OK Ripper go find Sue

The two men walked silently, following the slight indentation in the ground. The trail had gotten fainter and fainter as they found themselves deeper into the woods. Finally Jack had given up trying to find the markings and allowed Bobby to guide them. They had been going at a quick pace for only about 10 minutes

“Jack” Bobby said rather tentatively. “I can’t find a train anymore. The ground is to hard and the ground cover is to springy. This British moss just springs back when you step on it” He looked at Jack waiting for a reply. He was startled to see Jack sink to the ground. Even more alarming was the guttural cry of Sue’s name. Bobby knew that they were both exhausted but he didn’t expect Jack to fall apart. Jack stood up and called to Sue again. He could feel it. They were close, but this impenetrable forest was a thing of nightmares.

Sue struggled to maintain consciousness. The rope had slowly pulled more and more on her neck. She could feel the pressure cutting of the circulation to her brain. The haze was impenetrable. She was swimming in a foggy world that was growing darker and darker. In her despair she allowed herself to want for her team, for Jack, Levi. Knowing it would do no good she stretched as high as she could seeking to alleviate the tension on her neck.

“Jack!” She called as loudly as she could, sadly she realized that she simply couldn’t make enough noise to get his attention. Trying once more she stretched up and called for Levi. Slumping down the rope pulled even harder at her neck. She could barely draw a breath. As she drifted into the darkness she could have sworn she felt Levi rub up against her legs.

Paul froze somewhere nearby he heard a dog barking. It sounded like Ripper. He turned to Ruth. It was evident by her expression that she heard it as well. They both set off as quickly as possible through the woods. Jack should have known that two perfectly healthy Brits were not about to sit and have tea while a beloved friend was in danger.

“Jack!” Bobby said sharply. “Pull yourself together alright. You need to call Paul and make sure he is doing ok. I am going to work on finding some evidence of a trail” Jack nodded pulling out his phone he looked at it. He was surprised to see the GPS set on it was blinking and moving rapidly.

“Bobby” Jack said standing up and walking towards his friend. “Paul didn’t stay where I told him to” He pointed to the locator signal. Bobby grabbed the phone and pushed a few buttons. Holding the phone back out he pointed to the screen. Jack could see the Bobby had set a second dot for their location. Paul was moving right towards them. He was perhaps about a ¼ mile away.

“I say we head toward him” Bobby said with a worried frown. “I know hes a good friend and all but I’d rather not tell him what we are doing.” Nodding at Bobby, Jack set off hurriedly watching the GPS system.

Ruth tripped a little for as elderly as Paul looked he could keep a pace far faster than she was used to. The dog barks were getting louder and louder and Paul’s steps, faster and faster.

“I think we’re nearly to him” Paul said turning around. Noticing Ruth’s flushed cheeks and the scratches along her arms Paul reached back and took her by the arm. “I’m sorry to rush you but I think Ripper needs us quickly.” Ruth nodded and pushed a little faster.

“Do you hear that?” Bobby asked Jack “It sounds like a dog” Indeed Jack noticed it did sound like a dog barking maybe a couple of football fields away. Wondering if it was Paul’s lost dog Jack turned to Bobby. Stopping so suddenly that Bobby ran into him.

“Look,” Jack said pointing to the GPS. “Paul’s stopped moving. I think he’s only about 300 yards from here and listen the dog stopped” They both started forward quietly not moving to fast.

Paul tripped and found himself falling over a short hill off moss into a small clearing. He heard Ruth squeak behind him. Thinking she might help him up he was quite shocked when Ruth instead stepped right on top of him in her haste to get into the clearing. Rolling over and sitting up Paul realized with horror why. In the clearing hanging limply from a tree her feet barely touching the ground was Sue. A think cort was wrapped around her neck. Leaping up with surprising agility for a man of his age he rushed over to Ruth. Ripper was standing next to the tree and had finally stopped barking. Ruth had tears running down her face as she reached out to touch Sue’s hand. She jumped back as the rope raised itself a fraction. Looking around she saw the winch tied to the rock.

Without thinking she ran over and untied the knot. As the winch came lose Sue came crashing towards the ground. Paul grabbed for her just in time. Laying her on the ground he bent over her. He too could feel the tears coming but the doctor inside took over. Reaching for Sue’s wrist he was overjoyed to find a slight pulse. Leaning over her he was able to feel the faintest of breaths come out of her. Knowing that her condition could change at any minute he reached for the blackberry. Before he could dial a cold harsh voice spoke.

“Don’t even think about it” said a tall dark haired man waving a gun Paul had never met him but sense that there was history. Ruth however gasped and shrank behind Paul a bit. It was that man she had seen following them in London. She remembered now. “My name is Tony” he said looking at them with pure hatred. “Both of you back up and leave her, wait no why don’t you just stay with her that way I can shoot you all in a line.” A manic expression came into his eyes.

“Now lets be reasonable about this” Paul said calmly. “We need to get some medical help for the young lady and then we can work this all out” Paul watched the man for some sign of relaxation. His eyes looked softer as he glanced toward Sue but then the crazed look returned.

”No!” unhooking the safety on the gun he aimed it a Paul, then at Ruth and finally at Sue. Taking aim he pressed on the trigger. Gun fire irrupted in the clearing. Ripper leaped up from the ground howling. Ruth took her hands from her eyes. Surprised to see Tony laying in a heap across the clearing. Watching she saw Jack walk in from a different direction.

“Sue” Jack croaked leaving Tony where he lay. Running over to the little group huddled on the ground he scooped her up in his arms. “NO!” He said with tears streaming down his face.

“Jack” Paul said taking a firm grip on his arm. “She’s still alive but not terribly stable I need to call for a Ambulance. If you can help us get her to the road we should be able to get her the help she needs. I am afraid her trachea might collapse fully if we don’t get her there soon.” Jack looked around the clearing. Bobby was on his phone already talking about Tony. Jack assumed he was talking to Scotland yard. He knew that Tony was not alive he had shot to kill. That was something to be dealt with later. Scooping Sue up in his arms he looked at Paul.

“Which way is fastest?” he asked hoping the older man would have a better knowledge of the woods than he did.

“This way” Paul said starting up the way he and Ruth had originally come. “I will call the Emergency services. Ruth will you stay with Bobby and explain to him?” Paul asked looking around and realizing that Bobby was rushing over to them looking confused.

“I will” Ruth said with a steely look “If you promise to call me as soon as you know how she is” Paul smiled and hugged Ruth

I promise” He said with a half smile. Turning he hurried to catch up with Jack who seemed ready to walk across the ocean to get Sue into safe hands.

Sue stretched in her bed. Blinking her eyes she looked around her. Her heart gave a lurch, she was in a hospital bed. That meant that someone had found her. Looking to her side she was amazed to see Jack curled up asleep in a small chair. Turning the other direction she saw flowers of all sort littering the whole room. Wondering if she should wake him but too curious to resist Sue reached over and ran her hand along Jacks shoulder.

“Jack wake up” She said softly. She quickly tried to draw her hand away but Jack grabbed it.

“Sue!” he said lunging towards her bed. “Sue” he said again less urgently this time. “I’m so glad your awake. Paul will be back In a minute he’s been here just as long as I have” Jack said smoothing her hair back from her face.

“Jack what are you, how did you , where,” Sue tried to figure out what to ask but couldn’t

“Bobby and I have been here since we found out Tony had come here.” Jack said trying to make the explanation quick. “But it was really Paul and Ruth who saved you” Looking up he saw Paul come into the room and hurry to Sue’s side. She reached up and was engulfed in a hug.

“Sue if you ever put me through that again I shall have to tell your mother” Paul said severely but his eyes betrayed his joy at seeing Sue awake and well. “I think I have prayed more this week than I have in a long time.” Sue laughed

“and that is saying something” she said with a smile. “But Paul I think it worked because I’m here and I thought I would be waking up in heaven” Paul smiled a little bit sadly.

“Well dear I am sorry to keep you here on this earth but I don’t think it was your time to go” Paul said “Now I know its selfish but I want you here a bit longer and I have a feeling that Jack does too.” He nodded to Jack who smiled and nodded.

“Paul I cannot express how much I want her here for a long time to come” Jack said clasping Sue’s hand in his. Sue looked at him hoping that Jacks words indicated what she felt.

“So who is going to tell me the story?” Sue asked. Jack looked at Paul with a smile.

”I think that is Paul’s priveledge for the most part. It was he who found you and got you out of the tree.” Jack said. Paul looked at Jack for a moment and shook his head.

“But it was Jack who stopped Tony when he tried to finish Ruth, you and me all off. And in all truth it was my friend’s dog Ripper who found you in the first place.” Paul said. As he finished he looked toward the doorway in time to see Bobby come flying through and bury Sue in a hug. Hot on his heels came Ruth. Ruth was forced to wait a few seconds before her patience gave out and she pushed at Bobby.

“I want my turn!” She said with a childlike enthusiasm. “Sue, I can’t express how glad I am to see you awake and talking” She said gently hugging her. “I’ve been praying for you.” Sue looked at the four people gathered in the room.

“Just how long have I been out of it?” She asked hesitantly. Her four friends looked at each other. Jack finally looked back at her. She looked so alive. Her neck was still heavily bruised and bandaged. They had needed to do some restructuring to her trachea and for a few days it had been touch and go as to how much brain function would remain. While she had never actually stopped breathing the circulation had been greatly reduced. Her color was finally beginning to return, replacing the horrible grey pallor of the first few days.

“Almost two weeks” Jack said gently. “It’s just about Memorial day back at home.” Wiped a tear from Sue’s cheek.

“I have so much to thank God for don’t I” Sue asked looking around her. Everyone nodded. “I guess I also have a lot to thank a few veterans for” Jack look at her confused. “Both Ruth and Paul were in combat” Sue said looking at them with respect. “Paul was a doctor in the Royal Navy and Ruth as I recall snuck along as a nurse on the combat fields with the Royal Army. Jack and Bobby looked at the two older people appreciatively.

“You know” Jack said “Your right Sue we do have a lot to thank Veterans for this year but every year. Think about it Maybe we should remember to that Memorial day shouldn’t just be for the American Troops who have served our country but also for all the troops who have served along side fighting for the things we believe in.” Sue and Bobby nodded.

“Well Paul and Ruth” Sue said smiling “I want to be the first to thank you. Not just for saving my life a few weeks ago. I want to thank you for helping protect the way of life that I have grown up in. With out the thousands of men and women like yourselves who knows what kind of world I might have grown up in. Jack and Bobby added their agreement.

“Now don’t get all soft on us now” Paul said a little bit gruffly. “I was just doing my duty” Bobby shook his head.

“Your duty it might be but lesser men have avoided that duty. Now its your turn to sit back and allow us to be grateful.” Bobby reached out and shook hands with Paul. With a smile Paul turned to Jack

“And are you telling me that you in the FBI have never help to prevent something that could change the world we know?” Paul asked Jack and Bobby. Jack looked at Paul in confusion. “Maybe You ought to remember that its not just the Armed services that help us hold to our values. I think you men have done your fair share.” Jack smiled at Paul and looked at Sue. She had a questioning look on her face but almost looked afraid to speak.

“You want to know what happened to Tony?” Jack asked knowing how her mind worked. She nodded. “He tried to shoot you, Paul and Ruth after they got you down from the tree.” Sues eyes widened in alarm. “He’s dead, Sue” Jack said gently. “I don’t know why he took you and it may remain a mystery but he can’t hurt you again.” Sue nodded her eyes filling up with tears.

“He was crazy Jack” She said. “I don’t think there was a reason he wanted to kill me. One minute he was lucid and fine and the next completely crazed.” The tears began to trickle down her face. Jack sat down on the bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her trying to convey some comfort. Ruth stood up and slipped out followed by Bobby. Paul stood as well.

“Jack” He said from behind Sue “Don’t hurt her” with that he walked out. Jack looked down at Sue smiling he realized that she had fallen asleep. Sighing Jack slid her down so she was laying more comfortably in his arms. He knew that they had two more weeks before they were to fly home. Maybe they could do a little sight seeing. Sue turned in his arms.

”Jack” She whispered. “I want to see London” Jack laughed this had been a terrible vacation for her.

“Sue you can see as much as you want only from now on. When you travel to foreign cities, I expect to come along ok?” Jack leaned down towards her. She nodded looking at those chocolate eyes. How could she ever resist and why would she want to. Jack pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Now get some sleep. We’ll have plenty of time to talk when you are well again.” He started to slip off the bed. Sue held on.

“Jack don’t leave” She asked trying not to beg. He looked down at her and nodded. Sliding back in next to her she put her head on his chest and drifted off to sleep. Jack watched to for a few minutes. He knew that she was a part of his future. He just needed to figure out how and when. Finally exhaustion overtook Jack as well.

Paul peered into the room. He wasn’t surprised to see the pair asleep on the small hospital bed. Smiling he turned around and went back to the waiting room. Bobby and Ruth would be needing some dinner and rest and he figured that could be his job while Jack took care of Sue.

The End



Thanks so much for following me through this adventure. I hope you enjoyed the story. I can't express how much the encouragement you have all been in the writing of it.
Thanks
Emilie

That was wonderful!

Kim

great story, a sequel would be good

cath

Fantastic! A series of sitting on the edge of your seat posts made this a real mouse clicker!

kav

Wow! Emilie, what a captivating story this is! Absolutely riveting, and I adore your writing style.

I was reading the first few posts earlier in the morning (my part of the world) but had to stop to get to work. And I had to pry myself away from the pc. The moment the day's work was done, I rushed back over here. I am a very happy reader.

Wonderful, wonderful writing! I've enjoyed this very much.

Thank you for sharing your talent with us!

~Siti~

See? This is what happens when I sleep for a day! You finish a wonderful story and I have to miss all of the excitement... of course, that's probably a good thing. Sometimes I love sitting on the edge of my seat, but other times, I just want all the pain and suffering to be over!

Anywho, this was a wonderful story Emilie! I enjoyed every word I read and I would love to read more from you (possibly in a sequal *hint hint*) in the future.

Emilie (Sorry I've been spelling your name wrong all this time)

That was a fantastic story.

I loved it, Lots of suspense, I love lots of suspense and you certainly created that very well. And Paul and Ruth...they were adorable. And, of course, Jack and Sue, aw, what can I say...the two of them curled up there on the hospital bed at the end made me feel all warm and fuzzy and without even so much as a kiss!

Very good job! I'm with Cath and Linny; a sequel would be great...with lots of fluff! I can picture it now....Jack and Sue seeing the sights of London....you could give us a picture of that great city where I've never been!

And have them stumble on a crime which would just happen to involve the cooperation of the FBI.....so the rest of the team would have to go over to help Scotland Yard! And throw in a little romance between Paul and Ruth! Hmmm, maybe I could find me someone like Paul. You made me feel that Jack is going to be like Paul when he is that old and that brings a smile to my face.

Thanks again for a very enjoyable story.

Lynn

That was an mazing story Emilie...you did a fatastic job! Bravo!

A sequel would be a nice idea

Hello Emilie!

Just read the last chapters of your story... and there are so much emotions that overcome me, that I'm barely able to phrase something coherent.

Congratulations for your story! I loved it!

You mixed suspense, angst but lovely moments too. And moreover, you gave us the great pleasure to meet two charming and vivid characters. Ruth and Paul are just adorable.

So, I'm just a little sad right now that your story is over and I'm still waiting another stories from you (and perhaps a sequel, no?).

Thanks again for sharing it with us.

O'seam

I'm playing catch up here ...

Beautiful story, Emilie, and I can just picture that charming old man, Paul.



Marlene

Emilie, this is a stupendous, exciting, mysterious, sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, wonderful story!!!

I love Paul and Ruth - I really would like to see romance bloom there!! And Jack and Sue are adorable - but they haven't even told each other their feelings (well, Jack has started in his sweet, bumbling way)!! I definitely think a sequel is in order!!!

Thanks for sharing your incredible talent with us!!!

Joy

This was a wonderful story! I enjoyed it so much!!!

Em

Great job Emilie! I truly enjoyed your story!



Donna

Emilie,

What an exciting story. AND, such a nice salute to Veterans everywhere.

Thanks for sharing. Hope to hear from you again.

Emilie, I loved your story so much! It was an interesting trip to London and beyond. Paul was wonderful and I am wondering if there might be a future for Paul and Ruth Sequel would be very nice. Jack and Sue still have to see the sights of London after all.

I really enjoyed the Brishish memories and I loved the banter at the end between the gang about how truely they should all be honored for their sacrifice and service.

After such intense angst, the rescue scene was great. Loved the hospital scenes too. And Jack and Sue are just the cutest

Bravo

By the way, I also love your STFBEye quote from the pilot, it's one of my favorites!

Emilie, I've finally caught up and finished reading your wonderful story! It was a great mystery that had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The orginal characters you created (Paul and Ruth) were well developed and very interesting!

Way to go!