I know it has to be Sue..........but I'm confused to the why all the sneaking around................????

Hmmm ... could J/S have made up without anyone's knowledge? Could they have secretly married after all?

You notice I'm simply assuming it's Sue who met Jack? Usually I assume nothing, but I need to hold on to SOMETHING!

I can't believe Jack could have another woman!!!!! It has to be Sue... but I don't understand their game???


Come back and show us more!!!!!



Restie

waiting for the next post!

Nishita

A/N Well, I do believe this will identify the woman that Jack is caressing.

“Oh, honey, I’ve missed you so much,” he told her running a hand through her hair.

"Me, too. Hold me, Jack. Please hold me. I think this is one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do.”

“For someone who ice skates, plays the piano and sings?” he asked her, trying to lighten her spirits.

She smiled as his words reminded her of their first dance together. “Yes, but this isn’t exactly dancing,” she answered.

“No, that’s true…it’s not,” he agreed.

“How much longer do you think we will have to do this?” she said with a sigh.

“I don’t know,” he told her truthfully. “I think things will break soon. I do know one thing for sure. I will be forever grateful to your friend, Deanne, for letting us meet here. It was a great idea.”

She nodded. “I just hope the team is going to understand when this all comes out.”

“They will,” he told her assuredly.

She didn’t have to repeat her request to be held. “Come here,” he said as he held his arms out. She came into his comforting embrace. He eased her over to the couch where they were able to spend some time confirming their love to each other through their touch. Some might simply call it making out.

Far too soon, however, he had to let Sue leave so that she could keep a dinner date. That was the plan.

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

It was exactly two weeks to the day after the breakup. It was a beautiful morning. Not at all like the one that occurred two weeks ago. Sue and Lucy had car pooled and drove into work together. As they made her way through the Hoover building that morning, one of the first people they encountered was Randy Pitts. He caught their attention and asked if he might have a word with Sue. Lucy continued on alone.

He pulled her aside so that they could talk privately. “Miss Thomas… Sue… First, I want to say that you are one of the few people here who treat me and the others in my office with respect. I really appreciate that. I haven’t forgotten the time that you and Jack agreed to help me by double dating. I couldn’t help thinking that evening that you are both great people, and that you seem to be so right for each other. I just wanted to say that I am sorry to hear that you and Jack have called off your engagement. I really hope that you can work things out. I hope I haven’t upset you, or been out of line, but I felt that I needed to tell you that.”

Is there ever a time in this building where something personal is kept private?, Sue thought in amazement. “Thank you, Randy. That was kind of you.”

"I was concerned, but don’t you let on to Leland and Manning.”

"I appreciate you telling me that Randy. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” Sue nodded at him in appreciation before making her way on to the bull pen. One could almost like this Randy, she thought to herself in amusement.

Arriving at the bullpen, she came upon Lucy and Tara who were headed to the hallway. They informed Sue that they had all been summoned to the conference room for a special meeting. Myles and Bobby caught up with them and joined them as they all made their way together.

Arriving at the conference room, everyone was surprised to see Assistant Director Montgomeny there. He rarely came downstairs to attend a meeting. Seated with him were Ted Garrett and Mike Stone, both team supervisors. Jack was already there. When Sue entered, he left where he was standing and crossed over to stand next to her.

I’m sure you wonder why you are here,” Montgomery began.

yes i do wonder!!!

What's goin' on? Something about a policy changing?

Let's hope it's something good. Waiting for more.

Now that was an interesting turn of events!

Jack and Sue are still really together!!!

Randy said something nice!!

And now they're in a meeting!!

Jill

How nice to see Randy being ... well, ... nice.

The fact that Jack moved to stand next to Sue should clue eveyyone in that something is up ...

I think this hint is more than bright... THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I think Jack and Sue played this game to convince their supervisors they are able to cooperate despite their bad relationship...

Can't wait for more!!!


Restie

can't wait for the meeting!!!!

A/N Somehow I think you will not need paper, pencils or laptops for this meeting. Thanks for reading.

First of all, Ms. Thomas…Agent Hudson, I have the privilege of extending to both of you the thanks of the Bureau. You both have received special commendations from the Director and these will be posted in your records. I would also like to announce that Ms. Thomas is being promoted to Senior Analyst. That said, let me go on to quickly note that she will be remaining on your team.”

Jack looked over and smiled at her with pride in his eyes. Everyone else was about ready to offer congratulations when Montgomery cleared his throat and continued.

“Ms. Thomas and Agent Hudson have been undercover,” he explained. “I understand that their engagement is very real, but they were asked by us to stage a breakup. Because they were willing to do this, we were able to remove a rotten apple from the barrel.” He paused for a moment to allow the words to register. “I believe you know John Bigelow, an agent in Agent Stone’s unit.” He could tell by the looks on the faces around him that Bigelow was not a popular person. “We recently have been receiving reports of sexual harassment and blackmail. We also have been suspecting embezzlement. Randy Pitts and his staff are looking into that. We needed more evidence so we asked Thomas and Hudson to help by staging the appearance that their relationship was over. Their parodied breakup aided us to catch this man in criminal activity.”

Max Stone continued the briefing. “Thomas actually served at the bait to draw him out. Thomas was encouraged a while back by Hudson to share with me that Bigalow had made a few questionable advances at her, so we knew he would be interested. So, we set him up. When he heard of the breakup, Bigelow approached Thomas ostensibly to offer encouragement and support. She let him believe that Hudson had two-timed her, that she was through with him for good, and ready to move on. They met for coffee one day and then dated several times quietly. That was when he started to show his true colors. When his inappropriate advances toward her after a dinner date were unrequited, Bigelow threatened Thomas here that he would have her job if she spurned him. He told her that if she reported him, that he would either deny everything, tell everyone that she was having an affair with him, or accuse her of harassment. It would be his word against hers. Well, we were not about to leave her alone with him, especially Hudson here. We had Thomas wired and were able to get his comments in a form we can use as evidence. The charges of sexual harassment, embezzlement and blackmail have already been filed as we speak. For this to work we had to make sure it was very believable. If Bigelow had suspected something, he could have anticipated a wire. Regrettably, this meant keeping this team out of the loop, including Supervisor Gans.” As he was speaking, Stone looked around the room and watched as the expressions changed from confusion to delight. “I want to express my personal thanks as well, Thomas…Hudson. I have been trying to criminate Bigalow for a while now.” He shook their hands.

Ted Garrett, who had been silent up to this point, spoke. “I felt confident that if anyone could pull this off, it would be these two. We did not like asking this of them, but they really showed us just how well a couple can function and work together. I believe that they only had one opportunity to meet privately these past two weeks. That’s rough on a newly engaged couple.” He shifted his position in his chair as he studied the couple. “There is, however, one question that remains on my mind…something that I would like to ask you, Jack. Do you have her ring with you?”

“I have it, sir,” Sue responded softly. “I am wearing it on a chain around my neck.”

“I see,” Garrett smiled and then addressed Jack. “I think it would help all of us if we could have the privilege of seeing you put the ring back on her finger. Do you mind?”

“No, Sir!” Jack beamed. He had never before in his life received an order that he was this happy to obey. He stepped around behind Sue to help her free the ring from the chain. When that was accomplished, he pocketed the chain and took the ring in his hand. He then moved to her side as she faced him. When both of them were standing face to face in front of the entire assembled group, he cleared his throat and looked deeply into her eyes. Everyone held their breath as Jack spoke.

I am holding my breath too!!!!!

JACK, SPEAK!!!!!


Restie

Everything is right in the world again

well....


HOLDING MY BREATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ring is back where it belongs!

Sairs

Let's hear it!!!


Jill

Thank you for solving/ resolving this.

Jack, the special agent who could face an assault rifle or a terrorist, momentarily felt nervous. Then he looked at his fiancée and all of the words of love and commitment came forth with passion. He knew the circumstances dictated that this was not a time to hold back. “Sweetheart, I am so proud of you. Your courage and passionate spirit never cease to amaze me. I have made two decisions in my life that I know I will always be grateful that I made. The first was to bring you onto our team. That was when you began to capture my heart with your inner and outer beauty. The second decision was to ask you to marry me. You made me the happiest man in the world when you said yes. I… love you with all my heart!” He reached up and brushed away tears that had fallen on her cheek. “May I put your ring back on your finger?” he asked her.

“Oh, Jack, I never wanted to stop wearing it,” she answered. “You are an incredibly strong, caring, and honorable man. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you, too.”

That said, she held out her left hand. Her countenance erupted into a brilliant smile as he took the ring and slipped it on her finger. She cheeks glowed and her eyes sparkled brightly. Jack was grinning from ear to ear looking like he was ready to burst with happiness.

“Congratulations,” Ted said using a deep ministerial-sounding voice. “You may now kiss your fiancée.”

That is just what Jack did as everyone in the room erupted in jubilant applause.

Sue and Jack spend the next few minutes trying to offer apologies to their team mates for misleading them, but their attempts were dismissed away. Words of congratulations, whoops, and cheers resounded off the walls of the conference room.

Montgomery again commandeered everyone’s attention. “Now, you two have orders to get out of here. You’re both finished with work for one week. I don’t want to hear of you returning before next Thursday. Have a good long vacation.” He gave the couple a smile of benediction as he dismissed them.

That was just what Sue and Jack needed. Hand-in-hand, they practically flew out of the Hoover building, giggling and laughing as they went. As passers-by saw them, word quickly began to spread throughout the building that Jack Hudson and Sue Thomas were “back together.”

All of these events occurred because they were meant to, and because Jack left nothing to chance that special Valentine’s Day morning when he claimed her as his own.

THE END

I want to thank each of you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it.

You could probably tell in my story that I was trying to weave Jack and Sue into a solid engagement only to have it to apparently fall apart. I do wonder if in my story I tried to cover too much when I covered their Valentine’s Day, their engagement and the perceived breakup.

If you have any writing suggestions for me, I would enjoy hearing them.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day. I hope it is a special one

You did get us guessing as why they broke off the engagement ... very nicely weave !!

Perfect ending!





Happy Valentine's Day !

Nicely played, Ivory!! You sure had me guessing!!! That was a very touching scene at the end!

You know, I believe only a solid couple could have carried off that "assignment" and emerge better for it.

Thank you for writing this story. Writing suggestions ... let's see ... ... another story ASAP?

Great job,
thanks,
Terie

Ivory, it was perfect end!!!!

I think Jack definitely did well when he dared to do step forward!!!!!!

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS STORY WITH US!!!!!!


Restie

This story is amazing and the perfect ending .......thank you ivory ...it was an honour to read this story...............why don't you start with another of your stories with that writing skill of yours ...............



once again

Wonderful story! Great ending! Thanks!

Ivory, I'm trying to catch up on Valentine Challenges and just read your story from start to finish!! What a treat!!

Your writing is incredible!! I would have quoted parts but that would have meant that I would have to quote the whole tale!!

I love the way you brought Deanne in and the talk she and Sue had was so well done!! The break up was incredible!! I think all of us were struck with the fact that Jack and Sue would break up!! Not Jack and Sue!!! But you carried it off and really had me believing that Jack had done something that Sue could not forgive!! I was so happy to find out that wasn't the case!!

I'm with Yhm, the only suggestion I have is for you to write another story!!!

Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with us!!!

Joy

What a relief! You had me worried about Jack and Sue for awhile. A brilliant twist.

kav

A perfect ending to a wonderful story.

for sharing,

Sairs

Ivory,
It was , I loved it!

Take care,
Kristen

Ivory, wonderful ending, it was a clever twist, I was surprised. I loved the happy ending, I could actually see them running out of the building!

I have just managed to catch up with this story and wow.

You write Sue and Jack so well and that twist at the end really had me scratching my head.

Can't wait to read your next story whenever that may be.

Thank you

Soph

Great story, Ivory. I loved Sue's and Deanne's conversation and Sue's letter to Jack...perfect! But then you threw me for a loop with the broken engagement. I'm so glad it was all just a ruse and that things ended they way they did - the way they were supposed to.

Great job!

Had to hold my breath there for the last few posts, but now I can breath properly again. Great story

What a relief....you had us all holding our breath until the very end!

wonderful story! I really enjoyed reading it!

Jill

Great idea and suspense. Loved it. Sorry, my reply is so late. I'm playing catch up tonight. Loved the ending, too.

Fantastic! You were brilliant! I loved the twist at the end. So many surprises! I loved it all!

glad they didn't break up for real and that they were able to catch the bad apple.
aww randy can be kind...especially to sue
yay they're once again engaged...hopefully he'll marry her sooner
but them breaking up did show they could still work together...so maybe other couples can too.