The Nomination: Taking One for the Team by kdm. This delightful story was recently written by one of our enthusiastic and gifted new writers. It begins as Sue learns that her decision not to take the job offer in New York has unexpected repercussions, brought on by the underhanded tactics of the agent from the New York office who wanted to recruit her away from D.C. Sue concludes that if she stays with Jack and the team, their careers will be in jeopardy because of her. Out of her love for Jack, and her devotion to the team, she makes a heart-wrenching decision. She resigns, eludes the team, and flees D.C. Intent on finding his Sue, Jack leads the team in an all-out effort to locate her. This is a meaningful, heart-warming tale that is also tingling with romantic tension. I am pleased to recommend that it be included in the Showcase.

There is a time to every season...


"Sue, we need to talk to you."

Sue raised her eyebrows, noting the serious faces on Lucy and Tara in the otherwise empty bullpen. "Sure Tara, what's wrong?"

"You've been wondering what's been happening the last two days with all the comings and goings from the bullpen to the conference room," Tara began carefully, knowing that this was going to be difficult, "especially for Jack and D, right?"

"I admit that I've been curious, but I figured it must be some case that is on a need to know basis for the members of the team that were the appropriate personnel," Sue answered slowly.

It had been odd, the last two days. There had been a strange vibe in the air that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Even Levi had sensed it. More than once he had wandered over to one of the team, seemingly to offer comfort. This was especially true when it came to Jack, though his moments in the bullpen had been few and far between. And when she had quietly asked if everything was OK he'd given her a brief smile and told her not to worry. Not exactly the reassurance she'd been looking for, but she trusted Jack. He would talk to her if he needed to.

It had been almost a week since she'd turned down the job in New York. A smarter decision she'd never made, though it had taken her literally to the eleventh hour to realize it. But it felt right. Sue had no doubt that this was where she was supposed to be - where she belonged - with her friends, her DC family.

Turning her attention back to her two friends she saw Lucy grimace as she spoke. "You could sort of say that," was her response.

Sue looked at them both in surprise. "What's wrong?" as a feeling of dread crept up her spine.

"It seems that William Hackford, or perhaps more accurately some of his superiors in the New York Bureau, aren't taking the news of your decision to stay here in DC very well. The notion seems to be firmly implanted in a few offices up there that someone with your skills on their team would be a great asset, as a further stepping stone up the FBI hierarchy. They're making a full court press to get you away from this team in spite of your choice to stay. Ambition, pride, ego, politics... it's making for quite a turf war," Tara added softly, seeing her friend getting visibly upset, something quite rare for Sue.

"And to make it worse," Lucy added gently, hating what had to be said but knowing Sue had to be told, "they are trying to intimidate us by threatening the team."

"I can't believe it. What possible logic is there in threatening the team? Aren't we all supposed to be on the same side?" asked Sue in disbelief.

"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" responded Lucy. "But as Tara says, the turf war is pretty fierce. Speaking on behalf of New York, Hackford is threatening to block D from rising to supervisor, to strip Jack from the position of team leader and to split up the entire team unless you make the move to New York."

"What?!?" Sue nearly shrieked. "They can't do that! I won't let them! D deserves the promotion, no one will be better when Ted has completely left for his new position. This team is the best in the FBI, they can't split it up unless they want the bureau solve rate to drop dramatically. Besides, we're a family... and Jack! There isn't a better team leader in the world! Don't they realize the way he built this team... that his leadership and determination led to the results that have come from the unit... that he's responsible for me? I'd still be in fingerprinting if it weren't for Jack... and they are threatening him... trying to dismantle his team as a reward... because he turned me into a decent analyst?!? Why didn't he tell me..."

Tara held up her hand. Having gained Sue's attention, she spoke, "Sue, I was at the last meeting. Jack, D, Bobby and Myles were all trying to point out the folly of this course of action, to no avail. New York - Hackford - is determined. I have no doubt that they'll keep pursuing this. I have some footage from the meeting," she gave a small smile at both women, as they looked surprised. "Hey, I believe in being prepared - it's amazing how innocent my little fuzzy friends look," patting her pen with the hidden camera affectionately, "but the point is you need to watch it now while we're alone. You need to see what we're up against."

As Tara cued up the footage for Sue to watch she continued, "I know that Jack hasn't wanted to worry you, but I think that you should know what's happening. You need to be prepared... for anything. You should also know that we will do anything to keep you as long as that's still what you want," she ended with a question in her voice.

"Yes it's what I want... I thought that this was behind me... that I'd woken up from the nightmare. I knew last week that staying with the team, my friends, my family," Sue smiled affectionately at her two best girlfriends, "was the right thing, that God was telling me to stay. Why is this happening now... what purpose could there possibly be..." she trailed off in dismay.

Lucy patted her shoulder in reassurance. "Have faith, Sue. There will be a way through the darkness... that's what you always tell me, and you've always been right. Trust me, Tara, Jack, the team... trust God... there is a reason," tears misted her vision, and as she saw the same response from her friends, she choked out the end of her thought, "everything will work out in God's time."

* * *

Sue sat alone in the library, wanting a place of solitude to sort through the turmoil filling her mind after viewing the footage from the meeting between Hackford and her teammates. Could anyone ever be blessed with better friends than she had been given? And now because of their willingness to stand up for her they were all being threatened. And it wasn't stopping them. They wouldn't back down in spite the pressure Hackford and the New York office were bringing to bear on them.

She felt incredibly guilty. If she'd only turned down the offer when it had first been presented to her... if she hadn't said yes before coming to her senses... she sighed. But she had, and with all that had been said in the meeting that Tara had recorded for her she knew it might not have made any difference, but at least she wouldn't have felt so guilty about all that was happening to her friends, her team.

Absently stroking Levi's golden head Sue remained lost in thought. There had to be a way to stop this insanity. But how?

Whatever it was she'd better figure it out before 10 am tomorrow morning. The next meeting in that conference room was going to include Garrett - the poor man must be tired of trying to keep the transition between positions running smoothly - something else she felt bad about. D was Garrett's choice for successor, and after a few false starts everything had finally been going according to plan in getting him into his new supervisory position - until this fiasco.

Garrett in the meeting would be a positive - he could keep her team from doing anything too rash. Unfortunately the AD for personnel as well as the Director of the FBI were both coming too. As if they didn't have more important things to do that mediate a turf war. Sue shook her head at the incredible waste of time and energy that this whole situation was becoming for so many important people.

Slowly an idea was taking shape in her mind - not one she especially liked, but one that would perhaps protect her friends. It involved a sacrifice on her part, but no other options were presenting themselves to her. Her friends had put themselves on the line for her time and time again over the last few years, especially Jack. She wasn't going to let some empty suits belittle that in their blind ambition. It was time to put a stop to this whole mess.

Resolved, Sue slowly rose from her chair and headed back to the bullpen, praying that she would find it empty. She needed to be alone to carry through her plan. It was going to hurt, but it was the only way that she could end the madness once and for all. Her friends deserved that after all that they had done for her. She just hoped that they would understand.

* * *

Jack looked around the conference room, grateful to see his entire team ready to do battle. Even Lucy was here, eyes flashing as she glared over at Hackford sitting smugly at the far end of the table. If looks could kill... Jack allowed himself a small smile. There had been very little to smile about over the last few days. And just as everything was calming down from the scare Sue gave everyone last week with her imminent transfer. But she'd stayed with the team, with him, and now New York was trying to steal her away again.

He wondered if the powers that be knew just how wise it was that rotors were not issued guns. Although right now he was quite willing to lend his to Lucy... if he didn't use it himself.

He drew in a deep breath, trying to rein in the frustration - the anger - that he was feeling. Looking around the table he reassured himself, taking in the determined faces of his friends. The only face missing was the one that was the topic of the coming meeting.

Not for the first time he wondered if he should have told her what was going on. But he had been so sure at the beginning that things could be smoothed over quickly. He'd seen no reason to stir up the emotions of the previous week again for her. With the luxury of a bit of hindsight, Jack could now see how difficult last week had been for her, how draining.

And he really hadn't helped her any, behaving like a jealous, hurt school boy when he realized that Lucy had known about the job offer and he hadn't. But he was trying to make up for that behaviour now.

He'd seen Sue earlier in the bullpen when he'd first got in. She'd looked tired, her smile not reaching her eyes in the way that he was accustomed to. When he'd asked, she'd simply dismissed it as a restless night. Having fallen victim to several of those himself recently, he'd nodded. But now it occurred to him that perhaps she had some inkling as to what was happening in here...

Everyone snapped to attention as the Director called the meeting to order. "This has gone on long enough. We are going to settle today... right now... where Special Investigative Analyst Sue Thomas will be reporting for work from now on."

Jack's quick glance around the table showed him the concern this statement brought to all of his team. For some reason he took note of the fuzzy pen Tara had resting against her chin as his gaze settled on her. Odd, she didn't usually use the same pen two days running, yet here she was holding it in the exact same position as yesterday. She must be very upset.

* * *

Sue watched on the computer as Tara kept her pen camera trained on the action around the table. No one was in the bullpen but her as the meeting that would decide her place in the bureau went on without her. But it wouldn't for long.

She watched as Hackford repeated his demands, promising dire consequences for her friends if they tried to interfere. Frowning, she wondered at his boldness in the presence of both the AD, and the Director himself. Surely they wouldn't take such statements kindly - he was a subordinate to both of them, as were his superiors in New York. Unless they were already in his corner, and he knew it...

One by one she saw her teammates speak on her behalf, on behalf of the team they were, of the family they'd become. And why her placement with them was instrumental to their success. She was deeply moved when Garrett, and much to her surprise Eldridge - a surprise addition to the meeting - backed up the words of her friends in the strongest possible terms.

Sue felt the tears rise. Through it all she watched for glimpses of Hackford - saw how he just sat there, smugly confident that whatever they said wouldn't matter, that he'd prevail.

She watched as he interrupted Lucy's speech. "Look, I think we all know what is going on in here," heedless of Lucy's ire, he continued, "I offered, on behalf of the New York Bureau, Miss Thomas a better position than her current one. An offer, I might add, that she accepted, until some last minute arm twisting and a well done guilt trip kept her here."

Looking slightly amused by the simultaneous eruptions from around the table, he spoke over the din. "Oh, come on. If Miss Thomas was truly speaking for herself, why isn't she in here now? If you were really confident that she wanted to stay, you'd have told her what's going on. You haven't told her, right Hudson?" he added with a bit of a sneer.

Jack opened his mouth to reply, when he was shocked into silence by another voice.

"I know all about this meeting and what you're trying to do," Sue stated clearly, her eyes directly on Hackford.

* * *

All eyes turned towards her, but Sue didn't take her eyes from the face of the man that was currently - by accident or design - messing with her life. Stepping towards the table to place herself in a position to read everyone, she took a deep breath, preparing to fight.

She had seen the chaos that ensued after Hackford's disparaging remarks about why she'd stayed. She'd practically flown down the hall, arriving just in time to catch the next insult that had been hurled at Jack. That was as good a place as any to start.

"I made a mistake last week when I even considered your offer of the job in New York, let alone accepted it. Fortunately I came to my senses in time - on my own, without any of the team trying to make my decision for me. They gave me the courtesy of time and space to come to my own conclusions and were willing to support me either way, no matter what their personal feelings were on the subject. The same thing cannot be said for you," she noted coldly.

"I chose to stay for many reasons, some of which were professional. Others were private. Only the professional ones need concern you. I have no intention of sharing the private ones," she added with a look of warning as Hackford opened his mouth to speak.

Holding up her hand Sue commanded his attention, silencing his words with her look. "The reason you want me to move to New York is to make yourself - or your bosses - look better. Perhaps another rung or two of the ladder might get climbed if your new 'Senior Investigative Analyst' can help close the tough, high profile cases that you often see. What you don't realize is that I'm a good analyst because of this team here, my friends," she added, glancing around the table.

Turning back, Sue this time focused more on the Director. "I don't know if you are aware, Sir, but I started at the FBI in fingerprinting. I'd still be there if I hadn't accidentally met Jack," tossing a brief smile in his direction.

"That's not true Sue..." Jack spoke quickly, only to be silenced by her hand.

"It is true, in spite of what Jack says. He took a chance on me, was willing to see beyond my being deaf. He viewed me not as a liability... as a broken thing... but instead saw an opportunity, an advantage. You have no idea what that meant to me... to have someone look at me as a whole person with value, with potential... what it still means to me today," blinking rapidly Sue paused, trying to clear the lump in her throat, not daring to look around.

"Because of Jack I found a place on the team, his team. And they accepted me... maybe not all of them in the first instant," Sue admitted, shooting a gentle smile over at Myles, 'but they did all get to that place. They adapted to working with a deaf person and a hearing dog - they adjusted routines, thought about sight lines, even went so far as to learn some of my language. They made a safe spot in the world for me to learn, to grow, to contribute to something bigger than myself, bigger than this team even. They became coworkers, friends, and finally... my family."

Clearing her throat again, Sue found it hard to continue as she looked around at the team, meeting each one of them in the eye. "I will always love each and every one of them for the gift that they have given me. For making me more... capable... better than I was before joining them. They are why I succeed as an analyst. And that is why I stayed. I am only as good as the people that I work with allow me to be. When I work with this team, that's when I'm at my best, because they are the best."

Stopping Hackford from interrupting yet again, Sue looked back at the Director. "I've had the experience of working with other people, other teams - Pete Hadley and Tony Capono are examples. It did not... go well, Sir. But when everything started to fall apart, these people, this team came through for me. Over and over, in ways that I can't fully express, they gave me the strength to get through the tough times. I owe them my career... along with my undying gratitude."

Knowing that she was almost finished, Sue took a deep breath once more. There was just a little more to say. "I'm sorry for the confusion and turmoil that has come from me not listening to my heart right away last week when this position was first mentioned, Sir. I greatly regret all the trouble... the sheer waste of time, energy and resources that should be going toward protecting the country instead of this ridiculous... turf war. I still can't wrap my head around the... pettiness... being displayed. I mean, it shouldn't matter what city is being represented... this is still the FBI... still one big team with a common goal... there's no room for undermining... or ego or... backstabbing. And certainly no reason to dismantle the best unit the FBI has to offer, nor to threaten my friends," she added, sending another dark look at Hackford

"That's all very touching Miss Thomas, but the fact remains you are wanted at the New York office. We are willing to compensate you fairly for your services, but 'no' is not an answer that we will accept. And if it takes playing hardball to bring you around to our way of looking at things, then that is what we are prepared for... whatever that may mean. It's for the greater good, Miss Thomas," Hackford added with a mocking tone, which was lost on her, though his expression was not.

"And if I refuse?"

Silence hung in the room.

Hackford privately admitted that he admired her spunk. No wonder Hudson wanted to keep her on his team. But he'd been tasked with the assignment of returning with her, all for the 'greater good' of a few suits looking for the next step up the ladder. So he was prepared for her question.

"There will be no team for you to stay with. You will have derailed - if not ended - the careers of your friends here. If by some happenstance the powers that be," shooting a quick look at the silent man at the head of the table, "decided to keep them together, there would still be no position here for you. You'd be sent elsewhere anyway. Why not make it easier on everyone? Stand by your original acceptance. We can leave today."

Gasping at his audacity, Lucy could stay silent no longer. "You... you... snake!" she burst forth.

Raising his hand, Ted gained control of the room before anyone else could give voice to their opinion. Turning to Hackford, he asked the question of the moment. "And just what gives you the right to decide this? Why are you so sure that you hold all the cards in this particular instance?"

"Because my boss has friends in high places. I've been assured that what I say will come to pass," he replied in an off-hand manner.

Sue felt sick. It was no less than she expected, but it was still heart breaking. Turning to the Director, she handed him the folder that she brought with her from the bullpen. Stepping back, she looked him directly in the eye. "I don't want this to be any more difficult for you than it's already been Sir. Again I apologize for wasting so much of your time. But I won't be going to New York. Please read... everything should be in order..." stopping as she saw him open the folder.




The Director frowned as he studied the contents of the folder. Passing it over first to his AD, then Garrett, he turned to face the New York representative. "Well Hackford, you and your friends seem to have caused a fine mess. You really need to learn that, like in any other area of life, when a woman says no, she means no. This woman certainly does. She's gone to great lengths to make it perfectly clear for you."

Seeing Garrett share the folder with his soon to be replacement, he added "Agent Gans, I'd like you to read the contents of the folder out loud in just a moment. But first," her turned again to Hackford, "I need to remind you that you are not the only one with friends in high places - and I dare say that mine outrank yours. I am the Director of the FBI, which affords me the ear of the President - who is an old family friend by the way - and anyone else I'd need to stop this... this... self-serving end run that you're making. It won't stand," he finished with quiet confidence.

At this statement the team exchanged quick glances. Jack could see hope in the faces around the table that surely was mirrored his own expression. He was so proud of Sue - so incredibly proud of the way she'd expressed herself, how she'd stood her ground. He thought that he might just burst, watching her while she was speaking. She still gave him too much credit - someone else would have seen her abilities if he hadn't. He would be forever grateful that he'd found her first.

He wondered just how much trouble he was going to be in with her when the dust all settled today.

Hearing D clear his throat Jack turned his attention back to his friend and soon to be supervisor - assuming Hackford was stopped as the Director implied. Seeing the uncomfortable look on his face, Jack suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.

"What does it say D?" Myles asked quietly.

"Yes tell us, what did the sheila put in there?" added Bobby a bit impatiently. Bureaucracy always got him irritated, another thing he'd learned from Wes.

Looking over at the Director, D hesitated. "Is it OK if I just read the salient points?"

"That's fine Gans. Just let your team know what your coworker is willing to sacrifice," the Director granted his permission.

Sacrifice? Jack shot a look first at Tara, then Lucy. If anyone would know what Sue had done it would be one of them. Receiving blank looks in return, he focused on D, willing him to rid the room of the impending sense of doom.

Clearing his throat, D began. "The first part of the paperwork that Sue has gotten together restates everything that she has already said in this room, including the fact that she will not be transferring to the New York office," hearing sighs of relief from around the room, D raised his hand. "Wait. There's more. 'To remove any possibility of further attempts to break up the team headed by Special Agent Jack Hudson, or to have any consequences leveled against my teammates and friends as a result of attempts to remove me from said team, I, Sue Thomas hereby resign from the position of Special Investigative Analyst of the FBI, effective immediately.' Sue's also enclosed the credentials of both herself and Levi, as well as the key for her bureau issued car, everything... talk about taking one for the team..." his voice trailing off in dismay.

The room was filled with shocked silence.







She can't possibly resign! The thought echoed in his head. Jack turned his eyes to the Director in horror as he jumped to his feet. "Surely you can't be willing to accept this... Sir," he spluttered, with a belated attempt at respect.

Rather than be bothered by the outburst, the Director actually looked amused. "Of course I'm not going to accept this resignation, Hudson," he smiled indulgently at the younger man, "any more than I will permit the best team in the FBI to be split up or altered in any way. There is no way that I'm about to let one of the best analysts that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting take 'one for the team' like this. Though I must say that I am impressed by the lengths Miss Thomas is willing to go to in order to protect all of you," he held up a hand, indicating that he had yet to finish. "Furthermore, the paperwork that makes it official will be in your hands by the end of the day to prove it. I suggest that you frame a copy, maybe several, in case anyone else tries to execute such a foolish scheme in the future - hang it near your desk."

"Woohoo!" shouted Bobby, before clamping a hand across his mouth. "Sorry Sir,"he mumbled apologetically.

"A worthy sentiment, Manning," the Director grinned, "one that I expect will fit this other announcement as well. By the end of today you will also have the paperwork revising the 'no fraternization' policy between members of the same unit."

Shocked exclamations ripped through the room as questioning gazes focused on the Director, waiting to see if they had indeed heard him correctly.

Jack slowly sank back into his chair, his legs no longer able to support him. "Sir, would you please repeat that?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"You heard correctly Hudson. Today has been a perfect example of just how outdated the old policy - which has been under review for some time, I might add - has become. As Miss Thomas has pointed out, you are a better team because of your closeness. You are a family, you've always cared about each other, and that has only made you better at your jobs. This is true for other top notch units as well. We all know the demands of the job, the risks... but we also know that with a stable home life the balance is better, there's less burn out and instead more professionalism as a result of the steady relationship - look at soon to be Supervisor Gans. We've lost more than a few good team members, be it agent, analyst or support staff over the years to this policy. It's outlived it's usefulness. I would suggest Hudson," turning his attention to the team leader again, "that you frame a copy of this as well for your wall."

"Th... thank you, Sir," Jack stammered in complete disbelief. Turning with a mixture of triumph and awe on his face to meet Sue's eyes, he stood quickly, realizing that someone was missing. "Where's Sue?"

Looking around the room everyone realized that the centre of the discussion had disappeared from the room.

Trying to stem the panic that he felt rising, Jack turned to his team. "Did anyone see when Sue left the room?"

Receiving negatives as the only reply, he turned to hear Lucy say, "She's probably just retreated to the bullpen, waiting for this to be over. I'll just go get her so she can be told all the great news in person."

Quiet handshakes were exchanged with the Director along with words of thanks, all except Hackford, who was on the phone in the hallway with New York, passing along the bad news for them. The team sought each other out, sharing hugs and back slaps, waiting for Lucy to return with Sue.

"A word of advice Hudson?" said the Director, drawing him to one side.

"Certainly, Sir," Jack responded, wondering what was coming now. There had already been more than enough surprises for one day.

"Miss Thomas is obviously very special to the entire team. Perhaps to some of you more than others..." giving the younger man an inscrutable look. He'd heard the rumors around the Hoover Building same as everyone else. They'd been an unknowing test case when looking at the change in policy. "There will always be some circumstance, someone that threatens to take her away again - or any of you, for that matter - though I think that I've taken care of some of that today. The question is what are you going to do about it? Do you wait for something else to happen - and it will, life has taught both of us that - or do you take steps to prevent at least the 'someone' scenario?" Seeing the dumbfounded look Jack's face, he chuckled. " Just think about it son."

"I... I will Sir, thank you," Jack finally replied.

"I wonder what's taking so long..." Tara whispered. "Maybe I should go see if everything's OK..." she trailed off as Lucy re-entered the room, alone.

"Sue's not in the bullpen," Lucy answered the unspoken question. "She's not in the ladies' room or the library. Her coat's not at her desk, nor Levi - who, come to think of it, I haven't seen this morning. Her bureau car is in the garage - obviously, since she turned in the keys - and the front desk thinks she waved on her way past about two minutes ago. She's not answering her Blackberry... I think she's gone," Lucy's voice trembled as tears filled her eyes.





This was all a bad dream - any moment he was going to wake up and get ready to start another day. Rubbing his eyes, Jack lifted his gaze to the room. He was wrung out - his emotions had already run the full spectrum today. How could she be gone?

She'd obviously taken all of her training and put it to good use in her disappearing act - as her training agent he was proud of her. As her partner and friend who cared deeply about her, he was worried sick, and not a little frustrated. If only Sue had waited for the Director to respond!

Sue had disappeared from the vicinity of the Hoover Building without a trace. The cameras mounted outside had shown her turning right after leaving the main doors, and then nothing. No other surveillance tapes in the vicinity had picked up her trail. Of course it didn't help them that she knew where all the cameras were located - she had dodged them all. The guards working the main desk didn't see where she was headed, but she'd been in a hurry. She hadn't spoken, just hurried out with a wave. They had noticed the absence of Levi, which had seemed odd.

There had been no credit card activity. Her last bank activity was early this morning, preceded by another transaction late last night. She'd planned ahead - laid in a good supply of cash so she couldn't be traced. Not only was there no answer on her Blackberry, she must have turned it off, since there was no GPS signal to trace. She'd even managed to disable the GPS on her personal car.

When he found her they were definitely going to be having words about that last stunt. She'd been spending way too much time around Bobby.

A visit to the apartment revealed more well thought out planning. A note to Lucy about paid up rent and utilities. The missing dog dishes, toys, and food. More evidence of packing in her room - not everything by any means - but enough to be gone for a good while. Instructions to tell her parents that she was taking a long overdue vacation and would be in touch. Notes to a couple of people at the church, to Troy, Charlie and Amanda. But no information as to where she'd gone or when she'd return.

Somehow she had avoided most of the traffic cameras scattered throughout DC. What information they had wasn't enough to figure out which way she was driving. There had been no reports of her vehicle from DC Metro, who had been instructed by the Director himself to give all possible assistance in finding their missing analyst. She hadn't spoken to any of her friends on the way out of town that they could find. He was at a loss as to how best move forward in locating her. All he knew for sure was that he had to find her.

When Howie Fines was announced, a collective groan arose. Sue's snitch was a challenge at the best of times, which this most certainly was not. Sue was his handler for the simple reason that he had chosen her and she was the only one who would put up with him. However the mood changed considerably when he handed each of them a letter addressed in Sue's handwriting.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't get them to you sooner... Sue made me promise not to hand these over to anyone but a member of the team. I tried to find you earlier... you know, around lunch time... but no one was here. So I kept them and came back... I promised Sue that... I needed to get this one last favour right for her," he said, noticeably lacking his normal buoyancy.

"What do you mean, this one last favour," Bobby spoke, taking a step closer to the little man.

"Hey, hey, take it easy... a little high strung are we today?" Howie chuckled, albeit nervously. "You know Sue was kind of the same way. I don't think I've ever seen her so... you know, agitated before... she was even worse than when Levi was missing..."

"Howie!" Jack interrupted, silencing the little man. In a calmer tone he went on, "tell us when and where you saw Sue. Every detail. Don't leave anything out. It's very important."

"Yeah, yeah, OK... I get it. Well you see, it was like this..."





Flashback in italics, signing in bold.[/color]



After escaping the Hoover Building Sue had met up with Howie, exactly as she had planned to when asking for his help the night before. He was holding Levi's leash, talking with the dog as an equal, as he was prone to do every time that they met. Sue felt the tug at her heartstrings as the enormity of what she was doing washed over her yet again. But there was no other way - she had to go through with this for her friends. She just wished that it wasn't so hard.

Taking Levi's leash in her hand, she opened the car door for him, scooting him inside. Time was of the essence now. She had to put as much distance between herself and Washington DC as quickly as possible, preferably by back roads. Where exactly she was going was yet to be determined. North, south, east or west - it didn't really matter as long as she couldn't be found. She said as much to Howie when he asked what her next move was.

"But Sue, you can't just disappear... I'm mean, who's going to keep Myles and Bobby in line? And Jack... what will this do to Jack... you know... losing his partner and all...?" he had asked, aghast at what she was planning.

"I have to Howie. It's to protect the team that I'm doing this. Disappearing is the only way... they're such good friends... you know none of them would let me do this for them... I can't explain Howie," cutting off the beginning of his next protest. "I need you to do one more thing for me, please."

Seeing him nod in agreement, a shadow of defeat in his eyes, he took the letters that she offered, promising to deliver them only into the hands of the team. "Thank you." Giving him a quick hug, she hopped into her car and drove away, leaving him staring after her.

"And that's the last that I saw her, just after after 11 am," Howie finished desolately.

Lucy patted him on the back. "We're all worried Howie. Thanks for being such a good friend to her," she said, trying to muster a smile for his benefit.

"Anything... anything for Sue... is there anything else I can do... you know, put the word out on the street... anything?" he asked eagerly, hopefully.

"Not right now Howie, we don't want to inadvertently put her in any danger... but thanks... like Lucy said, you're a good friend to Sue," Jack replied.

As Lucy escorted Howie from the bullpen, Jack turned tired eyes to Bobby and Myles. "Get on the phone with the State Police... use the Director's name if you have to... he said to use any resource that we need to find Sue. Have them keep an eye out for her car. And you might as well alert the surrounding states. It doesn't sound like she's planning on stopping near by," running a hand through his hair, almost groaning in frustration.

Waving her hand in the air to gain their attention, Tara looked might she might cry as she realized yet again that Sue was missing. "I'll keep checking her credit cards too. If she's planning to drive and drive, she'll have to keep stopping for gas. She may even stop overnight - she can't have had much sleep last night with all of her preparations, so she must be exhausted. I know she's carrying a lot of cash, but we might get lucky..." Tara's thoughts trailed off as her fingers flew over the computer keyboard.

Nodding, Jack sat back down and pinched the bridge of his nose, willing this to be just a nightmare. Where could she be? "Come back to me..." he whispered.

Italics for flashbacks. Sue is quoting John 15:13, NIV.




The afternoon was beautiful for driving. Sue followed the winding highway after crossing over the river, knowing she was no more than 15 minutes from the outskirts of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Avoiding the interstates as well as every major centre possible, the drive had taken twice as long as it would have using a more direct route. But when trying to disappear, sometimes the long way around was the shortest way home.

And she hadn't gotten lost, even with no GPS. Being able and unafraid to read a good old-fashioned map had come in handy.

Not knowing which way to turn when she had set out this morning, she'd headed north. As she had driven a longing for a simpler life, one where she was free to be herself without the constant feeling of scrutiny had filled her heart.

Being a very private person Sue had found working in the fishbowl atmosphere of the FBI difficult at times - especially with regard to certain rumors that she had been reading more and more in the last few days. Some bullpen teasing was one thing - it could usually be deflected - but the whole building speculating on her 'relationship' with Jack after she chose to stay in DC was different. It had come to her knowledge that several office pools were now underway as to what would happen when. Her actions today would have those fizzling, at least.

Growing up in Ohio she had been somewhat familiar with the Amish faith, admiring their strength, their willingness to be different - how comfortable in themselves many had seemed even while standing out from the world around them. She had learned by that example that different was not always bad. Some of the stoicism she'd observed must have rubbed off on her, which was helpful during the troubled times growing up - particularly at school.

Without conscious thought she had found herself headed for Amish country - not in her native Ohio, but instead in neighbouring Pennsylvania. Wondering all the while if it would be possible to hide herself, her broken dreams, her broken heart. Maybe even find a measure of peace.

Sue knew she was doing the right thing. Each mile that she traveled unchallenged increased her certainty. She would protect them no matter what the price.

"Greater love hath no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Sue recalled the memory verse first learned in her Sunday school days. It was how the team lived every day. Now it was time to lay down the life she had in Washington DC for her friends. She wished that it didn't have to include leaving them behind as well.

Feeling another sigh push past her lips, she pulled herself up sharply. After all, she'd made the choice - it had not been required of her. The team would have kept fighting - she had wanted them to stop so that they wouldn't get hurt any further. She pushed away the disquieting thought that they might hurt over her absence - any feelings like that would soon fade as life rushed on. This was the only solution that would keep them all safely together.

It was time to stop looking back. It was time to start a new life. She had done it once when she'd left Ohio, she could do it again. All she needed to find was a place to start.

Drawn from her musings by the site of a roadside stand at one of the Amish homesteads, she slowly pulled off the road, aware that there might be children about. Getting out of the car with Levi, Sue pushed herself forward to her future, whatever it held.





Jack sat in the dimly lit bullpen. Alone. He'd never felt so alone. All day he'd kept looking over to her desk, willing her to appear. They'd gone over it several times, hoping for any kind of clue. Nothing - just an empty, abandoned piece of furniture remained to mark the place where the light, the heart, the soul of the office should be.

An examination of her computer had at least explained how Sue had known about what was happening. Tara had been in tears as she explained about her fuzzy friend, appalled at what Sue had done with the information she'd given to her. No amount of comforting by him or anyone else - not even Bobby - could erase her feeling that she was responsible for Sue's disappearance - except for the words left in the letter from the one who was gone. The words in Sue's letter to Tara had reduced the women of the office to tears, with the men not far behind.

Each letter had been very personal, tailored to meet the individual. Some had been shared, others had not. Bobby had disappeared for an hour after reading his, and upon his return literally threw himself into finding Sue. What he had read to put the look Jack had seen on his face one could only guess.

Myles had tucked his letter away after reading it, in a inside pocket of his suit coat, patting it tenderly. Meaning the inquiring glances he had shrugged. "I need Sue's words as close to my heart as possible until she is back with us, filling her spot as the heart of our team. Every time the paper moves it will provide fresh inspiration to keep the faith that she has shown me."

D and Lucy had framed their letters, placing them on their desks so they could reach out and touch them, finding a measure of comfort in the action.

The only plus he could see in this entire disaster was the pair of letters now hanging on the wall by his desk. True to his word the Director had the paperwork to the bullpen mid-afternoon, delivered in person so that no one could possibly mislay them, he had explained. The letters had been hung with great ceremony and flourish in his approving presence.

The explosions from the New York office had been heard all over the country as a section of the brass up there had more than their knuckles wrapped. They were now waiting with bated breath for Sue to be found as well - their very jobs dependent on just how gracious she was in accepting the abject apologies that they would be delivering upon her return. Doubtless she would be more gracious than they deserved. In the meantime, having incurred the wrath of the Director was making them squirm. Jack gave a slight smile at the thought - it was good to have the Director on their side.

Where had she gone? He had so much to say to her, so much he wanted to share. Things he could only share with her.

He needed the comfort of her presence. In the past few years when the way had been dark she had been by his side, sometimes even before he knew what he needed. His memory conjured up different images - being shot on their first case together, his heart attack, waiting for Billy to wake up in the hospital, the sniper case, the time he was under investigation for racial profiling, when Wes had died, the blow up with Joe over Kristen, the aftermath of almost being shot last week while his identity was hijacked - Sue had been his strength without even realizing the gift that she was giving.

Even when he blew it with her. Even when he knew that he'd caused her pain. Even after he shoved Allie in her face. Or Jessica. He shuddered. How could he have been so blind?

The only times that she had failed to comfort Jack were the times that she went missing before. Dan Malone driving away with Sue in the hiding spot that he'd put her in himself, after she had raced to his side, not knowing that the vest had absorbed the hit. Jonathan abducting her while he sat in the next room, unaware. At least she hadn't really been in any danger, though at the time no one else had been aware of that. Simon... Jack shuddered... Simon was a different story. The danger had been all too real, he'd almost lost her. Twice.

This isn't Simon, he reminded himself firmly. Think vacation. She's just on a vacation, a very brief vacation... and his mind wandered again.

Even in the moments of a more embarrassing nature like the chicken incident she had showed a gentle sympathy through the teasing. And the Eleanor Rippendorf situation - as humorous as she'd found his predicament beforehand he blessed Sue again for going along with what Lucy and Tara had cooked up for the actual night of the auction. If she had spoken up and exposed the whole set up he would have spent the rest of the evening fending off Eleanor. Instead he'd experienced the very great privilege of dancing the night away with her in his arms, something he very much wanted to do again.

And their two undercover marriages... what was the saying... third time's the charm?

Dropping his head into his hands he groaned. How would he find her? He heard the rustle of paper as he moved, and reached for his letter from Sue.






Sue's letter to Jack in italics.


Like Myles, Jack had placed his letter next to his heart. He didn't need to read it again - it was burned into his memory, etched onto his heart. Or at least the place his heart used to be - his heart had left with Sue. He needed to find her to reclaim his heart and finally lay claim to her. Touching the place where it lay, he could visualize the stains left by her tears, remember her words...

Dear Jack.

I'm sorry. I know that it is completely inadequate. But it is all that I have to offer you. There is so much I wish that I could make right.

I'm sorry to leave without telling you. Sorry that I'm leaving you short a team member without having time to find a replacement. At least you'll have no shortage of applicants for a spot on such a special team.

I'm sorry for all the threats that you have endured from Hackford and company the last few days. Sorry that I ever looked at the job last week to begin with. Sorry that I didn't stop all of the trouble before it ever got started.

I'm sorry that I was never able to talk with you about the offer last week. I kept quiet - except with Lucy since she was there when I was approached - because I was told to, but it was a mistake. Another one.

I'm sorry that you carried the burden of the last few days alone - that I caused there to be yet another burden for you to carry. If I was with you right now we would be having yet another conversation about your overprotective tendencies. But this time you were applying it to the whole team - your team - and not just me, so I will let it slide.

I'm sorry that I couldn't talk my resigning over with you. If I could have thought up another solution believe me I would have. I don't want to leave you. But I couldn't let anyone destroy what you have built. And I'm not going to be a pawn in anyone's power trip.

I'm sorry that I couldn't come to you for advice - your wisdom, your encouragement, your compassion has helped me so much in the past. I knew that you would try to talk me out of leaving, so I kept silent, even though I desperately wanted to turn to you again.

I'm sorry for all the times that I've been a burden to you. You are such a good team leader that you carry all of our troubles with us, making them lighter, but at great cost to yourself. I'm sorry that I won't be around to do the same for you anymore. You need to be able to share too.

I'm sorry that I've never thanked you for all you've done for me - you've given me so much. I hope the words that I speak in the meeting tomorrow - today now - will express some of my gratitude for all you've brought to my life. This letter will have to do the rest. I don't know that there are enough words to tell you what I think of you, what I owe you. Know that you are a very special person Jack.

I'm sorry that I can't stay to share in all that you have brought to my life. Sorry that I must leave this family behind to allow you to remain together. But it is worth it - so worth it - as long as you are all together and safe and happy. I will miss everything about the team. I will miss working with you, being your partner and friend. I love all of you so much.

I'm sorry that my emotions are bleeding out onto the page. You don't have to carry them Jack. I'll be fine. I just need to tell you these things once before I am gone. I'm sorry for being so selfish. Don't add this to your burdens Jack. I hope my leaving will actually release you from some of the burdens you carry - I know that you've spent a lot of time and energy looking out for me as my Training Agent, and as a friend. But I'm a big girl - I really will be fine - so you don't need to worry anymore. Set them down.

I'm sorry that I can't be around to keep an eye on you. I've tried, you know. Not wanting to push in where I don't belong, but you need to take care of yourself. And not just for yourself. Everyone counts on you. I will still be counting on you to save the country. Nobody does it better than you Jack. And I love you for that too.

I'm sorry that I won't see the life that you make for yourself, someday. Remember your dreams - the wife, the dog, the couple of kids. Be happy, Jack. Know in your heart that I will always celebrate with you in spirit.

I'm sorry.

Sue

Jack's memories in italics.


Slowly, Jack became aware of the world around him again. Bobby and Tara were at her desk, heads close together, intent on the computer screen. He knew that he should go and see what they were working on. But his mind was still whirling with all that her words contained.

I'm sorry... there were too many of them in her letter. She didn't need to be sorry for being herself. She still was blaming herself for things beyond her control, burdens that were not hers to carry, choices that were not her own.

The letter both hurt and healed at the same time.

It hurt so much to know how hard she was on herself. It hurt to think of her off alone somewhere - that this was her intention while leaving the team safe here. That she would so willingly sacrifice everything she held dear for them, for him.

Remember your dreams - the wife, the dog, the couple of kids. The sentence haunted him. That he'd never found the courage to tell her... that she was the one he wanted to share everything with, that she filled all his dreams... it made his heart ache.

The healing came from the love that she'd shared - her love for the team, for him. Being loved by Sue even if only as a friend was an amazing feeling.

But Jack wanted, needed, craved more from her. And he was starting to have faith in the not so subtle hints that Lucy had been dropping about him and Sue since the very beginning. The words in her letter went beyond friendship. There was too much feeling poured into the words and phrases on the page, the tear stains... maybe he was reading into it what he wanted to see. But until he found her and heard from her own lips that she didn't love him in that way he would hope.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. The verse came unbidden to his mind. And love Sue he did, with his heart, mind and soul. She was everything to him.

He just had to find her so he could tell her. He would finally make everything right for her, for himself, for them. No more holding back.

Turning as he felt a hand on his shoulder, Jack looked up to see a concerned Bobby speak.

"Jack, mate, you need to go home. If anything comes in we'll know. You've got to sleep so you can rush to her side the moment we get the word... and we will get the word. We won't stop until we do," Bobby added earnestly with a sympathetic smile.

"Trying to babysit me, Crash?" Jack joked weakly.

"Nah, just trying to keep an eye out for you... Sue will have my head if I let you get all run down," Bobby answered in all seriousness. "Go home. Sleep."

"I can't Crash. She's out there... somewhere..."





Flashback in italics, signing in bold.



Sue sat on the bed, tracing the faces of her friends in the picture she was holding. It had been a long day and she was completely drained, yet unable to settle down for sleep. Here she was in a beautiful farmhouse, safe and protected, yet unable to relax. Had everything turned out OK for her friends? The urge to call and check was overwhelming.

She looked around the unexpected haven that she'd found. Of all the road stands that she could have stopped at she'd been guided to that particular one. Seeing the child of about ten next to her mother, it had been natural to smile. The result had been unexpected.

"Hello," Sue said, "do you help your mom here?"

"She can't understand you," the child's mother replied. Seeing the surprise on Sue's face, she added, "my daughter is deaf."

Surprise was replaced by understanding. Turning back to the child, Sue repeated her statement in sign along with speech.

Eyes widening the child immediately responded with a flurry of sign, beginning a spirited dialogue.

Tears of gratitude filled the mother's eyes. "You are deaf?" seeing Sue's nod she continued, "thank you for stopping here, for taking time to 'speak' with my daughter. It is so rare for her to have any contact with another deaf person."

"I remember what it was like as a child. People can be very thoughtless." Sue replied with empathy.

"Your speech is wonderful. I would never have guessed... I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm Anna, and this is Mary," the lady had introduced them.

"My mother insisted that I learn... I practiced all the time... I'm glad now, of course. I'm Sue. I'm here... on vacation... just arrived in the area actually. This is my hearing dog, Levi. Say hello, Levi." Levi immediately gave his paw to Mary.

"Your hearing dog? I've never heard of... I didn't realize... how does... what does he do?" stammered Anna, watching her enthralled daughter play with the dog.

"Levi acts as my ears. He let's me know if anyone says my name. He tells me if a phone rings, if someone is at the door, he acts as my ears. He's even saved my life a few times. I don't know what I'd do without him," Sue added, giving him an affectionate rub.

"Fascinating," Anna replied sincerely. Looking at Mary she wondered, "Mary might be helped by such an animal, I mean, it's possible isn't it?"

"Definitely. It takes training of both the person and the dog, but it is well worth the effort," Sue said truthfully.

Are you staying around here? Will you be in the area long? Mary signed shyly.

"I've just arrived and haven't found a place to stay yet. I'm looking for somewhere more private... off the beaten track if you will. I'm not really into 'touristy' places... I mean that while I want to explore the area I don't want to get sucked into the tourist attractions only mode. I want to see more... experience the real Lancaster. Does that make any sense?" Sue ended helplessly.

"It makes perfect sense," Anna assured her. "It would be nice if more people felt the same way. So you haven't found anywhere... would you consider staying here?"

Sue was taken aback. "I wouldn't want to cause any inconvenience... it's an incredibly generous offer, but why would you would want a stranger... and her dog... around?"

Mary tugged on Sue's coat. Stay please.

"That's why," Anna replied quietly. "I've never seen Mary so taken with anyone. It will do immense good for her to spend time with a friend that completely shares her world, her struggles... please. You will bless us by doing this."

Sue was touched. What a remarkable answer to her prayer for guidance. "The blessing is mine. I would love to stay. Let's try, but if it becomes too difficult in any way, please tell me right away. Is there somewhere I can put my car that will be out of your way? I don't want to disrupt you lifestyle, your faith, in any way."

"We'll find a place. We've met Englishers before... though none quite as respectful of our ways as you. Come Mary," she turned to her daughter. "Come help me to get our guest settled."

Beaming in delight Mary skipped alongside her mother to the house.

Sue bowed her head again in thanksgiving. The entire family had welcomed her. They made her understand how much of a blessing her arrival was - they'd been praying for Mary and her special needs, seeking ways to strengthen her confidence in herself, ways for her to be more comfortable in the world around her. Sue and Levi were an answer to those prayers.

Smiling, Sue touched the picture of her friends one last time. Placing it on the nightstand beside her, she lay back, trying to focus on the future. On how she could help this family. Trying to drag her thoughts away from the past.

Maybe in helping Mary she'd be helping to mend her own broken heart.






Jack's thoughts in italics.



Jack sat on his bed, staring at the pictures. The team picture he kept on his bedside table, open to the world - the world being Crash, his mother and father. The other two pictures he kept in the drawer of the same table, away from prying eyes.

He traced the outline of her face. She looked so intent, so focused - he was sure that she never even knew that Bobby had snapped a picture - lining up the perfect shot on the pool table. He could still see the impressed look on Wes' face, and Jack had known that Wes was not easily impressed. But she had earned his respect with the pool cue, as well as with her handling of herself with the case. Sue had definitely brought her 'A' game to the table that night. And Jack had been filled with pride in her, again.

Just like he had been today, listening to her stick it to Hackford in the nicest possible way while defending them. That jerk. At least he'd been squashed permanently.

He missed Wes. At least Wes had met Sue before he... died, and made known his complete approval of her presence in his life. He'd made it very clear after Sue was safely home that night how good he believed her to be for Jack. How he wished that he'd acted then instead of waiting.

She'd been his rock when the entire case spiraled out of control. The roller coaster of emotions from Wes' supposed death to his actual one... Sue was just... there. Whatever he needed, whenever he needed. Silence or a sounding board, anything. She was there.

Where was she tonight? Was she safe? Did she miss him like he missed her?

Turning to the other picture his eyes misted. The wedding picture from their first undercover marriage made him long once again for the reality of Sue here, in his home... their home... as his wife. Sitting beside him, in his arms, in his bed... their bed.

Reaching into his nightstand he lifted out the little box. Opening it he tenderly touched the contents, almost as if he was afraid that it would break. As if it was too fragile for rough handling - like the person he desired more than anything to present it to.

Mentally he knew Bobby was right, that he needed to rest. He'd been dragged home, deposited in his room with strict instructions to sleep at least four hours but that six to eight would be better. Threatening to bunk on the couch unless Jack obeyed, Bobby had finally been persuaded to leave after being promised that his orders would be followed. Promising to return in the morning to take him back to the bullpen, he'd left Jack alone, knowing his best friend needed some time to come to grips with his emotions.

As if that were even possible.

Touching the ring one more time, Jack felt the tears come. "Sue," he whispered, as sobs began to shake his entire frame.

Dear God keep her safe. Bring her back to me...

Sue's conversation with God in italics.



"Jack?"

Sue bolted upright. Rubbing her eyes she tried to figure out where she was. She was so sure that she'd actually heard Jack call her name. An impossibility, she knew, yet the feeling that he was calling out to her remained so strong.

Looking around the strange room reality crashed in around her. She was alone. In Pennsylvania. In an Amish farmhouse outside of Lancaster. Everything had been left behind. Everyone. Jack.

The enormity of the sacrifice that she had made pressed into her soul like a weight, breaking her. The sobs came.

Dear Lord, what have I done? Am I truly following that path that You have set for me? Was there really no other way? How do I go on without them, without him? I love them all, I love him... please help me.

Suddenly a feeling of calm descended upon her soul. Trust me.

Gratefully, Sue clutched this assurance. She was not really alone even in the darkest of times.

Laying down once more, she let the tears have their way. Not that she could stop them. It hurts so very much...





"What do we have?" D asked the room.

"No reports of Sue's vehicle from any of the District offices, nothing from any of the traffic cameras in and around the city that would give any indication which way she was traveling," Myles reported.

"Nothing from any of the surrounding states either," added Bobby. "You've trained your sheila well Sparky," he ribbed his friend gently in an attempt to lighten his spirits.

Jack smiled at his friend wanly. "Tara, anything on her credit cards?"

"Nothing Jack. Whatever she's doing, wherever she is, if Sue's spending any money she's using some of the cash that she took with her," Tara answered.

Jack nodded. "Lucy, any chance at all that she called in?"

"I wish," she answered sadly. "But you already knew that."

Jack sighed. "Yes, but I can always hope... what about her parents? Do we know if she's checked in with them?"

"I don't know, but from her note I don't expect that she has," Lucy replied.

"Do you want to call them Jack?" D asked quietly.

Jack thought for a moment. "I want to do more than call them. I want to tell them everything that's gone on, then ask their permission to tap all possible phones that Sue might call on. Tara, can you set it up so that we can monitor the calls, even break into the conversation if we chose to?"

"I can," Tara hesitated, "but is it wise?" Seeing Jack's face she explained hastily, "I mean, Sue doesn't want her parents to know... no, I agree with you Jack that they should, and that tracing the calls may be the quickest way to locate her... I'm thinking more about joining in on a phone call... it tips our hand to Sue."

"And who knows what she'll do, where she'll go if your sheila knows that we're on to her," finished Bobby.

"I agree with Jack," spoke up Myles, surprising everyone. "Think about it people. We know Sue won't call anyone here. She's determined to protect us. But we can be sure that at some point she will call her parents. Lucy, how often does she check in with them? Do you happen to know when she might be due to call them next?"

Thinking, Lucy slowly answered, "I am pretty sure that she'll talk to them today at some point - she usually checks in once a week, on Thursdays, usually in the evening. That's today."

"Ah yes, the feeling of Thursday... sorry," Myles apologized, seeing on the faces of the team that another treatise on the days of the week would not go over well at that particular moment. "As I was saying, with her Blackberry off, even Tara can't trace it. If she's hiding from us Sue won't turn it on unless it's to call her parents. She turns it on... we trace - alright, Tara traces," bowing towards the computer genius, "we find Sue... we bring her home."

"And we all live happily ever after," ended Bobby.

"What if she doesn't use her Blackberry? What if she's bought another one?" asked Lucy, anxious to have a plan in place that would bring her dearest friend home.

"That's why I want the tap on the Thomas' phones," Jack spoke eagerly. "Whatever Sue uses to call from we'll hear her voice. We'll know it's her, that she's OK. And I agree with Tara, that we shouldn't break into a conversation, at least not to start with. We listen... see what we can figure out from the conversation and the trace... then we bring her home. Hopefully it will be that simple," breathing a prayer that it would be so.

"OK, everyone knows what to do. Let's go," D clapped his hands, stirring the room back into action.





Flashback in italics.


Jack sat alone in the conference room, the closed phone in his hands, thinking through the conversation that had just ended. The conversation that he had been dreading - telling the Thomases that their precious daughter had vanished.

The Thomases had not heard from Sue yet. They had been dismayed to learn about all that had been going on in their daughter's life. They had been aware of the New York offer, but had rejoiced when she chose to stay in DC, knowing that the wonderful life she had built for herself there made her very happy.

Having explained all the scheming that had led to Sue's resignation he had been treated to quite an earful of Carla Thomas in mother mode. She was fierce. There was no other word to describe her. Jack would hate to be in Hackford's shoes if she ever got her hands on him, or anyone else involved in the plot against her daughter. She would give the Director a run for his money.

Sue's father had been upset as well. But having more confidence in his daughter and her ability to fight her own battles, he was more proud of the woman that she had become. She was made from sterner stuff than any of them had given her credit for.

But then the conversation had taken a turn that had surprised Jack.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Sue's father asked suddenly.

"I'm going to bring her home," Jack replied simply.

"And then?"

Jack was surprised, but answered truthfully. "Then I'm never going to let her go again."

He heard the gasp from Sue's mother.

"What exactly does that mean, son?" Sue's father asked gently.

Taking courage from the 'son', Jack spoke from his heart. "It means that I love your daughter with all my heart and I want her to be my wife. I want to make all of the promises contained in the wedding vows to her - to love and cherish her, to comfort and protect her, to be there in sickness and in health - all of it. I don't want to spend another day without her..." his voice broke.

Carla Thomas could be heard crying softly in the background.

Clearing his throat Jack said "Mr. Thomas I need to ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage."

A chuckle escaped Mark Thomas. "I'm going to channel Lucy right about now when I tell you, Jack, that it's about time."

Laughing for the first time since Sue disappeared, Jack asked "Is that a yes?"

"It's a yes. You have my blessing - our blessing. Carla has commented about you and Sue from the first Christmas that we visited DC. She too is very pleased to have such a fine man in love with our daughter," he reassured.

"But first you have to find her and bring her home Jack," Carla spoke firmly though the traces of tears could still be heard in her voice.

"I will," Jack vowed earnestly, "that's the reason - well, part of the reason - that I'm calling. We would like your permission to tap all your phones, really any form of communication that Sue might use to get in touch with you. It seems she's learned her stuff these last few years. She's taking every precaution, so we need to be able to trace any calls she makes to you so we can narrow down the possibilities of where she's gone..."

Jack smiled to himself. After all, the call had gone better than he had dreamed possible. It wasn't every day that he got permission to ask the woman of his dreams to marry him.

He took a deep breath as he stood. It was time to find her, past time to bring her home. He headed back to the bullpen with a spring in his step, determination on his face. It was time.

Signing in bold.



Sue looked out over the fields of her temporary shelter. Thanking God once again in her heart for His provision, she smiled. It was good to be reminded of His care.

The day had been busy, and yet surprisingly peaceful. With no forms of communication to interrupt from the outside world Sue was being treated to a real look at Amish life. It was hard work to be sure, but the Stoltz family was filled with love and joy. And they had continued to welcome her today, allowing her to participate in their life as much as possible.

Sue had spent much of the day shadowed by Mary, forming a special bond with the youngster. Seeing how well she took to Levi as well as the family puppy, Sue felt that a hearing dog would be a good fit for her. She would need to do some research to discover what training was available in the area. The perfect candidate was already part of the family. Blackie was a very frisky lab, but teachable. He was already following Levi around. She would see how much she could teach him. Then she would make a trip into town.

Feeling a presence beside her, Sue turned to see that Anna had joined her. "You have a beautiful home, Anna, and the view is gorgeous. You must feel very blessed."

"I do, every day. Of course there are always challenges, but the visible reminder of God's providence helps to sustain me. Especially when it comes to Mary," she added, watching her daughter play in the yard with the dogs.

"Mary seems to do well with dogs, and Blackie seems eager to learn. If you like, I will try to teach some basic duties of a hearing dog to him... with Levi's help of course," Sue added with a grin.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you. I knew the moment you stopped at our stand that God had brought you here. I just didn't know why... I will never cease to be amazed by His wonders." Anna shook her head, smiling. "But I sense that you are troubled. I get the feeling that you are hiding from something... running away..." her voice trailed off, inviting Sue to speak if she chose.

Sue was silent. She wasn't sure that she was ready to talk about her situation. Anna sat patiently, not prying, waiting for Sue to speak if she chose. Finally Sue sighed.

"I'm not in any trouble," she began slowly.

"Of course not!" Anna responded quickly.

Sue smiled in appreciation of the compliment. "It's complicated... that sounds silly, I know, but it is. I work... worked... with a team of people... a great team. They all became close friends... family, really. Another department wanted me to join them. I chose to stay where I was... but the people from the other department were... persistent. They started to make trouble for my friends. When everything came to... to a boiling point... the only thing I could do was resign... to protect my friends. They were going to get into more trouble...defending me... it was going to end up costing them their careers... so I left... disappeared. I got in my car and starting driving... and ended up here... a safe place... and you welcomed me," she ended, smiling her thanks at Anna.

"It seems that we need each other, so God arranged a divine appointment for us. I'm sorry that it took such difficult circumstances in your life to bring you here," Anna added, patting Sue's hand. "So, if you are needing to disappear, you want to blend in."

"It's hard to blend in with Levi sometimes," Sue laughed lightly.

"Not as hard around here, there are many dogs. Going into Lancaster you might stand out more... yet families from the area have dogs and often travel with them. Sometimes Englishers bring their animals along too, so it may not be as much of a problem. How easily will you friends be able search for you?" asked Anna.

"They have pretty good resources," Sue answered, purposely vague. "It's hard to say... I didn't make it easy... I hope that I didn't leave any clues behind."

"What about your parents, any family?" Anna inquired cautiously.

Sue shrugged. "I left word that I was on vacation for a while... which is true... and that I would be in touch. I'll talk to them soon... I can't tell them exactly where I am... I'm sure that my friends will be asking... but at least they can know that I'm safe."

"If it would help, we could see about making you some Amish dresses... you could cover your head with a kapp... wear an apron... it would let you disappear into the community here easier. It would make you less noticed in town with Levi as well... oddly enough... the Englishers will think of you as Amish. Your friends will be more easily fooled... at least from a distance. Up close, well, maybe not..." Anna trailed off, wondering if she'd offended the young woman that she was fast coming to consider a good friend.

Sue turned her tear-filled but grateful eyes to Anna. "You would help me in this way? I wouldn't be... stepping on anyone's toes... breaking any codes or boundaries... I don't want to put you or your family out in any way..." she stopped, too touched to continue.

Anna patted her hand again. "Sue you are a blessing to us. Allowing us to help you makes our hearts glad. For anyone who gets curious we'll tell them that you are a distant English cousin - that will explain the car and such - that wants some time away from the modern world and has come to stay with us and to help train a hearing dog for Mary." Holding up a hand to stop the response rising from Sue, she anticipated the objection. "You are a distant cousin... we all go back to Adam... so I speak the truth," she grinned. "Oh, one condition - you need to touch base with your parents. Deal?"

"Deal," Sue grinned back, a twinkle in her eyes. "Very well cousin," she said. "Then as a family member I need to contribute to the household and get my chores done, starting with dinner, don't you agree?"

Laughing, the two women headed back to the kitchen.






Signing in bold.


Evening found Sue once again staring out over the fields, letting the peaceful scene soak into her soul. It seemed so far removed from the evil that she had witnessed over the past few years. It was a welcome balm to her spirit.

Sue had never become used to the horror, the depravity that she had encountered in her role as an FBI analyst. Certain cases had come close to breaking her... but whenever the blackness threatened to consume her suddenly Jack would be there. Almost as if he had known - even anticipated - her need.

The case with Zimmer. As the full realization of what horrors Helga and so many others had endured had pressed into her soul she'd felt herself withdrawing from the world around her, and felt powerless to stop it. Some had lived, like Helga, but remained scarred in every way imaginable, struggling to put it behind them, to forgive and find forgiveness for surviving when so many more did not. Sue had found herself wondering which she would have been - victim or survivor.

Just as she'd felt like she was going to drown in her sorrow over man's inhumanity towards man, Jack had appeared at her desk. He had offered her comfort, a listening ear, a few words that spoke of shared sorrow... lessening her own somehow in the process. And the gift of a hand to hold onto as he unknowingly pulled her back from the brink.

Sue blinked back the tears that had risen as her thoughts had wandered. Wiping them away, she pulled herself back to the present, refusing to allow herself the luxury of a further trip down memory lane... to go over once again all the wonderful things that Jack had done for her.

She'd already indulged in that once, on the night that she'd written her goodbye letter to him. It was a good thing in at least one way that she would never see him again. She'd let her emotions... her love, if she was being brutally honest with herself... have free reign that night. She would never be able to look him in the eye again after what she had put down in black and white. What he must think of her now...

Feeling Levi pawing her, she turned. Mary stood watching her.

You OK?

Yes, I'm OK. Thank you Mary, for asking.

Mary frowned. If you're OK, why are your eyes so sad? Don't you like it here?

I like it here very much. I was remembering some sad things. I'm glad you came to talk to me.

Mary nodded, smiling shyly. I'm glad you came to Lancaster. I've only once met someone else who is deaf. And they didn't have a hearing dog like Levi. Do you think Blackie will be a good hearing dog?

Yes. He seems eager to learn, and he loves you very much.

I love him too.

Sue laughed as Blackie suddenly jumped up on Mary, announcing the presence of Anna. Grinning, she added, "We need to teach him to be a little less enthusiastic in his alerting you to people, but he'll catch on."

"He certainly is willing," Anna laughed, patting the dog fondly. "Come on Mary, time for bed. And Sue has someone that she needs to talk to," she added with a meaningful look.

Sue rolled her eyes, smiling. Anna wasn't going to let it drop. "Goodnight Mary, Anna."

Goodnight. Mary skipped happily into the house while her mother paused, turning back to Sue. Take your time, make sure they understand that you are safe. Mothers worry, parents worry... friends too.

I'll call. Thank you, Anna, for everything.

Anna nodded as she went inside, granting Sue privacy for her conversation. She hoped that somehow word would get back to Sue's friends too that she was safe. Anna was willing to hide her, but she wondered if that was really the best thing for Sue in the long run. But for now, in the short term, it appeared that God had a plan for their house guest here.

Anna rejoiced that His plan for Sue right now included Mary.





Words appearing on the screen of Sue's Blackberry in italics.


Sue sighed. She knew Anna was right. She needed to call her parents. Figuring out what to say would be the hard part.

Had the team contacted them?

What was the possibility that Tara would be trying to trace the call? Pretty high, Sue conceded to herself, knowing her friends. She would have to make it short. And promise to call again soon.

Drawing a deep breath, wondering where the peace that she had been feeling earlier had gone, she pulled out her Blackberry. Powering it on, she walked around the homestead, searching for the strongest signal. It wasn't the best, but it would be enough. Perhaps it would even work in her favour.

She punched in the number. And waited.

"Hello?"

"Hi, it's me."

"Sue??? Thank goodness! Your father and I have been so worried... Jack called... where are you???"

Sue winced. She'd been right on the money. "I'm fine Mom. Listen please, I don't have much time. I'm really fine... having a good vacation... I need the down time... it's been difficult. I have enough money... I'm in a safe place... I won't tell you where... I don't want to be found. I need to go... are you and Dad OK?"

"We're fine sweetheart, worried about you. Jack..."

"Mom I have to go. I'm glad you're OK. I'll call soon. Bye."

"Sue..." the screen went blank as she powered down, cutting off whatever her mother had been about to say.

Sue realized she was trembling. How was it that the mere mention of his name could reduce her to a quivering bundle of nerves? She really needed to get a grip. After all, it was likely that she would meet another man named Jack in her lifetime. She needed to stop acting like a lovesick teenager.

He had called her parents. Somehow, she had known that he would leave no stone unturned when trying to find her. She would need to be very careful...

"Jack! We've got a hit! Sue's on the line with her parents right now!" Tara bounced up and down in her seat excitedly, fingers flying over her keyboard all the while, trying to get a location from the GPS unit now active in Sue's Blackberry.

Jack was across the room in a flash. His heart racing, he demanded "Tara talk to me. Have you got a location?"

"Not yet... just a little longer. Aaaaahh!"

"What?" demanded Jack.

"Sue's turned her Blackberry off again... she's good... she knew we'd be trying a trap and trace... kept the conversation under the time she knew we'd require... this is going to be a challenge," Tara muttered, as she continued to work on narrowing down an area that the signal had come from.

Jack ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

"Cheer up Sparky, let's focus on what we know. Sue says she's fine, safe... yes we don't know where, but it's something to hang onto," Bobby said firmly, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "We have more than we did a few minutes ago. She'll call her parents again and we'll be ready."

Jack smiled wanly at his friend. "I know Bobby, it's just... she's not here."

"We know, mate. Don't give up. We'll find her... bring her home to you," Bobby added tongue in cheek. Noting the lack of response, he raised an eyebrow as he looked at Myles.

Myles, with an eyebrow raised every bit as high as Bobby's, decided to push a little harder. Gaining his team leader's attention with a wave of his hand, he waited until Jack was fully facing him. "What, no quick comeback? No 'Sue's an important member of our team' speech? No 'knock it off Bobby, you've all had your fun...'? What's happening here? Is it possible that our illustrious team leader is finally ready to admit what the rest of us have known since day one? That the lovely Miss Thomas is more than a partner? That you are more than 'just friends'?"

There was no answer, not with words. Yet Jack's actions shouted volumes to the members of his team. Turning, he stared at the empty desk, tears glistening in his eyes. The muscles of his jaw clenched as he tried to keep his agony in check.

The team watched his grief silently, tears rising in their own eyes. They had their answer whether or not Jack meant to give it.

Lucy touched Jack's arm. "We are going to get her back. We won't give up. Ever," she choked on the last word, tears spilling down her cheeks for her own grief as well as his, as she pulled him into a fierce hug.

Jack felt a hand on his shoulder. Seeing the blue eyes filled with concern, he silently passed the weeping woman into the tall blond man's arms, allowing him to comfort Sue's best friend. Arms empty again, he gazed forlornly at the empty desk. When he spoke it was barely above a whisper.

"I love Sue.. I need her... failure is not a option..."

Bobby put his arm around his best friend. "We know Jack. We know. Hold on. We'll have her back in your arms, soon, where she belongs."





Signing in bold. Sue's thoughts in italics.



Sue looked into the mirror, amazed. It was incredible what a skilled seamstress could accomplish. Under Anna's expert guidance this morning she had cut, fitted and stitched a simple blue dress in the style of the Amish women around her while Mary and her sisters were working on a second dress in brown. A 'quick' trip to the store for dress material had been made after Anna's suggestion about blending in. Now two dresses were almost complete. Anna told her that at least one more dress needed to be made - a black one.

Turning, she surveyed the finished product with satisfaction. Those basic sewing lessons that her mother had painstakingly made her endure had paid off today.

And thanks to her preference for sensible shoes she had appropriate footwear to go with it.

Silently Anna handed her a kapp to cover her hair.

"Do I pass?" Sue asked turning to Mary and Anna.

Perfect. Mary jumped up and down in her excitement.

"The Englishers in town will surely think you are one of us." Anna smiled. "Unless someone gets a direct look at your face, you might even be able to fool your friends and family."

"Good. How soon do you think that we can make a trip? I need to research some information for Mary."

"Tomorrow. In the meantime the school is expecting you at 2 pm. Are you certain that you don't mind doing this?" Anna couldn't help but ask one more time.

"Positive."

Anna beamed, breathing another prayer of thanks for this wonderful woman.

Ever since realizing that Mary didn't attend school but instead had her lessons at home, Sue had been on a mission. This afternoon she would be giving the first ever lesson in sign to Mary's peers at the old school house. Fortunately the teacher was a good friend of the family. She had received the suggestion with eagerness.

Anna could hardly wait to see what the results would be. Few had taken the time to learn how to communicate with Mary. With Sue's help, that was about to change.

"Do I look stern enough for a school teacher?"

You are too pretty to be a spinster teacher. Mary giggled.

"Behave yourself young lady," her mother admonished, albeit with a grin.

Sue smiled. She had high hopes for the afternoon. She just needed the butterflies in her stomach to settle a bit.

Unfortunately, she admitted to herself, the nerves aren't over the coming afternoon, as her thoughts began to drift.

Replaying her mother's words from last night in her mind for what seemed like the thousandth time, she couldn't help but wonder what she had been trying to say about Jack. Jack called... how like him to try and help her, even when his actions would cost him personally and professionally. But that is Jack. He'd supported her from the beginning in the face of opposition from his own team. She shouldn't be surprised that even now he was still trying to do the same thing.

If only she could think of a way to make him stop. Obviously he was still carrying her as one of his burdens, even though she had tried in her letter to tell him to stop, to set himself free. How she loved him for it...

Shaking her head, trying to drag herself out of the memories, she uneasily wondered if she was following the right path, if she'd somehow missed a sign. She just had to trust the God would help her to bear the pain. And that He would heal the wounds that she'd unwillingly inflicted when she left - wounds that she was beginning to believe were deeper than she'd first thought.

Taking a deep breath, Sue tried to focus on this afternoon. On helping Mary.






Signing in bold.



"How did it go?" Anna was bursting with excitement as Sue entered the kitchen.

Sue sat down at the table and reached for the peeler that Anna was using. Looking around, she asked "Where's Mary?"

"Out in the barn with her father. She'll be in soon. Is everything all right?"

"Yes," Sue smiled reassuringly. "I want to be able to surprise her is all. The signing lessons went very well. I'll see tomorrow just how well, depending on what the students remember. At least the girls. The boys will have to wait until Monday. I don't expect to see many of them at the quilting bee."

Anna grinned. "No, probably not. So the younger girls want you to continue lessons on a Saturday? That's exciting!"

"I think so too," Sue agreed. "Is Mary coming?"

"Yes, she won't want to miss the chance to be with you. Why? Do you think some of the girls might try some sign with her?"

"It won't surprise me to see that happen," Sue answered.

Pulling Sue out of her seat, Anna danced them around the kitchen, laughing.

"What's this frivolity in my house, hey?"

Turning with surprise, Anna gave her husband and daughter a sheepish grin as she replied, "Oh Seth. Don't mind us. We are just excited at how well the lessons went at the school today."

Seth clapped his hands. "What did I tell you? God always answers His children when they pray. Even if it involved the unexpected - like a long lost English cousin showing up on our doorstep." He sent a teasing grin at Sue, reminding them of his wife's creative thinking.

Sue grinned back in response. "It's your family that has been the answer to my prayers for guidance Seth. You have given me a great blessing."

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Seth quoted seriously. "The Good Book says it. We frail humans are always surprised when it turns out to be so."

"True," agreed Sue.

"Speaking of His purpose, Sue needs a trip to a library tomorrow morning to do some research. Rather than go all the way into Lancaster we've decided that Millersville University will work. We need to be back for the quilting bee too. Are you willing to make that work?" Anna asked her husband.

"No problem. Anything for our dear 'cousin'," Seth winked.

Sue laughed. "Be careful - I have a long memory. I may hold you to that promise."

"I'm sure that you will - most women do," he rejoined cheekily, earning a playful slap on the arm from his wife. "Now go call your parents before my good wife gets after you again to do so. We can't have you calling at the same time every day - too predictable - but you need to keep in touch. You should have enough time before supper."

Sue just shook her head in amusement as she headed out the door. But her amusement faded as she reached for her Blackberry. Who should she call?


Romans 8:28, King James Version






Words on the Blackberry screen in italics.


Sue stared at the blank screen, biting her bottom lip. What she should do and what she wanted to do were two very different things.

She wanted with everything in her to call Jack. The team in general, but especially Jack.

It was true, she decided. Absence really did make the heart grow fonder. At least her heart was acting this way. Sue missed Jack and the team more the longer they were separated, which didn't bode well for the future.

On the other hand, for Jack's sake - as well as that of the rest of the team - she was hoping that out of sight, out of mind was more how they would respond to her being gone. At least, once they had moved past the initial surprise and got used to the idea that she was not there anymore. If she called them it would slow down their process of moving on.

She wasn't there because she was trying to protect them, to keep them together, safe. She must not lose sight of that fact. It was the whole purpose behind her vanishing act.

Calling Jack would be selfish.

Sue sighed. Turning on her Blackberry, she punched in the Ohio number.

"Hello?"

"Hi... Mom?"

"Sue! Mark, it's Sue! Don't hang up dear..."

"Mom I can only talk for a minute. I just wanted to let you know that I'm fine. I started teaching sign language today. It felt really rewarding."

"I'm sure... but honey you have a job already... they need you to come back...they love you..."

"I know they do Mom. I love them too but I'm done with the FBI. You don't understand..."

"Yes I do, Jack explained... everything's been fixed... you can go back..."

"No I can't Mom. I've burned those bridges. It's OK... I knew the team would try to have me come back... I can't put them at risk...it's OK..."

"No! Sue, you don't understand... it's all fixed... they're safe..."

"Unless I go back. It will ruin everything. Don't worry, I'm fine. I have to go. I'll call soon. I love you all. Bye."

"We love you too... don't hang..."

Sue cut her mother's words off once again, powering down before the signal could be traced. She sighed again.

Her friends were incredibly loyal - telling her parents that everything was OK so that she would return, even though they knew what that would cost them. She had to be ruthless, even though her heart cried out in protest. No giving in, no communication. It was for their protection.

At least through her parents the team would know that she was safe. Perhaps they wouldn't worry so much. If there had only been a way to protect them without causing them to worry.

Maybe she wouldn't call her parents for a few days, though it would be hard - they were the only link she had to the life she'd left behind. She would give the team some time to settle down, get immersed in a new case. They would be too busy to spend time searching for her. She just had to hold out for a bit longer... surely it would get easier, would hurt less. It had only been two days.

Grimly she smiled to herself as she entered the kitchen. Who did she think she was kidding?

Jack's thoughts in italics.


"Jack! Sue's on the phone with her parents again!" Tara cried out, fingers flying furiously.

"What? So soon? Is she OK?" Jack asked as he raced over.

Joining the crowd around Tara he breathed a sigh of relief as she answered. "Sue's fine... she has a job teaching sign... her mother's trying to explain that it's safe for her to come back... that she has a job to do here." She frowned, "Sue's not buying it... she thinks that we've fed her family false information so that she'll come home... doesn't believe everything is OK... she's gone!"

Jack slapped the desk in frustration.

"Whoa there Sparky! You know how stubborn that sheila of yours is."

"Yes Jack," Myles chimed in. "You've already been married to her twice. You don't mean to tell me that you haven't noticed... how did you put it... her 'tenacious streak', I believe it was, before now?"

Jack growled in response.

Shooting a glare over at the two men, Lucy turned to Jack. "Never mind them. What's important is that Sue is fine and she's staying in touch with her parents. Which means she's staying in touch with us too. Have faith Jack."

Straightening his shoulders, he gave her a grateful smile. "I will Luce, thanks. Tara did you get anything?"

"Still too short for a trace, but there were some interesting sounds in the background. Have a listen."

Her voice filled the room. Jack closed his eyes, letting both relief and longing wash over him.

"So what do we think? A rural setting somewhere?" Jack heard D ask. Realizing that he had heard nothing beyond the sound of Sue, he turned sheepishly to follow the conversation.

"That was definitely a 'moo'," Myles agreed. "Is she visiting a zoo?"

Lucy snorted. "Cows are not zoo animals!"

Myles huffed in response. "A petting zoo?" he clarified.

"An odd place to call from to be sure, but I guess we can't rule it out completely. I'm quite sure that I heard a horse and some chooks as well - that's chickens to you northern hemisphere types," Bobby added. "What do you think Jack?"

"I think that I need to hear just the background noise to be sure. Tara can you isolate it, clean it up?" he asked.

"Give me a few minutes then we'll be able to run it again. I'll try some sound algorithms too..." her voice trailed off as she immersed herself in the task.

Jack returned to his desk, hope filling his heart. Soon, my love... we'll find you... I'll find you.







Flashbacks in italics, signing in bold.



Sue sat back in her chair, closing her eyes in a moment of respite after the active day. She'd been banned from helping with cleanup this evening. Anna said it was a reward for a good day's work. And it had been good.

The quilting was fun, but immensely busy. Sue had found herself doing very little quilting, though she was eager to try her hand at it. Under the women's kind and skillful tutelage she had actually managed a small portion of the intricate design. She was quite proud of herself.

But the majority of her time had been taken up with signing. First as a way to keep Mary involved so that her mother could give attention to her own quilting, it then developed into another lesson for the school aged girls, as well as a first lesson for many of the others. Not that the hands of the experienced quilters had stopped in their own intricate dance, but many an interested glance had been thrown her way as the lesson had continued.

When they had stopped for a quick break Sue had found herself the centre of an eager group of quilters as they requested that she show them again some of the earlier lesson that she had given. Happily she had obliged, seeing the rosy glow that it brought to Mary's face.

I've never seen so many people try signing before. Mary giggled. It was kind of funny. And strange. I'm used to being alone.

Compassion for the young girl filled Sue's heart. We're never alone. God is always here, even when it's hard to remember. And now He's giving you new companions, people that want be your friend. They just didn't know how. They were scared.

They still would be if you weren't here. Thank you. You've given me a special gift. I can never repay you.

A gift is given freely, without counting the cost. You owe me nothing. I am glad to do this. You and your family have also given me something - a safe place to start over. It means more to me than I can express.

What about your friends, your family that you left behind? Don't you want to see them again, be with them?

It's complicated.

Why?

I had to leave to protect them. Seeing them again will only put them in danger. They won't find me, I'll make sure of it. I have to.

Mary timidly reached over and squeezed Sue's hand.

Sue smiled in response. Shaking off her melancholy thoughts, she focused on Mary. How do you like having a hearing dog?

Poor Blackie doesn't know what to do in a crowd - like at a quilting - yet! But he was really good in Millersville today. I was amazed. Mary grinned. Do you think he did well?

Very well - especially since this is all so new to him. It's good that he's so young. He's not so set in his doggy ways that he won't learn. Did you like Tina, the speech tutor that we met?

Yes, but I'm still not sure that I want to try. I mean, what if it's too hard? What if I can't do it?

No one is saying that it will be easy. Nor does anyone think that you have to learn to speak or read lips. I wanted some information and the university library was the best place to start. Regina was very helpful and patient. It just so happened that God placed us at another divine appointment, since Tina was there as well.

I know. I'm scared.

That's OK.

Will you help me?

Of course.

Sue shared a hug with her friend, thanking God in her heart for this opportunity to help Mary and her family.





It was strange to see the bullpen so full on a Saturday night when there were no active cases. But then nothing about the current circumstance was normal. Other than D, whom they'd sent home to his family mid afternoon with the promise of calling if any news came in, they were all there.

All except one. Two, if they were including canines.

"Do we think Sue is going to call her parents tonight? It's getting pretty late," Tara commented.

"I doubt it. She usually calls just once a week to keep in touch, unless there's a special reason. Yesterday she was probably trying to reassure them, knowing that they're worried since she's... out of town right now. It will be a few days before she tries again, especially since her mom was trying to get her to come home to us. She knows that we're trying to find her," Lucy sighed. She missed her friend. The apartment was lonely.

Tara patted her hand sympathetically. "If we are going to call it a night here, how about the two of us grab some take out and a video? Try to take our minds off everything. Even make a weekend of it."

Lucy smiled appreciatively at the other woman. "Thanks. I'd love the company."

Tara nodded as she gained the attention of the rest of the team. "Guys, we're going to head out. Sue isn't going to call her folks tonight. But on the off chance she still does, my pager will alert me. We won't miss a single detail. You should all go home, try to get some rest. We'll check in tomorrow just to be safe, but I expect that the best move is to regroup the rest of the weekend and start fresh on Monday. Otherwise we'll miss a key piece of information because of exhaustion."

Bobby stretched and yawned. "You're right, luv, as usual. Come on gents. Let's walk the sheilas out then get some tucker."

Myles nodded and reached for his jacket. "As long as what you said has something to do with food I'm in. Coming, Jack?" Hearing no response he turned around. "Jack... Jack?"

Bobby slowly approached the desk, studying his friend. "Sparky?" Getting no response, he rapped on the desk. "Sparky, come with us. There's nothing more to do here tonight. You need a break, mate. When we find Sue I don't want to be the one that has to explain to her why you wasted away... not after she told me to..." he stopped abruptly.

"Sue told you to what, Crash?" Jack asked softly.

"Sue knew that you would try to find her, that you'd be upset with her decision. She told me to keep an eye on you, make sure you got on with your normal routine... keep you busy..." Bobby sighed, waiting for the explosion.

"She wants you to look after me. Wants me to get on with life, forget about her... is that about the sum total of it Crash?"

Bobby nodded slowly.

"And what if I don't want to forget her, go on without her... and whatever else she suggested? What if I want to find her, kiss her senseless until she can't remember her own name, let alone the fact that she is trying to run away from me?" Jack continued, his voice rising.

"Woohoo!" Bobby exclaimed. "Good on ya, mate!"

Jack looked confused.

"What my esteemed colleague is trying to say is it's about time that you started expressing you feelings instead of drowning in them," Myles interpreted. "You know that we understand and support you - why else would we be here with you on an otherwise free Saturday night? Stop moping and talk to us, let us help you until we can deliver you to your beloved Miss Thomas."

Eyes wide with shock, the others looked to see how Jack would respond.

Jack sat there, staring at Myles. He could feel his lips twitch. "Feel better Myles? Good to get that off your chest?"

Myles grinned. "Much better," giving a theatrical sigh. "The freedom to say what you feel is... invigorating... wouldn't you say so Jack?"

"Definitely," Jack replied dryly, as a small chuckle escaped him. Standing, he walked to his friend, patting him on the back. "Thanks Myles," he said, heading out the door. Stopping, he turned back to look at the room. "Is everyone coming, or are you going to stand there and stare?"

"Right-o mate, let's be off." Bobby answered quickly, following Jack and Myles out the door. As he passed the two women he whispered quietly, "Do you have any idea what just happened?"

Seeing their negative replies, he nodded. "That's what I thought. Me neither."

"O...K..." said Lucy, looking to Tara, who just shrugged in reply as they headed out after the men. "At least Jack didn't kill Myles, though I think that I would have understood that better than this..."

Flashback in italics, signing in bold.


Sunset Sunday found Sue at what had become her favourite lookout on the Stoltz homestead. The tranquility never failed to calm her troubled spirit.

The Amish service had been quite an experience. She had sat with Anna and Mary, along with the other Stoltz daughters - Esther and Ruth. The men were on the other side of the room. Women she recognized from the quilting bee yesterday had nodded shyly. The school girls waved and giggled as they saw her.

At first Sue was completely caught up in the experience. But upon seeing Mary's sad face she was distracted. Realizing suddenly that Mary had no one that could interpret the full scope of what was being said - not even her mother, Sue began to sign as she read the words from the man speaking. Catching Mary's happy face alongside Anna's grateful one during a slight pause, Sue smiled at them, and turned her attention back to her signing.

Afterward Anna had squeezed her hand. "Thank you. I've not got as much experience as you. After ten years I'm fairly fluent in signing day to day conversations, but when it comes to more specialized times... like the service today... I'm not always adequate to help Mary through. You know, this may be the first time that I've seen Mary smile in a Sunday service."

"You do very well, the absolute best that you can for Mary. I've been doing this all my life... functioning day to day in the hearing world. It can still get overwhelming. I'm glad that I could be here for Mary today."

Anna hesitated, but then asked "Is this one of the reasons that your mother had you learn to read lips? So that you weren't as easily shut out of 'hearing' situations when no one could sign for you?"

"Yes," Sue replied, "but she was also determined that I would spend as much time as possible in hearing settings. I went to regular school, even though a school for deaf students was available. I had to learn piano, singing, skating... all activities that 'normal' little girls did in my hometown. It was hard, even though it turned out to be worth it. But I definitely couldn't see it at the time."

"I worry about pushing Mary too hard, and yet not hard enough. Even though I welcome the changes, the new ideas that you have introduced to us for Mary, I get concerned for her."

"Of course, that's natural. My best advice as someone who has been there is listen to her, really listen. Give her time to sort through her thoughts and let her learn to express them. Keep letting her know that you are here for her no matter what she decides... that you are all here for her as a family and that you love and accept her just as she is... that God doesn't make mistakes."

Anna's eyes misted. Thank you.

Sue nodded, as they walked slowly to join the rest of the family.

Looking at the sunset, Sue sighed, thinking of her own family. It was a difficult balancing act, trying to forge a path between two worlds. She prayed that she was helping this family that she had already grown to love.





Monday morning found Jack pacing the bullpen. Alone. At times like this he really missed Levi, his faithful companion in waiting for Sue to return every other time that she had gone missing. In comforting Levi he had always found solace himself.

At least this time, since Levi was with her the Wonder-dog would be able to protect Sue if she needed help. Meanwhile Jack had to wait all by himself.

He was not good at waiting when it came to Sue - well, not anymore. He'd never been good at it when she was in trouble. But he'd definitely waited too long in other ways with her. No more.

There had been no contact for over two and a half days. More precisely 63 hours 7 minutes and 12 seconds. Sue was not making this easy.

They needed a break, a lead, another approach - something. A single solitary thread to tug that could unravel this mess and lead him to her. He needed to find that thread now.

His eyes fell on the stack of reports that were on his desk. He groaned. Paperwork was a never ending chore when cleaning up active cases. Randy had deposited this stack on his desk with a little bit too much glee not ten minutes ago. The annoying little man was lucky he could still walk.

He picked up the top file and glanced inside. It was the final report on his credit card fraud case.

At least his credit rating had been straightened out, thanks to some help from his friends. The bank had not really wanted to incur the wrath of one armed FBI agent, let alone four. He silently blessed the guys for insisting on coming along for the ride that day. The poor bank manager hadn't known what hit him. The Leland name carried some clout in financial circles, even in Washington DC.

Turning the pages his eyes fell on the statement signed by Sue. And a light bulb flashed on.

Maybe Randy wasn't such a bad guy after all. In fact, Jack could almost kiss him, he was so excited right now. Almost. He would much rather get moving and find Sue to kiss her.

And now he knew how to do just that very thing.

Grabbing his phone he dialed what was becoming a familiar number.

"Mrs. Thomas? Good morning, it's Jack Hudson. I hope that I haven't woken you..." he trailed off, noticing the time. "No? Good. I guess I know where Sue gets her habit of rising early from... have you heard from her again? I didn't think so, but I don't always like to trust technology without conformation, so I wanted to double check. I've had an idea for finding Sue, but I need your help..."







Italics for the words on Sue's Blackberry screen, bold for signing.


As she exited the homestead Sue saw him, waiting for her. Time stood still.

Jack was here. Somehow she had slipped up, and now he had found her. He was here, looking at her, staring deep into her eyes - could he see into her very soul, she wondered?

The distance between them disappeared. She was safe in his arms at last. All the pain was gone, the agony of the past empty days a distant memory. This was home - he was home - for her. She nestled her head against his strong shoulder and breathed in his essence, the scent that made him Jack. Her Jack. She'd missed him desperately these last few days. How she loved him!

She felt his fingers lifting her chin, and raised her eyes to his lips, instinctively knowing that this moment was important.

"Never disappear on me like that again, Sue, no matter what. I love you," she read him say. Then he covered her mouth with his to say it again without the words.

Sue was immediately lost in paradise. She'd dreamed of experiencing his kiss again ever since their undercover stint at Callahan and Merced. But the reality blew her fantasies to dust. He was the master. Unable to deny him anything, she allowed him access to the recesses of her mouth, moaning as he ravished her. She didn't want him to stop, ever.

Feeling him ease back, she moaned again, not wanting to lose the contact of his lips. Not caring that she was oxygen deprived, she resisted the loss. How had she survived this long without him, without his kiss?

He looked into her eyes again. Waving his hand to make sure she was able to focus on him, he asked "Sue, are you OK?"

She was dazed, still reeling from his kiss. Why wouldn't she be OK? Of course she was fine, never better in fact. She saw lips form the question a second time.

And then she focused on Anna's concerned face. And blinked.

"Sue, are you OK? You look like you were a million miles away. Sweet dreams?" Anna grinned knowingly, seeing the blush rise on Sue's face.

"Um, I'm fine Anna, thank you. I... must have been... woolgathering again. Sorry, did you need me for something?" she asked, trying to shift her focus back to reality.

"No, just you came out to call your parents, but you haven't moved from this spot yet. Perhaps you should call the young man who has put that dreamy look on your face instead." Anna teased gently. Yet as her colour rose, Sue knew that Anna was serious too. "Anyway, I thought that I'd better check to see if you are OK."

"I'm OK. Thank you. I'll just... go make that call now."

"I'm inside if you need me."

Sue's acknowledging smile faded as Anna disappeared from view. Being in Jack's arms, his kiss... it had seemed so real. It was bad enough to have that kind of intensity fill her dreams while asleep, but to have it spill over into her waking hours was disquieting.

Trembling, she punched in the number for her parents and waited. This was as close to Jack as she could get now.

"Hello, Sue?"

"Hi. Is everything OK with everyone?"

"No, it's not. I mean your father and I are fine, your brothers and the extended family too. But there's a problem... with Jack..."

Sue felt her heart stop. Jack was in trouble? Is that why he had invaded her thoughts with such intensity? "What's happened to Jack? Was he hurt on a case? Is he... he...?"

"No, honey! Jack isn't dead. He's not injured. But he needs your help."

"Jack... he's really OK... the team is OK?" Sue was sure that her voice was trembling.

"Sue calm down. Jack has not been injured... no one on the team has been injured... no one has died. It's just that there's something not right with the last case that you were a part of."

Sue was completely lost. Jack was OK, the team was OK. She would hold on to those thoughts. So why was she having so much trouble finding her voice? "W...wha...what are you talking about Mom?"

"I don't have any idea what I'm talking about... I was told that there is a problem... they need you to help with something... a report that you wrote up... an interview... I don't know what... just someone is going to get away if you don't do something... but I know you don't want that..."

"N...no, of course not," Sue's mind was whirling. "But I... I have no way of helping... I can't go back."

"Now you just listen to me Susan Marie Thomas. You absolutely cannot let your country down... your friends... Jack! Didn't you tell me that he could have died during a case recently if it weren't for Bobby? Weren't you just terrified again right now that something awful had happened to Jack... and the others on your team?"

Sue shuddered. "Yes, but..."

"No buts! Help them! It's your job and you love it as well as your friends, even if you are hiding."

"I'll think of something... I'm out of time Mom, bye."

"Susan..."

Sue rubbed her head as she shut down the Blackberry, uncomfortably aware that she'd cut it close this time... maybe too close. But the news that her mother had shared the moment Sue had said hello - on top of the very intense daydream that she had experienced just before calling - had momentarily stunned her, making her forget all about watching the time. What was she supposed to do now?

"She's gone, but she was on a little too long this time! Sue's Mom did a great job keeping her on long enough to give us a preliminary idea of where she is," Tara crowed in triumph. "I can't give you the exact location yet, but I can at least narrow it down from the entire continental United States."

Jack turned as the map flashed up on the screen. "She's in Pennsylvania."

"More specifically southern Pennsylvania, somewhere in Lancaster county. Population 498,465, area 949.06 square miles. Travel time under two and a half hours from here... with bad traffic, closer to three. That's as much as I can get right now, but I'll keep trying," Tara added brightly, glad to have a more concrete answer for a change.

Bobby picked her up and twirled her around, shouting "WOOHOO!" Myles and D exchanged high fives. Lucy was beaming from ear to ear.

Jack stood silently, staring at the map, blinking the tears from his eyes. So close...

Turning, he smiled at Tara. "Good work. Keep trying to narrow it down. That's still a big area, but it's a start," he finished as his smile turned into a grin that matched Lucy's. "Now we'll see if Sue takes the bait and tries to find a way to contact us to answer our questions about the problem with our last 'case'."

"And just how mad do you think Sue is going to be when she figures out that you tricked her in order to find her? And that you used her mother to help?" Myles said drolly. "She is not going to be happy - you heard how scared she sounded at the thought of one of us being hurt or worse - especially you, Jack. Honestly, how do you think she'll react?"

"Sue can be as mad as she likes as long as we find her. I'll spend the rest of my life apologizing if need be, as long as I have her by my side." Jack answered passionately.

His friends laughed. "Atta boy Sparky! I'm sure that with your powers of persuasion that you'll find a way to get Sue to forgive you." Bobby cheered.

"Or at least a way to make her forget why she's so mad at you," Myles suggested. "I believe you mentioned something the other night about 'kissing her senseless'. That might be a good place to start."

"That is exactly what I'm going to do." Jack promised to both his team and himself.





Sue was at war with herself. She needed to stay hidden to protect her team. She needed to help her team if she'd made a mistake. How could she possibly do both? Slowly she returned to the house.

Anna looked up. "What's wrong?" she asked sharply, seeing the look on Sue's face.

"There's a problem... at my old job... something only I apparently can solve. Mom says someone... something bad will happen unless I get in touch..." Sue shrugged helplessly. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do..."

"You'll help them of course," Anna answered firmly, making sure her satisfaction didn't show. She could feel that the time was drawing near. "Call them."

"I can't... they'll find me... there has to be another way..."

Anna frowned, puzzled. Sue was still running, hiding - and yet was obviously badly shaken by something from the conversation she'd just had. Idly she wondered who Sue had worked for before disappearing, but she wasn't about to push. "What if there was a way to get a message to them? Without them finding you?"

"That would be perfect... but how?"

"First you need to make a quick call, find out what they need. If it is some report or paperwork that you can reconstruct here, you write it up. Then I think a trip to Millersville is in order. If it's something else... well, we'll figure it out."

Sue nodded and went back outside. She stood nervously, eyeing her Blackberry. Who should she call? What would be the way to make it hardest for them to trace her? Certainly not the bullpen numbers. It would have to be a cellphone. But which one? Suddenly her eyes lit up. She called up a number.

"Howie? It's Sue. Just listen. I don't have much time. Where are you? How fast can you get to the Hoover Building? Good. I'll call in twenty minutes. Don't tell anyone I called you, just that you have an urgent message to deliver. When you get to the bullpen, wait for my call. When my number comes up, ask what case they need me to forward the report on... they'll know what it means. Then answer my call. Understand? Thanks."

Sue clicked off. Now all she had to do was get through the next twenty minutes... preferably without Jack taking over her mind again. She was confused enough as it was.

Why did she have the sinking feeling that no matter how hard she tried, it was only a matter of time before he found her?






Sue's words in italics.



"Howie. What ill wind blows you in our direction ?" Myles inquired ungraciously.

"Hey Myles, good to see you too," Howie said, studiously avoiding the faces around the room. "Like I said downstairs, I have an urgent message to deliver."

"From who?" Bobby demanded impatiently.

"Just hold your horses. Geez... a guy could get a complex... you know you really should de-stress a bit... you'll feel better..."

"Howie," Jack interrupted, "we're kind of in the middle of something here. We're waiting for... a source to make contact... it's really important. So if you could hurry this along a bit?"

"Y...yeah, yeah J...jack, s...sure thi...ing," Howie stammered in his nervousness, not wanting to let Sue down. He didn't understand... but she was counting on him.

Jack stared at him. What on earth had gotten into the man? Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. "Howie... what's going on? What do you know?"

"M...m...me? Know? W...what's... what's to know? Can't a guy just drop b...by?"

"No!" came the answer from around the room.

"You said you have some information, an urgent message, I believe. Who is it from?" asked D, picking up on the little man's nerves.

"I...I c...can't tell you that. Just that it's important... I was told to be here..."

"Why?" Jack cut him off.

"To deliver the message..." Howie's phone rang, much to his relief. Quickly he looked at Jack. "What case do you need Sue to forward the report on?"

"WHAT?"

"Quick Jack, before she hangs up. What case do you need..." he abruptly stopped, eyes widening as Jack wrenched the phone out of his hand.

"Tara trace this! Howie give Tara your number." Jack shouted, causing a flurry of action as he flipped the phone open. "Hello, Sue?"

"Howie? What report is it?"

Jack swallowed hard, closing his eyes in relief for a moment. It was really her. He wanted to shout for joy.

"Howie? Are you there?"

Jack snapped back into focus. "Sue, it's Jack. I need you to... write up the report on the surveillance of the hit man that Gregory hired to shoot Borelli and get it here as soon as possible... I need to wrap up this case... it's very important to me that you do this, please," he added desperately. What she must be thinking...

"That's it? That's the emergency? What are you pulling Jack?" disbelief and suspicion warred in her tone, along with relief that everyone was OK.

"Believe me when I tell you that I've never asked anything more important from you than this." Jack was very glad that she couldn't hear the hoarseness of his voice as he clung to his prepared script. "Are you OK? Come home Sue," he couldn't help himself, pleading with her. "Everything is OK now..."

"I've got to go Jack. Give Howie back his phone." And she was gone.

"Tara? Anything?"

She shook her head. "Nothing more than we already have Jack. But I'll go through it all again - with the late start on tracing the call I might be able to get a bit more information."

"All right. And trace the other call that Howie obviously got earlier," Jack added, sending a glare in the direction of the snitch. Handing the phone to Tara, he pinned Howie with his look. "Start talking... and it better be good."

Flashback in italics.



Sue lay in bed, tossing and turning, her mind refusing to shut off. Had she done the right thing?

On the ride into Millersville Sue sat, her fingers playing with the hand written pages of her report. She couldn't for the life of her fathom why this was so important to Jack. Maybe some of the case files had gone missing and everyone was having to resubmit their material. For whatever reason she couldn't deny Jack whatever he asked. This case had been so personal to him, in more ways than one... she would do whatever was necessary to give him closure. Then she would start to find her own peace of mind again, knowing that all was well with him.

She wondered if he had any idea what it was like for her to see his words on her screen when she had been expecting to talk with Howie. Though part of her had hoped, longed for the contact with Jack today. She was weak. Her daydream earlier was plenty of evidence to prove it. She felt her cheeks flush at the remembrance of that heated kiss - a kiss that wasn't even real.

So why were her toes curling at the thought of it?

At the library she found the very helpful lady from Saturday - Regina. When asked about the best way to get a package to someone without revealing it's origin she volunteered the services of her sister, Andrea, who happened to be heading to Washington DC within the hour for a visit with friends. She was certain that Andrea would be willing to deliver it to a courier's office once she arrived in the city. It would be to her friends tomorrow. No problem at all.

Sue expressed her gratitude once more and turned away, relieved that her problem was solved so easily. Heading out to the fresh air with Mary, Levi and Blackie, Sue didn't notice that Anna was slightly longer before coming out behind them, having stopped for a whispered conference with Regina.

Sue groaned, suddenly unsure of the wisdom of her earlier actions. Yet she had to help them, had to help him. Jack. No matter what, she would always help him. Even if it broke her heart again.

When she had realized that it was Jack on the phone instead of Howie, she had nearly lost it. All she wanted to do was run home to throw herself into his arms. She had to stop thinking like this. She was protecting him, and her team. She couldn't loose sight of that, ever. Though when he had asked her to come home it had been like ripping her heart out to click off her Blackberry.

She groaned again. There was no way that she could get Jack out of her head, her heart. What was she going to do?

She needed sleep. But if she slept, she would dream. And he would surely be there - just had he had been every night since the moment they first met. Looking at her, touching her, holding her, kissing her. And recently the dreams had become even more passionate, ending with him taking her to his bed and making her his... forever. But only in her dreams. She always woke up.

Quietly, Sue sat on her bed, tracing his face in the picture, a tear slipping down her cheek.






Jack's thoughts in italics.



"Jack, someone's on their way up with a package for you," Lucy called over to him, her voice shaking with excitement. "Apparently it came from Millersville, Pennsylvania."

Jack stood up on shaky legs. Please let this be the break that leads us to Sue, please...

"Jack this is Andrea. She picked up this parcel from her sister at the Millersville University library earlier this afternoon," Lucy introduced woman holding the package out to Jack.

"Thank you for coming Andrea. Could you tell me about how you came to have this package in your possession?" Jack asked with bated breath as he took the package. He shook his head, trying to clear it. He was almost sure that he could smell her shampoo wafting from the envelop that was addressed to him in her precious handwriting. He must be losing his mind.

"My sister Regina is the librarian at Millersville University, just outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Apparently there is a young woman that has recently arrived in the area, I believe her name is Sue," she looked at him strangely as she heard his sharp intake of breath. "Anyway she wanted to get a parcel here without revealing where it was sent from. She asked my sister the best way to go about this - I understand Regina had helped her earlier on with some research about hearing dogs, speech therapy and such," she broke off again, clearly puzzled by the gasps and joyous high fives from around the room.

"Please continue Andrea," Tara urged.

"Yes, OK. Regina offered my services knowing that I was headed here this evening to visit friends. She figured I could carry it to DC then take it to a courier in the morning. But after the young woman had turned away with her younger companion and service dogs - not something my sister sees every day, let me tell you - the other woman accompanying her suggested that I should bring the package to the address myself rather than involve anyone else. She seemed to feel that her friend needed some help reconnecting with someone here, and that I might be able to answer any questions that you might have," she finished, looking around to see if someone was going to make sense of all this for her.

"Andrea, I can't tell you how much we appreciate you taking the time to deliver this. We've been trying to find... a very dear friend. You have been an answer to prayer," Jack spoke, his voice thick with emotion. Clearing his throat, he organized his thoughts. "Myles, D, would you take Andrea to the conference room and see if she can give us any more information, directions to the library and such."

They nodded, starting to escort the woman out of the bullpen. Jack held up his hand, halting their progress.

"Tara, pull up maps of the area, any information you can get. Bobby brief Ted, then help Tara. Lucy call Sue's parents, tell them what we know. Tell them I'll call them back in a few minutes. Then make some reservations. Everyone pack your bags and try catch a few hours of sleep. We're going to Pennsylvania."

Watching in satisfaction as everyone jumped into action, he walked back around behind his desk. Picking up the phone as he sat down, he dialed the number from memory. A voice answered before the third ring.

"Hi Mom, is Dad there with you? Good. I need you guys to pack your bags and catch a flight right away..."






"Welcome to beautiful Pennsylvania," Bobby commented, stretching as he emerged from the SUV.

"Beautiful is right! Look at this place... it's hard to believe that we're only a few hours from DC. After we find Sue, I'd like a vacation here." Tara practically bounced out of the vehicle in her excitement.

Jack looked around him, hoping to miraculously spot a certain blond.

"Jack, Sue's not going to magically appear right in front of you," Myles laughed, glad to be able to do so after days of frustration. Everyone could feel how close they were to solving this, to finding their heart.

Jack smiled sheepishly.

Lucy took charge, anxious to see her friend again. "Why don't some of you head to the library? I'll stay here, get us checked in and wait for Sue's family to arrive. Jack, when do you expect your parents to get in?"

Jack thought. "Probably not until supper time. Their flight should be landing soon. Ted is meeting them. They'll drive up in my car, so allowing for traffic that should be about right."

"I still can't believe that Ted is meeting your parents," D shook his head.

"Hey, everyone wants Sue found and is doing everything possible to make it happen. We're going to have as much help, as many eyes as we need to look for her," Jack answered seriously.

"Right then." Myles clapped his hands. "I'll help Lucy here, then head over to the library... unless you call saying that I'm needed somewhere else. Synchronize your watches people - 'Operation Find Sue' is underway."

Bobby turned to Jack, amused by his partner. "Ready to find your sheila, Sparky?"

"Past ready, Crash," Jack answered fervently. "Past ready."

"Right-o then. Let's go find the librarian," Bobby said, climbing back into the driver's seat.








Jack's thoughts in italics.




"Excuse me, ma'am? We're looking for one of your librarians, Regina is her name. Do you know where we can find her?" D inquired at the circulation desk.

"She's stepped away for the moment. Is there any way that I can be of assistance? My name is Ivory," the lady at the desk replied with a smile as she eyed the four agents.

"Thank you Ivory. Perhaps you can help us as well, but we really need to speak with Regina. We're with the FBI, and she's recently had contact with the person that we're looking for. When will she be back?" D showed his credentials, seeing out of the corner of his eye that Jack was looking slightly panicked.

"FBI! Oh, well, Regina should be back at any moment," Ivory replied, flustered. "Actually, here she comes now. Regina, these FBI agents need to talk to you."

"About the package that my sister took to Washington DC, I presume," Regina guessed.

Bobby cleared his throat. "Yes ma'am. Could you look at this picture please, and tell us if this is the person who gave you the package?"

"Yes, that's her. She's been in here twice. The second time she gave me the package that my sister delivered. Her name is Sue... I don't believe that I heard a surname used," Regina said as she studied the picture.

"Thomas," Jack said absently. But not for long if I have anything to say about it...

"Thomas," repeated the librarian as she continued to study the picture. "She looks different in this photo."

"Different how?" asked Bobby with a flash of his dimples. Tara grinned as she watched the effect on the two librarians, albeit a trifle jealously.

"How? Oh, well she was dressed as one of the 'Plain' people that you will see in the area."

"Plain people?" D repeated, puzzled.

"Yes, there is a significant Amish community all through Lancaster County. They're also known as 'Plain'. The rest of us they consider to be 'English'." Regina explained to the agents.

"Ah, of course," nodded D. "I had forgotten the dual name. Sue was dressed as an Amish woman?"

"Yes indeed. I would never have realized by looking at her that she was actually an Englisher. She seemed to fit right in... such an innocent face, I suppose pure may be the better description..." she trailed off thoughtfully.

"Either word describes her perfectly," Jack murmured, hardly aware that he was speaking.

Regina looked the dark haired agent over in amusement. He was obviously smitten. She smelled romance - a favourite topic of any good librarian. Eager to help the course of true love she continued. "She was accompanied by a Amish woman and her daughter both times, as well as a pair of hearing dogs. The first time she came in she asked for my help in research services for deaf people in the area. I didn't realize at first that Sue was deaf. Apparently the young girl with her was too... the information was to help her."

"Did you happen to get the names of either of her companions?" asked Bobby, seeing that Jack was going to be absolutely useless.

"No, I'm sorry, I didn't," she answered sadly. Ivory shook her head as well. Suddenly Regina brightened. "But Tina will have... she's a speech therapist here at the university. There is some interest in helping the daughter learn to speak and read lips. It seems that the girl has been inspired by Sue. Your friend has made quite an impression on her."

"She does that," Jack whispered.

In her peripheral vision Regina could see Ivory cover her mouth, coughing as she managed to hold back her laughter. The agent with the incredible brown eyes had it bad, and was obviously hurting, so Regina restrained her own chuckle as well. What she wouldn't give to see the look on his face when the man found his Sue.

Turning her attention to his friends she saw answering twinkles of amusement in their eyes that matched the grins on their faces. "Anyway, if it would help I can tell you where to find Tina... actually here she comes now... talk about timing. Tina, these people need to talk with you about the blond woman - Sue - and her friends."

"Oh yes, the Amish family. What do you need with them?" Tina asked curiously.

"Ma'am we're with the FBI," D began, showing his credentials again as the others did likewise. "We're trying to find Sue. She's a friend of ours, but we don't know where she's staying on her vacation. Regina suggested that you would be able to give us the names of the people she was with when you met her on Saturday."

"Yes, the Stoltz family. Mary, the daughter is deaf. Her mother is Anna. They were here getting some information about what services could help Mary. I gathered that Sue is also deaf, but functions very capably in the hearing world. She was looking for ways to help Mary do the same. You say Sue is a friend of yours?" repeated Tina.

"Yes, a very special friend, a part of our family really," answered Tara.

"She's not 'Plain' then? I'm surprised, since she seemed quite comfortable. I assumed that she was part of the Stoltz family - a cousin or something. She was dressed the part as well..." Tina paused, thinking. "Though I suppose Sue did have more - I'm not sure how to phrase it - worldly savvy, I suppose fits, than I would have expected for an Amish woman."

"Do you know where they live?" Bobby asked quickly.

"Not exactly, just that they have a farm in Lancaster county. That doesn't really narrow it down, I'm afraid, as Stoltz is somewhat of a common surname for the area. But they will be here to meet with me tomorrow at 9 am, if that helps," she finished.

"Tomorrow?" Jack latched onto the word.

"Yes."

Bobby slapped his friend on the back. "Almost there mate. Regina, would there happen to be security footage from either day..."

Just a short one for now. Jack's thoughts in italics.




Jack sat back in his hotel room, staring at the pictures that Tara had printed from the library footage. The quality wasn't great, but it was enough to show her beautiful face. Tenderly he traced its outline. He was so close...

The day had been rewarding and frustrating at the same time. Though they had a lot of new information, he still didn't have Sue in his arms tonight.

After being persuaded that knocking on the door of every farm in Lancaster County was not the best option, Jack had turned his attention to laying plans for the stakeout. After final arrangements had been made to ensure a successful conclusion to 'Operation Find Sue", everyone had settled in at the hotel for a good night's sleep, knowing that the morning would be early.

He prayed that the plans that were set would prevent her from disappearing once she spotted them. It certainly wouldn't be because they didn't have enough eyes looking for her.

All the key players for tomorrow had continued to arrive through the day. Sue's family, his parents, Ted, even the Director had come. He would be on hand to prove to Sue the authenticity of the paperwork that Jack would show her tomorrow as proof that it was safe for her to return. That the team was no longer at risk of being torn apart for any reason. He knew based on their last conversation that she wouldn't believe him without backup, thinking that he was just trying to come back no matter what the consequences to himself.

She had no idea the lengths he was willing to go to. But she would when he found her tomorrow.

Touching the small box that traveled everywhere he went these days, he took a deep breath. Tomorrow...







Jack's thoughts in italics.


"Anybody see anything?" Jack asked over his earpiece, impatient for some action.

Getting all the negative responses he sighed in frustration, glad that he had chosen to focus his attention here at the steps of the library. At least they knew that this was her destination for the morning, no matter what road into the area she took. Though they weren't ruling out the possibility of her arriving in her car it was expected that she would arrive in an Amish wagon seeing that she was making the effort to hide herself in that community.

A wagon would be easier to spot her - and Levi - in. It would also ensure that she couldn't escape him.

"Jack, she's already here on campus!" Myles hissed over the com link.

Jack's heart sped up. "Where?"

"Coming in West Fredrick Street, heading for the library."

"All right everyone stay back. Don't spook her," he breathed, trying to keep his voice steady.

The minutes slowly ticked by as the buggy containing his heart's desire closed the distance to the Ganser Library.

When she came into view Jack wondered if he was having another heart attack despite the fact that he had taken his medication that morning. It was beating impossibly fast.

Tara's voice crackled over the airwaves. "Sue is getting out of the wagon, along with Levi, Anna, Mary and another dog. Everyone come in tighter around their location. For Jack's sake make sure there is no way for Sue to disappear again, but don't scare her off."

Jack watched as the group made their way over to the library and up the front steps. She was gorgeous in her simple dress, her hair tucked under the head covering, her soft smile... so close...

Suddenly the child tugged on Sue's skirt just before taking off down the stairs. With his heart sinking, Jack watched Sue follow. He turned in the direction that she was headed, away from him, and stopped breathing.






It was over in an instant. Sue sat as her heart rate slowed, rocking the children in her arms, oblivious to the commotion around her. Once again assuring herself that both were unharmed, she closed her eyes for a moment as the adrenalin faded. That had been too close.

As Mary had taken off Sue had followed the direction of the child's sudden flight. And felt her heart freeze.

Without conscious thought she had been running, trying to get to the children that were suddenly in peril - the little cherub standing in the parking lot as the car bore down on her, and her guardian angel who was putting herself at risk, unable to hear the warning shouts. Shouts that Sue was also unaware of.

With a final burst of speed Sue snatched the girls out of the way, rolling to a stop beside the parked cars. And breathing hard.

As Sue opened her eyes, she became aware of hands lifting the girls out of her arms. Anna stood there, clutching tightly to Mary, alternating between praising her daughter's bravery and chastising her for the danger she put herself and subsequently Sue in, all the while tugging Sue to her feet. An older gentleman cuddled the moppet named Ashley that had unknowingly been the cause all of the excitement in his arms, murmuring prayers of thanksgiving for her deliverance.

Assuring both Anna and Mary that she was fine, Sue looked around, surveying the scene. She could see the driver of the car being lectured by two taller men on - she assumed - his poor judgement for using excessive speed in a parking lot. She frowned. They looked familiar. If she didn't know better she would think that Myles and Bobby were here reading the riot act to the shaken man behind the wheel.

She must have hit her head after all. Her mind was playing a trick on her.

She felt a touch on her shoulder, an achingly familiar touch. A scent invaded her consciousness - his scent. No. It wasn't possible - just the aftermath of the adrenalin. Turning, determined to dispel the thought of a pair of chocolate brown eyes, she gasped.

Jack. Right here in front of her. Just like in her dream the other day.

She blinked. Once, twice, three times. No good, he was still there. How had he found her?

She closed her eyes again. The package she'd sent. In a moment of clarity she knew. It had been a set up.

He watched as a myriad of emotions flashed across her face: shock, confusion, disbelief, delight, joy, dismay.

He lifted his hand to touch her cheek. "You're really here." He watched her swallow nervously, the dismay on her face becoming more obvious. "Are you OK?"

They stared at each other, before Sue drew a shaky breath to answer his question. "I'm OK," feeling the familiar scenario play itself out yet again between them. Before she could add anything else, she found herself being swept into his arms. She closed her eyes, wanting the moment to last forever, yet not entirely convinced that she hadn't slipped into dreamland again.

Jack's thoughts in italics.


Jack breathed deeply, inhaling her scent, feeling the warmth of her body against his. She was really here in his arms. She was unharmed, safe. Thank you God. For the first time in a week he felt whole.

Sue drank in his familiar presence, the comfort that she had always found in his arms permeating her being, wrapping itself around her heart, soothing her soul. She was home.

How long they stood there, neither one really knew. No one dared interrupt the reunion of two souls destined for each other. Tears were wiped away from more than one set of eyes.

Suddenly Jack found himself laughing for sheer joy. He lifted her off the ground, swung her around in her arms. Setting her clinging form back on her feet, he smiled at her.

Sue felt her breath catch in her throat, blinded by his smile. How could she think straight with that smile, those eyes boring straight into her soul? How she had missed him.

And then she remembered why she was here - why she had left him.

It was like a bucket of cold water being thrown in her face. He had found her! In spite of all her precautions Jack was here, holding her, making her forget all of the reasons that she had left. She had to stop this. His job, the entire team, the very future of all her friends were all on the line. How could she be so selfish? Here she was pretending that everything was fine just because Jack was looking at her, holding her...

With a cry of pain Sue tore herself out of Jack's arms and fled, Levi at her heels.
[/font][/size]





Having been caught off guard by her sudden move born of desperate strength Jack stood there, watching her retreating figure, stunned. But only for a moment. There was no way that he was going to let her run away from him again. Sue needed to know the truth - about everything. Quickly he raced after her.

Entering the library he looked around, searching for her, only to see Regina beckoning to him. Tossing her a grateful glance as she pointed to what he assumed was a small conference room, he sprinted over to the door. It was locked.

Blessing the recent lessons from Bobby on the finer arts of lock picking, he had the door open in moments. Closing it quietly again, he relocked it. Calling to Levi, he stationed the faithful creature at the door after bestowing on him an affectionate rub. He had missed his furry friend. Satisfied that no one would be entering or exiting the room, he stood, ready to deal with Levi's mistress.

Sue was curled up in a corner, shoulders shaking as her graceful hands hid her face. His heart breaking in the face of her pain, he reached for her, pulling her close. He felt her startle, then resist, trying to push him away. Prepared this time he held on to her, determined. He would wait her out, let her wear herself down. Now that he had found her, he had all the time in the world.

He could feel her resolve weakening, her struggles lessening as her strength waned. He responded by gathering her closer still.

And finally she broke down, crying.

He held her as she cried, whispering words of comfort that she could only feel, touching her gently, reverently. Placing soft kisses on her hair where her head covering had been dislodged, he ministered to the woman he adored in her distress. Feeling her calm, he drew back just enough so that she could read his lips while keeping her firmly encircled in his arms.

"Sue, we need to talk."

She dropped her eyes and swallowed. The words of her letter rose up in her mind to mock her. What he must think of her...

She got no further in her thoughts as she felt his hand wipe away the remains of her tears, the action turning into a caress. Tracing a path down her cheek, his hand settled beneath her chin, forcing her to look up and face him.

"You need to see this, Sue." Jack held her gaze determined that there would be no misunderstanding. Seeing her tiny nod, he continued. "I have a letter, two letters actually in my pocket that you need to see, signed by the Director himself - who is here in town to attest to their veracity. But since I'm not willing to let you out of my arms, I'll simply tell you what they say, and show you later. OK?"

Receiving another nod, Jack smiled. "First, our team is not going to be separated. All of us, including you - especially you - are staying right where we belong, together, as a team and a family. You are not being transferred to New York or anywhere else. Hackford and company are in very hot water with the Director - who is a friend of the President, by the way - so what he says goes. They are expected to deliver grovelling apologies at your feet as soon as we get back."

Seeing Sue start to protest, he shook his head. Stubborn, tenacious and a whole host of other words came to mind as he held up his hand. "Let me finish. Your resignation was torn up by the Director on the spot. He absolutely refused to loose one of the best analysts that he's ever had over a huge misunderstanding resulting from some aggressive bullying tactics by a bunch of blue flamers. You have been taking a few personal days while you've been wandering," grinning at her stunned expression.

"Sue I understand that you were trying to protect all of us by leaving so that the rest of the team could stay together, and I love you for it. But we aren't the same without you. We need you... I need you. Please don't ever disappear without a trace on me again. My heart can't take it..." his voice died out. Overcome with emotion, he drew her close, burying his face against hers as his own tears began to fall.







Sue's thoughts in italics.


Sue stood there wrapped in Jack's strong, protective arms. Was he crying? Had she hurt so much by leaving? His heart couldn't take it? I need you... I love you... did he really say those words to her, Sue Thomas? Aghast that her apparently unnecessary sacrifice had caused the man she loved so much pain she held him tight, her own tears mingling with his as she tried to soothe him.

She felt his lips brush her cheek as he raised his dark head to look at her, and shivered. Berating herself for being so affected by the accidental contact, she tried to calm herself. He loved her as a friend and coworker, and meant nothing beyond that. She needed to regain control, but her body was betraying her, refusing to move from Jack's embrace, trembling at his touch. Involuntarily her hand raised to wipe his tears, seeking to give comfort. Oh how she'd missed him.

He felt her gentle hand on his face. Covering it with his own, he drew it to his mouth, kissing her palm, her fingers, his eyes never leaving hers. Feeling her shiver again, he gave a small smile of satisfaction as her eyes widened and her breathing shallowed. It was time to close the deal.

Clearing his throat, he forced himself to speak. "There is a second letter that you need to know about as well. The policy regarding coworkers in the same unit being romantically involved has been revised. It is now possible to date and marry someone within the same unit without it being necessary for either one of them to transfer."

"W...wha..., um, w... when did this all happen?" Sue stammered. Surely she was loosing her mind.

"No more than ten minutes after you disappeared from the conference room, one week... one long week ago today," Jack answered huskily, watching her reaction.

Comprehension flashed across her face. "So this whole time that I've been gone... it wasn't necessary? I've caused everyone to waste time worrying, searching... when... oh..." she ended with an inarticulate cry. Covering her face with her hands again she whispered "I'm so sorry Jack."

"I'm not."

Sign in bold - sorry I'm not familiar enough with ASL to use proper grammar, my English grammar is weak as it is!


She stared at him, totally bewildered. What did he mean by that? She'd just apologized for a colossal waste of time and energy and resources of FBI personnel and who knew what else, and his response was "I'm not"? It was too much for Sue to take in. Why wasn't he angry with her? He should be, but instead he looked... almost... elated.

"Why aren't you sorry?" Sue cringed, seeing his eyes twinkle as she unwittingly gave voice to her question. Did she really just say that out loud? She definitely needed to restrain her tongue.

Tenderly Jack cupped her chin again, raising her face to his. "This is why," he breathed. Brushing his lips against hers he felt her breath on his face as she gasped. Taking advantage of the opportunity he immediately deepened the kiss, releasing his pent up emotions of the last week, the last two and a half years.

She thought of stopping him, but only for a moment. His actions mirrored her desires too closely, shutting down any rational thought. Her traitorous body melted into his as her arms crept around his neck, pulling him closer, inviting him deeper.

He felt her surrender and tightened his hold, delighted when he heard her moaning his name in response. He knew the moment her legs gave out, yet he continued his onslaught of her senses. He intended to thoroughly fulfill his promise to kiss Sue senseless.

Finally, the need to fill his burning lungs with air made him ease back. Surveying his handiwork with satisfaction, he smiled. Sue's hair had come loose and was now falling past her shoulders in disarray. Her face was flushed, her lips swollen and rosy, her eyes barely open and wholly unfocused. He could feel her rapid, shallow breathing, the pounding of her heart. She was completely off balance. Jack intended to keep her that way.

Stroking her flushed cheek, he waited until she focused on his lips. "Sue, this has been the longest week of my life. When you disappeared, I thought that my life had come to an end. Nothing mattered except finding you, and now that I have you back, I won't ever let you go again. You are my light, my strength, my heart. I cannot... I will not go another day without you knowing that I love you with all that I am, with all that I have in me."

As he knelt before her, he removed the little box from his jacket pocket and opened it. As he lifted the ring clear he heard her choked sob as Sue covered her mouth with her free hand, eyes bright with unshed tears. Transferring the ring to the hand that held hers, with his free hand he signed as he spoke. "Sue, I have loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you. Will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"

Sue stood, speechless, not daring to believe the evidence in front of her. He loved her? How could he, why would he? Yet the proof was kneeling before her. He wanted her as his wife! He even had a ring - the most beautiful ring that she had ever laid eyes on. But its beauty couldn't begin to compare with what she saw in his eyes.

Still incapable of speech, Sue fell to her knees before him, humbled. What had she ever done to deserve this man? Jack could have any woman he wanted, but had chosen her. She would be a fool to let him get away - and her mother did not raise her children to be fools. She pushed her doubts and insecurities away. She would share them later - if nothing else this week had taught her that she needed to tell him everything before making any rash decisions. Right now she needed to find her voice.

"Yes, Jack, I love you..." and she was swept away by his kiss.





After coming up for air, breathless, Jack tenderly kissed her finger as he slipped on the engagement ring. She was his, now and forever. He thought his heart might burst.

Sue gazed at the ring, then raised her eyes to look at the man of her dreams. "It's beautiful Jack. I love you... so much that it hurts. This last week without you..." she broke off, shuddering. "I missed you so very much. I didn't know how I was going to live my life without you."

"That is something you will never have to consider again," Jack kissed her tenderly, drawing her close. Standing with her, he surprised Sue by sweeping her off her feet. Carrying her over to a chair he sat down, with her in his lap. "I need to ask you something else."

"Anything," she answered dreamily.

Jack chuckled, swooping in for another kiss. "I'm going to hold you to that. Marry me today?" He watched her face as it lit with joy.

"T...today? How...the license...our family... friends... how could we...?"

"Do you trust me?" he interrupted her.

"With my life," Sue declared promptly.

"Then trust me when I tell you that I've arranged everything. After all," he whispered in a husky voice, "I needed something to do, to keep me going while you were missing. All you have to do is say yes."

Sue looked into his expressive eyes and read the story of his emotions from the past week. She felt her hesitation dissolve. She coud deny him nothing. "Yes."

It was several breathless minutes before either of them could think clearly... or at all.






As always sign in bold.


Sue snuggled into the arms of her fiance as she attempted to catch her breath. Her fiance... Jack Hudson, man of her dreams, was now her fiance. They were getting married... today. Which meant there were probably things that she should be doing...

Jack, contentedly holding her close, could feel the change. Angling his head so that she could easily read him, he smiled. "Trust me, sweetheart. I really do have everything under control for our wedding... I like the sound of that... our wedding."

Sue smiled back at him, feeling suddenly shy. "In that case, Jack, do you think that perhaps you should enlighten me? A bride likes to know all the details, such as the when and where... right now all I know is the who."

Jack tapped her nose at her teasing tone, recognizing her attempt to cover her shyness. Two could play this game. "But you see the who is the most important detail of all, especially since the who will take you away afterward on our honeymoon." Sitting back slightly, he waited for her reaction.

Sue blushed furiously in response to his words, and tried to hide her face, but Jack was having none of it. Laughing, he hugged her tightly, then pulled back to answer her question. "OK, time to be serious. We're getting married at 2 o'clock in town - I've arranged the license and minister. Both of our families are here - they came to help in the search for you, and are expecting a wedding today. Your parents have already given their blessing," his voice trailed off in question at the wondering look on her face.

"You talked to my parents?"

"Of course, sweetheart. After all, I'm taking their priceless treasure today as my wife. My father always taught me to honour the parents of the woman that I would someday marry. I can't tell you how happy I am that this day is here," he added, kissing her reverently. "Where was I? The team is of course already here and ready to stand up for us. I thought perhaps Donna would be D's partner in our wedding party," praying he wasn't being too presumptuous.

Sue looked at him in awe. He had done all this for her. How God had blessed her.

Seeing that Sue had no objections to his plans so far, Jack continued. "The photographer, reception, flowers, tuxes, rings - they're all arranged. More of our friends are arriving in the next few hours - Troy, Charlie, Helga, Amanda, even Howie to name just a few are coming. If I missed anyone we can have another reception back home, as well as one in Ohio and another in Wisconsin, when we get back from our honeymoon - we have the next ten days off, by the way," he winked at her, causing the heat to rise in her face once more.

"I need to find a dress... fast! And dresses for Lucy, Tara, and Donna..." her voice trailed off in dismay. How would she manage?

"I believe Lucy has what you need at the hotel." Seeing her questioning look, he continued. "When Lucy helped you get ready for the photos in our first undercover marriage, apparently she took some notes of things that your eyes tended to linger on. She thought the information might come in handy some day. I hope that I was the groom that you pictured when gazing at the one particular wedding dress that you touched so wistfully."

He was an expert at making her blush, Sue decided, trying to cool her superheated face with her hands as she whispered "Yes Jack, only you. I wanted that dress for our real wedding, not a pretend one... I couldn't bear to get it then." Seeing the glow in his eyes she raised her face to receive his kiss.

When he had command of his voice again after her simple, yet loving declaration, he spoke. "She's also packed some things for our time away together - I gave her a general idea of what you would need, and I'm sure that if I know Lucy there will be a few surprises in the case as well," Jack grinned, wondering if Sue's cheeks could get any redder. "It was good for her," he added seriously. "It kept her busy, focused on your return rather than your absence. Tara helped her too. And it was the only thing keeping me sane at points."

Sue touched his face tenderly, seeing the hurt. "I'm so sorry Jack," she choked out. "The last thing that I ever wanted to do was hurt you. I thought that you were going to lose everything that you'd worked so hard to build, that our friends were going to be punished for my mistakes - I couldn't let that happen to them, to you. Your whole life is the FBI... helping save the world..."

He stopped her words with a passionate kiss.

When he could speak, Jack breathed "Sue, you are my whole world. I understand what happened, what you sacrificed for the team... for me... but nothing is worth more to me than you. Remember that always. No more disappearing. Not unless you take me with you, deal?" he ended in a pleading tone that she couldn't hear. But she didn't need to. She could see his eyes and feel his heart.

"Deal".

"I know that we have a lot to talk about still, but we'll have plenty of time to ourselves soon, although talking isn't the only way we'll be using our time," winking at her, "but there are a number of anxious people waiting to greet you. And the sooner we see them, the sooner we'll be getting ready for our wedding. And the sooner our honeymoon will start."

"Are you always going to make me go up in flames?" Sue asked, blushing at the openly passionate expression on his face.

"Absolutely. Especially tonight," causing her blush to deepen. Taking a deep breath, Jack tried to lighten the heated atmosphere. "But until we're alone again, I'll try to behave. OK?"

"Thank you. I love you Jack. I... I can't wait to be your wife." Sue touched his face tenderly, her eyes misting.

"And I can't wait to make you my wife, Sue." Jack said, kissing her gently. "Only a few more hours sweetheart. Come on, let's go face everyone so they can help us get ready to start our life together."

Opening the door Jack grinned at the assembled crowd. "We have an audience."

Sue peeked around him from her position at his side and her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh..."

Immediately Lucy and Tara began jumping up and down. Pointing at Sue's left hand they yelled, "Sue said yes! Congratulations!"

Jack grin grew even wider. Waving his hand in the air to gain the attention of everyone, he spoke, his eyes never leaving her face. "Sue said yes... to everything. We're getting married at two o'clock."

The celebration was rather noisy for a library, but it didn't seem to bother the librarians, who were enjoying their happiness as much as anyone. There were a multitude of joyful exchanges as the newly engaged couple was surrounded.

Finally, in an attempt to get control of the excited group, Jack whistled. Shooting a guilty glance over at Regina and Ivory, he turned back to their friends and family. "Thank you all for your kind wishes, we do appreciate them. But we'd like to get this show on the road, so I... we... would like a progress report, please."

"Right-o mate!" Bobby grinned. "Don't want to be responsible for holding up one of the most anticipated events in the history of the bullpen. Nor the honeymoon. Tara?"

Tara smiled at the blushing couple. "Communications are taken care of. The list of calls for the guests have been made. Everyone should be underway in minutes, if they aren't already."

"Of course it helped that Jack had given them all a heads up before we left," Lucy interrupted, bouncing at the look of wonder and joy that she saw on her best friend's face as she looked at her groom.

"Organization for the ceremony and reception is all taken care of. Everything is going according to plan... as if there was ever any doubt with a Leland overseeing the matter," Myles added, puffing out his chest slightly.

"Like you are responsible for all the ground work that Jack did," Lucy poked him.

"I never claimed credit for the plan," he said haughtily, looking at Lucy, before turning to Sue. "This is entirely Prince Jack's doing for his lovely bride. I'm merely pointing out that with me in charge of 'Operation Matrimony' that the soon to be Mrs. Jack Hudson need not worry about anything, and can spend the next few hours calmly preparing to walk down the aisle to meet her groom. After all when she got up this morning Sue had no idea that she would be Jack's wife by mid afternoon. Poor girl needs time to adjust to her life sentence... ow! Was that really necessary?" he asked, rubbing his sore side.

"It was if you didn't want Lucy to take your head off," D assured him. Turning to Sue, he took her newly adorned hand in his large one. "We are so happy that you are safe and back where you belong... where you've belonged since the beginning," he added, looking at Jack as he kept Sue in the circle of his arms. "Jack has thought of everything... quite impressive for a nervous groom, really. Relax and enjoy today."

Sue looked around at the group as she smiled, feeling overwhelmed. "I can't believe this is happening... thank you... everyone... for everything. I can't begin to imagine what all you've been up to... but I'm looking forward to finding out. Thank you for finding me..." she whispered, looking at Jack as he turned her in his arms to kiss her, regardless of the interested onlookers.

Finally breaking apart as the whistles and cheers penetrated through to the world of him and Sue, Jack smiled down at her. "I had some extra help with finding you," he nodded over to Anna and the group of university workers.

"The report in the package," Sue recalled her earlier deduction. "But I sent it anonymously through..." she trailed off, as she saw the guilty looks being exchanged. "What did you do?"

"While you get to the bottom of that mystery, we are going to continue with wedding preparations," Myles spoke with authority. "'Operation Matrimony' still has a few stages left. Bobby will be waiting outside to take you to collect Sue's car and such. Levi is coming with Lucy right now for some grooming. Come on people, there's a job to do!"

"Don't keep your bride out too long Jack. She needs a few minutes to get ready to walk down the aisle," Lucy added impishly as the team headed out.






Signing in bold.



Anna looked embarrassed as she explained her role in the events of the day. "I felt a nudge Sue, God's divine leading. I can't explain it any more than that. I told Regina that it would be better if her sister Andrea took the package directly to the address rather than send it through a courier once she was in the city. I said someone out there was desperate to find you, and that you needed help to reconnect with them. Obviously, I was right," she finished, looking at Jack.

"Desperate is exactly the right description," Jack agreed, kissing Sue again.

Regina cleared her throat as she fanned herself. "And I passed Anna's instructions on to my sister, along with the suggestion that she make herself available to answer any and all questions that might provide a trail back to here... something that she succeeded at doing quite admirably."

"Thankfully," Jacked whispered as he tightened his hold on Sue, shuddering at the thought of what could have been.

Tina smiled at the love on open display for all the world to see. "It helped that you, Anna and Mary were due for another meeting with me this morning."

"Oh," Sue exclaimed, remembering why she was here. "The meeting! I totally forgot... I'm so sorry..."

You were distracted by Jack. Mary beamed at Sue. Is that why your eyes looked so sad? You were missing Jack? They don't look sad anymore.

Yes. I missed Jack and everyone else.

Jack smiled at the young girl as he raised his hands in front of Sue to sign his reply. I'll do everything I can to be sure Sue isn't sad ever again. You are a good friend Mary.

Are you deaf too?

Jack shook his head. I am hearing. I started to learn sign two and a half years ago when I met Sue.

Mary looked back at Sue. Wow. He can sign, he must be smart as well as cute. No wonder you were sad when you thought of Jack. You knew how much you were missing.

Sue smiled up at her embarrassed fiance. He is smart, and very cute, especially when he's flustered.

Jack looked back at her as he mouthed "Just wait until tonight... we'll see who's flustered."

Feeling the heat rise in her face, she turned back to Mary. He's also dangerous at times to my peace of mind. She felt Jack's arms tighten as he kissed her neck and she shivered in response.

Mary looked at Jack seriously. Sue has been a good friend to me. If it weren't for her, so many good things wouldn't be happening for me now. Be good to her.

I will, I promise. You have nothing to worry about. I love her.

Mary nodded, satisfied.

Turning her attention back to Anna, Sue apologized. "I'm sorry that I've made everyone late for our meeting with Tina."

Anna waved a hand in response. "No problem. Actually we went ahead without you... knowing that you were otherwise engaged," as she pointed to Jack, tongue in cheek. "Everything has worked out as I'm sure God intended from the beginning. You and Jack are together. And Mary has a whole host of people wanting to help her bridge the distance between the hearing and deaf worlds. Tina will work on speaking with her. Lindsy will continue giving ASL lessons in our community so that what you've begun will not be lost. She can also help with more specialized signing for our family - like during services. Anne will help with training Blackie. So we are in good hands."

"As are you," Lindsy couldn't help adding, watching Jack hold Sue.

Sue looked up at him. "The very best hands possible," she agreed quietly, her eyes full of love.

He kissed her tenderly. "Lindsy has also agreed to sign our ceremony today." He was rewarded for his thoughtfulness with a kiss that made him wish the wedding was already over.

Clearing his throat, the gentleman from the parking lot still holding Ashley spoke. "I wish to add my thanks Miss Thomas. Without your quick action in addition to Mary's I might have lost my granddaughter today. I would like to express my thanks in a tangible way."

"That's really not necessary. I did what anyone would have done. I wouldn't have even known that there was a problem if it weren't for Mary's sharp eyes. The praise should go to her alone," Sue protested.

"And she will receive all the help she needs for her speech education and anything else without having to ever worry about the cost," Ashley's grandfather replied seriously. "But I would like to thank you as well."

"I have everything that I could ever want or need right here," Sue answered softly, loosing herself in the loving eyes of the man who held her.







Flashbacks in italics, signing in bold.


Resting her head against the back of her seat for a moment as they drove out of Millersville, Sue allowed her mind to drift back over their wedding day. It had been a whirlwind. She still couldn't believe all the work that Jack had done. Whoever thought that women had the market cornered on wedding planning had never met her phenomenal husband. .

They had celebrated with family and friends - both old and new. And true to his word Jack really had made everything perfect. While providing Lindsy to sign the ceremony for all of their deaf friends, he had signed every word of the wedding for Sue himself. For that alone she fell in love with him all over again.

But then it was time for his vows.

"Sue, you know after all this time that I have not been very good at saying how I feel about you. Today I'd like to change that."

"The day that you blew into my life you started to change me for the better. You opened a whole new world for me. Not because you are deaf but because you are you... wonderful, caring, compassionate, loving, beautiful... my every dream and so much more. Never has a man been more blessed by God than I have."

"I'm a better man now because of you. You help me to see the good in everyone and everything. The darkest days are brighter with you. No matter what I'm feeling when you smile at me I know that everything will be all right. That I can do anything because you believe that I can. You make me strong when I am weak. When surrounded by turmoil you are my oasis of calm. You give me peace."

"You are so without pretense, so gentle and pure in heart... I don't have to pretend with you. You accept me unconditionally, you love me as I am, even when I'm less than perfect. That is a gift beyond compare. I feel safe with you. I can be me."

"The words of Proverbs 31:10-12 fit all that I have been blessed with in you. 'A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.' That's you Sue. You are all that to me and so much more."

"So here today in front of our friends and family and in the sight of God I promise to love and cherish you in every way, all the days that God grants us to walk this earth together. And beyond."

There hadn't been a dry eye in the church when Jack was finished, including his. He gently wiped Sue's tears with his handkerchief, placing a tender kiss on her forehead.

Struggling for a voice to share her own vows, Sue whispered her words of love to Jack in a silent sanctuary.

"Jack, thank you for being you. You spoke about how you think that I've changed you. You are the most amazing man that I have ever known... open, accepting, honest, caring, gentle, strong, handsome, loving... and you were all these things before I ever met you. You are my rock. You are my hero."

"I am the one who changed for the better when we met. Everything that I've become since first meeting you stems from your love and support. You gave me a chance when no one else believed that I was capable of more. You fought for me, became my protector, my anchor... all while allowing me to spread my wings and fly. Without you none of this would be possible. You gave me a gift that no one outside of my family had ever shown me before - unconditional acceptance."

"You gave me the confidence that I am a valuable member of a team, a job that I love, and friends that became family as they learned through your example how to accept me as I am. I am so grateful to you. And I am humbled by the depth of your love for me. That you care for me enough to fight for me... for us... when it would be easier to let go. You have never given up on me no matter what I've done."

"I am blessed beyond measure by God today as I become your wife. I have found in you the man that I've prayed for since I was a little girl. The man that I know will do as Eph. 5:25 says: 'Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her'."

"I trust you completely. I know that I am safe with you...surrounded by your love... that we have a God given love. You are the man of my dreams, the man that I will love forever, Jack."

"So here today in front of our friends and family and in the sight of God I promise to love and cherish you in every way, all the days that God grants us to walk this earth together. And beyond."

When the minister pronounced them husband and wife Jack didn't need to be told to kiss his bride twice. Sue was swept into his arms to be met with the most amazingly passionate yet completely tender kiss that had ever been given. At least that was the verdict from the members of the bridal party that finally suggested they move on to the pictures and reception so that they could have privacy later. And so that they could breathe enough to even get to later.

Jack didn't need that suggestion more than once either. Arm in arm Jack and Sue Hudson walked out of the church eager to begin their life no longer as two individuals, but as a family, united in love by God.


Bible verses from NIV.

Returning her thoughts to the present Sue cast an admiring glance at the handsome driver beside her. It was such a familiar sight, Jack's hands expertly maneuvering the car as they headed to their destination. But this time was different. He was no longer her Training Agent, her partner and friend. He was her husband and the destination was their honeymoon.

She drew in a deep breath, and caught sight of the pair of rings that now graced her hand. Symbols of his love, he had said, of his lifelong promise and commitment to her. She rejoiced in the cold metal touching her skin, proving that this wasn't yet another dream. This was real.

She started when his hand covered hers, playing with the new adornments on her hand. Looking up at him, she smiled as her gaze caught the glint of metal on his left hand. He had made everything absolutely perfect.

Kissing her hand, Jack whispered "I love you Mrs. Hudson."

Sue felt the breath catch in her throat. Mrs. Hudson. She was really Jack Hudson's wife. "And I love you Mr. Hudson. So very much. And I want to thank you for today. For finding me, not giving up on me. For loving me. For making every last thing about our wedding perfect. Words can't begin to express how special you've made me feel, how unbelievable today has been."

"The day isn't over yet. I hope to make you feel even more special tonight." Jack winked suggestively at his lovely bride. His bride. It was real, Sue was beside him as his wife. They were married. His heart was so full of joy he thought it might burst.

He kissed her hand again. "Sweetheart we have a bit of a drive still, so why don't you lay you head back and rest a bit. It's been a rather emotional day, and I don't think that you've been sleeping all that well in the past week. And I'm not so sure that you'll be getting very much sleep tonight either... or in the next several days...or ever again."

Gasping as she took in his implication, she felt her bones turn to jelly. And that was just with his words and a hand holding hers. What would tonight be like? She was excited and terrified all at once. What if she disappointed him?

Completely attune to her thoughts, Jack squeezed her hand to gain her attention. "Sue I promise you have nothing to worry about. We'll take everything at your pace... no pressure. All I need... all I ever need is to be able to hold you in my arms as we drift off to sleep together. I need to know that you are safe in my arms. You can trust me sweetheart."

"Of course I trust you Jack. Always and forever. And I want to be your wife... in every way," she admitted blushing, "I'm just... nervous... about disappointing you... I've never... been with a man." Her eyes widened as she realized the car was slowly coming to a stop.

Turning the car off, Jack faced her. Capturing both of her hands in one of his, he reached the other one to caress her face. "Oh Sue, you could never disappoint me... never. I'm grateful for your purity... that you've never shared yourself with anyone... that you've saved that precious gift for me as your husband. It humbles me, that you love me and trust me enough that you want to be my wife in every way. I promise never to take that... to take you... for granted."

Raising her hands to kiss them, Jack looked at her, his colour rising. "I have never shared myself with anyone in this way either Sue." Seeing her stunned look, he glanced away momentarily. "I know the reputation that followed me around - Jack Hudson, ladies' man - but Sue, on my honour, I've not ever been with a woman. I wanted to wait for my wife... for you... to join with you as one, body and soul. I didn't want to have any regrets when I finally found the woman that God meant for me to spend my life with."

Still speechless at her husband's words that demonstrated his strength of character yet again, she did the only thing that she could think of to show him just how much his words meant to her. Leaning forward, she kissed him.

After several minutes of an increasingly passionate exchange, Jack reluctantly pulled back. "As much as I want to make love to you right this very moment, I would much rather have our first time be in the privacy of our own room than here in the car."

This did nothing to help the heat from their passionate interlude ease. Sue tried to cool her face in her hands as she asked "Jack, where are we going?"

"I want to surprise you tonight. Trust me, OK?"

"Always," she answered, snuggling her hand into his, content. She would follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked. She just hoped that he had somewhere closer in mind for tonight.





Looking out the window Sue watched the familiar landmarks. Turning questioning eyes to her husband she squeezed his hand to get his attention. "Jack, why are we in your neighbourhood? Did you forget something at home?"

Smiling he kissed her hand. "I'll explain in just a minute, OK?"

Sue nodded, content to be with him anywhere.

After pulling her car into his spot at his building, Jack shut the car off and turned to her. "Sue," he began hesitantly, unsure now that they were here how she would react, "I have a confession to make. This last week searching for you... going home night after night alone... more than anything tonight I would like to bring you back to my place... my room... my bed... as I dreamed about every moment that you were gone. I want to make this our home. I want to make you my wife in our bed, not in some hotel room in a strange, far off place."

Seeing that she was speechless Jack added quickly "Sue we'll go wherever you want, right now. I want what you want. I know that this may seem silly..." he stopped as she covered his mouth, bestowing on him a wonderfully sweet but all too brief kiss.

"Jack... I think that this is the sweetest thing that you could have done tonight... bringing me to your home so that we can make it our home. I'm not keen on far flung exotic places, or going somewhere just to say I've been there. I would much rather share this night... our first night as husband and wife... here... in your bed," blushing as she finished, her eyes shining with love and traces of tears.

Beaming, Jack drew her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly. Releasing her he signed for her to wait in her seat, and hurried to retrieve their luggage from the trunk. Opening her door, he kissed her again. "You're sure that you are OK without Levi? We can get him right away if you need, or any time that you want to."

Sue shook her head. "I'll be fine as long as you're here. It's good for him to be with Lucy while we're... away. Lucy will enjoy the company and I won't have to worry in case I get too... distracted," she whispered the last word, covering her face as she felt the heat rise yet again.

Eyes darkening with desire Jack pulled her to his side, giving her a small taste of just how distracted he could make her before they entered the building together.

"Honey we're home. Allow me," Jack said happily as he unlocked their door. Placing the cases inside he turned quickly to sweep Sue into his arms. "It's tradition for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold," he grinned, winking at her.

Kicking the door closed behind them, he managed to lock it without relinquishing his hold on her. Refusing to put her down, he strode purposefully to the bedroom. "I've dreamed of carrying you off to my bed and making you my wife for so long... just let me fulfill this fantasy, my love."

"Feel free to go all caveman Jack, dragging me off to your lair," Sue teased him gently, while tucking her head into his shoulder where he couldn't see her embarrassment at her bold words.

"You have no idea," Jack breathed against her head, knowing she couldn't hear him, but that certain that she would understand soon.





From her vantage point in Jack's arms Sue looked around his room for the first time with interest. It suited him - calm, neat and very masculine. His scent permeated the room, adding to the already heady intoxication of being cradled in his arms, filling her every breath with him. She thought that she might faint as he completely overwhelmed her senses. It was a good thing that she didn't have to stand on her own two feet.

Taking a deep breath trying to settle the myriad of butterflies fluttering inside her, Sue looked into Jack's eyes and was lost. The butterflies increased their dance a hundred fold as she beheld his love and desire as he lowered his head to capture her lips in a searing kiss.

Slowly, Jack lowered her to the bed, following her down, never breaking the contact of their lips. Sliding his fingers into her hair he broke off his assault on her mouth to trace a path down her neck to the pulse beating erratically at the base of her neck. He heard her gasp, felt her arch into him as a particularly sensitive area was revealed under his explorations.

Feeling her hands tugging his head back to her waiting mouth he instead leisurely retraced his path using his tongue, taking great satisfaction in the moans his actions drew from her.

"Jack," Sue moaned, her hands becoming more insistent. "Kiss me, please."

Lifting his head so she could read him, he pinned her with his gaze. "Where?"

"My lips," she whispered, shivering in anticipation.

"Like this?" he asked, placing a light kiss on the corner of her mouth. "Or this?" as he moved to the opposite side. Sue groaned with frustration as he continued to lightly caress her face.

He lifted his head again, and looked deep into her eyes, letting his love for her shine clearly from his own. "I promised that I would take tonight at your pace Sue. Tell me what you want. Tell me what you need... even if it's stopping. I swear to you that I'll do whatever you ask. I don't want to hurt you, or have you feel pressured or frightened in any way. I love you so very much my darling wife."

Sue felt the tears fill her eyes. Impatiently she moved to wipe them away, wanting nothing to obscure her vision of the wonderful man that was now her husband, only to be stopped as he tenderly kissed them away. "How did I end up so blessed as to be your wife?" she whispered as he continued his ministrations.

"I'm the one who is blessed Sue. You are the most amazing woman... my most priceless treasure. I thank God every day for bringing you into my life. I will love you forever," he ended, tracing her cheek.

"You asked me what I want Jack, but what about you? What do you want... you know... tonight?" she asked shyly.

He smiled in response. "I would think that by now it is obvious. I want to make you my wife in every way. I want to undress you, touch you, learn everything about your body. I want to kiss you senseless, feel your body respond to mine, hear you cry out my name in the heat of passion. I want to become one with you. Then I want to do it again... and again... and again... until we fall asleep in each other's arms exhausted. And then I want to start a new day with you still wrapped in my arms, kiss you awake... and make love with you all over again. Does that answer your question?" he replied while emphasizing his words with feather light touches of his mouth.

"I... I think you've made your position... quite clear," Sue stammered, her breath catching at his continued seduction. "So when does all this s...st...start? Oh, Jack," she gasped as his hand slid down her body and found its way under her blouse.

Jack felt a surge of pride seeing his wife respond to his gentle lovemaking. "I think we already have."

"Per...perhaps we... have... oh," she breathed as his hand caressed her stomach, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

Smiling at her pleasure, Jack kissed her softly. "I meant what I said Sue. Whenever you're ready and not before. I'll wait as long as you need."

"I love you Jack. I trust you completely... with every part of me... my heart... my body..." she said huskily, love shining in her eyes. "I don't want to wait... I need to be your wife in every way... kiss me Jack... the way a man kisses his wife... his lover..."

Jack felt his heart racing. He loved this woman so completely and ached to show her. "Are you sure, sweetheart?"

Sue's nerves gave way to a feeling of calm, seeing the longing and desire in his eyes even while he assured her of his willingness to wait. She knew this was what she wanted, what they both wanted. Jack would never hurt her. She could feel his love with every fibre of her being. "Yes Jack. I'm ready. I love you... please... make me your wife."

His eyes darkened at her surrender. "With pleasure my love," he whispered as he proceeded to fulfill her every desire along with his own.

Was there ever a more glorious sunrise? Jack was sure that none before could have possibly rivaled this one for beauty. Though perhaps he was biased seeing as he'd never had the privilege of witnessing one while the most beautiful woman in the world was cocooned in his arms. He sighed with contentment.

What a difference twenty-four hours could make. Yesterday he had woken up alone in a strange hotel, determined to carry out his mission to find the woman he loved more than life itself, whose week long absence had left him feeling totally bereft. Today he was a married man, opening his eyes to a new day in his own bed... their bed. Tenderly he kissed his sleeping wife.

As long as he lived Jack would never forget the way Sue looked as she walked down the aisle to him on her father's arm. She had been stunning in her wedding dress, carrying the bouquet that he had chosen for her. He was anticipating seeing her in it again at the receptions that they would share in their respective hometowns as well as the one here at home. Their home. The words had such a nice ring to them.

But more than anything else he would remember the joy on her face as she came to him at the altar, ready to pledge herself for eternity, her love for him on display for the entire world to see. Her eyes had been luminous. She had literally taken his breath away. Only Bobby slapping him on the back had caused him to let out the oxygen trapped in his lungs so he could attempt to draw in more.

The reception had been filled with love and laughter and their first dance as husband and wife was forever etched in his memory. But that had merely been a preview of the rapture to come.

The night had been wondrous. He had been given the right to explore his new bride, and had done so tenderly, reverently, thoroughly. He smiled at the thought of her own timid explorations - explorations that had grown bolder as she felt his groans of pleasure in response to her touch. He felt his body stir with remembrance, and knew that he would be waking her soon.

When their moment of joining had come his named had been ripped from her throat in ecstasy, her cries mingling with his. They were one flesh. He still tingled at the thought, the mystery, the wonder.

In the afterglow they had whispered words of love and joy, basking in the feeling of complete oneness. Soon aching to experience such perfection again, Jack had kissed his bride, and groaned in anticipation at the eager response he had received. And they had proceeded to make love again... and again... and again... until they had finally fallen asleep in exhaustion, wrapped in a loving embrace, safe and secure from the world outside. Just as he had always dreamed.

Feeling his new wife stir, her innocent movements fueling his need to have her again, he began to act out his next fantasy - kissing her awake. Very quickly they were lost in their own passionate dance, giving themselves to each other in the light of a new day.





Much later they lay cuddling, enjoying their new level of intimacy. Sue tilted her head to look up into Jack's eyes. "I think I much prefer the way you wake me up in the morning compared to Levi."

"You only think you prefer how I wake you up?" Jack pouted in mock hurt, his eyes dancing with mirth.

Sue grinned shyly. "Well you see I have so much more experience with Levi," she pointed out in her most reasonable voice, dissolving into giggles as Jack started tickling her in some of the sensitive spots that he had discovered throughout the night.

"Do I detect a challenge from my lovely wife? You should know by now Sue that I'm not one to back down from a challenge," he replied smoothly as he increased his torture.

Laughing helplessly as he kept her trapped Sue tried to capture his hands to give herself a moment of respite. Failing to break his hold on her she decided to take more drastic action. Placing a line of kisses along his firm jaw, she lightly skimmed her hands down his back, allowing them to drift lower still as she felt his sudden lack of attention to his previous attack. Growing bolder, she traced his collarbone first with her lips, then her tongue as she felt his breathing become more ragged.

Playing with the pulse erratically beating at the base of his throat she continued to heighten his desire as she began to explore his chest. Stopping over his frantically beating heart, she raised her head and asked impishly, "Jack, should I stop and get your heart medication? You seem to need it."

"Not as much as I need you," he rasped.

Continuing to trail kisses down to his navel, she felt the tightening of his well defined muscles. Allowing her hands to wander into more intimate contact with his body, she looked up innocently. "Are you sure?"

"I've married a minx," he growled in response as he flipped her onto her back and lit an answering fire in her. She was his. He couldn't wait another moment to prove it to her again.

Sue moaned as her husband took her to the brink, willingly surrendering to his leading. They belonged together, forever. She would gladly share this act of love with him as often as he desired. And finally he took over the edge, voices crying out from the intensity of their shared pleasure.





Joyful exclamations split the air that morning as Jack and Sue entered the bullpen for the first time as man and wife. Confetti fresh from the paper shredder flew through the air, thoroughly covering the newlyweds. A large banner hung above their desks that were now pushed together, proclaiming 'Congratulations Jack and Sue Hudson - Welcome Back'.

"Well, well, well... look who's back... everyone's favourite undercover couple, but no longer undercover," teased Myles as he bent to place a kiss on Sue's cheek. "Tell your husband not to shoot me. And welcome back," he added earnestly, patting Sue on the shoulder.

"Yes, the place just wasn't the same when you were gone," D agreed, following Myles' example of kissing Sue.

"I'm must say sheila that you are a good influence on Sparky here. I've never seen him in so early with such a bright smile on his face. Care to share your secret Mrs. Hudson?" Bobby teased as he also kissed her cheek.

"Hands off my wife Crash," Jack warned good naturedly, thinking that he might burst with love and pride as he spoke. Tearing his eyes away from his blushing bride he looked over at the other men. "That goes for you two as well."

"Whoa! Sparky has a possessive side. Just say the word Mrs. Hudson, any time your hubby starts being a drongo. I'm sure any of us would be happy to help take him down a peg or two," Bobby grinned, enjoying the sight of his best friend so happy. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to have some fun teasing Jack.

"Thanks Bobby, but I think that I can handle Jack," Sue answered, promptly crimsoning when Jack leaned close and mouthed "How?"

Amid the laughter Lucy and Tara tugged Sue out of his arms for a girls' embrace, chattering all the while, exclaiming over the glow on Sue's face. Jack smiled, missing her warmth already. She had never looked so beautiful. Marriage certainly agreed with her, with both of them.

Turning to his best friend, Jack punched him lightly on the shoulder. "No one is going to take liberties with my wife, Crash, especially not you," wondering if he would ever get used to the thrill those two words gave him: my wife. He sincerely doubted it.

Bobby laughed as he slapped him on the back. "Wouldn't dream of it Sparky. Though I must say the overprotective husband look suits you."

"Yes, our illustrious team leader certainly seems to be taking his vows to heart, especially that 'no man put asunder part'. I'm surprised that Lucy and Tara could pry Mrs. Hudson free long enough for a hug. Although I will admit that I'm shocked that we have yet to see an example of 'you may kiss the bride' since the lovebirds have arrived," Myles pondered this surprising development.

"Maybe Jack's tired out," Bobby mused, unsuccessfully trying to hide a grin.

"Well it was a stressful week before the wedding, and I'm sure Jack and Sue had a lot to... talk about... while on their honeymoon," D added smiling, remembering his first weeks of marriage with Donna.

"Knock it off guys," Jack said in embarrassment.

"Oh, I do believe we've hit upon something here. Is it possible that our fearless leader perhaps... overexerted himself... while spending time with his lovely bride?" Myles snickered.

"Don't you have anything better to do than speculate on our honeymoon?" Jack asked. "If not, I'm sure I can find something constructive for you to do."

"Not as constructive as the last week and a half for you I'll bet," Bobby fired back. Sobering, he slapped Jack on the back again. "Relax, mate, we're just teasing. You know how happy we are for you... for both you and Sue... right Sparky? If ever two people belonged together it's you guys."

Jack smiled. "Thanks Crash. You're absolutely right. Sue and I do belong together. And before you can ask any more questions I will just say this and then the subject is closed. Yes married life agrees with me. These last few days have been the absolute best ones of my life. And the most amazing part is that it will only get better," he finished, watching D nod in agreement to his last statement.

"Enjoy every moment Jack. It is the most wonderful feeling in the world to share life with your soul mate," D spoke from his experience.

Jack nodded. "That describes Sue perfectly, my soul mate."

"Don't look now, Jack, but I think that your soul mate could stand a rescue from her big strong protector." Myles pointed over to where Lucy and Tara still stood questioning Sue. "Methinks the ladies are trying to drag every last detail out of your wife. Go save her from their clutches, Sir Jack. Sweep her off her feet and carry her to safety," he added theatrically.

Jack just grinned as he headed over to Sue. He heard her gasp as he followed Myles' advice. "Myles thought I should save you from a fate worse than death," he said, looking meaningfully at Lucy and Tara.

"Oh come on Jack. You've had Sue all to yourself for days. Give us five minutes alone with her." Lucy pleaded.

"We won't hurt her," Tara added, swooning melodramatically in the presence of such powerful love.

Jack shook his head. "No can do. I need my wife's help for some research. We've got to get to work."

"What research?" Sue whispered when they out of earshot.

Jack smiled suggestively. "Don't you remember? We have some research to do... down in archives... all alone... for hours."

Sue blushed as she swatted his arm, darting a quick look around to see if anyone had overheard him. "Jack we're at work. Behave!"

"What?" he asked innocently, as he sensuously slid her body along his in the process of setting her back on solid ground. "We've pretty much fulfilled all my fantasies around the apartment - the bed, the couch, the floor, the counter, the table, the shower - and a few more that I'd never thought of. Now that we're back in the bullpen we can get started on taking care of some of my... work related dreams. I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned my archives fantasy to you," he finished, leaning in for a heart stopping kiss.

"Jack," she breathed, weakening. "How soon before we can get down to archives?"

The flash of desire in his darkening eyes promised many things. "Soon," he answered. "First we have a meeting in the conference room. Ready?"

Standing outside the conference room where her world had fallen apart just under three weeks ago, Sue held back, biting her lip nervously.

Jack watched her, hating the look of fear in her eyes. Pulling her close, he tipped her chin up and kissed the lip she was worrying. "Stop that," he commanded gently. "I love your luscious lips far too much for you to abuse them so. Let me give you something else to nibble on."

After several heated moments, Sue felt Jack chuckle as he pulled away. Turning her head to follow his gaze, she blushed to see Garrett applauding them. "We'll be in here when you and your lovely wife are ready to join us," he said, grinning as Sue flushed and hid her face on her husband's shoulder.

Jack just grinned back. "Thanks Ted, Sue is a little nervous about this meeting. I'm just giving her a bit of encouragement."

Garrett laughed outright. "Encouragement? Is that what you young people call it these days? Much more encouragement and the sprinkler system is going to go off. Remember that your wife doesn't like to be embarrassed Jack," and he reentered the conference room, still chuckling.

Jack touched his lips to the beautiful blonde head of his wife. Raising her chin just enough for her to read him he whispered "Garrett's gone, sweetheart."

"What must he think?" she murmured in dismay.

"He thinks that I love my wife very much and would do anything in the world for her. And he is absolutely right," Jack said tenderly, stroking her cheek. Stealing one more kiss he straightened. "Ready? I'm right here with you. No one is going to separate us Sue, ever. Not Hackford, New York or anything else. You're stuck with me, now and forever."

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Sue smiled up at her husband. "Hold me while we're in there?"

A light glowed deep in his eyes in answer. "Always," as he held the door open for her.





Sue stood in the circle of Jack's arms, breathing deeply. It was over. The dreaded meeting with Hackford and company was finally behind her. And as Jack had promised he had never left her side for a moment. How had she survived before without him? What would she have done if she had taken the New York job, or succeeded in disappearing as had been her intention? She shuddered at the thought.

Feeling her shudder Jack tightened his arms in response as he turned her to face him as the conference room emptied. Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead he whispered "Honey, I'm so proud of you. You have such a forgiving heart. I'm in absolute awe."

Sue melted at his tender words. "Thank you, Jack, for everything. I couldn't have done this without you."

"Yes Sue, you could have. Don't sell yourself short. You are the strongest person I know," he spoke earnestly, meaning every word. "However, you will never need to do anything without me, not ever again. I love you. You are my entire life." Jack added as he kissed her breathless.

The air in the conference room became more heated as their passion rose. Dragging his lips from hers for a moment Jack pulled her over to the door. With a quick flip of the wrist he locked it, and followed up by shoving a chair underneath the doorknob. Satisfied that it would take a concerted effort to get into the room, Jack turned his attention back to Sue.

Raising an eyebrow at her flustered face, he grinned. "Sweetheart, did I mention my conference room fantasy? The table, the chairs, the couch, the floor..." he broke off as he kissed the rapidly beating pulse on her neck as he ran his hands over her lithe body.

"Jack we can't... it's the middle of the morning... everyone will know where we are...oh..." Sue moaned as her husband continued his assault on her senses.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked as he slipped her jacket off and moved his hands to the buttons of her blouse, touching the skin exposed as each one came free. "I will if you really want me to," he added as he dipped his head down to follow the path his fingers were taking.

Sue sucked in her breath as another garment fluttered to the floor. She was melting, her bones turning to liquid. There was no way she was going to be able to remain standing. "Where?" she breathed.

"Where what?" Jack whispered inches from her lips, his hands removing the barrier of her slacks.

"Table, chair, couch, floor? Where... oh Jack..." she moaned against his lips.

"All of the above," he answered, as he lowered her to the couch and started to fulfill yet another fantasy, grateful that they would have a lifetime to do so. And to create new fantasies together. Forever and beyond.


The End

You can find this story, and all of kdm's other stories here in her archive page. Comments are always welcome!