I think Sue may be in for a most pleasant surprise.

I was over Jack's thoughts about wanting to surprise Sue for Valentine's Day and then thinking she had a date already. It would have served him right if she had!!!!!! Silly man, how long does it take to plan the perfect 'reveal' (that he thinks of Sue as more than a friend?) I guess since it's Jack, we're talking in turtle days though! Now he has a plan in motion, Tara knows that he does (did she tell Lucy?) and Sue is going to get part of a girls night and part of....Jack? Cant wait!

kav (who promises not to get behind again!)

Turtle days, Kav? Hmmm... how many of those are in a month? -picture the how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop commercial-

Now, wouldn't it just be so cute if Jack were waiting right around the corner for Sue? You know, waiting to start Valentine's Day off early?

The girls' plans sound so much better than the plans my single's group at church has going. I shouldn't complain since I did not volunteer for the planning committee, but what were they thinking? The plan is for a group dinner where the women bring food and the guys bring flowers and candy. The flowers and candy will be distributed and shared among the women. Groan. Who wants community flowers and chocolate. Who wants to cook for a group of men that way. Guess who will not be going. A call for plan B is in order. I think my friend in the group who I am aware feels like I do should orchestrate one of these Single Awareness events.

But I digress. I love how this story is progressing. I can't wait until Sue learns just what Jack's Valentine plans are.

I love that we know Sue is in for a surprise! And I can't wait for that surprise to materialize.

This is wonderful, Tina. Has me grinning like I really know something!

sue...he wants you...you see...just wait and you will see.

I really like the irony of Sue's thoughts. It makes me wonder about how many situations in my life I've held back and wallowed around about when I didnt have to, when my thoughts are nearly the opposite of reality.

Paula (...who's feeling quite philosophical tonight. Maybe it's the flu medication. )

Jack was getting antsy. There was no other way to describe the way he was feeling as he sat at his desk trying to work on reports. At least, that had been the idea; instead, he’d mostly been rehearsing a conversation he planned to have with Sue in the very near future. She, Bobby and Myles had been out most of the day on a case, and he was beginning to wonder when they’d be back. He was anxious to find some time alone with her before the end of the day so that he could divulge his plans. He’d decided that instead of taking her away from her friends for Valentine’s Day, they could have dinner together the very next evening.

After speaking with Tara, he knew he had let Sue down by not acting sooner. While relieved that the next evening didn’t involve another man, he didn’t feel right about barging in now when she already had things planned. At the same time, he didn’t want her to go through another Valentine’s Day not knowing that he loved her. If he had his way, they would have a lifetime of Valentine’s Days and many other days to celebrate together.

The bullpen was suddenly a bustle of activity as Myles, Bobby, Sue and Levi came walking in. After some time was spent bringing the rest of the team up to date on what they’d learned, Jack finally saw the opportunity he’d been waiting for all day. Catching her eye as the rest of the group headed back to their respective desks, Jack walked over to join her, a feeling of determination sweeping over him at her answering smile. Before he had a chance to utter a single word, Lucy had dashed over to them and begun signing so quickly that Jack had a hard time keeping up.

“Oh! I forgot all about that!” Sue exclaimed. She reached for her purse, coat and Levi’s leash before turning to Jack again. “I have to go,” she said apologetically. “We’ve got an appointment, and we’re already running late.”

“Hey, that’s okay. I wanted to talk to you about the case some more, but it can wait until tomorrow.” He forced himself to be casual, realizing that now wasn’t the right time.

“Sure. We’ll talk tomorrow,” she said with a smile that didn’t seem to reach her eyes. With a wave, she headed out the door with Lucy and Tara, leaving the men shaking their heads in their wake. Reaching for his own coat, Jack decided he was going to call it a day. As dejected as he was feeling, the last thing he wanted to do was sit down at that desk again and try to work with all of the unspoken words swirling around his head.

“You done for the day, mate?” Bobby asked him.

“Yeah, I’m going to head for the gym,” he replied.

“Maybe I’ll join you. Had enough of work myself for one day.”

“I’ll meet you there.” Jack knew that after a good workout, they’d probably go out for a bite to eat and shoot a game of pool. While they may or may not always discuss what was going on in each other’s lives, there was nothing like time spent with someone whose friendship was unconditional, especially when it seemed like things weren’t going his way.

Oh Tina, I'm as frustrated as Jack.......I could tell you what I want him to do, but I'll just try to keep my fingers in check and see if I get my wish! But, you are a mind reader....aren't you? Mental telepathy and all? I'm sending you messages....

Lynn

How many missed opportunities does that bring us to? Is it 2 million or 3 million? I always forget. Someone would have to check that for me, I stopped (or refused to continue?) counting shortly after I watched 'The Newlywed Game'.

Paula

Jack almost had his chance, but was interrupted again. This makes me doublely glad that he knows about the plans the women have.

I had two posts to catch up on Tina, and I just love this!!!

Poor Sue - thinking Jack is not interested!! I love Kav's "turtle days" - does one turtle day equal six months?? I think this turtle needs to pick up speed, or the hare is going to leave him in the dust!!!

Poor Jack - of course, it is his fault for leaving his talk with Sue until the last minute!! I think he ought to get up very early in the morning and meet her at the park while she walks Levi!! Or..............I can just wait and see how you are going to work this out, Tina!!!

Joy

How incredibly true...

zero and goes 3 or 4 billion of frustrated times/chances

No more!!! Please!

Right to the part in which Jack say: 'I love you Sue' PLEEEASEEEE!!!!

Tere

At least Jack has Bobby, though I don't know how much of a consolation prize that would be.

Missed opportunities and interruptions They're plagued with both.

I think I'll have to take two asprin before reading this story -- otherwise I'll keep getting a headache from continually ! I know this is going to turn out better than Jack could ever have hoped, and there is some small bit of justice in him having to squirm -- I just wish I didn't have to squirm along with him!

kav

you can soooo feel the frustration level from jack... i hope everything will work out.,... he needs to talk to her.. jack make sure you talk to her.

Couldn't say better myself!!
Josy

A gentle touch on her hand brought her attention from her daydreams to her best friend, and Sue could see the concern in her dark brown eyes. They were in a spa getting pedicures, Lucy on her right and Tara on her left, and a quick glance revealed Tara with her eyes closed, clearly enjoying the foot massage. Sue only wished she could have become so fully relaxed, but she had far too much on her mind for that at the moment.

You ok?

Fine

Well, you’ve been sitting there with a frown on your face. The esthetician is going to think you don’t like the massage,Lucy signed with a wink.

Sue glanced at the young woman seated at her feet, but thankfully she seemed far too involved in her work to be worried about Sue’s expression. I’ve been wondering what Jack is doing tomorrow night, Sue confessed.

Don’t worry about him. We’re going to have a great time, Lucy assured her.

I know we are. I can’t wait. Sue gave Lucy what she hoped was a convincing smile before leaning back to close her eyes, forcing herself to relax and indulge in a rare moment of pampering. What she hadn’t told her friend was that even though they’d planned an evening of celebrating their single status rather than lamenting it, she still couldn’t help but hope that Jack might acknowledge the day somehow. There had been a couple of times when she knew he’d heard some of what they were planning, and he’d looked almost jealous. Of course, that could have been her imagination, but she’d seen jealousy in him in the past where she was concerned, and it had left her feeling strangely satisfied that she’d caused him to have those feelings. Then again, if he was jealous, it certainly hadn’t prompted him into any kind of action, and she couldn’t deny that had left her feeling a bit disappointed. Knowing these kinds of thoughts would have her frowning again in no time, Sue chose instead to focus on their plans for the following evening. They would have fun, and with any luck it would distract her from all thoughts of Jack Hudson.

I wouldn't mind the massage myself

Now, Jack... Say something !!!!!! Send flowers !!!!!

I would say that Sue is makng a valiant effort to be excited about their plans, but not finding it easy. Who can blame her. Maybe Jack will decide some advance action is called for.

No, No, NO! we don't want Sue's thoughts distracted from Jack. That's not the way this story is going to go, right Tina?

kav

Yeah. Right. Good luck with that.

I can't even put him out of my mind when I'm watching another impossibly handsome man. I'm watching Pride and Prejudice and I keep seeing Jack's face instead of Colin Firth's! I'm a goner...

Tina2

Like you all girls, I think that Jack Hudson is and will be in Sue's heart and mind soooome time, like forever

Tere

Ooh... I could definately go for a spa day like that too. Unfortunately, I'd have to get acryllic on my nails to have any nails and that's just too much effort for me.

I have thought about this before - how hard it must be for Sue to see that Jack is VERY jealous of any other man looking at her or spending time with her - but he doesn't make any move himself!! How frustrating is that???

Joy

I love that they just can't stop thinking about each other

Em

It seemed to Jack that he’d spent an awful lot of time over the past twenty-four hours waiting for Sue. Then again, he guessed he probably deserved the feeling of nervous anticipation that went along with the waiting. He’d been sitting in the coffee shop downstairs from her apartment since before the sun was up. It was light outside now, but there was still no sign of Sue, and he wondered if maybe she was skipping her morning walk. If she had, then she wouldn’t get the note and the roses he’d left outside her door until she left for work, and by then it would be too late for them to have a conversation over coffee before their day officially began.

Still, he sat there, and he reminded himself that even if she didn’t go for a morning walk, Levi would still need to go out and do his business at some point. Part of him also worried that perhaps she simply wasn’t interested and might not show up at all. Rationally, he knew that those worries were unwarranted; whether she was interested or not, Sue wasn’t the sort of person to simply ignore something like that. She would be there, and he would continue to wait until she arrived.

He was debating whether or not to get a second cup of coffee when she walked through the door. She looked breathless and beautiful, her cheeks rosy and her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. Standing up to greet her, it was all he could do not to pull her into his arms for a kiss, but he knew that the middle of a crowded coffee shop wasn’t the right time or place. “Thank you for the flowers and the note. They’re really beautiful,” she said, her smile telling him how much she appreciated them. “They were also a really nice surprise.”

“I’m glad you liked them. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Why don’t you and Levi wait here and I’ll get you something to drink,” he said, pulling out a chair for her. “Grande Mocha?”

“I’d love it,” she replied, appearing a bit dazed as she sat down. He knew she must be surprised and wonder what had prompted all of this. She was going to have it wait until the next evening to find out everything, but he wanted to let her have a taste of what was to yet to come.

A few minutes later he was back at the table, and she signed her thanks as he placed her drink and a blueberry scone on the table in front of her. They’d been out for coffee together often enough that he knew exactly what she’d like.

“You’re probably wondering why I asked you to meet me here.”

“A little,” Sue admitted. “This was a wonderful way to start my day, though.”

“I didn’t want the day to go by without doing something…I wanted things to be different this year. I made a mistake, though.”

“What do you mean?”

“I waited too long to ask you to have dinner with me, and now you’ve got other plans.”

“You were going to ask me out for dinner tonight?” Her surprise was evident, on her face and in her voice, and Jack wished that he hadn’t been quite so adept at hiding his feelings from her.

“Yeah, that was my plan, until I realized that you, Tara and Lucy were planning something together. I’m hoping you’ll have dinner with me tomorrow night instead.”

“I could always change my plans for tonight,” she began, but he shook his head.

“No, don’t do that. I can wait until tomorrow. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“So will I,” Sue told him, and his heartbeat quickened at the look in her eyes.

Does anyone see the puddle in the middle of my den - the one running off the chair at the computer? THAT'S ME . . . .!!!!!



That was so sweet! I loved that Jack realizes that he's waited this long, he can wait one more day so that Sue can enjoy being with her friends - after all, he IS planning to monopolize her time after tomorrow, isn't he??

Thanks for a WONDERFUL story!!

Regina

Tere

Sweet!!!
Josy

Jack was such a prince. I hoped he would something like this. I cheered when I read that he gave her flowers, a card, and then topped them with a dinner invitation.

Way to go Jack!

Kim

I think it's very nice that Jack is let Sue have her girls' night out. Looking forward to their evening!!!

Oh, I'm so glad Jack met her before work...I was hoping for that, but the flowers were a surprise! I'm with GinaSue....a puddle on the floor!

Now Sue is going to be on
all day. I bet she won't be able to keep from smiling and Tara and Lucy are going to ask what's up! Of course, Tara already knows Jack was going to ask her to dinner, so I bet she guesses it right away. This is such a great story Tina.

Lynn

I think the way things turned out is perfect! Sue can go out with the girls on Thursday evening and then have a nice, loooooong dinner with Jack on Friday...when she doesn't have to worry about getting in at any certain time since she can sleep in Saturday morning.

Yup. Perfect!

Hmmm, good thinking. Friday is a better time to have a longer date. No worries mate.

But I have to be honest and say, if I were Sue, my best friends would just have to understand

As soon as I saw them I'd be screaming, HE ASKED ME OUT HE ASKED ME OUT!

OK, so I sound like I'm in Jr. High, but this is Jack

So I guess it makes me a really bad friend?? Or a really shallow person??? Or to easy???

But if I was with Jack...

Do we get to see both nights, girls night out and Jack and Sue? I love this story!

Tina your evil twin isn't going to take over is she? Because I don't think I can stand the angst so I would appreciate a warning if Jack is going to get hit by a car or something. Thank you!

They would have fun, and with any luck it would distract her from all thoughts of Jack Hudson.

[/quote]


Mmmm... being distracted from thoughts of Jack... is it humanly possible?

I hope they won't miss any other opportunities to be together! Great story!

Bug

Who has an evil twin??? Surely not me!!!

Evidently, the criminals of the city weren’t interested in stirring up trouble on Valentine’s Day, and that was leaving them with very little to do other than tying up loose ends on other cases they’d been working on. They’d finished up with that shortly before lunch, when Bobby and Myles had made a run to a nearby deli for some sandwiches, and since then the afternoon had become interminable. She couldn’t seem to concentrate, and the fact that Jack winked or smiled at her every time their eyes met wasn’t helping matters. She’d been completely caught off guard by the roses and card he’d left outside her door that morning, and now she couldn’t stop wondering what exactly he had up his sleeve for the following evening.

When she’d arrived back at the apartment after meeting him for coffee Lucy had been up and ready to give her the third degree as to where the roses had come from. When she’d told her, Lucy had been nearly as shocked as she’d been. Sue knew that her roommate’s patience with Jack had been wearing pretty thin lately, but her reaction to the news that they had a date the following evening had been one of enthusiasm and excitement. She’d even suggested moving their girls’ night instead, and when Sue told her that Jack had already vetoed that idea she’d been surprised by that as well. There hadn’t been much else to say, since she didn’t know what Jack’s plans were, but from the sly smiles Lucy had been directing her way every so often, she knew that she was all too aware of the looks being shared between her and Jack. She hoped that no one else was picking up on it though, and promised herself not to look up again for a while. Naturally, as soon as she’d made the promise she found herself staring into his eyes once again, and she forced her gaze back to her computer screen.

While Jack hadn’t exactly told her what to expect when they had dinner together the following evening, she could sense that something had changed. She was trying not to let her hopes get too high, but she wasn’t doing a very good job. The fact was, he’d wanted to spend Valentine’s Day with her, something she’d always prayed would happen. He’d missed the mark a little bit, but she wasn’t prepared to hold that against him. One look into those chocolate brown eyes of his and all of her recent frustrations seemed to fall away, leaving behind only the fact that they were having dinner tomorrow night, and that it would be an actual date. Unless her instincts were completely betraying her, it seemed like Jack really did have feelings for her and that he might finally be prepared to tell her about them.

Beautiful!!!

Tere

Chocolate... Perfect for Valentines!!!!

This entire post had me
but then this one has me a total goner. My hopes are soaring right along with Sue's. This is going to be the longest night in her life! And I'm talking about AFTER the girl's night out.
Lynn

I was thinking that all worked out rather nicely until Pam went and gave Tina's evil twin a nasty suggestion.... Ignore it, Tina -- this is a Valentine's Day story, remember! And now turtle Jack has to wait (and, by the way, he's setting up a perfect tradition of bowing out in favour of girls nights -- extremely important in a relationship, don't you think?)

kav

I could absolutely feel Sue's hopes and excitement build as the post progressed.

I'm sure he'll find a way to make up for such a late Valentine's Day date. <---This is me bouncing with giddiness!

The anticipation is so much fun. They might as well cancel the girls' night out because I don't think Sue is going to be able to concentrate on the fun around her for thinking about the following evening with Jack.

Woot!

Something tells me the "girl talk" this evening will center around one man and the date he's arranged. I can hear the giggling now!

And how convenient to carry your gift of chocolate around with you everywhere you go in the form of expressive, impossibly thick lash trimmed eyes. It'll no doubt save him a great deal of money in the future... not having to buy those heart shaped boxes. Sue's just lucky they don't have calories or she'd look like 'moi' by now!

Tina2