She found herself at the church where she had visited not so long ago. The church where she had spoken with Deanne, and where she had made her decision to stay in DC rather than take the job in New York. The church promised to offer her the safety and warmth she so desperately needed now.

Climbing the steps with difficulty, she entered the building and took a seat. It was well past midnight and the pews were bare. She was alone with her thoughts. She made her way to the altar limping on her swollen and bruised foot -- the foot she had sprained when she fell on the ice as she ran after the man who had taken her money . . . . . their money. She knelt and uttered a silent prayer of thanks that she’d made it this far and was inside where it was safe and warm.

Oh --this has to be Sue -- but what money -- whose 'theirs'? Can't wait to find out more.

kav

Wow! Im definately intrigued!

You have certainly gotten my curiosity piqued. So many questions!

It had been a long, exhausting day as she thought back to earlier that morning when she’d finally realized that no one recognized her. Only the day before, she had wished she’d never moved to DC to work for the FBI and the wish had apparently come true. It was as if she had never existed. All she’d done was make a complete mess of everything and it seemed far easier to wish her nonexistence than to admit her faults and weaknesses. What she had done was so out of character for her. Normally she was logical and practical, but she had not made a wise decision this time and decided it would be easier to just wish it all away.

The accidental fall and the injury to her ankle this evening had jarred her senses enough to realize that nothing worthwhile in life could be accomplished without a few bumps and bruises along the way. She knew that each person at some point in his or her lifetime had a “cross to bear” and this was just another one to add to her list. But, this was different . . . . not at all like the other “mountains” she had climbed. This involved stealing someone else’s property, even if she did it for, what she thought, was a good reason.

You have peaked my interest to see where you are going with this Donna!

But you need to give us more.....sooooonnnnnnn!

kav

wow terrific posts please come back soon with more please
Lin

Two Days Earlier.

The sales rep had seemed genuine enough. He’d even told her he knew her parents, as they had invested with him in the past. His pitch was all about a new venture that promised to pay big rewards to those who had the foresight to get in on the ground floor. This was a chance to really help those to whom she felt so close and owed so much. Normally, she would never have considered taking such a risk. Going against her better judgment by not calling her parents to get their opinion of this man, and because of her innocence and trusting nature, she had drawn out all of her trust fund, the balance in her and Lucy’s joint savings account and the team’s budget fund of which she was in charge and had given it all to a total stranger. True, the savings account and budget money didn’t amount to that much, just under five thousand dollars, but it might as well have been a million. The principle was the same. Even though she could have taken out a loan to repay them, their trust in her had been shaken. She should have realized it all sounded too good to be true. Then, overnight, the man had disappeared, not only with the money, but with her dreams of a huge financial windfall for everyone. Devastated, Sue had wished she’d never come to DC. She wouldn’t have met the friends she had here, friends that now didn’t know her. More importantly . . . . Jack didn’t know her. He hadn’t even given her a second glance when she passed him on the street earlier that day.

THis doesn't sound very good!

interesting but it dosnt sound to good.
more soon please pretty please Lin

Oh, Sue. You are certainly in a jam, aren't you? If Jack won't talk to you, I can't imagain what Myles is like.

Agh! I don't like this at all. She might have been naive in her decision, but does she know how the team would have reacted when she explained she'd been swindled? Even the best and smartest people have been swindled out of more. I think they would have understood.

MAes me wonder if she'll make a connection with Jack or the rest of them in this alternate life. I certainly hope so. Just because he didn't give her a second glance, doesn't mean he still wouldn't be intrigued by her.

that's so sad....why did she do that,and why did she wish that she never came to DC....they need you sue, and everybody makes mistakes sometimes

Sue rose from her knees and slowly made her way to the exit. Looking back she noticed the church’s beautifully decorated tree with its shining star at the top and thought of that first Christmas long ago when three wise men followed a star to the place where a child was born. A child who would grow to teach all mankind to forgive one another. Maybe she was worthy of forgiveness after all.

She exited the church by way of the main door and then realized she had the steps to negotiate again. She didn't think she could make it and sank to her knees, weeping. She regretted the wish she had made and offered a silent prayer asking for her friends to forgive her foolish act, and that her wish never to have moved to this place be as if it had never been said.

At that moment, a car pulled up in front of the church. It was Jack! Would he know her? He leapt from his vehicle, ran up the steps two at a time and knelt beside her. He cradled her in his arms, telling her that everything would be alright. He’d been searching for her and, as a last resort, remembered her telling him about this church and how it held meaning for her.

Words failed her and all she could do was cling to him, hiding her tear-stained face in his overcoat and breathing a sigh of relief that he had found her – that he recognized her. Jack, the one person whom she had disappointed the most was here by her side, pouring out his concern for her.

“Sue, don’t worry, please! We’re all okay. Myles followed the man who took the money and had him arrested. Lucy told Myles that he was the man she had encountered before you. He had been hanging around our office building and tried, not too convincingly, to get her to invest in his "enterprise". Some of the money is gone, but it doesn’t matter. You are what matters to all of us, and most of all, to me. I love you Sue and we’ll get through this together. Everybody makes mistakes. You aren't the first and you won't be the last. In a weak moment, it could have happened to anyone who isn't savvy to this sort of thing. That's how we learn, honey. I know your intentions were good. All I care about is getting you to a hospital. Your ankle looks swollen and we need to have it x-rayed to see if it’s sprained or broken. Then, we’re going to my place. I told the gang to wait for us there because I would find you, some way, somehow, tonight. They know what happened and want to be there for you. I asked Lucy to bring the gifts from the office to my place and we’ll have the office Christmas party there, tonight. When it’s over and we’re alone, I want to talk to you about our future together, and about a lot of other things I’ve left unsaid, for too long.

He hugged her tightly and nuzzled her hair, then peppered her with kisses all over her face, ears and neck, ending with a tender kiss on her lips. Drawing back, he looked at her with tenderness in his eyes and longing in his heart. “I just hope I haven’t waited too long to tell you how I feel. I love you Sue and nothing will ever change that.” “I love you too, Jack. I guess you and the others have shown me that God really does answer prayer.”

He picked her up and carried her down the steps to his car. As he placed her in the seat and fastened the seatbelt, he bent over and kissed her again. “Let’s go home, sweetheart.”

The End

That was wonderful truely
wonderfulall so sue and jack like Lin

Short but nice read. Reminds us all how much we need forgiveness for our failures and . . . how we should be willing to extend that same grace to others when they wrong us. Seems just like Jack to look past surface faults to a person's true character. Reminds me of how he acted with Bobby during "Gambler."

Donna, you have done a wonderful job on this!! Even though, under normal circumstances, I don't think Sue would have done what she did, you have her character right on, in wanting to do something that would benefit her friends!!!

And you have Jack down pat too!! I can see him searching the city for her and treating her so tenderly when he found her!! He would definitely look past the act and take into account who Sue is!! Surveillant, it also brings to my mind The Gambler, both with the way he stuck with Bobby and how he treated Sue when Levi was lost!! Extra added bonus?? Having Jack declare his love!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Joy

what a great story. i loved it!!!!!!!

That was a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Short and sweet..but I loved it! Nicely done Donna

I really liked this story. I read it all in one sitting and I was feeling the pain right along with Sue. I could saw the desperation in Jack's speech to her. I was just sad to see it end!

Hi all,


I didn't say anything at the beginning so I'll babble on now. I wanted to write something short with a brief reference to Christmas and my reason for the season. Jack and Sue are my favorite couple so one of them had to be the one who erred in judgment. And, it really, truly hurt me to portay either one of them in that light because I think so much of them, both in their roles on STFBEye and in real life. In my eyes, they can do no wrong, and yet realistically, I know that no one is perfect. So, I wrestled with myself about posting the story for a long time. But your comments made me feel better. I was so afraid someone would take offense and because of that, I really stressed myself out about posting it. I guess sometimes I take things too seriously and I think writing is supposed to be fun and enjoyable.

As for the story being too short, believe me, I am well aware of that. I'm really not a writer and I realize that. I don't have enough imagination and am always too anxious to get to the end. I don't know how all of you do it. Writing a little has certainly given me a healthy appreciation of what you all go through. I think at least for the foreseeable future, I'll be more than happy to just sit back, relax and read all of your wonderful scenes and stories.

Thanks again! All of you have a blessed Christmas and a safe holiday season,

Donna

This was a wonderful story, albeit, short, but it was still great. You had me worried at first, but it was an ending I'll never forget.

it was a wonderful, beautiful story reminding us that we all make mistakes and need love and forgiveness from our family and friends and God


and you can write, don't sell yourself short

cath

Donna, it was a beautiful story and I do think you portayed them perfectly. As whether Sue might not have reacted that way, I can see it as a possibility. She is a trusting person, and as where she usually gets a good feel of people's intentions, she would have made a good target for such unsavoury character, and felt guilty for letting her friends down.

Merry Christmas, Donna

Wonderful story! I love the theme of forgiveness and you're right, at any time any of us can make a mistake that might seem too daunting to overcome. I'm grateful that the team stood by Sue, though I knew they would. It was just her guilt and disappointment in herself that made her lose sight of that fact.

kav

Donna,

That was a great story. Jack's response to Sue was a wonderful reminder of the blessing of forgiveness.

Great job Donna!

Em

Short, but oh so very very sweet! Loved the way you wrote about forgiveness and the answer to Sue's prayer, with Jack not only being right there for Sue and supporting her, but also declaring his love to her.