Great post!

fabulous post

if i were sue i'd stay with Jack for the day and avoid lucys questions altogether!!

i'm guessing we could be talking about being on the weekend now


cath

It's wonderful waking up I would just love more it they would wake up in each other arms next time perhaps !!!


Restie

wonderful post,
cant wait for the nexted
lin

Beautiful. Making him a nice breakfast, it's a start.

Karen

The forbidden kitchen, huh? I hope she doesn't discover any takeout boxes!

And I think Jack will be disappointed to not find Sue asleep on the couch!

Loved the scene, Marlene!

marlo, that was wonderful!! Sue is definitely comfortable enough with Jack to fall asleep, and not be too disturbed that she woke up in his apartment!! I agree with Restie though, it would have been nice for her to wake up while he was still there!!

I don't think Jack is going to mind seeing Sue puttering in his "forbidden" kitchen!! In fact, I think it's going to make him very happy!!!

Joy

I love the delicious and unmistakable sense of romance in the air!

ahhh how beautiful was that' loved it marlene it was great

I love how you are building this. You write Jack and Sue so well.

Kitchens have a lot of possiblities!!!!!

Not having much luck replying to this story- but that doesn't mean I am not reading and enjoying.

I especially liked the 'fobidden kitchen' and the bit about Jack not being cleared of any responsibility in the roof collapse. It's the little things like this that make your stories such a great read.

That was soo amazingly romantic!!

I can't wait for more!!!

Sophia knew she should try to sleep a bit on the transatlantic flight, but she was too excited. She had been one of the lucky six American college students chosen to work that children camp in France. The participants would be coming from all over Europe, and it would give her a chance to practice her languages and maybe even pick up some German or Italian.

She was glad she got to the airport early and was assigned a window seat. Not that she could see much. Still, she imagined the dark ocean looming underneath ... far, far, far underneath the belly of the plane ... or at least she hoped so, smiling to herself. Her neighbour was taking the full middle seat, spilling over on each side. At least he wasn’t snoring, she reflected, and he didn’t seem too upset that her elbow unintentionally kept hitting his floppy middle.

She had been happy to watch her sister’s last performance the previous night. She partied with her family afterwards. They celebrated her twenty-first birthday ahead of time, and bade her farewell. She would be gone for three months, but promised to stay in touch.

She arrived in London twenty minutes early. She had three hours to find her next gate, which left her enough time to drop a line to her mother from an Internet café.

Hi!
I’m in London ... my plane is leaving in one hour. I will call you tonight!
Sophia

She pressed ‘send’. Her mom would get it when she checked her emails at breakfast. She strolled in the airport, staying within the security perimeter. When her next flight was delayed, she didn’t worry too much. She had a three-hour time frame in Paris in order to catch her final train. But the more she waited at Heathrow Airport, the slimmer her safety margin became. By the time her flight took off she should already have landed in Paris. After she cleared custom in a record time, she figured she might still have a chance to make it. She caught the first train leaving the airport in direction of the city. Then she quickly found the right subway to ride. But as fast as she was to reach the next train station, she still missed her departure.

She easily exchanged her ticket for the next available train, but she still needed to get a hold of Antoine, the guy who was picking her up, to tell him she would be late. She searched for his number. She knew she had it when she left. She sighed. Maybe she should call home first, and let her mom know she was fine in case Antoine phoned there.

She looked around for a phone booth, or the French equivalent. She approached a young man who was reading a newspaper. After studying her, he gladly offered his cell instead. To add insult to injury, the operator refused her calling card access code. Out of desperation, she called collect, knowing the fees would be exorbitant. She heard her mom say ‘yes’.

“Mom, it’s Sophia”, surprised the communication was clear. “My calling card doesn’t work and I missed the train.”

“Where are you?” her mother inquired.

“I’m still in Paris. The plane was late. I rebooked the train in one hour but I need to let Antoine know my new arrival time. And I cannot find his phone number which I know I have somewhere with me”, digging through her backpack while talking.

“Is it on the list you gave me?” Sophia had left a list of important numbers for her mom.

“Not sure”, trying to recall. “I’m on a guy’s cell here. I will search some more and call you back”, feeling the guy’s gaze on her. She hung up and returned the cell. “Merci beaucoup.”

“Voulez-vous manger quelque chose?” pointing towards the bistro across the street.

She considered the invitation. She had an hour ... she was hungry ... she would be able to sit ... and search her bag for Antoine’s elusive phone number.

“Bien sûr”, smiling at him.

+++++

While driving to school with Delphi, Brad realised his mom’s cell was in the car. He took it and shoved it in his schoolbag anticipating using it to call his boss at lunch. He had forgotten to check his work schedule for the week.

While he stood in line at the pop machine, the cell rang in his bag. Not that Brad heard it since the table where he was sitting was across the room and the noise level was deafening. But his best buddy, Parker, always there to lend a hand, picked up for Brad.

“Hello”, Parker answered, trying his best Brad imitation.

“Brad, it’s Sophia. Are you at school? I can barely hear you”, not that he could hear her much better. Inside the school, in the best of times the reception was bad, and in the worse of times the signal was inexistent. ”Just tell mom I’m staying in Paris for a few days.”

“You’re in Paris?” Parker didn’t know that.

“Yes. Just tell her I will phone in a few days. Bye.”

Parker hung up and retuned the phone inside Brad’s bag.

“Did you know your sister was in Paris?” inquired Parker, once Brad was back at the table.

“Of course”, rolling his eyes. “Mom drove her to the airport last night. Why? Did you talk to my sister?” remembering Parker chatting with Delphi in the parking lot.

“Yah. She said she was in Paris and would phone your mom in a few days ... I think.”

“Sounds about right”, recalling the conversation he briefly caught between Sophia and his mom the previous day. “I need to phone my boss”, changing the conversation. “If I’m not flipping pizza tonight, wanna catch a movie?”

“Can’t do, man, I have a physic exam tomorrow, and I need to study.” As it was, Brad was needed at the pizza place for the evening.

I wonder who is this cell phone guy! And why does she stays a few more days in Paris? It sounds suspicious!

It's a really great start for you story Marlene! I hope to see some posts when I'll come back Friday!

for sharing this new story with us!

Sounds too familiar!!!



Okay.......why the extra days in Paris???????????????? :hide:

Jill

Yes, unfortunately Sophia's trip on the plane brings back memories best forgotten!!

What is going on? Why is she now staying in Paris for a few days?? Sounds very suspicious to me!!!

Joy

few extra days in paris?

all sounds very suspicious

cath

and we get closer and closer to the "next week" Great story! I know that I will love all the twists an turns that you will make in this story

I don't like this unknown man... I hope Sophia will be all right!!!!


Restie

marlo just love the mystery
and the twist and turns
of this story lin

My, we all are a suspicious bunch (me included) Wonder what's going to happen now.

Karen

Why the extra days in Paris? Is Sophia hitting it off with cell phone guy?

I loved your descriptions of her trip and seat partner. Too funny.

I'm going to repeat after everyone else; Why the extra days in Paris?

Why the extra days in Paris?


Yes, you are a suspicious bunch !!!


Back to the question ... Sightseeing of course ... What else to do in Paris? "

Should go back to

i got all excited then, thought you'd posted

cath

Yikes!! You never know what could happen in a foreign city with a suspicious man!!

Like Sue predicted, walking over water would have been easier than escaping Lucy’s keen sense of observation, specially since her best friend was having breakfast when she came in.

“Last night clothes?” raising her brow at Sue’s appearance. Without reason, heat rose to Sue’s cheeks ... not that she had anything to be embarrassed about. “Start talking, girl”, intently staring at Sue. “Where did you spend ...”

“Luce, it’s not what you think”, Sue quickly corrected before Lucy’s imagination ran away from her.

“Even if it’s only half of what I’m thinking it’s still good”, giggled Lucy.

“Luce!” laughing despite herself.

“So? ... How was dinner?”

“Nice. We talked a lot ... about work”, Sue recalled, Lucy rolling her eyes. “And about the play and the weekend.”

“You do realise Jack didn’t hang around the high school because he was reminiscing about his teenage years”, Lucy pointed out wisely.

“Maybe”, Sue conceded. He acted differently this week, but she still couldn’t read him.

“Only maybe?” smiling. “What happened last evening ... to let you stay up all night?” Her glowing face froze. “Tell me it wasn’t a stakeout ... please?” her romantic hopes dissipating rapidly.

“Worse”, Sue admitted. Maybe she should be embarrassed after all. “I fell asleep on his couch after dinner while he was cleaning the kitchen”, lowering her eyes. “And didn’t wake up until this morning.”

“And where was Jack?” not ready to concede defeat yet.

“Don’t know”, shrugging. “His bed I guess. He got up early to go running with Levi. Then we had breakfast together, and he drove me here”, skipping the missed opportunity in the hallway.

Jack had walked her to her door. When she thanked him she noticed the shimmering in his eyes. His lips moved, saying her name, while his hand trailed down her arm. She forced herself to concentrate on his lips when he suddenly pulled away. Sue caught her nosy neighbour leaving her apartment, openly prying. Jack simply told her he would see her in the bullpen.

“Hold on”, catching Sue’s arm. “Did he mention dinner again?” but Sue shook her head.

Lucy sighed deeply. Those two were hopeless.

yup, hopeless just about sums them up

cath

Just hopelessly interrupted - that's all! But we know they'll find a way around all the interruptions - sooner or later!

Another interruption!!! I don't like those!!!

Joy

Yep.........only lets vote for SOONER!!!

Jill

At least we know he's thinking about making a move...that's something! Now if we could just get those two stranded on a desert island or something Jack might actually get somewhere!!! and now I'm worried about Sophia. What is she doing striking up an acquaintance with the unknown cellphone guy? Didn't her mother teach her not to talk to strangers? And why did Parker answer the phone? If Sophia's mother had she would have had some pertinent questions for her daughter. And how are Jack and Sue going to get involved?....with the kidnapping...not each other...though I want to know what they get involved with each other too

kav

Oh no hate neighbours like that.
who interupt the good parts,
lin

ARGHHH this is frustrating ... why always interruptions .. I need a smiley that pulls out his hair ...

UGHHH!!!! Neighbours!!

You know something, Marlo? I've noticed every time I read one of your stories I have computer problems and it takes me days to get caught back up. I wonder if there's any co-relation there....

I'm back on page 6 reading, reading, reading. But don't wait for me. Keep on posting. I'll get there eventually.....

I totally agree except for the fact mine just paid me $30 for feeding their cats for 2 days

Goodness sakes, we could all go on a cruise if we had a dollar for every time Sue and Jack were interrupted .

Looking forward to more, Marlo.

Great post! I look forward to more!

I deny any or all responsibility !!!

+++++

“You’re in a good mood, Jack”, Tara noted when Jack entered the bullpen, whistling.

“Had a nice evening, mate?”

“Isn’t it a bit early for you to be here?” deflecting the interrogation.

“Until you showed up, Jack, they were actually working”, Myles observed from his desk.

“Very funny, mate”, rolling his eyes. “In the wee hours we caught a break in the blackmail case. We are efficiently narrowing down our list of suspects.”

“Good. Want to update me?” throwing his jacket on his chair.

“You may want to keep that, Jack”, said D as he came in. “Your testimony in the Calvin’s case has been changed from tomorrow to ... now”, after checking his watch.

“You’re kidding”, knowing D didn’t make that kind of joke. “I was going to review it today.”

“Grab your file”, ordered D. “I’ll drive you while you prepare your speech in the car”, giving Jack no choice but to follow, but not before Jack glanced towards Sue’s empty desk. The gesture didn’t escape Myles who raised his brow.

He meant to ask her out this morning, but let the moment slip through his fingers. How many more chances could he afford to miss? Should he leave her a note? And say what? Regretfully, he tore his gaze from her desk to retrieve his report. Hopefully it wouldn’t take all day.

Not only did he spend his day in court but his early evening as well. He secured a ride back with the assistant D.A. who dropped him off at the Hoover building. In the parking lot, Jack noticed the cars of his colleagues. What were they still doing here?

He looked at her desk first. She was on the phone, but she lifted her head towards him, almost sensing his presence.

‘Hi’, he mouthed, to which she replied with a smile before frowning as she resumed her conversation. “Why the overtime?” Jack asked no one in particular.

“We arrested a suspect, mate. D and Myles are down there grilling him.”

“While we are neatly tying the loose ends”, Tara added.

“In case the bloke doesn’t confess”, Bobby finished, winking at Tara who buried herself behind her computer with her cheeks a shade or two darker.

“Jack”, Sue approaching him. “I need to leave.”

“Something wrong?” She looked concerned. “Can I help?”

“It was Delphi, Jack”, wondering if she should make a big deal out of it or not.

“I’m listening.”

“Who’s Delphi?” Bobby inquired, only to have Tara hush him.

“Her mom is worried, Jack, so Delphi called me for advice knowing I work for the FBI.”

“What’s the problem, Sue?” giving her his full attention.

“Sophia called her mom this morning from Paris after she missed her train, but they haven’t heard from her since, and she never made it to the camp.”

Please tell me Sue and Jack are going to Paris! Please! They could get their relationship off the ground while dancing a top the Eiffel Tower.

Woot! Let's all go buy our plane tickets...we don't want to be left behind.

a trip to paris?


sounds fab

cath

Oh, I smell trouble ahead. Once they sort the mess out in Paris then they can have some romantic time. What's better than spending time with the man of your dreams in the most romantic city in the world?? Surely things can't go wrong??

Karen

wow is there a trip,
to the romantic city of paris
in order for jack and sue,
love it lin

And the plot thickens with our favorite couple at the helm...do we see a trip to Paris perhaps???

A trip to Paris for our favorite "couple"! That would be nice!

Maybe Jack and Sue could go to Paris looking for Sophia... I would appreciate story full of love and I know Marlene knows how to write this type of story...


Restie

I love French and have never been to Paris. can I come too????