A PROMISE IS A DEBT

Part 1

The attractive blonde sat leaning against the train’s grimy window. She didn’t notice how a brown sticky smudge, a legacy from a previous 5-year-old occupant, had been inadvertently cleaned by her jacket shoulder. Nor did she notice the lamp-lit scenery flashing by, and she certainly didn’t appreciate how it was all going by exactly in the reverse order of her earlier journey … was that only days ago?

The delay in Philadelphia made her grit her teeth. Normally, Sue was a patient woman; she was the one with the capacity to wait quietly for things to come her way … she’d waited years for him, hadn’t she? And normally, she didn’t mind travel delays because they afforded her opportunities to absorb a little more of the world, to literally read more into the little pockets of human interaction taking place around her.

But not today. Because today was not a normal day and this was not a normal set of circumstances. Today, she wanted to be where she had to be hours ago. Today, she had no use for other people, places or Philadelphia! Today, she didn’t even care if the woman in the seat across the aisle from hers was giving her increasingly wary looks because today, she was not feeling particularly friendly!

Sue turned to Levi. “I’m behaving like a lunatic, aren’t I?” she whispered.

Levi stared back, poking out his tongue. It might have been an encouraging grin or a face of disgust but she couldn’t tell which.

Sue sighed, huddling further into her seat to stare out the window. So much had happened in the past months that she’d had to adapt accordingly and quickly, scarcely leaving herself time to breathe or truly settle. Not that she had any complaints because she loved her new life and she’d embraced the changes with enthusiasm.

Then her thoughts turned to Jack, as they so often did, and her face softened into an involuntary smile as her pulse quickened.

How she missed his laughter, his cheeky wink when he teased her, his touch on her skin, his smell, his kiss … she even missed his scowl, like the one that usually followed one of her attempts to wriggle out of trouble by claiming she hadn’t heard a thing. She’d even taken to occasionally irritating him just so he would scowl and then she’d have fun soothing and teasing the scowl away. Well, they both would have fun …

Sue drew a deep breath and pursed her mouth against her goofy grin. She knew she was completely besotted with Jack. But her smile promptly dissolved as she remembered her parting promise.

And she frowned. She glanced yet again at her watch and groaned in frustration as the train continued to show no inclination to move. There was nothing else she could do except pray that she wouldn’t be too late.

Yhm, I am so excited that you've entered a story into the Challenge! A wonderfully written start! I'm anxious to know more about 'her parting promise'.

This is way exciting, yhm! So glad to see you back and posting too!! You have no idea how happy I am! A wonderful start and I can't wait to know what's the 'parting promise' too!

intriguing start

cath

Is there going to be angst? Because it sounds like there's going to be angst. I think I'll bring some chocolate next time I read, just in case.

kav

YHM!!!!!!!!! You're back with a new challenge story!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I'm a TAD bit excited??? Very intriguing, dying to know what her parting promise was!!!!!!!

Jen

Wonderful. You are starting a new story. You have me so intrigued here to find out what has happened. What is this new life of Sue's all about.

An intriguing start and sounds like a loadful of angst coming our way.

My reading glasses are all ready. Next post please? (Insert pleading face) Thank you.


~Siti~

Okay, I'm intrigued. But not too much angst, please. My nails won't take much more biting.

Kim

euhwwwwwwwwwwww that is grose

but i love the fact you started a story, what kind of promiss did she make

Wow I am intrigued!!

Sam

Sounds good!

Em

Me too! I need to know is there going to be angst?
thanks,
Terie

What an intriguing start! It was filled with so many unanswered questions that you have really drawn me into the story.

Part 2

Sue was grateful she’d listened … well, metaphorically anyway … to Lucy.

Lucy had called early that morning to chat and had been horrified to learn that Sue was getting ready for her drive home. She’d informed her about the road closures, traffic delays and other disruptions due to the unexpected floods in DC and other parts of Virginia and was adamant that it would be the height of insanity to even think about driving home.

Sue had been equally adamant that that was precisely what she intended to do … later today.

You’re serious.

“Yes, I am.”

Why? Okay, I mean, I know why. But -

Sue had stared at her Blackberry screen in irritation.

“Then you understand why I want to be back.”

I do, but I’m sure he’ll understand if you can’t. I mean, you talked about it before you left … right? He knew the risks.

“Yes. But I won’t forgive myself.”

There was a pause. He doesn’t know, does he?

“No.”

Then stay put until the roads clear up.

“No.”

Sue, DC has never seen anything like this storm in living history! Even the elm tree at the White House fell over!

“I’m sorry about the tree but I made a promise and I also took a vow that included a clause ‘for better or for worse’. If this storm is that bad, it can go under ‘for worse’ but I’m sticking to my vows.”

Lucy had sighed. She didn’t know why she’d even bothered to speak; anything she said was futile when Sue was in one of her stubborn moods. But as a good, loyal and loving friend - to both parties - she had to try.

The weather bureau is advising against unnecessary travel -

“This is necessary travel.”

He’s not going to forgive himself if something happens to you!

At that, Sue was silent. That much was true: Jack would never forgive himself any more than she could have forgiven herself if something had happened to him. And if she’d learnt anything at all in all her time with him, it was that he consistently put her wellbeing before his own.

“How is he, Luce?”

You know Jack; keeps everything under control but I know he’s missing you a lot.

“I have to get home.”

The quiet determination had affected Lucy more than an argumentative temper tantrum might have.

I understand what … wait! Train!

“I tried. Everything’s ful- ”

Do you have a preference for seat and time?

“Lucy, all the services today are full. I’ve checked.”

Leave it to me.

Lucy had called back one agonising hour later.

You have a confirmed seat on the 7.35 from Penn Station and you should arrive at Union Station about 10.50, barring delays so you’ll still make it home before midnight. Collect your ticket at the counter; it’s already paid for. Sorry, Sue, we tried but couldn’t get anything earlier.

“How did you manage … who’s we? Who paid?”

A combined assault by Myles and Tara, and trust me, you don’t want the details. Don’t worry about the rest. Look for Bobby when you get in.

Sue had asked to speak to the team and thank them, and each member cheerfully claimed that it was the most worthwhile thing they’d had to do all day. When she’d tried to dissuade Bobby from meeting her, his response had to have been non-verbal because there was nothing on-screen.

“Bobby? Did you say something?”

I might have made a rude noise. Look, Sue, I owe Sparky more than I can ever repay, so humour me on this, right?

Sue remembered the loan which no one had been supposed to know about. She’d eventually confessed to Jack that she’d caught part of the conversation and his immediate response had been to brush off his gesture, and she’d loved him all the more for it. But she didn't want Bobby to drive in that weather, and said so. And wouldn't the roads still be closed?

Who says I’m driving? I’m not putting my car into the river like somebody we know. I’ll get us a boat.

Sue had to smile. “So it’ll be a wild and wet ride?”

No theme park will even come close.

Bobby had added his assurance that Jack remained completely oblivious of her plans, having been lured out of the bullpen while Myles had made crucial and strategic calls.

So here she was, sitting in the train at 10.15 in Philadelphia with a cheesecake for Bobby and gifts for everyone else in the team in her bags. The late departure had meant she’d managed to squeeze in some shopping after all. Outside, rain had started to splatter the window.

But her heart was in her hands as she willed the train to move. She glanced yet again at her watch and sighed. She would be late arriving in DC but she might be in time for Jack … for them.

There's definitely an all out effort to get Sue home. I wonder what is going on?
It appears that Jack and Sue are married.

I sure hope so. I also wonder why Sue is so desperate to get to Jack

Kim

Ok - come back! I need to know whats going on!!!!

Em

Like Ivory said, it appears that Sue and Jack are married, and it also seems that they have been apart for quite some time. Why? And why is Jack being kept out of the loop about Sue coming back? And what would she be in time for....?

Okay. Too many questions. I think I'll just sit here and twiddle my thumb and wait patiently for the next post. "


~Siti~

ok i'm befuddled

but instead of making my brain ache i will wait for things to unfold, not patiently but i will wait

cath

oh i'm so curious i can't wait, what is going on, jack isn't hurt now is he

I am totally and completely stymied!!!!

kav

Yippee another story from you.

Once again you have my brain working overtime on this one, however I am going to sit back and wait and see what happens...

and then again...

QUOTE

There was a pause. He doesn’t know, does he?

“No.”

Then stay put until the roads clear up.

Is there something Sue wants to tell Jack?

QUOTE

Who says I’m driving? I’m not putting my car into the river like somebody we know. I’ll get us a boat.

Jack wasn't in an accident was he?

QUOTE

You have a confirmed seat on the 7.35 from Penn Station and you should arrive at Union Station about 10.50, barring delays so you’ll still make it home before midnight. Collect your ticket at the counter; it’s already paid for. Sorry, Sue, we tried but couldn’t get anything earlier.

Why does she need to be there before midnight?



Soph

I am so needing to know what is really happening! I haven't got a clue. Great intrigue.

So from what I gather, it seems that Jack and Sue are now married? Since Sue was adamant in 'keeping her vows'? But honestly, I don't have a single clue as to what's going on so yhm, another post to answer all questions??

I hope things clear up soon.
thanks,
Terie

Once again, you're writing wonderful mystery and suspension...and as always, I will sit back and enjoy your writing!

hey yhm, did you get stuck in those nasty storms? sorry if you did, but you came out with a great start to your story

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to see what's gonna happen next

Thanks for reading and for all the lovely comments, ladies. And Anne - yes, I was caught in that storm.

________________

Part 3

Sue remembered only too well her disbelief when Jack had broken the news to her.

“He can send for someone else! Surely the Quantico team -”

“They’ve already been activated but Hackford needs as much help as he can get. He’s holding this over our heads because … ” Jack stopped, suddenly uncertain about how to continue.

Sue made a face. “Because I changed my mind about the job.”

He nodded before reluctantly continuing. “He says you made some kind of promise and he’s claiming on the debt.”

Sue sighed. “I did say he could count on me if he needed help. But he wants to claim now? After all this time?”

Jack’s smile was rueful. “Would it help if I said I’m equally upset? I’m just hiding it behind a strong manly façade.”

He was rewarded with a fierce hug.

“I guess I’ll have to go.”

She’d looked so woebegone that he’d taken her into his arms and spent some thoroughly satisfying moments trying to cheer her up.

“Jack.” Sue clung to his shoulders. “I don’t want to be away just now. It’s so wrong! I don’t know how long he’ll need me and I might not get back in time for - ”

Jack’s lips twitched. “You’re just trying to get me to kiss you again, aren’t you?”

“What!” Sue looked indignant.

“You’re talking too much.”

She pursed her mouth, tried to look severe and failed.

He grinned. “Darling, I’m not thrilled about the timing either. But Hackford’s request went through all the proper channels and the powers-that-be have okayed it so we don’t really have a choice. I’m thinking maybe you should get this over with, so he can’t collect any more off that debt.”

Jack was only too aware that the NY resources were stretched with the sudden spikes in terrorist chatter and NY needed urgent help in transcribing the deluge of video footage and live feeds. Sue was perfect for the job and, under any other circumstances, she might well have volunteered.

Instead, she was displaying an uncharacteristic reluctance to leave. He knew why, and was thrilled beyond words that she obviously wanted to be by his side and that it mattered so much to her.

While it mattered no less to him, he was professional enough to accept that duty had a habit of intruding into personal needs and this, sadly, looked like one of those times. He knew he’d broken countless appointments with family and friends, and disappointed Sue on more than a few occasions when he’d been abruptly absent. He was lucky: his friends and family understood, and Sue preferred to devote her attention to making up for lost time when he returned.

“I’m not going anywhere, Sue. I’ll be here and there’ll be other - ”

“No, there won’t. I mean, there will be but not like this.”

“I know. I was going for ‘supportive and understanding’.”

She touched his cheek. “I’m sorry.”

He propped himself up on an elbow to look at her. “Don’t apologise for something you didn’t do. You’ve never allowed me to be sorry when I’ve missed dinners or - ”

“This isn’t just about dinner.”

“I know, and I’m not happy about it either.”

She sighed as she stroked his chest. “It sounds silly but I never thought I’d miss - ”

“- me that much?”

Sue smiled at the little boy face he made and tugged him for a kiss. “I’ll miss you very much, you know that. I meant I never thought I’d be the one going away and missing it.”

“Good, then you’ll just have to hurry back when it’s over and we’ll make up for it.”

Jack watched a familiar light of battle enter her eyes. “I know that look … what are you plotting now?”

She rolled herself up and pushed him onto his back. “I’ll make it back in time.”

“How? In the larger scheme of things, you know you have to do your job.”

“I’ll think of something.”

“Sue … ” Jack’s voice held a warning Sue didn't hear as his eyes narrowed.

“I won’t compromise the job or the team’s reputation. But you have my word I’ll make it back in time.”

Sue’s hair had tumbled over his shoulders as she leaned down to seal her promise with her kiss and her last wistful thought was that it was almost like drawing a shield around them against the world for one more night.

She fought a grin and a blush as she remembered the rest of that night.

Then Levi’s paw prodded her, alerting her to the train’s movement. Caught in her reverie, Sue hadn’t realised it was pulling away from the station. The train was finally cooperating and she was going home.

Poor Sue! Buy at least she is on her way home. What is she afrad she is going to miss?

Kim

Wow. That was clever to think of this, yhm. Excellent idea for a story line having
Hackford calling in a dept.

She's on her way! I really hope she makes it in time for whatever she is trying to make!

Em

You are such a tease -- she almost blurted it out three times but you had Jack interrupt each time. Just because he knows what Sue's referring to, doesn't mea we do!!!

kav

Ditto. Tease much yhm??? Gosh it's so good to have you back!!!!!! I missed our teasing!!! Great posts yhm!!!

Jen

Is yhm that bad Jen??

Sam worried

Just catching up. Great couple of posts, yhm! Look forward to finding out more! Like Ivory said, very clever having Hackford call in a debt.

what is she going to miss if she isn't on time, that flashback was great, the way they act towards each other, so sweet

I can't believe I missed the start of this story! Great to see another one from you, yhm! I've missed your writing.

Okay, I may be waaayyy off here, but the first thing I thought of when I read this was that Sue was pregnant. Don't ask me why, it's the first weekend after the first week back at school and I'm sleep deprived... (I know, I know, I have all sorts of excuses... )

Part 4

The drive home was surprisingly smooth. Much of the debris from the floods had been cleared and the flood waters had receded, leaving just an angry and swollen Potomac. More roads had been re-opened to traffic and Bobby found every single one of them that he needed.

One of the first things Sue asked about was Jack.

“He coped,” answered Bobby carefully.

“ ‘Coped’? He’s okay, isn’t he?”

“He was lonely and we all saw it. Myles and I took him to shoot some pool twice and Myles beat him in every game.”

“That’s bad. Jack lost to Myles?”

“You’re telling me. Old Sparky did not have his heart or his mind on his game.”

Sue wondered if it was possible to feel guilt and delight simultaneously. She’d been worse than miserable and nothing had prepared her for how much she’d missed Jack and their life at home.

The ache would hit her at the oddest moments, such as when someone cracked a joke and she’d instinctively turn to share a grin only to remember he wasn’t there. Or when the group had gone for pizza and it had suddenly seemed awkward and strange to eat pizza without him. Or when she’d made progress in her work and she found herself storing up the relevant bits to tell him only to realise she wouldn’t be seeing him.

After three days of phone conversations, she’d been tempted to give up communicating with him altogether because saying goodbye was so hard. The thought of another week had been intolerable and she’d worked flat out for the next two days deciphering an endless stream of video taped meetings and conversations.

“Did you even sleep?” Hackford had demanded when he discovered her in the tech room at 7.30 one morning.

“Of course; I’m good at catnaps,” Sue had responded with a smile.

“I’ll bet.” Hackford glanced at the labels on the pile of tapes beside her monitor. “Is that the lot? And isn’t that Growan’s tape?”

“I’m done with mine and I think I’m up to speed with Growan’s; he needed some time to visit his father.”

Hackford nodded, aware of the terminally ill older man. Then he gestured to the wedding band and diamond ring on Sue’s finger. “Hudson’s a lucky man.”

At Sue’s startled look, Hackford had smiled. “I figured he was the reason you turned my offer down.”

“I’m the lucky one, William.”

“Okay, you’re off the hook.”

Sue had grinned broadly and fled to pack … which was when she’d discovered the severity of the situation in DC, and then Lucy had called.

At the Hudson residence, Bobby carried Sue’s bags as she unlocked the door, disarmed the alarm and led the way into the living room. He smirked as she tried distractedly to whisper her thanks while restraining an indignant Levi, who was determined to charge off into the bedroom.

“No worries, Sue,” Bobby mouthed the words. “I’ve got a genuine New York cheesecake for my supper and breakfast and you’ve got Sour Puss upstairs; I reckon that makes us even. Besides, my reason still holds and you’re in time.”

Sue smiled. “You guys are the best.”

“Hey, it’s easy when you’ve got good people to be good to.”

Bobby cheerfully accepted Sue’s hug, waiting as she settled Levi in the kitchen before leaving with a jaunty wave. He’d deal with consequences of having kept Jack in the dark for later.

After Sue had relocked the door, she paused to simply savour the familiar sights and smells of her home and to give thanks that she was home. Then a glance at the hall clock had her gasping, and she dashed for the stairs to the bedroom.

Great post. I'm glad they made it back safely. But what is Sue afraid she will be late for?

Kim

I do not have a clue as to why she has to be upstairs at a certain time unless... it has something to do with their anniversary.

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Poor Jack is lost without his Sue.

Another great post, yhm! I'm waiting patiently to find out more about what Sue's afraid she'll be late for.

Hmm...it has to do with a certain time....

I think I know why she needs to get there by a certain time, but I'll wait and see if I'm right...wonderful writing as always, yhm!

i was wondering about an anniversary or his birthday but i'm probably well off beam

cath

Come back yhm!!!

Sam

Still teasing I see!
kav

I reckon we should crown you Tease Queen!!!!Sam, yhm is renowned for her teasing!!! But I have faith in you yhm, I know you'll come back and post soon. Right?

Great posts, I seem to be really behind!!!

Jen

Brain still thinking, (is there a head scratching smilie? We need one for yhm's posts!) not sure why she needs to be back though!

Please post again soon!

Soph