I love the banter.

I think Sue's got a good idea there and I'm glad Jack didn't completely dismiss it just because he didn't agree with it!

Wonderful...more soon please!

It's a start....let's hope it keeps moving...


~laura michelle~

it's a lead, glad jack listened to her

cath

Love it!

hey you guys... you forgot....


so frustrated.... yet, so cute
so frustrating.... yet so cute
so slow..... well.... in his case, slowness has an amazing ability for cuteness...


LOL

Sue definately has a good idea, there. But, I can't help but wonder if one of our favorite team members might be going undercover, disguised as one of these people in order to catch this guy.

Very interesting mystery. I liked how you began it in the midst of the action. It really drew me in from the start. I loved Bobby saving Levi's honor in the coffee fiasco! I also really like how you tuck in little things Jack and Sue like about one another.

Jack, Bobby, Sue, and Levi entered the bullpen with defeated looks on their faces. Tara, immediately looking up from her computer, asked, "What do we scratch off now?"

"Dining room and revolver." Jack said dryly, quickly walking to his desk.

But Bobby stopped by Tara and said, "One gunshot, no casing, was mostly likely killed in the dining room. There was some blood on the walls."

Tara nodded as if taking a mental note then said, "I'll scratch them off."

"Nah, I can, luv."

She shrugged, then handed him the marker she was going to use. As he took it, his fingers brushed hers and to her surprise, he didn't pull the marker away. Instead, his fingers moved over hers. It might have just been her imagination for a second later, he snatched the marker away with a smile then said a quick thankyou, turning away.

Turning away so she wouldn't see the light colour of red that coloured his face. He quickly walked to the board and drew an 'x' over the cards with 'revolver' and 'dining room' on it. Jack came to his side and said, "Do you see a pattern here?"

"What are you thinking about Sue's idea?" Bobby asked quietly. They both looked over to the analyst who sat, intently writing on a piece of paper.

"About what?"

"All the victims being mother's."

Jack shrugged. "So far, the two victim's he's had have been woman. There's no way to tell. But, if the next is a guy in the game but is a girl here, then we'll know."

"Know what?"

"I have no idea." Jack said with a tired smile. Bobby nodded, smiling with the equal brightness. They then seperated and walked to their desks.

This is getting more interesting!

Somehow I think Bobby's aware of his effect on women, including Tara. Loved it!


They sure are tired.

Great post Tracy! Such an interesting case.

Hi Tracy, another great one from you!!

Now If I remember Cluedo (thats Clue to all you outside the UK! ) Prof. Plum and Col. Mustard were men as was Rev Green who was the other one? and that Ms Scarlett and Mrs White where the only women in the game, so Sue could be wrong on her theory.

Sam

oh and I think we can safely say Jack is just cute what ever!!

This case is so complex!! I love it!!!

Joy

Methinks Bobby did that to Tara on purpose, just so he could see her blush.

This just keeps on getting more interesting there!

yay! keep it coming!



I adore stolen moments between Bobby and Tara..... **sigh** so innocent.... LOL

"Jack?" Sue asked, suddenly in front of his desk. He looked up, surprised that he had missed her. Of course, it wasn't really a surprise. He had found him self lost in thought more then ever lately - and the weirdest thing was, he couldn't remember what the thoughts were.

"Yeah?" He asked, leaning back in his chair while rubbing his eyes.

Sue stood, a blue folder in hand. "I was just researching some more stuff about the Clue killer. I think I know who he is."

"Please, do tell." He said, managing a small smile.

She shifted her position, becoming an inch or so taller with her change. "Since the game is in reverse, it's possible that the person doing all the killings is 'Mr. Boddy'." She said, signing the letters to his name as she said them.

Jack lifted his eyes above her, weighing the idea. "Again, it's possible. But, I doubt that anyone would be that stupid."

Sue shrugged, giving a weak smile. "But it's not impossible."

"No. It's not. I'll see if Tara can.."

"Jack Hudson?"

Jack strained to look past Sue and was surprised to see a young woman standing in the doorway. All eyes turned to her as well as Sue's, seeing Jack's reaction. He waved, catching the woman's attention. She gave a dazzling smile then walked towards his desk. Sue gave a smile of her own.

"You must be Sue." The woman said, gently shaking Sue's hand.

Sue nodded. "Yes, I'm Sue Thomas. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"I didn't give it." She said with another smile.

Jack looked from both woman as he stood, moving Sue's attention to him. "Sue, this is Jesse McCallaster. Jesse, as you know, this is Sue."

"I've heard so much about you." Jesse said, smiling.

Sue glanced from Jack back to Jesse with a confused expression. "I'm sorry to say I haven't heard anything about you."

Jesse chuckled, turning to Jack. "I'm not surprised. Jack isn't really privey to talking about his girlfriends."

Do I want to kill Jesse or Jack... girlfriend

Sue is the girlfriend, right? or Jesse
I'm completely lost... please don't let me in that state...

It's an idea...they should run with it until something else pops up.

Girlfriend? Girlfriend? Oh, please, say it isn't so.

More soon please.

Tracy...you have some explaining to do young lady!

I have to agree with Kaci, Tracy....What are you up too, girl?????

Cisty

you certainly have

cath

hmph! I'll wait for this to be explained!

I have to agree to, please come back and explain

Please tell me she's an ex-girlfriend. An ex-girlfriend from like five years ago. And now she's married and has three kinds and all that good stuff. Please, oh please?!

Linny, I love your explenation for her Thankyou again!

Jack could hear Sue's breathing stop as she looked over to him, her eyes begging a different answer. He didn't give one. "What's up?" He asked, giving the best smile he could.

"I just came here to tell you that I got the reservations for Mario's tonight. We have it for 8."

Jack nodded, then stopped. "Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you." He glanced from Sue to Jesse. "I have to go with Sue tonight." Jesse looked to Sue who was watching Jack in surprise. "Remember, Sue? You have that undercover at that restaurant?"

Suddenly, Sue's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, yes. Sorry, I totally forgot. No, Jack, don't worry about it. I don't have to go."

"No, no, I want to." Jesse's eyes snapped back to him in question. "Well, I mean.."

"It's okay," Jesse said, smiling. "I understand. Is tomorrow okay?"

Jack nodded, fearing he would say the wrong thing if he spoke.

"Okay, then I'll see you tomorrow. Sue, it was really nice to talk to you."

"You too." Sue said, fighting the urge to cry instead of smile.

With that, Jesse turned and walked out of the bullpen. Jack lowered his eyes, afraid of the looks he would get from his friends. When Sue turned to go, Jack looked up, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She looked back, her eyes now moist. "Sue.."

"She seems really nice." Sue said, stopping him before he started. "I hope you two are happy together."

"No, Sue.."

"Excuse me, I have to.. go." She turned, away from his reach, and walked out of the bullpen.

Jack slowly, almost stiffly, sat back into his chair.



"Sue?" Lucy asked, walking through the hall and seeing her standing by the elevator, Levi sitting by her side. Immediately upon seeing Lucy, Levi pawed at Sue's pants.

Sue looked down, then up to Lucy.

"Sue, what's wrong?" Lucy asked, coming close to her friend.

Sue shook her head. "Nothing." She said, looking away so Lucy wouldn't see her tear streaked cheeks.

"I know you better then that." Lucy said, placing her hands on Sue's arm. "What's wrong?"

Sue shrugged, biting her bottom lip. "I just.. I wasn't expecting to see another one of Jack's girlfriends. I mean, I know he must have a hundred of them on hold but.."

"You know, I have it on good authority that he doesn't have any on hold. My guess is that he met Jesse at the conference he went to last week."

"I don't follow." Sue said, her eyes glancing from Lucy's eyes then back to her lips.

"You remember that conference that Jack went to last week?" Sue nodded. "I think that's where he met Jesse."

Again, Sue nodded. "I just wasn't expecting it."

"Sue, none of us were. We would like to think that Jack would snap out of this mode of fear and just.."

"Uh, Lucy?" She stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Sue couldn't help but smile when she saw the shock cross Lucy's face as she turned to see Jack. "Could I.. talk to Sue alone?" He asked, placing both hands in his pockets.

A mortified Lucy quickly nodded and walked back to the bullpen. Jack turned to watch her go then looked back to Sue. "You hungry?" He asked and signed. She nodded, thankful for the familiarity he brought to her with that simple motion. Just then, the elevator dinged and Levi alerted Sue. The three walked silently into the empty elevator. Jack quickly pressed the button and the doors shut.

I just caught up on your last two posts, Tracy!! Imagine my surprise to find a Jesse coming into the bullpen supposedly to confirm a date with Jack!! I hope you are just teasing us!!!

I was afraid Jack was going to let Sue go!! I'm glad to see him go after her and take her to lunch, hopefully to explain Jesse!!!

Joy

Jack, you got some 'splainin' to do.

Jesse doesn't seem mean or anything, but she's just not Sue.



Somehow, to me, that seems even more hurtful because Sue was already a part of his life then.



Ok, Jackson, start that 'splainin' and it better be good.


Seriously, I'm loving your story, but could we get an explanation soon because I'm starting to worry about poor Sue.

Jack's gonna have to do some fast talking to get himself out of this one, isn't he????

I'm starting to think my assumption was right. She might not have meant the word girlfriend as Sue interpreted it. She might have meant girl friend as in a friend of Jack's who is a girl. Of course, that could just be me and a million other girls thinking the same thing. Please, tell me I'm right... please?

Well Jesse seems nice, but what? I think she is just a good friend I hope!

I've got it! Jack went to the conference last week that's where he met Jesse - she must have been his "girlfriend" in some sort of role play they did! That's how come Jesse knows all about Sue, but Sue knows nothing about her!

Girlfriend?

Tracy... we need an explanation!

Em

do we ever but i'm glad he didn't stay rooted in his seat like a stunned mullet and the explanation had better be very good

cath

It's still current!!

The two walked in silence after taking their hot dogs from the vendor in the park. Sue sent an apologetic smile to Levi then a wink to Jack saying something about hot dogs and dogs.

Jack simply smiled, his mind completely lost in a wayward trail of thoughts.

"Are you okay?" Sue asked, seeing the confusion in his eyes.

He looked up, fully ready to defend his heart. "Yeah. I'm fine." He said, taking a quick bite of the bun.

"Jack," Sue said, stopping him as she placed her free hand on his arm. He stopped and slowly turned to her. "Who is Jesse?"

He knew the question was coming and he hoped he would be able to explain it all without hurting Sue. "She's.. a friend."

"She said girlfriend."

"Sue, she's not my girlfriend. She was at the conference I went to last week and we really hit it off. She seemed really excited that any guy would look at her, much less, talk to her. She.. I don't know."

"She fell for the famous Jack Hudson charm." Sue said for him with a smile. Jack looked back to her, his eyebrow raised with a smile.

"Something like that." He said with a chuckle. "I told her about you and I.. I tried to make it sound like we were.. going out." Sue's eyebrows now perked. "She didn't catch that. I hope you're not mad at me."

Sue smiled. "I'm not mad, Jack. A little dissapointed that you would cheat on my while you were away.." She stopped, leaving him to laugh as she started walking, taking a bite of her hot dog, using both hands to hold it to her. When she pulled it back, a speck of mustard and ketchup sat on her upper lip.

Jack held back a chuckle as she looked to him. "What?" She asked upon seeing his face.

"What?" He immediately responded, faking innocence.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Oh.. nothing.. You.."

"Jack, spit it out."

"You have.. some mustard on your.. lip." He said, nervously pointing out the yellow and red mixture.

Immediately, her hands flew to it and she quickly wiped it off. "Better?"

"Well, yeah, now it's on you're gloves though." He said and she looked down, rolling her eyes with a laugh. "Come on, I'll take you back to my place and you can wash it there."

Sounds good to me!

I guess Jack's off the hook. That was a pretty good explanation. And he tried to make it sound like he and Sue were a couple, so that was nice. Now, maybe they could do something about that so it'll be true.

I don't know!! I don't think Jack was quite forceful enough with Jesse!! I know he doesn't want to hurt her feelings, but she still doesn't seem to get the picture!!!

I don't think Jack would take Jesse back to his place to wash off mustard and ketchup!!!

Joy

Now I'm feeling much better!! Phew!!

What they are going to do at Jack's place??

You know, I don't not like Jesse, which is strange. She seems oddly genuine and that's very rare for the women that Jack meets, except for Sue that is. Though, I think Jack shold have emphasized more and probably actually stated that Sue was his girlfriend instead of just hinting on the matter. He's let off the hook for now, but let's just see how attached Jesse gets to Jack.

jack, will you quit bumbling, find another nice guy for jesse and tell her straight

cath

**nods head absently**

Yeah... I suppose if gazing into those deep dark mesmerizing eyes.... a girl could certainly ignore everything that he was trying to tell her....



either that or end up with a strong desire to visit the chocolate fountain on the end of the buffet table....

LOL

"Just put it there," Jack said as he opened the apartment door. He quickly pointed to an empty laundry basket as Sue removed the now stained glove.

"It doesn't really matter. I needed to buy a new one anyways." She chuckled as Jack gave a sideways smile.

"Go ahead. Garbage is there." He said, motioning to the door under the sink in the kitchen.

Sue laughed again then said, "Not right now, Jack. I'd rather have an ugly glove then a cold hand." She smiled as Jack nodded.

"Okay, you win." He said, raising his hand in mock surrender. "I'll be right back." He said and signed and after Sue's afirmation with a nod, he dissapeard down a hallway leading from the living room to the bathroom, Sue guessed. In the time he was gone, she took the time to glance around, taking in everything about Jack's apartment.

As soon as she walked in, she smelled the familiar scent of Jack's clothes. She remembered her senses being assaulted with that smell whenever he would hug her.

"Okay." Jack said, suddenly appearing in the hallway. Sue immediately jumped back, quickly removing her hand from the picture frame her fingers were circling. He saw and walked to her side, looking down to the picture, then smiling, he picked it up. Sue gently took it, her fingers brushing his. The simple movement was so innocent but the feeling plagued Jack as he watched her touch the frame.

"Wess?" Sue asked quietly, glancing up from the picture to see Jack's nod.

"Whenever he would come over, he would tell me that he wanted to see a picture of me on that table. So, finally I just gave in and framed a picture I took of him in my Quantico days."

Sue laughed, her head falling back slightly. Jack watched as her hair tumbled down her back. "What did he think of that?" She asked with a smile.

"He didn't like the picture." He said, his eyes twinkling with delight.

"So.. I think.. we should go." She said quietly. She looked into his eyes, gazing at them with equal intensity.

"Yeah."

Sue nodded, turning towards the door.

"Wait, Sue.." Before he could catch her arm, she and Levi had walked out.

Come on Tracy....I am here!

ur not the onli one!

I loved the story about Wess. Very nice to see some of Jack's past there.

Well, go after her Jack, and say it when she can see you.

We'll wait with her.

move jack................

cath

I wouldn't let her leave quite so quickly, Jack!!!

Joy

I'm like all the others!!

You can add me to the list! Jack, go catch her!

Longer, but not very fascinating




Instead of trying to find the words to explain the feelings he felt for Sue, he decided to let everything he had planned to say go. He didn't want to embaress her and he didn't want to push her. He knew that his feelings were definite but he wasn't sure about hers. It wasn't like he could just walk up to her and say, "Sue, how do you feel about me?" He smiled at the thought.

They arrived back at the Hoover building after a walk in almost complete silence. At least the situation with Jesse had been cleared up.

"Jack," Sue said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Were you serious about going out on the.. date with me tonight?"

"Yeah. I mean, if you still wanted to go."

"Oh, yeah, sure." She said, stepping out of the elevator. "I mean, if you want."

"Yeah. If you want."

"Sure." The two nodded, both secretly chastising themselves for talking like teenagers. They got to the bullpen just as Lucy put her phone back on the hook.

"Sue, a call for you on line 3."

Sue nodded, then walked to her desk, Levi immediately laying beside her.

"Jack, Ted came in earlier and he said he needed to talk to you."

"Thanks," With that, he turned, giving a final look to a smiling Sue who sat at her desk.



"Ted?" Jack asked, gently knocking on the oak door.

"Come in, Jack." The large man said, standing from his desk and motioning for Jack to enter.

He did so. "Lucy said you wanted me."

"Yes, I do." Ted said, taking his seat again as Jack took the chair across from the desk. "I want to know what you're doing about the Clue Killer."

"Oh," Jack said, giving a sideways smile. "He has a name?"

Ted, too, gave a halfhearted smile. "Why not? I need to know what you're doing about him. Or, rather, the people upstairs need to know."

Jack sighed, knowing that this interrogation was coming. And the worst part was, he didn't know. "Ted, I honestly don't know. Whoever this is is really good. My guess is that he's some kind of Clue champion."

"Have you checked out all avenues of the game? To see what corresponds with the three victims?"

"Yes we have.. Wait a second. Three?"

Ted nodded slowly. "Yes. A third victim was just found in her front hall."

"You.. you said 'her'."

"Is that odd?"

Jack shook his head, silently rubbing a hand over his eyes. "Do you know her last name?"

"Green."

Jack glanced from Ted to the back wall, trying to gather his suddenly rampant thoughts. The idea that Sue was right about the woman was almost sickening. "Was she a mother?" He asked quietly. When Ted nodded, Jack rolled his eyes. "Ted, I need to get back. I'll let you know if we have more information."

"It had better be good, Jack." Ted said, in an-almost warning tone.

Jack nodded, standing and opening the door.



He walked into the bullpen and immediately turned to Lucy. "So another one died?"

She nodded sadly. "About an hour ago. You were gone and I didn't want to bother you. A Miss Sarah Green. Single Mom."

"Thanks." He said, giving a tired smile. He walked to Sue's desk and gently tapper her on the shoulder. She looked up and gave a radiant smile, instantly defeating his. "Did you hear?"

"About what?"

"The latest victim to The Clue Killer?" She shook her head. "Miss Sarah Green. Single Mom."

"So I was right about the victims all being mothers? Do you think it has something to do with Mother's Day?"

That, he was not expecting. He hadn't even considered the fact that in 1 week, it would be mother's day. He rolled his head back and gave a weak smile. "Yeah, I guess so. I just wish he could slip up."