It’ll never work,” Lucy laughed. “And I should know.”

“It could work,” Tara offered, peering over her mug of coffee.

“And tomorrow I could wake up and find that the little hooligans who call themselves Trick-or-Treaters have refrained from their annual ritual of toilet-papering my house,” Myles mumbled.

“They toilet-paper your house?” Tara choked a giggle.

“Considering the state of modern childhood, does that surprise you?” Myles frowned.

“Takes a lot of gumption to toilet paper a FBI agent’s house,” Bobby smiled.

“No one has ever toilet papered my house,” Dimitrius quipped, reaching for a coffee cup.

“You need our help solving your case Myles?” Jack grinned, unbuttoning his coat. Guilty expressions were his answer, Tara shaking her head and returning to her desk, Myles and Bobby turning their backs and Lucy walking unusually fast towards the file cabinet. It wasn’t hard to spot a plot, the question was how to handle it, which first meant, finding out what the plot was, then beating them to the punch line. Settling in his chair, he began to take inventory of the team’s uneasiness when Sue entered the Bullpen, shifting his focus in a single breath. Her smile gone, her gaze averted, she crossed the room silently instead of her usual cheery ‘good morning’. Briskly removing her coat, she dove into her seat, hiding behind her computer to brush away the last trace of tears. Even as he stood, he could see her set her jaw. Grabbing the case file they had been working on yesterday, Jack walked to her desk, perching on the side and waited for the brilliant hazel eyes to lift and meet his.

‘Hi…….. OK YOU?’

Sue looked away and he groaned realising what a stupid question it was, ‘Idiot Hudson…… she wouldn’t be sitting here with red eyes if she was OK…..’ he mumbled to himself, aware the rest of the team were watching.

He gently touched her arm and waited for her to look up, ‘SORRY STUPID ME YOU SHOULDER WANT? ME BIG SHOULDERS GATHER UP TEARS GOOD’

‘STUPID NOT YOU - SHOULDER USE ME PLEASE’

‘CONFERENCE ROOM?’

Sue nodded and smiled a thin, watery smile as Jack stood and picked up the file before striding out of the pen and down the corridor.

Rising to her feet Sue instructed Levi to stay where he was and tentatively followed Jack out of the pen.


‘Any idea what’s up with Sue?’ Tara queried looking at Luce.

Luce shook her head, ‘not a clue…… she wasn’t back when I went to bed….. I don’t remember seeing her car this morning but she might have been meeting a snitch………’

‘Well, what ever it is we can’t in all fairness continue with ‘Operation Matchmaker’………..’ Myles commented.

‘No, you’re right Harvard……….’

‘Maybe we just need to postpone it for a while…………’ D murmured.

‘Shame and it was such a good plan……….’

‘It was a good plan Tara…..’ Luce nodded before returning to her work.

Sitting on the couch having locked the door, Jack waited for Sue to talk, praying quietly for her.

As she began to sob loudly Jack shuffled closer and hugged her tightly, feeling her tears soak through his jacket and shirt and on to his chest as he whispered soothing words hoping that the gentle movement of his chest and the air wafting close to her head would be understood.

As her sobs gradually ceased Jack fished in his pocket for a handkerchief which she took gratefully.

‘Bet I look a mess……..’ she sniffed, wiping her eyes.

Jack shrugged and quirked a grin at her, ‘I’ve seen you look better …… the night of the auction for example but I don’t think you look a mess……… and I’ll smuggle you to the ladies so you can freshen up……… heck I’ll even go fetch your purse from the pen and run the gauntlet of the guys poking fun at me…………’

Sue slapped him gently on the arm and smiled.

‘So…….. you want to tell me what’s wrong……..?’

‘It’s Luke……’

Fantastic start cath, I can't wait to see where you take this!!!

Jen

New story. You're amazing. This begs the question, who is Luke?

Good start, Cath!! Excited to see another story from you!!!

Who's Luke???

Joy

yeah who's luke

Wow a new story. Just one question Who is Luke?

who is Luke?!?!


not another boyfriend please!!!


i think it might be her brother or someone remotely close!?!? cath how am i doing so far!?!?

Yeah another story. Luke???

Dianna

Yes another story from Cath!!!!

How whos Luke?????

Sam

I'm jumping in with the mob... Who's Luke?

I'm excited to see another story Cath!!!

Em

Alrght who's Luke....and am I going to like him or hate him.....

~laura michelle~

Yeah another story from Cath - but who is Luke

Chapter 2


‘Luke?’ Jack asked quietly, wondering if she was dating and hadn’t told him, not that it was any of his business but they did tend to share most things. Not that he could blame any guy for wanting to date her; she was after all beautiful, smart, caring and a hundred and one other things that any man would want….. that he would want, did want but he was too stupid to go after it, to go after her, to tell her he loved her………

‘Yeah…. Luke, you met him at Easter……..’ she sniffed.

‘Your Pastor……..?’ he clarified.

‘Yeah……..’ tears continued to trickle down her face and Jack waited quietly for her to continue.

‘Last night we were at the church……. there were about 20 of us……. we’re having a ‘non-Halloween’ party for the kids at the three womens’ refuges we help out at…… we were going to take them trick or treating then return to the church for a party with silly games….. not Halloween ones because we thought most of them have seen enough evil in the world already.. ……. Some have been locked in cupboards and things so lots of lights…….. nothing too scary…… I wanted to talk to him so we waited behind when everyone else left……… after we’d talked he walked Levi with me…… I was getting in to my car and he was crossing the road to his……. a car came out of nowhere and hit him………’

She began to sob loudly again and Jack waited patiently, holding her again in his arms, wondering what she’d wanted to talk about, wondering if he’d missed something.

Moving back she continued between her sobs, ‘I called 911….. and just held him while we waited, talking to him…… telling him to hang in there…… while the paramedics were with him I rang Matt, the Assistant Pastor………he and I stayed at the hospital till 8 AM……… I rushed home and came in…….. I thought I would be ok….. but obviously I’m not……… I’m sorry Jack………’

Sue looked at his shirt and jacket which were now soaked with her tears.

‘Hey…….. I offered my shoulder……….. it really isn’t a problem…..’ he smiled softly at her.

‘How is he?’ Jack asked gently, making sure she could read him and using some signs

‘He’ll make it……. a few broken bones, some internal damage…….. his parents are on their way down………’

‘That’s good…….. so is it the effects of seeing him that’s upset you so much….. ? Or is it something else?’

Jack wiped the tears from her cheeks as he spoke, reading sadness and pain in her eyes.

‘Watching him hitting the road………, holding him, seeing the blood…the bone sticking out of his leg……. but now we might have to cancel the party……. and the kids were looking forward to it……they don’t have much in life…. and it’s all my fault………’ fresh tears poured down her face and her body shook as he held her again, praying quietly for her and Luke, seeking guidance as he did so.

‘Sue……… I want you to read my lips and believe me OK? Unless you were driving the car that hit Luke then what happened was not your fault right?’

As he spoke he signed forcibly, ‘WATCH MY LIPS ACCIDENT NOT YOUR FAULT…… WE GO VISIT LUKE YOU SEE HIM GOOD …..HELP WHAT PARTY TONIGHT?’

‘Why might you need to cancel the party Sue?’ he asked gently.

‘The women were going to make cakes and sandwiches and things today…….. but when Matt rang people last night about Luke, no-one was interested in the party…….. I don’t know if anyone will want to take the kids out tonight……..’

‘Well I can make sandwiches…….. just don’t ask me to make cakes………. I can lend a hand tonight……and buy pizza and fries……... and I’m sure the guys would help out…… Myles is great at helping out ‘for the children……’ and I expect Donna would help out…….. and Deanne and Helga……. and Carole……..how about you go clean up……… I’ll get your purse, we’ll visit Luke first and talk to Matt……. then if you need help I will round up the troops…….. pull rank if necessary….. except I can’t pull rank on D…….. but I can the others…......’

He flashed her a grin and she smiled back, ‘that’s better’ he murmured, running his thumbs over her cheeks.

‘So…….. anything else or do you want to race to the rest rooms and I’ll fetch your purse?’

‘I’m ready……… and thanks Jack……’

‘Hey…… what are friends for?’ he whispered as he gazed in to her eyes.

‘Yeah……….. I think we need to call by your place so you can change…… I don’t think a wet shirt is a good look for a Special Agent………’ Sue mumbled as she stared at his chest, the tears had caused the shirt to cling to his skin, and she could see the outline of his muscles clearly since he had obviously dispensed with his undershirt.

‘You don’t think it gives me a tough but tender look then Sue?’

‘It does Hudson but I think the higher-ups might prefer you to keep that look for your girlfriend………’

‘I’ll bear that in mind should I ever have a girlfriend…….. right……… so are you ready……. I’ll check the coast is clear and you make a run for the rest room while I go all macho and pick up your purse……. then you meet me by the elevator when you’re ready………’

Sue smiled at him signing ‘THANK YOU’ as she did so.

Sending Levi in with her purse since the ladies restrooms were not a place he wished to enter Jack returned to the pen to collect his coat and keys before waiting by the elevator, ignoring all questions fired at him by the team.

‘The guys wanted to know what was wrong but I ignored them……… figured you could tell them what you wanted when you were ready’.

Jack placed his hand on the small of her back as they rode the elevator to his car.

Great post, I love how you've approached this option so differently!!

Jen

Was that an accident with Luke, or did someone deliberately hit him???

Jack is so tender with Sue - he had a few chances to tell her how he feels there!! Why didn't you jump in, Jack???

Joy

Aww Jack was really supportive

Get the hint Sue?! Jack tell her how much you love her!!

Sam

A Halloween Party!!!

Jack!

Em

He sure was.

I see Jack on his white horse again! This is going to be gooood!

kav

can't wait for more. please update again. i loved it.

Sorry I missed this yesterday!
So happy to see another story from you! Love the title!
Poor Sue! Poor Luke! Was it an accident?
Love Jack coming to the rescue!
Great posts, Cath!
I look forward to more!

Tracy

Chapter 3

Leaving Sue to make coffee Jack disappeared in to his bedroom to change his shirt and suit. Exiting the room bare-chested Jack touched Sue lightly on the arm.

‘Sue…….. I was thinking…….. I don’t know what you wanted to talk to Luke about…… and I don’t want to pry ……… but if you need to talk, I’m always ready to listen……. any time……….’

Forgetting to look at his lips Sue couldn’t take her eyes off his torso, his chest and abdomen were rock hard and smooth.

Sue….. Sue…….’ Jack waved his hand in front of her as she failed to respond.

‘Huh…….?’ Sue finally lifted her gaze to his lips.

Oblivious to the effect he was having on her Jack repeated his offer.

‘Yeah…. thanks……. I think we resolved it last night….. but I will talk to you……. promise…..’

Sue blushed a little before turning to pour the coffee.

‘Do you want me to come with you to see Luke or shall I wait in the car?’

‘Would you come with me Jack? I’d appreciate the company……..’

‘NO PROBLEM’

Slipping his shirt and tie on while swigging his coffee, Jack remained oblivious to Sues’ pounding heart.

Standing just inside the door as Sue approached Lukes’ bed Jack tried to swallow the feelings of jealousy which threatened to overwhelm him. His mind drifted back to the time Sue was at his bedside and he mentally rebuked himself for allowing Allie to walk back in to his life.

His thoughts were roused by Sue calling his name, ‘Huh?’

‘Luke was saying he would like the party to continue….. we need to go see Matt…….’

‘Sure……. we’ll take an early lunch and catch up on paperwork tomorrow…. thankfully the low-lifes are quiet at the moment………’

Exiting the hospital Jack headed over to the church where they spoke to Matt.

‘There are a few people willing to help out……. but many of them are so devastated by the accident they can’t think of anything else…the police rang to say they caught the guys, they were high on drugs and alcohol… I’ve had a steady stream of the congregation in here today…….. I haven’t phoned the refuges yet so if you can come up with food and games we can carry on…… I’ll be here but we need to know by 5 PM at the latest………’

Jack and Sue nodded and left.

‘We won’t do it Jack……..’ Sue murmured.

‘If I said that, what would you say to me, Thomas?’ he raised his eyebrows at her.

‘I’d tell you a little faith goes a long way……….’ She grinned.

‘Exactly……. and Bobby would tell me it’s not over till the fat sheilla sings….. so until we have explored and ruled out every option and avenue……. like the dedicated and thorough FBI Agents that we are, we are not giving up on this….. c’mon Thomas, we need coffee and sandwiches……… we have a party to organise…….’ Jack grabbed her hand and practically dragged her to the car.

Glad Jack is there to lift Sue's spirits

And the thought of his well toned torso

I love Jack's enthusiasm to help with this party.

I have to agree with you, Kav!!

Joy

What did Sue need to talk to Luke about? Was it Jack?

Em

I agree Rosa

Sam

OMG, that was hilarious!!!!!!!

Great post Cath, I love the easy banter you write for them!!

Jen

how did jack mis the look sue was giving him when he came back shirtless..helloooooo

Sue, you're a strong woman! I'm very proud of you! I'm just reading this post!

Post more soon, please.
Ornella

Wonderful, just wonderful

Kim

Chapter 4

Entering the pen Jack called the team together and explained the situation, ‘by my reckoning we have a little under 5 hours to pull this together……..’

‘I’m happy to help tonight with the kids and some games’ Bobby told him, ‘just don’t ask me to make cakes………’

‘We won’t Crash, believe me if it was a choice between your cakes and nothing, we’d go with nothing……..’

‘Donna can do some baking……. it won’t be anything fancy but she’d help and the four of us can help tonight……..’

‘Great D……. Tara?’

‘I’m game for some trick or treating……. I can throw some food together…… Luce and I can make sandwiches and buy drinks……… make a list of what we need and we can go shopping………. I love shopping, well not usually grocery shopping but I like shopping for other people……’

‘Great……, Myles?’

‘Errrrrrr………..’

‘Remember what you said the night of the auction Myles?’ Luce reminded him.

‘After all, it is for the children………’ they all chorused at him.

‘Ok…….. I was planning on remaining at home to catch the little rascals who toilet paper my house but I will help……….. as long as you are on cleanup duty tomorrow……….’

‘Sue………. Why don’t you ring Deanne and Helga, ask if they can help out with food?’

Sue nodded, ‘thanks guys, you’re the best……’

‘We know that Sue…….. it’s the higher ups who don’t always recognise the fact….’ Myles grinned at her.

‘Tara, can I have a word?’ Jack approached her quietly as everyone else returned to their desks.

‘Sure……. What can I do for you?’

“

‘Are you serious?’ she asked after he explained.

Jack nodded quietly, ‘but it’s our secret OK?

‘OK……. I’ll get the ball rolling……..’

What a fun post. It's great seeing how they are enjoying each other as they pull together on this project for the children. Now, what is it that Jack has asked Tara to do?

When the team starts moving, things start happening!!!

Now, what is Jack up to???

Joy

What is the secret Jack asked Tara to do?
I am glad that everyone is pitching in to help

Dianna

Oh dear, is Bobby's cooking worse than Jack's?

What is Jack up to???

Sam

you stole my question!!! oh, I'll forgive you!! Great post Cath, you're writing this so well!!

Jen

I want to know what Jack is up to as well!!!! I think it has to do with (isn't that the cutest smilie ever?)

kav

I love when Jack starts planning!

Em

A secret, a secret! I can't wait to find out what it is! This is great Cath!

Chapter 5

By the time 5 PM arrived the church hall was filled with food and drinks, a disco which Davey had organised, a dozen pumpkins and candles and loads of games.

‘Ok Thomas I think you need to go pay a visit to the hospital….. give Luke the good news……. and I’ll pick you up at 6.30 Ok?’

‘Thanks Jack…….. and all of you too……. the kids are going to be so thrilled…..’

‘So, Tara, how is it going?’ Jack lent over the desk ensuring no-one could hear them.

‘All systems are go Jack……’ she jigged up and down in her seat barely containing her excitement.

‘Great…… you going with Bobby tonight?’

‘Yeah I thought I might…….. I assume you’re pairing up with Sue……’ Tara chuckled as he rolled his eyes heavenward in response.

‘I’m picking her up but she may have a better offer……….’

‘Trust me Jack, as far as Sue is concerned there is no-one better……’ she replied.

‘What’s she said Tara?’ Jack was momentarily stunned by her comment.

’She doesn’t need to say anything Jack and nor do you……… it’s written on your faces…….. you’re crazy about each other and it’s about time the pair of you took some action instead of staring at each other all day….. I tell you Jack if Stanley had once looked at me the way you look at Sue we’d be married with children by now instead of single……… I’ve said enough but just do something please, put us all out of our misery………..’

‘I thought I’d hidden it……… does everyone know?’ Jack could feel himself blushing furiously by now.

‘Jack…….. a lovesick puppy has nothing on you….’ Tara grinned at his discomfort, impressed that she had given him a kick and hoping it wouldn’t backfire on her.

‘So, what’s with you and Crash?’ he asked trying to change the subject.

‘Who knows……….’ she murmured.

‘Would you like there to be something?’ he persisted.

‘I would but I’m not his type, he goes for tall, glamorous professionals not short computer geeks……….. and don’t you dare say anything to him Jack Hudson or you will die a slow and painful death……….’ Tara fixed him with her best death stare and threatened to throw her Rubix cube at him as he laughingly raised his hands in the surrender position.

‘Tara……… I promise I won’t say anything……. but I do think he is interested……’

‘He is?’ she squealed, dropping her Rubix cube on the floor with a clatter.

‘You OK luv?’ Bobby asked.

‘She is, we were just having a very heated debate about pumpkin heads…….. I suggested that Myles was bound to win the pumpkin head competition tonight……..’ Jack winked at her as he spoke and Tara felt herself blushing furiously, wishing it was Bobby winking at her.

Lol this line made me laugh and think that actually the pumpkin heads are actually Jack and Bobby for not making a move on their girls

Jack and Tara's conversation was great. My sides hurt from laughing.

So, Jack thinks he's been hiding his feelings for Sue, heh?? The whole world knows except Sue!!!

Joy

I loved Jack's reaction when Tara let him know he wasn't hiding his feelings very well. Does everyone know? Of course we do!!!!!

Em

I swear guys in that generation are born with a clueless gene!!

jen

Jack I think that would make you fall into the catagory of a Pumpkin head too.

Dianna

No Jen, Ithink it has to do with the y cromosone!!

Sam