REDEMPTION

redemption (n) - the act or an instance of redeeming, e.g. 1 making up for; 2 saving, rescuing or claiming; 3 fulfilling a promise

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1 -- RECEPTION


The bullpen was experiencing a relatively quiet day.

D was at a meeting. Bobby and Myles were out interviewing witnesses to a bank robbery; it wasn’t even their case but they had been asked to assist and would only return after lunch. Sue was away at a training seminar and would return at the end of the day, if at all. She’d said that if she was exhausted, she would go straight home. That left Jack, Tara and Lucy to their own devices in the bullpen.

Jack used the time to assault his pile of every growing case files, determined that he would reduce it by half, given that a certain distracting blonde co-worker was not present. He had partially succeeded by lunchtime. By then, Tara was embroiled in a mysterious cyber activity, leaving Lucy to answer the phone when it rang.

It was a call for Jack, which Lucy transferred with narrowed eyes.

When he spoke, his voice grew more tense by the syllable. “Hudson … hi! … yes … sure … where are you? … where? … okay, stay where you are … I’m on my way … ”

Without another word or a glance at the women, Jack grabbed his jacket and strode out of the bullpen.

WOW, WOW!!!!!

You are starting new story

So, when will you tell us who was on the other side of the phone?! And where is Jack going?!?!?


Can't wait for more!!!!


Restie

where is he going ?????????


who called ????????


so many unanswered question!!!!!



can't wait for more!!!!!!!


btw who is N/S???

Ack who called?!

kav

Maybe it was Sue who called? Great start BTW.

Wow two stories from you to get tabs on and try to work out, can't wait to see where this one leads and to find out who or what N/S are or is...

Soph

I just love your stories!!! But I'm changing your name to Cliffie - Yhm just isn't working for me anymore!!!

Joy

Maybe it was Sue ... car trouble ..

Aw, don't do that ...

N/S will be explained really soon ...

Thanks for reading!

Yeah, but if it was Sue wouldn't Lucy have recognized her voice?

I have to agree

Jack better be meeting Sue and not Allie or someone gal...

YOU'RE DOING A STORY!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!

Yeah!! Who could it be though??

Sorry, Cliffie, I agree with Joy!!
I'm glad you're doing the Challenge, should I refill my chocolate supply?

You've got me hooked! And who was it? I mean, like everyone else said, if it was Sue, Luce would have known. Who is it??

Thanks for the support, ladies. This is my first ever challenge, and I'm doing in part to "celebrate" having hung around this site for a year. Let's hope I can keep the two stories separate, shall we?

And bell, there's never a reason needed for chocolate.

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2 -- REACTION


The minute Jack was out of earshot, Lucy crossed to Tara’s desk.

“Jack’s gone for lunch,” hissed Lucy.

Tara stared blankly at Lucy. Was there something they were supposed to do while Jack was out?

“Okay … a man’s got to eat.”

“It isn’t with Sue.”

Tara grinned. “Lucy! Sue won’t be done till this evening. You know that.”

“He could still arrange to meet her, couldn’t he? But he hasn’t.”

“What’s your point?”

“He’s having lunch with Sam Matthews.”

“Who is?”

“Not a guy.”

“Huh?”

“Sam Matthews called. I transferred the call, so I know Sam is not a guy.”

Tara, who confessed to being as anxious as the next person to see Jack and Sue settled as a couple, occasionally considered Lucy’s fascination with them to be bordering on the obsessive.

“Have we heard of Sam Mathews?” she asked patiently.

“No. But we could run a check.” Lucy looked hopeful.

“That’s invasion of privacy. And Jack would have your neck on the chopping board if he found out.”

“True.” Lucy looked crushed. “So what do we do?”

“Nothing. The guy’s entitled to his private life. Heaven knows we poke into it enough to get him together with Sue.”

“We do, don’t we.”

“Actually, you do.”

“Ha ha. Fine, we’ll wait and see. Maybe he’ll talk about it when he gets back.”

Sam Mathews who is he/she ?????????

can't wait for more!!!!!

p.s. i think i got the first piece of the puzzle .....the N/S S--sam mathews...N--???

Jack is out with Sam, and not just any 'Sam', but a girl 'Sam'...

And you're absolutely right!
You, too, suejack, maybe ...

YHM what comes after REACTION !!!!


waiting patiently i might add !!!

Okay, we now know, or think we know, that Sam is a girl!! But why did Jack run out of the office so fast???

And, yes, Lucy does poke into his private life too much, but I can relate - I want to know too!!!

Joy

Who on earth is this Sam girl? Better be a member of the family!! Please come back and post more soon!

Don't want to spoil your fun, but it could still be J/S as in Jack/Sam en N/S as in ?/Sue.....

Can't wait to find out!!!!!

okay !!! you do know that you give yhm an idea !!!!!!!

Who, me? Nah, bet YHM is clever enough to have realised that herself when she put 'Sam' into the picture!

I suppose I really should leave the J/S, N/S thing dangling for a while longer ...

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3 -- RESPONSIBILITY


When Jack returned from lunch, he looked grim. He retreated to his desk but for the longest moment, he stared into space. He ignored the blinking message pop-up box on his computer screen, the flashing light on his phone and the curious glances of his co-workers. Lost in his thoughts, he startled when Bobby finally decided enough was enough and tapped him on his shoulder.

“Something to share, mate?” Bobby asked, his alert eyes fixed on Jack’s troubled ones.

Only then did Jack notice four pairs of eyes gazing intently upon him. “What?”

“Well, at he’s back on earth now,” murmured Myles.

“You know what they say,” said Bobby. “Smile … ”

“ … and the world smiles with you,” said Tara, beaming to prove her point.

Bobby nodded. “Frown … ”

“ … and at some point you’ll need Botox,” finished Myles dryly.

Jack rolled his eyes amid the assorted moans. “Thank you for that little bit of medical enlightenment, Myles.”

“The pleasure was entirely mine. Now I know you haven’t seen our fair Miss Thomas today,” said Myles consolingly, “but I’m willing to hazard a guess that there’s a greater cause for that melancholic disposition than mere acute withdrawal syndrome.”

“In normal English, we say, ‘What’s up?’,” muttered Tara with a glare in Myles’ direction.

“Yeah, mate, what’s up?” Bobby’s concern was obvious.

Jack sighed. “I don’t want you to get involved in this.”

Bobby scowled. “We’ll be the judge of what we get involved in.”

Jack looked at each of them in turn, weighing his options. “I need you to understand that I came to know about this in a private capacity. And if you decide to involve yourself in this, it’s off the books.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, spill,” snapped Myles, “or I’ll shoot you if I have to so you’ll leak it out anyway.”

Well, Jack better start talking or else...

What's NS?

Yes, I know I'm clueless.

At least it sounds like this woman has a case of some sorts for Jack so it's not a romantic entanglement.

kav

I need more information!!!!

You know, Lucy and Tara could have investigated and not let Jack know! duh! He can't get mad about things he doesn't know!

I'm still in a fog!!! What did Jack find out that has him so upset??? Did Sam tell him???

Enquiring minds need to know!!!

Joy

Ok, yhm I am on the edge of my seat ready to slip onto the floor. I can't wait to read what happens next and what's going on. You've got me hooked. More please!

YHM ....... why is jack so grim!!!!!!!!



i want more!!!!

I'm well and truly hooked on this story!

J/S can only mean Jack/Sue, right?

Can't wait for the next post!


gracie

intriguing



cath

4 -- RECOUNT


“Do any of you know of Nick Anderson?” Jack’s voice was quiet as he rubbed his forehead.

Tara frowned. “LA field office? Went undercover to bust a North Korean arms shipment last year or something?”

Jack nodded. “Nearly got himself executed in the process. But he closed the case, the Kims received their due and Nick got the transfer he wanted to the New York office; Missing Persons.”

It was Bobby’s turn to frown. “He in trouble?”

“Went missing two days ago.”

Lucy looked confused. “Is he working in Missing Persons or is he the missing person?”

Jack’s smile was humourless. “Both.”

Myles whistled. “Not good. Kim Dong Soong was released last week, wasn’t he? Some hush-hush agreement between the governments?”

“Exactly. Sam came to see me - ”

“Whoa!” said Bobby. “Sam?”

“Sam Matthews,” answered Jack.

“Nick and Sam?” Myles’ eyebrows shot up. “You did say Sam.”

“Behave, Myles. Sam is Samantha. Lucy took her call this morning and spent the rest of it trying to work out who she was and whether I was betraying Sue.” Jack gave Lucy an icy stare.

Lucy looked suitably chastised. “Sorry. Bad habit.”

Jack sighed. “I appreciate the loyalty. But next time, ask.”

Tara grinned. It didn’t happen often but when Jack was irritated, he amused those around him more than he offended. Lucy didn’t look offended either, nodding her apology.

“Jack,” Tara bobbed her head to attract his attention. “Maybe you want to start at the beginning? Who’s Sam? And what’s going on with Nick?”

oh jack you are really funny but a best friend is also a best friend !!!!!



so its nick and sam !!!!


so waiting till you post the next part i will be here .....! !!

Soph screeches to a halt having finally caught up

First of all I'm with Joy and bell - Cliffie

Second N/S now known Nick / Sam

Third Where is Sue and what is she upto - in one story you keep Jack and Bobby hidden (however after the last few posts I think that has been forgiven but we still haven't seen Bobby - note to self!) and in this one Sue is remaining unseen, are you trying to steal all the characters story by story?

Soph

Yes, Jack. Please do start from the beginning and fill us in.

Wouldn't dare, Soph ...

Assuming my J/S is Jack and Sue (since N/S has been explained) then Sue will appear at some point before April 16. Assuming ...

Great start and I absolutely loved Myles' lines. I liked Sue's loyalty to Sue and Jack appreciating it as well.

And the plot thickens...

LOLOLOL botox hah I loved that comment

what would we do without our Luce

5 -- RECOLLECTION


Jack took a deep breath. “I met Nick in Law School. After we cleared the Bar, he got a job in the Sacramento DA’s office while I quit and went to the Academy. About six years ago, he left because he was sick of the bad guys being set free on legal loopholes and technicalities. He said he’d rather spend his energies putting them away and talked with me about joining the Bureau.”

“You encouraged him?” asked Bobby, beginning to understand.

Jack nodded. “Cleared everything and was posted to LA. Nick’s been seriously dating Sam for a while, even though they’ve known each other for years - ”

“Well, now,” drawled Myles. “There’s a familiar ring to that.”

Heads swivelled in Myles’ direction. He looked back innocently.

Then Tara shook her head. “Go on, Jack. Ignore him.”

“I won’t go into their personal story. Anyway, his request to transfer to New York was in part to be near Sam, who now works as a children’s book illustrator at D and K, and in part because he wanted out of the LA undercover scene, especially after the Kim case.”

“Reasonable on both counts,” said Bobby.

“Right. He keeps in touch with Sam daily, meets her whenever he can, but a couple of days ago he sent her a text message saying he wanted out of their relationship and suggested that she forget him and get on with her life.”

“Poor Sam,” breathed Lucy. “But why?”

“She doesn’t know what to make of it either. She’s tried reaching him but he’s not answering his cell, or her emails, and there’s no one at his apartment.”

“Has she filed a Missing Person’s report? I mean, I appreciate the irony but the MPU’s got to know he’s missing,” said Myles.

“She came into DC this morning to look for me instead. Apparently, Nick had told her a long time ago that if she needed help, to get in touch with me.”

“There’s no possibility Nick’s really breaking up with her?” asked Lucy.

“Not on his own free will,” answered Jack. “To see them together … Nick’s a keeper once he’s set his heart on someone.”

Myles nodded sagely. “Yet another familiar ring.”

There does seem to be a lot of parallels here, doesn't it???

Okay, so we have N/S - of course J/S has to be Jack and Sue - surely you wouldn't change that on us???

Oops, shouldn't have asked that question!!!

Joy

Oh no, now you've given her another idea!

I am just gone for three days and you wreck such havoc?? Where is Sue, hm..? She's safe, right?

Great! Now we now who is N/S and we know they won't threaten Jack and Sue's relationship

I love Myles' flow of thoughts Great points!!!


Can't wait for more!!!!


Restie

YHM don't listen to them !!!!! listen to me !!!



and reapeat after me !!!!!

I Am A J/S Fan And I Will Always Be One!!!!!


p.s. myles you are so right !!!!!!!! soooo where is the lovely and fair miss thomas!!!!!!!



can't wait for more!!!!!!!

At which point did I declare J/S = Jack and Sue, and N/S = Nick and Sam?


suejack, Soph's already tried that. Doesn't work.