Author's Note: Well, I may regret this…especially since there is only about a week left in this challenge and I only have part of this story written, (plus I’m going to be away the next two days) but this story has been floating around in my head since the challenge began. However I wanted to complete “Stealing Cinderella” before embarking on another story. So, despite the fact that there are only ten days left until the deadline I’m going to give it, as Sue told Randy, “A good faith effort”.

For this story I am going to be posting every day (or twice the next day if I happen to miss a day). Which means completing this story in about 10 posts…can I do it? That’s a challenge in itself! We shall see I guess.


- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008



Special Agent Myles Leland the third leaned back in his chair and let his eyes slowly drift around the room, taking in the goings on surrounding him.

He watched as Special Agent Tara Williams, the team’s computer genius and the only female agent on the team as she tapped her pen, the one with the little streamers on the end, against her cheek thoughtfully. She was concentrating intently on something on her computer screen. Myles always marvelled at the perky blonde’s knack when it came to computers. Many of their cases had been solved thanks to her prowess around computers.

He remembered Bobby once asking her if there was anything she couldn’t do. She had replied. “No, but there are some things I won’t do.”

His eyes then drifted to the desk nearest Tara’s where the Team’s rotor, Lucy Dotson was sitting. At this moment the young woman was on the phone arguing with Randy Pitts, the Bureau’s Vice President of Office Services and Lucy’s supervisor. Myles certainly didn’t envy Lucy’s having to report to Randy on a daily basis. He was sure he would kill the man if he was his immediate supervisor. He had spent a month under Randy’s authority a couple of years ago and that had been more than enough. He admired Lucy’s forbearance in dealing with the annoying little man.

His eyes than travelled to the desk at the furthest edge of the Bullpen, where Special Agent Dimitrius Gans used to sit before his permanent promotion to the position of Unit Supervisor. The desk now had a new owner, one Special Agent Jordan Freeman. He had been brought into the team, fresh from Quantico, two weeks ago when D’s promotion was formally announced. So far Freeman had proven to be a good agent, though he tended to be a bit cocky at times. But they would soon have that beaten out of him.

Myles’ eyes travelled from the young agent seated at the desk to the older agent seated on it. Special Agent Bobby Manning was regaling Freeman with some of his tall tales of growing up in the Australian outback. These tales were all ones that the rest of the team knew to be bogus, as Jack aptly said whenever Bobby got going on his Australian upbringing. “The closest he’s ever gotten to the outback is the steakhouse.” However the young rookie was hungrily lapping them up, hanging on Bobby’s every word, which further encouraged the eager storyteller.

The next person to fall under his gaze was Sue Thomas, the team’s Special Analyst. It had been four years last week since Sue had joined their team and Myles rejoiced everyday that she had. Of course he hadn’t felt that way at first. In fact in the beginning he had been anything but happy with her appointment to their unit but now he couldn’t imagine the place without her.

He’d almost had to though. Actually he wouldn’t have had to imagine her absence from the team as it had almost become a reality. Back in the spring Sue had been offered a promotion and transfer to the New York office. At first she had, after much deliberation, decided to take the job. But then at the last minute she had changed her mind and decided to stay. Why, she hadn’t really said but Myles was sure that it had a lot to do with a certain dark-haired Special Agent that sat at the desk next to Sue’s.

Special Agent Jackson Hudson. Myles eyes shifted to the man in question. Lawyer, ex-SWAT sniper and team leader of the Surveillance Unit and not to mention the not-so-secret love of Sue Thomas’ life. Which worked out well since she was the even-less-secret love of his life. The problem was that even though everybody else in the unit – and possibly the Hoover building – knew that Jack Hudson and Sue Thomas were in love with each other they both refused to admit it, especially to each other.

When Sue had accepted the transfer to New York everyone on the team, including Myles himself, had had such high hopes that this might just be the catapult the couple needed to admit their feelings for each other. Even when Sue had decided to stay Myles had secretly entertained the hope that Jack might still make a move, perhaps being scared enough by Sue’s threat of leaving to stake a permanent claim on her. But that hadn’t happened. Even though Myles was sure that he had interrupted something of that sort in the hallway on what was supposed to have been Sue’s last day nothing else has come of it. Now after almost six months have passed, Jack and Sue were still dancing around each other just as much as before. Dinners, lunches, movies, Little Bookworm club, Deaf club, walks with Levi in the park all made under the guise of friendship. Who did they think they were fooling? Each other maybe, but certainly not the rest of the world.

Myles continued to watch the pair thoughtfully for several minutes as they kept sneaking looks at the other when they thought no one, especially the other, was looking.

Since when did we revert back to Junior High? Myles wondered to himself with a disgusted shake of his head. Those two are hopeless. Then suddenly a thought occurred to him. Maybe it’s time someone gave Sir Jack a taste of his own medicine. And I think that someone may be me.

After a few minutes of plotting his course he finally rose to his feet, straightening his tie and jacket and then headed casually for Sue’s desk, making sure to position himself in such a way that Jack could see him as well as Sue.

When Sue didn’t look up at his approach he instructed the Golden Retriever sitting at her side. “Levi, get Sue.”

The canine obediently placed a paw on Sue’s leg causing her to look up. She started slightly in surprise when she saw him.

“Oh, hi Myles. Is there something I can help you with?”

In a tone just loud enough for Jack to hear, but hopefully not loud enough to attract the attention of the others in the room he said. “Actually, it’s almost lunch time and I was wondering if you were hungry.” He imitated the sign he had seen Jack use a thousand times over the last four years when he wanted to ask Sue out for a meal.

He noticed she looked even more surprised than before. He also noticed Jack’s head pop-up when he asked the question.

“As a matter of fact I am.” She replied. “Why do you ask?”

He gave her a warm smile like Jack would have done. “I was wondering if you’d like to join me for lunch. Just you and me.” He heard a bark of protest and glanced at the one responsible for it. “And Levi too, of course.” When he looked back to Sue he had to work hard to hold back the laugh that wanted to erupt at Sue’s dumbstruck expression not to mention the confused frown he could see on Jack’s face out of the corner of his eye.

Sue’s mouth opened and shut a couple of times before she finally managed to say. “That sounds fine. What did you have in mind?”

Still speaking in a relatively low tone he said. “I thought maybe we could try that new Italian place that just opened up a few blocks from here. It’s near a park so we can walk Levi after we eat.”

Once again Sue looked absolutely dumbfounded. “That sounds good and I’m sure Levi would appreciate a walk in the park. Um, when did you want to go?”

Myles glanced at the small stack of files on her desk before replying. “As soon as you’re ready.”

“Uh, I could go now.” She told him.

“Great.” He gave her another warm smile. “If we leave now we’ll get ahead of the lunch crowd.”

“Okay.” Sue nodded and reached down to open the bottom drawer of her desk. As she got herself ready he moved to retrieve his coat, which was hanging on the hook behind his desk. When he returned to Sue he smiled and gestured to the door. “Shall we?”

Sue nodded and preceded him towards the Bullpen doors. Again in imitation of Jack’s standard gesture of silent affection Myles gently placed his hand on the small of her back as he guided her out of the room. He could almost feel Jack’s eyes boring holes in his back.

*****



See you tomorrow – probably later in the day as I have to go out of town (out of province actually) and won’t be home until after supper.

What a great start!! LOVE that Myles is taking the bull by the horns to give Jack a little food for thought . . . and he's starting with LUNCH!!

Looking forward to more!!!!!

Oh something tells me this is going to be fun...Okay, maybe not for Jack, but definitely for the rest of us!

Kim

This was me after I read MYLES asking SUE to lunch! Oh, boy, this could interesting real fast - but hopefully it doesn't end up backfiring.

I'm ready for the fun!!

Tere

Heheheheheeeee... Myles, you crafty devil... it looks like you may finally get us all to forgive you for interrupting Jack and Sue in the hallway that day! IF this plan of yours goes the way you're wanting it to!

Now, is Jack SEEING RED, or possibly GREEN???

Tina

Myles was priceless. I loved how he had to hold back laughing at Sue's dumbstruck look. I'm glad you joined the challenge and look forward to more.

Author's Note: My sister-in-law was so excited to share some news with us this morning that she called at 5:00 a.m. to tell us. While my husband talked with her for the next hour I decided to get a jump on this story…so here’s the next post about 12+ hours earlier than I expected to post it…


- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008

Part Two



Myles could feel Sue’s curious eyes on him as he threw the tennis ball for Levi to chase. He knew she was surprised by his sudden show of affability, not to mention his willingness to throw the soggy, doggy-slobber infested ball for the excited Golden. He had to admit he wasn’t that thrilled with the endeavour and would probably be spending a good deal of time when they got back to the office washing his hands, but Jack regularly played ball with Levi so for now Myles played ball with Levi. It was all for a good cause, especially since for the last several minutes they had had a shy watching them surreptitiously from behind a large oak tree.

Just keep watching. Myles thought to himself as he played tug-of-war with Levi for the ball. When he finally removed the soggy mess from Levi’s mouth he turned to Sue and suggested. “Shall we head back?”

Sue nodded and took the soggy ball from Myles, a grimace of distaste flashing over her features as she slipped it into her pocket.

Ah, so she’s not a fan of Levi’s doggy drool either. Myles noted with a slight grin as Sue removed a plastic package from her other pocket. Removing a moist towelette and handed it to Myles before using one herself. “The one downfall of playing catch with a dog.” She said with a smile. “Doggy slobber.”

Myles smiled as he wiped his hands on the towelette. When he finished he pocketed the tissue and watched as Sue clipped the leash to Levi’s collar. When she stood back up he gestured towards the path that would lead them back towards the Hoover Building.

They walked in silence for several minutes, Myles desperately trying to think of something to say. He wasn’t accustomed to making small talk with Sue.

What would Jack talk about? He asked himself thoughtfully. Suddenly inspired he reached over to get Sue’s attention and asked. “So how is Amanda doing these days?”

Sue gave him an amused smirk as she replied. “Amanda’s doing fine. So is Togo.”

Myles chuckled slightly. “That’s good. I bet they’re both glad that you and Levi stayed in D.C. instead of moving to New York.”

“They are.” Sue acknowledged with a nod. “In fact I noticed that she’s been calling me a lot more than she used to and planning more outings together than before. She said that I really scared her when I told her that I was moving to New York. Even though she wanted to see me follow my dreams if that was where they were leading me she still didn’t want me to leave. She felt like she was losing a mother all over again. She’s made me promise not to scare her like that again.”

If only a certain dark-haired co-worker would make you promise him the same thing. Myles thought to himself as he cast a sideways glance towards the stand of trees that ran alongside the path, their red leaves forming a beautiful arch over the walkway. Catching a glimpse of a dark head as it tried to hide behind a maple tree Myles smiled to himself as he realised the possibilities their shadow presented.

Speaking in a voice loud enough for their companion to hear, but not too loud so as to arouse suspicion, he asked Sue. “Are you free tonight?” When she raised her eyes at him in astonishment he hurried to say. “I was thinking maybe we could go for pizza and maybe catch a movie.”

“A movie?” Sue repeated with obvious amazement. “Pizza?” She stopped walking and turned to face him.

Myles mentally cringed as he realised that that was probably not the way Jack would have asked her out. He would have probably already had a movie in mind and casually said something like. Hey, such-and-such is playing at Montrose tonight. Want to go? I thought maybe we could grab a bite before hand too. Perhaps he should have asked her like that instead. I’ll remember that for next time. But then he reminded himself that hopefully there wouldn’t be a next time. If Jack didn’t jump into action within the next day or two Myles was going to have to give him a kick-start – literally.

He felt her put a hand on his forehead and watched as she examined his face in concern. “Myles are you feeling all right? You feel a little warm. Maybe you’re feverish. Perhaps you should go home and lie down.”

Removing her hand from his forehead and holding it to his chest he gave her a mildly amused smile. “I’m not feverish. Actually I’m feeling just fine. I was merely asking if you wanted to join me for pizza and a movie, not if you wanted to rob a jewellery store.”

Sue smiled up at him. “Very well, Myles. I accept.”

“Great.” He smiled at her, absently stroking the hand he held. “I’ll check and see what movies are playing at Montrose. Maybe we’ll be able to grab something to eat before the movie.”

Sue nodded and continued to look at him thoughtfully for several moments.

“Whats the matter?” He finally asked her.

“Nothing.” She replied, finally saying something after a long pause. I just can’t help wondering at this sudden act of sociability. I mean we’ve known each other for four years now and you’ve never asked me out to lunch before. Let along dinner and a movie. I guess I can’t help but wonder what’s up.”

“Nothing’s up.” Myles quickly assured her. “Can’t a friend ask another friend out for dinner and a movie without something being up? I mean look at you and Jack. You two are just friends yet you go out to dinner and lunch and movies all the time.”

“That’s true.” Sue slowly admitted.

“So what’s the difference between you and Jack going out to dinner and the movies as friends and you and I going out to dinner and the movies as friends – aside from the fact that we’ve never done it before?”

“You’re right, Myles.” Sue quickly assured him. “There is nothing different about it.” Then lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders slightly she said. “All right, Agent Leland you’re on. Levi and I would love to accompany you tonight for dinner and a movie.”

“Wonderful!” Myles smiled brightly. Then on inspiration he asked. “How do you sign ‘wonderful’?”

Sue showed him the sign which he repeated a couple of times to make sure he had it right. Sue smiled at him and nodded.

Wonderful! He signed a finally time, his eyes noticing their dark-haired shadow rushing away from his hiding place and towards the Hoover Building.

Plan one complete. Myles thought to himself as he offered Sue his arm and they continued along the picturesque tree-lined path, red leaves floating around them, travelling on the light autumn breeze.

Suddenly he felt Sue tug on his arm and exclaim. “Myles, look!”

Myles followed the direction of her outstretched finger with his eyes but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

“Over there in the bushes. I saw something red.” She informed him anxiously.

Giving her a sarcastic look he was about to point out that that wasn’t surprising since it was fall and everything was red. However remembering in time that he was supposed to be imitating how Jack would interact with Sue he bit back the retort and instead went to investigate what had caught Sue’s attention. When he got closer to the spot Sue had indicated his eyes had widened slightly in surprise. There in the shelter of a couple large bushes, curled up in a ball, was a little girl wearing a red coat.

*****


He raced up the stairs two at a time, not wanting to waste any time waiting for the elevator to arrive. He had to get to him to warn him about what was going on fast! He couldn’t believe what he had seen – it was something he never expected he would ever see. How could he? After all it wasn’t the way things were supposed to be. He had to do something. He had to put a stop to it. He had to warn him. He had to warn him so he could put a stop to it!

Yanking open the stairwell doorway he all but stumbled out into the hallway and into the Bullpen. Upon seeing his quarry he gasped out. “Jack! We have a situation!”

Bracing both his hands on Jack’s desk he fought to regain his normal breathing pattern.

“What is going on, Howie?” He heard Jack ask tentatively.

Swallowing hard and placing one hand over his racing heart he managed to force out. “It’s Myles and Sue.”

“What about them?” Jack asked with obvious alarm. “Are they okay? Are they hurt?”

Howie shook his head vehemently. “It’s worse that that! A lot worse!” He croaked out. “They’re dating!”

*****




See you all tomorrow…today I have to spend about 6 hours travelling…I’m going to try and get a jump on the future posts of this story…

Howie just cracks me up!


Poor little girl! Hopefully she's not lost or something like that!

Have a safe trip!

Howie kills me!! I thought all along it was JACK behind the oak tree!! And what about the little girl? I have a feeling that she will throw Sue and Myles together even MORE, since they were the ones to find her, and that will drive Jack absolutely CRAZY!!!

LOVE IT!!

Man I hope this plan doesn't somehow backfire. Oops, forget I said that. Erase that very thought from your head RSL. No backfiring allowed!

Kim

That was really fun , well maybe for Jack not so...
And I'm with Kim, Backfiring is not allowed, please! I beg you!!!!



Tere

Well if that doesn't stir Jack into action, I don't know what will! This is highly entertaining, RSL, as long as we don't have any mixups with partnerships along the way -- like Sue falling for Myles or vice versa!

kav

Just catching up on your two posts RSL and what a start!! I liked the fact that Myles take this matter in his own hands....now, I am with Kav...hope no mix up will happen

Can't wait for more
Josy

Have faith in me everyone...have I ever proven to be anything but a J/S shipper?

So let's see what going on now...

- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008

Part Three




“Is she…? Is she…?” Myles heard Sue ask frightfully, unable to finish the question.

Myles wasn’t sure of the answer so he didn’t reply. He just moved in closer to the curled up child and tentatively reached out a hand to touch her face. He heard a sleepy groan emanate from the little girl’s lips.

Relieved Myles turned his head and looked up at Sue so she could read his lips. “She’s alive.”

Relief filled Sue’s face as Myles turned his attention to the child who was now awake and watching him with interest.

“Oh, hello.” Myles said a little uncomfortably. “I’m Special Agent Myles Leland the third and this is Sue Thomas.”

“Pretty doggie.” The little girl said as she crawled out from amongst the bushes and headed straight for Levi. Myles looked up at Sue in surprise before getting to his feet.

“Yes he is.” Sue agreed, offering. “Do you want to pet him?”

The little girl ran a gentle hand over Levi’s head and neck, a big smile nearly splitting her adorable face. “He’s soft.” She pronounced and threw her arms around the Golden’s neck, burying her face in his soft fur.

“Well, I’d say she’s not afraid of dogs.” Myles remarked to Sue with a soft chuckle.

“I wove dogs.” The little girl told him, lifting her head from Levi’s neck to look at him. Then looking at Sue she asked. “What her name?”

“His name is Levi.” Sue told her.

“Wevi?” The girl repeated.

“Levi.” Sue corrected putting emphasis on the ‘L’ sound.

“Wevi.” The girl repeated seriously.

When Sue frowned slightly Myles reached over and touched her arm to get her attention. “She said ‘W’ for ‘L’.” He explained.

Understanding filled Sue’s face and she nodded gently. Looking at the little girl he asked gently. “What’s your name?”

“Awissa.” The girl informed him without hesitation.

“Awissa?” He repeated with a slight frown. The girl shook her head.

“Awissa!” She emphasised the ‘W’ sound.

Remembering his previous words to Sue he amended. “Alyssa?” The little girl nodded. “Where are your parents, Alyssa?”

Alyssa looked at him sadly. “My Daddy and Momma don’t want me anymore.”

Myles looked at Sue who gave him a look of horror. She then knelt down beside Alyssa and asked. “How old are you, sweetheart?”

Alyssa proudly held up four fingers.

Imitating Sue’s position Myles brought himself down to the little girl’s level. “What makes you thnk that your Daddy and Momma don’t want you anymore?”

“Dey weft me.” The girl told them.

“They left you here in the park? All alone?” Myles asked, looking over the girl’s head to Sue with a horrified look on his face.

Alyssa shook her head. “No, dey weft me wif de pie wady. But I don’t like her. She mean.” She looked at Sue contemplatively for a moment before adding. “You wook wike a nice wady.”

“Thank you.” Sue said. Then placing a gentle hand on the girl’s arm she asked. “How long have you been in the park, Alyssa?”

“Um…” The child looked thoughtful for several moments. “Before de sun went to bed.”

“Yesterday?” Sue looked at Myles in horror. “She’s been here since yesterday?”

“It would seem so.” Myles replied grimly.

“She must be starving.” Sue commented in dismay.

As if on cue Myles heard a distinctive rumbling from Alyssa’s stomach causing the girl to giggle. “My tummy talkin.”

“It certainly is.” Myles acknowledged. “What do you say we go and get you something to eat?”

“C’I have a girl-cheese?” The child asked eagerly looking at Sue.

“A girl-cheese?” Sue repeated with a confused look to Myles.

“I think she means Grilled Cheese.” Myles explained. “As in a Grilled Cheese sandwich.” Sue nodded in understanding as Myles told Alyssa. “A Grilled Cheese sandwich it is.” As he got to his feet he was surprised when Alyssa lifted her arms for him to pick her up.

He looked at Sue uncertainly. But when she smiled and nodded encouragingly he bent down and swung the four-year-old waif into his arms. Then with Sue falling into step beside him the four of them headed out of the park.

*****


“What do you mean Myles and Sue are dating?” Jack demanded hotly giving Howie a dangerous look.

Howie flinched slightly at the anger he saw in Jack’s eyes. “Just what I said. Myles and Sue are dating. I saw them just now in the park.”

“What exactly did you see?” Bobby asked as he moved closer to Jack’s desk and watched Howie carefully.

“Everything.” The informant replied.

“Define ‘everything’.” Jack ground out.

“Okay. I was walking along Pennsylvania Avenue minding my own business when I see Myles, Sue and Levi coming out of that New Italian joint. I was about to run to catch up with them when I saw it.”

“Saw what?” Jack frowned in confusion.

“It.” Howie repeated, looking from Jack to Bobby and back again. When he noticed the look of complete bewilderment on both men’s faces he sighed and hinted. “You know…’it’…the gesture.”

“What gesture?” Jack demanded frowning even more.

Howie rolled his eyes and heaved another deep sigh. Looking at Jack reprovingly he said. “You know for a Federal Agent you are very obtuse in the romance department Jack. No wonder you’re loosing Sue to Myles.”

“Howie.” Jack warned heatedly. “What are you talking about?”

“All right. I’ll spell it out for you.” After pausing for a moment the little man continued. “As Myles and Sue were walking down the sidewalk he put his hand on the small of her back to guide her through the crowded sidewalk.”

“So?” Jack shrugged, relaxing somewhat as he failed to see the point of Howie’s story. “What’s the big deal?”

“Oh, boy.” Howie rolled his eyes again at Jack. “This is worse than I thought. Don’t you know when a man puts his hand on a woman’s back, or holds her hand or offers her his arm he is staking his claim. Announcing to the world around that she is with him. That she is his. And I saw Myles do two of those things just now.”

“Which two?” Jack frowned slightly.

“The hand on her back and offering her his arm.” Howie related. “And there’s more too.”

“More?” Jack’s frowned deepened.

Howie nodded sadly. “I heard him ask her out for dinner and a movie for tonight.”

“Did she accept?” Bobby asked with a frown on his face.

“Yes she did.” Howie confirmed and watched as Bobby and Jack exchanged a look.

“This sounds serious.” Bobby remarked grimly.

“I thought so too.” Howie exclaimed. “Especially since he had been playing catch with Levi just before he asked her.”

Jack and Bobby both looked at him in astonishment. “Myles was playing catch with Levi?” Jack repeated in disbelief.

“With a stick or with his ball?” Bobby questioned eagerly.

“With the tennis ball that Sue usually carried with her.” The informant reported.

Once again Jack and Bobby exchanged looks. “This is even more serious than I thought.” Bobby commented.

“Yeah.” Jack agreed. “That tennis ball gets pretty disgusting.”

“There’s one more thing I forgot to mention.”

“What’s that?” Jack asked, a mixture of emotions flashing over his face.

“Myles was signing.”

Jack’s dark eyes widened. “Myles was signing?”

“Yeah.” Howie nodded in confirmation.

Frowning Jack pressed. “How well?”

Howie shrugged. “I don’t know. The only sign language that I know is Thank you and you’re welcome.”

He watched as Jack looked grimly at Bobby for a moment before looking back to Howie he said somlemnly. “Thanks for letting us know about the situation, Howie. We will certainly look into it right away.”

“It’s my pleasure, Jack.” Howie assured him. “I’m always ready and willing to help out my friends here at the Bureau no matter what is needed. And for the record I want you to know that I have always thought that you and Sue make a wonderful couple and I have never cared that much for Myles.”

He watched as Jack gave him a half smile. “Thanks, Howie.”

“You’re welcome.” Howie smiled back. Then a lengthy round of goodbyes Bobby escorted him out of the office.

*****

Sue watched as the little girl ate her lunch in silent contemplation. Ever since their waitress had deposited a Grilled Cheese sandwich and a glass of milk before her, Alyssa had concentrated more on eating and less on talking. That was one thing that Sue had learned about the young tyke – she certainly wasn’t shy. She had prattled on to Sue and Myles the entire way to the Diner and while they waited for their order to be filled. However, while Alyssa talked a blue streak about everything under the sun she wasn’t able to tell them anything useful that would help identify her parents or where she lived.

She observed the little girl while she ate, mentally noting certain things about her. For example she was a very happy, healthy-looking child without the slightest hint of neglect or abuse about her. The red coat and matching hat that she had been wearing, while smudged with some dirt and leaves from her time in the bushes, looked relatively new and well made. As did the royal blue overalls and white turtleneck she wore. Even her blond hair, though now in the need of a brush, had originally been skilfully controlled in two little braids that were secured with blue ribbons that matched her overalls.

She certainly was a cute little thing. Bright, energetic, interesting. Sue felt her heart go out to her, a strong protective feeling overtaking her as she looked at the small child. Without a thought or hesitation she slipped an arm around Alyssa’s small shoulders. The little girl looked up at her and smiled brightly.

“Know somethin’.”

“What?” Sue prompted gently.

“I fink you should be my new Momma.”

Sue raised her eyebrows in surprise and cast an uncertain look at Myles, who also had his eyebrows raised in surprise. Looking back to Alyssa she asked. “Why do you think I should be your new Momma? What about your real Momma?”

“I told you, my real Momma don’t want me.” Alyssa informed her sadly. “Dats why she weft me. Daddy too. Dey have a new baby and dey don’t need me anymore.”

Sue exchanged another look with Myles until he suddenly cut his eyes to Alyssa, a look of deep alarm on his face.

“Myles?” Sue said his name with concern, laying a hand on his arm. “What is it?”

Myles looked at Sue with wide eyes as he said. “Alyssa just said I could be her new Daddy.”

*****

“Where are they?” Jack cried anxiously as he looked at his watch. “They have been gone for almost two hours! They should have been back by now!”

“Maybe they eloped.” Jordan Freedman joked as he stopped in front of Jack’s desk, a fresh poured coffee in his hand and a twinkling look in his eyes.

Jack shot the cheeky rookie a look that had cowed many a criminal in the past. Jordan merely grinned into his coffee mug.

“Hey it’s possible.” Jordan remarked with a shrug after swallowing his drink of coffee. “Maybe there’ve been dating on the sly.” When Jack’s glare got even more austere. This time the younger agent chuckled out loud and held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, it’s not like it doesn’t happen.” Then taking another sip from his mug he headed in the direction of his desk.

Jack’s eyes followed him, all kinds of nasty thoughts about the agent flying through his head until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning his head he found Bobby looking at him with concern.

“Take it easy, Sparky. There is no need to fry Jordan with your eyes just because he doesn’t know the true story about Sue and Myles or more particularly about you and Sue. If there is anyone in the unit who could be considered as ‘dating on the sly’ it would be you and Sue, not Myles and Sue.”

“I just wish I knew what was going on.” Jack said to his best friend in a low tone. “I mean first Myles asks Sue out to lunch – completely out of the blue. Using my usual line taboot.”

“You mean the ‘you hungry’ thing?” Bobby questioned, signing the word.

Jack nodded. “And since when does Myles sign? He’s hardly ever signed before! I can probably count on one hand how many times he’s used sign over the last four years!” Jack ran a hand through his dark-hair as he sighed. “Why is he suddenly taking an interest in Sue? Especially now that things are finally going so well between her and I. Our relationship is finally starting to make some progress.”

Bobby gaped at him in disbelief. “You’re kidding right?”

Jack frowned at him. “No, I’m serious. I really feel that Sue and I have been making progress these last six months.”

He watched as Bobby shook his head sadly.

“What?”

“I hate to admit it but Howie’s right.”

“About what?” Jack frowned slightly.

“That for a Federal Agent you are very obtuse in the romance department.” Bobby told him seriously. “No wonder you’re losing Sue to Myles.”

“I am not losing Sue to Myles!” Jack hissed to his best friend. He watched as Bobby’s eyes suddenly moved in the direction of the Bullpen doors. Following his gaze Jack felt his heart constrict painfully in his chest at the sight that he saw.

Myles and Sue were standing side by side just inside the doorway of the office. Levi was sitting obediently at Sue’s side while Myles arms were full of a rather large bundle dressed in a red coat and matching hat. Two blue-coloured legs hung down from the bottom of the coat and two blond braids poked out form under the hat. She was watching the team with curious green eyes. What struck Jack the hardest was the fact that she could very easily belong to the couple with her.

Suddenly feeling like he had been kicked in the stomach Jack sank slowly into his chair, his hand immediately moving to cover his breaking heart.

*****




See you tomorrow with more of this story…

Oh!! I felt that jolt right along with Jack, RSL!! Poor thing . . . fix it, please? Soon?

Oh my!! RSL!! What a laugh you are giving me tonight!!
Jack`s reaction is priceless and Howie comments (backed by Bobby later on) was...geeezzz... right on!! Jack, you are obtus!!

Now, Allysa is a real cutie and can`t wait to read about her story later on.


I hope it struck Jack hard enough to make him realize that he MUST act...very soon!!
Josy

Alyssa sounds adorable. I'm guessing she's feeling replaced by the new baby and misunderstanding how frantic her parents must be. At least I hope they are.

Jack seeing red is priceless. Between Howie and Bobbie trying to open Jack's eyes, or would that be mind? And then seeing Myles, Sue and their future little girl. What a way to get his attention. I just hope he's not having another heart attack. A broken heart, good, he needs that to get him moving. Tough love.



OK, RSL, I consider this a cliffe. So, is she getting married, having a baby, new job? Or none of my business.

Oh boy...!

Tere

Author's Note: Just a short post today everybody…but so far I’ve managed to get one in everyday!!


- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008

Part Four



Myles noted with interest the way Jack reacted to their entrance. He knew what kind of a picture he, Sue, Levi and Alyssa presented, especially since Alyssa’s colouring was a good match for both his and Sue’s. Even though he would never have planned something like this, he couldn’t help but hope that seeing the four of them together may help drive the point home to Jack that this is what may happen if he continued to procrastinate where Sue was concerned. She could very easily be snapped up by another man.

“What have we got here?” Jordan Freeman asked as he moved towards the quartet.

“This is Alyssa.” Sue explained, pointing to the girl. “Myles and I found her in the park alone sleeping in a clump of bushes. She’d been there since yesterday.”

“Any sign of her parents?” Lucy asked with wide eyes.

“Der my Momma and Daddy.” Alyssa said suddenly and with some force. She wrapped her arms around Myles’ neck and planted a big kiss on his cheek. “Dis my Daddy.” Then pointing to Sue she added. “And dis my Momma.”

Myles heard Sue explain hastily to the team. “She claims that her parents don’t want or need her anymore because they have a new baby.” She glanced at Alyssa before looking back in Jack’s direction and adding with a slightly embarrassed look on her face. “She seems to have adopted Myles and me as her new parents.”

“Do you think she was abandoned or that she ran away from home because she was jealous of the new baby?” Tara asked earnestly.

“At first I wasn’t sure.” Sue replied. “But now I think she may have run away because she thinks she’s been replaced by the new baby. She certainly doesn’t have the appearance or disposition of a child who’s been abandoned or suffering from neglect.” She smiled at Alyssa warmly as she added. “She’s actually quite the little chatterbox.”

Alyssa giggled. “Dats what my old Daddy called me. His Wittle Chatterbox.” Looking at Myles solemnly she informed him. “You can call me dat too if you want, Daddy. I don’t mind.”

Myles smiled at her but didn’t say anything. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jack slowly rise to his feet and move around his desk, approaching him, Alyssa and Sue.

After carefully studying the three of them Jack said, looking towards where Lucy was standing beside Myles. “Lucy, call Metro P.D. and see if they’ve received a missing child report fitting Alyssa’s description.” Then as Lucy took off for her phone Jack turned to Tara and urged. “Tara, check online and see if you can find anything.” Tara scurried towards her computer. Then turning towards his best friend he instructed. “Bobby, call Child Services. We’ll have to turn her over to their care.”

Myles opened his mouth to object as the Australian turned to head for his desk but Sue beat him to it.

“Bobby wait!” She cried out in alarm as she took a step forward. As the agent stopped Myles watched as Sue turned to Jack anxiously and pleaded. “Do we have to notify Child Services?”

“It’s standard procedure.” He told her with a serious expression on his face and a tone that caused Myles to raise an eyebrow at its crispness. He certainly didn’t sound like his normal self when it came to dealing with helpless victims.

“I know it’s standard procedure.” She assured him eagerly. “But that means that she’ll be placed in a foster home until we can find her parents. There’s no way that they’ll allow Myles and I to keep her.”

“So?” He frowned at her, folding his arms against his chest. “That’s standard procedure.”

Myles was surprised by Jack’s hard-looking expression. From the expression on Sue’s face he could tell she was too.

“Jack she is four years old.” Sue reasoned with him. “She has been alone since at least yesterday. What she needs right now are familiar faces, not a multitude of strangers shuffling her from pillar to post.”

“We’re all strangers to her.” Jack pointed out almost curtly.

Sue frowned at him. “Yes, but Myles and I aren’t. She seems to trust us, Jack.”

“Yeah, she’s even calling you ‘Momma’ and ‘Daddy’.” Jack said with a strong tone of jealousy.

“That was Alyssa’s idea, Jack, not ours.” She retorted back. “She seems very confused right now. She seems to feel that her parents don’t want her anymore because of a new baby. I’m not going to make her feel that we don’t want her too.” She gestured to herself and Myles. When Jack didn’t respond she reached out and touched his arm. Giving it a gentle squeeze she said softly. “Please, Jack. This means a lot to me.”

Jack let out a deep sigh of resignation. “Okay, but only for twenty-four hours. If we don’t find her parents by the end of the day tomorrow we have to call Child Services.”

Sue gave him a grateful smile and squeezed his arm. Thank you. She signed with her free hand.

Moving his hand so that he could take her hand in his he signed with his free one. You’re welcome.

Myles watched as Sue smiled broadly at Jack and he smiled back at her.

Oh, those two…what is it going to take to get those two together? Can’t they see how in love they are with one another?

Myles’ attention was drawn away from Jack and Sue when Alyssa leaned up to whisper in his ear. “Daddy, I need to go potty.”

Feeling his face flush at Alyssa’s words he reached out to get Sue’s attention. When she looked at him curiously he said. “We, ah, we have a little situation.” He nodded to Alyssa and gave her a wide-eyed look.

Sue looked at him for a moment before realising what he meant. Smiling in amusement she said, holding out her hands to Alyssa. “Don’t worry, I’ll take her, Myles.” The little girl went to her willingly and Myles flashed her a relieved smile. Handing Levi’s leash to him she asked. “Can you take his leash off while I take Alyssa to the washroom?”

“Sure.” Myles assured her as he accepted the leash. “No problem.”

“Come on, Little One.” Sue said to the child in her arms. “Let’s get you fixed up.”

Myles watched Sue and Alyssa go before bending down and removing Levi’s leash from his collar. Patting the Golden’s side while he rested against his leg Myles said. “There you go, boy. Now you’re free to roam about as you please again.”

Levi looked at him for a moment before running towards Sue’s desk and slid underneath it for a moment. When he came back out he had his bunny in his mouth. He squeezed the middle to make it squeak before carrying it back and sitting in front of Myles, looking at him expectantly.

Without thought Myles grabbed the stuffed toy and threw it across the room saying eagerly. “Go and get your bunny!” Levi immediately ran after it, pouncing on it near Myles’ desk. Myles laughed and looked back to Jack and Bobby with a large smile on his face. The smile quickly faded when he saw the expression on Jack’s face. “What?” He asked innocently.

“I thought this wasn’t a ‘dog run’.” Jack ground out tersely.

Myles merely smiled again and shrugged his shoulders.

He noticed Jack open his mouth to say something more but was stopped when Bobby suddenly said. “Myles, can I talk to you for a minute.” Glancing at Jack momentarily he looked back to Myles and qualified. “Alone.”

Slightly nervous by Bobby’s tone Myles nodded his head and then with a final glance at Jack followed Bobby out of the room.

*****

(Bobby) (Myles)


(Myles)

See you tomorrow...

This is such a fun story! The characters are so true to form!

Oh rsl -- I don't know whether to or so I think I'll just stand quietly here and until you post again.

kav

But again, please, I beg you!!! I will wait patiently for the next!!

Tere

Poor Myles!! I hope he'll tell Bobby what's REALLY going on . . . and I hope Myles doesn't get any ideas about Sue in the meantime!!

Bobby...go easy on Myles
Josy

Author's Note: So far I'm 5 for 5...If all goes well I should have this story finished by Friday. I've plotted out 9 posts...now I just have to get the next four written.


- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008

Part Five



“There, how does that feel, Little One?” Sue asked her young charge after helping her wash her hands.

Alyssa lifted her head to look at Sue as she replied with a big grin on her face. “Better, Momma.”

Sue felt her stomach flutter and her heart constrict at the sight of the unfamiliar title on Alyssa’s lips. Momma. She felt an ache as the familiar longing for children of her own swept over her. Though instead of envisioning blond-haired children her dreams of the last few years had been filled of dark-haired, dark-eyed ones. The boys strongly resembling a certain dark-haired, dark-eyed agent she knew.

Lifting Alyssa so that she was sitting on the counter she smiled warmly at her. Plucking the red cap off her head and helping her out of her coat she said. “Why don’t we fix your hair, Miss Alyssa? You look like a wild creature with hair sticking out like that.”

Alyssa giggled as Sue removed the ribbons and elastics that held the little girl’s hair and begun undoing the messy braids.

As she gently brushed Alyssa’s hair Sue’s mind traveled back to Jack and the events of the last six months. When Sue had decided to stay in D.C. instead of taking the job offer in New York she had hoped that things would change between her and Jack. That he might make a move to deepen their already wonderful friendship. But so far nothing has happened. Oh, they still went out for dinner a lot and he had started accompanying her to Deaf Club and the Little Bookworm Club, but everything was still done ‘as friends’. There was still no holding of hands, no long kisses goodnight or signed or spoken words of love. Plain and simple she and Jack were in the same comfortable rut that they had always been in. And quite frankly she was getting tired of it. She was ready to throw up her hands and say forget about Jack Hudson! After all, it was quite obvious that he was not going to make a move.

That brought her thoughts to Myles. What had gotten into him today? He had actually been quite charming and gregarious. During lunch he had even been quite entertaining and solicitous. She had been surprised when he had asked her to tell him all about herself and growing up in Ohio and most specifically what it had been like growing up without being able to hear. When she had expressed her astonishment at the request he had shrugged slightly and sheepishly admitted that despite the fact that they had worked together for four years he really didn’t know much about her. So, honoring his petition she had related her history, honestly and without fanfare. And had been even more astounded by Myles’ reaction.

He had looked at her solemnly as he had sincerely apologized for the way he had treated her when she had first joined the team. He felt bad, he had told her, for contributing to the pain and frustration that she had experienced in her life.

Gratified Sue had assured him that it had all been forgiven a long time ago. They had then finished their lunch by Myles reciprocating by relating to her his history at her request, leaving Sue with feelings of new appreciation for him and everything that he had endured growing up. It had helped her to realize that while he hadn’t had a physical hurdle to overcome he had had plenty of emotional ones, the main one being the feeling that he was never good enough for his parents. That he couldn’t measure up to the high expectations that his parents had set up for him and his sister. He always felt that his sister, Anne was their favorite child. He had been shocked and amazed to realize that his sister had felt the same way about him.

Feeling a tug on her arm Sue turned her attention to the child before her. Alyssa was frowning at her.

“What’s wrong, Little One?” Sue asked the little girl, placing a tender hand on her silky head, wondering what had caused the frown Alyssa was giving her.

“Momma I was talkin’ to you but you weren’t wistening to me.” The girl scolded.

“I’m sorry, Alyssa.” Sue apologized sincerely. “But remember what Myles told you about me? About how I can’t hear you when you speak to me.”

Alyssa’s frown disappeared and she slapped herself on the forehead dramatically. “I forgetted. Daddy say you can’t hear ‘cuz your ears don’t work so I have to ‘member to wook at you when I speak so you can wead my wips.”

“That’s right.” Sue confirmed. “So what were you trying to tell me before?”

“I was asking if you and Daddy were going to have any new babies.”

Sue nearly choked on the elastic that she had placed between her teeth while she gathered some of Alyssa’s hair into a pigtail. Removing the elastic she secured the pigtail and brushed it out to smooth it before answering. “No, Alyssa. Myles and I aren’t going to be having any babies.”

“Good.” Alyssa beamed happily as Sue gathered the rest of her hair into another pigtail. “Dat means I can stay wif you and Daddy forever.” She threw her arms around Sue’s neck just as Sue finished securing her pigtail. Hugging Sue tightly she gave her a big smacking kiss on the cheek before announcing. “I wove you, Momma.”

*****

Bobby had barely shut the door of the Conference Room before he turned to Myles and demanded. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t take my gun out right now and shoot you where you stand!”

Myles opened his eyes wide as he gaped at his angry partner. “I can think of several good reasons.” He replied calmly. “You not going to jail for the rest of your life would be at the top of the list.”

Visibly unamused Bobby cried. “How could you Myles? What’s the big idea of stabbing Jack in the back?”

“Stabbing Jack in the back?” Myles repeated in confusion. “All I did was ask Sue out to lunch and then help her take Levi for a walk in the park. Since when does two friends enjoying a meal together constitute stabbing anyone in the back?”

“You know how Jack feels about Sue!” Bobby shot back.

“I know.” The Bostonian man nodded slightly. “Just like you know and Lucy knows and Tara knows and D knows and probably everybody else in the building knows…except Sue. She has no idea how Jack feels about her just like he has no idea how she feels about him. And quite frankly I’m tired of it. I’m tired of coming into work and wondering if Jack has finally made a move knowing that the two of them had gone out the night before. I’m tired of watching the two of them mooning over each other from their respective desks when they think no one, especially each other, is looking. And I’m really sick and tired of the look of disappointment that I see in Sue’s eyes every time that Jack has retreated when the perfect moment to tell her his feelings has arisen.”

“So you have decided to teach Jack a lesson by stealing her away from him. Make him realize what he’s missing out on.” Bobby asked in a little calmer tone.

“Partly, maybe.” Myles replied. “But mostly I want to give him a taste of his own medicine. Show him how his normal everyday interactions with Sue look to the rest of the world. I haven’t done anything that Jack hasn’t done. All Sue and I did was go out to lunch, share a few laughs over some pasta and then walk Levi in the park. All things that Jack and Sue have done hundreds of times over the last four years.”

“With the exception of one thing.” Bobby remarked with a twinkle in his eyes. “Jack and Sue never adopted themselves a little girl.”

Myles smiled at the mention of Alyssa. “I’ll admit that finding her was not part of my original plan, poor darling. However if Sue and I had to be the ones to find her it couldn’t have happened at a better time. Did you see Jack’s reaction when Sue and I walked in with Alyssa?”

Bobby nodded. “I thought he was having another heart attack the way he collapsed into the chair holding his hand over his heart."

“I have to admit I worried that that might be the case too.” The Bostonian man admitted. “I just hope that he received enough of a jolt to get his rear in gear and tell Sue how he feels before our little make-believe family becomes a reality. Not Sue and I…” He hastily exclaimed when Bobby frowned at him. “But Sue and someone else. Though I do have to admit that lunch with Sue has proven to be very eye opening. Have you ever heard her history?”

Bobby narrowed his eyes at him. “You’re not getting any ideas about her are you? Because if you are, I may have to beat them out of you. Jack is after all my best mate and Sue’s like a sister.”

Myles gave him a serious look as he said solemnly. “Don’t worry. I respect the fact that Jack has the prior claim. Besides Sue’s clearly in love with Jack, even if he’s acting like a drongo.” Bobby chuckled at his use of the Australian word. “I’ve just developed a greater degree of respect for Sue. As well as an even deeper sense of shame for all the grief and aggravation I cause her during her first month with the team. I was a real drongo too.”

“Yes you were.” Bobby nodded in confirmation. “But at least you finally came around.”

“Yeah. Otherwise I would have missed out on a really great friendship.” Myles remarked, thinking back to the times that Sue had helped him like when he had had his panic attack in the stairwell. If it hadn’t have been for her he would never have sought counselling. Or the time after the team had investigated Callaghan and Merced, the Law firm his sister worked for. Without Sue’s encouragement he probably would never have reached out to Anne and healed the huge chasm that had developed between them. Yes, Sue’s friendship had proven invaluable to him.

“Well, I’m glad to know that I don’t have to shoot you for forming designs on Sue.” Bobby teased with a grin.

Myles raised an eyebrow at him and echoed. “I am too. However you may wish to save that thought for a certain Team Leader of ours if he fails to act in the near future.”

Bobby chuckled a he reached for the door handle and pulled open the door. The two agents stepped into the hallway and headed for the Bullpen.

Just as they entered the room they heard a little voice call out excitedly. “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!”

Myles turned just in time to see a blue and white blur launched itself at him. Instinctively he caught her and swung her up into his arms.

“See my pigtails, Daddy?” The little girl said grabbing a pigtail in each hand to show him. “Aren’t dey bootiful?”

Myles chuckled. “They are very beautiful.”

Alyssa grinned, dropped her pigtails and threw her arms around his neck, giving him a big, sloppy kiss on the cheek. Then looking over at Bobby she asked curiously. “Who dat?”

Myles opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by Bobby’s quick reply. “I’m your Uncle Bobby.” The Australian agent gave Myles a mischievous look.

“Unca Ba-bee?” Alyssa repeated, emphasising the last syllable.

Bobby laughed. “That’s right, little shiela.”

“My name not Sheila, it Awissa.” The girl corrected.

“Sorry.” Bobby laughed again. “Alyssa.”

Alyssa giggled and looked at Myles. “He talks funny, Daddy.”

Myles shot Bobby a teasing look. “Yes he does.”

“Why does he talk like dat?”

“Because he comes from a country far, far away.” Myles told her. “And that’s how they speak there.”

“How far away?”

“Very far.” He said. “He’s from the land of Koala bears and kangaroos.”

“Kanga and Roo!” Alyssa looked at Bobby excitedly. “Do you know Winnie de Pooh and Pigwet and Tigger too?”

Bobby laughed heartily at the excited look on Alyssa’s little face. “Actually we’re old friends. Why don’t you come with me, my little Piglet…” He pulled her pigtails causing her to squeal with surprise. “…and I’ll tell you all about my adventures with Winnie the Pooh and Piglet and Kanga and Roo.”

“And Tigger too?” Alyssa asked as she leaned over for Bobby to take her.

“And Tigger too.” Bobby assured her as he took her from Myles.

“And don’t forget Rabbit.” She informed him solemnly.

“How could I forget Rabbit?” The Australian asked as if the world would come to an end if he did. The little girl giggled happily in reply.

Myles watched as Bobby carried the child to his desk, sitting her on his knee as he regaled her with his own tales of Winnie the Pooh and friends.

As Myles watched the pair he was surprised to realize how easy it would be to imagine that she really was his daughter. He had never really considered having children of his own. After all the heartache and frustration of his own childhood he hadn’t wanted to inflict such an upbringing on another generation of Lelands. However, now looking at Alyssa laughing with Bobby his thoughts were going in a different direction Right now he could easily imagine having a child like Alyssa. One who looked a lot like him and…

“Lucy, is it alright with you if Alyssa stays with us tonight?” He heard Sue ask her roommate, a worried tone in her voice.

“Sure.” Lucy assured her. “We should probably drop by the mall on the way home and get her a few things for tonight.”

Myles watched as Sue nodded. “Yeah, she’ll need some pyjamas and probably some clothes for tomorrow at the very least.”

“Great! So it’s a date! The three of us will hit the stores after work.” Lucy said eagerly.

“We’d be happy to make it a foursome if you’re interested in tagging along.” Sue told Tara eagerly.

“I’d love to.” Tara quickly agreed.

“Wonderful!” Sue signed with a broad smile on her face. Then noticing Myles watching them she added with a teasing smile. “You’re welcome to join us too if you want, Myles.”

Myles gave her a soft smile as he surprised her by saying. “You know something, I think I’ll take you up on that offer. Count me in.”

He then turned and walked back to his desk, feeling the surprised eyes of Sue, Tara, Lucy and Jack on him as he went.

*****



See you tomorrow with the next post…

Cute post, but I'm wondering how will you fix THAT!!!

Tere

I can't wait to go on that shopping trip with them!! And, I'm glad Bobby decided he wouldn't have to shoot Myles after all!!

Wonderful story!

I've got a bad feeling this is about to backfire in a BIG way. I think this needs a very, very quick fix...before it gets too far out of hand.

Kim

Can I come too??? Please

Beautiful post RSL
Josy

I second that!

Author's Note: I’m 6 for 6…only Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to go…


- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008

Part Six



Jack hit the send button on the email he was writing and then leaned back in his chair with a sigh. Glancing at the clock on the wall he noted with satisfaction that it was almost five o’clock.

Just ten more minutes and I can put this whole rotten day behind me. He thought to himself as he glanced from the clock towards Myles who was working away at his desk a few feet away from Jack. What was with him today? Why was he constantly worming his way into Sue’s company today? If Jack didn’t know better he would suspect that the Bostonian agent had feelings for Sue. But that was ridiculous. After all after four years how could someone just suddenly develop feelings for Sue? Sue was the sort of woman that you fell for instantly, upon your first meeting. After all that was how it had been for him. He had fallen for her the first moment he had laid eyes on her, which was why he had searched her out in the cafeteria that day. He had wanted to find out more about her. Ask her out even. However he was glad he hadn’t. He was glad that he had instead worked to get her on their team. That had turned out to be the best professional decision of his life. And personal one too because he had gotten to know Sue in a way he probably wouldn’t have otherwise. During their four year partnership he had gotten to see all aspects of her personality, had seen her at her best and at her worst and he loved her in all of it. Yes, it was true he loved her and had loved her for four years now. And while he hadn’t actually come right out and said the words he was sure that Sue knew it too. He just wished he knew what her feelings were for him. Oh he knew that she cared about him as a friend, a best friend even, but other than that he didn’t know.

He turned his glance from Myles to Sue who was sitting at her desk with a sleeping Alyssa cuddled in her arms as she read something on her computer. The little girl had crawled onto Sue’s lap about an hour ago and had settled in for a sleep. Jack felt his heart go out to the child, who looked the picture of Sue with her blond hair and adorable face. What he wouldn’t give to have a child like that with Sue. To be able to build a life with her that included a few children like that in it. But as of yet he hadn’t been able to form the words that were required to be granted such a life. He hadn’t even been able to form the simple three words that should come before such a request. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. It’s not that he was uncertain of his feelings for her or of the fact that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. It wasn’t even that he wanted to hang on to his freedom as a bachelor. Truth be told he’d been willing to give that up a long time ago. To be honest he didn’t know what was holding him back. Fear maybe. Fear that while he knew how he felt about her he wasn’t hundred percent certain of her feelings about him. If her feelings weren’t the same he could very easily lose her and her friendship forever. However if they were the same and he didn't say anything he could very easily lose her anyway.

As if hearing his last thought Myles chose that moment to rise from his desk and approach Sue and Alyssa. “You about ready to get out of here?”

Sue gave him a smile and nodded. “Yeah. I’m pretty much finished.” Then looking down at the sleeping child she gently nudged her, saying. “Hey, Little One. Time to wake up.”

Alyssa groaned slightly but didn’t open her eyes.

Looking at Myles Sue requested. “Can you get her coat and hat? There on the hook with mine.”

Myles moved to retrieve Alyssa’s coat and hat, squatting down in front of Sue to help her put the items on a still sleeping Alyssa. As they worked he said. “You know, Sue. Maybe it would be a good idea for you and Alyssa to stay at my place tonight.”

Jack frowned as he heard Sue ask. “Why’s that?”

“Well, you know how she’s been all afternoon.” He said. “If one of us left the room for any length of time she got worried. I have a feeling that if she goes home with you and Lucy she may worry about where I am all night.”

Jack watched as Sue chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully. Tell him ‘no’, Sue. Tell him that you and Lucy have everything under control.

“You do have a point.” She commented, looking down at the sleeping child.

“And I have three bedrooms.” Myles told her. “You and Alyssa can each have your own or you two can share, whichever you want.”

“That sounds like a reasonable plan, Myles.” Sue finally agreed. “I honestly don’t know what I would do if she woke up in the middle of the night wanting you and you weren’t there. Okay, we’ll stay with you. But we’ll have to swing by my apartment after shopping so I can pick up a few things.”

“D-e-a-l.” Jack’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he saw Myles sign the word.

“Here, can you take her while I finish up here?” Sue requested handing Alyssa off to Myles, who accepted the little girl, lying her against his shoulder and carrying her back to his desk. Jack watched as he handed her to Bobby while he got his coat off its hanger and shrugged into it. When he finished he retrieved Alyssa again.

Jack turned his attention back to Sue and watched as she shut off her computer monitor and then rose to her feet to get her coat. As she stood in close proximity to his desk while she put it on Jack looked at her earnestly and said. “Sue, are you sure that it’s a good idea for you to stay with Myles alone?”

“I’m not staying with him alone.” Sue pointed out. “Alyssa will be there. And Levi too. Besides, I’ve stayed in a house alone with you before and was none the worse for wear from the experience.”

“But that was different.” Jack objected. “That was for a case.”

“So is this.” Sue reminded him. “The case of finding Alyssa’s parents. And until we do Myles and I are the ones that she trusts to take care of her. And it’s very hard for the both of us to do that if we’re staying across the city from each other. This arrangement just makes more sense. Besides, it’ll only be for one night, remember.” She said a little crisply. “After all you intend to call Child Services this time tomorrow if we don’t find Alyssa’s parents.”

“Sue, I…” Jack began but Sue cut him off a little curtly.

“Look, Jack I understand ‘It’s procedure’, you’re hands are tied. I appreciate you giving Myles and I a chance to find her parents first. Now I have to go. Myles and Alyssa are waiting for me.”

Jack rose to his feet and reached out to grab her hand. “Sue, about you and Myles…”

“Myles and I are just friends, Jack. Just like you and I are ‘just friends’. Nothing more, nothing less. Now if you’ll excuse me, everyone is waiting for me.”

Jack watched as Sue clipped Levi’s leash to his collar and then rushed to join Lucy, Tara, Myles and Alyssa at the doorway of the Bullpen.

As the group disappeared Jack became aware of Bobby coming up beside him. “Hey, Sparky what do you say we go out and grab a bite to eat. Maybe play a few rounds of pool.”

Without looking at his best friend Jack shook his head. “No thanks, Crash. I’m not really in the mood tonight. I think I’ll just go home and put this whole rotten day behind me.” Then after shutting down his computer and grabbing his coat he headed out the door.

*****

“What do you fink, Daddy?” Alyssa asked Myles as she modelled a pair of white pyjamas covered in bright red ladybugs.

“I think those are absolutely adorable.” Myles assured her with a broad smile.

Alyssa grinned and ran towards him. Myles caught her up into his arms and tweaked her nose. “My little Ladybug.”

“They even come with a stuffed ladybug.” Tara commented as she presented the stuffed toy to Alyssa.

Alyssa smiled and accepted the toy eagerly.

“What are you going to call her?” Tara prompted.

“Um…” Alyssa looked thoughtful for a moment. “Wevi.”

“Levi?” Lucy repeated with a laugh. “You can’t name a ladybug Levi.”

Alyssa frowned. “Why not?”

“Yeah, Lucy, why not?” Myles repeated giving the rotor a serious look.

“Because it’s not a ladybug name.”

“And are you an expert at naming ladybugs?” Myles retorted, his expression still serious.

Lucy merely rolled her eyes at him and looked at Alyssa. “Why not call her something like ‘Missy’ or ‘Lady’?”

Alyssa shook her head. “Wevi.”

Lucy sighed as Myles grinned. “Levi it is.” The woman finally said.

“Come on, Alyssa.” Tara reached for her as she added. “Your momma has some more clothes for you to try on in the change room.”

Myles knew that he should tell Tara not to encourage Alyssa’s use of ‘Momma’ and ‘Daddy’ when she was referring to him and Sue, but he couldn’t bring himself to. The more he heard them the more he liked the terms.

Tara carried Alyssa back to the change rooms, leaving Myles and Lucy alone in the outer part of the store.

“So, do you mind telling me what exactly you are up to, Myles Leland?”

Myles lifted an eyebrow and looked at her in surprise. “Up to? What makes you think I’m ‘up to’ anything?”

Lucy gave him a serious look. “I hope you are not trifling with Sue’s affections, Myles. She’s very vulnerable right now.”

“Because Jack hasn’t made a move yet.” Myles surmised, as he looked at a cute little dress that he couldn’t help but think would look adorable on Alyssa.

Lucy stared at him for a moment before admitting. “Yes, because Jack hasn’t made a move yet. I swear that man is going to lose her if he’s not careful. I don’t know how much longer she’s going to be able to wait for him. Did you hear the way she snapped at him when we left the bullpen?”

Myles nodded. “I heard. Her patience with him does seem to be wearing a little thin.”

Lucy hesitated for a moment before admitting. “I heard her talking to Levi the other day and she was saying that she wondered if there was any way that job offer in New York was still open or if there was another one like it some place else.”

Myles’ eyes widened in horror. “Sue can’t leave!” When Lucy looked at him curiously he quickly added. “Jack would be devastated.”

“But obviously not devastated enough to do something that would prevent her from leaving permanently.” Lucy commented sadly. “He’s had six months since she decided not to move to New York and he hasn’t done anything different. I’m about ready to shoot him. Either that or give him a good swift kick in the rear end.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” Myles remarked as Alyssa came out of the change room once again to model another outfit for them. This was a pair of red overalls with a white turtleneck underneath.

“Do you like, Daddy?” She asked eagerly.

“I like, my little Ladybug.” He assured her. “I like it a lot. You look good in red. Just like your Momma.” His eyes met Sue’s who had obviously read his words as her cheeks were flaming as darkly as the red sweater that she was wearing. Then looking back to Alyssa he held out the dress he had seen a few minutes ago. “Here, why don’t you try this on too.”

“She won’t be needing that, Myles.” Sue informed him.

“I know.” He assured her. “But I’d like to see her try it on anyway.”

Sue smiled indulgently at him and took Alyssa back into the change room.

As the pair disappeared he felt Lucy’s firm stare on him and heard her ask seriously. “Just what are you up to, Myles?”

Without looking at her he admitted. “At this moment I’m not really sure.”

*****

Sue carried a sleeping Alyssa into Myles’ house while he carried Sue’s small suitcase and the multiple shopping bags that contained Alyssa’s new clothes and other supplies she would need.

“Follow me.” Myles said and led Sue and Alyssa up the stairs of his home to the Guest Room. Sue had already told him that she and Alyssa would stay together in case the little girl needed her in the middle of the night.

Laying the child down on the bed she looked at Myles and requested. “Can you get her pyjamas out of the bag?”

As Myles dug through the shopping bags Sue gently removed Alyssa coat, hat and little shoes. She then peeled off the blue overalls and white blouse. When Myles handed her the Ladybug pyjamas she skilfully dressed Alyssa in them. Then after pulling back the covers she lifted the little girl and placed her head on the pillow and covered her up with the blankets. After kissing Alyssa’s forehead tenderly and whispering softly. “Sweet dreams, Little One.” She stood back up and looked at Myles who was looking at her in awe.

“How did you know how to do all that?” He asked inquisitively.

Sue smiled. “I have a niece and a nephew back home.” Then nodding to the sleeping child she encouraged. “It’s your turn to say ‘goodnight’ to her.”

Myles gave her an uncertain look. “Come on, Myles. She’s not going to bite you.”

Moving to stand next to Sue he looked down at the sleeping child for a moment before bending down and kissing her on the forehead. When he stood back up he looked at Sue and smiled shyly.

Sue smiled back at him and reached over to place her hand against his chest, over his racing heart. “You did fine, Myles.”

Myles slipped an arm around her waist and gently pulled her closer to him. Surprised Sue looked at him inquisitively. “So did you, Sue. You are so good with her. You are going to make a terrific mother one day.”

“So are you, Myles…I mean father.” Sue corrected. “You are going to make a terrific father one day.”

“I don’t know about that.” He replied uncertainly. “I don’t really have much in the way of a role model for that. My father isn’t the type of man that you can have a warm, open relationship with which is something I think all children should have with their parents, no matter how old you are.”

“I agree.” Sue told him. “But even though your father wasn’t that type of role model it doesn’t mean you still can’t be that type of father. After all, you do have a great role model to follow. Look at how D is with his kids. I’d say he’s a pretty terrific father and I’m sure that Davey and Tanya would agree with me.”

“Yeah, D does seem to do well despite the pressure of our job.” Myles agreed.

“You are a good man, Myles Leland the third and some day you are going to make someone a wonderful husband and some kids a great father.” Stretching up she planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.

Surprised Myles turned to look at her for a brief moment before slowly lowering his head.

He’s going to kiss me. Sue thought to herself just before his lips gently brushed against hers. She knew she should stop him. She knew she should pull away. But she didn’t, she couldn’t. Instead she found herself sliding her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. Myles responded by sliding one arm around her waist while burying his other hand in her hair, supporting her head as he plundered her mouth.

Meanwhile Alyssa slept peacefully nearby.

*****

Myles and I are just friends, Jack. Just like you and I are just friends. Nothing more, nothing less.

Sue’s parting words of earlier that day kept haunting Jack as he directed his car through the busy city traffic. He had spent the last three hours since he’d left work just driving around D.C. with no particular destination in mind.

“You and I are not just friends, Sue.” Jack said in the darkness and solitude of his car. “At least we had better not be. I love you, I have for a long time. I want to marry you and have little Alyssas of our own with you. You and I are more than friends, Sue. We’re soulmates. We’re meant to be together. Not you and Myles, you and me, Sue.”

Myles and I are just friends, Jack. Just like you and I are just friends. Nothing more, nothing less.

Letting out a deep, frustrated sigh Jack reached out and turned on the radio hoping the distraction would help clear his head. The opening bars of a slow song were playing…

You say you want to be friends
That's a newly sharpened blade
That's a dagger to the heart
Of the promises we made
That's a chapter full of pain
A season full of rain
A dark and stormy night
Spent all alone

Friends
Get scattered by the wind
Tossed upon the waves
Lost for years on end
Friends
Slowly drift apart
They give away their hearts
Maybe call you
Now and then
But you wanna be
Just friends

You say you love me very much
And you'll always hold me dear
Those are the sweetest words
I never want to hear
What's a love without desire
A flame without a fire
Can't warm me late at night
When I need you most

Friends
Get scattered by the wind
Tossed upon the waves
Lost for years on end
Friends
Slowly drift apart
They give away their hearts
Maybe call you
Now and then
But you wanna be
Just friends

Friends
Slowly drift apart
They give away their hearts
Maybe call you
Now and then
Darling can't you see
This is killing me
We could never be
Just friends*

With a squeal of brakes and tires Jack did an abrupt U-turn in the middle of a fortunately deserted side street. His destination – Myles’ house.

[*”Friends” sung by John Michael Montgomery]

*****




See you tomorrow...

Ya RSL...go hide!! When I read that Myles kissed Sue...I think I re-read at least 5 times before realizing what I was reading!!!

I`ll trust the fact that YOU are a big fan of Jack and Sue...and not Myles and Sue!!
Josy

And that, dear friends, was the sound of the world's BIGGEST BACKFIRE!

Kim

I'm with Kim, Regina and Josy...you better hide!

Tere

P.S. If you will not write J/S, I would like to be warned before
I can't get rid of my mind the image of Sue and Myles kissing

Anyway, you can do it RSL!! 3 more posts!!

He did WHAT?



yep, what she said.....

Author's Note: Since I tortured you guys so much with the last post, and I don’t want a hitman to suddenly show up at my door I thought I’d be nice and give you the first part of the next post…more will follow later today…


- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008

Part Seven - A



Sue’s hair felt soft and silky to his touch as his fingers tangled in her golden locks. Her lips also felt soft as they moved gently under his. He had been surprised when Sue had slipped her arms around his neck, becoming a willing participant in the kiss.

When he had first leaned down to brush a kiss against her lips his conscience had scolded him, crying. What do you think you are doing?

Nothing that Jack hasn’t done before. His brain had told his conscience as he had slipped one arm around Sue’s waist and his other hand into her hair at the back of her head.

Yeah, but they had been working undercover at the time. His conscience had argued.

Well so are we. We’re undercover as Alyssa’s parents. His brain had shot back as Sue opened her mouth up beneath him. That was when he had begun ignoring both his conscience and his brain.

When he and Sue had finally pulled away from their kiss they were both breathless and looking at each other with surprised eyes.

“What, ah…what just happened here?” Sue asked uncertainly.

“I’m, uh, I’m not sure.” He told her honestly. “This, uh, this wasn’t something I planned.”

“Me neither.” She echoed, her fingers playing with the hair at the base of his neck as she looked at him with thoughtful eyes.

Silently he watched as a variety of emotions played over her face. He waited patiently until she was ready to speak. Suddenly her fingers stopped stroking his hair and she lowered her hands to his shoulders, still considering his face carefully without saying anything.

Myles ran his fingers through the length of her soft hair then placed it at her waist with his other one, all the while never removing his eyes from hers. Finally after what seemed like an eternity to him he heard her whisper.

“I’m sorry, Myles but I can’t do this.”

“You can’t do what?” He asked in an equally soft tone, conscious of the sleeping child in the bed next to where they stood.

“This…us.” She whispered, looking at him intently. “For a few minutes I thought that maybe I could, that maybe it would be nice to explore if there were anything between us. After all you are a good man, Myles, a good friend and I care about you very much. But I’ve decided that I can’t do it.”

“Because of Jack?” Myles asked her gently. When Sue looked at him in surprise he asked. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Sue lowered her head, focusing her gaze on one of the buttons on the coat he was still wearing. Without looking up she nodded her head in confirmation. “He may not feel that way about me, but I can’t help loving him.”

Putting a finger under her chin he forced her to look up at him, saying earnestly. “Too bad. I think we would have been great together.” He then lowered his head and kissed her one more time.

*****

All he saw was red.

Red flashing lights, red fire trucks, red sports car coming out of nowhere and running through a red light.

The whole thing had happened in slow motion for him. He had seen the red Corvette come speeding through the intersection against the light. He had felt the impact as the red car had made full speed contact with the passenger side of the beige sedan. And he had heard the sickening sound of metal tangling with metal as both cars had crumpled like accordions.

He heard voices around him calling out to each other. Police officers, paramedics, firemen all trying to secure the scene and aid the victims.

It had all happened so fast. There was nothing he could have done.

It had all happened too fast.

*****




See you later today… I'll just do this while I write

AAAKKK!!

Tere

Uh-oh!

Kim

That's NOT good!

First you have Sue and Myles kissing and then someone, most likely Jack in a car accident. Please tell me you're going to work this out and quickly.

Am I right?? Jack is involved in a car accident or only witnessed it???

I am waiting for you Missy RSL!!!
Josy

Author's Note: Here's the second part of today's post...I'm still looking out for ...

- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008

Part Seven - B



Sue stepped into the shower and let the hot water wash the craziness of the day from her mind and body. What a day it had turned out to be. Who knew this morning when she was getting ready for work that Myles would invite her out for lunch and a walk in the park, just the two of them? Then who knew that he would ask her to join him for dinner and a movie? And who would have guessed that she and Myles would find little Alyssa by herself in the park and spend the rest of the day playing surrogate parents to her?

As she shampooed her hair her mind traveled over the events of their shopping trip to the mall after work. She had been astonished at how much of a natural Myles had turned out to be when dealing with Alyssa. Watching the two of them laughing together as he had carried her through the mall had actually caused Sue to consider what type of father he would make to his own children. She had come to the conclusion that he would make a wonderful father some day.

He would make a wonderful husband too. A little voice in her mind told her.

She startled slightly when the thought came into her mind. When had she begun thinking of Myles as husband material? Certainly not before today and even then it hadn’t been conscious thoughts.

What had started it? She asked herself as she rinsed the shampoo from her hair. Had it been when he had related his childhood story to her at lunch and she had begun to appreciate his background and how it affected his attitude and actions in relating to others? Or had it been when he had played catch with Levi in the park, throwing the soggy tennis ball without complaint and showing his more fun-loving side that he didn’t reveal very often? Or was it the way that he was with Alyssa that had her thinking this way? Whatever the reason she wasn’t sure she liked what she was thinking.

She let out a deep sigh as she applied conditioner to her hair. Why had her life suddenly gotten so complicated? And what had gotten into Myles? All day he had been acting differently. He had been kind and solicitous and charming. He had been acting like…like… Her eyes widened and her hands stilled in her hair. He had been acting like Jack! That was it! That was why she was feeling so confused. All day long Myles had been doing things the way Jack would do and say them. She frowned slightly as she continued to condition her hair. But why? And why did he kiss her? Twice at that!

Closing her eyes she let the hot water rinse the conditioner from her hair. Why were men so confusing? Why was Jack, the man she loved with all of her heart, not in love with her and Myles, the man who she only considered to be a friend, acting like Jack?

You’re in love with him aren’t you?

Myles question of earlier regarding Jack echoed in her mind.

Too bad. He had said after she had nodded in confirmation. I think we would have been great together. He had then kissed her again.

Why had she let him kiss her again? Especially after her having told him that she was in love with Jack. Was it because Jack had never kissed her that way, even though she had always wanted him to? It was true that they had kissed during their undercover at Callaghan and Merced about a year and a half ago, but that had been ‘a response to a situation’ as Jack had labeled it. And hadn’t he started saying that he would never kiss her otherwise? It was true that he hadn’t gotten passed the ‘I would never…’ before an embarrassed look had crept over his face as if he had just realized he was about to insult her. But he must have meant it because true to that thought he had never kissed or even tried to kiss her again.

Why didn’t he love her? Sue wanted to shout as tears began welling up behind her closed lids. Why didn’t Jack love her the way that she loved him? What was it about her that made her so unlovable to him?

It wasn’t her deafness, of that she was sure. After four years of being best friends and partners she knew for a fact that he didn’t have any issue with her not being able to hear. So if it wasn’t that, what was it? Was she too tall? Too short? Too blond? Too smart? Not smart enough? Maybe she was too stubborn for his liking, though he had said before that he admired her tenacious streak. But maybe he only admired it as a Training Agent and not as a potential romantic interest.

And what about Myles? Did he admirer her tenacious streak? Was she smart enough for him? Tall enough? Pretty enough? Was he interested in her in that way?

Too bad. I think we would have been great together.

Ugh! Sue what is wrong with you? She screamed internally as she finished her shower and turned off the water.

You have been in love with Jack for four years. Four years!! You have been patiently waiting for him for four years! You have endured old girlfriends, him being shot, his heart attack, his periods of hot and cold where it looked like he was taking a step forward only to have him take a thousand steps back.

Is this how you want to spend your life? Pining away for Jack to make a move? Spending the best years of your life waiting on a man who may never offer you more than friendship? Face it, Myles has shown more interest in you romantically in one day than Jack has shown you in four years!

But was Myles serious when he made that remark and then kissed her again or was he just teasing her? If that kiss was any indication he was more than serious. Though the second kiss wasn’t near as passionate as the first one had been, it was almost sweeter due to its gentleness.

I have to speak to Myles. She told herself as she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. As she dried herself off she said. I have to find out where he stands. Where we stand.

With that thought she quickly finished dressing so she could join Myles downstairs.

*****

He watched as the ambulance raced away, red lights flashing, siren blaring in its urgent need to get its occupants to the hospital. The driver of the sedan, a woman in her sixties and her thirty-five-year-old daughter had been the unlucky victims of a seventeen-year old high on life. Both the seventeen-year old and the thirty-five year old daughter had been killed on impact.

“What a waste of a life.” He heard one of the police officers say with a sad shake of his head.

“Yeah.” His companion echoed. “And he took another one along with him.”

When he had seen them pull the limp body of the daughter out of the bashed up side of the sedan he had nearly collapsed on the ground. From his vantagepoint she had looked all the world like Sue. Blond hair and the same color red sweater that Sue had been wearing that day at the office. If he hadn’t have been able to lower himself onto the bumper of his own tan colored Bureau car he was sure he would have landed on the pavement at this feet. For the briefest of moments he couldn’t help but wonder if the sedan had been Myles’. The make, model and color all matched the blond agent’s car. It had only been fear of finding out that it was Sue that had kept him rooted to the spot he was at. And he was glad that it had as it had prevented him from making a fool out of himself when the paramedics had brought the older woman from the driver’s side of the car.

“Excuse me, sir.” One of the uniformed officers approached him. “I’m Officer Daniel Malloy. I understand you were the one that had called in the accident when it had happened.”

“Yes.”

“You witnessed the accident?” Officer Malloy questioned.

“Yes.”

“May I have your name, sir?”

“Special Agent Jack Hudson.” Jack pulled his badge out of his pocket and showed it to the officer.

“Can you please tell me what happened, Agent Hudson?” The officer requested, pen and pad ready to take down notes on what Jack said.

As Jack related what had happened all he could think about was the limp body of the blond-haired woman in the red sweater.


*****




See you tomorrow evening…two more posts left… now if you'll excuse me I think I'd better...

(once again I feel the need to while writing my next post)

Boy, am I glad I read those two posts at the same sitting!! When I read the accident scene, I just KNEW it was Jack in the accident! I won't even COMMENT on the kiss . . . And then when I realized it WASN'T Jack in the accident, I was glad, but sad, too. I just hope Jack takes how he felt into account and DOES SOMETHING ABOUT IT before Sue rethinks what she told Myles!!



I'm tired, now . . .

Glad to know that Jack is OK, and if he wanna have Sue in his life, he must hurry up!, because Myles---->

End my torture, please! Either option!

Glad my instinct was right on this one...Jack only witnessed the accident!
Now, I hope it will give more kick in the rear to confess himself to a certain blonde and hazel-eyes analyst!!!
Josy who is waiting anxiously for that Sue and Myles`conversation

Author's Note: Okay everyone…I am ashamed of you all…surely you know that you can trust me by now!! Have I ever written anything but J/S fanfiction????

- RSL


DISCLAIMER: All STFBEye characters and episodic descriptions belong to the Johnson Brothers and their production partners. All dialogue in this story that is a direct quote from the series will be in shown in green.

*****

SEEING RED
Fall Challenge Story
Began: October 23, 2008

Part Eight



Myles took a long sip from the Cognac snifter that he had in his hand as he stared unseeingly at the gently flickering fire in front of him. His mind was a whirl with the activities of the day.

What was going on with him? What was he doing? He can’t believe that he had actually kissed Sue Thomas – twice! And what he found especially unsettling was how much he had liked it. He wasn’t supposed to like kissing Sue. Sue was Jack’s girl. Even if Jack’s love for her was yet unproclaimed it didn’t matter. Myles knew that Jack loved Sue. He also knew that Sue loved Jack, so in all good conscience he knew that he couldn’t come between them.

Oh, but how he wanted to.

Taking another sip from his drink he contemplated where these sudden feelings for Sue were coming from. He had always considered her to be an attractive woman. Even in the beginning of their acquaintance when he had resented her and her presence on the team he had always viewed her as an attractive woman. But never before had he considered her as anything other than a friend. Never had he ever once been enticed to kiss her. So why was he suddenly having romantic thoughts about her now after all this time?

Sighing he leaned his head against the high back of his armchair and closed his eyes. Was it really Sue that he was having these wonderful thoughts and feelings about or was it what she represented right now while she was in his home with him and Alyssa? Right now she was playing the role of mother to Alyssa while he played the father. So if this were a true family she would also be playing the role of his wife. Was that what he was actually mooning over? The desire to have a wife and family of his own? Maybe it was time that he stopped watching and wondering about Jack and Sue’s relationship and began searching for one of his own…

He felt the gentle brush of fingers on the top of his head and looked up to find Sue, dressed in flannelette pajama pants and a white T-shirt, looking down at him intently, her left hand resting on the top of the back of the chair, her fingers resting on his head.

“Sue?” When she didn’t appear to notice him speak he reached out and grabbed her free hand. When she finally noticed him he asked her with concern. “Are you all right.”

Sue hesitated for a moment, tapping her fisted left hand on the back of the chair a few times. “Can I ask you a serious question, Myles?”

“Certainly.” He assured her then watched as she moved to sit in the armchair opposite him without saying anything more.

Levi glanced up from his spot before the fire than laid his head back down when Sue didn’t make any requests of him.

She looked intently at Myles for several moments before finally asking. “What, if anything, did you mean when you said ‘too bad, I think we would have been great together’?”

Myles let out a sigh and after a moment’s hesitation said thoughtfully. “To be perfectly honest, Sue, I don’t know. I have been sitting here for the last little while trying to figure it out.”

“Well, why don’t we try to figure it out together.” Sue said as she leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees.

Myles set his snifter of Cognac on the little table beside him and imitated her position, reaching out to take her hands in his. “Okay, where do we start?”

“How about at the beginning?” She suggested.

Frowning he asked. “You mean when we met?”

Sue smiled and shook her head. “No, I mean the beginning of today, or at least the beginning of the major part of our interaction with each other. What made you ask me out to lunch today?”

Myles gave her a bit of a sheepish look. “Honestly?”

She nodded her head eagerly. “Complete honesty, Myles. I’ll accept nothing less.”

He let out a sigh and said. “Okay, honestly the reason I asked you out today for lunch…and for supper too for that matter…was because I wanted to teach Jack a lesson.”

Sue frowned and looked at him in surprise. “You wanted to teach Jack a lesson? What lesson? What do you mean?”

“I mean, Miss Thomas, that for the last four years your co-workers and I have been watching you and Jack dance around each other like a couple of shy, adolescent teenagers dealing with their first crush.”

“We’re not dancing…” Sue tried to deny but Myles cut her off.

“Yes you are, my dear.” He assured her. “It’s as plain as plain that Jack is head over heels in love with you and it’s equally clear that you are head over heels in love with him…at least to everyone else but the two of you. Why you can’t see it is beyond me.”

He watched as Sue lowered her head, her eyes focusing on their clasped hands. After several long moments had passed she looked up at him and asked him through wet lashes. “If Jack loves me the way you think he does why hasn’t he told me?”

“I’ve asked myself that very question many different times.” He told her. “All I can figure is that he doesn’t realize that you’re in love with him too. So maybe it’s time you told him how you feel instead of waiting for him to tell you.”

Sue’s eyes lowered once again. “I can’t.” She whispered in a soft tone.

Myles squeezed her hand to get her attention before asking. “Can’t or won’t?”

“Can’t.” Sue replied.

“So you would rather wait the rest of your life for him to make a move.”

Sue looked at him again and sitting up slightly squared her shoulders and said firmly. “I’ve decided that I’m through waiting for Jack to make a move. That’s why I wanted to know what you meant when you said what you said.”

Myles frowned. “But I thought you loved him.”

“I do, but I can’t waste my entire life on false hope.”

Myles gave her a thoughtful look for several long moments before replying. “As much as I would love to take you up on what you’re implying and see if what I’ve been feeling for you these last few hours is true, I can’t in all good conscience come between you and Jack, even if he is acting like a bonehead.”

“Drongo’s a better word.” Sue said with a slight grin.

Myles laughed. “Yes it is.” Then looking at Sue seriously he said. “Sue, Jack loves you. I have absolutely no doubt of that and if I have to tomorrow morning I will march up to him and give him a good swift kick in the pants to get him to tell you so.”

Sue giggled slightly at his words.

Giving her hands a tight squeeze and he said. “You are a very special woman, Sue Thomas and Jack is a very lucky fellow.” When she blushed slightly he gave her a teasing look. “I’ll tell you what. If Jack doesn’t say anything to you in say…the next…” He looked at his watch before recapturing her hand. “…Four minutes, that gives him until ten o’clock, how about you and I go out on that pizza and movie date tomorrow night.”

Sue gave him an amused look. “It’s a deal.”

“Good.” He smiled back at her. Just then he heard the doorbell. He jumped to his feet immediately hoping the sound of the bell hadn’t awoken Alyssa and rushed for the door. He heard Sue’s footsteps behind him.

Pulling open the door before their visitor could ring the bell again Myles was surprised to find a very haggard-looking Jack standing on his doorstep. Upon seeing the emotional state of his friend Myles’ reproof died on his lips. “Are you okay?”

“Where’s Sue?” Jack asked without replying to Myles’ question. Then without waiting for the blond agent to reply Jack walked into the house, his eyes locked firmly on Sue.

Myles closed the door and watched as Jack wordlessly walked up to Sue. He watched as Sue frowned with concern as she watched Jack approach her.

“Jack are you okay?”

“No.” He said in a soft tone. “No I’m not. But I will be…as soon as I do this…” Then without another word he reached out and snagged Sue by the waist, pulling her close to him and kissing her deeply.

With a mixture of emotions Myles turned and left the two alone.

*****

Sue couldn’t believe this was happening. Jack was actually kissing her! And not just kissing her like he had kissed her at Callaghan and Merced this was an honest to goodness purely passionate kiss. It left the kiss that Myles had given her in the dust.

Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him even closer to her, opening her mouth so that he could deepen the kiss. When he did she couldn’t help but let out a little whimper as she threaded her hands through his hair. His hair felt soft to her touch. That was the last coherent thought that she had for the next several minutes.

Just when she thought that she was going to pass out from lack of oxygen Jack pulled away, his own chest heaving and his breath coming out in erratic gasps. When he could finally speak he raised his hands to the sides of her face and looking at her earnestly said. “Susan Marie Thomas I love you with all of my heart and have been in love with you since the day I first set eyes on you. I am so sorry that I took so long to tell you.”

“Why did you?” She whispered softly, her eyes watching him carefully.

“Because I was afraid of losing you.” He told her sincerely. “I was afraid of doing something to drive you away from me. I was afraid of losing the wonderful friendship and partnership that we had established. And I was afraid that you wouldn’t love me the way that I love you.”

“And how is that?” She asked, not believing that she was actually reading the words that she had longed to see for so many years.

“With a love that lasts forever.” He replied earnestly. Then after pausing for a moment he added. “With the love that a wife should feel for her husband.”

Sue felt her eyes widening as she read Jack’s last statement. “Did you…did you just ask me to marry you?”

Jack nodded his head. “Yes I believe I did.”

“For real?” She asked, unable to accept the fact that Jack was really asking her to marry him.

Jack chuckled. “For real.” Then releasing her she watched as he suddenly lowered himself to one knee and looked up at her. Taking one of her hands in his he said. “Sue, I don’t want to lose you. You are the most important person in my life and I want to spend the rest of it with you. Will you do me the greatest honor and marry me?”

Sue’s face broke into a huge smile. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She then threw her arms around his neck when he rose to his feet and kissed him deeply.

*****

Myles stretched his long legs out and placed them on the coffee table in front of him as he flipped on the television. He had decided to make himself scarce while Jack and Sue talked things out in the other room. He only hoped that Jack made the most of the situation. Myles smiled to himself as he thought. He certainly made a good start of it.

Turning his attention to the news broadcast on the television he watched as a modest house was shown and then an empty backyard with a swingset. “It has been forty-eight hours since Matthew and Robin MacLauren returned home to their Chicago home to find that their four-year old daughter, Alyssa Madison had disappeared from their backyard. The twenty-four year old couple and their two-month-old daughter Haley had been out of town to attend the funeral of a close family member and had left Alyssa with a neighbor. When they had returned home after the funeral they had been informed that their daughter Alyssa was missing.

The scene on the screen showed a very broken up couple, tears streaming down both of their faces as they pleaded with the television audience. “If anyone has seen our daughter please let us know. We want our baby girl back.”

A picture of Alyssa filled the television screen with information on who to contact with information.

“Jack! Sue! Get in here!”

*****



See you tomorrow with the final post…

Wow! Turtle boy turned into a hare rabbit didn't he?

I am glad that the parents are trying to find their little daughter!

Excellent chapter! Looking forward to the next!

Yes, Jack and Sue are together and getting married and Alyssa will soon go home to her real parents.

I do somewhat sorry for Myles - he realized what a treasure Sue is, but he is willing to step aside and do the right thing for both Jack and Sue.