Alright, everyone, I've decided to give this one a shot. I'll try to keep a consistent pace, and hopefully having this deadline will help. Goes, it's the "challenge syndrome" with me... I get to working on a story, and then a challenge comes up, and I just can't resist. haha. So, I hope you enjoy. Let's see how this goes!! I have barely any cushion, and I'm not sure where I'm taking it or how it'll all fit together, but I guess that means we're all in for quite a ride! Enjoy!


My Best Friend’s Wedding

The day was bright and cheery—the ideal Monday. Sure, a Monday is still a Monday, but if you have to work on a Monday, you might as well have to work on one like this. As Sue Thomas made her way from her car to the Hoover building, she breathed in the fresh, crisp autumn air, and felt more refreshed than she had in months.

The caseload had been heavy, and the paperwork had been worse. Somehow, instead of vacationing in their off-shore mansions and luxuriating in their illegally-obtained vacation homes, the most prolific criminals had decided to spend their summer doing what they did best: committing crimes, of course. Thankfully, her team was better at catching criminals than the unsavory types were at being criminals, so their success rate had shot through the roof (not that it had much farther up to go). And of course, with unparalleled success came exposure, and the media jumped all over each story. They’d always been the best the FBI had to offer, and now the whole world knew it.

But today, fall had set in beautifully. It was as though God knew it was time for the world to relax. The temperature was perfect, the scenery was perfect—it was as though the entire world was on its best behavior, and enjoying it!

Upon reaching the bullpen, Sue was told that there were no new cases to tackle—the icing on the cake. With their paperwork already completed, criminals taking a holiday, and with no hectic press conferences, or invasive articles to deal with, it was time to simply relax. They were no longer a team of special agents and experts; they were a bunch of friends simply enjoying the day… just in an office building, getting paid to do it.

Bobby was sitting back in his chair, with his feet propped up on his desk and his eyes comfortably shut. Myles was leaning over his desk, tapping an expensive fountain pen against his temple, staring down at an especially challenging crossword puzzle, completely unaware of the black ink stain on his cheek. Lucy and Tara were typing away at their computers, chatting, most likely, about some juicy office gossip that just had to be shared. D was stowed away in his corner of the bullpen, smiling wide as he leisurely chatted with his wife over the phone. While supervisor of the team, he was just as dedicated to his work as the rest of the them, whether it be out in the field, or at the office with desk work. Obviously nobody had noticed Sue’s late arrival, much to her surprise. On any other day, she would have been teased relentlessly, for she was always early, or at the latest, right on time. But today, the perfect weather and beauty of the morning had been much too distracting, so she and Levi had taken a much longer walk in the park, easily losing track of the time.

And Jack… Jack Hudson, the team leader, was uncharacteristically missing from the bullpen. Maybe he’s late, too? Sue thought to herself. She smiled, sitting down at her desk, imagining Jack coming into the bullpen wearing his gorgeous grin no breathing female could resist.

She didn’t even notice Jack’s coat and keys at his desk, signifying his early arrival. And she had no idea that simple fact would bring her whole world crashing down.
*****

You set this all up so wonderfully -- lighthearted fluff I thought and then


kav

Kav.........you have a point there.


Glad to see you jump in on this, Lizzy!

Jill

Great form of details. Writing is amazing. I don't like that last paragraph it is scaring me, Sue world crashing down...not good not good at all.

This is a bit worrying

Great start, can't wait for more!

i loved the beginnen and then you had to make it end like that did you, that is so not nice. i'm scared.

but i really am looking forward to this story, so bring it on

It was nine-thirty by the time Jack entered the bullpen. Sue didn’t even have to look up from her book to know he’d come into the room. She’d felt Levi get up from where he’d been lounging at her feet, and instinctively knew he’d gone off to greet Jack.

Levi jumped up onto the agent’s legs. “Hey, buddy,” Jack said wearily, slowly running his fingers through the golden’s abundance of fur. “Having a better day than I am?”

Sue finally looked up, noticing Jack’s defeated body language immediately. She rose and crossed over to them. “Levi, no. Give Jack a break.” Sue reached for Levi’s collar.

Jack shook his head. “Nah, it’s fine. I could use the canine company right about now. There’s just something about dogs, you know? They kind of know when you need them.” He surprisingly bent down and sat on the floor beside Levi, continuing to give him a thorough rub down.

Sue nodded, a small, cautious smile edging out across her lips. “You’re right.” She came closer. “You okay, Jack?”

“You want the honest answer, or the tough guy answer?” He looked up at her, a slightly pained expression on his face.

“Honest.” Sue held her breath.

“No, then, I’m not okay.” He stopped stroking Levi’s back, and let his fingers clench around a handful of fur at the dog’s neck.

“Would you like to talk about it?” Sue offered.

“Later.”

She nodded. “Okay.” She crouched down beside Levi and Jack. “How about I take you out to lunch later, and you can tell me all about it then?”

“Sounds like a plan.”
*****

I can't wait to read the rest! Wonder what happened to Jack........

VG

Lizzy, what a wonderful beginning - it seemed that all was right with the world!!! Then BAM - that one little sentence!!!

What's wrong with Jack???

Joy

I'm glad Jack feels comfortable enough to tell Sue the truth.

Oh no! What's wrong? Is it lunchtime yet?

what's up with jack?

cath

Sounds serious for Jack to admit all is not well in the world.

Is it lunch time yet?


Jill

I'm excited to see a story by you up....but am worried about where it's going. Looking forward to more!!

Okay - I'm trying to recover my stomach from the sharp drop at the end of post 1.

Now I'll be back, refreshing constantly, waiting for lunch time and Jack to spill the beans. Hopefully, since there is an end to the challenge, he won't take months to reveal to Sue what the problem is.

Come back!!! What's wrong with Jack??

At least he can talk to Sue.

Can't wait for more!

This is getting angstier....

kav

I'm definitely worried... Please post again soon.

Yessssssssss! When I saw that you were writing a story I jumped for joy.. then I read it and WHAM!!! I'm bouncing off my chair waiting for their lunch time and hoping it's before I go to bed!!

Woohoo, Lizzy gave into the challenge syndrome! This is off to a great start. You've set it up so well and now I'm really worried about what has happened to Jack.

Sorry for not posting sooner. I had a youth group sleepover to go to last night... we didn't get to sleep until almost 5 AM. And then, I was gone for the day with my bro, mom, and boyfriend's mom having a Lord of the Rings Marathon. hehe. Anyways, without further ado, hang on tight, 'cause we're returning to our... "adventure."


Sue tapped a pencil against her desk absentmindedly, worrying more and more by the minute. She’d glanced over at Jack countless times over the past four hours, and she could see that whatever burden he was carrying increased as time passed. Looking at her watch, she finally decided it was time for lunch. She rose and crossed over to the morose agent’s desk.

“You ready to go, Jack? Levi told me he’s hungry,” she asked, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

“Sure,” he answered, enthusiasm nowhere to be found—not in his voice, or his expression.

The ride down to the parking garage was quiet—uncomfortably so. Normally, the two kept up friendly conversation, one that was natural and just… fit. Today, it was sorely absent.

“Where would you like to go?” Sue asked, turning her gaze to look at him.

Jack shrugged, instinctively facing her, but avoiding her eyes. “It doesn’t matter to me.”

Sue nodded to herself, tucking in her chin and looking down at the descending floor of the elevator. It seemed like an eternity before the doors opened.
*****



*****
“So…” Sue began, not sure how to launch into the many questions building quickly, in her mind.

Jack set his fork down beside his barely-eaten spaghetti. “They’re transferring me.”

“Jack, did you just say…”

He nodded. “To California. They’ve given me a month”

“What? They can’t! Jack, how can they just move you?”

“It’s not mandatory, Sue, but… there’s an intense amount of pressure to go.”

Sue fought tears. “Jack, why? What makes them need you so much? You’re a vital part of our team here!”

He shook his head. “Not according to the directors. They see our team’s success rate, and compare it against the rest of the nation, and they see a large discrepancy. They think moving me out there would help boost our national success.”

“Maybe so, Jack, but without you we’re not the team we should be.”

“They don’t see it that way, Sue. The truth is, I am not the heart of our team. We all are, and the way the upper brass sees it, you don’t need me to continue succeeding. They want me to advise teams on the west coast, and help them get to where we are.”

“Then obviously they don’t understand the way our team works,” Sue contested. “We catch the bad guys and we make America safer because each member is valued, respected, and given a chance to contribute. It truly is a team effort, not just one person leading over another.” She paused. “I’m not saying your guidance is unimportant, Jack. You give us invaluable direction, and without it, many cases wouldn’t have been solved. But without Tara, we’d never get much of the information you ask us to find, and without Bobby, we could have been killed so many years ago, because of bombs you directed us to find. Myles’ social connections have greased the wheels of many operations, D has given us a stability that only comes with his experience, and with Lucy making sure every blank is filled, we are the successful team we are. Jack, without you, without any member of this squad, we would fail.”

“I tried telling them that, Sue. Garrett tried, too. The brass wouldn’t accept it. And realistically, without me, you’d still do well. Yes, it would be different, and you’d have to get used to someone else in my place, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t do your best.”

“But our best wouldn’t be the same.”

“Sue, I wish I could do something about it.” His intense gaze said that he meant it with all that was in him. “I don’t want to leave you.” He shifted uncomfortably. “Or anyone else on our team.”

“Then don’t go. You said it wasn’t mandatory. You don’t have to agree, Jack.”

“There are conditions. If I don’t go, they’re going to do an internal review. They’ll pick apart every little thing I’ve done or said, and they’ll find a reason to send me out there, Sue, and then it would be mandatory. I don’t want to subject my team to that, when the result would be the same, and unnecessary questions would be raised about our integrity.”

“Why can’t you help the other teams on the east coast? You could fly to New York, there’s Virginia, Maryland, the other teams here in D.C…”

“According to reports, the need is greater out there. They think with the close proximity, the teams in this area can easily connect with you guys, and learn from you already. They don’t need me with them to do it.”

“Then what about us, as your friends? We’re not just a team; we’re a family. Jack, I do not want to say goodbye to you.”

“Sue, you have not idea how much I want to stay. Really, this is the last thing I want. Look, when you were transferring to New York, I honestly didn’t know whether our team would survive. I felt like… we’d even been abandoned. I knew that it wasn’t malicious, and that you’d thought and prayed about it. But, I couldn’t help feeling like you didn’t care enough to stay.” He sighed. “I don’t want you and the others to feel that way. I’m not leaving because I want to; I have no choice.

“But, I did stay, Jack. I did care that much. And no matter how much I try, I still can’t believe you’re doing this because you think it’s what’s best. You’re just going along with it; you aren’t even trying to fight it!” Sue stood up from her seat. She dropped a twenty-dollar bill on the table. “I’ll pay for lunch, but I won’t stand beside you in this decision.”

With that, she left the restaurant, as Jack remained where he was, wondering how in the world he’d survive the next month, with Sue standing on his opposing side. But then, he had to wonder, whose side was he really on?
*****

Well I never saw that coming! Lizzy, what are you trying to do? It's nearly 1am and now I am going to go to bed agonizing over what just happened!!!! Sleep ain't gonna come easy.

Jill

Oh man! Jack! Can't you see how much Sue'd miss you?!

Hmmm ... single unit's needs vs large organisational mechanisations. The harsh reality of any organisation is no one is indispensible, and a wise man once said that a good leader isn't just one who leads but one who can be replaced. Perhaps Jack is a victim of his own success?

It will be interesting to see the other reactions, given Sue's "selfish" declaration. One down, five to go.

jack really is between a rock and a hard place here

cath

Where's my morning fluff? I wanted fuzz with my breakfast, not indigestion!!!!! Repeat after me Lizzy "I will not send Jack to California. I will not send Jack to California." It must become your mantra until July 31 -- got that?

kav

EEEKK You can't send Jack to california!

Wow that was quite the curveball Lizzy!

California??! Jack, just don't do it. Just don't go. Lizzy, you can't let him!

Jack can't leave Sue!!! Oh, and of course, the rest of the team!!!

Joy

Come on jack fight for sue

Talk about throwing a curve ball! Jack being transferred????? ACK!!!!

california......caliiifooorrniiaaa............CALIFORNIAAAAAA...... could you pick out a place more away from them

this is not funny.....jack is not going and if you aren't going to stop him .....then...then.....then i will ..... ..... anyone with me

lol. Well, I'm a CA girl... so, I guess you could say there might be a few ulterior motives.

Just kidding! I'm a CA girl who's already happy with her own boyfriend and is just a weirdo writing a story...haha... and who happens to enjoy toying with you a bit.

Here's a little snippet. It's short, but there's still more to come.


Lucy stopped Sue on her way into the bullpen. “Where’s Jack?” She could see the distress and hurt in Sue’s eyes immediately.

“He’ll be here, eventually.”

“Sue, what’s wrong?” Lucy wrapped an arm around her dear friend.

“Nothing I can talk about. That’s up to him.” She broke away from Lucy’s hold, crossing over to her desk. By then, the entire team had noticed her prickly attitude. They saw the tears in her eyes, but they also saw the silent message in them. ‘Stay away.’

Now, the bright sun that had once warmed Sue’s heart seemed to mock her, with its cheer. Its rays hurt her eyes, and just the idea of smiling made her nauseas. At one point this morning, she had expected Jack’s mere presence to brighten and bless her entire day. Now, all she wanted to do was hide in a corner, shutting out the world, and reality.

Jack was leaving.

She turned her back to the rest of the room, swiveling her chair to face the wall. Levi nudged her a few minutes later, whining.

“No, Levi. I don’t want to talk to him.”

She felt a gentle, tentative hand on her shoulder, one that sent shivers down her spine and a piercing pain through her heart. She shook her head, as she spoke quietly. “No, Jack.” His retreat left such emptiness within her, she could almost hear his fading footsteps.

She wasn’t sure what hurt more: his presence, or the absence of it.
*****

They're both hurting too much! Lizzy come back and fix it!!

This just pierced my heart!!

I'm a CA girl too, but I want Jack to stay in D.C. (maybe because I live in S.C. now)!!!

Joy

no, don't push each other away, please

cath

Oh Sue I know you are hurting but please talk to Jack again. I can't belive he's going to California

As much as I love California.. I just know it's not for Jack.

I think Sue should go after him and they can go for dinner and fall madly in love. That would work!

Alright, last post for today. Until later, my friends!
*Lizzy*



*****
Lucy came home that evening with a heavy heart. She was still in the dark, as to what had passed between Jack and Sue, but she knew it was big. It took a lot to make Sue upset, and to show it, but today, she wasn’t just upset; she was angry.

Sue had left the office before her, and the apartment was so quiet, at first she thought Sue was sleeping. But, as she passed by her best friend’s bedroom, she could hear muffled sobs. She hadn’t seen Levi, so, assuming the golden was in there with Sue, she knocked before entering.

Sue was sitting on the window seat; tears were streaked down her face. There was a quickly growing pile of crumpled tissues on the floor beside her, and she was hugging a pillow to her chest. As Levi placed his head on her knee, she looked up at Lucy, who was standing in the doorway.

“Hey.”

Sue hiccupped. “Hi.” Her body shuddered, as she leaned against the windowpane, trying to quell her bitter tears.

Lucy was beside Sue in a moment, wrapping her arms around her best friend. She knelt and rested her chin on Sue’s shoulder, waiting for her to be ready to talk, even if it wasn’t going to happen that evening.

“He’s leaving, Luce,” Sue whispered, as she grasped Lucy’s arm, craving the comfort. “I probably shouldn’t be telling you; I figured he would when he was ready, but I have to tell somebody.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll go crazy if I don’t.”

Lucy moved to kneel down in front of Sue. “Jack is leaving?” Sue nodded, and Lucy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Why? Is he being transferred?”

“Yes.” Sue blinked hard, trying to stop the tears from falling again. Lucy picked up the box of tissues and handed them to Sue, with a small smile. She grabbed a handful. “I just don’t get it, Luce. He’s not even trying to fight it. They told him it wasn’t mandatory, but if he doesn’t go, they’ll investigate the team, and find a reason to make it mandatory.”

“Where’s he going to?”

Sue held her breath, as tears fought to reappear again. “California. He has a month.”

Now, Lucy was wiping tears off her cheeks. “Why so far?”

“Supposedly… supposedly the need is greater there. Their success rate isn’t as high as ours, so they think moving Jack out there is going to help.” Sue hugged the pillow tighter to her chest. “He says he doesn’t want to go, but he’s not even trying to stay. He’s just… going along with it.”

“Has he told them he doesn’t want to go? Has he explained why?” Lucy prodded gently.

Sue nodded. “He said he did. But… but that was it. He hasn’t taken any other measures against it.”

“Sue, it looks like he did put forth some kind of effort. Can you imagine what it would be like? To come to work, expecting it to be just another normal day, and to have that unloaded on you? Sue, how would you have responded? He didn’t even have time to think it over.”

Sue shrugged.

“Look, Jack doesn’t have the luxury of telling them no, and going back to life as it was. Remember when you were offered that job in New York? You had that option. No matter what Jack says, there’s a negative consequence, and it looks like either way, he’d still have to transfer.” She rubbed Sue’s arm consolingly. “He made the decision that made it easier on us. To deal with him leaving, and an internal investigation? It would be a lot to handle.”

Sue thought for a moment. She bit her bottom lip, as though it would hold the tears back. “Luce, I’m being selfish, aren’t I?” Sue whispered. “Jack’s just trying to be dedicated to his job and team, and I’ve been expecting him to do what I think is best, not what’s required of him.” She brought a tissue up to her eyes, as tears threatened to fall, again. “I guess I’m just scared of losing him.”

Lucy took her hand. “I know, girl, I know. We all are.”

And the night ended in an embrace and tears, only best friends can truly understand.
*****

Are ya trying to reduce us all to tears Lizzy?? it's working

Can't wait for more

I'm glad Lucy was able to reason with Sue. Jack may be incredibly slow and annoying in some areas, but I really don't think he'd transfer if he didn't think it was the best thing for the team.

I am anxious to know where the "My Best Friend's Wedding" comes in.

Sue, you know his absence will hurt more!

All I can say is I can't wait for more

You are going to straighten out this mess, aren't you???


Jill

cath

It was good that Lucy could see it from Jack's point of view.

Oh this is so heartbreaking! You can't just pull Jack out of the team, can you? I mean that's just wrong on so many levels. I'm glad Sue opened up to Lucy and Lucy could help her see the situation in perspective, because I do think Sue isn't the only one hurting. He needs some comforting too...Sue - that would be your cue.

kav

i think i'm gonna cry....no wait....i'm already crying