I think I’m nuts for starting my first story in a challenge with only 3 weeks left!
I would really love ideas for improvement or any comments by posts email, or PM.
This is a fictional story and usual disclaimers apply.
I am not sure how the rating on this will work out, but since I am a junior writer, I will say it is PG. Please let me know if you think the rating needs to change.
Thank you to my betas- I couldn’t have done it without you.
Bobby watched as Sue stared dejectedly at her computer. Even in the dim light, she looked very tired and he noticed the bags under her eyes. He could tell she had tried to hide it under her makeup, but it was obvious to those who knew her well.
As she slowly approached his desk, he shook his head in response to the unasked question.
“No, Sheila, there’s no information yet. You’ll be the first to know, I promise. Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”
“Bobby, how could I sleep at a time like this?”
“Sue, Jack wouldn’t want you to pass out from exhaustion on his account. Get some rest so you’ll be refreshed when we find him.”
“Not for long. Please promise me you’ll come get me if there’s anything new?”
“Scout’s honor, Sheila. ‘Night.”
“Good night,” she said and signed.
As she started for an empty conference room, she noticed her desk lamp blinking, indicating an incoming phone call. When she sat down in her chair to answer it, she stole a guilty glance at Bobby. She noticed his eyebrow rose in question.
“I’m going…right after I answer this call…it might be important. Hello?”
“Sue Thomas?”
“Speaking, may I ask who’s calling?............Hello? Are you still there?”
Laughing came up on her computer screen. “I’m him.”
Tentatively, Sue asked, “You’re the kidnapper?”
Full Version: Ransom - crazy4stfbe
RomanceFanFiction.net > The Highlights - A Place To Start > Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > 2006 Seasonal/Holiday Challenges > 2006 Summer Blockbuster Challenge
all sooooo much! All your comments mean a lot to me. At “kidnapper”, all eyes were on Sue.
He confirmed Sue’s suspicions. “Agent Hudson’s kidnapper.”
Sue gasped, “Jack’s kidnapper?” Everyone nearly catapulted out of their seats to reach Sue’s desk. Bobby was the first to reach her and quickly scanned over the conversation. “Tara, Luce!” he whispered. “Trace it!”
As if the man knew what was going on, he spoke again. “If you want Special Agent Hudson to remain alive, follow your next instructions.”
Call Disconnected was now flashing on the screen.
QUOTE(tis*me! @ Jul 8 2006, 06:47 AM)
Hey, you learn fast -- a short post and a cliffie on only your second story post!
Don't worry, yhm, your crown is safe!!!!
Don't worry, yhm, your crown is safe!!!!
Yes, yhm, your crown is safe for now! Is this one long enough for you all?
Thank you to my betas, for all your help on this one!
“Tara, Luce? Did you find him?” Bobby asked desperately.
Tara responded. “He hung up really fast, but we were able to determine that he’s used Jack’s cell, which means…”
“We can trace the GPS on his phone now.” Myles cut in.
Tara replied, “Ye…uh-oh.”
“Uh-oh?” D, Myles, and Bobby chorused, moving from Sue to gather around Tara’s desk.
“Uh…well, he appears to have destroyed the phone, because it’s no longer transmitting. But we do know that he was within 20 miles of here. I’ll see what kind of buildings are around.”
D went to update Ted, Bobby paced the bullpen, Luce and Myles stood behind Tara to watch, and Sue returned her attention to her computer, noticing the flashing You’ve got mail! icon.
Mail? she thought. His last sentence ran through her head. If you want Special Agent Hudson to remain alive, follow your next instructions. The sender was anonymous and there was no subject.
“Bobby!” Sue called. As Bobby came to stand beside her, she felt like she was watching someone else’s hand as it opened the email.
There was only one sentence: Start following.
Since she didn’t see any directions, she scrolled down to find them, and instead found a video link at the bottom. Both were too shocked to alert the rest of the team to their finding. And then the video started to play.
I'm heading off now, loved your comments! Just thought you should know, I'm not taking it because I failed, I'm taking it so I can take an extra elective during the school year! 
The next one should be the longest one yet! Thanks to everyone who's still reading!
The kidnapper was wearing a mask, one that covered his mouth. He was obviously taping himself, and appeared to be talking. Because Sue’s computer had no sound, Bobby could not tell what was being said. Sue watched intently, but could derive nothing from the footage.
Then, very slowly, the camera began to pan. It finally focused on a figure tied to a chair – Jack. He was unconscious. His arms and legs were tied and he had an ugly gash on his head.
Bobby felt as if the air was being sucked out of his lungs. “Sparky…” he whispered hoarsely.
At the sight of Jack, Sue’s world started to spin and darkness closed in. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she started to sway. Bobby turned towards her, just in time to catch her as her knees buckled.
The kidnapper was wearing a mask, one that covered his mouth. He was obviously taping himself, and appeared to be talking. Because Sue’s computer had no sound, Bobby could not tell what was being said. Sue watched intently, but could derive nothing from the footage.
Then, very slowly, the camera began to pan. It finally focused on a figure tied to a chair – Jack. He was unconscious. His arms and legs were tied and he had an ugly gash on his head.
Bobby felt as if the air was being sucked out of his lungs. “Sparky…” he whispered hoarsely.
At the sight of Jack, Sue’s world started to spin and darkness closed in. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she started to sway. Bobby turned towards her, just in time to catch her as her knees buckled.
~Flashback, Monday~
“Yeah, Tara. You should have seen the look on Luce’s face when she spotted it. She thought Levi’s new toy was a real rat!” laughed Sue. “I think it was the loudest scream ever - I felt it! A bunch of the neighbors came to the door wondering if everything was all right.”
Tara and Sue laughed uncontrollably and Lucy gave them the evil eye. “Tara, Sue! Stop laughing!” This only made the two laugh harder. By the time Bobby and Myles walked in, they had fallen into their chairs, clutching their stomachs.
“What’s so funny, sheilas?” Bobby asked.
By now Sue had tears rolling down her cheeks and could no longer speak. Tara began to calm down. She started to stand and gasped out an answer.
“N-n-noth-th-thing, B-b-obby!” She glanced at Sue. “Luce…rat…Levi…” Trying to explain it to Bobby and watching Sue laugh set Tara off again and she plopped back down in her chair, laughing hysterically.
Bobby was more confused than before Tara answered him. He saw that Sue wasn’t going to tell him anything, so he turned to Lucy. She turned away, but not before he thought he saw her blushing.
Myles just stared at the ladies as if they’d grown another eye each. Shaking his head, he went to sit at his desk. “Oh yeah,” he said, as he turned back to the others, “Koala Boy and I passed Jack and D in the corridor. They said they had a meeting with the higher-ups and didn’t know when they’d be back.”
“Jack!” Luce exclaimed, looking at Sue.
“Lucy, weren’t you listening? I said Jack doesn’t know when he’s going to be back,” Myles said, in his know-it-all way.
“I was listening! I meant Jack reminded me of something. Sue, come on, I need to show you something.” Luce pulled Sue out of her chair and out of the bullpen, ignoring all the eyes she knew were staring their way.
Sue was still giggling to herself as Lucy pulled her down the hall. They stopped at a door and Lucy pulled Sue inside. As the door closed behind them, all giggling ceased as she found herself staring at…
Was that long enough?
“Yeah, Tara. You should have seen the look on Luce’s face when she spotted it. She thought Levi’s new toy was a real rat!” laughed Sue. “I think it was the loudest scream ever - I felt it! A bunch of the neighbors came to the door wondering if everything was all right.”
Tara and Sue laughed uncontrollably and Lucy gave them the evil eye. “Tara, Sue! Stop laughing!” This only made the two laugh harder. By the time Bobby and Myles walked in, they had fallen into their chairs, clutching their stomachs.
“What’s so funny, sheilas?” Bobby asked.
By now Sue had tears rolling down her cheeks and could no longer speak. Tara began to calm down. She started to stand and gasped out an answer.
“N-n-noth-th-thing, B-b-obby!” She glanced at Sue. “Luce…rat…Levi…” Trying to explain it to Bobby and watching Sue laugh set Tara off again and she plopped back down in her chair, laughing hysterically.
Bobby was more confused than before Tara answered him. He saw that Sue wasn’t going to tell him anything, so he turned to Lucy. She turned away, but not before he thought he saw her blushing.
Myles just stared at the ladies as if they’d grown another eye each. Shaking his head, he went to sit at his desk. “Oh yeah,” he said, as he turned back to the others, “Koala Boy and I passed Jack and D in the corridor. They said they had a meeting with the higher-ups and didn’t know when they’d be back.”
“Jack!” Luce exclaimed, looking at Sue.
“Lucy, weren’t you listening? I said Jack doesn’t know when he’s going to be back,” Myles said, in his know-it-all way.
“I was listening! I meant Jack reminded me of something. Sue, come on, I need to show you something.” Luce pulled Sue out of her chair and out of the bullpen, ignoring all the eyes she knew were staring their way.
Sue was still giggling to herself as Lucy pulled her down the hall. They stopped at a door and Lucy pulled Sue inside. As the door closed behind them, all giggling ceased as she found herself staring at…
Was that long enough?
Ack! 7 days left and counting! I'm frantically writing in hopes of making the deadline...
A/N: It's in italics because it's still flashback.
…the largest flat screen she’d ever seen!
“I found it here last night. I forgot to tell you.”
“What’s it for?”
“Truthfully? I have no idea. I found it by accident. But it would be great for reading lips, right? ‘Cause it’s so big.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Good, because I have something to show you. Why don’t you sit in that chair?” Sue sat in the chair and watched as the video started to play.
“Sue,” Lucy whispered out of her sight, “if Jack won’t make a move, I hope this will help you get your man.” And she slipped out of the room.
“A surveillance tape?” she asked Lucy, only to find that Lucy had left. From the angle the video was shot she could easily read Jack’s lips.
“We’re looking at a 50 mile radius from where Sue was abducted.”
Abducted? The date told her it was the day Dan Malone “kidnapped” her.
“We’re looking for a silver Sedan, district plates AB-1359. We’ve alerted the state police to watch all the major highways in the five state area.”
He really did all that for me? she thought.
“Did I say we were looking for bodies? We’re gonna find Sue, and we’re gonna find her alive; is that clear? Alright, let’s go.”
Wow. Jack really did care. She’d never realized how much. Her eyes welled up with tears as she watched the rest of the tape.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jack looked up as Sue returned to the bullpen. Sue noticed D first and she realized that meant Jack would be back. She turned to check and noticed him staring at her. Caught! he thought. He threw her a Hudson smile. Sue returned a watery smile before quickly sitting and hiding her face behind her computer. Jack decided to message her.
JH: You ok?
ST: Yeah.
JH: Are you sure?
ST: Actually…
JH: You can tell me.
ST: Over lunch? My treat?
JH: Sure!
ST: Corner deli at 1?
JH: Meet you in the lobby?
ST: Meet you there.
JH signed off.
ST signed off.
Over the next few hours, Sue hardly got any work done- she was looking at the clock every 5 minutes. She waited impatiently for 1 o’clock. When the minute hand reached the 12, she grabbed her coat and purse and headed out the door, stopping only long enough to inform Lucy that she was going to lunch.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After paying for their lunch and finding a table, Jack turned to Sue. “All right, tell me what’s on your mind.” He watched and waited patiently as she wrung her hands and worried her lip. “Um, ok; I just don’t really know where to start.”
“Take your time.” Though he appeared calm, cool, and collected, he really was worried about what was making her so nervous.
Breathe, Sue! she told herself. Just take a deep breath and tell him. She took a breath and started.
“Uh, well, Lucy showed me an old surveillance video from when I was ‘kidnapped’ by Dan Malone. I guess it wasn’t long after I disappeared. I saw you leading the efforts to find me. I saw you comforting Lucy and looking after Levi. It really means a lot to me. I guess…I guess I just wanted to thank you for being such a great friend."
Friend? Jack thought. Is that what I am to Sue? Or more importantly, is that what I want to be to her?
A/N: It's in italics because it's still flashback.
…the largest flat screen she’d ever seen!
“I found it here last night. I forgot to tell you.”
“What’s it for?”
“Truthfully? I have no idea. I found it by accident. But it would be great for reading lips, right? ‘Cause it’s so big.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Good, because I have something to show you. Why don’t you sit in that chair?” Sue sat in the chair and watched as the video started to play.
“Sue,” Lucy whispered out of her sight, “if Jack won’t make a move, I hope this will help you get your man.” And she slipped out of the room.
“A surveillance tape?” she asked Lucy, only to find that Lucy had left. From the angle the video was shot she could easily read Jack’s lips.
“We’re looking at a 50 mile radius from where Sue was abducted.”
Abducted? The date told her it was the day Dan Malone “kidnapped” her.
“We’re looking for a silver Sedan, district plates AB-1359. We’ve alerted the state police to watch all the major highways in the five state area.”
He really did all that for me? she thought.
“Did I say we were looking for bodies? We’re gonna find Sue, and we’re gonna find her alive; is that clear? Alright, let’s go.”
Wow. Jack really did care. She’d never realized how much. Her eyes welled up with tears as she watched the rest of the tape.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jack looked up as Sue returned to the bullpen. Sue noticed D first and she realized that meant Jack would be back. She turned to check and noticed him staring at her. Caught! he thought. He threw her a Hudson smile. Sue returned a watery smile before quickly sitting and hiding her face behind her computer. Jack decided to message her.
JH: You ok?
ST: Yeah.
JH: Are you sure?
ST: Actually…
JH: You can tell me.
ST: Over lunch? My treat?
JH: Sure!
ST: Corner deli at 1?
JH: Meet you in the lobby?
ST: Meet you there.
JH signed off.
ST signed off.
Over the next few hours, Sue hardly got any work done- she was looking at the clock every 5 minutes. She waited impatiently for 1 o’clock. When the minute hand reached the 12, she grabbed her coat and purse and headed out the door, stopping only long enough to inform Lucy that she was going to lunch.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After paying for their lunch and finding a table, Jack turned to Sue. “All right, tell me what’s on your mind.” He watched and waited patiently as she wrung her hands and worried her lip. “Um, ok; I just don’t really know where to start.”
“Take your time.” Though he appeared calm, cool, and collected, he really was worried about what was making her so nervous.
Breathe, Sue! she told herself. Just take a deep breath and tell him. She took a breath and started.
“Uh, well, Lucy showed me an old surveillance video from when I was ‘kidnapped’ by Dan Malone. I guess it wasn’t long after I disappeared. I saw you leading the efforts to find me. I saw you comforting Lucy and looking after Levi. It really means a lot to me. I guess…I guess I just wanted to thank you for being such a great friend."
Friend? Jack thought. Is that what I am to Sue? Or more importantly, is that what I want to be to her?
Hope to have more tomorrow- when school's done for the week. 
“Jack?” Sue’s voice brought him out of his reverie. “You ok? I lost you for a second.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah…yeah. I was just, uh, wondering if you wanted to go to dinner tonight?” Dinner? she thought. Like on a date? A date with Jack Hudson…
“Let’s see…I think I’ll have to check with my dinner date.”
His face fell almost immediately. “Oh…” he mumbled.
“So, Levi, what do you think? Can I go with Jack?” Levi barked. “He says ‘yes, as long as you bring me something back’.”
Jack looked up at her with a grin. “You got me.”
Her brow furrowed. “Jack, who did you think my dinner partner was?”
“Uh, no one.”
“Tell me; I really want to know.”
“Um, David?”
She looked down at her lunch. “We broke up a while back when he moved to New York. We decided not to see each other romantically anymore. Neither of us wanted a long distance relationship, so we’re going to stay friends.”
“Sue, I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Seeing her discomfort, he changed the subject. “So… 6 o’clock okay with you?”
“Okay, sure. Where are we going?”
“That’s a surprise.”
“What do I wear, then?”
“Why don’t you just wear…something that you might wear to work. Anything you wear will be fine. You always look nice.”
Wow, it must be kind of fancy, she thought, as her heart was beating wildly. Why am I getting so worked up? Just because he complimented me? This isn’t a date; it’s just two co-workers…friends…going to dinner…at a fancy restaurant.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Jack and Sue arrived, they sat on opposite sides at a small booth for two. Sue noticed the dance floor. She gazed longingly at the couples swaying to the music. Jack followed her gaze. Did she want to dance?
“Sue…” he called, getting her attention. “Sue, wanna dance?” When she hesitated, he backtracked. “Don’t worry, Sue, maybe later.”
Jack returned his attention to the menu. She saw hurt and disappointment in his eyes. “Jack, it’s not you…it’s just…I’ve never danced with a date.”
The words slipped from her lips before she could stop them. She blushed profusely and ducked her head. After getting over his initial shock, Jack slid into the booth next to her. He gently tilted her chin upwards and waited until her eyes focused on him.
“Do you want this to be a date, Sue?”
Her eyes rose to meet his, and she lost herself in his deep brown eyes. “Yes,” she breathed.
“So do I,” Jack said. “Sue, I’d really like to give us a chance; that is, if you’d like to.”
“I’d love to.” She said it so quietly, Jack wasn’t sure he heard it right.
“I didn’t catch that…” he said. “I hope you said what I thought you said. Sue, I love you.”
Sue was shocked; he loved her! Jack Hudson loved her! She repeated it over and over in her mind.
Jack was beginning to think she didn’t return his feelings. Sue was staring, wide-eyed at him, and not saying anything. He started to panic. Did I move too fast? What if…
“I love you too, Jack,” she smiled.
Her smile faded much too fast for Jack’s liking, though. “What’s wrong?”
“Jack, I hate to rain on this parade, but what about the rule?”
“Jack?” Sue’s voice brought him out of his reverie. “You ok? I lost you for a second.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah…yeah. I was just, uh, wondering if you wanted to go to dinner tonight?” Dinner? she thought. Like on a date? A date with Jack Hudson…
“Let’s see…I think I’ll have to check with my dinner date.”
His face fell almost immediately. “Oh…” he mumbled.
“So, Levi, what do you think? Can I go with Jack?” Levi barked. “He says ‘yes, as long as you bring me something back’.”
Jack looked up at her with a grin. “You got me.”
Her brow furrowed. “Jack, who did you think my dinner partner was?”
“Uh, no one.”
“Tell me; I really want to know.”
“Um, David?”
She looked down at her lunch. “We broke up a while back when he moved to New York. We decided not to see each other romantically anymore. Neither of us wanted a long distance relationship, so we’re going to stay friends.”
“Sue, I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Seeing her discomfort, he changed the subject. “So… 6 o’clock okay with you?”
“Okay, sure. Where are we going?”
“That’s a surprise.”
“What do I wear, then?”
“Why don’t you just wear…something that you might wear to work. Anything you wear will be fine. You always look nice.”
Wow, it must be kind of fancy, she thought, as her heart was beating wildly. Why am I getting so worked up? Just because he complimented me? This isn’t a date; it’s just two co-workers…friends…going to dinner…at a fancy restaurant.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Jack and Sue arrived, they sat on opposite sides at a small booth for two. Sue noticed the dance floor. She gazed longingly at the couples swaying to the music. Jack followed her gaze. Did she want to dance?
“Sue…” he called, getting her attention. “Sue, wanna dance?” When she hesitated, he backtracked. “Don’t worry, Sue, maybe later.”
Jack returned his attention to the menu. She saw hurt and disappointment in his eyes. “Jack, it’s not you…it’s just…I’ve never danced with a date.”
The words slipped from her lips before she could stop them. She blushed profusely and ducked her head. After getting over his initial shock, Jack slid into the booth next to her. He gently tilted her chin upwards and waited until her eyes focused on him.
“Do you want this to be a date, Sue?”
Her eyes rose to meet his, and she lost herself in his deep brown eyes. “Yes,” she breathed.
“So do I,” Jack said. “Sue, I’d really like to give us a chance; that is, if you’d like to.”
“I’d love to.” She said it so quietly, Jack wasn’t sure he heard it right.
“I didn’t catch that…” he said. “I hope you said what I thought you said. Sue, I love you.”
Sue was shocked; he loved her! Jack Hudson loved her! She repeated it over and over in her mind.
Jack was beginning to think she didn’t return his feelings. Sue was staring, wide-eyed at him, and not saying anything. He started to panic. Did I move too fast? What if…
“I love you too, Jack,” she smiled.
Her smile faded much too fast for Jack’s liking, though. “What’s wrong?”
“Jack, I hate to rain on this parade, but what about the rule?”
I'm trying a new twist on this. Tell me what you think.
I hope I'm finished in time...
He frowned. “What rule?”
“You know, the rule that says no two people in the same unit may date.”
“Never heard of that rule.”
“It’s in the book I read at Quantico.”
“Oh, that book. Sue, no one really uses that book anymore. It was written years ago and most of those rules have been changed or taken out.” He paused. “Is that why you’ve tried not to show any interest in me? You thought a relationship was forbidden?”
“Yes. Now that I know there’s no rule, I know we can try a relationship…but Jack?”
“Yes?”
“You knew there was no rule; so if you wanted to ask me out, why didn’t you?”
He hesitated a moment before looking her in the eye. “I didn’t know if you were interested in me.” He paused. “That is a really lame excuse, but it sounded okay in my head.”
Jack was sure his grin matched hers. He was slightly shocked, but very pleased when she leaned in and kissed him.
As the next slow song started, Jack decided to try his luck again. “Would you dance with me, Sue?”
“You sure you want to take that chance twice in a lifetime, Hudson?”
“Positive.”
How could she turn down a guy like that? Sue took the offered hand and Jack led her to the dance floor. He kept her hand in his and the other came to rest on her back. As they swayed together, their bodies shifted closer. Jack let go of her hand and interlocked his behind her back. Sue wrapped her arms around his neck, laid her head against his shoulder, and closed her eyes. As they swayed gently with the music, the world ceased to exist around them.
I hope I'm finished in time...
He frowned. “What rule?”
“You know, the rule that says no two people in the same unit may date.”
“Never heard of that rule.”
“It’s in the book I read at Quantico.”
“Oh, that book. Sue, no one really uses that book anymore. It was written years ago and most of those rules have been changed or taken out.” He paused. “Is that why you’ve tried not to show any interest in me? You thought a relationship was forbidden?”
“Yes. Now that I know there’s no rule, I know we can try a relationship…but Jack?”
“Yes?”
“You knew there was no rule; so if you wanted to ask me out, why didn’t you?”
He hesitated a moment before looking her in the eye. “I didn’t know if you were interested in me.” He paused. “That is a really lame excuse, but it sounded okay in my head.”
Jack was sure his grin matched hers. He was slightly shocked, but very pleased when she leaned in and kissed him.
As the next slow song started, Jack decided to try his luck again. “Would you dance with me, Sue?”
“You sure you want to take that chance twice in a lifetime, Hudson?”
“Positive.”
How could she turn down a guy like that? Sue took the offered hand and Jack led her to the dance floor. He kept her hand in his and the other came to rest on her back. As they swayed together, their bodies shifted closer. Jack let go of her hand and interlocked his behind her back. Sue wrapped her arms around his neck, laid her head against his shoulder, and closed her eyes. As they swayed gently with the music, the world ceased to exist around them.
~Still flashback, Sunday~
Flowers in hand, he whistled as he walked the two blocks from his parking space to her apartment. He was completely content with his life. The girl of his dreams had agreed to go out with him. Today would mark their 7th day as a couple.
Suddenly a shadow appeared next to his. He whirled around and came face to face with a man, who promptly knocked him out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~Monday~
Sue practically ran into the bullpen with Levi, Lucy hot on her tail. “Anyone seen Jack?” she called. All gave negative responses.
Lucy laid a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you try his cell and apartment again?”
Sue nodded and sat down, dialing the numbers she knew so well.
“What’s going on?” Myles asked, tossing the report he was reading to the side.
“Sue’s worried about Jack,” Lucy started to say, “He didn’t show yesterday. He never called and he’s not answering the door or either phone.”
“He didn’t show up for what, Sheila?” asked Bobby.
Lucy looked at Sue sheepishly. Waiting until she had hung up, she called Sue over. “Sue, do you want to tell everyone?”
“I guess. I mean…Jack and I wanted to tell everyone together, but since no one knows where he is…” Sue’s voice trailed off. Taking a breath and composing herself, she began again. “Jack and I have been dating for a week.”
She smiled as the team cheered. “We’ve had dinner together every night.”
But the reality of the situation sank in almost immediately after, and they sobered quickly.
“He was supposed to pick me up at 6 yesterday. He never showed up and never called. This isn’t like him. I think something’s happened.”
“Yeah,” Bobby confirmed, “That doesn’t sound like something Sparky would do.”
After a thick silence in the bullpen, Bobby spoke again. “Tara, can you trace the GPS on Jack’s phone and car?”
“His car is in his parking space right outside his apartment building. I saw it when I went to check on him,” Sue said.
“Jack’s cell is off. I can’t get a reading unless it’s on,” Tara said from behind her computer.
Bobby turned to Sue. “Sue, wanna go see if Jack’s inside his home?” He held up Jack’s keys.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bobby picked the lock in seconds. Sue followed close behind as he led the way into the apartment. With Bobby’s gun drawn, they carefully checked every room in the large apartment. Positive there was no one in the apartment and no Jack, they left dejectedly.
Bobby turned to Sue. “We’ll have the lab check this whole apartment and Jack’s car. I’m sure Jack’s fine.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The lab found nothing in the car or in the apartment. When Jack didn’t show up for work for the 2nd day in a row, they officially reported him missing. With no clues, they had no way to find him.
Flowers in hand, he whistled as he walked the two blocks from his parking space to her apartment. He was completely content with his life. The girl of his dreams had agreed to go out with him. Today would mark their 7th day as a couple.
Suddenly a shadow appeared next to his. He whirled around and came face to face with a man, who promptly knocked him out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~Monday~
Sue practically ran into the bullpen with Levi, Lucy hot on her tail. “Anyone seen Jack?” she called. All gave negative responses.
Lucy laid a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you try his cell and apartment again?”
Sue nodded and sat down, dialing the numbers she knew so well.
“What’s going on?” Myles asked, tossing the report he was reading to the side.
“Sue’s worried about Jack,” Lucy started to say, “He didn’t show yesterday. He never called and he’s not answering the door or either phone.”
“He didn’t show up for what, Sheila?” asked Bobby.
Lucy looked at Sue sheepishly. Waiting until she had hung up, she called Sue over. “Sue, do you want to tell everyone?”
“I guess. I mean…Jack and I wanted to tell everyone together, but since no one knows where he is…” Sue’s voice trailed off. Taking a breath and composing herself, she began again. “Jack and I have been dating for a week.”
She smiled as the team cheered. “We’ve had dinner together every night.”
But the reality of the situation sank in almost immediately after, and they sobered quickly.
“He was supposed to pick me up at 6 yesterday. He never showed up and never called. This isn’t like him. I think something’s happened.”
“Yeah,” Bobby confirmed, “That doesn’t sound like something Sparky would do.”
After a thick silence in the bullpen, Bobby spoke again. “Tara, can you trace the GPS on Jack’s phone and car?”
“His car is in his parking space right outside his apartment building. I saw it when I went to check on him,” Sue said.
“Jack’s cell is off. I can’t get a reading unless it’s on,” Tara said from behind her computer.
Bobby turned to Sue. “Sue, wanna go see if Jack’s inside his home?” He held up Jack’s keys.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bobby picked the lock in seconds. Sue followed close behind as he led the way into the apartment. With Bobby’s gun drawn, they carefully checked every room in the large apartment. Positive there was no one in the apartment and no Jack, they left dejectedly.
Bobby turned to Sue. “We’ll have the lab check this whole apartment and Jack’s car. I’m sure Jack’s fine.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The lab found nothing in the car or in the apartment. When Jack didn’t show up for work for the 2nd day in a row, they officially reported him missing. With no clues, they had no way to find him.
~Present Day~
Sue blinked. The room came into focus and she realized she was on a couch in one of the conference rooms. As she remembered the video, she sat bolt upright, startling Bobby and Lucy from their quiet conversation. They approached her, their faces solemn with concern.
“Sue, you all right?” Lucy asked gently.
“Yeah,” she said. “How long was I out?”
“Not very long,” replied Bobby, looking at his watch. “A couple minutes, maybe.”
They helped Sue up, staying close as they walked back to the bullpen together.
“Sue! You’re OK! Good,” said D. “Tara is trying to figure out which building Jack is in. If we storm the wrong one, we could tip the kidnapper off and lose our chance. She’s looking at the video again for clues.”
Tara took over. “There is a brick wall and a window in the background. There are only 3 buildings made of brick in the area, all three abandoned warehouses. Only one has windows that aren’t boarded up. It’s on the corner of 17th and Quincy.”
In Jack’s absence, D issued the orders. “Tara, Luce, contact SOG and SWAT. We’ll meet them there.” He motioned to the others and they all rushed out of the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Once the team reached their destination, they quickly donned their protective gear, and Sue pulled on a Kelvar vest. Sue followed cautiously behind Bobby.
The four of them looked through the low windows with the help of curved hand mirrors. They located Jack inside and also managed to pinpoint the nearest entrance. They listened for any sign of the kidnapper. Hearing nothing, they readied their guns and D counted down with his fingers.
3-2-1…D kicked in the door.
“FBI!” all three men shouted. Startled by the presence of the still masked kidnapper, they hesitated for a split second, giving him just enough time to raise his own handgun.
By now, Jack had regained consciousness. Groggily, he first took in the situation at hand, his kidnapper facing off against his best friends. And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a movement- Sue. What was she doing here? Mutely, he made eye contact with her, his eyes giving away his fear for her safety.
“Looks like we have a stalemate, gentlemen,” the kidnapper said, obviously unafraid and very confident. “Maybe this will tip the scales in my favor.” He took small, deliberate steps toward Jack.
In one swift movement, the masked man had his gun pointed at Jack’s head. Reacting to the movement, three guns went off.
Sue blinked. The room came into focus and she realized she was on a couch in one of the conference rooms. As she remembered the video, she sat bolt upright, startling Bobby and Lucy from their quiet conversation. They approached her, their faces solemn with concern.
“Sue, you all right?” Lucy asked gently.
“Yeah,” she said. “How long was I out?”
“Not very long,” replied Bobby, looking at his watch. “A couple minutes, maybe.”
They helped Sue up, staying close as they walked back to the bullpen together.
“Sue! You’re OK! Good,” said D. “Tara is trying to figure out which building Jack is in. If we storm the wrong one, we could tip the kidnapper off and lose our chance. She’s looking at the video again for clues.”
Tara took over. “There is a brick wall and a window in the background. There are only 3 buildings made of brick in the area, all three abandoned warehouses. Only one has windows that aren’t boarded up. It’s on the corner of 17th and Quincy.”
In Jack’s absence, D issued the orders. “Tara, Luce, contact SOG and SWAT. We’ll meet them there.” He motioned to the others and they all rushed out of the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Once the team reached their destination, they quickly donned their protective gear, and Sue pulled on a Kelvar vest. Sue followed cautiously behind Bobby.
The four of them looked through the low windows with the help of curved hand mirrors. They located Jack inside and also managed to pinpoint the nearest entrance. They listened for any sign of the kidnapper. Hearing nothing, they readied their guns and D counted down with his fingers.
3-2-1…D kicked in the door.
“FBI!” all three men shouted. Startled by the presence of the still masked kidnapper, they hesitated for a split second, giving him just enough time to raise his own handgun.
By now, Jack had regained consciousness. Groggily, he first took in the situation at hand, his kidnapper facing off against his best friends. And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a movement- Sue. What was she doing here? Mutely, he made eye contact with her, his eyes giving away his fear for her safety.
“Looks like we have a stalemate, gentlemen,” the kidnapper said, obviously unafraid and very confident. “Maybe this will tip the scales in my favor.” He took small, deliberate steps toward Jack.
In one swift movement, the masked man had his gun pointed at Jack’s head. Reacting to the movement, three guns went off.
Looks like I'll have this one finished in time!
Sue had almost made it to Jack when the guns went off. All three shots had hit the kidnapper, causing him to stagger backwards against the wall.
“I still win,” he laughed, summoning his remaining energy to re-aim at Jack.
Seeing this, Sue launched herself in front of Jack. “Sue!!” Jack, Bobby, D, and Myles yelled.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Sue’s feet had barely hit the ground in front of Jack when the masked man pulled the trigger. That was the last thing he ever did, collapsing against the wall, bleeding to death.
The bullet hit Sue in the arm, so close to the shoulder that the impact knocked her down. “No!” Jack shouted, pulling against the ropes that held him down. “Sue!”
“I love you, Jack,” she whispered, before blacking out.
SWAT and SOG had arrived and called the paramedics. They rushed in seconds later, taking with them an unconscious Sue and a weak Jack. Bobby went in the ambulance with Jack, while D went with Sue.
Myles had told them he would meet them at the hospital. He needed to see who the kidnapper was before they took him in the body bag. Carefully peeling away the mask, he discovered who the kidnapper was.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At the hospital, Sue was rushed to the ER to have the bullet removed. Jack was taken away for a thorough examination and received treatment for his injuries; his wound was stitched. Bobby and D were allowed to see him once he was delivered back to his room.
“How’re you feeling?” D asked.
“Tired,” he croaked. They sat with him until he fell asleep from the painkillers.
As they stepped outside the room, Myles came up the hall.
“What took you so long, mate?” Bobby inquired.
“I wanted to see who he was.” Myles looked angry.
“So who was it?” D asked.
“Khayyat.”
“As in the guy that made the dirty bomb 2 yrs ago?” Bobby asked incredulously.
“Yep. Maybe revenge was the motive?”
Tara and Lucy arrived minutes later. The team waited anxiously in the waiting room while Jack slept and Sue was in surgery.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Sue came out of surgery, she was moved into Jack’s room. The team was allowed to see both their friends shortly after. Quietly, they filed into the room to find Sue was beginning to stir.
Lucy was the first to notice and the team gathered around her bed. Barely opening her eyes, she asked hoarsely, “How is he?”
Despite the situation, they chuckled. Here was Sue, recovering after surgery from taking a bullet, asking about Jack and ignoring her own pain.
FINE, Lucy signed, pointing at Jack’s supine form across the room.
Turning her head slowly, Sue saw Jack in the bed next to her. As she tried to sit, she discovered that she couldn’t, due to her newly bandaged arm and the drip attached to her hand. Coming to her aid as if reading her mind, Bobby helped Sue off the bed and into a nearby wheelchair, pulling the IV with him. Lucy pushed the wheelchair next to Jack’s bed.
As Sue placed her hand in Jack’s, Tara touched her good shoulder. “We’ll give you two some time alone. If you need us, we’ll be in the hall.” Sue gave a slight nod of acknowledgement, before returning her attention to Jack.
Sue had almost made it to Jack when the guns went off. All three shots had hit the kidnapper, causing him to stagger backwards against the wall.
“I still win,” he laughed, summoning his remaining energy to re-aim at Jack.
Seeing this, Sue launched herself in front of Jack. “Sue!!” Jack, Bobby, D, and Myles yelled.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Sue’s feet had barely hit the ground in front of Jack when the masked man pulled the trigger. That was the last thing he ever did, collapsing against the wall, bleeding to death.
The bullet hit Sue in the arm, so close to the shoulder that the impact knocked her down. “No!” Jack shouted, pulling against the ropes that held him down. “Sue!”
“I love you, Jack,” she whispered, before blacking out.
SWAT and SOG had arrived and called the paramedics. They rushed in seconds later, taking with them an unconscious Sue and a weak Jack. Bobby went in the ambulance with Jack, while D went with Sue.
Myles had told them he would meet them at the hospital. He needed to see who the kidnapper was before they took him in the body bag. Carefully peeling away the mask, he discovered who the kidnapper was.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At the hospital, Sue was rushed to the ER to have the bullet removed. Jack was taken away for a thorough examination and received treatment for his injuries; his wound was stitched. Bobby and D were allowed to see him once he was delivered back to his room.
“How’re you feeling?” D asked.
“Tired,” he croaked. They sat with him until he fell asleep from the painkillers.
As they stepped outside the room, Myles came up the hall.
“What took you so long, mate?” Bobby inquired.
“I wanted to see who he was.” Myles looked angry.
“So who was it?” D asked.
“Khayyat.”
“As in the guy that made the dirty bomb 2 yrs ago?” Bobby asked incredulously.
“Yep. Maybe revenge was the motive?”
Tara and Lucy arrived minutes later. The team waited anxiously in the waiting room while Jack slept and Sue was in surgery.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Sue came out of surgery, she was moved into Jack’s room. The team was allowed to see both their friends shortly after. Quietly, they filed into the room to find Sue was beginning to stir.
Lucy was the first to notice and the team gathered around her bed. Barely opening her eyes, she asked hoarsely, “How is he?”
Despite the situation, they chuckled. Here was Sue, recovering after surgery from taking a bullet, asking about Jack and ignoring her own pain.
FINE, Lucy signed, pointing at Jack’s supine form across the room.
Turning her head slowly, Sue saw Jack in the bed next to her. As she tried to sit, she discovered that she couldn’t, due to her newly bandaged arm and the drip attached to her hand. Coming to her aid as if reading her mind, Bobby helped Sue off the bed and into a nearby wheelchair, pulling the IV with him. Lucy pushed the wheelchair next to Jack’s bed.
As Sue placed her hand in Jack’s, Tara touched her good shoulder. “We’ll give you two some time alone. If you need us, we’ll be in the hall.” Sue gave a slight nod of acknowledgement, before returning her attention to Jack.
I'm not a very good fuzzy writer- I hope this doesn't disappoint...
When Jack woke up, the team was notified and they came back in.
“So, Jack,” D began, “Feeling any better now?”
“Much,” he answered, his gaze never moving away from Sue.
“Do you feel up to talking about what happened?” Myles asked.
“Yeah,” he sighed, finally tearing his eyes away from Sue. I remember walking toward Sue’s on Sunday. What day is it, anyway?”
“Wednesday,” Tara replied, looking at her watch.
“Next thing I remember was waking up in that warehouse. My hands were tied to each arm of the chair and my legs were tied to the legs of the chair. The kidnapper was watching me. He said he was glad I was awake, that he was going to demand a ransom for me. When I told him the FBI didn’t pay ransoms, he beat me…He must have drugged me or something, because the only other thing I remember is waking up to see you guys in a stand-off with Mr. Masked Man.”
“He tried the ransom anyway,” Tara stated, after getting Sue’s attention. “After you…well, you know…fainted…We got the video onto my computer and heard what he had to say. The guy demanded 10 million and gave specific instructions on how he wanted it. Knowing we couldn’t pay it even if we had the money, I looked into the background and figured out which building you were in, Jack. We didn’t get a chance to tell you, Sue, because when you came back we had just figured out Jack’s location.”
“Wait- you fainted?” Jack asked Sue. “Why?”
“Uh, I think we’ll get back to the office now, okay? Give you two some time. We’ll come back later?” Lucy said, anxious to give Jack and Sue some time alone.
The rest of the team voiced their agreement and said their goodbyes, leaving Jack and Sue alone in the room. “Why?” Jack persisted as soon as the door shut behind them.
Sue fidgeted in her seat as tears formed in her eyes. “The guy sent me a video of you. You were unconscious and I saw all the blood.”
She gently ran her fingers over his bandaged gash. “I was so scared, Jack.” Her voice trembled as the tears spilled onto her cheeks.
Jack reached for her and tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes. He patted the space next to him on the bed. Sue slowly stood from her wheelchair and climbed on next to him, careful not to bump her sore arm.
Avoiding her arm and his own bruises, Jack enveloped her in hug as she let the tears flow. “Sue,” he said, gently pulling away from her. “You deliberately took that bullet for me. Why?”
“You didn’t have a vest on…I did. I knew I wouldn’t be killed- and that’s beside the point. I love you, Jack Hudson; I would do anything for you.”
“I love you too, Sue Thomas.”
And the whole team looked on through the window as Jack and Sue shared a kiss that signified the end of a nightmare and the beginning of the rest of their lives.
FIN
I would like to give a huge thank you to all of you who read and replied. I want you to know how much that means to me as a writer.
Thank you to my wonderful betas: Lisa, Jill, Lavone, Pam, and my “secret weapon” beta who wishes to remain anonymous. You know who you are!
They took time out of their busy lives to help me as a writer. I know you guys didn’t do it for credit and said it wasn’t necessary to credit you, but I want you to know how much I really appreciated all your help, insight, support, and encouragement.
When Jack woke up, the team was notified and they came back in.
“So, Jack,” D began, “Feeling any better now?”
“Much,” he answered, his gaze never moving away from Sue.
“Do you feel up to talking about what happened?” Myles asked.
“Yeah,” he sighed, finally tearing his eyes away from Sue. I remember walking toward Sue’s on Sunday. What day is it, anyway?”
“Wednesday,” Tara replied, looking at her watch.
“Next thing I remember was waking up in that warehouse. My hands were tied to each arm of the chair and my legs were tied to the legs of the chair. The kidnapper was watching me. He said he was glad I was awake, that he was going to demand a ransom for me. When I told him the FBI didn’t pay ransoms, he beat me…He must have drugged me or something, because the only other thing I remember is waking up to see you guys in a stand-off with Mr. Masked Man.”
“He tried the ransom anyway,” Tara stated, after getting Sue’s attention. “After you…well, you know…fainted…We got the video onto my computer and heard what he had to say. The guy demanded 10 million and gave specific instructions on how he wanted it. Knowing we couldn’t pay it even if we had the money, I looked into the background and figured out which building you were in, Jack. We didn’t get a chance to tell you, Sue, because when you came back we had just figured out Jack’s location.”
“Wait- you fainted?” Jack asked Sue. “Why?”
“Uh, I think we’ll get back to the office now, okay? Give you two some time. We’ll come back later?” Lucy said, anxious to give Jack and Sue some time alone.
The rest of the team voiced their agreement and said their goodbyes, leaving Jack and Sue alone in the room. “Why?” Jack persisted as soon as the door shut behind them.
Sue fidgeted in her seat as tears formed in her eyes. “The guy sent me a video of you. You were unconscious and I saw all the blood.”
She gently ran her fingers over his bandaged gash. “I was so scared, Jack.” Her voice trembled as the tears spilled onto her cheeks.
Jack reached for her and tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes. He patted the space next to him on the bed. Sue slowly stood from her wheelchair and climbed on next to him, careful not to bump her sore arm.
Avoiding her arm and his own bruises, Jack enveloped her in hug as she let the tears flow. “Sue,” he said, gently pulling away from her. “You deliberately took that bullet for me. Why?”
“You didn’t have a vest on…I did. I knew I wouldn’t be killed- and that’s beside the point. I love you, Jack Hudson; I would do anything for you.”
“I love you too, Sue Thomas.”
And the whole team looked on through the window as Jack and Sue shared a kiss that signified the end of a nightmare and the beginning of the rest of their lives.
FIN
I would like to give a huge thank you to all of you who read and replied. I want you to know how much that means to me as a writer.
Thank you to my wonderful betas: Lisa, Jill, Lavone, Pam, and my “secret weapon” beta who wishes to remain anonymous. You know who you are!
They took time out of their busy lives to help me as a writer. I know you guys didn’t do it for credit and said it wasn’t necessary to credit you, but I want you to know how much I really appreciated all your help, insight, support, and encouragement.
A great ending to a great story! 
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
lovely ending to a great story
cath
cath
Congratulations on completing your story! Isn't it a tremendous sense of achievement? No thanks necessary - the courage to write, the capacity for ideas and the commitment to see it through were all your own. 
You did great and I hope you write again.
You did great and I hope you write again.
Very sweet ending 
Great job!!
Great job!!
This is a great ending to a wonderful story!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Joy
Thanks for sharing!!!
Joy
glad there's no rule standing in the way. yay they rescued jack.
aww sue took a bullet for jack kinda like he did for her in the beginning.
aww sue took a bullet for jack kinda like he did for her in the beginning.
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