Okay, well, this is my first attempt at a challenge. I'm not sure how long this will be or even if I will finish by the deadline, but I thought I'd give it a try. Please be kind.

If you break a double strawberry in half and share it with someone, you will fall in love with each other.

“That so does not count!” Tara exclaimed as she tried to contradict Bobby’s overactive imagination. Once again, the Aussie was trying to prove more than he was worth and she was more than happy to shoot him down and wipe that smug grin from his face.

“How can you say that? Of course, it counts.” He waited for her to continue her negation, but her only reply was pure silence. “You’re telling me it’s never happened to you?” His cheeky grin widened which made his amazing dimples and let his gorgeous blue eyes sparkle in the boyish-way they always did when he teased her.

The computer tech’s cheeks flushed a light pink and she had to avert her gaze from his to steady her racing heart. It wasn’t from the embarrassing topic of their conversation that made her blush, though it would contribute to it. Her heart was racing because of the look he was giving her. Lately, he would stare at her like she was the only one in the room and that always made her feel self-conscious and so beautiful at the same time. She wasn’t sure if he realized he did it or what it did to her, but she hoped it never stopped. She wanted that gaze to be only for her.

It was silly, though, wasn’t it? They worked together and they were friends—that was all they could be. That fact wouldn’t deter her, though. She and the handsome foreigner had kissed once before—there was always chance for another, plus the possibility of love and a true relationship blooming. Of course, it was only possible in her Aussie-rattled mind.

It was forbidden for teammates to date, which is why Jack and Sue hadn’t made that connection yet, she was sure. She could see the love they had for one another in their eyes and how willing they were to be with one another. If only that rule was no longer in play, they could be together, just the same as she and Bobby could.

She glanced over at Sue who was paying little attention to their argument. She was too busy concentrating on work to pay attention to the usual squabble the couple had. Tara felt for her friend, she really did. She understood the pain that was present when you were so close to the one you loved and yet there was nothing you could do about it.

Fantastic start Linny! I can't wait for more!



Great description!

Oh I must second that!

Is this really your first challenge?
I don't know... I thought you had done another one...

My computer won't let me quote so I'll just what Cindy said!

Great start, Linny!! You have me hooked!!!

Joy

Great start....I love it....keep going....


~laura michelle~

Thank you guys, so much. Yes, this is my first challenge, unless you guys know something I don't know. Hehe. I'm going to try to post as often as I can, but I have to work this weekend, so hopefully once a day will most likely be all I can do.

“Aha!” Bobby exclaimed when he heard rather than saw the reaction she’d given.

“What? I didn’t say anything!” she claimed with a shocked expression as she came back into the conversation. She wouldn’t let him know that she’d gone off in her own little world and completely lost track of what was being said. Fortunately, not too much time had passed—only a few seconds—so she could jump right back in without anyone else being the wiser.

“But, your silence says it all, Luv,” he finished with a wink, causing her to look at Lucy to avert her gaze. Unfortunately, though, the rotor was little assistance to help her cause. She only shrugged her shoulders, which caused Tara to look at Myles who had to back up his male companion.

“For once, I have to agree with Koala Boy,” he admitted with an indifferent shrug. He gave a bit of a smirk at the sign of her frustration. He loved to get a rise out of her. It was almost as much fun as doing it to Bobby.

Tara pursed her lips in frustration. She didn’t see it that way, but she was outnumbered and to argue would only be lying which she never liked to do. Bending the truth was a different story—she’d be happy to do that and had done it on more than one occasion—but when it came to love, there was no point in lying.

She grumbled under her breath and hid herself behind her computer monitor. She wouldn’t let Bobby Manning get the better of her. She could always find a way to get back at him, though when she glanced back at him out of the corner of her eye, she couldn’t help but feel her frustration at him subside and hers of herself was growing much stronger. Why couldn’t she resist him and that gorgeous smile of his? Every time his lips curled in that heart-throbbing way, she couldn’t help but feel faint. You would have to be insane to not swoon at that sight. According to that philosophy, Tara was very sane, indeed.

She smiled as she hunkered down into her computer chair and prepared to actually get some work done. Even his Aussie charms would never compete with her job; as much as she was sure they wanted to.

Hmm i do wonder what they're discussing.. And myles agreeing with bobby?? Is it heard of?!

We must all be sane, because Bobby makes us all swoon when he smiles!!!

Joy

Cool...

I agree with suesfan....it's very true....


~laura michelle~

I love the way you write B/T!



I know that I, for one, am very sane!

THis is a great start...keep it up

Thank you guys, so much. I have to add that I would be very sane indeed. You just can't hate that accent.

Jack ambled into the bullpen after a brisk jog through the city before work, which meant he was refreshed and ready for whatever the day had to throw at him. He wasn’t usually a morning person, yet the rising sun had called to him today and he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. For February, it certainly was warm. Sixty degrees (F°) certainly wasn’t the norm for late winter in DC. Usually both ice and snow covered the ground, causing more pain than pleasure to the busy citizens and government employees of Washington. Yet, this year, it was different. A warm front from the south was pleasant for everyone, unless you loved the cold.

Perhaps it was a sign for change. Winter certainly wasn’t the same without snow and the tiny bites of frost upon a person’s nose. Maybe it meant that things would be good for him and his team, because, Lord knows they could use a bit of good luck on their side. Of course, how he came to this conclusion, he wasn’t sure. It just seemed to come to him and it made sense. How could he argue?

He smiled to himself as he took a seat at his desk and let out a contented sigh. Things could certainly work out for the better if this year continued with the luck it was already bringing. Maybe there was even the possibility of him and Sue being allowed to be together. She may have been the team’s analyst and that meant they technically would be allowed to date, but he didn’t want to get by on a mere technicality.

He wasn’t the only one who had feelings for a teammate--he knew about Bobby's feelings for Tara only because of guy talk--and he wanted to make sure that stupid rule was abolished before he even tried to breeze by with the gorgeous blond on his arm. Besides, they were both in the same unit; they were teammates and close friends; it could be those few factors that kept him away from the woman he loved.

He wouldn’t deny his feelings for her to himself. He loved Sue Thomas and nothing could compete with that. If only he could collect the nerve needed to tell her to her face. If it hadn’t been for terrible past relationships, he very well could have by now, but they still plagued his mind and his manly pride. He used to be such a great judge of character. How could he have gone so wrong?

Allie had certainly been a large part of his life while growing up and even when he’d had his heart attack. She’d been his first love and a great companion through life, until he realized how much he’d outgrown her. She was his past and she should have been left there. It was only in a time of stupidity and weakness that she was allowed in his life again, until he finally had no use for her. He didn’t love her like she thought he did and she wasn’t as great of a companion as she once was. But, perhaps, that’s because he would always compare her to Sue in his mind. When he did that, there was certainly no contest. Sue would win every time.

After Allie, there had been a few nameless women not worth remembering and Jessica. She was another one he'd thought he'd known more than well enough and she turned around to stab him in the back. That was one of the worse mistakes he’d ever made and he only hoped he wouldn’t make another like it. He couldn’t help if he was attracted to the wrong kind of women. He seemed to be drawn to them, if not the other way around.

Jack needs someone to sit him down and explain that he can't compare Sue to Jessica, or even Allie. Those are just excuses. He knows her character very well!




This is more like it!


Beautiful writing Linny!

Great post...and what a friend....wanting to get rid of the stupid rule for Bobby before he dates Sue....very sweet...


~laura michelle~

Jack techinality or not go for Sue, you are just wasting precious time

Jack, don't look now, but I think your bad streak with women is over!! Stick with Sue and you'll be fine!!!

Joy

Just found this story, Linny! Great start! Very promising!
So, Jack wants to make sure for that stupid rule to be abolished, huh? Perfect! I Jack on a mission! Sorry Flip!

Ornella

I love being a party to the inner workings of Jack's mind! Tara nd Bobby looking promising -- if we could just abolish that nasty no-dating rule.

kav

Amen to that. I say we start some kind of posse and hunt down the guy who created that rule .... Whaddaya say ladies?

so much for your kind comments. I enjoy reading them very much. And as for a posse... ... let's suit up!

He chanced a glance at Sue as she worked without distraction and sighed heavier than before. What if he was making another mistake by falling in love with her? It was a ludicrous idea, but he’d had the relationships to back his theory. Yet, there was nothing like either Allie or Jessica within Sue. She was perfect, though stubborn when she knew she was right. If she was informed of how much of his heart she held in her grasp, he knew there would be little he could do to contradict her streak. Her theories were usually right on and he couldn’t deny that she had a quick wit about her. Unfortunately, it would most likely be all of those qualities that would lead to his undoing and he wouldn’t dare fight it.

“Jack?” D’s voice called through the bullpen to get the team leader’s attention. He held back a chuckle when he saw the younger man’s surprised expression. It wasn’t the reaction he’d thought he’d receive and knew that his friend and teammate had been thinking about. It was written all over the love-stricken man’s face. He would only be up there in the clouds for one reason and that reason was exceptionally clueless to the emotion in his best agent’s eyes. “Garrett wants to see you in his office.”

“New case?” the formerly distracted man asked. Now that his attention was being drawn to something other than woman, he could think clearly and concentrate on what was most important. Although, he swore he could feel the eyes of everyone else in the room on him. As he looked around though, he saw that no one was the least bit interested in what was going on with him. He breathed a sigh of relief and turned his attention back to his supervisor.

Demetrius shook his head with a slight shrug of his shoulders. He was trying not to let the grin appear on his lips, but he was sure the one in his eyes was certainly visible. “He didn’t say. He just said that he wanted to see you in his office pronto.” He emphasized the word “pronto” to show that he meant it. This time, he didn’t hide his grin as he turned and exited the bullpen.

A lump formed in Jack’s throat as he struggled to remember if he’d done something that would have caused him to be written up. Unfortunately, his brain refused to function properly and wouldn’t give him the slightest bit of information that would help his cause. He tried to swallow the lump as he stood up from his desk, but it did very little to help. If anything, it made the lump grow and it was beginning to hurt. He took a drink from his coffee mug as he let out a calming sigh that alleviated some of the stress, but not all of it.

Perhaps this year wasn’t going to turn out to be as lucky as he first thought.

hope it isn't bad news

cath

What is Ted up to?


~laura michelle~

wow linny what a start. i just caught up but it's amazing, can't wait where you are going to bring this to.

Ted always seems to be full of surprises in these stories...Linny could you come back an tell us what Ted wants please

I hope the news isn't bad too.


More soon

Ted is always full of surprises, isn't he? I had a few minutes before work, so I decided to post.

Jack stood outside Garrett’s office with a nervous tremor running through him. What was the cause of this unexpected summons and why did he fear the sense of foreboding that blanketed his heart? He couldn’t help but think like he was back in high school and he’d just been called to the principal’s office or like his mother had caught him sneaking a cookie between meals. Of course, what did he really have to fear? He was a good agent and he always did what was necessary for a case. If that was why he was being penalized, he knew someone would have to do better than that to bring him down.

At that thought, the tremors lessened until they became just a hint of nervousness. He truly had nothing to worry about. Ted probably wanted to talk to him about a new case, which wasn’t all that uncommon. His nerves had only gotten the better of him because D had caught him during one of his reveries of Sue. He knew the team’s supervising agents was wise to his thoughts—he had called him on them more than once.

Demetrius understood the feelings and felt sorrow that his good friend could do very little about the emotions he was feeling. He and Sue were meant for one another, it was as plain as day. But, they would always be separated so long as that no-dating policy was in effect.

A calming sigh escaped Jack’s lips before he let his knuckles rap upon the oak door. He smoothed out the wrinkles in his light-weight, light-blue sweater as his nerves still took control over most of him and waited to be given the okay to enter. He picked a piece of fuzz from his sleeve before he heard Garrett’s deep voice ushering him inside. He took in one more deep breath, slowing exhaling as he turned the knob.

You leave it there....not good....come back here....


~laura michelle~

Come on building suspense is okay I guess...I am just curious

Now that Jack's convinced himself he has nothing to worry about, I'm even more worried for him!

Oh this doesn't bode well, I fear! And you've gone to work and left it there.
kav

Honestly, you girls have very little faith in Ted. You never know, he could have very good news.

You know, you can never truly appreciate your cushion until you realize that you'll shortly run out. That is partly one reason why this post is so short. I have more, though so don't worry. It just needs to be typed up and edited, though probably not in that order.... I'm going to write a little bit more before heading to bed, so I won't be able to type it up today. Hopefully tomorrow after work. Anyway, enjoy!

“You wanted to see me?” he asked, poking his head inside the door in a friendly, yet nervous gesture.

Ted only glanced up at the agent and motioned for him to come in and sit down as he finished up the paperwork in front of him. Jack did as instructed and waited anxiously as Ted completed his task. It took a few moments more for him to find the fax pertaining to Jack’s being there, during which the agent wished he had a paperclip to fiddle with. He found that little piece of metal so comforting when he was nervous. Unraveling it until it was perfectly straight was something he usually did when his hands had nothing to do and now was one of those times.

Though, since he did not have one handy, he resorted to his leg tapping nervously, though soundlessly, upon the floor. Finally, Ted looked him square in the eye, his hands folded together as they rested upon his desk. “Agent Hudson,” you have worked for the Bureau for a number of years and during that time you have done more than exceptionally in your current position.” ‘Uh-oh,’ Jack thought. Starting off a sentence with “Agent Hudson” when you’ve been on a first-name basis with the Assistant Director for years was never a good sign. He couldn’t help but feel whatever was coming was not going to be good and he wasn’t surprised that his face showed it. “Don’t look so down-heartened, Jack. What I have for you today is very good news… for both you and the rest of your teammates.”

What else... Have faith in you Ted... please what is the good news. No-datye policy abolish?? Please... an undercover assignment, Jack-Sue, Bobby-Tara... I don't know but you see I'm in agony here please say (or write) something else!!
it's how feel now! Put us out of the misery!

You really know how to build the tension, don't you, Linny???

Please tell me the good news is that the no-dating rule has been abolished???

Joy

Okay...Linny come back here and dont leave me so much! I know I did it to you but my story was short and I dont think yours is.

Ok, *sigh of relief that it's good news*, I'm hoping that the no-dating rule has been thrown out the window and filed in the dumpster!

AND?!? What would that good news happen to be? The dating policy is cancelled? Because that would be tremendous good news

so what is it???? don't keep us in suspence , so not fair

Okay...and?


~laura michelle~

come back, please.....................

cath

I sure hope my idea of good news and Ted's idea of good news are the same I'm trusting you and him, Linny!

Great job so far! I can't wait for more!

Em

Well, since you all asked so nicely. BTW, welcome to those who just tuned in!

Jack released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding as relief swept over him. He managed a small smile and ran a still shaking hand through his thick brown hair. At this point, he didn’t care what the news was—just as long as it was better than expected. “Good,” he breathed as he finally swallowed the huge lump in his throat.

“Your team has done excellent work together because of the friendships you have built and the closeness you have with one another. There isn’t another team like yours out there and the upper brass has surely noticed that, among other things.” He looked at Jack in his I-know-more-than-you-think manner as he arched an eyebrow to hide his grin. He was giving the agent the opportunity to get anything off of his chest at this point in time, yet he was sure he wouldn’t get the answer he was looking for. What did it matter? He knew the truth without being told. He would have to be blind to not see it on their faces. It was honestly surprising how long this had gone on without anyone being the wiser. “And because of that,” he started again as if he had never paused, “they have decided to give a… reward… of sorts.”

Jack couldn’t hold back his surprise, though it was more confusion than anything. His team did what they did for the good of everyone, not for rewards or any other kinds of accolade. Of course, they did feel good when they were recognized for all of their hard work. Still, they hadn’t done anything different to earn anything special. “A reward?” He couldn’t hide the skepticism from his voice and he knew that Ted had noticed. Of course, who could blame him? If this was a regular occurrence, he would take it without question, but this was different. He couldn’t help but feel like they were being set up for something. It was, after all, the people upstairs who’d made this decision. If they had the option, they would turn it all around and act as though they had never sent that memo.

“Don’t sound so surprised. You and your team have definitely earned this.”

Jack leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbow upon his knees as he looked his superior in the eye. It was a look he used for the most hardened of criminals, though he doubted it would work on the man before him. “What have we earned?” It had finally occurred to the agent that Garrett hadn’t revealed the “reward” his team had worked for. He had to admit that he was more than curious and a bit anxious at what it could be. He watched as Ted’s grin widened, but said nothing as he passed the notice to the man he considered one of his top agents. Jack furrowed is brow in confusion as he took the letter and scanned it once. He felt his heart skip a beat and he read it again. “This is a joke,” he said with a sense of finality and managed to scoff out a chuckle. It was the only thing that made sense. This couldn’t be real. Someone was just playing with his head to try to get him to reveal something, but it wouldn’t work. He wouldn’t be dumb enough to fall into their trap.

His dark brown pools scanned the piece of paper again. The feeling of being set up faded instantly. It was real; signed, sealed, and delivered to the proper authority. But, why would they send this out now? Why after so long?

I think it is the policy amended or changed or removed...that is the only thing I can think of that would take 'so long'

I agree with you theatrenut. I'm hoping that's the reward. I'm sure there's nothing Jack would like more!

just started reading this and Im hooked
just hope the rule of no dating has gone and now they can
become items bobby and tara jack and his sue maybe
myles and lucy could try again more soon please Lin

I'm praying they have abolished the policy!!!

Joy

Is it what we all hope it is?????

Em

come back, we need to know what it says

cath

WOW...this sounds like it could be good....

~laura michelle~

so near, yet so far... that last post still didn't answer the question...