The Nomination:

Full of suspense, angst and a healthy dose of fuzzies, this story was also one that touched the heart and held a strong message about living life to the fullest, since we can never know how long we might have. Well written, it showed the importance of family and friends in our lives; I definitely think that Lynne's story belongs in our Showcase.

LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING

Bullpen

Unusually calm, the team was slowly working it's way through a never ending pile of paperwork.

Sue let her eyes wander to each team member and thought how strange it was that nobody was talking. Even Bobby and Myles were not teasing each other like they would normally. It was if there was something missing, or someone.

Of their own accord Sue’s eyes fell on the empty desk normally occupied by Jack. It had been over a week since he’d sat there last and the whole team was affected by the absence of his vibrant energy and enthusiasm. There was a gaping hole in the center of the team.

Sue felt the gaping hole in her heart. Tears filled her eyes yet again as she thought about how much she was missing his presence. She quickly left to go to the ladies room before anyone else in the office noticed her tears.

As she stared unseeingly into the mirror in the restroom her thoughts returned to that day over a week ago.

Sue could quite clearly remember what had happened the previous week. It was almost the end of the work day and the team were laughing at the “who’s better than who” banter going on between Bobby and Myles. Jack had just turned to Sue and shook his head in amusement when his telephone rang.

The call went unnoticed by the others in the Bullpen until Jack stood up quickly and with enough force to send his chair bumping into the wall behind him. They obviously could not hear the full conversation but the stunned expression on Jack’s face and his terse replies of “When? How bad?” and “I’m on my way” clearly explained that it was not good news.

Nobody really knew what to say as Jack ended the call and leaned over his desk with his eyes closed as if in prayer. Nobody reacted until Jack grabbed his coat and murmured a quick “I’ve got to go” as he left the Bullpen.

Sue managed to catch Jack as he waited for an elevator. She was not used to seeing the usually unflappable Jack Hudson so upset. “Jack, what has happened? Do you need anything?”

It took Jack a few seconds to pull his thoughts from the news he had just received, before turning to answer Sue. “It’s my Dad. He’s had a fishing accident. Head injury. He’s unconscious and they do not know how bad. I need to get home. I need to be there.”

Sue took Jack’s hand in hers and gently squeezed it. “Go be with your family Jack. Remember I’m here if you need me. I’ll be praying for you and your family”

Jack returned the squeeze of her hand before stepping into the elevator. He kept eye contact with Sue as the doors closed.

***********************************

In the restroom, Sue shook herself out of her reverie. She had not seen Jack since that day but did receive nightly telephone calls from him. The saying that she had seen her mum use in the past and had never understood, suddenly had become clear to her. Absence really did make the heart grow fonder.

The Hudson House
Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Jack was lounging on the sofa in his parent's sitting-room, flicking through TV channels trying to find something to catch his attention. The house is eerily quiet with his Mom, Julie and sister, Louise at the hospital visiting his Dad.

Jack had arrived back in Cedarburg last week to learn that his Dad had fallen from the boat he had been fishing on and had slammed his head on the jetty. He had lost consciousness and fallen into the water. If it had not been for the quick reactions of his fishing buddy in getting him out of the water he would probably have drowned. As it was the hospital had to do an emergency procedure to relieve the pressure on his brain as a result of the head injury. He still had not pulled out of the coma he had fallen into.

Once finding out his Dad’s condition, Jack had immediately assumed the role of strong shoulder for his Mom and Louise. It was only at times like this when he had time to himself that his own fears for his Dad had the chance to surface.

The fears most prominent in his thoughts, was that his Dad would never wake up and he never got the chance to resolve the argument they’d had the last time they had talked.

Jack had called his parents to let them know that he was alright, but that he had been shot in the arm on a raid. Most likely through shock his Dad had said “Is it not about time that you stopped thinking your going to save the world Jack and get yourself a safer job before you get yourself killed? Go back to being a lawyer!” Surprised at this response from his Dad, normally his mom would have been the one to go off the deep end, Jack had lost his own temper and had said some things that he had immediately regretted but had been too stubborn to apologise for. Not one of the better Hudson male traits. There had been no contact with his Dad since then and now he might not get another chance.

To halt the doom and gloom thoughts, Jack reached for the telephone on the table beside him. He called Bobby and Sue every night to let them know how things were going but it was Sue that he most wanted to speak to tonight. He missed her. After his conversations with her he always felt more hopeful about his Dad’s situation. He needed that right now. He needed Sue right now.

Bullpen

Sue was the last to leave the Bullpen and was just preparing to go when her desk lamp flashed to let her know there was a telephone call for her. She answered and waited on the response to appear on her screen.

Jack: “Hi Sue. It’s Jack. How are you?”

Sue: “Hi Jack. I’m fine. I’m glad you called. How is your Dad and how are you?”

Jack: “My Dad is just the same. If machines, tube and wires did not surround him you would think he was just sleeping. My Mom and Louise are holding up pretty good. They are at the hospital just now. I’m going back tonight to do the night-shift again. Mom does not like my Dad to be left alone overnight.”

Sue: “I’m glad your Dad is holding his own and that your Mom and sister are ok. But Jack, you did not answer the rest of my question.”

Jack: “What was that?”
Sue: “How are YOU Jack?”

There was an unusually long pause before Jack’s reply appeared on Sue’s screen and even then it was very brief and did not really tell her what she wanted to know.

Jack: “I’m keeping things together.”

Sue: “That’s not what I meant Jack!”

Jack: “Um Sue, I need to go. It’s about time I left for the hospital. I’ll call you tomorrow. Bye.”

Sue said goodbye, feeling that Jack had cut the call short rather than answer her question. She sat stroking Levi for a few moments while thinking about the call. When she asked, “What are we going to do about Jack, boy?” Levi dropped his head to her lap as if to say, “Who knows?”

They remained like that for another few minutes until Sue suddenly rose saying, “Come on Levi. I have an idea.” And they swiftly left the Bullpen.

Hospital
Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Jack had finally managed to hustle his Mom and Louise from his Dad’s room. They both needed their rest having been there for more than twelve hours now.

“Well Dad, it’s just you and me now. What would you like? Beer? Pizza?” Jack released a short laugh into the near silent room. As he listened to the varying sounds of the machines sustaining his Dad’s life his earlier thoughts returned. Although not even sure that his Dad could hear him Jack began to quietly talk, feeling the need for a father-son talk.

“There was a song on the radio as I was driving over here tonight. It was on that Country station Mom likes so much. Why is it women take over your car without even asking you first?

Anyways, I was listening to the lyrics and it was about a conversation the singer had with a man who had obviously been told he was seriously ill, perhaps even dying. It was all about how he reacted and what he did after he found out. I think the song was called “Live like you were dying”. It was a good song and it got me thinking about some things.

That argument we had Dad. I’m sorry I got so mad and I’m sorry for the things I said to you. You did not deserve that and I really did not mean those things. My job is so important to me. I know there are risks involved and that the worst could happen but I’m careful Dad, as careful as I can be. I maybe do not save the world but I have saved many people’s little bit of the world. If I can make even one person’s life safer then the risks I take are worthwhile. I hope you can understand that and that we get the chance to talk about it when you are back on your feet.

The other thing the words of the song got me thinking about was Sue and about how I’ve been dealing with my feelings for her. I know I have told you a lot about Sue already Dad, but what I have not told you so far is how very special she is to me. I finally found my ‘one’.

That is the first time I have ever admitted how I feel about Sue, Dad. Not even Sue has been privileged to that information. I think it has been fear that has been holding me back. It seems strange for a FBI Agent, I know, but when it comes to Sue my courage and decisiveness seem to just fly out the window.

I think she feels something for me, there has always been some underlying chemistry but there have always been other things to consider. Such as our jobs. It is against policy at the Bureau for us to date as we work in the same unit and I’m not sure how good it would look if Sue suddenly started dating her Training Agent. I would not want either of us getting into trouble for it.

The problem is I’m not always going to be working for the FBI and neither is Sue. Forever is a long time to be without Sue just because I do not want to jeopardize our careers. I have come to realise there is more to life than a job.

I think the main thing is that I’m afraid of disappointing and failing Sue. Sue has a whole other world that she is part of. She works so hard to be part of the hearing world and it is only fair if I want to have a relationship with Sue that I try to share her world with her. I’m scared that I may struggle to do that and I’m not sure where to even start. I do want to learn so much more about Sue than I already have. She has already taught me so much and I am so thankful for that. I know she has taken Lucy along to Deaf events and helps her to understand. I suppose I have just resolved my own fear, Dad. Although it would undoubtedly be difficult, with Sue’s help and by remaining open to learning I could share her world as she does mine.”

There were a few minutes of quiet in the room as Jack contemplated all he had just told his Dad.

“Your accident and that song on the radio has made me realize how precious life is and I’m not going to waste any more time. When I get back to DC I am going to have a long talk with Sue Thomas.

You know something Dad! Sue does not even take over the car like other women do. As long as the radio is loud enough for her to feel the vibrations sometimes she does not mind what is on it. Levi probably hogs more of the car than she does.”

As Jack settled back in the chair at his father’s bedside he closed his eyes and with his first heart-felt smile in a while he told his Dad, “Your going to love Sue. I sure do” as he drifted off to sleep.

As you will now have gathered the title of this story came from Tim McGraw's song "Live like you were dying" from the album of the same name. This is one of my favourite songs and i find the words so touching everytime i listen to it.


LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman

He said I was in my early forties
With a lot of life before me
When a moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days, looking at the x-rays
And talking bout the options, and talking bout sweet time

I asked him when it sank in
That this might really be the real end
How’s it hit ya, when you get that kinda news?
Man what'd you do?

And he said,
I went skydiving,
I went Rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.

He said, I was finally the husband
That most the time I wasn’t
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all a sudden goin fishin
Wasn’t such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad

Well I finally read the good book
And I took a good long hard look
At what I would do if I could do it all again

And then,
I went skydiving,
I went Rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.

Like tomorrow was a gift
And you’ve got eternity to think about what you’d do with it
What did you do with it,
What did I do with it
What would I do with it

Skydiving,
I went Rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flying

And he said, someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.

Sue and Lucy’s apartment

Lucy stood in Sue’s bedroom doorway watching her roommate dash around the room throwing clothes haphazardly into a suitcase. Shaking her head Lucy approached the cyclone to try and talk some sense into her. “Sue this is crazy. I think it is great that you want to go, but not tonight. Wait until morning. Besides, I’ve called the airlines and there are no flights available tonight.”

Lucy saw a flash of determination cross Sue’s face and knew before Sue said a word that she was not going to agree to that. “Luce, I have to go. You weren’t there when Jack called. He needs someone to be there for him. How long would it take to drive to Wisconsin?”

“Do not even try it! It would take you forever, you would be quicker waiting for a flight tomorrow morning.” Lucy was surprised at Sue, normally so sensible and practical she had obviously gone off the deep end. If it was not so crazy, Lucy would find it highly amusing that Sue’s feelings for Jack had finally surfaced and were ruling her thoughts and actions.

Noticing that Sue seemed to be thinking about what she had said Lucy added “If you did try to drive there you would probably end up wrapping yourself around a tree on the road and I’m sure if any wrapping does go on Jack would rather you waited and wrapped yourself around him when you get there!”

Knowing that the thought of Jack worrying would be enough to convince Sue, Lucy left the room to call and book her on the first flight out the following morning, ignoring Sue’s shocked “LUCY!!!”

The Hudson House, Cedarburg

Jack stood in front of the open refrigerator trying to decide what to make for lunch. After falling asleep at the hospital the night before, he had been wakened by his Mom, having missed breakfast. Lunch was going to have to be something substantial and then he was going to call Sue to apologise for ending their telephone call the way he had yesterday.

After his soul searching last night there were a lot of things he wished he could go back and redo, especially in relation to Sue. He knew he could not go back but things were going to be a lot different from now on. No more holding back with Sue and no more shutting doors on his emotions. He was kicking them wide open.

As he reached for the ham hiding at the back, Jack heard his cell phone ring and left his task to answer it.

He barely got a “hello” out before Bobby jumped in with “So?” Puzzled Jack replied, “So what?” Bobby cheerfully continued with “Do not play coy with me mate! How did you like your surprise? Or can you not share those details? Too personal?”

Jack had no idea what Bobby could be talking about and thought perhaps he had hit the beer a bit early today and said as much to Bobby. An exasperated reply came back at him “ Sue, mate! I’m talking about Sue! I bet she brightened up your day something good, right Jack?”

Feeling like this conversation was very hard work Jack informed Bobby that he had not spoken to Sue today. There was a long pause and Jack could almost hear the wheels turning in his friend’s head. “Are you telling me that Sue is not there?”

On hearing the serious note in Bobby’s voice a note of concern crept into Jack’s tone “Bobby, Sue is not here. Should she be?” Another long pause followed his query before Bobby replied, “ Jack, Lucy put Sue and Levi on a flight to Wisconsin first thing this morning. Even with the drive from the airport to you she should be there by now.”

Jack tried to remain positive despite the worry starting to claw at him and voiced the obvious reasons for Sue’s delay. Perhaps her flight was delayed, perhaps she got off course on the drive from the airport. There was any number of reasons why she had not arrived in Cedarburg yet.

To reassure Jack and himself, Bobby agreed to check Sue’s flight number and would call Jack once he knew something.

Jack hung up and returned to his station in front of the open refrigerator, but not seeing it’s contents. The nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach had robbed him of any appetite he had.

An interminably long fifteen minutes later, Jack answered the cell in his hand the instant he saw Bobby’s number flash on the screen. Jack employed every bit of training he had received in maintaining control over his emotions as he listened to Bobby tell him that Sue’s flight had left and arrived on schedule and she had picked up her car as planned. The trace Tara carried out on Sue’s blackberry indicated that it was located ten miles south of Cedarburg. As she would have nearly passed through Cedarburg to get where her blackberry was, it was highly unlikely that she got lost en-route.

Bobby listened to the silence coming from Jack’s end of the line and immediately offered to get the first flight out. Bobby’s concern was not eased as he heard Jack’s husky voice tell him to hold off while he went and checked out the location Tara had pin-pointed. After giving Jack the information he required on the location of Sue’s blackberry and the license plate of her rental car Bobby ended the call and settled back in his chair in the Bullpen to await Jack’s return call.

Jack found Sue’s rental car by the side of the road miles from anywhere. At first examination there was no damage to the car but both the driver and passenger doors were open. Most importantly Sue and Levi were nowhere in sight. Leaning into the car Jack could see the contents of Sue’s handbag strewn across the front seats and floor of the car, including her blackberry. There was a scrap of fabric hanging from the catch on the driver’s door which looked very much like the material of Sue’s favourite black coat. Whatever had happened, Sue had obviously left the car in a hurry or had been dragged from the vehicle.

Swallowing the nausea that was rising in his throat, Jack began checking the surrounding area for any sign of which way Sue could have been taken. He began calling for Sue and Levi knowing that he would alert Sue if he were able to. Jack almost sank to his knees in relief when he heard a faint bark in reply, only to realize that the barking was coming from the car itself.

He found a terrified Levi in the trunk of the car and was almost toppled to the ground by the Golden as he sprang from the confined space.

Jack spent a few minutes trying to calm the agitated dog and trying to stop his own terror from overwhelming him. There was no way Sue would have locked Levi in the trunk and went off on her own. With the obvious evidence of some sort of struggle his experience told him that Sue had been abducted.

*******************************

Jack was sure he was going to wear a hole in the linoleum in Cedarburg’s police station. But then if they would get their butts in gear and get out there to find Sue he would not be pacing up and down with frustration.

Knowing that his best chance of finding Sue alive was to get the local law enforcement immediately involved, Jack had reported her disappearance over two hours ago. However after witnessing the painfully slow pace of the two police officers he had spoken to, Jack could feel his temper begin to fray and on the verge of exploding he left the station to call the Bullpen.

After a brief conversation with D, Jack felt somewhat reassured. The team was going to be on the next flight out of DC, Ted having given them authority to use whatever resources needed to find Sue. One of their own was missing and Jack knew that none of his team would rest until they had brought her home. Likewise, Jack’s complete being was focused on the same thing; bringing Sue home, alive and well……........to him.

********************************

Myles heaved a sigh as he watched the Hudsons and Levi unnoticed from the open doorway of Mr Hudson’s hospital room.

Three days. Three days and still no lead on Sue or her abductor. On the day of their arrival the team had immediately dispersed to collect any and all evidence they could find, including statements from countless people and footage from any cameras along Sue’s assumed route. They were trawling through the statements and tapes putting a time-line of Sue’s journey together in order to pin-point where and when she had gone missing. Myles had left D, Bobby, Tara and Lucy continuing this task back at their makeshift Bullpen in Cedarburg’s police station.

Myles had been dispatched to carry out the unenviable task of giving Jack his evening update on their lack of progress. So here he stood outside Jack’s father’s room dreading the look of hope that was sure to cross Jack’s face when he saw Myles, only for it to quickly change to distress and fear on hearing that they were no closer to finding Sue.

Jack had been called back to the hospital the previous morning as his father’s condition had deteriorated and they had almost lost the elder Hudson twice that day.

Torn between wanting to continue his search for Sue and being with his mom and sister Jack had been frantic. Bobby and D had eventually convinced Jack to place his faith and trust in the rest of the team to find Sue. There was not a dry eye in the room when Jack had looked each of them in the eye and simply stated “Bring Sue home safe and sound to me. I don’t think I’ll survive if I lose her too.”

For the sake of Jack’s soul, Myles knew that failure was not an option.

**********************************

Bobby took a break from staring at the tape on the screen before him to survey the temporary Bullpen around him. With Myles at the hospital checking up on Jack, Lucy taking a much needed break to go in search of real coffee and D in a meeting with Cedarburg PD’s head honcho, the room was almost silent. The only sound to be heard was the manic tapping of keys on Tara’s keyboard.

Bobby was antsy. He hated sitting around when Sue’s life was hanging in the balance. It was not just Sue’s life either; Jack’s was just as precarious. His friend would never be the same if they did not find Sue. Each member of the team would lose a part of themselves if she was not rescued.

It was this knowledge that made their lack of leads so unbearable to Bobby. The team’s relationship with Cedarburg PD was not helping matters either. The FBI’s entrance onto the scene three days ago and their subsequent commandeering of office space and resources had not endeared them to local law enforcement. As a result the Chief of Police had refused to allow the FBI to control the search parties looking for Sue. D was currently negotiating to allow Bobby or Myles to have some input there given their considerable experience.

The ringing of the office’s only telephone interrupted Bobby’s musing. He watched Tara’s weary face become animated and lighten as she listened to the caller. Bobby was already standing by her desk by the time she replaced the handset. Tara smiled as she relayed the call she had just received from the head of the search parties. They finally had a lead.

D signaled for Bobby and Tara to position themselves at the rear of the cabin, while he and Myles did the same at the front. Officers of Cedarburg PD were maintaining a cordon around the area but the raid on the cabin was strictly under the team’s control.

D watched as Bobby and Tara moved around the edge of the clearing in which the cabin sat. The surrounding trees provided excellent cover. Hearing Bobby’s confirmation that they were in position in his earpiece D began his countdown to entry.

The four quickly cleared all but two of the rooms in the house. D and Myles burst into one room to find a middle-aged man attempting to escape through the window. He was quickly subdued and pinned to the floor.

Bobby and Tara found the door to the only other room locked. Bobby kicked the door open. He and Tara swiftly entered the dark room, guns raised. The room was darkened because of the board over the inside of the window, which had made the police suspicious when they had searched the area earlier, as the glass was intact. Once Bobby’s eyesight adjusted, what his eyes saw stopped him in his tracks.

Sue was lying on a bed in the far corner of the room bound and gagged. Tears were streaming down her face as she stared at Bobby and Tara.

Cedarburg Hospital

There was a collective sigh of relief from the five anxious people in the waiting room as the Doctor delivered the welcome news that barring a few scrapes and bruises; Sue was physically unharmed following her ordeal. The trauma of being held captive in a dark room, without Levi and not knowing what was going to happen to her would linger for a while though. The team reassured the Doctor that Sue would have all the support and help she would need to help her through this. That is what family is for.

Lucy and Tara rushed in to see Sue whilst Bobby, D and Myles remained in the waiting room for a further few minutes. The fact that Sue was mercifully in one piece left several questions unanswered. Why abduct Sue? Why keep her locked up like that? Why take apparently good care of her? There was only one person who could answer that and none of the men wanted to broach the subject with Sue, unwilling to put her through that sort of turmoil so soon. On an unspoken agreement of ignoring the subject for the time being, the three moved down the hall and entered Sue’s hospital room to check with their own eyes that she was alright.

What Bobby, D and Myles had forgotten in their attempt to protect Sue, was that Miss Thomas had a tenacious streak a mile wide and was more resilient than most people would be in her situation. After receiving hugs from them Sue immediately proceeded to give them a full and detailed report of her abduction.

Henry Wishart had apparently spotted Sue at a gas station on road to Cedarburg. Sue looked uncannily like his late wife who had died just weeks beforehand in a car accident. Unstable in his grief Wishart had lain in wait for Sue in her car having decided to take her “home” where she would be safe. He had only produced a knife when Sue had fought him, forcing Sue to drive until he ordered her to stop and to get out and start walking through the woods. It was then that he had locked Levi in the trunk of the car.

Sue described their several mile trek through the woods until they reached his cabin. There, Wishart had treated Sue with great care as he must have done his wife, even going so far as to call Sue by his wife’s name, Helen. He had only resorted to binding Sue and locking her in a room when he caught her trying to escape. Claiming it was the only way he could keep her safe.

Knowing Sue’s compassionate nature her listeners were not surprised to hear her state that she would not let Henry Wishart go to a normal prison. She intended to make sure he went somewhere he would receive the help he so desperately needs in his current mental state.

Sue’s nurse eventually appeared to chase all her visitors out to allow Sue to get cleaned up and into fresh clothes before being released. There was no need for her to remain in the hospital. With another round of hugs for their friend, the team left her room, Bobby being the last to go. Just as he reached the door he heard a soft voice call his name.

Turning he looked into Sue’s eyes and was taken aback at the sadness there in contrast to the relief and laughter that had been there a few seconds before. Retracing his steps to her bedside Bobby took Sue’s hand in his and waited for her to voice her thoughts.

“Bobby, where is Jack? I thought he would be here.” Sue softly said. At Bobby’s pause Sue gasped as a thought crossed her mind “Bobby, is it his father? He isn’t…?” Unable to finish such a terrible sentence Sue stared at Bobby, silently pleading for an explanation.

Bobby carefully explained Jack’s father’s condition and that Jack was in the same hospital with his family. “We haven’t told Jack about you yet. We didn’t want to say anything until we knew what your condition was. Until ten minutes ago we did not know what Wishart had done or not done to you? You know what I mean.” At Sue’s nod of acknowledgement of the unvoiced fear that had been in all of their minds Bobby continued. “Sue, Jack was really upset about his Dad as you know and then when he found out you were missing he just about went to pieces. I’ve never seen him like that. It took some serious negotiating to get him off the search for you to be with his family when his Dad took that turn for the worst. Let me tell you, Jack Hudson is barely hanging on by a thread. Even Levi knows there is something drastically wrong with Jack’s world. He hasn’t left his side since Jack found him in the trunk of your car. Jack may not have shared his true feelings with you but that man loves you. You have no idea how much.”

With a glowing smile Sue replied “I hope he does Bobby, you have no idea how much I pray that it is true. Let me get dressed then you can take me to his Dad’s room. If he’s in as bad a state as you said then I have the best medicine available for his condition and I refuse to let him, and myself, suffer a moment longer! Besides I need to get my dog back.”

Jack awoke from his restless slumber and shifted in the uncomfortable hospital chair. As he shifted he became aware that there was something not quite right. Something missing. He postponed opening his eyes to check what it was because then reality would barge in and he was not handling reality well at the moment. To delay the inevitable Jack let his other sense absorb the ambience of the room to identify what was wrong.

He could hear his father’s rhythmic mechanical breathing so there was nothing untoward there. He could smell the blend of his mother’s and sister’s perfumes and could hear the gentle purring of his mom’s snoring from across the other side of the bed. Not that he would ever share that observation with her. Then there was Levi. That’s what was missing. Levi.

Jack and Levi had become an inseparable pair in the three days that the woman they both loved had been missing. Both giving comfort. Each others only tenuous connection with Sue.

Despite initial attempts to prevent Levi from being in the hospital, even the hospital staff had been amused and touched at the golden retriever’s stubborn refusal to leave Jack’s side. Used to Levi’s constant companionship, Jack missed his presence.

Finally opening his eyes Jack visually swept the room looking for Levi. The vision that greeted him in the doorway made Jack’s world right itself on it’s axis once more. Sue was hunched down lavishing attention on the thoroughly ecstatic Levi. She looked glorious; her face wreathed in smiles as she laughed at her dog’s antics. It was the most beautiful sight and sound Jack had ever witnessed.

Slightly cautious that this was a dream his mind had conjured up, Jack rose from his chair and released a hopeful “Sue….?” Levi instantly did his job and drew Sue’s attention to Jack and as she rose her gaze never wavered from him. Jack took no more than three seconds to realize that this was not a dream and strode across the room and wrapped her securely in his arms.

As he savoured the feeling of Sue, safe and whole against his body, Jack felt the bind that had so tightly held his emotions in check suddenly give way. He pulled back just far enough to allow his lips to meet Sue’s in a kiss laced with the remainder of his desperation and with relief. As their salty tears flowed into their kiss, Jack and Sue could feel them cleansing and healing until gradually their union became one of desire, hope and promise.

**********************************

Jack lay on the couch, arms behind his head and smiling at the ceiling. He’d woken earlier than he thought he would considering he’d had little to no sleep since Sue went missing and his Dad’s set-back. His Dad was now holding his own and Sue was back and nearby asleep in his room in the Hudson house, allowing Jack to have his first restful sleep. Sue’s nearness was probably the reason for his being awake at the crack of dawn, eager for his first sighting of her on this, the first day of the rest of his life.

Jack’s grin grew larger as the previous evening replayed in his mind. In the middle of his Dad’s hospital room he had finally kissed Sue. Oh, he knew he’d kissed her before at Callahan and Merced but not like this. This kiss had melted every synapse in his brain, leaving him incapable of a single coherent thought. He had forgotten that his Mom, Dad and Louise were in the room with them. Jack had been far too busy searing every touch and sensation of Sue in his arms into his memory, his whole being focused on their kiss.

Unnoticed by Jack and Sue, the commotion with Levi had roused his Mom and Louise and when they had finally surfaced it had been with no small amount of blushing from both of them that Jack had made the unnecessary introductions. From the display they had just witnessed there was no doubt in his Mom and sister’s minds who the blonde woman was.

Jack’s embarrassment had increased another notch when he noticed the cheering section peeking in through the window in the door. Thankfully Sue had been too preoccupied to notice the thumbs-up and kissing faces being sent Jack’s way. He was really going to have to take his team in hand when he returned to DC.

At his mother’s instigation everyone, including the rest of the team, returned to the Hudson house for an impromptu welcome back party in Sue’s honour. The group had enjoyed spending some rare free time together and of course the great supper that his Mom provided went down a treat, especially with Bobby. However, food was not what Jack had been hungry for and he had spent most of the evening devising ways to get the lovely Miss Thomas alone to sneak a few touches and kisses. Sue’s lips were fast becoming an addiction Jack never wanted to beat.

Sue’s willingness to follow where Jack led last night gave him some certainty that she returned his feelings and applying his new outlook; to live each day as if it were his last, Jack planned to have that important conversation with Sue today.

**********************************

Sue lingered in bed. Unusual for her but after the events of the last few days she felt she was entitled to a little self-indulgence. Self-indulgence was exactly what it was too as she lay there in his bed. Jack’s bed. In Jack’s room.

The night before Sue had absorbed every detail of the room, enjoying the little glimpses into a younger Jack it provided her. The walls and shelves still held reminders of high school and college days, the hockey trophies and photos of Jack with family and friends taking pride of place. The twinge of jealously Sue had felt upon seeing the prom photo of a young Jack and Allie on one shelf had been quickly replaced by unadulterated joy at finding a framed photo of herself and Jack taken at the Bachelor Auction on the bedside cabinet.

She had eventually climbed into bed and had lain there for a while just enjoying being there and being surrounded by Jack’s scent from the bed covers. It had almost felt like she was wrapped securely in his arms again. The memories of his touch that his scent conjured erased any remaining fear from her ordeal with Henry Wishart and allowed her to slip into a peaceful and renewing sleep.

Finally dragging her body from the cozy bed, Sue showered and dressed and then headed off in search of the real thing. As nice as it was to sleep in Jack’s bed she wanted to see and feel the man for herself this morning, not just in her imagination.

Sue followed the smell of bacon frying and found Jack cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Or at least breakfast for them both. Feeling a rush of love flow through her veins at the sight of him, she could not stop herself from stepping behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her cheek against his back. As she felt Jack’s movements still she was assailed by the fear that she had been too bold in her actions and made to withdraw from him.

Jack stopped her, placing his hands over hers where they rested at his waist. He turned and without words pulled her closer until her lips met his. Sue’s last thoughts before her brain turned to mush were that she wished she had been a little bolder a long time ago. She was going to continue being bold in the future if this was her reward.

Breakfast was a lengthy affair as a result of four wandering hands causing major distractions on a frequent basis. Jack and Sue spent the rest of the morning and afternoon in a similarly leisurely way as Jack gave Sue and Levi the grand tour of his hometown, including the local dog park.

Strolling up Main Street hand-in-hand with Sue had been an interesting new experience for Jack. Since leaving home he had never brought any girl home with him. He had been hesitant to share intimate details of his past with previous girlfriends, never feeling entirely comfortable with those relationships. So it was with considerable surprise that he found himself walking tall and filled with pride at having Sue walking by his side today. He did not miss the appreciative glances she garnered from other men and in some strange way enjoyed the possessive feelings that coursed through him and that prompted him to place his arm around her waist and pull her a little closer each time.

When several of his old school friends stopped them on the street he gladly introduced Sue and watched with fascination as she charmed each and every one of them. If he did not correct some of their assumptions that Sue was his wife it was not entirely his fault. He had not had much of an opportunity to volunteer the correct information and to Jack’s way of thinking it was only a matter of time anyway, as the next time they returned to his hometown he fully intended for them to be Mr and Mrs Hudson.

Before heading to the hospital to visit his father that evening, Jack took Sue out for dinner on their first official date. Time rushed by as they enjoyed each others company over a delicious meal and Jack did not start getting nervous until Sue visited the restroom and he realised that time was marching on and if he wanted to have that conversation with Sue then he needed to get on with it when she returned to the table.

As Jack tried to frantically think of a way to bring up the subject of their relationship he did not notice Sue sliding back into her seat and was only jolted from his thoughts when she said “ Penny for your thoughts?” When Jack only shrugged unable to form an answer, Sue laid her hand over his on the table and asked “Are you worrying about your Dad?”

Jack sucked in a breath hoping to absorb some courage from it before responding with “Not this time. I was actually thinking about…….us.” Sue hastily withdrew her hand from his causing Jack to raise his gaze to her face. Noticing that Sue looked a bit paler than before and was not meeting his eyes he realised that Sue had interpreted him incorrectly, assuming that he was going to reject her. She had started to withdraw into herself as a form of self-protection.

Grasping her hand before it was out of reach Jack’s urgent action brought her attention back to him. “Sue, just give me a chance to say what I need to. We have been friends for a long time and I think, I hope, you know that being friends is not enough for me anymore. If I’m honest it hasn’t been for a while now but I’ve been too scared to do anything about it. It took a confrontation with how fragile life is and almost losing you to force me to realise that I have to grab any chance at happiness I may get because who knows when it could be taken from me. I want the chance to be with you and to have the chance to get to know you completely. I want to, no, I need to be able to hold you, touch you and kiss you the way I have dreamt of for so long. I want the chance to love you the way you deserve to be loved. Can you give me that chance?”

Sue’s eyes sparkled back at him with happy tears as she whispered “Nothing could stop me from saying yes to that question, Jack. I love you.”

No further words were needed as Jack signed “I love you” and they leaned over the table to close the gap between them.

**********************************

At the hospital after dinner Jack introduced Sue to his Dad and told him that he seized the moment with Sue. Sue sent a questioning look Jack’s way at this odd statement. Jack only smiled, promised to tell her later, kissed her on the nose and left to get them some drinks.

Sue spent her time alone talking to Mr Hudson. “Mr Hudson, you really need to wake up. Your family needs you. I do want you to know that whatever happens you don’t need to worry too much about Jack. I’ll always be there for him for as long as he and God lets me, I promise.

By the way, I need you to wake up too, if your son thinks he seized the moment. Did Jack tell you that we have known each other for almost three years? If that is what he defines as “seizing the moment” we’re going to be retired, old and grey by the time he gets around to proposing to me and marrying me! You need to wake up and have a word with him for my sake.”

Seeing movement from the corner of her eye Sue notices Jack returning to the room. She turns to face him hoping that he had not heard what she had just said.

Sue did not see Jack’s father’s eyes flutter or see him croak “Leave him to me. You will need to call me Bill if you are joining the family though.”

***********************************

In the waiting room some time later Jack and Sue were relaxing while his Mom and sister are visiting his Dad. Sue had been confused when Jack had suddenly ran across the room earlier to his Dad’s side. At least until she had realized that he was awake. Sue took the opportunity now to ask Jack how he’d known that his Dad was awake. Jack explained what he had heard his father say and asked Sue if she could explain that. Jack watched her closely for her response and smiled as Sue blushed a fiery red and began to stutter some sort of an explanation.

Chuckling Jack put her out of her misery and pulled her into his arms where she belonged and placed a soft kiss on top of her head before pulling back so she could see him say “I may have been a bit slow until recently but I know where my future lies. It’s here with you and I am going to savour every last minute of our relationship. We are going to do this right but do not worry, I have every intention of making you my Mrs Hudson.”

Two years down the line

The sun filtering through the curtains woke Jack to the start of a new day. No work today but he had a list as long as his arm of jobs needing done around the house before their parents and friends descended on them for a BBQ lunch.

As Jack made to rise from the bed his arm brushed against his wife’s soft, warm skin. Images of their romantic first anniversary dinner the previous night and of events after dinner popped instantly into Jack’s head and made him reconsider his decision to get up. Lying back down, Jack nestled close to Sue and a smile of supreme satisfaction crossed his face when she laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around him.

Every day he held Sue and thanked God for delivering her to him. This morning he thanked God for another little blessing that would be heading their way in about another eight months. Sue had excitedly shared the news with him last night.

Two years ago Jack and Sue had embarked on their adventure through life together and at that time Jack had promised Sue that they would take their time, enjoy living every moment, happy to be together.

During this grand speech on one of their dates Jack had forgotten one small fact. Sue Thomas possessed a very stubborn and tenacious streak and once she set her mind to something she put her whole heart and soul into it. Sue had set her mind and heart on Jack. He had never stood a chance of holding onto his good intentions in the face of Sue Thomas’s determination. Within six months of their first date they were engaged, another six months later and Jack watched his glowing bride walk towards him down the aisle. His wife could be very persuasive and used extremely effective and unique methods to further her cause. Jack had adored every single moment of it.

Considering how long it had taken Jack to admit his feelings to Sue; Bobby, D and Myles teased him endlessly about how fast he had moved things along since then. He had no doubt their teasing would increase ten-fold with the news of their first baby being on it’s way. If they only knew who had really been driving the pace in their relationship. Thankfully only Jack and Sue were privy to those details. Although Jack did feel that his Dad may have an inkling as several times before they got married his Dad had arrived in DC for a father-son chat. Sue had persuaded him that she knew nothing about his Dad’s sudden visits.

His wife was good. Very good.

Life was being very good to Jack Hudson and he made sure he cherished every moment as promised. Mornings like this for instance. Gardening and housework could wait and everyone could starve. He had more important things to do. He needed to wake up his wife and show her just how good her husband could be too.

The End

You can find this story, and all of Smiler's other stories here in her archive page. Comments are always welcome!