No animals were hurt during the writing of this story
Chapter 1
Hearing the phone ring, Jack groaned loudly and checked his clock, 7AM on a Sunday morning, he’d only just got to sleep, having lain awake for hours reflecting on yet another wasted opportunity.
He and Sue had gone to a game the previous evening then out for dinner……… later they had walked Levi before he’d kissed her gently on the cheek and they’d made arrangements to meet for lunch after church before they headed in to work.
He’d come so close to asking her out on a real date instead of the ‘excuse’ dates they had, he wondered how many more times he could pretend he needed to discuss a case or ‘practice his signing’.
He’d come closer than ever last night, got as far as saying ‘Sue……. I ……..’ then he’d stopped, started to bumble…………. looked away………… it always seemed so easy in his dreams or when he was alone in his apartment……….
When he was with her the reasons why she wouldn’t want to date him were always much bigger than the reasons why she would………. He wasn’t deaf, his signing was never going to be any good, he would never truly understand or belong in her world, however hard he tried, and he had tried so hard, often using only close caption on his TV, attending deaf events, making friends with her friends……… he had a dangerous job, the chances of him being killed or injured significant……the divorce rate was high at the bureau………….
As the phone continued to ring he snapped back to reality……… it had to be a case for the phone to ring this early……….. please God not another case, they were swamped already……as well as having wrapped up 4 big cases in the last 2 weeks……. All of them putting in more hours in a week than some people managed in a month, he was totally wiped out, his only salvation for the last few weeks had been snatched moments with Sue or getting to church.
The game last night had been arranged weeks ago and he’d worked flat out all day from 5 AM to free up some time. Planning on heading in after the game, Sue had pointed out that he needed to eat so he might as well eat with her…………. She’d rung in before they walked Levi to be told by Bobby that there was nothing new so the team were heading home. Sue had forced him to walk Levi……… not that he needed much forcing, before agreeing to go in today as long as he had lunch with her first.
‘Hudson……………..’ Hearing muffled sobs he snapped to attention.
‘Jack………… he’s gone…………. Levi’s gone………….’ Sue managed to stammer out between her tears.
‘Jack sprang out of bed, ‘Gone………..? whaddaya mean ‘gone?’ Dead ……..? How……….?, what happened? He was fine last night…………’ Now he was trying to dress and talk to Sue at the same time, coming close to putting the phone on his foot and a sock to his ear.
‘Gone………. not dead………… just gone……. disappeared……….. he ran off ………. I went to look for him………. I found his throw toy………… it had a note on it…………….. someone’s taken him………….’ She began to cry again.
‘Sue, calm down……….. where are you?’
‘At the park by my place………… where we walked him last night……….’
‘OK………. I’m on my way………….. I’ll ring the team…………….’
Hanging up from Sue he rang Bobby and asked him to contact everyone else while he rushed to dress and get out the door, to get to Sue as soon as he could, knowing she would be on her own……… maybe Tara could stay with her while Luce was away, she’d need someone with her……… why did Luce have to be away these 2 weeks?.
Driving over he wondered why anyone would take Levi? The bureau were firm on kidnappings, they didn’t pay ransoms………. they would negotiate long enough to try and find the kidnappers but never pay up……..he thought it very unlikely that they would pay up for a dog, but this wasn’t just any dog, he was Sue’s lifeline……….. she’d been so desperate when he went AWOL the last time, he had no idea how she would cope now.
Full Version: Ransom - learningtosign
RomanceFanFiction.net > The Highlights - A Place To Start > Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > 2006 Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > 2006 Summer Blockbuster Challenge
Yay! Another challenge story from Cath!
I'm so excited, can you tell?
Great start, Cath. I'm looking forward to more!
Poor Sue...
Nice touch, including the disclaimer at the beginning...
this is great another story from you love it
please post soon lin
please post soon lin
ACK.....Going to holding Jura tightly when reading this one....
Dog napping is a big and bad business.....
Dog napping is a big and bad business.....
QUOTE(ickleails @ Jun 25 2006, 12:21 PM)
Dog napping is a big and bad business.....
Another story from you Cath!!!!!! YAY!!! *does happy dance and falls off chair* ow!! I can't wait to see where you're going to take this!!! Maybe Tara will be so busy, Jack will have to stay with her??!!?!?! A girl can hope right Cath!!?!
More soon!!
Jen
Cath, another story!!! This just made my Sunday!!!
Levi kidnapped?? Who would do such a thing???
Joy
Levi kidnapped?? Who would do such a thing???
Joy
Levi dognapped!? 
But maybe he can save himself. He is Levi the Wonderdog after all.
Great start, Cath.
But maybe he can save himself. He is Levi the Wonderdog after all.
Great start, Cath.
Levi kidnapped. Wow. I liked how the team sprang into action here.
Chapter 2
Pulling up at the park Jack ran over to Sue and wrapped her in his arms as she sobbed loudly, clinging tightly to him.
Hearing the rest of the team arrive, he continued to hold her close……… they could think what they wanted, right now he didn’t care, she needed him.
As her tears subsided he passed her a clean handkerchief, smiling as she asked how she looked. ‘You look ………. wond………..fine, Sue……. they won’t expect you to look your usual glamorous self at this time on a Sunday when you only got up to walk the dog………….’
Telling her to keep he handkerchief he squeezed her hand, ‘we will find him Sue……….. I promise………. You ready for this?’
She nodded and they walked over to where the team were waiting.
‘We’d been out about 20 minutes……………. I couldn’t sleep so I figured I might as well get up and take Levi for a long walk………… he disappeared into the trees……… I called him and he came back…….. then he disappeared again…….. I figured he was chasing a squirrel……….. he returned after a while………. I threw his toy……… he went after it………… and didn’t come back……….. when I went to look for him……… I …….. I found the toy with the note………… sorry I picked it up and read it………….. that’s when I called you Jack…………’ her voice tailed off and she began to cry, pulling into him for support.
Picking up the toy, having put on a pair of gloves, Bobby popped it in an evidence bag not hopeful of finding any useable prints but you never knew.
Carefully he picked up the note from where Sue had obviously dropped it in her distress.
‘Drop the case or the dog gets it’ he read aloud. ‘Handwritten……… might give us something to work on……..’
‘Which of the half dozen cases might they be referring to……….?’ Myles queried.
‘Beats me Harvard…….. which ever case we can’t drop it……….. even for Levi…………..’ he looked over at Sue, relieved to see that she still had her head buried in Jack’s chest and hadn’t read that last comment.
As Sue continued to cry into Jacks’ t-shirt, the guys began to search the area for any clues or witnesses while Tara took the ball and note back to the bureau for forensics, not expecting anything to turn up.
Watching the team move off, Jack reluctantly touched Sue on the cheek, ‘Sue I need to go in………. start the investigation…………… do you want to come in…..? Do you want someone with you……? I can ring Deanne or Charlie if you like……… you shouldn’t be on your own………. I can come back later if you want me to………………..’
Looking at her tear stained face his heart broke for her, knowing Levi was more than a service dog.
‘I’ll come in………. I need to be doing something Jack……. I can’t just sit at home and wonder what’s happening……….’ She whispered through her muffle sobs.
‘Ok………. but if it gets too much tell me and I’ll take you home………’ she nodded, knowing he would be keeping a very close eye on her.
As they walked to his car he instinctively put his arm around her shoulders, feeling her lean in closer.
Pulling up at the park Jack ran over to Sue and wrapped her in his arms as she sobbed loudly, clinging tightly to him.
Hearing the rest of the team arrive, he continued to hold her close……… they could think what they wanted, right now he didn’t care, she needed him.
As her tears subsided he passed her a clean handkerchief, smiling as she asked how she looked. ‘You look ………. wond………..fine, Sue……. they won’t expect you to look your usual glamorous self at this time on a Sunday when you only got up to walk the dog………….’
Telling her to keep he handkerchief he squeezed her hand, ‘we will find him Sue……….. I promise………. You ready for this?’
She nodded and they walked over to where the team were waiting.
‘We’d been out about 20 minutes……………. I couldn’t sleep so I figured I might as well get up and take Levi for a long walk………… he disappeared into the trees……… I called him and he came back…….. then he disappeared again…….. I figured he was chasing a squirrel……….. he returned after a while………. I threw his toy……… he went after it………… and didn’t come back……….. when I went to look for him……… I …….. I found the toy with the note………… sorry I picked it up and read it………….. that’s when I called you Jack…………’ her voice tailed off and she began to cry, pulling into him for support.
Picking up the toy, having put on a pair of gloves, Bobby popped it in an evidence bag not hopeful of finding any useable prints but you never knew.
Carefully he picked up the note from where Sue had obviously dropped it in her distress.
‘Drop the case or the dog gets it’ he read aloud. ‘Handwritten……… might give us something to work on……..’
‘Which of the half dozen cases might they be referring to……….?’ Myles queried.
‘Beats me Harvard…….. which ever case we can’t drop it……….. even for Levi…………..’ he looked over at Sue, relieved to see that she still had her head buried in Jack’s chest and hadn’t read that last comment.
As Sue continued to cry into Jacks’ t-shirt, the guys began to search the area for any clues or witnesses while Tara took the ball and note back to the bureau for forensics, not expecting anything to turn up.
Watching the team move off, Jack reluctantly touched Sue on the cheek, ‘Sue I need to go in………. start the investigation…………… do you want to come in…..? Do you want someone with you……? I can ring Deanne or Charlie if you like……… you shouldn’t be on your own………. I can come back later if you want me to………………..’
Looking at her tear stained face his heart broke for her, knowing Levi was more than a service dog.
‘I’ll come in………. I need to be doing something Jack……. I can’t just sit at home and wonder what’s happening……….’ She whispered through her muffle sobs.
‘Ok………. but if it gets too much tell me and I’ll take you home………’ she nodded, knowing he would be keeping a very close eye on her.
As they walked to his car he instinctively put his arm around her shoulders, feeling her lean in closer.
poor sue and levi hope they find him soon and it
may get jack to open up and tell sue his feelings lin
may get jack to open up and tell sue his feelings lin
Everyone's concern for Sue and Levi is so touching. It's good that she is leaning on Jack for support. You have taken what we know of how Jack and the others supported her when Levi went crazy from his flea medicine, and have created a great scene here.
That's hard, if the team has several cases going, how are they supposed to know which one the kidnapper is talking about?? I know they can't drop the case, but at least that would give them some suspects!!!
Jack is being so sweet to Sue - here is a perfect time to tell her how you feel, Jack!!!
Joy
Jack is being so sweet to Sue - here is a perfect time to tell her how you feel, Jack!!!
Joy
Cath, I am so glad you started new story... but you immediately worried me... I hope Levi will be all right, I don't want anything to happpen to him!!!
I really trust you!!!!
Restie
I really trust you!!!!
Restie
Poor Levi, Poor Sue....Jack, take the plunge and tell her, it'll give her hope and something to hang onto whilst your trying to sort everything out!
Great post, Cath!
Chapter 3
Sure enough nothing useful came from either the note or the ball. The ball had Jack and Sue’s prints on, with a few others too smudged to be of any help while the note was clean apart from Sue’s prints. The lab confirmed that the note was written by a right handed person writing with his or her left hand.
No-one in the park had seen anything, most of those present when questioned by the team had only recently arrived and none had even seen Levi never mind who he went off with.
‘OK let’s look at our active caseload…………’ Jack murmured as he stood in front of the whiteboard, ‘see if we get any clues from this……….’
He didn’t hold out much hope but there was no way he was just going to leave Levi to be killed. He was going to find these scum and make them pay for what they had done.
Looking around at the team he could see that even Myles had tears in his eyes and he was the least dog-friendly person he knew.
‘First up is a DC based drugs ring……………..’ D explained, ‘we picked up this case earlier in the week……….. no real leads as yet but I will go through the file again, see if we’ve missed something.
‘This case……..’ Bobby waved the file ‘involves company fraud……… we’re running leads as requested by the bureau at Boise, Idaho.’
Noticing Jacks’ raised eyebrows he continued, ‘the company they are investigating has a number of off-shoots in DC………. We’re just asking a few questions for them…….. came through 2 weeks ago……….. pretty well wrapped, I was going to type up a report with statements and send it all back tomorrow……’
‘Possibly not linked then but we won’t disregard it just yet,’ Jack commented.
‘What else have you got?’ he continued, looking over at Myles.
‘Mine involves a white supremacist group……….. surveillance really, prevention rather than an investigation……….. they are planning on holding a rally next month……… when Otto Zimmer comes to court………. He’s appealing his life sentence,’ he explained when Sue looked at him confused, knowing he’d been in court 18 months ago.
‘Tara, what’s yours?’ Jack ran his hands through his hair, he’d hoped this would narrow the field; instead it was widening the net.
‘Bank robbery 3 weeks ago at South Central Bank on 89th Street…….. we believe it was an inside job……….. still waiting to interview a couple of potential witnesses who went on holiday…….. a cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary, the day after……….. unless they come up with something pretty spectacular I don’t think we’ll have enough evidence to present any sort of case to the AUSA……… due back on Wednesday……….’
‘Sue………. What’s yours?’
‘Howie came to me last week to say that the word on the street was a new group looking to buy weapons………. He hadn’t heard of them……. He’s got his ears to the ground but nothing concrete yet he could give us……… he’ll contact me when he has more………’
‘Mine is suspicions that a Senator is selling military secrets…….. came in last Monday……….. nothing definite as yet…….. may be no more than a scorned lover looking for revenge…….. the Senator in question is quite the ladies man, single…….. a different girl each night……sometimes more than one…… I haven’t found anything to tie him in yet………….’
Jack wrote the cases on the whiteboard before turning back to face the team.
‘Ok……… initial thoughts………..anyone?’
‘I think we can scrap the Idaho connection’ Myles commented, ‘it’s a long way off…………. Bobby hasn’t turned up anything……… if it was connected I think they’d go after the bureau in Boise…………’
Everyone else nodded in agreement. ‘I don’t see the link between the note and the white supremacists’ D stated, ‘the note said ‘case’, we aren’t involved in a case……… no-one here is giving information in court, we did our bit more than a year ago.’
‘Do we have any cases where anyone is due to give evidence?’ Sue asked, watching as they shook their heads. They’d either been recently or didn’t need to go for a few months.
‘I don’t see there’s enough of a case from Howie yet for anyone to get twitchy just yet…….. we don’t have one single name we’ve gone after so I doubt the word is out on the street that we are interested…………..’ Tara chipped in, ‘and I can’t see a link with the bank robbery…………. The couple I’m waiting to talk to are old, poor eyesight……….. just happened to be in the bank at the time of the robbery……… they admitted that once they heard the gun fire they kept their heads down so they could get out and go on the cruise…………. ‘
‘So that leaves us with the drugs ring or the shifty Senator………….‘ D murmured, ‘and my guess would be the Senator………….. Sue’s been with you to interview people, taken Levi with her ………….. ‘
‘You really think a Senator would dognap Levi?’ Myles asked.
‘Maybe not the Senator, but one of his sidekicks might…….. delay the investigation, hope the Senator is home clear and evidence destroyed before we get too close ………………..‘ D continued, hoping he was wrong but having him dog-napped by drug distributors wasn’t any more appealing…….., if anything it was worse.
Noticing Sue beginning to tear up, Jack suggested they went to buy coffee and donuts, ‘figure we need a sugar fix……… and sandwiches……..you guys look at the files………….. see if there is anything we’ve missed………..’
Wrapping his arm around her shoulder he led her out of the bureau to their favourite coffee shop.
Sitting drinking coffee while they waited for a supply of sandwiches to be made up, Jack tried to comfort her and be positive. ’We will find him Sue…… I promise……… however long it takes…….. and when we find him I will personally take out the low life scum who took him…………… I’ll ask Tara to stay with you till we get him back………’
‘No Jack……… I’ll be OK……… I’ll manage……….. I’ve managed before……….’
‘Yes you have……… and that was when you were at home with your parents…… when you had flashing lights and things to help you……. To let you know when the phone rang or someone was at the door ………. You won’t be able to get those things fitted up quickly enough…….. I’m sure Tara will be more than happy to stay……… you can have girly nights with her every night instead of Luce…………. Discuss us guys, or whatever it is you find to talk about……… my sisters were always talking about guys and watching chick flicks……with their friends…..…. Dad and I were martyrs to it all…… especially when they were interested in some of my buddies………... we escaped to the hockey rink or ball park……………’ Jack rolled his eyes in mock exasperation making Sue chuckle.
‘So………. I’ll ask her when we get back OK?’ he persisted, relieved when she nodded.
Sure enough nothing useful came from either the note or the ball. The ball had Jack and Sue’s prints on, with a few others too smudged to be of any help while the note was clean apart from Sue’s prints. The lab confirmed that the note was written by a right handed person writing with his or her left hand.
No-one in the park had seen anything, most of those present when questioned by the team had only recently arrived and none had even seen Levi never mind who he went off with.
‘OK let’s look at our active caseload…………’ Jack murmured as he stood in front of the whiteboard, ‘see if we get any clues from this……….’
He didn’t hold out much hope but there was no way he was just going to leave Levi to be killed. He was going to find these scum and make them pay for what they had done.
Looking around at the team he could see that even Myles had tears in his eyes and he was the least dog-friendly person he knew.
‘First up is a DC based drugs ring……………..’ D explained, ‘we picked up this case earlier in the week……….. no real leads as yet but I will go through the file again, see if we’ve missed something.
‘This case……..’ Bobby waved the file ‘involves company fraud……… we’re running leads as requested by the bureau at Boise, Idaho.’
Noticing Jacks’ raised eyebrows he continued, ‘the company they are investigating has a number of off-shoots in DC………. We’re just asking a few questions for them…….. came through 2 weeks ago……….. pretty well wrapped, I was going to type up a report with statements and send it all back tomorrow……’
‘Possibly not linked then but we won’t disregard it just yet,’ Jack commented.
‘What else have you got?’ he continued, looking over at Myles.
‘Mine involves a white supremacist group……….. surveillance really, prevention rather than an investigation……….. they are planning on holding a rally next month……… when Otto Zimmer comes to court………. He’s appealing his life sentence,’ he explained when Sue looked at him confused, knowing he’d been in court 18 months ago.
‘Tara, what’s yours?’ Jack ran his hands through his hair, he’d hoped this would narrow the field; instead it was widening the net.
‘Bank robbery 3 weeks ago at South Central Bank on 89th Street…….. we believe it was an inside job……….. still waiting to interview a couple of potential witnesses who went on holiday…….. a cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary, the day after……….. unless they come up with something pretty spectacular I don’t think we’ll have enough evidence to present any sort of case to the AUSA……… due back on Wednesday……….’
‘Sue………. What’s yours?’
‘Howie came to me last week to say that the word on the street was a new group looking to buy weapons………. He hadn’t heard of them……. He’s got his ears to the ground but nothing concrete yet he could give us……… he’ll contact me when he has more………’
‘Mine is suspicions that a Senator is selling military secrets…….. came in last Monday……….. nothing definite as yet…….. may be no more than a scorned lover looking for revenge…….. the Senator in question is quite the ladies man, single…….. a different girl each night……sometimes more than one…… I haven’t found anything to tie him in yet………….’
Jack wrote the cases on the whiteboard before turning back to face the team.
‘Ok……… initial thoughts………..anyone?’
‘I think we can scrap the Idaho connection’ Myles commented, ‘it’s a long way off…………. Bobby hasn’t turned up anything……… if it was connected I think they’d go after the bureau in Boise…………’
Everyone else nodded in agreement. ‘I don’t see the link between the note and the white supremacists’ D stated, ‘the note said ‘case’, we aren’t involved in a case……… no-one here is giving information in court, we did our bit more than a year ago.’
‘Do we have any cases where anyone is due to give evidence?’ Sue asked, watching as they shook their heads. They’d either been recently or didn’t need to go for a few months.
‘I don’t see there’s enough of a case from Howie yet for anyone to get twitchy just yet…….. we don’t have one single name we’ve gone after so I doubt the word is out on the street that we are interested…………..’ Tara chipped in, ‘and I can’t see a link with the bank robbery…………. The couple I’m waiting to talk to are old, poor eyesight……….. just happened to be in the bank at the time of the robbery……… they admitted that once they heard the gun fire they kept their heads down so they could get out and go on the cruise…………. ‘
‘So that leaves us with the drugs ring or the shifty Senator………….‘ D murmured, ‘and my guess would be the Senator………….. Sue’s been with you to interview people, taken Levi with her ………….. ‘
‘You really think a Senator would dognap Levi?’ Myles asked.
‘Maybe not the Senator, but one of his sidekicks might…….. delay the investigation, hope the Senator is home clear and evidence destroyed before we get too close ………………..‘ D continued, hoping he was wrong but having him dog-napped by drug distributors wasn’t any more appealing…….., if anything it was worse.
Noticing Sue beginning to tear up, Jack suggested they went to buy coffee and donuts, ‘figure we need a sugar fix……… and sandwiches……..you guys look at the files………….. see if there is anything we’ve missed………..’
Wrapping his arm around her shoulder he led her out of the bureau to their favourite coffee shop.
Sitting drinking coffee while they waited for a supply of sandwiches to be made up, Jack tried to comfort her and be positive. ’We will find him Sue…… I promise……… however long it takes…….. and when we find him I will personally take out the low life scum who took him…………… I’ll ask Tara to stay with you till we get him back………’
‘No Jack……… I’ll be OK……… I’ll manage……….. I’ve managed before……….’
‘Yes you have……… and that was when you were at home with your parents…… when you had flashing lights and things to help you……. To let you know when the phone rang or someone was at the door ………. You won’t be able to get those things fitted up quickly enough…….. I’m sure Tara will be more than happy to stay……… you can have girly nights with her every night instead of Luce…………. Discuss us guys, or whatever it is you find to talk about……… my sisters were always talking about guys and watching chick flicks……with their friends…..…. Dad and I were martyrs to it all…… especially when they were interested in some of my buddies………... we escaped to the hockey rink or ball park……………’ Jack rolled his eyes in mock exasperation making Sue chuckle.
‘So………. I’ll ask her when we get back OK?’ he persisted, relieved when she nodded.
Well, I don't know why but I think they should focus on senator's case AND I wouldn't definitely eliminate Zimmer's case... the man is twisted!!!
Why should Sue stay with Tara? Why can't she stay with Jack?!?!?
Restie
Why should Sue stay with Tara? Why can't she stay with Jack?!?!?
Restie
QUOTE(Restie @ Jun 27 2006, 04:17 PM)
Well, I don't know why but I think they should focus on senator's case AND I wouldn't definitely eliminate Zimmer's case... the man is twisted!!!
Why should Sue stay with Tara? Why can't she stay with Jack?!?!?
Restie
Why should Sue stay with Tara? Why can't she stay with Jack?!?!?
Restie 
Jack would make a much better room-mate/protector! 
And I think they should definitely keep the Zimmer case in their sights, just in case.
I am thinking that perhaps Jack is asking Tara to stay with Sue because he knows how emotionally vulnerable she is right now.
Great story, Cath
Great story, Cath
I would go with the senetor, I hope
taras got things planed and is unable
to stay with sue then maybe just maybe
jack would offer to stay or she can stay
at jacks lin
taras got things planed and is unable
to stay with sue then maybe just maybe
jack would offer to stay or she can stay
at jacks lin
ACK, poor Levi...
So many cases, so little time, and Levi to find....I see all nighters being pulled!
And I ditto them above, I can understand why Tara may be best placed to stay with Sue, but Jack, I'm sure your selling yourself short, you could be just as good, if not better medicine for Sue....just think about it
And I ditto them above, I can understand why Tara may be best placed to stay with Sue, but Jack, I'm sure your selling yourself short, you could be just as good, if not better medicine for Sue....just think about it
Poor Levi!!! Don't worry buddy, I'll send my dog to go and find you!! Why can't Jack stay with Sue???? Maybe Tara will realise the possiblities and say she can't. Sorry, I'm a hopeless J/S fan!!! Great psots Cath, more soon!!!
Jen
Jen
I feel so sorry for Sue - it's hard for her to be without Levi!! I agree with everyone else, Jack would be a much better choice to stay with Sue!! What if the kidnappers try to come back for Sue???
I agree also about the senator!! Also, the name Zimmer gives me shivers!! I wouldn't turn my back on them either!!!
Joy
I agree also about the senator!! Also, the name Zimmer gives me shivers!! I wouldn't turn my back on them either!!!
Joy
Cath I am so excited to see another story from you!
The thought that someone would dognap Levi for his/her own gain just makes me sick!
The thought that someone would dognap Levi for his/her own gain just makes me sick!
Great job creating their current caseload!
Chapter 4
Returning to the pen with lunch, Jack placed it on his desk then ambled over to Tara asking her to meet him in the Conference Room.
‘Tara I need you to stay with Sue till we find Levi……… or until Luce gets back…….. whichever is sooner………. I don’t like to ask but we won’t get all the equipment she needs in place for a few days and I think she needs company, not just bits of equipment……….’ Jack paced the room as he spoke… it was a big ask.
‘Jack………. normally I would say ‘yes’ no question about it….. but…….. but I have a friend staying for a while…….. I can’t just up and leave…….. I’m sorry………….why don’t you have her stay with you……….?’
‘I honestly think she needs to be some place familiar where she has everything she needs at hand………….’ Jack answered, he had thought about it fleetingly.
‘Jack………. your place is almost as familiar as hers………… think about it…….. or you stay with her………. I think she’d rather have you there than me’ Tara wore a big grin as she spoke, especially when Jack began to shuffle uncomfortably.
Returning to the pen Jack led her to the Conference Room and explained about Tara being unavailable, his heart breaking for Sue as tears began to trickle down her face.
Holding her tight he waited for her to finish crying before making a suggestion, ‘Sue come stay at mine for a while…… you can use the guest room, I’ll fix up a phone for you……… I know I’m not as cute as Levi but I am house trained……’
‘Thanks Jack…….. I appreciate the offer but I want to be in my own place……… somewhere familiar………..’
Taking a deep breath Jack bit the bullet, signing as he spoke. ‘OK……… so how about I bring my less cute but house trained self to yours and use the hide-a-bed……….. ‘
‘I can’t ask you to do that Jack………. it’s a wonderful thought……. but……..’
‘You aren’t asking, I’m offering………. I want to be there for you……… just think how much more I could learn about signing…… and we know we can manage the whole living together thing…….. even if I did drive you nuts…..’, he smiled as he spoke, cocking his head a little to one side.
‘When you put it like that how can I refuse, Hudson……..? But you can’t use the couch for 2 weeks……… I’ll have Lucy’s bed, you can use mine……… but you can’t use Levi’s tactics to wake me in the morning…………..’
‘What does he do………..?’
‘Jumps on the bed and drags the covers off………. He hasn’t quite mastered the correct technique of pulling gently………..your technique is much better, a gentle shake of the shoulder’ she smiled at him, he was a great friend.
‘I promise I won’t jump on the bed and pull the covers off…….. scouts honour…….’ He made the scout promise sign as he spoke, not entirely sure how he would survive 2 weeks in her room surrounded by the scent of her perfume and shampoo.
‘D-E-A-L’ she signed followed by ‘thank you’
‘Welcome’ he responded, checking his watch, not quite time to leave yet but they wouldn’t get much more done today. Leaving Sue behind, he returned to the pen briefly for an update.
Looking towards the door a few minutes later he noticed Sue enter and pick up her coat and purse.
‘OK guys, you keep working the files, Sue and I will go see Howie, ring me if you find anything………………’
Watching them leave, noticing Jack’s arm around Sue’s shoulders, Myles asked quietly ‘you think we’ll find him………….?’
‘We have to Myles, there’s no room for failure………..’ Bobby answered, ‘he’s as much a part of this team as Jack or Sue……or any of us………’
Returning to the pen with lunch, Jack placed it on his desk then ambled over to Tara asking her to meet him in the Conference Room.
‘Tara I need you to stay with Sue till we find Levi……… or until Luce gets back…….. whichever is sooner………. I don’t like to ask but we won’t get all the equipment she needs in place for a few days and I think she needs company, not just bits of equipment……….’ Jack paced the room as he spoke… it was a big ask.
‘Jack………. normally I would say ‘yes’ no question about it….. but…….. but I have a friend staying for a while…….. I can’t just up and leave…….. I’m sorry………….why don’t you have her stay with you……….?’
‘I honestly think she needs to be some place familiar where she has everything she needs at hand………….’ Jack answered, he had thought about it fleetingly.
‘Jack………. your place is almost as familiar as hers………… think about it…….. or you stay with her………. I think she’d rather have you there than me’ Tara wore a big grin as she spoke, especially when Jack began to shuffle uncomfortably.
Returning to the pen Jack led her to the Conference Room and explained about Tara being unavailable, his heart breaking for Sue as tears began to trickle down her face.
Holding her tight he waited for her to finish crying before making a suggestion, ‘Sue come stay at mine for a while…… you can use the guest room, I’ll fix up a phone for you……… I know I’m not as cute as Levi but I am house trained……’
‘Thanks Jack…….. I appreciate the offer but I want to be in my own place……… somewhere familiar………..’
Taking a deep breath Jack bit the bullet, signing as he spoke. ‘OK……… so how about I bring my less cute but house trained self to yours and use the hide-a-bed……….. ‘
‘I can’t ask you to do that Jack………. it’s a wonderful thought……. but……..’
‘You aren’t asking, I’m offering………. I want to be there for you……… just think how much more I could learn about signing…… and we know we can manage the whole living together thing…….. even if I did drive you nuts…..’, he smiled as he spoke, cocking his head a little to one side.
‘When you put it like that how can I refuse, Hudson……..? But you can’t use the couch for 2 weeks……… I’ll have Lucy’s bed, you can use mine……… but you can’t use Levi’s tactics to wake me in the morning…………..’
‘What does he do………..?’
‘Jumps on the bed and drags the covers off………. He hasn’t quite mastered the correct technique of pulling gently………..your technique is much better, a gentle shake of the shoulder’ she smiled at him, he was a great friend.
‘I promise I won’t jump on the bed and pull the covers off…….. scouts honour…….’ He made the scout promise sign as he spoke, not entirely sure how he would survive 2 weeks in her room surrounded by the scent of her perfume and shampoo.
‘D-E-A-L’ she signed followed by ‘thank you’
‘Welcome’ he responded, checking his watch, not quite time to leave yet but they wouldn’t get much more done today. Leaving Sue behind, he returned to the pen briefly for an update.
Looking towards the door a few minutes later he noticed Sue enter and pick up her coat and purse.
‘OK guys, you keep working the files, Sue and I will go see Howie, ring me if you find anything………………’
Watching them leave, noticing Jack’s arm around Sue’s shoulders, Myles asked quietly ‘you think we’ll find him………….?’
‘We have to Myles, there’s no room for failure………..’ Bobby answered, ‘he’s as much a part of this team as Jack or Sue……or any of us………’
Oh, Cath... you really amused me by certain part of this post... I would love to see Jack jumps on the bed and drags the covers off 
I am so glad Tara refused Jack's wish... maybe she did it on purpose???
I can't wait for this very special 14 days!!!
Restie
I am so glad Tara refused Jack's wish... maybe she did it on purpose??? I can't wait for this very special 14 days!!!
Restie
I liked how they both referred to the special memories that they have of their undercover marriage in this post.
QUOTE
He hasn’t quite mastered the correct technique of pulling gently………..your technique is much better, a gentle shake of the shoulder’ she smiled at him, he was a great friend.
Nicely done cannae wait for more....
cannae wait for more....
I don't know, Jack and Levi are equally cute in their own ways!! I SO glad to hear that Jack is house-trained!!!
They HAVE to find Levi!! Not finding him is not an option!!!
Joy
They HAVE to find Levi!! Not finding him is not an option!!!
Joy
Cath, you are fantastic!!!! Only you would be able to make a horrible situation like this all romantical like you have!!!!! I can't wait!!! Also, living together will dave electricity for all the lights that will be kept on while they're up thinking about Levi (and each other)!! Sorry, I have a thing for saving electricity etc.
Great writing!!
Jen
Great writing!!
Jen
Jack house trained maybe, but think about all the benefits of mis-behaving like Levi...you could get what you really want!
Maybe a
instead of a nudge to help wake her up would be even better don't you think Jack? 
Maybe a
instead of a nudge to help wake her up would be even better don't you think Jack?
i was thinking of maybe having Jack lying on his back on the couch waving his arms and legs in the air waiting for Sue to scratch his tummy!!!
cath
cath
QUOTE(learningtosign @ Jun 28 2006, 04:19 PM)
i was thinking of maybe having Jack lying on his back on the couch waving his arms and legs in the air waiting for Sue to scratch his tummy!!!
cath
cath
That could work.....but a
is much cuter ?
So we get Jack and Sue together after all! And AG I'm with you - I think a little "good morning kiss" would be quite a pleasant way to wake her up!
And AG I'm with you - I think a little "good morning kiss" would be quite a pleasant way to wake her up!
poor Levi!
QUOTE(learningtosign @ Jun 28 2006, 11:19 AM)
i was thinking of maybe having Jack lying on his back on the couch waving his arms and legs in the air waiting for Sue to scratch his tummy!!!
cath
cath
Ya know, I think I'd like to see that!
Wonderful post, Cath!
loved the way tara turned the offer down and cath
realy loved the thought of jack having his tummy rubed
by sue cant wait for nexted post lin
realy loved the thought of jack having his tummy rubed
by sue cant wait for nexted post lin
QUOTE(tis*me! @ Jun 29 2006, 12:30 AM)
QUOTE(learningtosign @ Jun 28 2006, 11:19 AM)
i was thinking of maybe having Jack lying on his back on the couch waving his arms and legs in the air waiting for Sue to scratch his tummy!!!
cath
cath
Ya know, I think I'd like to see that!
Wonderful post, Cath!
Ditto!!!
Can't wait for more Cath!!! Are you sill on the working end of killer shifts???Jen
Chapter 5
Knocking on Howies’ door, Jack kept a hold of Sue’s hand, squeezing it gently; trying to reassure her although he felt far from reassured that they would see Levi again.
‘Jackie……………….. Sue…………my two favourite people………….. hey……… where’s my third favourite person………..?’
Howie suddenly realised Levi was missing and looked up at Sue’s face.
She’d done her best to hide her sorrow but right now the tears were threatening to fall.
‘That’s what we needed to talk to you about, Howie…….. can we come in……..?’
‘Yeah, sure, sure……… sorry where are my manners?’ Howie stood aside to allow them to enter.
As they sat down Jack explained what had happened, ‘we need you to put some feelers out……… we don’t know which case they mean so we have no idea where to start………….. we have to find him Howie…….. catching the guys who took him is secondary………….. we need him back……….. Sue needs him back………………..’
‘And this happened this morning?’ Howie confirmed.
Seeing Jack nod he continued, ‘can’t see it being related to my tip-off which I gave Sue…………. the drugs ring is a possibility……… my bet would be the Senator…………. but I will keep an ear out, give you anything I know as soon as I know it…………Levi was the first person at the bureau to accept me, and I don’t forget things like that…………’
Jack nodded his thanks, Howie could drive him nuts at times but his heart was in the right place and he did care about Sue and Levi.
Taking Sue’s hand he headed for the door.
‘How about we go to mine, pick up my gear then head to yours?’ he suggested, noticing she was beginning to tire from the constant crying or from fighting back the tears.
‘Jack…….. you don’t need to come back to mine………. I will be Ok…….’ she tried hard to put him off, didn’t want to be a burden to him, convinced he had better things to do with his time…………
‘Sue…… I want to stay with you……… you shouldn’t be on your own…… not at a time like this……….. if I was in a tough place you’d be the first person getting alongside me……….. I know because you’ve done it so often before…….. it’s payback time………… I’m not going anywhere until we find him…….’
‘OK…………… thank you Jack’ she whispered before starting to cry.
Pulling her close Jack hugged her wishing he could take her pain away, if all he could do was walk through this time with her then that was what he would do, however long it took and whatever the outcome.
Sitting with Sue after he’d collected his gear and they’d tried miserably to eat something, all he could do was try to reassure her that Levi would be found.
‘Why Jack……….? Why Levi………..? Why not me…… or you………. or any other member of the team?’ she whispered as tears poured down her face.
‘They always choose soft targets if they can find them……and kidnapping a Federal employee is a serious crime…… if they’d taken one of us we would be looking for a means of escape…….. if they’d taken you they’d expect you to be looking for a way out…………. Levi won’t be looking for a way of escaping………… unless they have him somewhere where he could dig his way out, which is unlikely…………hang in there Sue, we will find him………….’
Moving to the couch, Jack held her till she fell asleep before carrying her to Lucy’s room and placing her carefully on the bed.
Hanging up after a quick conversation with Bobby revealed they had no new information Jack turned in for a restless night.
Knocking on Howies’ door, Jack kept a hold of Sue’s hand, squeezing it gently; trying to reassure her although he felt far from reassured that they would see Levi again.
‘Jackie……………….. Sue…………my two favourite people………….. hey……… where’s my third favourite person………..?’
Howie suddenly realised Levi was missing and looked up at Sue’s face.
She’d done her best to hide her sorrow but right now the tears were threatening to fall.
‘That’s what we needed to talk to you about, Howie…….. can we come in……..?’
‘Yeah, sure, sure……… sorry where are my manners?’ Howie stood aside to allow them to enter.
As they sat down Jack explained what had happened, ‘we need you to put some feelers out……… we don’t know which case they mean so we have no idea where to start………….. we have to find him Howie…….. catching the guys who took him is secondary………….. we need him back……….. Sue needs him back………………..’
‘And this happened this morning?’ Howie confirmed.
Seeing Jack nod he continued, ‘can’t see it being related to my tip-off which I gave Sue…………. the drugs ring is a possibility……… my bet would be the Senator…………. but I will keep an ear out, give you anything I know as soon as I know it…………Levi was the first person at the bureau to accept me, and I don’t forget things like that…………’
Jack nodded his thanks, Howie could drive him nuts at times but his heart was in the right place and he did care about Sue and Levi.
Taking Sue’s hand he headed for the door.
‘How about we go to mine, pick up my gear then head to yours?’ he suggested, noticing she was beginning to tire from the constant crying or from fighting back the tears.
‘Jack…….. you don’t need to come back to mine………. I will be Ok…….’ she tried hard to put him off, didn’t want to be a burden to him, convinced he had better things to do with his time…………
‘Sue…… I want to stay with you……… you shouldn’t be on your own…… not at a time like this……….. if I was in a tough place you’d be the first person getting alongside me……….. I know because you’ve done it so often before…….. it’s payback time………… I’m not going anywhere until we find him…….’
‘OK…………… thank you Jack’ she whispered before starting to cry.
Pulling her close Jack hugged her wishing he could take her pain away, if all he could do was walk through this time with her then that was what he would do, however long it took and whatever the outcome.
Sitting with Sue after he’d collected his gear and they’d tried miserably to eat something, all he could do was try to reassure her that Levi would be found.
‘Why Jack……….? Why Levi………..? Why not me…… or you………. or any other member of the team?’ she whispered as tears poured down her face.
‘They always choose soft targets if they can find them……and kidnapping a Federal employee is a serious crime…… if they’d taken one of us we would be looking for a means of escape…….. if they’d taken you they’d expect you to be looking for a way out…………. Levi won’t be looking for a way of escaping………… unless they have him somewhere where he could dig his way out, which is unlikely…………hang in there Sue, we will find him………….’
Moving to the couch, Jack held her till she fell asleep before carrying her to Lucy’s room and placing her carefully on the bed.
Hanging up after a quick conversation with Bobby revealed they had no new information Jack turned in for a restless night.
Just caught up, great story looking forward to reading more 
That was so touching Cath!!! Poor Levi!!! But he is Levi the Wonder Dog, maybe he can find a way out?? I hope Jack can comfort Sue!!
Jen
Poor Levi!!! But he is Levi the Wonder Dog, maybe he can find a way out?? I hope Jack can comfort Sue!!Jen
I agree why take levi although love jack and suetogether hope they can tell each other there feelings soon
lin
Oh, poor Sue... I believe Howie will help them, he is good man and good snitch too!!!!
Jack and Sue are soooooo lovely!!!!!
Restie
Jack and Sue are soooooo lovely!!!!!
Restie
Maybe Howie will come up with a lead. It is touching to see how Jack is supporting Sue.
This is tearing my heart out!! If anyone can help, Howie can!!!
Joy
Joy
Howie always comes through when you need him, I'm sure he'll be a mine of information once he starts digging.....so come on, lets find Wonder dog!
Howie's on the case now. Maybe such an "important" asset to the FBI will be able to help them find something.
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