Poodles are too froo-froo for Levi's tastes. He likes a dog with real character.

And sorry for the delay, I was really too tired to post yesterday and I didn't have this whole post written yet. So as my apology, here is the whole thing.
Love you bunches!

“Luce, I need your opinion on a tie,” Myles blurted out as soon as she’d entered the room. He’d been waiting for her to arrive and once he’d caught sight of her, he’d pounced.

“If it’s the one you’re wearing, I’d suggest burning it.” She didn’t miss a beat. She didn’t even pause on the way to her desk. Sparing only a slight glance at him and his choice of tie for the day, she let the insult come blurting out.

He sneered at her, though there was no real malice behind it. It was just the way they were together. An insult here, an insult there and everyone was happy! Him more so than any of the others. His heartbeat always increased in rhythm during one of their banter-fests and this time was certainly no different. She smiled and playfully wrinkled her nose at him which caused it to skip a beat. He was able to retain his cool for the moment, though. “I meant for the gala,” he answered dryly, impressing himself that he’d been able to sound so impassive.

“I thought it was black tie,” Tara spoke up, her head peering out from behind her computer monitor as the CPU booted up.

“It is,” Myles replied with an air of authority, “but their either the traditional way with a simple bowtie or the elegant way with a fine cravat. Which do you think your friend Melinda might find more… dashing?”

Lucy’s lips parted and her eyes widened with humor, but only a choked laugh escaped as she stared at him. She heard Tara’s giggle and saw Bobby’s shoulders shake silently out of the corner of her eye as he tried to rope in his own amusement. “Well…” she shook her head. She just couldn’t do it. She knew if she ever tried to speak that she wouldn’t be able to hold her laughter at bay.

Bobby cleared his throat as he stood up. He clapped Myles on the back which forced his teammate a step forward and even closer to Lucy. He didn’t see it when both of their eyes went wide in surprise. Tara, however, saw everything and was practically dancing in her seat at the sight. “In my opinion, mate, when all else fails, simple is the way to go.”

Recovering from the initial shock of being thrust toward Lucy and the sudden increased in his heart rate, Myles cleared his throat as he pulled at the lapels of is suit jacket to force it to lay straight—as if it wasn’t already. “I would expect such an answer coming from you, Koala Boy. With your idea of tie style, I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“Actually,” Tara spoke up when she saw Bobby getting ready with an angry retort she knew he would regret later, “I agree with Bobby, Myles. You don’t want to look… show-offy. It might scare her away.”

“Oh,” was Myles’s only answer before he turned back to Bobby. “Sorry.”

Bobby clapped Myles on the shoulder again, this time more gently and waved off the insult with a shrug. “No worries, mate,” he grinned. “I’ve learned to live with it.”

“And besides, it’d not going to matter what you look like as long as you be yourself,” Lucy spoke up, finally finding her voice after losing herself in the depths of Myles’s eyes. They’d both been shocked at the sudden closeness to each other, but it affected her in a way she’d never expected. A good way; a way she’d never thought possible ever again. She stood up straighter because of it. “She’ll be able to see right through you if you don’t.” She smiled up at him and she could swear she saw the telltale signs of a smirk creeping upon his face as he looked down at her.

Silence filled the room at that moment. Tara’s eyes were wide as she glanced toward Bobby and his expression matched hers perfectly. This was the first time in a long time that they’d seen Lucy and Myles this civil with one another. This was exciting.

Almost as exciting as when she stared into Bobby’s eyes. Like she was doing now.

The movement of his neck had been so seamless that she hadn’t even realized she was looking into those endless green depths until he winked at her. Heat instantly flooded her cheeks and she instantly darted back behind her computer monitor.

“Morning,” Jack greeted cheerfully when he finally set foot in the bullpen.

Lucy finally lowered her gaze reluctantly from Myles and mumbled something that sounded like “morning, Jack,” before she uncomfortably walked back to her desk, cursing herself for allowing herself to get lost in the clear crystal depths.

Her legs were wobbly as she took a seat behind her desk and she was finding that breathing was suddenly a very difficult skill to perform. And why was her heart beating so fast and why did her face feel like it was on fire?

She spared a glance back to Myles who’d resigned to leaned against his desk rather than re-teach his legs on how to properly sit in a chair. Her stomach flipped almost giddily. But what did it mean?

You know what it means, her inner voice taunted her, but Lucy refused to believe it. If she was thinking the same thing as the voice inside her head, then it meant that she still had feelings for Myles and they’d only been intensified as of late.

No. She refused to believe it. They’d agreed to just learn how to be friends, but during that time, she’d felt her feelings for him increase ten-fold. A voice groaned in the deep recesses of her mind and her head fell into her hands. She was in deep water.

“Where’s Sue?”

Jack’s voice penetrated her brain, but the question didn’t register with that matchmaking gene that had suddenly been switched into the “off” position as of late. She just pretended like it was still turned on. Heck, she didn’t even question it when Sue came hope this morning covered in mud and a rosy glow gracing her cheeks. As she thought about it now, it was sort of suspicious. Maybe she really was seeing someone.

She felt the matchmaking gene switch back into place. She would have to remember to corner her roommate later and quiz Sue until she was blue in the face.

Clearing her throat, she lifted her head and looked toward the hark-haired agent. “Um, she thought she would walk Levi before coming into the office.”

“He still acting weird?” He asked the question without really thinking as he took off his jacket and hung it up on the hook behind his desk.

“A bi- How did you know about that?”

Her question was drowned out by Myles’s. “Wait, did you say the wonderdog is acting strange?” His blue eyes were wide in almost panic. The last thing he needed was another encounter like the last time Levi went crazy.

“It’s not his flea medication,” she reassured him, with a glance toward him and a grin curling at her lips. “He just seems…” How could she put it?

“Anxious,” Jack once again spoke without thinking.

Lucy was ready to ask him once again how he knew, but Bobby beat him to it with a question of his own. “Speaking of strange, what’s with the hair, mate? Last time I checked, it wasn’t raining outside.”

Jack’s cheeks turn a nice rosy shade as his eyes turned upward to the line of his hair, still damp from the extra long shower he’d had to take this morning. When he’d finally gotten out, the water had turned cold and he didn’t have enough time to dry his hair.

Clearing his throat, he picked a file up from his desk and flipped through it before adding it to his finished pile. “Let’s just say… I got into a fight with a mud puddle this morning… and it… won.”

That got the gears in Lucy’s brain turning like crazy. Mud? Suddenly her first sight of Sue this morning popped back into her head and her eyes went wide. Mud!

“Good Morning!” Sue’s cheerful greeting rang throughout the room and it only made Lucy’s grin grow wider. “Sorry we’re late, but I thought Levi could use an extra walk this morning.” Lucy’s eyes was keenly set upon Jack and she had to stop herself from gasping in amazement when he blatantly winked at Sue right in the middle of the bullpen and Sue only winked back!

This definitely called for a girl’s night in.

Nothing gets past Lucy for long! And Jack breezing into the bullpne completely unaware of the romantic undercurrents zipping around.... So, are we going to find out what's making Levi so anxious?

kav

Hey, I rather think we can forgive Jack his cluelessness as to the others' romantic undercurrents . . . because at least he's finally aware of his OWN!!

Love is in the air!

Tere

Yes, I have to agree with Regina!! It took us so long to get Jack turned on in the right direction, that it's okay if now he is oblivious to the rest of the world!!!

It took Lucy a while to get that matchmaker switch turned on this morning, didn't it?? I think she should leave Jack and Sue alone for a while (after all they do seem to be doing great on their own), and take some time to ponder her newfound interest in Myles!!!

Joy

I saw the light bulb turn on in Lucy's brain at the word "mud"


Levi? Still don't know what's wrong with Levi

No, no, no Lucy! It's time for a night out for Sue... with Jack!

Yes, love does seem to be in the air. Sue/Jack... Lucy/Myles... Tara/Bobby... Levi/????

Tina

I love Myles and Lucy together! So sweet! And shame on Lucy for losing track of her matchmaking gene temporarily. *swoons at the thought of Jack's wink*

I never really though mud sounded like fun... Until now

Em

Great job, I love that Sue and Jack are secretly together. I hope Lucy doesn't push Sue too much!

<---This is me crying about how sorry I am for disappearing. I had to work an extra day last week because a coworker went on vacation, plus my muse decided to take a break of her own.

The good news, though, is that I start my OWN vacation on Tuesday! That gives me a good whole week to write!

So without further delay...

Lucy’s pen tapped in an unconscious rhythm atop the stack of paperwork sitting in front of her. Her gaze was directed at the file opened and laying flat on the top of her desk, but her mind was elsewhere.

“Must you do that?” Myles griped from his side of the room. The noise had been grating on his nerves for the past minute or so and finally the last strand had snapped.

The pen flew from her fingers, landing somewhere in the vicinity of Sue’s desk. She was surprised when she didn’t see Levi poke his nose around the corner to see what had just invaded his territory. Her eyes flitted upward to ask Sue where the wonderdog had disappeared to until she realized that Sue’s chair was empty. That made her glance around the room only to find that she and Myles were the only ones there.

Her breath caught somewhere in her chest and her heart gave a pleasant shudder. “Sorry,” she apologized sheepishly. She hadn’t even realized she’d been doing it until he’d called her out on it. “Where did everybody go?”

He raised a curious eyebrow as he wondered where her mind had wandered off to. “Lunch,” was all he needed to say for her eyes to swivel to Jack’s empty desk. They’d probably escaped out of the bullpen together. The thing that really shocked her was that they’d done it without her noticing. It frightened her slightly more because instead of being on the almost-couple of the year—a.k.a. Jack and Sue—her brain had decided to focus on another pair… she and Myles.

“Oh,” was all she was able to choke out. This was starting to scare her. The more she tried not to think about the possibility of her and Myles ever being more than just… whatever they were supposed to be, the more it started to feel… right.

Setting down the file he was looking at, he stood from his desk and bridge a safe path toward hers. “Are you okay? You look a little…” he didn’t know how to describe it. She looked pale and panicked, but at the same time she carried a healthy and still so beautiful glow. “Are you sick or something?” he finally resigned to asking.

Lucy’s heart gave a flutter. The sincerity was so prominent in his voice. Her soulful brown eyes flicked upward to connect with his for the second time that day and her next words escaped her in a whispered rush of breath, “Yeah… or something.”

Myles was uncertain of what to do. He was sure he’d never seen Lucy like this before, but the look in her eyes as she stared up at him caused his stomach to twist in a way that both felt so good and yet still hurt terribly. “Do you want me to take you to see Arlene? Or maybe bring her here?” It was the only thing he could think of and even to him, it didn’t sound like a good idea. Arlene still made him more than a little nervous.

Lucy blinked suddenly as if his questions broke her free from her stupor. A gentle smile curled at her lips as she shook her head. “No. I’m fine. I think I might feel better after I eat something, though.” That was highly doubtful, she snorted silently to herself as she began gathering her belongings together. She’d be surprised if her stomach accepted anything she had to offer it. It now felt like it was doing jumping jacks and she felt more nauseated than hungry.

“Would you mind if I tagged along?” That question surprised even him. “Er… just in case,” he hurried to explain. “I don’t want to have to end up hearing that you passed out on your way to the deli when I could have been there… to take care of you.” He felt his cheeks fill instantly with heat. Taking care of Lucy; now that was something he could get used to.

Lucy didn’t even notice the flare of color creeping upon his cheeks. She was too interested in his offer to “take care of her” which made her stomach flutter like a million butterflies were dancing around inside of it.

It only took her a second to consider his offer. While her head was saying that it was probably a terrible idea for them to go to lunch together, it was practically a dull roar compared to the screaming “yes” her heart seemed to cry out. “Okay,” she agreed as a full smile curled at her lips and a teasing twinkle appeared in her eyes, “but if I hear you ask me any asinine questions like how you think Melinda would like your hair, I’m leaving.”

His throaty chuckle was like music to her ears as she pulled her purse up to her shoulder and stood up from her chair. “Very well. I suppose I can contain myself for one lunch,” he teased right back. Besides, from the moment their eyes had connected, every thought of Melinda and the gala had flown from his mind. The only person he could think about at this moment was Lucy.

Swallowing thickly, he never noticed as his hand flew unconsciously to the small of her back as he escorted her out of the bullpen. It didn’t leave that particular spot until they’d arrived at the deli down the street.

I've always LOVED Lucy and Myles together, and when you had him put his hand on the small of her back . . .

Glad you're back, and loved the Charlie Brown pic!! Happy Vacation! and HAPPY WRITING!!

For sure, love is in the air....
Josy

Myles and Lucy - that would be wonderful in my book!!!

Joy

They sure are cute together...
Even their body cried for closeness ...

I look forward to read how their lunch went...

Oh this looks promising!!!! And in spite of everything, I do like Myles and Lucy together.

kav

Thanks for be back! Hope you have a wonderful vacations!
Hope Myles and Lucy don't dance around each other like Jack and Sue



Tere

OKay, embarrassing story for the day. I had a busy night at work last night so I was paying more attention to what I was doing than anything else. When I went on my last break of the night, I found that my pants had decided against my movements and decided to tear in a very... shall we say... bad place.

At least it was almost time to go home by the time I found the tear and it wasn't really noticeable when I stood up. The funniest thing about it is that I knew it was coming. I knew it was my turn.

So, yeah, that's my embarrassing story.

Lunch had been unusually quite today, Jack mused once he, Sue and Levi arrived at the park. There had been slight conversation between the two humans, but he could tell that Sue’s mind was elsewhere. It was only when Levi gave an impatient tug on his leash did she finally re-join the real world.

She glanced around at the grassy grounds and the gentle roll of the land before them, her eyes going wide as if she didn’t realize how she’d gotten there. Jack reached out and gently touched her arm to gain her attention. “You okay?” he signed and spoke.

Her cheeks became lightly dusted with color as she quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, Jack. I guess I’m not all that great company today.” Her lips became taught as she frowned on one side of her mouth.

Jack didn’t enjoy seeing that expression marring her beautiful face. Only a smile should grace Sue’s lips, he’d decided one day, because when she frowned, he always ended up fighting with himself as to whether or not he should kiss those pesky frown lines away. Of course, when she smiled, he would still end up fighting a losing battle just to delve lightly into the flavor of those lips.

He smiled and playfully shrugged his shoulders. “Not really. You’re always great company. You just seem so far away today.” His eyebrows knitted together in worry. He glanced down at Levi as the golden whimpered to be let off his leash. His nose was high in the air as he sniffed into the breeze, a familiar scent catching his attention. His brown eyes flitted back up to Sue. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, her blonde tresses falling forward. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just worried.”

“About what?” He had a feeling that he knew what she was worrying about, but Sue tended to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. He’d hoped that he’d offered enough reassurances to her about their relationship and that she wouldn’t have to worry about what if it didn’t work and how they were going to tell the others. If memory served him correct, playing it by ear seemed to work perfectly the first time and he couldn’t see what harm it would cause to keep it up.

He had to admit that her answer surprised him.

“Lucy,” she sighed as she finally succumbed to the puppy-dog stare she was receiving from her furry companion and allowed him off his leash. Besides, one more tug and she could swear her arm would have come right out of its socket.

The dog shot off like a rocket and Jack had to let out a low whistle at the sight of the golden blur disappearing from his sight. “Hope he doesn’t get into too much trouble this time.” Turning his attention back to Sue, he didn’t hesitate to reach out to hold her hand. Her petite fingers gentle curled around his broader ones as she unconsciously sought out the strength he willingly offered. “So, what about Lucy?”

Her small shoulders lifted in an uncertain shrug. “Is it just me or does she seem… different?”

He thought about it for a second. There was only one thing that seemed to be missed from her usual attitude and he had to admit that even though it was missing, he didn’t really miss it all that much. “She seems to be leaving us alone for a change.” That was definitely an upside.

“So I’m not imagining it? I mean, you saw how far away she was when he left for lunch right?”

He nodded. “Yeah… I thought her pen was about to fly right out of her hand.” He couldn’t resist chuckling, despite the fact that Sue didn’t find it very amusing. He instantly sobered. “But I don’t think it’s anything to worry about… though I know you will.” He received a jab to the ribs with her elbow for that comment.

“You think you know me so well, don’t you Hudson?” She was feigning anger and she tried so hard to not wrinkle her nose playfully at him, yet she knew she was failing when her lips began curling up in a beautiful smile.

He winked jauntily at her. “I like to think so. But you worrying about everyone else is why I lo—“ he paused as his head swiveled in the other direction.

“Jack?” she asked when he didn’t turn immediately back toward her. She’d thought he’d been about to say something significant, something she’d wanted to read on his lips for so long and now the moment was ruined.

When he turned his gaze back toward her, it was filled with worry. “It’s Levi. It sounds like he’s found something.”

“Oh, I hope he didn’t catch some poor bunny,” she thought out loud as he pulled her in the direction of the retriever’s bark.

You know . . . I'm getting tired of running into this wall every time Jack gets interrupted, and it seems to be a virus spreading from story to story these days!! And people wonder why I put Sue and Levi both in a cast and put them and Jack in an apartment ALONE?

Seriously . . . I hope Levi's not gotten into something he shouldn't, and I hope Jack takes the VERY NEXT opportunity to not only hold Sue's HAND (or whatever else he can get 'hold of . . . ), but TELL HER what he was going to before being so rudely interrupted!! I love the way you write their conversations, Lindsy, and I love that Sue's being pretty up front with him about what she's worried about!!

What Levi had found???
Josy

I'm so mystified by these jaunts of Levi's into the bushes!! I wonder what he's been after - it sounds like he might have gotten it this time!!!

Couldn't he have waited for about 10 seconds though?? He would not have interrupted Jack then!!!

Lindsy, I love how you are developing Jack and Sue's relationship!! It's exactly the way I would imagine it progressing!! We know there would be a lot of things to work out and Sue would have a lot of concerns for Jack to put to rest!!!

Joy

He almost said it. He almost said it! And one of these days, everyone, including Levi will leave them alone long enough for Jack to get the whole word out!

Kim

I do SERIOUSLY hope that people AND animals will stop the spreeding of 'interruptings' that seems to run around our favorite couple...

Each single time he's about to do something, he's interrupt!!! I know he is a turtle, but ... this don't help a bit!!!

Levi, get out of there! This doesn't sound smell good at all!!! I can see a turn right in front of us!

Yes, an upside. Too bad other people…or animal… haven't caught up on the "upside"

Whooo Hoooo Regina! Jack's got some pretty darn good reflexes and I can only imagine what he might get 'hold of!!

Hope you have a wonderful vacation Lindsy... be sure to take some time to repair those pants!!!

Don't worry Sue... Lucy will be just fine. Just concentrate on Jack...

Tina

Although I'm very curious about what Levi has found, why he had to interrupt them?, I mean, Jack

Tere

I think you ladies have forgotten--since it's such a rare thing--that this is a PG story. I doubt ANY kind of grabbing would be allowed.

And Tina... sadly, there is no fixing those pants. I bought them on clearance too so it's not such a huge loss.

And another thing... would you ladies believe me if I actually said Jack didn't realize what he was saying? No? Didn't think so.

They found Levi not too far off of the beaten path, both Jack and Sue letting out exasperated sighs when they saw him once again tangled in that same bramble bush. This time, however, his entire body had been practically engulfed by the pokey foliage. The only parts of him that were visible were his hindquarters and even those were disappearing right before their eyes.

“Oh, Levi,” Sue sighed heavily as she saw the predicament her furry companion had found himself in. And apparently he’d heard her, his behind waving proudly as he inched forward.

Jack, however, was not so modest in his exasperation. A curse rumbled from deep with in him, his ears pinking when he realized Sue would have been able to read it. He glanced up at her, seeing her look of disapproval. “Sorry,” he quickly apologized before he bent down to retrieve the supposed stuck animal. Levi had other ideas, it seemed. He kicked out his back legs as he fought against his second favorite human as he moved rhythmically to his goal.

One paw in front of the other.

He was going to be in trouble. Sue wouldn’t tolerate his sudden defiance, but that was why he needed to press on. Maybe his mistress would go easy on him once she finally discovered his reasoning for going so screwy. Most importantly, though, he hoped Jack would forgive him. It just wouldn’t do if his second favorite human in the entire world was still mad at him after this.

As soon as he was certain he was free from Jack’s reach, he proceeded to wedge himself even farther into the twisting branches. They were hard and hurt as they scraped against his skin, but he was almost there. He could smell it.

“What’s gotten into him?” Jack asked aloud as he ran a hand through his hair. Jack saw the worry engulfing the lovely sparkle of Sue’s eyes and was determined to erase that dark shadow. Reacting quickly, he removed his suit jacket and his tie. He handed them over to Sue who took them without question and then proceeded to roll up the sleeves of his dress shirt.

He paused for a moment as his gaze connected with hers, his silent reassurance conveying to her through his dark pupils. With a quick kiss to her cheek, he lunged in after the retriever.

With a bit of brute force, he was able to untangle Levi’s collar that had only just tangled around a mangled branch and push the dog on through to the other side. He let out a strangled cry when the momentum of the push sent him plummeting to the ground. He found himself in a tiny clearing—a space barely larger than his minute kitchen—and also face-to-face with a pair of glowing amber eyes.

Four more appeared in the shadowy darkness and Levi licked at the human’s face triumphantly, obviously very proud of what he’d just accomplished. Of course, why that was, Jack couldn’t quite comprehend at the moment.

Jack started when he felt something rub us against his left arm. When he fell, he’d held out his arms to brace himself and they now levered him up just enough to stare into the watery depths of the amber eyes. He stared down into the dark, furry face of Levi’s prey. He started laughing and didn’t stop until he heard Sue’s panicked call for him.

“Jack? Are you okay?”

Figuring that making her wait would not be a good idea, he lifted himself up onto his knees and scooped up the five furry creatures in his arms. They squirmed and fidgeted, but once he was certain they were secure, he told Levi to lead the way out. Of course, the dog would have to make it look so simple. For a human, getting out of his natural cage the little miscreants in his arms had found themselves in would definitely be more of a challenge.

Being careful not to hit his head off of the branches of an overhanging tree, he took a tentative step forward.

His pant leg had only gotten snagged once and with a moment or two to pause, he was able to get it loose without jostling the delicate bundle in his arms too much.

“Jack?” Sue didn’t know what to do. Levi had emerged from the bushes and had promptly sat at her feet as if he hadn’t been acting crazy for the last two days. Jack should have emerged by now and if he was injured, there was no way she would know. He’d gone down pretty hard when he went after Levi and she only hoped that he hadn’t broken something.

But of course, Levi would be acting very differently if he had, wouldn’t he?

The greenery shifted slightly and she took a step back just to give him some space.

When he fully emerged, she didn’t know what to say. Her mouth parted in an ‘o’ shape as she stared wide-eyed at him and soon it curled into a beautiful smile as she stared at the tiny group of multi-colored kittens he held safely in his arms.

And Levi didn't try to eat them -- what a clever dog!!! Are they orphan kittens? What happened to their mama? Is Levi up to being a foster feline dad? And Jack is truly my hero, blindly going into the unknown for the sake of his love and her dog!!! I swoon at the thought!

kav

It's happened again . . . I'm sitting at my desk, on a Monday morning, bills to be paid, books to be ordered, and here I am with an extremely goofy grin on my face at just the IMAGE of Jack, having kissed Sue on the cheek reassuringly, coming out of the bramble with snagged pants, shirt sleeves rolled up (oh yeah), carrying an armload of tiny baby kittens out for Sue to see. Talk about something that could sway a girl to his side of ANYTHING!! I can see the grin on his face as Sue sees them, and I can see Levi's tail wagging proudly, as if he had just produced those kittens himself!

You have NO IDEA how glad I am that it wasn't something deep, dark, scary, and mysterious!

Yes, I would have to agree, Kav . . . Jack is truly my hero, too!

I have to admit, when Jack first fell through into the clearing, Alice and the rabbit hole popped into my mind!! Kittens!! Poor Levi - all this time he's known they were there by themselves and he wasn't able to get to them because of Jack and Sue holding him back!! Both Levi and Jack are my heroes!! But, Jack, rolling up his shirt sleeves, going in to slay the dragon, so to speak, is really swoonworthy!!!

Joy

Kitties!!!!! So cute!!!!!

Em

It was cute kittens! , glad to know that Levi is the kitten's hero and Jack is Sue's hero

Tere

Can I have two of the kitties? That was such a great post. A little bit of everything and what a delicious sight to see, Jack with the 4 kitties and Sue with the proud smile. Of course we all know Levi is the true hero. But Jack comes in a close second and....

Levi kept trying to tell them there was something behind the bushes. Next time, I'll bet the humans listen!

Kim

Well, where have I been? This is such a charming story and I am late to the party.

Levi...way to go!!!
Kittens...can I get on too...please???
Josy

Levi AND Jack... the two heros of the day!!!

Sue's very lucky to have them both for herself!!!

Jack taking off his coat and tie... mini swoon.

Jack delving into the bushes after Levi... small swoon.

Jack falling through the bushes... regular swoon.

Jack fighting his way out with an armload of kittens... major, humongous, extra-large, mega swoon!!!

Jack doing anything... breathing... can make me swoon pretty much anytime, but Jack and KITTENS is too much for my heart!!!!
SWOON!

Tina

Linny my darling I'm truly sorry about being so late to the party.. I'm soo glad that you decided to enter into the challenge though!!!

This story has been awesome from the word go!!!! Now Jack has found some cute kitties...I love kitties by the way!!!! And Myles and Lucy are starting to spend more time together....things couldn't get any better.........

NO!!! Wait they can...J/S, L/M and maybe some B/T fuzzies that would make this amazing story even more amazing...so how about darling!!!!!????

A guy hold tiny little kittens is probably as cute as a guy holding a newborn baby

I just got caught up on the last few posts. Very well written. Can't wait to see everyone's reaction when they find out Jack and Sue are dating.

- RSL

Kav... um... Why would Levi try to eat the kitties?

And I'm trying to work on the B/T angle, Ria. I haven't really figured out what they've been up to lately anyway...

But for now....

“They’re so cute,” Sue crooned a few minutes later as she knelt in the grass, one gray kitten—obviously the runt of the litter as it was so much smaller than its siblings and one of the only two females—cradled in her lap. The kitten sat with her hind legs perched on Sue’s knees, her one black paw and one white one hanging over the barrier of the human’s clasped hands while she watched her sister wrestle with two of her brothers in the grass.

“They must have been abandoned,” Jack thought aloud as he still cradled one gray- and white-patched kitten in his arms. The animal purred contently in the sanctuary of his human’s arms, obviously very grateful to him for rescuing his family. Jack glanced down at the miniature motor and smiled. Those amazing amber eyes were slowly drooping shut as he rubbed at the perfect spot behind his ears. “Levi’s a hero,” he added a second later which made Sue smile.

She reached over and rubbed affectionately at the dog’s silky ears as he watched closely over his tiny charges. It was as though they were his responsibility now and he wasn’t going to let them out of his sight until they were taken care of. “That’s no surprise to me. Levi’s always been my hero.” Her tongue tucked itself into the pocket of her cheek as she glanced over at the man who’d captured her heart so many years ago. He looked a bit put out at her statement.

“I think you’re forgetting someone.” He smiled that crooked smile that he knew would take her breath away and get her heart accelerating to some unnatural speed. It would be easy payback for her cheekiness.

“Am I?” she asked innocently. She looked thoughtful for a moment as she pretended to think of who she might have forgotten.

Jack shook his head and rolled his eyes as his shoulders shook with silent laughter. “You just think you’re so funny, don’t you?” he glared at her.

“I was just kidding. Of course, you’re my hero too, Jack.” Her cheeks took on a rosy color as she took great care not to hurt the youngsters playing between them as she leaned forward to close the cavernous gap that seemed to separate them. “And you always will be,” she whispered softly, her breaths gently tickling his lips in their own tantalizing manner before she completely closed the gap.

The kiss was cut short, however. As soon as her lips had closed around his, a groan that rumbled through every crevice of Jack’s body woke the sleeping bundle in his arms and soon the kitten wanted to join in on the affection. They broke apart in a fit of giggles.

“Hey, get your own, buddy. This one’s mine,” Jack teasingly scolded as he pushed the kitten down, his eyes staring like smoldering coals staring directly into—what felt like to Sue—her very soul. He watched as the color infused her cheeks, the tip of her nose pinking at his admiration. He stared to lean forward to capture her sweet mouth once again, but his furry friend had decided that it was time to play.

Reaching up as high as he could, the kitten playfully swatted at Jack who blocked the tiny paw at the last minute with a “hey!” The kitten did it again and once again, Jack blocked the incoming attack.

This continued for a moment before Sue could stand it no longer. Her laughter was like music to Jack’s ears, but he was too distracted by the playful animal that he wasn’t able to pull his gaze away.

“Oh, Jack,” she chuckled, “I love you!”

The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them and she hadn’t even been aware that she’d said it aloud until she saw Jack’s eyes go wide and a huge grin form upon his lips.

That was sooooo sweet!!!
Josy

Very cute indeed!



Tere

Don't you love spontaneous declaration

Can't blame the little thing... I'd do it too

Em

I love the idea that Sue's feelings for Jack just slipped out so naturally on the spur of the moment.

SHE SAID THE THREE LITTLE WORDS!!!

I don't know who I enjoyed more in this scene, Jack and Sue or the kitties playfulness or our hero and protector of his kitties, Levi. I guess it's a tie for all of them, especially interacting together. Love Sue's declaration of love just blurted out.

Spontaneous declarations can sometimes lead to spontaneous combustions of the fuzzy kind.

As for the B/T angle I can wait...no worries Linny...I will try to be patient!!!