LISTEN TO YOUR BETA THIS TIME!!!!!!!!!! Randy should be demoted or something!! Please post more soon Tracy!! I got all excited cos i thought you had posted!!

Jen

Tracy, I have just caught up on your posts and this is hilarious!!! I can just see the brothers pleading the FBI to take Randy back!! I also agree that they should probably count the time with Randy punishment enough!!!

Jack and Sue - **sigh**!! I can't wait to see what Jack is going to say to Sue!!!

Joy

I cannot believe you still haven't shared your fuzzies with us, your impatient readers.

Well, I guess we'll just have to be patient!!! oh tracy!!!! Where are yyyoooouuuuu??????


Jen

I HAD posted, Jenny, just not a story post...

Thanks again for all your comments.
Glad to see you back, Joy, and glad you are enjoying it!
I hope y'all enjoy this! Hopefully, you're not disappointed!

Thanks,
Tracy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter 12:

"Sue, you okay?" Jack asked and signed.

"Ummm, yeah!" answered Sue.

"You seemed kind of lost there for a little bit..." Jack observed.

Of course, just minutes ago he had been lost in thought too, staring at her, the woman he loved with all his heart. The truth was, she had captured his heart a long time ago. He had been afraid to admit it to himself, at first. Eventually, he did admit it to himself, but something always stopped him from admitting it to her, or anyone else, for that matter. His thoughts from earlier flooded his mind -- he realized that he could no longer deny his feelings for her! He had to tell her! If she felt the same for him then the benefits would far outweigh the risks. If she didn't, well, he wasn't quite sure what he'd do!

Taking a deep breath, Jack nervously said "Sue, I have something very important I need to tell you..."

"Yes, Jack, what is it?" she said hopefully. "Please, God, let him finally tell me that he loves me!" she silently prayed.

"Sue, I want you to know that I love...your faith, in the Lord and in people, your high morals and convictions, your kindness and compassion, your courage and strength, your strong sense of justice, and your love and loyalty for your family, friends, and co-workers, among many other things. I think you are the most beautiful woman on earth, both inside and out. I can't imagine my life without you! I know I've said it before, but I can't stress enough how grateful I am that you didn't go to New York! I love you, Sue! I have for a long time. But..."

"Jack..." Sue started, but was interrupted.

"Please, Sue, let me finish or I may not be able to later." Jack said.

"Okay..." said Sue.

"But I never told you before because...well, at first, I guess it was a fear of commitment. After a while, I realized that I wanted to be in a committed relationship, that I wanted something like what D has with Donna and the kids. But then, I was afraid of breaking the no dating rule, or at least that's what I kept telling myself. The truth is...I was afraid of rejection!" continued Jack.

Sue tried to suppress a giggle, but she was too late -- it had already managed to escape.

"O-KAY!" Jack said, a look of disappointment evident on his quickly reddening face. "Not exactly the response I was expecting, and certainly not the response I was hoping for..." he continued sadly.

"I'm sorry, Jack! It just struck me as funny!" said Sue.

"Me, declaring my undying love for you, struck you as funny?" he said, slightly annoyed.

"You, saying you didn't admit how you felt for me before because you were afraid of rejection, struck me as funny!" she responded, then continued. "That's supposed to be my line, Jack! Fear of commitment, I understand! Fear of breaking the rules, I understand! But fear of rejection?! You thought I would reject you?! Are you insane?!".

Jack looking somewhat offended, started to try to interrupt, but Sue put her hand up in the air and gave him a look, signaling for him to allow her to continue.

"Jack, I've loved you since the day I met you! Sometimes, I feel like I've loved you since before I even met you, if that makes any sense at all, because you're everything I've ever dreamed of, hoped for, and prayed for! You're the kindest, most considerate, most wonderful man I've ever met! In the beginning, you were the only one who really believed in me. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today! You are my biggest and best supporter! You are my best friend! I love you, Jack!" Sue finished with a big smile. "Oh, and you're the most handsome man on the face of the earth!" she added, with a wink.

"So, you really love me?" Jack asked.

"Yes, of course I do!" Sue answered. "And you really love me?" she asked.

"Of course I do! Okay, now that we both know that we are in love with each other and have been for a long time, do you feel as silly as I do for having wasted all this time and for not admitting it sooner?" asked Jack.

"Yes, although, I did try to tell you when you had your heart attack. But then Allie showed up..." Sue said.

Seeing the touch of sadness in her eyes, Jack said "I'm so sorry! I really hurt you then, didn't I?"

"Yes, but it's okay. You know what they say -- what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!" Sue said with a wink.

"Well, that's an interesting way to look at it!" said Jack, in amusement.

"So, what are we going to do about work and the no-dating rule?" Sue asked with concern.

"I don't know, and right now, I really don't care! We have more important things to attend to, Miss Thomas!" he responded.

"Oh, we do, do we?" she asked flirtatiously.

"Yes, we do!" he countered.

"Like what?" she asked.

A huge smile enveloped Jack's face, and he moved his eyebrows up and down flirtatiously as he signed "Do you want to make out?". After a small pause, he said "Oh, and just to be clear, so there's absolutely no confusion whatsoever, this time, I mean with ME!"

"Absolutely!" Sue said with a huge smile that melted Jack's heart.

And so, having thrown the rule book out the window and having declared his undying love for Sue, Jack lovingly embraced her and kissed her passionately, as she very willingly and eagerly responded in kind. They were beginning a new life together; a life that would never again include denying their true feelings for one another.


"Something's there, we can't deny..."
.
.
.

Tracy, that was beautiful, and so Jack and Sue!!!

Joy

Well, this was beautiful. When Jack told her he loved her, he did a thorough job.

So cute! I loved it. I loved how Jack just blurted everything out all at once. Awesome!

Em

loved it

cath

I like everything but this part was my favourite. So beautiful!

Boy, talk about fuzzies!!! WOW! I knew Jack could do it!!! Go jack!!! After all, rules are made to be broken!!! Well, in this case anyway!!!



Ha ha ha!!! Very funny tracy!!! Great post!! Dare I ask for more????

Jen

Woohoo, some serious J/S fuzzies! Thanks Tracy!

Thank y'all so much for all the wonderful comments! I'm so glad you liked it so much! Barbara, thank you -- I must admit I love it when someone thinks enough about a particular part of what I've written to quote it! By the way, that's my favorite part too!

Truthfully, I had initially intended for this last chapter to be the end of the story. However, thanks to a particularly persistent beta, I have decided to add more to the story. It may be a couple of days before I post it, because I'm still in the process of writing it. I had intended for it to be in the form of an epilogue, but it's growing longer than I initially expected. So, I might break it up into chapters; I'm still not sure.

For those of you who haven't yet, I'd love it, if you get a chance, if you would read my other stories and let me know what you think. My Best Friend's Wedding and You've Got Mail (a short story -- just one post) are completely written. I'm still working on Mission Impossible (sequel to My Best Friend's Wedding), and it's going kind of slow at the moment because I'm blocked, but I will hopefully get more written in the weeks ahead.

I will post more to this story as soon as possible.

Thanks again for reading and replying,
Tracy

Tracy,
I've just found this story (I haven't had a chance to check out your other stories just yet--will try to find the time soon). My husband kept wondering what in the world I was laughing at. I seriously doubt he would have understood if I told him that Randy got kidnapped. That was hilarious! I could just hear Randy going on and on about his importance with the FBI. I could also see the kidnappers kicking themselves for not being more prepared--like McGyver--and coming with duct tape. Rolls and rolls of duct tape. I can envision a silver mummified Randy. Oh well, not everyone can carry a roll of duct tape and a handful of paperclips in their pocket like McGyver.
Loved the J/S scenes. I could picture that happening. You wrote it very well. I can't wait to see how your looong epilogue will turn out. Will Randy get a lovely little comeupance speech, or will the team just have a good joke on the boy??

Tracy, your beta is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait! But I guess I'll have to try.

Jen

I'm so pleased you are adding more to this. I think you are right on when you had Jack just blurt out his feelings and his declaration. That sounded so like his character.

You welcome, Tracy. More? That's just great!

I'm glad y'all are pleased that I'm adding more to the story! Thanks again for your comments! Redbird, it's good to see you here! Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to post such a wonderful, long reply! It made me laugh -- I can just see Randy being being wrapped in duct tape like a mummy -- now THAT'S hilarious!!!

I have decided against a really long epilogue, in favor of six separate chapters!

As has been mentioned, my beta kept pushing for Randy to be "hauled over the coals", and I believe at least one person seconded that motion. So, by request...

Now, I don't think this is what she really had in mind, but it popped into my head and I decided to go with it! I hope y'all enjoy!

Thanks,
Tracy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter 13:

Randy Pitts was tied with rope to a rotating spit that hovered over blazing hot coals. As he started to protest, Myles Leland III hurriedly shoved an apple into his mouth. Now, unable to make a sound, he looked on helplessly as he spun around catching only faint glimpses of those that surrounded him -- in addition to Leland, there was Bobby Manning, Tara Williams, Lucy Dotson, Dimitrius Gans, Jack Hudson, and Sue Thomas, along with her hearing dog Levi. The F.B.I. director was wagging an accusing finger at him, while Hudson's team laughed maniacally. Most disturbing, however, was Levi, who was licking his lips in anticipation of something very tasty to eat. Massive beads of perspiration were quickly forming on his brow, and the rest of his face, as he contemplated his impending doom...

Oh Randy! So Funny!

Em

cath

Do ya think I thought it was funny???

Jen

<----- Need I say more??

That was hilarious!!!

Joy

I'd love to have such a dream.

Barbara, who said it was a dream?!

Glad y'all enjoyed! Hope this doesn't disappoint you, JF!

Chapter 13 (cont.):

Randy Pitts awoke from his nightmare, in a cold sweat, to the sound of his irritatingly loud alarm clock. He had had the same recurring nightmare for three nights in a row. He was not looking forward to today. After being rescued from his kidnappers Friday, he was told that he was to report to the F.B.I. director's office today, Monday, at 9:00 am, sharp! He was told he should expect to be reprimanded for breaching bureau policy by boasting about his job in public, the very thing that had led to his harrowing experience of being kidnapped and held for ransom. "Haven't I already suffered enough?" he thought to himself. "After all, it was ME they kidnapped!"

has he suffered enough?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bring on the punishment i say

cath

More like haven't they suffered enough??

Randy is in deep trouble. Funny...I don't feel a bit sorry for him.

No, you have not suffered enough, Randy, mere kidnapping was too good for you!!!

Joy

Randy...punishment, go hand in hand I say, bring it on!

Love to torture the weazel!

Aw shucks, it WAS a dream!

Yeah, the kidnappers should be awarded a medal for bravery and putting up with the worst possible situation!!!! Can't wait for the meeting!!

Jen

Tracy... unfortunately.

Thanks for the laugh, Cath! I needed that -- this was a stressful week!

Okay, see, here I was worrying that y'all might think I was a little bit twisted for even coming up with that little piece, only to find out that you're disappointed that it was a dream!

Just wanted to say that I know there are alot of stories in the challenge now, and it's hard to keep up with them. I, myself, have fallen behind in reading several that I started, and there are still quite a few I still haven't had a chance to start yet. Anyway, given that there are so many great stories out there, I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate y'all taking the time to keep up with my story and for taking the time to leave such great comments! It means a lot to me! I really appreciate it! It's especially nice when I've had a bad day at work to come home and read your replies. Thanks so much! Y'all are great!

Hope y'all enjoy,
Tracy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter 14:

Arriving outside the director's office several minutes before 9:00 am, Randy informed the director's secretary, Mrs. Johnson, that he had a 9:00 am meeting with the director.

"Please have a seat, Mr. Pitts," she said motioning towards an available chair "he will be with you in just a moment."

Randy nervously sat down, awaiting his fate with the director, unaware that Hudson's entire team stood just outside the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of Randy being "hauled over the coals" by the director.

"Mr. Pitts," the secretary said "the director is ready to see you now."

Randy sat down in the director's office, opposite the director who sat glowering behind his desk. "Do you realize how serious this is, Mr. Pitts? You breached bureau policy by boasting about your job in public! And, from what I understand, you greatly exaggerated your status in the bureau! Your haughty attitude got you kidnapped! If not for your boasting, those two boys wouldn't have kidnapped you and demanded ransom!"

"But...but...but...I was KIDNAPPED at GUNPOINT! I was in peril! I...I...I could have been killed!" Randy stammered.

"And it would have largely been your fault, if you had been! But, Mr. Pitts, as it turns out, you were never really in much danger! Were you not told that the gun the boys had was actually only a water pistol? So, you essentially wasted our agents' time and resources because of your foolish behavior and haughty attitude!" the director railed.

"Now, seeing as how this was an obvious and blatant breach of bureau policy, you will have to be punished accordingly! In many cases, this would lead to the employee being fired!" the director stated.

Randy was obviously very nervous, fearing the worst.

"However," the director continued "I will admit that you are a very effective Vice-President of Management Services. Though you really do need to learn how to get along better with the other employees of the F.B.I. Do you realize you're one of the most, ummmmm, let's just say disliked employees in the bureau?" he asked.

Randy shifted uncomfortably in his seat, as the director continued "I have decided to consult the team that handled your case as to what they think might be the appropriate punishment."

"Oh, great!" Randy thought to himself. "My nightmare may very well come true!"

I can just imagine what the team might come with for Randy.

I'm thinknig permenant status as coffe boy!!!! I can't wait for the teeam's reaction and their decision!!! Tracy, I love taking time to read your stories!!!

Jen

I'm so glad you decided to continue this story for a while, You're right, there are a lot of stories in the challenge but the more, the merrier!! and even if you fall behind, it's always a blast to catch up and read several posts! I love the way you put Randy in his place, he does deserve to be taught a lesson, I can't wait to see what the team has in store for him!

Dreams might come true... what do you say, JF718?

another fab post

just what i needed after today

cath

Oh goody, goody! ( Where's a smilie who's rubbing his hands together gleefully when you need one???) Can't wait to see what they come up with for dear old Randy. Although, I do have a suggestion. He could spend the day with my two year old. That would have him pulling out what's left of his hair. Why just today, said two year old was caught up on the kitchen counter tops, playing with the water in the kitchen sink, climbing the bookcase, pulling the tiles off of my calendar on the wall, and climbing the stairs--on the wrong side of the railing. Yep, I definately think a few hours would have Randy on the verge of a nervous breakdown. (Needless to say, the stairs incident left me on the verge. I never realized how rough and tumble little boys could be. I may not survive.)
Thanks, Tracie, for a wonderful story. It lifted my spirits today when I needed it most. Now I'm off to see what else the little bundle of boyhood has found to get into.

Wow did I have a lot of catching up to do. Glad Randy's okay (egads, did I say that?) and Jack and Sue are Now what is the team going to thinkup as a suitable punishment for Randy?

kav

What will the team come up with for Randy?? Hopefully, something that will help THEIR cause in the future, i.e., keep Randy off their backs!!!

Joy

QUOTE(bell @ Jul 1 2006, 11:32 AM)

You're right, there are a lot of stories in the challenge but the more, the merrier!! and even if you fall behind, it's always a blast to catch up and read several posts!

Couldn't agree with you more, bell!

Redbird1, sorry but spending a day with your two year old is not one of the punishments the team chose for Randy! Had they been aware of that option, they may very well have chosen it! It means alot to me to hear that my story could lift your spirits when you needed it most! Thank you!

Thank you to everyone for your comments!

Tracy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter 15:

"Mrs. Johnson," the director said to his secretary over the intercom "could you please send Hudson's team in now?"

"Yes, sir!" she responded. "You all may go in now" she said to the team.

Jack, Sue, Lucy, Myles, Tara, Bobby, and D, all entered the director's office.

"As you know, team, I've called you in today to have you help me decide how Mr. Pitts should be appropriately punished for breaching bureau policy. Before you say anything, you should know that I've already decided that firing is not an option in this case..." the director said. Both Myles and Bobby made no point of hiding their obvious disappointment at the news -- the two of them eager to make that their first suggestion!

"But, an appropriate punishment, or punishments, as the case may be, is definitely necessary!" the directory continued, giving Randy a stern look.

The team all seemed to be somewhat amused at holding Randy's fate in their hands, as Randy looked on in fearful trepidation.

"So, any ideas, team?" the director prodded.

They all huddled together discussing possible punishments, the faint sounds of giggling escaping at various suggestions.

"Well, first, we thought he should be sent to work in fingerprinting for a couple of weeks." Bobby said with a dimpled grin, giving Sue a friendly wink, knowing how miserable working in fingerprinting had made her, surely it would be even worse for Randy.

The director shook his head in approval.

"Then we thought maybe he could run errands for us for a week, fetching mail, coffee, lunch, etc. Maybe even walk Levi a few times, if Sue's too busy..." Lucy said with a Cheshire grin.

The director shook his head in approval, once again, adding "Sounds fair enough. Anything else?"

"Well," Myles said with a raised eyebrow "since he's such a paperwork expert, we thought maybe he could help us do our paperwork for a week."

"But...but...but..." Randy began to protest "who will handle my job while I'm doing all these things?"

"No need for you to worry about that, Mr. Pitts! We have a suitable replacement in mind" the director said.

"Please tell us it won't be Wayne Morris..." said Myles.

"No, it's not Wayne...it's a suitable replacement" the director answered.

"Mr. Pitts, I, for one, think you are getting off easy, and that's an understatement! I suggest you use this time and these punishments to learn some valuable lessons! And you better hope that your suitable replacement doesn't prove to be more effective than you, or I may have to rethink a permanent demotion, seeing as how that's what you probably really deserve! I trust you won't even think of breaching bureau policy again?!" the director scolded.

"No, sir!" Randy said sheepishly.

"Hudson, Thomas, Gans, I need to speak to you privately! The rest of you are free to go."

loved it, can't wait to find out who his rep[lacement is

whoever it is has to be a much nicer person than randy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cath

That was ssssoooooooo good Tracy!!! I loved what they came up with. Only fly in the ointment is: What if Levi doesn't like Randy??? Maybe he won't want him to walk him!!! Ooohh, can't wait to hear about what the director says to D, jack adn Sue!!! Me hopes it's positive!! Right Tracy?!?!?

jen

Is is fun seeing Randy squirm. I wonder what the Director wants with just a part of the team. Interesting.