Very cool seeing Katie and Levi's conversation....very human...
~LM

Those two are as blind as bats. Sue put brain in gear and answer the first question on your analysis sheet - why did Jack go to deaf club with you to start with - not to find a deaf girl friend - he was accompanying you cause he wanted to go with you. Now work down that list, if he was interested in some one he met there would he always being standing so close to you all the time now that he is more confident with his signing! Just think about it PLEASE!

If anyone is wondering, this won't be in the short story section!!

Chapter 14

‘What’s that?’ Sue pointed to what looked like a very large dog lying under an oak tree.

‘Looks like a dog’ Jack smiled, ‘must be sick, or dead…….you hold Levi.’

Talking softly Jack crouched down, reaching out a hand to pat the dog which looked, to his inexperienced eye, to be an Irish wolfhound.

Ascertaining it was alive Jack moved his hand down over the dog’s shoulder, continuing to talk gently.

As the dog jumped to his paws snarling and barking it knocked Jack to the ground.

Reacting instinctively as the dog sank his teeth into his back Jack curled in to a ball and covered his head with his arms, rolling to his right side in an effort to protect his shooting arm. Kicking out antagonised the dog further and as he had another chunk dug out of his flesh he was aware of Levi barking furiously and Sue screaming frantically.

Barking loudly and fighting against Sue’s hold on the leash Levi did his best to stop the attack.

‘Leave him alone’ he barked.

‘He hurt me………’

‘He didn’t mean to, he’s a good man…… leave him……..’

‘He hurt me…….’

‘I’ll help you but you have to leave him’ Levi instructed, pulling hard on his leash and dancing happily as the leash dropped to the floor.

Releasing his grip on Jack’s back the wolfhound raced away Levi galloping beside him, ignoring Sue’s frantic calls for him to return.

‘Jack?’ she knelt beside him, fighting back the tears as her hand made contact with a pool of blood on his t-shirt.

Pulling out her phone she called 911, forcing him to remain where he was while they waited, ‘you try and get up Hudson and I’ll take you out’ she smiled.

‘I thought you were only going to take me out if I made myself the target of a sniper’ he smiled, gritting his teeth through the pain. Now the adrenaline was wearing off the pain was kicking in.

‘Any time you don’t do as I tell you’ she grinned slipping off her jacket and placing it over him as he shivered.

‘What happened?’ two paramedics knelt beside them.

While Sue explained they set up a heart monitor, some pan relief and fluids before loading him on to the ambulance. ‘I could walk’ he protested lamely, earning himself a dark look from Sue.

‘Don’t even think about it Hudson’ Sue rolled her eyes; now he wasn’t feeling the pain he’d obviously decided he was fighting fit.

A combination of pain relief and the movement of the ambulance sent him to sleep leaving him oblivious both to the presence of Sue and the absence of Levi.

Torn between concern for Jack and Levi and unwilling to spoil her friend’s night out Sue opted not to ring anyone. Right now there was nothing anyone could do for either of them.

Ambling in to his room after checking him in Sue swallowed the bile which bubbled in her throat. The staff had removed his t-shirt to reveal two large dog bites and patches of bruising.

Hearing the door Jack waved her in, needing a distraction from the poking, prodding and general doom and gloom.

‘You ok?’ she asked softly, moving her head awkwardly so she could read his lips as he lay on his stomach, ‘sorry that was a really stupid question wasn’t it?’

‘Yeah, I’m just dandy’ he grimaced, ‘they think they might need to take me to the OR, ‘but at least the mutt didn’t run off with half my back for his dinner…… I thought he was ok, guess not…. you should let Metro know to look out for him. He might attack a child next…….. you’ve not phoned my parents have you?’

‘No, I will if you want me to……..’

Jack shook his head, ‘no, I’ll ring tomorrow…….. you go home, Sue…… I’m gonna be here a while…… overnight at least…….’

‘I’ll stay, it’s not like I’m gonna get any sleep’ she sighed.

‘Mr Hudson, we’ll have to take you to the OR, we can’t patch you up with locals….. we’ll find you a slot ASAP……’ Jack nodded silently and glanced at Sue.

‘Heck of a way to end the evening huh?’’

‘Well, at least we can say life is never boring with you around, Hudson’ she smiled, hiding the worry behind her grin.

With an added dose of painkillers Jack gave in to the exhaustion which washed over him and he was oblivious to Sue’s anxious call to Metro about the wolfhound and Levi.

Feeling the phone vibrate she sighed softly as she read Lucy’s words on the screen. Having waited for her to come home Lucy was hoping that the late hour meant she and Jack were ‘kissing along’.

As much as she didn’t want Lucy to worry Sue had to tell her the truth. Refusing her offer to come to the hospital Sue agreed to Lucy ringing the team, so long as they didn’t all come rushing to the hospital.

Returning to Jack’s room Sue smiled as each one called to let her know they were heading out to look for Levi and sending their best wishes to Jack.

‘Please Lord, let someone find him’ she prayed softly.

Scary....not good, where is Levi now...and what about the other dog?
~LM

Oh boy well levi thats one way to get Jack and sue together but where are you Im hoping and the guys find levi soon cant wait for more Cath
Lin

Hope Jack get well soon, and where's Levi???!!!

Tere

Cath, that was a riveting post!! Poor Jack!! I'm glad he wasn't hurt more seriously, although it's pretty bad that he has to go to the OR!!!

Where is Levi?? And, why did the wolfhound bite Jack?? He must have already been hurt if Jack hurt him just checking him out!! It's a good thing Levi was there and could talk to the other dog!!!

Cath, I am in no way disappointed that this story will not be in the short story section!!!

Joy

I'm with Joy - that WAS a riveting post!! I hope they find Levi SOON, and I hope that a little enforced time in the hospital for Jack - with Sue watching over him, of course! - will bring things to a head?



Loving this story, and love this twist!

I don't know why I'm surprised, but you do seem to have a knack for taking a chunk out of Jack in your fanfics and this time you did again...literally! What about rabies? If they dog hasn't had his shots and if they can't find.... And where's Levi? Is he okay?

kav

P.S. Thanks for that.

i hope jack will be okay..it's gonna hurt for a little while, and it's gonna leave a mark... but maybe sue can be jack's "nurse"

Cath...you took a chunk out Jack...how could you!!!!!??????

Levi...where did you go!!!!??????

Chapter 15

Sitting in the room which had been allocated as Jack’s when he returned from the OR Sue co-ordinated the search for Levi, her heart torn between waiting for Jack and searching for Levi.

‘Hey Hudson’ she smiled as two orderlies wheeled him back a couple of hours later.

‘You should go home’ he moved the oxygen mask from his face so Sue could read his lips.

‘I wanted to make sure you were ok, the guys have rung for news… how are you feeling?’

‘I’ve been better, but nothing hurts’ he smiled before sliding from the trolley to the bed, sinking in to the mattress and wincing at the pressure on his back.

‘I thought nothing hurt?’ she smiled.

‘It didn’t……..’ he waited for a nurse to run some checks before rolling on to his side, sighing when the twinges stopped.

‘Where’s Levi? Did Luce come over for him?’

Sue shook her head sadly, ‘he ran away….. with the wolfhound……’ she’d been determined not to cry but was now fighting a losing battle.

‘He chased the dog?’ Jack clarified, terrified that the large dog had attacked Levi.

‘No…….. it looked as though they were running together’ she mused, ‘side by side rather than one after the other……’

‘You should go look for him’ Jack murmured softly, ‘I’m ok…….’

She was torn between looking for the dog who was her friend and the man she loved and Jack saw how she wavered. As much as he’d love her to stay with him he couldn’t do it, he had to tell her to go.

‘You go, I’m ok here, and if you don’t then I’m signing myself out to go look for him…..’ he moved as if to pull the sheets off and slide off the bed. ‘Sue, all I’m gonna do anyhow is sleep……. you go find Levi and give him a serve from me for running away……….I’ll see you in the morning huh?’

She knew when she was beaten and this was one such time, ‘ok, I’ll pick your car up……’

‘Here……’ he handed her a card, ‘firm of female cab drivers, use them to get back to my car……. I don’t want to lie here worrying about you all night……..’

‘I can take care of myself Jack’ she protested softly, touched by his concern despite his surgery.

‘I know…… humour me, please?’ he whispered fighting to stay awake long enough to say goodbye.

‘Ok, I’ll ring tomorrow and come visit……’ with a brief wave she was gone, her heart wanting to stay.

Switching on the engine Sue headed towards the direction in which Levi and the dog had headed.

With everyone coming up blank she headed home in time to grab a shower and change of clothes before heading to the hospital.

Love the way Jack is putting her first inspite of his own pain. Maybe since Sue has gone looking for Levi, Jack can just lie back in bed and think long and hard about her decision to stick with him at the hospital rather than look for her dog. He knows just what Levi means to her...hopefully that will get him thinking about how much he means to her!

kav

that's true love, think in another person before yourself :heart:

Tere

Very sweet post! Love that Sue is torn between the two "men" in her life, and that she's going back to be with Jack at the end of the post. That has to be hard. I hope Levi hasn't gone too far!

I hope they find Levi soon safe and soud.

that really is true love on both there parts but i really hope levi returns soon very soon cant wait for more cath
Lin

For some reason, I feel better that Sue knows that Levi was running WITH the wolfhound, and not either AFTER him or AWAY from him!!!

Joy

Chapter 16

‘Hi, you look better’ she smiled, handing Jack coffee and two double choc chip muffins.

‘Feel better; I can go home this afternoon… thank you for breakfast……. any news on Levi?’

Sue shook her head and yawned, ‘nothing…… you need me to fetch you a shirt?’

‘Thanks, you think you could pick me up?’

‘Yeah, no problem, are you sure you’re ok to go home or are they are letting you out because you’ve played them up?’

‘Thomas how could you?’ he clutched his heart and swooned theatrically, ‘I’m hurt to the very core of my being….. as if I’d ever play the staff up…….’

‘Yeah? Maybe I should go find Violet, get her take on Jack Hudson as a patient’ she teased.

‘Oh no, spare me Violet please’ he chuckled, ‘I never had you pegged as a mean spirited woman Thomas……..’

Feeling the blackberry vibrate Sue sighed assuming it was a member of the team drawing a blank.

‘Sue Thomas….’

‘Hey Sue, Doug here…..’ she furrowed her brows in confusion. The only Doug she knew was the vet who looked after Levi.

‘Doug? Vet Doug?’

‘That’s the one….. are you ok?’

‘Yeah I’m good, why?’

‘Levi’s here, he was on the doorstep when I arrived……… he has a friend……..’

‘Irish wolfhound?’ Sue asked softly, offering up a prayer of thanks that the dog was ok.

‘Yeah, that’s the one. A nice looking dog. She yours?’

No…….’ briefly Sue explained about the previous evening.

‘Seems friendly enough, I’ll give her a check over and keep an eye on our mutual friend…….’

‘Thank you Doug, tell Levi he’s in the dog house….. see you soon…….’

‘That dog never ceases to amaze me’ she sighed, ‘he’s found his way to the vets, with the wolfhound………’

‘He’s ok though? Hasn’t been bitten or anything?’ Jack asked softly.

‘No, apparently not’ Sue murmured.

‘Go………’ Jack chuckled and pointed towards the door.

‘See you later’ with a brief wave she was gone, leaving Jack to finish breakfast before dragging himself out of bed to the shower.

Waiting for the elevator to take her down to the car park Sue sent a message to Lucy who promised to pass on the news to the team.

Talk about sacrifice! I know how much dogs resist going to the vet, and to actually go there to take a friend? Wow! What's wrong with the Irish Wolfhound? Very intriguing!!! I'm glad Sue is going to be the one to see after Jack's relase from the hospital. Will he need a nurse? Hmmmm???

good on yer levi so the wolfhounds hurt and afraid thats why she went for jack maybe beaten ill treated i hope jack keeps her as levis become Friends so maybe levi you have your answer to bringing sue and jack together forever cant wait for more Cath
Lin

wow Levi!!

Tere

You are a very smart boy Levi, the only problem is that you are still in the dog house. I'm glad Jack is OK. Even if he is a little tender.

It goes to show just how smart Levi is -- I mean even though he hates the vet, he knows it's necessary sometimes. Wonder what kind of fast talking he had to do to get the wolfhound there?

kav

Levi is our hero, as well as the wolfhound's!! Fancy that, going to the vet on his own!!!

Regina, down girl!! I believe Jack already has a nurse and her name doesn't start with a "R" or unfortunately, with a "J"!!! **sigh**

Joy

Chapter 17

Lying on the floor with a muzzle on tight the big dog glared at Levi who sat quietly in a corner.

It had been a long night padding the streets with the big dog who Levi had opted to call Wolfie in the absence of a real name. He knew he would be in trouble with Sue but another dog needed his help and he wasn’t about to turn him away, all he could do was hope Sue would understand.

They’d rested up for a while, silently watching the ambulance take Jack away before heading off to the only place Levi was certain could help.

Wolfie, for all his size and violent outburst earlier had struggled to walk for too long and they’d stopped often in doorways or under a tree, keeping well clear of the few people who walked the streets through the night.

As a veteran of getting lost and wandering aimlessly Levi had been determined that they should have a planned destination. They could have gone home but, if Lucy knew about the attack, there was no guarantee that she wouldn’t call Metro or the dog warden and have Wolfie shot dead. And so, they’d walked and rested, lapping water from a park fountain along the way and digging around in a refuse bag for something to eat. Never had stale Slappy’s been so wonderful.

Finally they had arrived and curled up on the doorstep as the birds greeted the dawn. After a fitful sleep Levi heard a car pull up and rose wearily to his feet, thankful to see Doug exiting the car. As vets went Doug was ok, not that Levi ever believed he could like a vet but this one was ok. He explained what he was going to do and was always gentle and Levi had long since decided he was almost good enough to be a dog.

Levi huffed happily as Doug talked softly to Wolfie, checking her for a non-existent microchip then checking her thoroughly, ‘well baby girl, I’m not surprised you went for him’ gently Doug soothed her while exploring the bullet wound in her left flank.

Jabbing her in the rump with a painkiller and antibiotics he left the dogs to phone Sue.

‘Sue? I found out what’s wrong with the dog…… she’s not chipped but we’re contacting pounds, shelters and Metro to see if she’s been reported missing…… she was shot, best guess a couple of weeks ago and it’s nasty. I suspect your friend touched her close by and she tried to protect herself…….. she’s a nice dog. We can remove it but we’ll need someone to cover costs…… I’ll contact animal welfare.’

‘I’ll cover the costs Doug, you go ahead and do the surgery as soon as you can’ Sue smiled, knowing Doug would try and talk her out of it.

‘You don’t have to do that Sue……’

‘Yeah, I do Doug. I want to….. she doesn’t deserve what life’s thrown at her…. I’ll come by and collect Levi in a few minutes.’

Hanging up she rang Jack who chuckled when she explained about the surgery ‘how did I guess you’d want to do that?’

‘Because you’re brilliant, Hudson’ she teased.

‘Yeah, I’m brilliant, I’ll have Bobby or D pick me up, you need to sleep Thomas, and you tell Levi off for running away………’

‘I will after I’ve hugged him for being wonderful and killed him for scaring me….. I’ll pick you up, ring me when they clear you to go home………. and don’t play the staff up Hudson……. got to go, I’m at the vets…….’

‘See you Sue’ he murmured, closing his phone and resting back on the bed.

‘Hey Doug’ Sue greeted the vet warmly before turning to Levi who was looking decidedly sheepish.

‘You……… what am I going to do with you huh, buddy?’ deciding she wasn’t about to let rip at him the golden jumped up happily, his tail wagging furiously as he barked a greeting before digging around at her purse in search of a biscuit or two.

‘Can I see her?’

‘Sure, we’re just prepping her for surgery; we’ve drawn a blank on finding an owner….. she’s a real sweetheart’ Doug smiled, ‘how’s your friend?’

‘He’s tough……. or so he tells me’ Sue chuckled, ‘he should be out this afternoon…….’

‘D’ya think he’ll want her destroyed?’

Sue shook her head, ‘I doubt it. He knew she’d turned up and I was planning on paying for surgery.’

‘Here she is’ Doug stroked the dog on the head, earning himself a slobbery lick to his hand.

‘Any idea what happened? Sue asked softly.

‘My guess is that whoever owned her didn’t want her any more and didn’t want to pay vets bills so they took what they thought would be the easy way out……… why people don’t think about calling the animal welfare I don’t know. They’d take her in and try to rehome her…….. despite her size I doubt we’ll have trouble finding her a home…… unless you want her?’

Sue chuckled, ‘this dog in my apartment? That really wouldn’t be fair on her, she needs somewhere with loads of space……… ring me when you’re done, come on buddy we should get some work done before we have to pick Jack up…….’

Bouncing happily Levi wuffled a fond farewell to Wolfie before following Sue out the door.

‘I love you Levi, but if you ever run off and scare me like that, I promise you’ll be on cold water and vegetables for a week and Jack won’t be slipping you coffee or any other treats……’ her soft voice told Levi she wasn’t really mad and he jumped up wagging his tail happily before planting a sloppy doggy kiss on her cheek.

Do I see a female Irish Wolfhound in Jack's future? Wonderful post!! I love how this story is going, and can't wait for more!

Surely one of our team would love to add this beautiful dog to their family!! You write the love Sue has for Levi wonderfully, Cath!! It's very hard to be mad at him for long, especially when he's out doing good!!!

Joy

You're right, Sue just loves that dog like most of us on this board. Now poor Wolfie and

being shot it makes me so MAD That reminds me I'm off to feed my own little

mutt.

Somehow I think she will get rehomed but by whom???

I was thinking the same Regina, Jack could have Wolfie , and maybe between Levi and Wolfie get together Jack and Sue

Can't wait for more Cath!

HAPPY CANADIAN DAY!

Tere

I thought sue would do that but ive a funny feeling Jack will end up paying for wolfie but im hoping jack will also keep her as a friend for levi cant wait to find out Cath
Lin

well i'm glad things turned out okay... but it still hurts though.

Chapter 18

After stopping off at the stores to buy Jack a shirt Sue headed in to the pen briefly having opted to take a personal day after a long chat with D who had promised to stop by and visit Jack before he was released from the hospital, ‘I’d go now if I were you D’ she grinned ‘he was making noises about going home when I took breakfast over…..’

‘Morning’ she smiled brightly as the team gathered around her wanting news on both Jack and Levi. With no active cases they were spending the morning catching up on paperwork before heading home to catch up on lost sleep.

‘And you’re paying for surgery on the dog which may have terminated Jack’s career?’ Myles asked somewhat darkly.

‘She’d been shot, that’s why she reacted the way she did, Jack’s ok with it’ Sue smiled.

‘So, how were the dates?’

Having successfully changed the subject and standing back while everyone greeted Levi fondly while berating him for running off she had plenty of good news to share with Jack when she picked him up from the hospital.

Almost shoved off the bed by the somewhat enthusiastic and repentant greeting from Levi, Jack did his best to talk sternly to the dog who somehow diverted his wrath by rolling over and begging for a tummy rub, his paws waving in the air as his tail wagged happily. ‘I should be mad with you buddy, running off and scaring us like that… ‘ Jack chuckled as Levi tried to cover his nose with his paw. ‘You’re a good boy though, taking the dog to the vet, see I always knew you were a wonderdog…….’

Levi barked his agreement at Jack’s assessment before flipping on to his tummy and sniffing at the locker.

‘You want this?’ Jack pulled out a piece of soggy toast, handing it to the dog who gulped it down in one.

‘You kept that for Levi?’ Sue smiled.

‘No, I intended to show you what passes for breakfast here. It was soggy when it arrived’ he smiled, ‘I’d have starved if you hadn’t brought me breakfast….’

‘Someone has to look after you. Phoned your parents yet?’

‘No, thought I’d wait till I was home, that way mom won’t worry so much’ he turned as the door opened to reveal his surgeon.

‘Ok Mr Hudson’ the doc handed him boxes of antibiotics and painkillers, take these regularly, no he-man stuff. You’ll find it easier to move if you’re not in pain. Gentle exercise, we don’t want you undoing all my good work……… if you do, I’ll stitch you back up without anaesthetic……’ she chuckled as Jack looked at her, ‘and those puppydog eyes don’t work on me, son. I have a son who tries the same look and I’m immune…… the stitches will dissolve but have your wife take a look each day to check nothing’s going wrong……..’

‘She’s not…….’

‘I’m not…….’ they both spoke simultaneously to deny that relationship causing the doc to raise her eyebrows.

‘You’re not? Boy I need to go tell some of the staff then cos if you’re not married son then there’s a whole heap of sweet young things who’d be happy to take you under their wings…… but I tell you, I’ve seen husbands and wives of many years less worried than that little lady was last night………’

‘I’m sure she was only worried about her dog’ Jack sighed earning himself a whack on the arm from Sue and a reproachful look from the doc.

‘I was worried about you too Hudson……..’

‘Do, you want me to find you a nurse?’ the doc asked, noting the flash of concern in Sue’s face and raw fear on Jack’s.

‘No, I’m good’ he squeaked, ‘I have someone in mind I’d like to date….’

‘And if I’m right she’s standing right next to you’ Jack breathed a sigh of relief that the doc had turned away so Sue didn’t read her lips.

Pulling out his clothes Jack headed for the bathroom to dress, keen to be out of the hospital.

‘Why do I do it, buddy?’ Sue sighed, scratching Levi behind the ears, ‘why do I let myself care for him, love him when he wants to date someone else. Why can’t I stop loving him and dreaming of a future with him?’ Levi licked her hand hoping that Jack might have heard some or all of her words. He’d heard the door open and Jack asking him to get Sue but, for the first time ever, he’d ignored the request focussing on Sue and her needs for reassurance. ‘And if this means that the dimwit hears and finally does something then that is an added bonus’ he huffed softly as Sue continued to talk quietly.

‘He’s gorgeous, buddy. Kind, gentle, caring, he’s tried so hard to be a part of my world….. why does he have to want some other woman? Why can’t Jack Hudson love me? Am I so unlovable?’

Jack swallowed hard, desperate to stop the tears pooling in his eyes, he’d made such a dog’s dinner of this and he could kick himself for hurting her. Hope rose again in his heart as he listened before dropping like a stone. If he were going to ask her out, to reveal his feelings then he had to be honest and tell her the whole painful truth about himself.

Waiting until she stopped talking Jack coughed loudly, asking the dog to get Sue.

‘Are you ok?’ she swallowed hard as Jack stood before her, bare chested and looking somewhat embarrassed.

‘I could use a hand……I can’t get the shirt on…..’ he smiled shyly as Sue rose to her feet and helped him slip the shirt on, gasping at the size of the bites and the significant bruising.

Thankful that the shirt was a couple of sizes too large, thereby giving him a degree of movement he wouldn’t otherwise have Jack gathered up his few belongings and they headed out.

Jack, Jack, Jack - that was the time to tell Sue how you feel!! You can't keep hurting her like this!! Do I have to come after you?? Or, better yet (not necessarily for me), does Levi have to bite you too???

Joy

Oh, Jack, tell her already! You know Sue loves you, but she thinks you don't love HER!

There seems to be an over-abundance of cliffhangers of all shapes and sizes in this challenge . . . But . . .I love this story and can't wait for more!

Jack, you HAVE to talk with her, now that you know her feelings I think is fair that she knows yours

Tere

What are we going to do with Jack

Jack you have to talk to sue and tell her your feelings as your really hurting her everytime you say date someone else but most of all what are you hiding now i really cant wait to find out more soon please Cath
Lin

Very clever Levi, getting Sue to keep talking so Jack could listen. Now Jack, pick up the ball and run with it.

Chapter 19

‘You rest, I’ll shop……..’ Sue ordered him to the couch with a mug of coffee after an unsuccessful snoop around his kitchen. ‘

‘I can order takeout’ he grinned.

‘Or I can cook……. don’t argue…..’ recognising the firm set of her jaw he nodded silently, handing her some cash and picking up the phone as she and Levi headed out.

‘Mom? hey, wondering if you wanted to come down for a couple of weeks. I have some time off so I figured you could visit……. no, sick………. I got bitten by a dog…… no, not Levi. He wouldn’t hut anyone unless they were attacking Sue…….’ briefly he explained about the events of the previous evening, sighing as his mom started in on him.

‘Jackson Hudson didn’t you remember us telling you to never approach a strange dog?’

‘Yes but I was 5 at the time and I thought I’d be ok, I didn’t know she had a bullet wound…… no, she went to the vets but she’s ok. The vet rang Sue when we were driving home, he removed the bullet and she’s doing well……… I’m a bit sore but they’ve put me on painkillers and antibiotics…… no, I haven’t talked to her mom…… how can I tell her?’

‘You tell her you have feelings for her, you ask her to go out with you and you tell her Jack, if she’s the woman I believe she is then it won’t matter. Well it might but you’ll have been honest and if you take things further then she’ll know and right now you don’t even know. You could have a test……’

‘I’ll think about it…….’

‘You’ve been thinking about it for almost 4 years son, stop thinking and start doing…… and if it doesn’t work out then you find another woman, but not airhead Allie…..’

‘I don’t want another woman mom, I only want Sue…..’

‘Well talk to her, be honest and see what she says…. there’s more than one way to skin a cat, Jack…I’ll have a word with your dad and we’ll book a flight. Take care son and talk to her…….’

Hanging up the phone Jack swallowed some pills then headed to his room exhaustion washing over him. The doc had done her best to persuade him to stay another day but he’d insisted on going home stating that he’d sleep better in his own bed without the noise from the other patients.

Returning to the apartment after walking Levi Sue grabbed a coffee before ringing the team to let them know he was home.

Woken by the aroma of whatever Sue was cooking Jack winced and stumbled off the bed. Despite the painkillers his back was stiff and sore and lying on his stomach appeared to have made little difference.

‘Hi, sleep ok?’ she asked, turning as Levi alerted her to his presence before greeting him happily.

‘Yeah, sore’ he smiled, ‘you didn’t have to do this, Sue……..’

‘You’re not going to heal on takeouts or microwave meals, Hudson. Call it a reward for fact finding…….’

‘So this is instead of Saturday?’ he teased.

‘As well as….. since both dates went so well you can have two home cooked meals…..’

‘Sounds like a plan, thank you…..’ the shy smile melted her insides and turned her legs to jelly.

Well, maybe Jack's mom can do something with him! It sounds like she's got the right idea about what he should do about Sue!

I have a feeling that Jack's mom is going to take the first flight out and, along with making sure her son is resting as the doctor ordered, she's going to natter at him to talk to Sue!! I like this plan!!!

Joy

fantastic I have a feeling that jacks parents will be on the first flight also I hope jack talks to sue and tells her his feelings but whats wrong with him that he has to tell her then has to have test for please cath dont keep us to long to find out but Ive a feeling no matter what sues so in love with him she wont care more soon please
Lin

come on jack...talk to her....just talk to her.

Remember Jack, Moms always are right , so talk to her, you have a wonderful chance now

Tere

Mom will there soon and she will make Jack tell Sue!

Um....lots of catching up to do and my brains a jumbled -- mostly because I sense angst lurking in them there posts. What exactly is Jack hiding from Sue? Why does he think it would make a difference? Why does his mother think he should take a test? My mind is whirling with catastrophic possibilities. But I'm glad that Wolfie is all right. I think Myles has the biggest house of the team -- maybe he should adopt her! I'd love to see him have to stoop and scoop after a wolfhound! I've always wanted that breed, but aside from the fact that the dog would fill up my house just standing in it, the idea of picking up after it has been more than a little outputting.

kav

Chapter 20

Emboldened by the words he’d overheard Jack took a deep breath.
Dinner was over, a delicious beef casserole followed by the Oreo-cookie dessert, they’d cleaned up together since Sue refused to let him do too much and walked Levi before sitting down to watch a movie. They’d chatted easily over dinner; Sue had updated him on the dates which had gone better than anyone had dared hope and both couples had plans for the weekend.

‘Do you want children? When you’re married?’ he asked suddenly. The film was a happy ever after chick flick which he’d barely followed as he tried to find the words to express what was in his heart.

‘Yeah’ she nodded, slightly confused. The question had come somewhere out of left field, ‘you?’

‘I guess…..’ he wanted to tell her he’d never really thought about it but he couldn’t lie. Marriage to Sue and having children with her was the stuff of his dreams as well as his daydreams.

Levi pricked up his ears at the conversation; so far it looked as though his plan of not alerting Sue and allowing Jack to hear her words was working. This was something to tell Katie the next time they met up.

‘You never thought about children?’ she asked softly.

‘Sometimes’ he murmured, ‘I think I’d like children…… well, not me personally since I can’t give birth….. I don’t know…… I don’t …… I’m not sure……’

‘Whatever it is going on inside your head Jack, you don’t have to tell me……’ reading the pain etched on his face she wanted to reach out and squeeze his hand, to offer reassurance.

‘No, I want to tell you……. I want you to understand why I’ve held back….. I don’t know if I can be a father ……. I …. I …. when I was 14 I got the mumps……..they told me I might not be able to have children…… at the time it kinda didn’t register or matter. I was too busy riding my bike, playing hockey, swimming……. until recently it’s not really been an issue…… until I found the woman I wanted to marry….’

‘And you think it might stop her from wanting to be with you?’ her heart was beginning to break in to a thousand tiny pieces. She wanted to walk out, to leave him to which ever woman he thought he loved but the depth of their friendship kept her there.

Jack nodded, holding his breath, waiting for her to continue, ‘I think you should tell her, whoever she is, let her decide if she wants to date you or consider marriage without the possibility of children……..’ she knew she should ask if he’d had tests but that was going beyond the boundaries of their friendship and working relationship.

‘I can’t, Sue……… so long as she doesn’t know my feelings, so long as she doesn’t tell me ‘no’ then I can continue to dream of a life with her, a life with children……’

‘Jack, if you want to be with her, and she has to mean more to you than Allie if you’re considering marriage and a future with her, then she has to be pretty special. Trust her Jack and if it’s not right then you’ll find another woman…..’

‘That’s what mom said, tell her and find another woman’ Jack sighed.

‘See your mom is as wise as me’ Sue smiled.

‘I don’t want another woman…… if it were you, what would you say?’

‘If we were dating?’ Sue asked softly.

‘No, before we started dating. I can’t leave this until I’ve asked her out……’

‘Ok, if you said you wanted us to date you’d have to tell me it was with a view to becoming an item, so I knew it wasn’t a casual thing until something better came along for you…… and I’m guessing that you wouldn’t want every girl you ever dated to know…… do they know?’

Jack shook his head, ‘never been so sure about a woman as I am about this one…’

‘Ok, so if you told me then I would say, after some thought because this is a lot to take in, that what I wanted was a future with you, that if we were unable to have children then we could adopt. That you would be a great dad and any children we had would be blessed to call you dad……….whether natural or adopted…….. but this is a conversation you should be having with whoever it is you want to be with’ her head was lowered as Sue fought to hold back her emotions while Levi squirmed his way on to her lap.

Raising her head, assuming Jack wanted to speak now she’d finished she swallowed hard on seeing tears trickling down his cheeks.

‘Are you ok?’ she asked softly, pushing Levi off and kneeling before him.

‘I can't do this Sue, you deserve better, I watch you with Danny and Amanda and the kids at bookworm…. you will be a great mom Sue…. you should be with someone who can give you children……..’

Wow! What a revelation! I was thinking what he was afraid to share would be much worse than that. If Sue doesn't read his feelings from THAT, then I wash my hands of the whole thing! Now it's up to HER to make sure HE understands how SHE feels . . . and I trust that will be included in the next post? Hmmmm???

Finally Jack!, great story, I hope Wolfie's ok, maybe Jack can get a dog of his own.