trying to get her attention. She looked at him and said, "Yeah?"

"You still want me to come with you tonight?" Jack asked. The way that she avoided looking at him, he knew that something was troubling her.

Sue had forgotten about the doctor's appointment. "Yeah," she replied.

There was an awkward silence. Neither of them knew what to say. I mean, what was there to say. That's when Myles walked in.

"I bring good news," Myles said.

"This oughta be good," Bobby whispered to Tara.

"Randy, who was surprisingly in the Christmas spirit, has allowed us to
have two weeks off. That is unless something comes up," Myles said holding up a piece of paper.

"What's that?" Bobby asked, referring to the paper.

"This is a piece of paper containing Randy's signature, giving us permission for the vacation."

"I've been thinking about taking a vacation anyway," Dimitrius said, almost to himself.

"Let's just hope that those bad guys in the city decide to take a vacation, too," Lucy said.

"Well, they've been good so far," Tara said, looking on the bright side.

"We'll find out," Sue said, sitting down. She was beginning to feel light-headed. She could feel that something was wrong, something was really wrong.

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

"Ready?" Jack asked Sue, grabbing their coats.

"I'm ready," Sue answered. It was the end of the day and Sue had
dreaded it all day.

"Let's go," Jack said, giving Sue her coat and they headed out. Someone, although not of their knowledge, was just walking in the other doorway.


"I'm afraid there's still nothing we can do," Dr. Jules told them. Jack and Sue weren't expecting to hear anything different. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Sue said, trying to fight back tears. She stood up, Jack doing the same.

"Thank you doctor," Jack said and they left.

When they walked out of the doctor's office and then out of the building, Sue walked faster. Jack, fighting to keep up with her, asked, "Sue, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean 'what's wrong'?" Sue said stopping, Jack now facing her.

"You've been avoiding talking to me all day. Why?"

"It doesn't matter anymore," Sue said continuing to walk.

"Well it matters to me," Jack said grabbing her shoulder and turning her toward him.

Sue, tears slowly running down her cheeks, was going to say something, but the knot that had formed in her throat prevented her from speaking.

Jack put his arm around her shoulder and led her to the car. He knew that nothing more was going to be said tonight.
----------------------------------------

"Hello, can I help you?" Lucy said to the woman that stood in the doorway.

"Hi. Is Jack here?" Dewberry asked.

"No, he just left, but I could tell him you were here. Is there anything you wanted to tell him?" Lucy asked.

"Thank you I just wanted to see him, but maybe another time," Dewberry said, about to leave.

"What's your name?" Lucy asked, partly so that she could tell Jack, but also partly for her own curiosity.

"Dewberry," she told her and left.

With her hands in her pockets, Dewberry walked out of the building. The past few days, she had been watching the team, Jack especially and she had learned so much. She had learned of the team's closeness and friendship. She could also see how much Jack cared for Sue. He had done so much and he didn't expect anything in return. But she could also see how troubled everyone was because of Sue's cancer. Not until the time is right, she reminded herself.
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Be back soon

Here we go.....I'm almost finished.....just a couple more chapters.....enjoy...well...sort of
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CHAPTER 10

Dewberry watched from the corner as they rushed Sue down the hallway on a stretcher, Jack following. The hospital attendants saying things back and forth that you couldn't understand. Then, about halfway down the hallway, one of the attendants told Jack, "I'm sorry, you can't go any further." Jack stopped and watched as they disappeared. Dewberry kept out of sight.

Jack, still in shock from the events that had passed, didn't know what to do. He stood still for a long time before he turned around and headed for the waiting room. Sitting down, staring into space, he grabbed his cell phone and called Lucy.

Lucy answered, "Hello."

"Hey, Luce," Jack said, trying not to sound like something was wrong.

"What is it, Jack? What happened? Is it Sue?" Lucy asked concerned.

"Yes it's, Sue." Jack could hear Lucy gasp. "Luce, could you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Sue's parents are in town. They're staying in the Holiday Inn. Could you get a hold of them and tell them to get to St. Michael's Hospital right away."

"Sure," Lucy said her voice beginning to break.

"Thanks. And Lucy?"

"Yes?"

"Get everyone else over here as soon as you can."

"Okay. Bye," Lucy finished.


"Bye," Jack said hanging up. Jack sat back in his chair and exhaled deeply, remembering what had happened, although he didn't want to believe it. It all started when he met Dewberry for lunch...


"Jack, there's something I have to tell you," Dewberry had began.

"What is it?" Jack said.

"Well, I think you need to know that.....I'm an elf," Dewberry said.

"What?" Jack said, surprised, but before Dewberry could say anything else, Jack's attention was turned toward something else. It was Sue, she was walking out of the coffee shop across the street. He didn't know how he had sensed her presence, but it didn't matter. And when he turned back to where Dewberry had been standing, she was gone. Disappeared. He ran across the street to Sue. "Sue! Sue!" he called out.

Levi, hearing the name, got Sue's attention. Sue turned around and saw Jack. Jack looked at her. Her face was pale, she was shaking, and her breathing was heavy. "What's wrong?" Jack asked. Jack had watched her fall into his arms, fainting. Jack didn't know why she had collapsed. Slowly lowering to the ground, Levi poking his nose at him, Jack pulled out his phone and dialed 911. The ambulance arrived soon after.


And now, here he was, in the hospital waiting to find out what had happened. Sue's parents had arrived along with the rest of the team. "Jack, what's wrong tell us the truth?" Mrs. Thomas asked.

"Sue's got cancer," Jack answered.

Mrs. Thomas gasped and Mr. Thomas held her shoulders. "What's going to happen?" he asked Jack.

"We don't know," Jack replied.
------------------------------------------

Hours had passed, when finally a nurse came out. "Jack Hudson?"

Jack raised his head at the sound of his name and stood up. "Yes?"

"Do you know a Dr. Jules?" the nurse asked.

"Yes, she's Sue's doctor," Jack answered.

"She'd like to talk to you," the nurse said as Dr. Jules entered.

"How is she doctor?" Mrs. Thomas asked.

The doctor looked puzzled as to who the woman was and Jack said, "Sue's mother."

Dr. Jules began, "She's stable. And you can see her now, but she's still unconscience. She's in room 202."

Everyone was heading to the elevator to get to Sue's room when Dr. Jules kept Jack back. "What is it?" Jack asked.

"It's about Sue. Her cancer has gotten worse."

"By how much?"

"A lot. It's very unusual for the cancer to spread this fast. That's why
she collapsed."

"What does it mean?"

"We're still developing some tests, but it appears that she doesn't have as much time as we had first predicted."

"How much time does she have?" Jack asked.

"I don't know yet."

"Thank you doctor," Jack said as he headed for Sue's room.

Dewberry had watched and listened. Almost, she told herself, almost.
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Well....I'll be back soon

Sorry for those of you who already looked at this page....I accidentally posted that one chapter twice.....for those of you just browsing this page....notice this is Chapter 11 not chapter 10.... well enjoy this one.....
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CHAPTER 11

Jack opened his eyes and sat up straight. He could hear the beeping of the heart moniter and Sue's steady breathing. Everyone had left the night before and he had fallen asleep next to Sue's hospital bed. She hadn't waken up yet, but Jack was hoping and praying that she would. He knelt next to her bed and grabbed her hand and held it in his. He prayed, Dear God, please she needs to know that I'm sorry and that I love her. Please bring her back. Then, whether by coincidence or by some other power, Jack felt her hand squeeze his. He looked up to Sue, her eyes fluttering open.

"Hi," he said smiling.

"Hi," she said faintly, trying to smile back.

"I'm sorry," Jack said.

"About what?" Sue asked.

"Whatever I did wrong. I'm sorry," Jack said.

"It's okay," Sue said. Jack looked her over. It hurt him to see her so sickly. She had gotten worse by the day, weight loss, her face was terribly pale, and she was shaking. Jack was about to say something when he heard someone at the door. "Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?"

"You didn't tell her?" Mrs. Thomas asked Jack.

"I haven't gotten the chance," Jack defended himself.

"So that's who you called last Tuesday," Sue said, realizing that she had jumped to conclusions.

"How did you know about that?" Jack asked.

"I'll explain later," Sue said.

"I'll leave you three alone," Jack said, getting up to leave. Jack went
into the waiting room again. Since the whole team had gotten off for vacation, he had no where to be. Jack looked up when Bobby came and sat next to him.

"You okay, Sparky," Bobby asked.

"No. Sue's not okay either, her cancer is worse. A lot worse and the
doctors don't know how long she has."

"We're all praying for her. Christmas is a time for miracles."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," Jack said. But he barely believed his own words.
---------------------------------------------------

Jack sat by Sue's bed, that night. She had fallen asleep, but he wasn't tired. He had stayed away all day, allowing for others to be with her. Then something caught his eye. It was a piece of paper that lay on the table next to her bed. He stood up, walked around her bed, grabbed the piece of paper, and went back to the chair and sat down. It was a letter. It read:

Dear Jack, Bobby, Dimitrius, Myles, Tara, Lucy, and even you Levi,

Thank you all for your support in this time of struggle for me. But as a wise woman once told me, "You never know what life's going to throw at you. But I'll be fine God is my catcher..... The one thing I have is a lot of friends. And when something like this happens, you find out who they really are. And I've been blessed with some good ones." It's the same for me. When I was diognosed with cancer, I didn't want to tell anyone because I was afraid that they would treat me differently. But I learned from someone that I know and love that they needed to know and they would give me the love that I needed. And he was right. They all made this last Christmas special for me. And I'm eternally grateful to them for that.

It ended there. It seemed that she hadn't finished it. Jack was almost in tears at what Sue had written. It was sad because it reminded him that she was going to die. He looked at her and then back at the paper. When he looked closer he could see the dried teardrops on it. He assumed that she had cried while writing this. He looked back at her, she was still as radiant as she ever was. He loved her. He decided there and then that this Christmas he would do what he had delayed too long.
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Sue woke the next morning and looked on the table for her letter. She picked it up but instead of it having what she wrote on it, it read:

Through the darkness I can see your light. You will always shine and I can feel your heart in mine. You're face I've memorized, I idolize just you. I look up to everything you are. In my eyes you do no wrong. I've loved you for so long and after all is said and done, you're still you, after all, you're still you.

You walk past me, I can feel your pain. Time changes everything, but one truth always stays the same, you're still you, after all, you're still you. I look up to everything you are. In my eyes you do no wrong. And I believe in you, although you never asked me to. I will remember you and what life put you through. And in this cruel and only world, I found one love. You're still you, after all, you're still you.

Jack

Dewberry watched Sue from the doorway, keeping out of sight. Soon, she told herself, very soon.
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Well....I'll be back soon

I like these new smilie faces...I'm definately going to use them later on....anyway....here's the chapter you've been waiting for.......here it is...enjoy
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CHAPTER 12

It was December 22nd and Dewberry knew that today was the day. She made sure that it was early enough that no one else would be visiting Sue. She made her way down the hall with the package- the one that had been given to her by Santa- held tightly in her arms. To Dewberry it seemed big, but to anyone else it appeared fairly small. She walked into Sue's room. Dewberry saw Sue sitting in a wheelchair by the window. The sight almost brought tears to her eyes. Sue looked so weak and thin, the cancer had really taken its toll on her. Dewberry also noticed that Sue was watching the sunrise as if this were the last chance that she would have to do so.

Dewberry walked over to her. She knew that to Sue she looked like a little girl, she had made it that way. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Dewberry said after touching Sue's shoulder to let her know she was there.

Sue turned to her. "Yeah," Sue agreed and turned back to look at it, her eyes beginning to tear up.

"Are you alright?" Dewberry asked, although she already knew the answer. Sue shook her head and then looked at the girl who stood next to her, trying to match the face.

"I know you," Sue said turning her wheelchair toward her. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to give you an early Christmas present. Here," Dewberry said holding out the package and smiling.

Seeing the girl smile, Sue couldn't help but do so herself. "Thank you," Sue told her taking the little box tied with a ribbon. Dewberry smiled from ear to ear as she watched Sue open the box. Sue lifted the top off and found nothing in the box. Tipping it upside-down over her head to inspect it, Sue felt herself shiver from head to toe. She felt strange...different and when she looked up to the girl, she was gone.....disappeared.
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"Dr. Jules! Dr. Jules!" a nurse said running toward the doctor waving some papers.

Dr. Jules turned around to the frantically running nurse. "Oh, hello Natalie," the doctor said kindly.

"You wanted the rest of these test results," Natalie said handing her the papers, trying to catch her breath.

"Yes, thank you," Dr. Jules said taking the papers. And even though she thought she had a good grip on them, they fell out of her hands. Dewberry, who stood in the corner, listened to the tiny bells that rang as they hit the ground. The magic had worked. Dr. Jules picked them up and looked at the name on the chart: Thomas, Sue. She was almost afraid to look at them, but she knew she had to. Continuing to her office, she opened it. When she did, she thought that her eyes were going to pop out of her head and her jaw her hit the floor.
-----------------------------------------------

Jack walked in the hospital doors and headed for the elevator. He pushed the button for the second floor and the doors opened. He walked down the hall and went into Sue's room. He found her sitting in her bed picking at her breakfast. Jack squated down and unhooked Levi from his leash. Levi ran to the hospital bed and put his fronts paws on it.

"Levi!" Sue said excitedly. Jack smiled. Sue looked so happy to see her four-legged friend. Then he noticed that there was some color in her cheeks. "Thank you, Jack," Sue said looking up at him.

"Oh," Jack said holding up the bag he held in his other hand, "I almost forgot, I thought you could something to eat."

"Yeah, this hospital food isn't doing me any good," Sue said pushing it aside. Jack took the donut and coffee out of the bag. "Thanks, it may not be the healthiest, but it's definately tastier."

Jack was going to say something when Dr. Jules walked in. "Hello, Jack....Sue," she began, trying to hold back her excitement.

"What is it?" Jack asked, sitting on the edge of Sue's bed. Sue grabbed Jack's hand in anticipation.

"Actually, it's good news. Those tests we took when you came in, well, I just got the results back. They show that," Dr. Jules paused to give it more
suspense before she went on, "your cancer has.......disappeared."

Jack and Sue's eyes met in astonishment. "Did she just say what I think she said?" Sue asked Jack with excitement.

"Uh-huh," Jack said nodding his head, smiling. Sue, her eyes beginning to fill with tears, smiled. Jack asked, "Why are you crying?"

"I'm just so happy," Sue said chuckling through her tears. Jack hugged
her and they held each other close. It was such good news that it was hard to believe that it was true.

Dr. Jules was so happy that she could finally give Sue some good news. She turned around to leave when she nearly collided with three men. "Excuse me," she said as she squeezed passed them.

The three men excused themselves and walked in the room. Sue looked up at them and squealed in excitment, "Michael! Noah! Ryan!" Jack turned around to see the three men.

"Sue," they all said. Jack looked at Sue with confusion.

"Sorry," she apologized. "These are my brothers, Michael, Noah, and Ryan," Sue said, pointing at the brother as she said their name. They all said hi and shook Jack's hand. "What are you guys doing here?" Sue asked, excited to see them.

"Mom and Dad called us and told us about your cancer, so we all flew in," Ryan answered. Sue laughed.

"What's so funny," Noah asked.

"I just got word. The cancer's disappeared," Sue said.

"Really!?" Ryan said and they all ran over to her giving her, along with Jack, a group hug.

After pulling away, Michael said with a wink, "So does that mean that we can go back home?"

Sue shook her head and his joke. Michael was always the one to joke around. Noah was the optimistic one. And Ryan....Ryan was the sweet one. "So how have you guys been doing?" Sue asked. She had seen her brothers since she joined the F.B.I.

Jack excused himself and was about to leave when Sue said, "Jack, we'll talk later?"

Jack nodded and left. Jack leaned up against the wall, closed his eyes and sighed with relief. His Christmas wish had come true.
--------------------------------------

Jack sat in the waiting room and called Bobby to tell him the news. Bobby called D, Dimitrius called Myles, Myles called Tara, and Tara called Lucy. They're was a coctail of emotions, from excitement to relief to surprise. They're were smiles all around. There was a fact that everyone knew....that this Christmas was going to be one to remember.
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I'm not quite finished.....a couple more chapters....I am confident that I'll be done by tomorrow.......I'm sorry that up to this point some of you were like this :group hug: .....and I was like this ......now I hope your all like this .....sorry....I had to have fun with the smilies......I hope you enjoyed this chapter

Do I have until tom...or is today the last day for posting....I was just wondering.....anyway...here's the next chapter....enjoy
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CHAPTER 13

"Are you going to miss this place?" Jack asked Sue with a wink. Sue was being released from the hospital today and everybody was the happiest they'd been in a long time.

"I know I'm not going to and I've only been here for less than a day," Michael joked.

"Maybe after awhile it grows on you," Jack said.

"Well, it didn't quite grow on me, let's get out of here," Sue said. Michael and Jack helped her to stand up and then, without their help, she walked out between the four men. Even though she was getting better and better each day, she was still a little weak. They checked Sue out of the hospital and drove her home, where her family was now staying. Lucy was staying with Tara for the time being.

"Thanks, Jack," Sue said. Jack and Sue were standing at the door, while her brothers had gone in ahead of her.

"It was no problem," Jack said, referring to bringing her home.

"No, I mean, thank you for everything you did for me. Maybe I said it before, but I don't think I can say it enough. Thank you."

"Are you doing anything tonight?" Jack asked out of the blue.

"Well, I'm having dinner with my family tonight, but tomorrow, I think I'm free."

"Tomorrow then?" Jack asked.

"Sure. But is this an informal or formal event?"

"Informal. You could wear jeans and a t-shirt for all I care, but make sure you don't out do me."

"I'll make sure not to. What time?" Sue asked.

"Seven, sound good?"

"Seven works. I'll be here," Sue said.

"Okay. I'd better go," Jack said beginning to back out the door.

"See ya tomorrow," Sue said slowly closing the door.

"Bye," Jack said.

"Bye." Sue closed the door behind him and turned around to the three smiling faces of her brothers. She knew that the trail of questions that would follow the grins.

"So how long have you known him?" Michael asked. The fact that they were all her big brother, they were somewhat protective of her.

"I've worked with him for four years," Sue answered moving out of the doorway.

"Well, it's obviously more than just a co-worker thing," Noah said.

"Obviously?" Sue asked.

"Well, it's clear that he's got designs on you," Michael said.

"And vice versa, but I think I like him," Noah said.

"What do you think, Ryan?" Sue asked. He hadn't said anything yet.

Ryan simply walked up to Sue and gave her a gentle hug. "I think you should have a great time tomorrow night," he told her and then walked into 'his' room.

Sue smiled and said, "I have some shopping I need to do." With that, Sue headed out.
-------------------------------------------

The rest of the team was rushing around, doing last minute shopping. It was almost noon and Dimitrius was on his way to the jewelry store for something for Donna, since he had finished his Secret Santa shopping. But D was surprised to find Jack standing at the counter.

"Jack, what are you doing here?" Dimitrius asked.

"D!" Jack said surprised. He had been afraid that this would happen. "Well, I'm....uh," Jack fumbled over his words.

"Never mind. Actually, I've decided I don't want to know," Dimitrius said, seeing Jack's miscomfort.

"Thanks," Jack said relieved that he didn't have to explain.

"I'll come back later," D said and left. He had a feeling as to what Jack was up to.
--------------------------------------------

It was nearly three o'clock, when Jack heard a knock on his apartment door. He opened it to find Dewberry standing on the other side. "Hello," she greeted.

"Come in," Jack said, motioning for her to come in.

"Thanks, but I can't stay long," Dewberry said walking through the doorway.

Jack blinked, as he usually did, but this time he saw Dewberry shrink
to a little girl. But only for a moment. He rubbed his eyes. Then he realized, she had been telling the truth. "You are an elf, aren't you?"

"Yes. I can change my appearance, but I can't change who I am."

"Why are you here?" Jack asked.

"I was chosen by Santa to make your Christmas wish come true," Dewberry said.

"You mean, you made Sue's cancer disappear."

"Actually, Santa did."

"But why did you wait so long?" Jack wondered.

"I can't tell you, but I can tell you this. How happy would you have been, if I had done it before now?"

Jack looked at the ground, thinking about the questions. "Well, I," Jack began and looked up. But Dewberry had gone. But her question had remained, ringing in his head.
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This was kind of one of those filler-just so you know kind of chapters.....well 13 down 2 to go.....I hope you enjoyed

Here's the next chapter....I have one to go.....enjoy....this one is good
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CHAPTER 14

It was 6:30 on Christmas Eve and Sue had called Lucy to help her pick out what she was going to wear (Lucy was always good at that kind of thing), since Sue had been working on it for a half an hour with no luck. They were both now in Sue's bedroom with some options for outfits sitting on the bed.

"What about this one?" Sue asked Lucy holding up a green sweater with black pants.

"I don't think that I like the green," Lucy said tilting her head to the side. "What about this red one?" Lucy held up a red, turtle-necked sweater against the black pants.

"I don't know. What do you think?" Sue asked.

"I like it. It's Christmasy and it's not too fancy. I think it's perfect," Lucy commented.

"I'll see how it looks on me," Sue said grabbing the two items and heading into the bathroom to change into them. Lucy sat on the bed waiting for Sue to change. Sue came out of the bathroom, turned for Lucy's inspection and said, "What do you think?"

"I love it. It looks great," Lucy said.

Sue looked in the mirror and turned to ask Lucy, "What about my hair?"

"Hmmm," Lucy pondered, "I think you should wear it up."

So Lucy went to work to make Sue's hair look nice, when Lucy heard a knock on the door. "Come in," Lucy said.

On Lucy's command, Ryan walked in the door and said, "Jack's here."

"He's early and I'm not ready. Tell him I'll be out in a couple of minutes," Sue told Ryan. Ryan shut the door as he left and Sue and Lucy rushed to finish. Soon enough, Lucy finished Sue's hair and helped her gather jewelry and such.

Jack was engaged in conversation with Sue's brothers, when Sue walked through the door. All four heads turned. "Wow," Jack said, he never knew that something so simple could look so beautiful.

"You look good," Michael said, Noah and Ryan agreeing.

"Shall we go?" Jack asked.

"I'm ready when you are," Sue said grabbing her coat. She looked Jack over, her wore navy blue pants with an off white button up shirt and a matching navy blue suit coat, no tie. And over it all he wore his leather jacket.

"Just don't stay out too late," Michael said. Sue rolled her eyes at the joke.

"Goodbye," Sue and Jack said as they walked out the door. Shutting the door behind them.

"So where are we going?" Sue asked as they got in Jack's car.

"That, my dear, is a surprise," Jack said with that irresistable smile. That smile sent shivers down her spine. Jack started the car and then he reached into his right pocket and fingered the object that was on the inside.
--------------------------------------------

"Jack, is this where..." Sue began before Jack nodded his head. He already knew what she was going to ask.

"Has it been lived in since we were here?" Sue asked. They had stopped in front of the house that Jack and Sue had gone undercover as a married couple in.

"Not that I'm aware of," Jack said, waiting for Sue's reaction.

The gesture had been so simple that it was so wonderful. "Thank you. I had almost forgotten this house," Sue said getting out of the car.

"Shall we go in?" Jack asked as she came to his side. They had walked up to the door and Jack had his hand on the door knob.

Sue nodded and they walked in. Jack turned on the lights and said, "I came over and fixed it up a little bit yesterday." Jack watched Sue soak in the memories. "This way," he said grabbing her hand and leading her into the living room.

"Wow," Sue said as she looked around the room. Jack had gone all out, he had a table set for two with a pair of candlesticks in the middle. In the fireplace were some logs ready to be lit. Jack went to the table and lit the two candles and then moved on to light the fire. Sue walked to the table and when Jack was finished lighting the fire he walked over to Sue's chair and pulled it out.

"Thank you," Sue said sitting down. Then Jack went into the kitchen and brought out the food that had been prepared. "How did you do all this?"

"Well, I had a little help from a friend," Jack said.


"That was really good," Sue said as they sat in front of the fire, drinking hot cidar.

"Thank you," Jack said.

"Well, this has been an interesting Christmas," Sue said before she took a sip of her cidar.

"I'd have to agree." Jack looked at Sue her face illuminated from the fire. The flames dancing in her eyes.

"I'll never forget this year," Sue said thoughtfully, almost to herself. There was a silence, the only sound was the crackling of the wood. Sue stared into the fire, watching the flames.

Jack said to break the silence, "I have something for you." He pulled the present out of his pocket and held it out to her.

"What is it?" Sue asked, setting down her cup before taking the box.

"It's a Christmas present. Open it." Sue tore open the wrapping paper to uncover a velvet box. Sue looked at Jack before she opened it up. Inside she found a ring, the diamond in the middle shone back at her. It took her breath away. "Sue Thomas," Jack began, grabbing her hand, "will you marry me?"

Sue looked into Jack's eyes. She smiled at him, she felt tears beginning to fill her eyes. "Yes," Sue said nodding her head. "Yes, I'll marry you." Jack smiled and grabbed the ring out of the box and put it on her left ring finger. He looked at it and then back at Sue. Cupping her face with his right hand and pulling her closer with his left, Jack kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him, returning the kiss. What a wonderful Christmas it had turned out to be!
----------------------------------------------

"Good night," Sue said. They were now outside her apartment door and were bidding each other farewell.

"Good night. Don't forget, tomorrow is the Christmas party at Bobby's. I'm sure your family would be welcome as well," Jack said. His head was still woozy from that kiss.

"I'll tell them that," Sue said opening the door and she walked inside. Jack waved and headed down the hallway. He had finally down what he should have done a long time ago.

Sue walked into the apartment and found her three brothers, asleep on the couch. She looked at her watch, 10:00. They had probably fallen asleep waiting for her. Lucy had probably left a while ago. Grabbing a couple of blankets, she put them over her sleeping brothers and smiled. She had so much love around her and she was thankful to God for it.

Her dad walked in as she, was laying down the last blanket. "So how did it go?" he asked.

"Really good, but I'm tired, I think I should get to bed. Good night, dad," she said as she gave him a hug.

"Good night," he said and he watched her walk into her room. He hadn't missed seeing the ring that sat on her finger. He smiled to himself and thought, It's about time.
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This was a fun chapter to write...I hope you enjoyed reading it ....one more chapter to go...I'd better get back to it......enjoy

This is the last chapter and I still have about 35 minutes left....I five my thank-yous and such afterwards....enjoy
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CHAPTER 15

Bobby greeted everyone as they arrived, one by one. Soon enough everyone had arrived with their gifts. "How about we start with a game? I personally like pin the antlers on Rudolph," Bobby said, but following there was a groan that went throughout the room. You see, Bobby had hung up a pin the antlers on Rudolph poster on the wall next to his desk at the office and everyone, except Bobby, had gotten sick of it.

"What about that game where you have a name on your back and everyone has to help you guess it?" Tara said. There was agreement all around.

"Alright," Bobby said grabbing some pieces of paper and passing them out, "everyone put down your favorite Christmas character and don't show it to anyone." Everyone wrote down various things, from Rudolph to Santa to Frosty the Snowman. "Now find someone to put on to their backs." Following orders, everyone scrambled around the room putting their character on someone's back. There was laughter her and their. "Now, let the games begin," Bobby ended and there was asking of questions mixed with laughter.

This went on for awhile until, Lucy yelled out, "I got it! I got it!" Slowly, more and more people guessed theirs. Lucy was Clarice the reindeer, Tara was Judy from the Santa Clause, Sue was Mrs. Claus, Jack was Santa (Tara and Lucy had put that one together), Myles was Ebeneezer Scrooge, Bobby was George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life, D was the abomidable snowman, Mr. and Mrs Thomas were Bob Wallace and Betty Haynes from White Christmas, and Michael, Noah, and Ryan were the fairy peas of Christmas from Veggie Tales: Star of Christmas.

"Now, for the gifts," Bobby anounced. Everyone gathered around. Bobby started, he grabbed his gift and gave it to Jack. "Merry Christmas, Sparky."

Jack tore away the wrapping paper and found a remote control car. There was a note on the box that read, For the next time you decide to shoot sparks out of a car. Crash. "I have to admit, that was good," Jack said shaking his head and laughing.

"D, do you want to go next?" Bobby asked turning to him.

"Sure," Dimitrius said taking the gift and opening it. Then he tossed the tug of war rope to Levi, "Merry Christmas, Levi." Levi dropped the toy and barked as a thank you.

"Myles?" Bobby asked.

"Not yet," Myles said.

"Okay, Sue?"

Sue took the gift and handed it to Tara. Tara opened the small box and found a keychain on the inside. She read it out loud, "There are bad ships and good ships, but the best ships are friendships." Tara smiled and gave Sue a hug. "Thank you."

Tara was next. She pulled a business card, that wasn't her own, out of her pocket and said, "Merry Christmas, D." D took the card and read it to himself.

Then someone asked, "What does it say?"

"It says Official Supervisor: Dimitrius Gans," he read.

"I checked with Randy and it's official," Tara told him and everyone
applauded.

"Thanks, Tara," D told her.

"Lucy?" Bobby looked to her.

"Merry Christmas, Bobby," she said handing him a rather large box.

Bobby opened it and laughed. "A disco ball," he whispered to himself.

"I had enough notice this time," Lucy said.

"Thanks, Lucy," Bobby said. "What about you Levi?"

Sue grabbed the gift and gave it to Myles. "Complements of Levi."

"The Christmas Carol," Myles said looking at his gift. "Thanks, Levi," Myles told the four-legged pooch. "Here, Lucy," Myles said grabbing the final gift and handing it to her.

"Thanks, Myles," Lucy said opening the gift. It was a package, that Lucy guessed Myles had made up himself, that said Matchmaker Kit. And a card that was taped to the box, Official Matchmaker. Lucy chuckled to herself.

"I think that just leaves you Jack," Bobby said and all eyes were on him.

"Well, actually, I already gave my gift. I suppose I have an announcement to make," Jack began. "Sue has agreed to marry me," he finished and Lucy and Tara looked at Sue and they all squeeled giving a big group hug.

Michael walked up to Jack and said, "You're lucky. You know that don't you?"

"I figured it out with a little bit of help," Jack said.

"Well, I wish you both the best then," Michael said, shaking Jack's hand.

"Thank you," Jack said and then he noticed Sue was being led over to
him by Noah and Ryan. Jack held Sue's hands in his.

"You're standing underneath the mistletoe," Lucy shouted and everyone looked above Jack and Sue. Mistletoe had appeared above them. Jack looked at Sue. They slowly moved closer and wrapped their arms around each other, pulling one another closer until their lips met. Applause rang out in the room. Jack and Sue becoming absorbed in their own little world.


"How did I do, Santa?" Dewberry asked, now back at the North Pole.

Santa smiled and said, "You did wonderfully, Dewberry." Santa gave Dewberry a hug. "Merry Christmas, Dewberry."

"Merry Christmas, Santa," Dewberry said. For only with Dewberry, had it been a very Merry Christmas.


THE END
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I finished in time..... to everyone who's been reading my story and kept me going with their replies.....I had a lot of fun writing this...I hope you enjoyed reading it.....oh...btw....I actually picked these names.....and they were all by coincidence....that is....except for Jack picking Sue....i did that on purpose.....Well...... .....I had a lot of fun and I hope you did too....

Great job!! thank you for helping Sue!!

Great job!!

Beautiful story ... for the miracle

I'm so glad it had a happy ending!

Beautiful story. You had me in tears and cheering. Very well-written, too.

yay they're engaged. glad sue didn't die
it was a nice twist on the challenge, the other stories i read for this prompt always used sue as the name instead of jack.