Thats a thought Kav...where's the rest of our beloved group...???????

Now whose going to nurse Jack....I'm a nurse and I'm at the front of the

queue so back off girls.

I'm as shocked as Kav is, Tracy!! You can't shoot Jack!!!

Joy

Wow - that's all I can say. Wow. I'm literally sitting on the edge of my seat.....

I know you all just hate it when I hurt Jack, but come on, sometimes it is neccesary


Jack fell to the pavement, his arm throbbing with an indescribable pain that shocked him. Two strong hands were around him, pulling him to a temporary cover behind a short wall of sand bags.

He groaned when his left hand made contact with the wound and he quickly pulled away. The man who had helped him leaned beside him, cowering behind the shelter. "Is it bad?" he asked.

Jack glanced up to the face and recognized him as one of the older pilots - one who was very good at what he did. Jack silently wondered why he wasn't in the air. "It... it hurts like hell."

The pilot nodded and slipped off his jacket, wrapping the arms tightly just below the wound. Muttering a curse word, Jack pulled in a sharp breath. "Man! They make it look easy," he whispered.

"Who does?"

"Everyone who gets shot."

The pilot chuckled, rubbing a hand over his forehand. "Well you got it in a bad place." Jack nodded and closed his eyes.

It sounded like the airplanes were farther than before - perhaps they were finally going home.

"Can you feel this?"

Overwhelming dizziness made the pilot's words difficult to hear. "What?"

"Tell me when you feel my hand, alright?"

Jack opened his eyes and looked to the man. "What are you talking about?"

The pilot slowly looked down and Jack followed suit. His hand was directly on top of Jack's right arm - yet he did not feel anything.

"Oh..." Jack fell silent, tears blurring his vision. "I... I can't feel you... I can't feel anything."

"Okay, that's fine. It might just be shock." He looked above the bags and, seeing that the planes were not directly above at the moment, he lifted Jack to a standing position and placed his arms beneath Jack's. "It's all right, we're gonna get you to the hospital."

Jack could only imagine how long it would take for a small wound like this to be looked at - yet for him, it was the most important. His right arm was completely dead.

Yeah, it's pretty important to us too! I hope they treat him quickly!

If the nurses are too busy, I'm sure you can find some volunteers to take of Jack right here Tracy!

Oh, no! Poor Jack!

I think you honestly enjoy hurting Jack, because you know what our reaction would be.

But who is Jack's rescuer? Is it someone we know?

Lindsy

I'm hoping it's someone we know and the beginning of a fast friendship. And Tracy, repeat after me, it is never necessary to mangle poor Jack. Never. Got that?

kav

It is never necessary to mangle poor Jack, it is never necessary to mangle poor Jack... However! This was an injury that I have had planned since the beginning of the story. Thus, it was necessary to mangle poor Jack.

Thanks again, Cindy!


"Carol, get me some morphine," the young Doctor yelled over his shoulder after surveying the wound in Jack's. "Hold on," he added before turning to the bed beside Jack's and looking at the dying man there. Jack felt the presence of death all around him and it made him want to run away, but the pain in his shoulder and aching body screamed otherwise. Every movement proved difficult and pain had suddenly become the only thing he could think of.

"Doc, there's none left!" a woman's called back. The Doctor straightened and looked into the distance, presumably at the woman across the crowded room.

"Are you sure?" he asked, almost begging.

Jack blinked hard as a wave of dizziness caused the room to sway and his body to throb. The pilot who had helped him into the hospital was now gone, presumably fighting again. Japanese planes, which had brought mass fear and panic, and their bombs bringing horrible destruction, were now a mere memory, yet painfully alive in the minds of the dying and wounded.

Benji's dead eyes haunted Jack as he closed his, but quickly snapped them open again, unable to handle both the pain in his shoulder and in his heart. It kept beating, but he wasn't entirely sure why. Why hadn't he died too?

"Sir, my name is Doctor Morton," the young man said, turning back to him. "We're sorely low on morphine right now and there's no way I can..." he stopped as if ashamed by the words that would follow. Even without them, Jack understood. His injury was very mild compared to those who were slowly dying from their severe burns - the morphine would go to them. "I... I need to get that bullet out of you and the only way I can do that is through surgery. But..."

"Doc, just get it over with," Jack managed through gritted teeth, his mind forcing images into his mind that he so badly wanted gone. The pain from a conscious surgery might be enough to take them away. "But, help those who need it most."

Jack looked to Morton and could feel his hesitation. He didn't want to work on a patient who was wide awake, much less inflict that amount of pain on a man who had just seen the things he had seen. "Sir, I pray that you'll be able to forgive me for what I'm about to do."

Jack nodded slowly. "Just do your job, Doc, and get it over with."

Looking back, Doctor Morton yelled, "Get me some scissors and..." His words quieted and then went silent as Jack tuned him out, trying his best to somehow force himself away from the situation. Yet every time he imagined Sue's beautiful face or the colours of life, the stabbing pain would awaken his senses, rudely pushing him back to the present. "Sir, this is going to hurt like nothin' you've ever felt before... all right?"

Cringing, Jack did his best to prepare himself for the first touch, which he hoped would hurt the worst. "Go ahead."

Hearing the clanking of metal instruments and the cries of the dying, he closed his eyes tightly and grasped the bed at his side, holding the sheets so hard that his hands soon hurt with the effort. But he quickly forgot about that when the Doctor's instrument touched his bleeding wound. Jack tried his hardest to not cry out, instead clenching his jaw with all his strength, but when the second instrument touched, he could do nothing to hold back.

His string of curses came out in a mangled sentence, his body in too much pain to allow his mouth to form them correctly. The Doctor shrank back, his own whimpers mixing with Jack's. "I'm so sorry," he repeated over and over again until it was the only thing Jack could hear amidst the pounding screams in his mind.

"Doc, there's more coming in from the ships," a woman said, but Jack barely heard his answer, uncaring. The only thing he could focus on, the only thing he could possibly think of, was the searing pain that every movement of the scissors and grasp made. His fists pounded against the bed as he helplessly fought against the pain. He tried to lie still, allowing the Doctor quick access, but his will became weak after a few more seconds of the inhumane pain.

Finally, with only a moment of conscious surgery behind him, a beautiful sight of reds and yellows filled his mind and took over his thoughts, pushing the painful feelings out. And then, blessed sleep took over.

Poor Jack doesn't stand a chance against you Tracy.

Breathing a sigh of relief here....it is just a peaceful sleep, right?

OK, Tracy . . . there's MANGLING Jack, and then there's putting him through SURGERY without any ANESTHETIC??

Well, is the bullet out yet Tracy...we don't want Jack to endure more torturous pain.

Now let him to get some restfull sleep to dream of his beloved Sue.

I'm going to start reading this with my eyes closed! Ouch!!!!!!! You have sunk to a new mangling Jack low, Tracy, and don't think I'm gonna forget it.

kav

"I'll get it!" Sue called behind her as she ran down the stairs, having noticed the flashing light above the front door which signalled a visitor. After hitting the bottom step, she hurried to the door and pulled it open. A smile quickly lifted the corners of her lips. "Good morning, Sam."

The mailman tipped his hat and grinned, his wrinkled face child-like, the youth he once had never leaving his face. "It's right good to see you, beautiful," he said with a chuckle. "Now are you sure you won't take me up on my offer?"

She couldn't help but laugh as she read his words. "Sam, I'm not sure which offer you are referring to."

"Why the one where I take you out for a ride in my new car so you can see all the pretty decorations for Christmas."

"I'm sorry, but I'm still going to have to turn you down," she replied. Sam had been known for his womanly ways as a young man and continued to enjoy his elderly good looks by endearing all the woman around. Sue took a shine to the gentlemen from the first day of his job and the two had become dear friends. "Now, let's get onto business."

Sam immediately straightened his hunched back as best he could and nodded. "Yes, business."

"Do you have any letters for me?"

He slowly reached into his mail bag and took out a handfull. "Well I certainly do. And there are a few for your Mother too."

Sue took them from his gloved hands and said, "Thank you. Have a wonderful day, Sam."

His smiling eyes glinted with enjoyment. "That Jack of yours is sure lucky, Sue. And don't you ever let him forget it." He nodded, saying good bye with the motion, and turned, slowly walking down the porch steps and to the sidewalk where he continued on.

Closing the door behind him, Sue began flipping through the envelopes, her eyes resting on one letter in particular. Her smile widened, recognizing Jack's handwriting. Placing the others on the chest nearby, she walked to the couch. Sinking onto it, she ripped the paper covering and took out the letter. Her eyes moved over the page and she mouthed the words as she read.

Dear Sue,
I miss you so much. Benji and I have been talking alot lately about coming home and it makes me want to see you all the more. Christmas is approaching fast and I've already gotten you a gift. It's real pretty, but you'll have to wait to see it. I didn't attach it to this letter because I didn't want old Sam stealing it and saying that it was from him. I plan on getting off for Christmas this year and being able to come home - just the thought of that brings a warmth to my heart that a fire never could. My dear Sue, I can't wait to see your beautiful face. And when I do, prepare yourself for a night of dining and romance. Are you prepared? Because I have some good news! I talked to the Captain of my ship today and he said that it's likely that I'll be able to come home for at least a week over the holidays since our fleet has been pretty silent here. Please don't write back because I could be on my way when the letter arrives. I love you and miss you so much! See you soon!
Jack

Smiling, Sue blinked away the growing tears in her eyes and set the letter aside, her mind going over the words repeatedly. She had dreamed of the day when Jack would return ever since he left over two years ago, and now it was finally happening!

Her Mother, Elizabeth Thomas, came into view in the doorway and smiled when her daughter looked up. "A letter from Jack?" she asked, motioning with flour-covered palms to the paper beside Sue.

She stood, nodding, and said, "He might be coming home, Mom."

"That's wonderful! Did he say when?"

"Soon, but not an exact date."

Suddenly, Elizabeth's face blanched. "Oh dear! He could be here any day now!"

"Why?"

"Because those letters take a few weeks to get here! Who knows how long ago he wrote that one."

Sue felt her pulse quicken. "Oh, you're right! We should do something - maybe get a 'welcome home' banner, or something."

Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, that would seem fitting. Now, perhaps we could go shopping and get you a new dress. You know, something that Jack has never seen before."

Nodding with excitement, Sue turned to the other letters and held them out to her Mother. "Sam also brought these and -" She stopped when an evelope slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor. Elizabeth carefully took the others as Sue reached for the wayward letter. Standing, her breath caught in her throat. "It's... it's from the Navy."

Elizabeth's brow knotted. "Are you sure?" She hurried to read the letter's address and nodded slowly. "It certainly is. Well, open it."

With suddenly shaking hands, Sue slowly opened the envelope, which had been marked 'urgent', and took the single paper from within. She read the words aloud, "Miss Thomas, we regret to inform you that on December 7, our base in Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese invadors." She tried to continue, but was unable. Elizabeth gently took it from her hands and read it. Sue watched her Mother's lips, not breathing.

"...by Japanesee invadors. The U.S.S. Oklahoma capsized and..." she didn't continue.

Sue began to sob without control as she fell back to the couch, grasping her midsection. "Oh God," she whispered, closing her eyes. "Jack."

He must love his job...he gets to see all the women in the neighbourhood.

Jack's letter was beautiful!

Tracy, to go from Jack's lovely letter to this horrible news..... you're really pulling at the heartstrings.

ACK! But she doesn't know that Jack survived! :whimper: I had a feeling this would happen.

Lindsy

Not fare, not fare, not fare I had a feeling too that you were going to pen Jack as one of those MIA's.

Now you have to get those two together asap, do you hear me.

Ditto . . . . . . and she was so happy, too . . .

Wow, I can just feel the hostility


As the weeks after the attack passed, many of the beds were vacated; some of the patients becoming healthy enough to leave, while some died. Jack felt like a medium between the two. His arm remained useless, yet he was otherwise physically healthy. But still, he stayed. With no other place to go, and very little ability to do anything on his own, the hospital had become his temporary home. Every action took twice as long with his left hand and the handicap angered him, knowing that a new life would be twice as difficult to start.

"Jack, are you ready for your supper?"

Looking away from the window he had been blindly staring through, he saw the familiar nurse approaching with a tray. "That depends on what you're going to feed me today."

He hated being treated like a child; having to be helped with everything but he enjoyed her company. She smiled, a genuine look of happiness dancing in her bright eyes. Night was beginning to fall and only the silhouettes of other patients and nurses could be seen in the dim light. However, he could spot Emily anywhere, her perfectly formed body always catching his eyes among the other ladies.

It wasn't like he felt a true feeling toward her, she was simply a distraction to him. She didn't remind him of Sue in the least, which he surmised to be a good thing. He had deprived his mental eye of seeing Sue, as he used to do, because he found himself angered for his uselessness every time he thought of her. She deserved a man who was whole, not wounded and incapable. No. He would let her live her life and forget about him.

Jack only hoped he could do the same.

"I have some chicken and potatoes," Emily said, interrupting his thoughts as she came to stand beside him, motioning with her eye to the plate in her hands. "I made it myself."

A pang of hurt touched him as he looked into her eyes; they were so filled with hope, as if she believed he loved her. He didn't want to tell her differently.

With his only useful hand, he gently pushed a lock of brown hair from her eyes and smiled slightly. "Then I'm sure I'll like it." He hated the fact that his voice always went hoarse when he spoke to her. It was as if everything inside of him screamed of his betrayal and wouldn't let him forget.

But, Emily was blind to that. She grinned, placing the tray on the table beside his bed. "Do you want to eat here?"

Stepping away from the window, Jack shook his head. "No. Let's go outside and eat."

Emily seemed surprise by his suggestion; he had not left the hospital since the day he arrived, nor had he wanted to. She could only imagine why he did now. "A-are you sure?"

He nodded and walked to the bed where he picked up his military jacket. She quickly hurried to his side and assisted him, helping his right arm into the fabric, then the left. When she faced him, he whispered, "Can you carry the tray?"

She smiled at the question and nodded.



The harbor, which sat beside the hospital, was completely different than that last time Jack had seen it. The waves were calm, the air was silent, and the only sounds came from distant music in the tavern down the street. And yet, it was all the same. Almost the same, he could see where the ships should have been, and where far fewer were now. The Arizona had completely disappeared from its bed of water, having sunken far below; he had heard stories that hundreds of men had still been heard screaming from within days after.

Where the Oklahoma had once been was now replaced with only the bottom of the massive ship to keep its place. Jack felt a wave of dizziness wash over him as he saw everything that had horrified him - and continued to do so.

Feeling Emily's hand on his back, he glanced to her. The sun's setting glow sent a shimmering light across the water, reflecting in the sky. Her beautiful face mirrored the calm while everything within Jack struggled to keep his unexpected anger at bay. "Emily, let's not go here," he whispered, afraid he wouldn't be able to contain the emotions he had buried. "Let's..." he looked behind to the tavern. "Let's go there."

Emily's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head. "No way, Jack. You're supposed to be resting and -"

"I'm not sick, Em."

"Well you're wounded."

"I'm not wounded."

"Jack, please!"

He quickly turned away from her, unable to take the look of pity in her eyes. He hated everything about his 'new' body; the stiffness that plagued him from the constant misuse of his arm, the pain from his overworked left side, and the knowledge that he would never be good enough. There was news circulating about a secret mission to bomb Japan - everything in him wanted so badly to go, but his injured body would prevent that from happening.

She touched his hand. "Jack, I don't want you to get hurt."

"What do you mean?" he asked, touched by the concern in her voice.

"The people there are drunk and they'll... they'll..." She didn't want to finish, to say what would likely happen. When men are drunk, Jack filled in for himself, they say things they don't mean. And a soldier with a limp arm could be a joke that would hurt Jack emotionally far more than his body every could.

He nodded slowly and stuffed his hand into his pocket. The air was chilly as December hurried to an end. Tomorrow would be Christmas Eve, yet he had no desire to celebrate or be happy - he had no reason to be.

As if reading his thoughts. Emily quietly said, "Jack, my family is going to be celebrating Christmas and... I want you to come."

He was surprised, shocked, but not enough so to stop playing this game. He enjoyed the distraction she gave him, even if he could never care for her in the same way she did for him. "Why?" he replied.

"Why?" she echoed, momentarily hurt by his words. It was obvious that she loved him... why couldn't he tell her the truth and get it over with? Why was it so hard to let someone else down? "Because I care about you..."

Jack wanted her to stop - he didn't want to hear what was coming next.

"... and I love you."

Silencing a groan, he rubbed a hand over his face and growing beard, despising himself for allowing her to feel this way. But instead of giving up and letting her go to find someone that would return her affections, he slowly took her face in his hand and touched his lips to hers. There was no passion, no excitement in his kiss; nothing like the way he had felt when he kissed Sue. Everything about his next life was mechanical, sad, and horrible.

Tracy, talk some sense into that handsome head of his, will ya?

Now then, what to do This guy needs some guidance.

I promise, it will start getting better soon

Thanks, Cindy, for all the help!


She didn't want to remember love - not that one anyway because if she did, the hurt would start all over again and she just couldn't bear that. It had taken her years to heal, her heart crusted over with scars that threatened to burst into fresh wounds every day. No. Best not go there. Not today. Not any day. With a decisive nod of her head, she carefully placed the lid back on the box and moved towards the stairs, back to the attic, under the eaves. Let it be immersed in dust and cobwebs again. Let it be forgotten - just like he had forgotten her heart.

Sue hated feeling such a way about Jack, but every time she dared to think of him, to allow her mind to wander to his strong, handsome features, she found herself angry; he had left her. And it hurt so badly to know that when she needed him the most, he wasn't there - he would never be there again. It wasn't his fault, she told herself repeatedly, trying to convince herself, though never able to completely believe it.

The box in her hands felt heavier with each step she took, the memories of his face slowing her pace. "God, why is this so hard?" she whispered, thinking of the contents. There were more than fifty letters inside, each written with his love, each one holding the promise of his homecoming; their joy when they would meet again.

In one particular letter, the second-last one she had received, spoke of his desire for her to become his wife, and should she accept, he becoming her husband. She had felt such happiness (as) when she read the words, her heard pounding hard against her chest with excitement. She never dared to write a response, unsure of what to say. All Sue wanted to do was see him one more time so she could tell him that she accepted.



Jack awoke suddenly, the sound of a plane overhead clearly heard above the roar of the fan. He jerked the cover from his side and hurried to the window. There was no point to look out as the darkness around blocked his view, yet he had to look; he had to be sure that it was just his imagination.

"Jack?" he heard her whisper, sleep wrapping her tone. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he replied, walking back to the bed and climbing back in, glancing at her. "Did I wake you?"

There was silence then a click of a light. She turned to him and smiled slightly, her face looking as exhausted as he felt. Sleep was reckless, often interrupted by the sounds of war that only lived in his mind, and whenever he did somehow find a moment of peace, his imagination would make sure it didn't last.

"No, I woke up to check on you."

He gave a half-hearted smile. "I'm sorry."

"Was it the planes again?"

Jack nodded slowly, looking to the ceiling before scrubbing his eyes with his left hand and yawning. "You didn't hear it?" He didn't look to her for a response. Of course she didn't hear it, there was no plane. "Sorry... just go back to sleep, I think I'm gonna take a walk."

Emily waved her hand then flicked the light off and cuddled back into the warm blankets. Quietly walking out of the room, he pulled the door closed behind him and padded to the kitchen. He glanced to the clock that hung on the wall and groaned at the time; only five o'clock. Jack walked to the front door of the small home and stopped.

His jaw tightened as he struggled with all his strength to move his right hand, something he had accomplished over the past year; it was a small feat, but incredible to him. Slowly, shaking, the hand moved to the door, his arm following the motions. Grasping it, he tried to turn the knob, but his hand was too weak to do the job. With a smile that spoke of the victory, he grabbed the knob with his other hand and twisted it.

There was no sunshine on the horizon over the water, but there were signs of its coming. Birds overhead flocked to the bay's edge, talking and singing calmly, the sounds filling Jack's ears. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scents of morning. Then, his feet began to move.

The residential area in which Jack and Emily now lived, was filled with veterans of war, and those who were too injured to continue fighting. He hated walking through the streets, yet for some reason, his body seemed to take him there.

As he wandered through, his left hand in his jacket pocket, his right trying to do the same, he caught sight of a fellow officer, one who he recognized clearly, even though the wheelchair the man was confined to brought his proud height down. "Blake?" Jack asked, walking toward the house.

The man looked up from his porch, his eyes vacant and empty, and Jack stopped. He looked eerie, like all the life he had once possessed had been taken from him and he was merely a man with no soul. "Who's there?" he asked, his voice just as toneless as his eyes.

"Uh, it's me, Jack Hudson."

Blake looked closely at Jack, scrutinizing him. Jack glanced around, uncomfortable under the gaze, then looked back. A tight smile lifted the corner of Blake's lips. "Well now, I thought you were dead."

Jack nodded slowly. "I should have been." He took a step up the stairs then stopped. "Do you mind if I come up?"

"No," Blake replied simply, wheeling himself to the side of a whicker chair. "Sit here."

"What..." Jack stopped himself, unsure how to word the question.

But, Blake answered before he could. "I was on my way to the hospital with a boat of guys and a bomb hit the boat. Everyone died but me." His voice was hoarse with anger. He suddenly turned and spat. "Do you remember what I said to you in the water that day?" he asked, looking back.

Jack nodded slowly.

"I did it."

"You did what?"

"I found one of those dirty Japs and I killed him with my bare hands."

Though the air was not cold, Jack felt a shiver run down his spine. "W-where did you find him?"

Blake shifted in his chair, using his once strong arms to reposition himself, then said, "The plane crashed and he was trying to get out. I beat 'em up real good then I shot him in the head a couple rounds." Jack looked away, sickened by the talk. He had seen the hatred and anger in Blake's face that morning, but he hadn't expected the anger to last; at least not so severely. "And," he continued, cutting into Jack's thoughts. "If I ever find another one, I'll do the same thing."

"Did it make you feel better?" Jack whispered.

Blake glanced at him, then away, his vacant eyes unseeing as he looked over the water which sat about a mile ahead in the distance. "It sure did. I ain't never felt like that before."

Tracy, Tracy, Tracy . . . did you have to go and let Jack MARRY that poor girl? And poor Blake . . . . . . and poor SUE! I'm trying to think happy thoughts here . . . how can Jack and Sue ultimately get together without leaving a trail of broken hearts . . . how can the misunderstandings be untangled . . . how can the horrors of war leave them any room for happy thoughts?

You realize, Tracy, that we're counting on you for ALL OF THOSE THINGS??

Okay... that's it...

I am coming up there MISSY!!!

I am just going to stand over your shoulder and make you uneasy until you FIX this!!!!

Lindsy

See Tracy, that's all she wants....why can't you give her that?!

How soon is "soon"? The story is great! The situation, however, needs to be fixed fast!!!!!!!!!

A gust of wind flicked some tendrils of her blond hair over her face, but she didn't brush them away. Her eyes stared ahead, tears blurring her vision. This is where Jack died.

The newspapers had told of the horrid attack, but to be here, to see the giant ships with their bruises and scars made it all too real. One man, who had offered to help her after she asked for directions, pointed out one ship in particular, though only the underside of it protruded from the water.

"Which ship is that?" she whispered, already knowing the answer. She turned to him, quickly wiping away the tears to read him clearly.

"That's the Oklahoma. It capsized in close to 8 minutes." The man had once been a soldier, but, he told her, had not been there on the day of the attack. Even so, she read the events in his eyes, almost as if he had seen it all for himself. "I wasn't here, but I was in the hospital that day. There... there were so many..."

She nodded slowly then looked back over the harbor. Several ships still stood prominently on the bay's landscape, but their masts and decks were filled with black ruin, the damage received from torpedos and fires.

"How many died?" she finally managed.

The soldier cleared his throat and looked to the horizon. "Over three thousand, ma'am."

To anyone who had not seen the devastation or did not care, three thousand was merely a number. But knowing that each one of them were men, including Jack, made her want to cry out. Everything about the place was so eerie, as if the angel of death still hovered above.

"The Arizona, which sunk completely," the soldier continued, his words echoing in her thoughts. "It entombed over a thousand men inside." His voice broke and he stopped.

Sue could see the emotional battle he was fighting and she turned away, a tear spilling down her cheek. "Captain Green?" she quietly asked after several moments of silence between them.

"Please, call me Joseph," he said, smiling slightly. "Yes, ma'am?"

She focused on his lips but her eyes soon found their way to his beautiful eyes; they were so blue, so clear, so kind. "I... thank you for taking me here."

He nodded slowly then asked, "Why did you wanna see it, ma'am? I mean, not many ladies come here to see."

Sue swallowed hard and finally spoke of the man she loved, the man she had barely thought of, or at least fought so hard to not think of. "M-my... my fiance was killed... on the Oklahoma."

Joseph glanced away. "I'm so sorry."

The blurred images of morning light that sat atop the water caught Sue's attention and she silently wondered how beauty could be possible amidst such pain and horror. Everything about the place she stood made her want to cry out and ask God how he could allow this to happen. There were many who had escaped; why hadn't Jack? The thought began to tear at the hardened wounds on her heart and she felt them breaking open, tears flooding her eyes quickly.

Joseph heard a quiet sob and his arms were soon around her, pulling her to him. She rested her head on his strong shoulder and allowed all the pain to be released; it seemed fitting.



"How was your walk?" Emily asked when the front door opened and Jack stepped in, his slouched shoulders and frown answering her question before he could. She turned away from the fridge and watched him carefully. With every step he took, he seemed to become weaker until he finally slumped onto the couch and sat completely still. "What's wrong?"

He glanced at her, then to the clock. It had been three hours since he began his walk. "I saw a guy I knew from the ship."

By the tone of his voice, she could tell that it had brought back the terrible memories he had fought so hard to push away. "Are you okay?" she whispered, going to his side.

"No," he replied, several moments later. He stared ahead, blindly, images of the attack flashing through his mind from all angles, one on top of the others until he rubbed his eyes as hard as he could, trying to rid them of the pictures. Finally, they began to fade, and then only one remained. "Benji."

Emily tried to catch his gaze but he avoided her. "Who? Who's Benji?" She saw his shudder and closed her eyes, hating to see him like this. She also knew that he hated it when she saw him so weak.

So, slowly, she stood and walked to the hallway, but stopped when he quietly said, "Don't go."

Emily turned back. "Are you sure?"

He nodded and stood. She immediately went to him and he wrapped her in his arms, breathing in the smell of her hair. He loved holding her, he loved knowing that even though his mind and body was plagued by that day, she somehow dragged him to the present, to the good. "I love you," he whispered, surprising himself as much as her.

She took a step back, searching his eyes. "I..." He had never said so before, and she often wondered if he shared the feelings she had for him. She slowly smiled, allowing herself to revel in the moment. "I love you too."

Loved these lines!

Um, you might want to stay behind that couch until you're ready to bring Jack and Sue together.

Poor Sue looking out to what used to be the Oklahoma. Well there's one thing in all of this you have got Jack and Sue in the same place...haven't you?

Now how are you going to make them bump into each other and I'm totally at a loss at how you are going to make things right.

Okay... suitcase is almost packed. I just need to grab my incase you've got a lot of snow up there and then I'm on my way to find you. I'm not quite sure how at the moment and knowing my sense of direction, I might end up in Kentucky or something, but I'll find my way eventually!!!



-deep breath-

Tracy, please fix this...

Lindsy

P1-1 Thru P3 33 - Tracy, I’ve seen a lot of war movies in which they recreate the carnage of Dec 7, but your story has, by far, brought it to life more than any of the movies did. I could taste the bile in Jack’s throat and, believe me, it was not pleasant. I applaud your excellent writing and all I can say right now is, I just want you to remember us when you are famous!

P3-39 - Now, I think Jack is blaming himself for Benji’s death b/c he asked him to stay below and write Sue. P4-60 – Again, the description of pain Jack endured during his surgery was riveting. P5-65 – Well, you are messing with our emotions with Sue’s agony too! P5-70 – Ok, Tracy, not you have my ire up. I don’t like where this is going.

I have to echo Regina>>>>>>>> NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P5-74 – Well, Tracy didn’t actually say Jack and Emily were married, Regina! But you’re right, there’s going to be a trail left of broken hearts, no matter what happens.

P6-78 – Ok, that’s it….the posse is starting in TX and picking everyone up along the way until we get to Canada! Be ready Regina and Lindsy, I’m heading out the door!

Lynn

Okay, I just got caught up on this story and all I can say is....




And maybe




With a dash of

"How could you????"

- RSL

PS: Great writing by the way...

Have read this all right? Sue thinks Jack is dead while he's alive and well...with another woman?

kav

Tomorrow morning, at 7:55 a.m. on December 7th, 67 years ago, Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Now, please, I hope the snowstorm has slowed your attack-walk. Oh, what's that you say? There's no snow in Texas?


A single plane hovered overhead and Jack swam as hard as he could, pushing through the water, though somehow knowing it was useless. The burning ships surrounded him, giving no means of escape. Then, the plane dove as far down as it could and began to strafe. He felt the splash of bullets behind him and when they were just about to reach him, suddenly the water began to swallow him, pulling him into its depths. He clawed for the surface, salty liquid mixing with oxygen until his lungs were filled.

Then, he woke up. His shirt was soaked with sweat and his body ached; he struggled to determine where the dream ended and reality began.

"I told you not to try and sleep," Emily quietly said. Jack sat up quickly and realized he was not in his bed, nor was it night time. The couch lay stiffly beneath him and he turned himself to face her, afternoon light streaming through the living room windows.

"What?" he managed, the vivid images wracking his mind.

She pushed away from the wall she had been leaning against, a cup of steaming coffee in her hands, and walked toward him. "You said you were tired but I warned you not to sleep. I knew you wouldn't be able to without dreaming about..."

He nodded solemnly then ran his left hand from his hair down his face, moaning quietly. Oh how he wished for a night without the haunting images.

"Maybe you should get out of here for a night, maybe try a motel," she suggested as she sat beside him, touching his back gently. "I've heard that some victims have nightmares because the place they're living in reminds them too much of the war."

Jack cringed at the word 'victim'. It seemed to match him far too perfectly and he despised it. "Em, I'm not a victim."

She agreed, but he saw the truth in her eyes. She still saw him as a wounded soldier; a man plagued with nightmares and... he hated to admit it, but her thoughts of him were right. He really was nothing more than a victim, a man so plagued by war that everything in his life was affected by it.

He slowly stood, his back sore and tight. "You wanna go get some supper?"

"Supper?" Emily stood and looked in his eyes as if looking for something. "It's only four o'clock."

"Early supper." He gave a small smile.

She shrugged and walked to the counter, placed her cup down, and turned back. "What's the occasion?"

"Occasion?" He thought for a second before responding, "Well, how about the fact that you've managed to live with me for almost a whole year without going insane."

Emily walked to his side and placed a kiss on his cheek. His hand immediately went to her auburn hair, loving the feel between his fingers. "It hasn't been easy, but a nurse's got to do what a nurse's got to do."

Jack chuckled at her response then watched as she hurried to the bathroom. As the door closed behind her, he walked to the window and looked out. The harbor, which sat several miles in the distance, still brought vivid memories of the attack and he fought against the stifling images. Nothing, absolutely nothing he did could rid his mind of the sights.

It was then that he gave a decisive nod to the idea that had been forming in his mind since many nights ago. Now, hurrying to the bedroom they shared, his mind began to formulate the exact way he would ask the question, but nothing seemed right. Jack hadn't meant to, but he could feel himself falling in love with the pretty nurse he had met two years ago and now seemed like the perfect time to finally finish what he had begun.

Opening his dresser drawer, he gently took the black container and opened it. The diamond studded ring winked in the sunlight and he smiled. Tonight was the night.

But, for some reason, the image of Sue seemed to cloud all others.

You taught me a new word!


I'm hanging on to this with all my might....he can't possibly marry anyone else when he's still thinking about Sue.

*hummm* *hummm* Just doing some deep breathing exercises......I trust you Tracy..... it will all be fine. *hummm*

You are absolutely killing me here!!!!!!!! I actually feel a little sick after each post. This better all work out in the end.

Okay... just a few things...

1. I don't have very many fingernails left. While most have them have been lost because of work, I don't want to lose the rest because I CHEWED THEM OFF!

2. There might not be any snow in Texas, but there's quite a bit here to delay the posse just a bit (I bet you feel good about that, dontcha?). But, even if I have to drive an hour away just to borrow my aunt and uncle's horses and RIDE all the way... I WILL do it, missy.

and 3. By no means whatsoever... should Jack... EVER... ask another girl to marry him! Got it?

Love you Tracy!

Lindsy

When I first read this, last night - OK, early this morning, I didn't really know how to respond. Now I do . . . DITTO . . .



Our snow is gone . . . would you like us to originate the posse down here?

No need to say it, Linny, I felt the love through your whole post

I promise it gets better!


When Joseph asked her to dine with him that night, Sue was very hesistant, still aware of Jack as if he stood beside her. She hated feeling anything for another man, but something inside of her stirred whenever Joseph looked at her; something she had not felt in many years.

Now she sat in the restaurant's wing, overlooking the water filled with evening sunshine. "It's beautiful," she breathed, slowly sitting as Joseph pulled out one of the cushioned seats from the table for her.

He stepped around and took his own seat. "I love this view," he agreed when she turned to him. "I come here once a week and sometimes I just forget to eat."

She chuckled. His smile was perfect, his eyes were dazzling, and his love seemed within reach. Even though the two barely knew each other, she felt an immediately affection toward the tall soldier... though she hated feeling her heart pulling toward another.

"What would you like to eat?" he asked after a moment of staring into the sunset.

She glanced at the menu then to him. "What do you suggest?"

Joseph scanned the menu in his hands, then peeked above it. Sue couldn't help but smile at the motion, so many of his movements reminding her of Jack. "I suggest the chicken and potato platter. It's delicious."

Sue looked to the waitress who was arriving and held out her menu, not bothering to take a look at his choice. "I'll have the chicken and potato platter, please."

The waitress quickly jotted the selection down, took her menu, then turned to Joseph. "And you, sir?"

His eyes were locked on Sue's and she could see something inside of them that made her heart skip a beat; there was a passion that she had not even glimpsed since the last time she had seen Jack. He quickly looked to the waitress and said, "I'll have the same", before returning his focus to Sue.

"And would you care for anything to drink?"

Without breaking his gaze, he mumbled, "Your finest wine."

"Very good, sir."

A few seconds later, the waitress was gone and it was if they were the only two in the building. "Sue..." he whispered. "You are so beautiful." Seeing the surprise in her eyes, he quickly sat back and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, is this going too quickly?"

She blinked hard and looked back to the sunset. "No... I just... I'm sorry, Joseph, I just miss Jack so much and... everything reminds me of him."

When she looked back, she found understanding written in his eyes and his handsome face. He nodded slowly, almost sadly. "You know," he finally said, glancing away for a second. "I was supposed to be on the Oklahoma that day."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

Nodding, Joseph continued. "I... I told the Captain I that needed some time off of the ship, that... that I was getting sick from the sea water." Sue smiled at the curl of his lips as he spoke. "But I wasn't sick. I just wanted some time away so I could see a girl I liked in the hospital." He turned his attention to the window. "I left the night before and spent the night there... and when I woke up, there was chaos. There were men everywhere, dying, burned, crying... it was awful." Looking back to her, he squeezed out words that she guessed he rarely spoke, "I should have been there. I should have died that day."

Seeing the battle of emotions inside of him, she slowly reached across the small table and placed her hand over his. "But you didn't, Joseph. You should be happy."

He shook his head and looked to her hand. "Well, I could have... maybe I could have helped Jack, I mean who knows?"

Tears began to blur her eyes and Sue pushed them back. "No, Joseph. You cannot blame yourself for that."

"I know... I'm sorry," he whispered, then stroked her hand gently with his fingers. Her skin loved the feeling of his touch, and when she realized how much she enjoyed the feeling of his hand atop hers, she suddenly pulled back as if a shock had coursed through her. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, I... I just need to use the ladies' room." He nodded and motioned to a hallway. She thanked him and hurried away, berating herself for enjoying such a moment with him. As she walked, she looked around the large room, seeing the happy people, they're lips moving in conversations. Why couldn't she be happy? Yes, Jack was dead, but she should have as much ability to be happy as anyone.

Walking to reach the privacy of the room, she suddenly stopped, her thoughts slamming to a halt. She couldn't seem to catch a breath as the one person she thought she would never see again came into view.

It's not Santy Claus...it's not the Easter Bunny ..... it must be ..... wait for it........JACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!

I'm waffling between and . . . Sue will be hurt and confused that he's alive and didn't contact her; Jack will be cold and heartless trying to push her away, while being hurt and confused on the inside. I just have a bad feeling about this . . .

And I would love to be wrong . . .

All the time I was reading the post about Jack and Emily, I kept thinking This is just a dream, Jack will wake up and he'll find he has been in a coma, and all will be right with the world even though all was not right with the world at that time.

Now, having convinced myself that was the case, I felt the same about Sue and Joseph. Then I thought, b/c Joseph was supposed to have been on the ship, then maybe they both somehow got their ID necklaces mixed up and Jack was really Joseph and Joseph was really Jack. Then you had to go and end with that last sentence.... and just blew my theory out of the water (no pun intended.) :AAAAACCCCKKKKK!!!!!

Oh, and we only have snow in Houston-Galveston area about once every 18 years (I don't really know, I just picked a number out of the hat.)

Lynn

You know it's true though! I wouldn't still be reading this if I didn't!

So... what happens now?

Lindsy

Only the first part of this post; hopefully the rest will come tomorrow

Thanks so much for the help, Cindy!


"Good evening, a dinner for two?" the attendant asked with a bright smile. Jack and Emily nodded their yes then followed him as the tall man added, "Right this way." Jack had never been in the building before, but he remembered many hours spent on the Oklahoma staring at the restaurant, dreaming of the day he would take Sue to dine with him. Now, with Emily by his side, he felt some happiness to know that he made it here - only, without Sue.

"I will be right back with your menus."

"Thank you," Emily quietly said, draping her coat over the seat before sitting. "This is a lovely place."

Jack nodded. "I've been wanting to come here for a long time." He didn't mention whom he had imagined with.

"Well it seems like a good occasion."

The attendant appeared a moment later, handing them two menus. He then turned and hurried away, giving them privacy. Jack watched him leave then picked up the glass of water set before him. "To a year together," he whispered. Emily smiled as she reached for her own cup and lifted it into the air to match his. "To us," she whispered, touching her glass to his before drinking from it.

Taking a sip from his own, Jack glanced up and found himself frozen in a stare with a blonde woman who took his breath away. "Sue," he managed before a tight groan escaped.

"Are you all right?" Emily asked, a frown marring her features. "Jack?"

Jack quickly placed the cup back onto the table, for fear he would drop it with his shaking hands. "No, oh God, no."

"What? What is it?" As he began to stand, Emily quickly did the same. "Jack, what is wrong?"

Without acknowledging her, he moved away from the table, completely ignoring her. Turning, she saw a young woman staring directly at Jack.

"Sue," Jack whispered as he neared her, his steps slow. He was unable to move quickly; everything hurt inside of him, but worst of all, his heart. He saw the confusion, the hurt, and the shock in her eyes. When he came to a few feet away, he stopped, his heart pounding nearly as hard as when he awoke from a nightmare. "Sue."

Her bottom lip quivered as a question formed on them, but she couldn't find enough strength to speak. Suddenly, she turned and ran to the door, avoiding those who walked and sat inside the restaurant. Glancing behind him to a confused Emily, Jack surged forward, following Sue.

That's right Jack, you chase after her and you explain everything! This story has had me on such an emotional rollercoaster. I'm SOO mad at Jack for doing this to Sue but at the same time I want Sue to run into his arms and they'll kiss each other senseless.
He better be proposing to Sue before this is all over too! And then Sue and Jack's "other halves" can meet up and fall in love. (or have they already, didn't Sue's date, whose name is lost to me right now, say he wasn't on the Oklahoma that night because he wanted to see the nurse? Could it have been Emily????)
Poof, perfect ending!
Looking forward to the next post!!!!

Is there a smiley that looks more tense than this one? Because this one's just not capturing how I'm feeling right now..... ... this one, maybe.



Jack, this is a very delicate situation....THINK before you speak!

Tracy, I've been away, and I come back to turmoil, chaos and a posse on the way!! I hope they are planning on swinging past South Carolina!!!

I also had a terribly horrible thought a minute ago!! Jack had written Sue that he had a gift for her and would give it to her when he came home!! Tracy, you wouldn't be toying with Jack giving a ring he bought for Sue to Emily, would you??? Perish the thought!!!

Now, that I have that out of my system, I'm going to have to comment about your story!! You have caught the mood of this genre perfectly!! In the best of stories, war is the pitts, and there are always lives lost and loved ones separated and broken!! You've written that into your story brilliantly!!!

Now, Sweetie Pie, Cutie, Honey, you better finish this genre out the way it should be played, and get these two star-crossed lovers together!! And, Jack, keep running after Sue until you catch her!! And, Sue, listen to what the man has to say!!!

Joy

Oh no, not another one! I'm fixing it, I'm fixing it!

Sue pushed the glass door open and stumbled onto the restaurant's porch that stood beside the harbor. As soon as she was away from the questioning eyes of the diners inside, she fell to her knees, wrapping her arms around herself with tears streamed down her cheeks. It didn't make any sense; Jack was dead. But yet, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she knew, undeniably, that Jack Hudson was alive.

She stood slowly, using the guard rail for strength, then turned to him. "Jack," she whispered, unable to see clearly through her tears.

Instead of speaking, he simply reached out and pulled her to himself. Feeling his strong arms around her, she began to sob, her heart breaking. "How?" she managed, gasping for breath.

He gently pulled her back so she could see his words, waiting until she wiped her eyes, then said, "Sue, I'm so sorry." They were meager words, and they seemed useless, yet it was all he could think of in the moment - he had never expected for Sue to come to Hawaii, much less see her on the same night he planned on proposing to Emily. He didn't know what to say; words weren't enough.

Sue searched his for answers to questions she could barely voice. "Jack, they told me you were dead."

The words struck him was such a force that he stepped back, releasing her. He had not considered her being told that he had died; he simply thought she would forget about him and move on if he never contacted her again.

"I... I'm alive."

"But how... why are you alive?"

While Sue did not mean to question why, but how he was alive, Jack considered her words carefully. "Why am I alive?" he echoed, unsure himself. "I don't know." He sighed, glanced into the window of the restaurant then continued. "I was on the ship that day, Sue. I should have died -"

"But you didn't, Jack. And for these past years I thought you were dead!" The hurt in her eyes made him angry, angry for the pain he inflicted upon her. "Why?" she breathed.

The sudden burst of anger caused him to speak. "Because, Sue. Because I'm worthless. When we were attacked, I got shot in my arm." He motioned to the limp arm quickly. "I can barely move it. I'm useless, Sue, and you don't deserve that. You deserve a man that can care for you and protect you."

Her eyes went wide. "You were hurt?" she whispered.

He nearly laughed. "Yeah." His voice softened, seeing the anguish in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry."

Slowly, with his right hand, he took her hers in his. Her eyes watched the movement and they, again, filled with tears. She could see the pain in his face from the motion, yet when his hand grasped hers she could see the victory in his eyes. "Sue, I can barely move my arm. I'm of no worth to you."

She closed the space between them and lifted his hand to her lips. "I don't need you to be perfect, Jack. I'm not."

Jack couldn't help but groan when she said that. She was so perfect, so beautiful. "Sue, you're wonderful."

"But, I'm deaf, Jack. Doesn't that make me worthless?"

"No, Sue!" He didn't mean to yell, but hearing her say such a thing made him so upset; she was not worthless to him. "You're not! I-I love you so much." The words escaped before he could stop them, and then, before he even knew what was happening, she was back in his arms. The smell of her perfume wafted into his nostrils and he fought to keep from burying his face in her blond hair.