ARGH!!!

~~o0o~~
Chapter Three

“He tried to rape me!” Jessica turned terror filled eyes toward the flight attendant and practically tumbled into the astonished girl’s arms in her feigned attempt to get away from Jack. For his part, Jack could only take in the pandemonium with his mouth hanging open and his brows knit together so tight they were beginning to actually hurt. He rubbed his fingertips across them and tried to gather his wits.

“Please, get me away from him.” Anyone hearing the plaintiff voice would swear she’d just been through something horrific, and the attendant started to pull Jessica from the restroom until she noticed the handcuffs.

“Just what is going on here?” Her eyes widened even more and her tone of voice was full of accusation as she eyed Jack.

“She’s a federal prisoner and I’m with the FBI. And no one attacked her…”

“Then what are you doing in there with her?!”

“She had to use the restroom and I…”

“He pulled me in there! He said he had to check the room and then all of the sudden he was pulling me in too…”

“That isn’t what happened… D!” Jack drew in a deep breath at the sight of him coming up behind the attendant. “Take Jes…the prisoner back to her seat while I straighten this out?”

“What’s going on?”

The flight attendant took it upon herself to explain the situation, all the while casting accusatory glances at Jack and stroking Jessica’s arm in consolation.

“You must be mistaken…” D started.

“I know what I saw.” The attendant was adamant.

“But ma’am, I know this man. He would never do what you’re describing…”

“Are you saying I’m lying?”

“No ma’am, but I think there’s another explanation for what you saw…”

“Well of course you’re going to stick up for your buddy!” The woman’s voice was rising with every statement.

“Ma’am… look… we need to straighten this out and it’s obvious we’re not going to do it by shouting at each other. Is there someplace we can go to discuss this? In private?” D cast a look over his shoulder at the curious and worried passengers craning their necks around their seatback to see what the disturbance was about.

“We’re on a plane. It’s not like we have conference rooms…”

It was then that security arrived.



Sue roused from a fitful sleep, at once aware of where she was and what was happening. Sitting up straight, she looked around for Angie or the vet, but she was still alone. A quick glance at her watch assured her she had only dosed off for a moment, but still, she felt guilty for sleeping while Levi was in surgery and possibly fighting for his life.

Don’t over dramatize Sue. She told herself. The doctor didn’t seem worried about the surgery, only the possibility of what could happen if it wasn’t performed. But then, there was always a risk when anesthetics were involved…

She batted the situation back and forth in her mind until she felt dizzy. Standing, she wandered toward the door leading to the examination rooms and peeked through. No one was in sight, and of course she couldn’t hear anything, so she wandered back and slumped against a window frame. Clouds were gathering. The sight of them seemed to echo her mood and she felt tears threatening again. Tracking the first raindrop to hit the window, she felt her heart lift a bit when Lucy’s car pulled into the small parking lot.

“Sue?” Lucy sought her out as she came through the front door. “How is he?”

Before she could answer, Sue was enveloped in a hug. Lucy’s slender arms gathered her close and held her for a moment before finally holding her at arms length and turning her full attention to what she had to say about Levi’s condition.

“Oh Luce, I don’t know anything yet. He’s still in surgery. Dr. Bennett said this could have killed him…” she broke off with a sob.

“They haven’t come out to tell you how it’s going?”

Sue shook her head. “Not as far as I know. I fell asleep for a few moments, but not long.”

“Come on. Let’s go see if we can find someone.”

“I don’t want to bother them. They’re busy.”

“There must be someone around…” Lucy was already headed toward the door Sue had peeked through moments before. Sue watched as she stuck her head through and then disappeared altogether. No one was going to stop Luce when she was in search and rescue mode. She materialized again just a few seconds later, a triumphant look on her face.

“Turns out your ‘few minute nap’ happened to coincide with the exact moment they came out to update you. The girl I found said that things were going well, but it would be another half hour or so before they finished up. Levi seems to be doing fine.”

Sue’s whole body visibly relaxed and she sunk into the chair behind her. “Thank goodness. I’ve been so worried about him… he’s no puppy any more and things like this can be hard on animals once they get older.”

“Levi says speak for yourself!” Lucy gave her an indignant look. “He considers himself in his prime, thank you very much.”

Grinning, Sue reached for Lucy’s hand. “Thank you, for coming by. It helps to have company.”

“Well, you would have had more, but Bobby had basketball practice with his group of kids at the “Y”, and Myles was expected at his parent’s for some kind of shindig. I think he would have gladly traded that for waiting with you, but he said it was something he really couldn’t get out of. Oh, and Tara had a dentist appointment this afternoon, so she may need some consolation herself by now.”

“Oh that’s right, she told me about that yesterday at lunch.” Shifting in her chair, Sue hoped for a casual tone when she asked her next question. “And what about D and Jack? I don’t expect them to be here, but they were due back in tonight weren’t they?”

Lucy twitched a brow and gave her a one sided grin. “Ye-e-e-e-s, they got in.” Her grin sobered then and she looked uncomfortable as she searched for the right words. “Sue, I wasn’t going to mention this, but since you asked about them… Jack’s run into a bit of a… situation.”



“Please, if everyone could just calm down, we’ll see if we can’t get to the bottom of this.”

The words were delivered at a decibel that belied their civil intent. The head of airport security, a Mr. Wayne Hibbert, had been trying his best for the last half hour to keep calm and add a professional voice to the impromptu investigation, but with Jessica’s ranting, and the flight attendant from Hades parroting practically every word she uttered, he was beginning to descend to their level.

D stood back and observed the quintet of souls each talking over the other and no one getting anything accomplished. He’d been able to piece together Jack’s version of the story, and Jessica’s as well, and while he knew very well which one was telling the truth, the fact of the matter was it didn’t matter what he knew, or didn’t know. What mattered was convincing the prevailing authority. In this case, the harried looking man trying to calm the small crowd.

Not that the fifty-something, former military man that had arrived accompanied by his second in command could deliver any sort of verdict there and then, but he could be the difference between this being a misunderstanding that would be handled through the proper channels in due course, or the latest fodder on all the news channels for the masses to decide in the court of public opinion. D much preferred the former and he knew that the louder the ‘conversation’ became, the less likely that outcome became.

Stepping forward, he leaned close to Hibbert and quickly whispered something in his ear. Hibbert grinned slightly and looked D in the eye. “What can I do for you, Mr. …?” He spoke under the din of voices babbling around them.

“Special Agent Dimetrius Gans. And the young man involved in this mess is Special Agent Jack Hudson. Can I make a suggestion?”

“I’d be grateful for your input Agent Gans.”

D clapped a hand on Hibbert’s back and turned him away from the fray, talking in hushed tones. Jack, noticed them out of the corner of his eye and abandoned his efforts to convince Jessica to see reason in order to watch the two men carefully. Hibbert was nodding, then D, and by the time they broke apart, both were smiling.

I know! He suggested they push Jessica out of the plan without a parachute at 30,000 feet!

Kim

I've been TELLING you to push Jessica out of the plane! Thank you, Kim! Now, as for you, missy. . .

And I'd be grateful for yours, Agent Tina . . .

How could you stop THERE? AGAIN? You lull me into a false sense of security, going back and forth between Sue and Jack, D and the other guy are both smiling, Levi's going to be OK, . . . but now Sue (and the REST of fanficdom) will be worried about this "situation," Tara's had to go to the dentist, Myles has had to go to a family thing (talk about a "situation" - that's NEVER a good thing), Jessica's convinced that twerp of a flight attendant that she's been accosted . . . I could go on, but I might start realizing that I LIKE this story, and then I wouldn't be using the angry smilie anymore . . . grumble grumble grumble . . .

Joy, I call bad cop . . . I think I can handle it, but I'll need backup.

It's a relief to know Levi is alright. Poor Sue. Good thing she's got Lucy.

Dimitrius--> If anyone can put things right, D sure can. But what's his plan? interesting...

Tina, I'm ready for the next post. Like ... now?

Glad to know that Levi is fine

Jessica , and this attendant , but what is D's sugestion

can't wait for the next!

Tere

now please...i hope D found a way to get jack out of this.... jessica you really are a sad woman aren't ya.

I just knew that that hussy was going to pull that on Jack. I wish Jack had taken D along with them, or better yet, handcuffed Jessica to that airline attendant and let her handle her. I hope the fact that Hilbert is smiling is a good sign.

Tina, we already have enough Queens of Cliffhangers on this board!! I'm sorry, but you are not needed in this capacity!!! LOL

I wonder what D has come up with to try and defuse this "situation"!! Short of throwing Jessica out of the plane, why doesn't D tell the assembled group what Jessica is in prison for, and why she's having to be moved?? I'm sure even her attendant "friend" would back off then!!!

I'm glad Levi is okay and that Lucy is there with Sue!!!

Regina, I'm with you!!!

Joy

Thanks, Joy. I'm sure we can make her crack . . . Maybe make chocolate chip cookies and NOT LET HER HAVE ANY?? Or torture her with 8 X 10 glossies of Yannick - SHIRTLESS? Or . . . or . . . we'll come up with something . . . I'm liking the shirtless thing, myself . . .

YES!!!!! I like this idea!!!!!!

Em

Hum... Regina, I don't that shirtless thing will be real torture for Jessica : mayby she'll just like it! She deserve something more ... drastic...

I know that D can find a solution, but I'm kind of anyway... It is Jessica that I can't trust!

Actually, the shirtless thing is to torture TINA into fixing this situation!
I'm liking the whole throwing Jessica out of the plane thing for THAT situation . . . Tina we want to keep , Jessica we just want GONE!

So Tina, will the shirtless thing do for you??? I really hope so because Sue REALLY need her Prince Charming with her, now!!! And he seems in a little bit of trouble right now, so get him out of there, Please! Remember : Jack...shirtless...
Your turn, Regina! Maybe it'll work?!

What are you thinking Tina? Then I have all my patience stored up so that I can use it on waiting on your next installment

I DON'T!!!

Soo pleeaaase *puppy eyes* pleeeease post, soon.

Point number one.
Phew, you guys are a ruthless lot! But I'm totally with you! Unfortunately, and perhaps I didn't make this clear, the plane never got off the ground! If I'd have pushed her off, she would have scraped her knee at the most! Not the same impact (get it? IMPACT. Ha!) as landing in a heap of bones in the middle of some farmer's field...

Point number two.
If someone, anyone, has 8 x 10 glossies of shirtless Yannick and they haven't shared said photos...

*****

Now, I need to preface this by saying that I have no medical knowledge whatsoever. None. So if my medical terms or explanations aren't up-to-snuff, that's why. I researched a bit, but the sites I found started talking technical and my eyes glazed over, making it just a tad hard to read. That's why I'm begging your indulgence and asking you to let go of reality as you read. Especially if you're in the medical field!!

And remember my original disclaimer...




“Situation?”

“Ahmmm… y-e-e-ah… listen, I shouldn’t have said anything, but I knew you’d be wondering where he was. It’s going to be fine; nothing to worry about.”

“What’s nothing to worry about? Luce, is Jack in trouble?”



The plane rolled to a stop and Jack itched to remove himself from the craft immediately, but the same flight attendant that had given the wary look when he punched his pillow was now cruising the aisles looking for any last minute details she needed to take care of, and after his encounter with her zealous counterpart on the flight day before yesterday, he wasn’t about to push his luck. He drummed his fingers on the armrest and shot a sideways look at D. He still hadn’t thanked him properly, and now wasn’t the time, but he‘d have to take care of that soon. If it hadn’t been for D’s cool head and keen sense of observation, Jack would have probably found himself sitting in a holding cell somewhere right about now. But here he was, getting ready to go home and mulling the whole scenario over, and over, in his head…

When D spotted the tattoo peaking from beneath Hibberts shirt sleeve, he couldn’t believe his luck, and all it took was a whispered “Semper fi” in the man’s ear to immediately put them on an even playing field in terms of respect. After that, it was easy enough to suggest that the passengers and flight crew be questioned to see if anyone saw anything that would substantiate either party’s story. As luck would have it, a young man in 25B was just taking his seat when the whole thing took place and as an added bonus, was even being assisted by another flight attendant.

“She shoved him.” The young passenger pointed toward Jessica and then to Jack.

“That’s not tru…” Jessica huffed, but was silenced by Hibbert’s raised hand.

“You’ve had your turn to talk.”

The second flight attendant spoke up. “He’s telling the truth, I saw it too.”

“He PULLED me in!”Jessica insisted in a desperate tone, sensing her story about to fall apart.

Hibbert gave her a warning look, but the flight attendant was the one who quieted her for good. “It’s kind of hard to pull someone when their hands are in your back. You pushed him in and then you grabbed the door latch and pulled it closed.”

The first flight attendant was silent for a second, then piped up with another question. “Then why was her shirt unbuttoned?”

Flight attendant number two snickered and gave her a incredulous look. “Are you a nun on the weekends or something? Look at him.”

Number one blushed a little as she swept her gaze over Jack. “You mean… she did it?”

Number two only shook her head and snorted, leaving Jack with red cheeks and D grinning like the man who would have the most embarrassing story to tell Donna when he returned home.

It only took a little bit of persuading, and the casually interjected information of how much time could be added to her sentence if she persisted in her story and was found to be lying, to convince Jessica to recant her story. After that, things just fell into place...

Unfortunately, security was now more than a little jittery about Jessica traveling by air, and they had been asked to find another means of transportation. Which was why they were escorted from the plane and ended up making the trip by automobile, taking a day longer than necessary; he could have been home yesterday instead of today. It was Friday, it was two-thirty, and by the time he made it out of the airport into town, it would be the end of the work day. He would have to wait until Monday to apologize to Sue; either that, or seek her out at home. He was considering the wisdom of doing just that when his phone rang.

~~o~~

“It’s all straightened out now. Jack’s fine. He’s home and Bobby was going to call him to let him know what was going on with Levi.”

Lucy’s explanation of what Jack had been through causeD Sue to run through a gamut of emotions. From disbelief she had moved on to anger, at Jessica, then jumped to fear at the trouble the vindictive woman could cause to Jack’s career. A career Sue knew he loved very much. Now, she was somewhere in between relief and a sort of tired giddiness. She buried her face in her hands and started laughing. Not that it was funny… but it was. At least to her exhausted mental faculties it was. She’d never imagined something so outrageous when she protested Jack’s involvement in Jessica’s transfer, and she was sorry that it had happened, but somewhere deep inside she wanted to shake him good and tell him ‘I told you so’.

“Sue, are you OK?” Luce began to get concerned, but then realized that what she had first thought were tears, was actually laughter. “What on earth is so funny?”

“Nothing… everything.” Sue hiccupped. “I don’t think I can explain it Luce.”

Lucy didn’t answer, instead turning toward the sound of the someone entering the lobby. Doctor Bennett came through, untying his face mask as he walked, his face a mask in itself. He looked up and gave Sue a small, unreadable smile. Coming to a stop in front of her, he took a deep breath before he spoke. “Ms. Thomas, the surgery went well, but we’ve run into a problem.”

~~o~~

“Bobby! What’s up?” Jack juggled the phone and his carry on, standing aside to let D into the aisle of the plane ahead of him.

“From what I hear, I should be asking you that.”

“Don’t believe everything you hear.”

“But I heard you were a perfect gentleman, mate.”

“Oh, well, in that case, your source was absolutely right. But I gotta tell you, there were a few moments when I considered not being a gentleman.”

“Can’t say as I blame you. But that’s not why I called.”

~~o~~

He had swallowed a small carcass, probably in the park during one of his runs while he was off leash. They had removed it successfully, but one of the bones had done damage on it’s way through the intestines. Levi had been bleeding before they ever opened him up. At first, Dr. Bennett had thought they had it under control, but during closing, Levi’s pressure had dropped and now… they couldn’t bring him out from under the anesthesia.

Sue read his words, and managed not to break down while he explained what they would be doing to save Levi, but now he was gone and her shoulders sank. Swallowing thickly, she turned into Lucy’s arms when her friend reached out, but refused to allow the tears to take hold.

“I’ll be right back Luce.” She scooted away before Luce had a chance to hold her back and found refuge in the women’s restroom. Cool water tempered her burning eyes, strained from her determination not to cry. She had to keep her composure; Levi deserved a cool head making decisions for him.

Holding a wet paper towel to her temple for a second longer, she then tossed it in the waste can, took a shaky breath and pulled on the door knob. It resisted and she pulled harder; taking a step back to keep herself from falling when it gave way. Looking up, expecting to see Lucy, she looked instead into another pair of brown eyes and she nearly cried out in her relief in seeing them.

“Sue? Lucy just told me…”

He got no farther; she hurled herself into his arms and sobbed as if her world were ending.

~~o~~

Looks like Jack is right where he ought to be. And something tells both he and Sue will find comfort in this embrace before it's all over with!

Kim

I'm glad that there were witnesses to that woman's treachery! Jack should never have been involved in the transfer - I'm with Sue on that one. Tina - I had to read it twice, but the part about Sue not wanting to break down while the dr expalined what had happened with Levi and then you said "he was gone" I nearly spit my lemonade at the screen - I thought you meant Levi! Even though I know you assured us he would be okay. He will be okay - right?! And Sue will be okay now that Jack is there - right? And there won't be any residual effects from the encounter with "her"? I'll have to find out the answers to these unanswered questions and more on tomorrow's episode - it's

By the way - Love the story.

Jack get there in right time! Poor Levi , hope he will be fine, and Sue too, now that Jack is with her

Tere

You are

'da WOMAN!!!!

Now - about that 8 x 10 glossy.........I'm thinking that my avatar might fit the bill.


I think we need the next post now - as a reward for being so patient.

That was such a relief to see Jesssica's treachery thwarted. When Sue fell into Jack's arms, I felt like crying and cheering all at the same time. Please come back with more soon.

Tina, English is not my language, but I think I understand those words in capital letters (finger pointing up) very well. What has Levi done to you that you have to mess around with his insides? Has he stolen your bunny, is that it?

Having said that, thank you for making things right over that Jessicca fiasco. Phew!

Probably a squirrel. They'd be ornery enough to cause a nice dog like Levi grief even though they were dead (squirrel, not the dog) and did you deliberately do that with the "he was gone" and if you do that was just plain cruel

Thank D for me when you see him, though I'm disappointed that she couldn't be dropped from a great height.

kav

i'm glad he's back......WAIT!!! it is jack right with his beautiful brown eyes... not somebody sue met when he was away...nah it is jack....right!! RIGHT!!!

First, Levi will be Ok, right?
Second, Jack will not have further problem about the 'Jessica's adventure' , right?
Finnally, It IS JAck with Sue, right?
Answer those question soon, please!

Great . . . I didn't think of that . . . Now I'm all worried again . . .

Oh gosh, poor Levi!

Don't think we aren't holding you to your promise that you made at the beginning of this story Tina!!!!

Please let that be JAck!!!!

I let out a huge sigh when Sue ran into Jack's arms!! Poor Levi - Tina is going to make sure he's okay, right, Tina???

D was amazing with leading this "investigation" in the right direction!! I'm so glad someone actually witnessed the incident!! I cheered when the second attendant set the first attendant straight!!! Tina, I had not realized they hadn't left the ground yet!! The "out of the plane at a great height" was such a good plan (did you notice I couldn't even bring myself to type THAT name?)!!!

Joy

I'm crying right along with Sue. You have no idea how good it is to know that Jack is with her right now!

And to Jessica! I can't believe she actually thought that would work! Well, yeah, I can believe it, but still....

Lindsy

Sorry for not posting at a reasonable hour. I have no excuse except that the words needed some serious convincing to go onto the page in a manner that made sense. Even I couldn't understand them, and I knew what they were supposed to be saying. In my defense though, I managed to write this little bit and not mention the "J word" once!

~~o0o~~
Chapter Six

He held her. For long agonizing moments his arms tightened around her and simply held on for dear life; letting the tears run their course. From his brief conversation with Lucy, he knew the situation with Levi was serious, but not dire. But it didn’t matter; this was coming from a place deep inside her and by some miracle she’d chosen him to be the one to whom she would let it show, so he would hold her and be there when the tears subsided.

And they did. After a time he felt her body still, leaving only quick, quivering breaths to tell of the torment she was putting herself through. He lifted his head from where it rested against hers and looked down at her hand lying on his chest. Unconsciously she was worrying a button, twisting it around and around until he thought it might give up it’s battle to stay connected to his shirt. He had been rubbing her back as she wept, but now he moved his hand to cover hers, giving the button some respite. Pulling back so that he could see her face, and more importantly, so that she could see his words, he smiled gently and murmured the first thing that came to mind.

“It’s going to be alright.”

He never dreamed the words would cause more tears, but they did. Not the body racking sobs of a moment ago, but great crocodile drops that splashed off her cheeks and soaked into his jacket.

“Hey… that was supposed to make you feel better…” His voice was soft and his head dipped toward her.

“Jack… he… he could…” She couldn’t say the words, couldn’t utter the thought that kept ricocheting through her brain. Levi could die.

“No Sue, don’t let yourself think like that. Levi’s strong… and Lucy said the doctor was optimistic. Tell me what he told you.”

She sniffed back a tear and closed her eyes, trying to see once again the doctors words. “He said that the bone had more or less scraped it’s way through Levi’s intestines to the point where it got stuck, and that he must have been bleeding for several hours before I brought him in.”

Her face twisted again and she looked at Jack with tortured eyes. “Why didn’t I see there was something wrong?”

“Sue… you take better care of Levi than some people take care of their kids. You know that. If there had been something to notice, you would have. Now, tell me what else the doctor said.”

“Ah, he said… he said that the bleeding had stopped, but that they couldn’t wake Levi up when the surgery was over, and that they were giving him fluids and watching him closely.”

“And?”

She sucked in a jittery breath, a left over sob riding it’s crest. “And that he thought that when his body had recovered enough, Levi would wake up.”

“Well, there you go. Levi just needs rest, swe… umm, Sue. He lost blood, and if I know Levi, he didn’t let up on his duties while he wasn’t feeling good, so he’s just really tired and his body needs to ‘catch up’. He’ll be fine, I know it.”

Laying her forehead on his chest, she nodded slowly. “I hope so Jack. I hope so.”

Kissing the top of her head softly, leaving Sue to wonder if she imagined it, he took a step into the restroom, taking her with him. He snagged a paper towel with one hand and laid it in the sink and twisted the cold water tap to soak it through. A one handed wringing left the towel dripping slightly, but cool against the back of her neck beneath the tip of her ponytail. Next came her temple, and finally he placed it gently on each eye, washing away some of the tell tale signs of her crying jag.

Realization hit her swiftly then. “Jack! This is the women’s restroom… you shouldn’t be in here…”

“Why? You hiding some secret weapon or something?”

She managed a sad smile. “Silly… what if someone came in?”

“Well, they’d see a man trying his best to make his… friend… feel better.” he cocked his head sideways. “Did it work?”

She nodded and hugged him. “Yes, it did. I’m still worried, but I’ll be OK.”

He held her hand in both his and rubbed the back with his thumb. “I guess I can accept that.” He backed up a step, keeping her hand in his. “Come on, Luce is probably worried about you.”

Sue’s eyes opened wide. “Oh, I just left her standing there…”

“She understood. But tell you what, I’ll buy you both dinner and you can apologize.”

“I’ll apologize, but I can’t leave. Levi might wake up.”

Jack pulled open the door and held it for her to pass through. Lucy was standing just outside, her large brown eyes set in a worried slant.

YOU OK?

SORRY. She signed, and backed it up with her words. “I’m sorry I disappeared on you Luce.”

“Don‘t worry about it, I wouldn’t have let you stay in there for long. I was all set to man the battle stations when Jack walked in, otherwise you’d have had to cry on my skinny shoulder instead of his broad one.”

Sue blushed and cast a covert look at Jack. He was grinning, but she could see flags of color in his cheeks as well.

“Umm, I was just trying to get Sue to come to dinner with us. Maybe you can convince her.”

“You should Sue. You’ve been here since before lunch, you must be starving.”

“I want to stay with Levi.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Angie’s entrance took them unaware. “We’ll be closing soon. But don’t worry, we have someone here overnight and if there’s any change in his condition, their first call is to the doctor, and then you. I just came to tell you that his vital signs are all good, and that he’s resting comfortably. Go get some rest; we promise to take good care of him.”

Jack and Lucy watched Sue's internal battle play out on her face, but she finally reluctantly relented and agreed to go. “Can I see Levi before we leave?”

“I think that can be arranged.” Angie smiled. “Follow me.”

Seeing him resting quietly helped. Even though there were tubes and needles, and his tummy was shaved and stained a dull yellow, he was breathing evenly and Sue could almost believe that he was just taking a long nap with bunny underneath her desk. She must have voiced her thoughts, because Angie touched her on the arm to get her attention.

“That’s because basically, he is sleeping. It’s the body’s way of devoting all it’s resources toward healing. And we have every reason to believe that it will heal, and that he’ll wake up when he’s ready. “

Angie smiled warmly and walked with Sue back to the lobby. “I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early?”

“What time do you open?”

“Eight… see you then?”

Sue nodded and thanked the tech, even as she was being ushered toward the door by Lucy. Outside, Lucy watched Jack hovering near Sue, and cleared her throat. “You know, I promised Tara I’d check in on her. Jack, think you can handle dinner alone with Sue?”

Jack tried to look disappointed, but in Lucy’s estimation he failed miserably, smiling at his attempt to cover his enthusiasm at having her room mate alone for the evening by shoving his hand in his pockets and rocking back on his heels. He avoided answering by changing the subject slightly. “Why does Tara need checking on?”

“Dentist appointment this afternoon. The anesthetic always hits her hard so I told her I’d stop by to see how she was doing.”

Sue’s face clouded at the mention of anesthetic, and Lucy touched a hand to her arm. “Sorry. Go get some dinner and try not to worry, OK?”

“Promise. Tell Tara I hope she feels better?”

“Absolutely, and I’ll see you back at the apartment.”

~~o~~

Glad to know that Levi will be fine!!

Jack is so tenderness with Sue , hope they take the chance and say all the things that they have to say

Tere

Now THAT was a very satisfying read to wake up to! And congrats on only mentioning the J word that counts!!!!
You go, girl! Any chance that she has done irrepairable damage to that button that we might be witness to by the end of the evening?
A matchmaker has to be prepared for anything at any time. Now all she has to do is make sure Tara knows the cover story!

kav

That dental anesthesia can indeed make one loopy and in need of being checked on.
That was quick thinking on Lucy's part. I'll bet she was thinking of Myles and how he got when he had the problem with his jaw.

"Unconsciously she was worrying a button, twisting it around and around until he thought it might give up it’s battle to stay connected to his shirt. He had been rubbing her back as she wept, but now he moved his hand to cover hers, giving the button some respite. "

Go Sue! That's only one button, there are a lot more to get rid of as well.

Glad Lvi is going to be okay and love the way Jack takes care of her and Lucy is always prepared to put those two together, she must have been a girl scout.

I don't usually quote so MANY, but this was an especially satisfying post, for me, and now you'll never let me live down my desire to be the "bad cop" . . . But for now, so many quotes, so little time - after all, I have to get ready to spend Independence Day sitting around a pool in the RAIN . . . But I digress . . .

This is the kind of comfort we ALL want, don't we ladies?

I loved this one, because it's so true of pet lovers, and with Levi, even moreso . . .

This was just sweet and then cute at the same time. Does Jack not know that what goes on in a women's restroom is on a "need to know" basis, only?

You go, Lucy. This is much more convincing than when she says she has some . . . "thing" she has to do! . . . and I love when Jack is TRYING to cover his enthusiasm . . . and can't, quite . . .

All in all, I'm considering forgiving you for your earlier stress-inducing posts. This one, while not fuzzy in the sense that I HOPE we're going to have (hint, hint), was pretty darn fuzzy. You know me . . . my favorite moments are the little, random Jack and Sue scenes . . .

Well, this decision was utterly convenient. Jack should feel lucky that Lucy suddenly remembered that she'd promised Tara that she'd stop by. I know I do!

Lindsy

Happy Independence Day Tina!!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for letting that be Jack!!!!

Now time for dinner?

Tina, this was fuzzy in the way of Sue Thomas FBEye, the kind of moments between Jack and Sue that we like to play over and over on our DVD's, watching nuances and hanging on every word and gesture from each of them!!!

Bravo, Girlfriend!!!

Joy

I'm just gonna have to ditto Joy here. I've been back and read through the scene a couple of times - It makes me smile.


Thanks, Tina! Hopefully the holiday will inspire you and give you extra time to write.

This is wonderful!

Kim

Are you done watching yet?   Did the inspire any Jack/Sue moments to be wittily (is that a word) written by you and shared with us?  I need some because I missed the big show here - my son, Cumin, began feeling poorly just as we sat down to a steak dinner (lip-smackin', finger-lickin', make you want to slap your momma good).  I had to bring him home and he's been asleep ever since - so you know he's really not feeling well.  Anywhooo............So - you gonna post tonight (cause I'm thinking where you are there isn't much night technically left.....) or do I have to wait until tomorrow?

I was indeed inspired by the What I am NOT, is fast. I just looked at the clock and all I can say is thank goodness I can sleep late! Sheesh... somebody in my ancestery MUST have been a vampire. I vont to dlink your bahlood... Bwahahahahaha!! And that's a wrap. Tina's officially lost it.

Enjoy. See you around noon... maybe.

~~o0o~~
Chapter Six

“So, what sounds good?” Jack eased the car out of the parking lot, his head turned partially toward Sue so she could see his question.

“Anything is fine Jack, whatever you want.” Sue settled a bit sideways in the seat and answered him on a sigh.

“You don’t seem very enthusiastic about my company for the evening.” his grin teased her into smiling back.

“Sorry.” She let her head plop against the headrest and shrugged. “It’s been a long day is all.”

“Would you rather go home? I can take you back to get your car and then pick up some take-out and drop it by your apartment.”

She watched his face, the play of emotions as he spoke. He seemed… disappointed… at the prospect of not spending the evening with her, and she felt her pulse quicken at the realization. She didn‘t want to go home, she wanted to be with him. “No, I think I’d like to go to a restaurant and have people wait on me. I’m feeling needy, I suppose. I just hope I don‘t fall asleep before they bring the food.”

Jack slowed to a stop at an intersection and turned in his seat, his forearm draped across the steering wheel. “You can sit next to me and I’ll be your pillow. If anyone looks at you funny I’ll tell them you have narcolepsy and you can’t help yourself.”

She laughed for the first time all day, not so much at the prospect of everyone thinking she was incapable of staying awake, but at his expression and the way his nose crinkled as he spoke. That, and the fact that she could see the scene in her head… Jack trying his best to wind spaghetti onto his fork and all the while her head perched happily on his shoulder… or perhaps his lap. Her cheeks heated and she straightened in her seat. “Umm, how about Italian? Spaghetti sounds good.”

~~o~~

They walked slowly along the sidewalk toward the restaurant, the small trees planted every twenty feet or so reminding Sue of the street in New York where they’d walked after having sushi; their first meal together. She looked up at him, wondering if he even remembered that night. “Know what this reminds me of?”

“What ‘what’ reminds you of?”

“This night, this street…”

He looked around, searching for something that would clue him in. “Ummm, n-o-o-o-o…”

“Remember when we first met? We went to New York and…

“Sushi! Of course I remember… that was when I found out about your good Midwestern values and Levi‘s affection for Sashimi.”

Sue giggled. “He still likes it. Lucy brought some home a few weeks ago and he stole half of it off the coffee table when she wasn’t looking.”

Jack’s laugh transformed him; he looked years younger than when he’d walked out on her just a few days before. Dragging her gaze from his face, she let her gaze travel skyward and her smile faded.

“Thinking about Levi?” He placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her to a stop.

“Maybe. But it’s hard not to.”

“I know. But he’s going to be begging sushi again before you know it.”

“Can you believe that was over three years ago?” She started walking again, slowly meandering up the street, casually jostling against him.

“Seems like yesterday, but then at the same time, I feel like I’ve always known you…”

“Me too. It’s strange sometimes.”

“Good strange, I hope.”

She nudged him with her shoulder. “Of course.”

He responded by draping an arm around her, rubbing his hand up and down her upper arm as they neared the restaurant entrance. Pulling the door open with his free hand, he dropped the other from her shoulder to the small of back and let her precede him inside. A young woman greeted them with a wide smile and led them to a booth near by a window looking out on the street.

True to his word, Jack slid in beside her, tapping his shoulder when she gave him a wide eyed, curious look. “In case you feel like dozing off.”

~~o~~

Polishing off the last of her spaghetti and meatballs, Sue flopped back against the padded back of the booth. Jack sucked in the noodle in his mouth with a flourish and joined her. “That was good. I was more hungry than I thought.”

“Didn’t you eat on the plane?”

“Wasn’t in the mood.”

Sue bit her lip and considered how to broach the subject of what had happened with Jessica. He had given her the perfect opener, but she was nervous.

“Things didn’t go smoothly.”

His cheeks puffed with air and he expelled it with such force that his lips ruffled. “You could say that.” He turned his face to her and frowned. “How much did they tell you?”

Grimacing at his discomfort, she shrugged and admitted. “Everything, I guess. But it all turned out OK, right?”

“Thanks to D. I’d have ended up with my face plastered all over the news talk shows if it hadn’t been for him.”

“I’m sorry Jack.”

He shook his head and reached for her hand. “You tried to tell me, and I was too stubborn to listen.”

“From what I heard, it wasn’t your fault.”

“Technically… no. But if I hadn’t put myself in that situation…”

“She could have tried the same thing with any agent.”

“I don’t know. I keep wondering if I didn’t let my guard down. If I didn’t think, somewhere deep inside, that she wouldn’t try anything because it was me. But the opposite was true, she thought because of our past relationship, people would assume I took advantage of her.”

“You would have had a lot of people that would testify that you’re not that type of person.”

The crooked grin she loved broke through at last, casting aside the ‘what-ifs’ he had let resurface as they talked about his misadventure. “And you’d be at the front of the line.”

“Of course.”

“But, so you know, I’ve learned my lesson.”

“What’s that?”

“Not to dredge up trouble. From now on, I let sleeping dogs lie.”

~~o~~

The walk back to the car was silent, each of them spent from their respective days. Sue wobbled a bit as they neared the car and Jack slipped an arm around her waist. “Don’t pass out on me now, we’re almost there.”

“I hope you mean we‘re almost to my bed.” Her exhausted brain refused to see the double meaning in her statement and she looked up at Jack in total innocence.

Jack caught his breath as a vision of the two of them caught in the throws of passion flashed through his brain. He swallowed hard and sprinted the last few steps to the car, opening her door and waiting for her to catch up.

“I’m going to take you back to your apartment, you’re too sleepy to be driving. I’ll come and get you tomorrow morning so you can see Levi.”

She didn’t argue, just snapped her seatbelt closed and let him drive. At the apartment, she managed to put one foot in front of the other and make it to their hallway on the second floor; Jack right behind her. She fished for her key and finally produced it from the bottom of her purse, holding it up triumphantly.

“Found it.” She declared, and held it out for him to unlock the door, somehow assuming that he knew she was fast losing the ability to hit the hole with the key. He made quick work of the lock and dropped the key back into her open purse. He leaned forward, about to kiss her cheek and tell her that he would be by at seven thirty to take her to Dr. Bennett’s office, but as his lips touched her face, she turned… and kissed him full on the lips.

He knew she was half asleep. He knew he shouldn’t take advantage. But he did.

Taking hold of her arms, he drew her closer, bringing her pliant body in line with his; her curves and his angles perfectly complimenting each other. She gave a small moan and melted against him, dropping her purse in favor of wrapping both arms around his neck so that she could pull down to her level. Bending his knees, he placed a hand on either side of her waist and then slid them around until his arms tightened around her torso. And then he stood to his full height, lifting her, cradling her. He tilted his head, and she tilted hers the other way, deepening the kiss until they both gasped for air.

She raised lidded eyes to his, searching for something. He looked closely at her, noting her kiss swollen lips and the confused look on her face. He nuzzled her nose with his and then pulled back, unwilling and unable to let her go, but knowing he should. He was still trying to work up the will power to set her down and send her into her apartment when she took the decision from him, and pulled his head down to hers once more.

~~o~~

Tina I hope you're still sleeping since you were up so late with that post, but Oh!! What a post it was!!! Maybe you're dreaming up more of those delicious fuzzy moments. Can't wait for the next part.

Awwwwwww, nuts! Don't end it there! You tease!

Wonderful post! Can't wait for more!!!

Donna

I'm happy now. I slept a while, then got up and checked . . . you hadn't posted yet, so I went back to bed . . . then I got up this morning, and you were THERE!!!



I think one of the main things I liked about the following two quotes is that this definitely was NOT a one-sided idea, this fuzz-fest. They BOTH took advantage of the situation, as they should have a long time ago, and didn't . . . Thank goodness they did THIS time . . .



So the fireworks inspired you, eh? I DEFINITELY recommend that you seek out and find another fireworks display TONIGHT, if this is the result!! I won't fuss that you ended there, because if you ended there every time I'd be perfectly happy . . . for a while, anyway! For now, I'll just keep on sighing and smiling at this lovely post . . . people (my husband, mainly) are going to start asking questions pretty soon . . .

WOW!!! Nothing better to wake up that a good fuzzies!!! , again we need a smile with the girl taking the boy ----> , but you have to end it there!!!??? , well, I suppose that we have to wait for the next , don't take long time, please

Glad to know that you have a wonderful Independence Day!

Tere

Tina, those must have been some fireworks!! Jack and Sue were so in character and I could see them having dinner together!! Then when they got to Sue's apartment, you made it seem totally natural that they would kiss each other!! I'm glad they both took advantage of the moment, and Sue seems to be continuing to do so!! I love it!!!

Joy

You're forgiven for not posting at a "decent" hour.......and I'll try not to be circling around noon for the next post but you've made it awfully difficult not to keep hitting the refresh key.