Whisper in the Wind

All of the usual disclaimers do apply. I do not own any of the characters except those that aren't in the show.

This is my first attempt at a fanfiction piece so please read and review.

Chapter 1

Sue wasn't sure when she stopped loving Jack. Her friend/roommate Lucy had always wanted them together or so she thought.

Now when they went to lunch – her and Jack – they would have these big arguments over the strangest things. Those were some of the few times she was glad she was deaf. At first, she just couldn't say no when he asked her to lunch, but after every time they were together they'd argue, she started to say no. The first time she said no to Jack she could see the look of shock on everyone's face, even Jack's. She figured that he should know why, but the look on his face told her differently. It was kind of amusing to her.

The next day she asked everybody on the team to go with her to the Deli for lunch, her treat. They all said yes, and as always happened, Jack and Sue got into an argument, this time in front of everyone. They were all talking and suddenly they heard rising voices at the other end of the table still indistinguishable but definitely angry. Then all of a sudden Sue got up from the table. She turned to the rest of the group clearly fighting back tears and said, "I'm going to go pay for the bill, then I'm going to leave so if you want anything else you'll have to pay for it yourselves. See you at home Lucy." She turned and walked away. Everybody watched as Sue paid the bill and they all saw her pained and tear streaked face. She left without turning back with her trusty golden retriever by her side.

Once they got back D got called up to see Garrett. He came back with some interesting news.

"It turns out that Sue's been a very busy woman. After she left the Deli she came back here, finished her paperwork, handed it into Garrett, asked for sick leave and asked that no one comes by the apartment except Lucy and that no one contact her in any way unless it's about the case. The earliest Sue will be back is a week; the latest she thinks she'll be back is a month. Okay, let's get to work people." Everyone stared in disbelief. Throughout the shift they all glanced at Jack.

Meanwhile Sue lay in her bedroom with her eyes closed trying not to think about the day. She knew Lucy would want to talk about it, but she didn't feel like being around anyone right then. She even locked Levi out. She fell asleep, when she woke up it was dark out. She turned on a light, it was 3:30 a.m. She looked in the mirror. She saw red puffy eyes and matted, tangled hair. Then she turned off the light and tried to go back to sleep.

1 week later

Lucy came into work and said, "I don't think Sue's coming back for awhile. She hasn't even been out of her room except to use the bathroom this entire week," she said to Tara, "I don't think she's eaten anything and she won't let Levi into her room either."

"Poor girl." Tara said. They went back to work.

Another week later

Sue came in looking pale, and tired. She had Levi with her and he looked almost as sad as she did. D came in and gave her a weak smile, "Good to have you back, Sue." She gave a little nod.

During their lunch break Bobby came up to Sue and asked, "Are you okay Sue?" She nodded. He continued, "I was wondering if you would be willing to be my tutor? I'd like to learn sign language." He said slightly embarrassed.

"Okay," Sue said, "When would you like to start?"

"This weekend. I'll pick you up and we could go someplace, uh…perhaps my place so no one will bother us. Then I'll give you a ride home."

"Sure," she said. The rest of the week went by pretty much without event. They didn't have a case to work on, so everyone was fairly bored.

The weekend at Bobby's

"I think we should start on the alphabet and some other basics." Sue said and proceeded to teach him. Once he had it perfect she said, "Wonderful! Is that all you really wanted to know, or would you like some more lessons?"

"I think that should be it for tonight, but maybe we could pick up where we left off tomorrow." Bobby said. Sue nodded. "Do you want to watch a movie or something before I take you home?"

"Okay," she said. They sat down on the couch together. Halfway through the movie Sue fell asleep. Her head rolled onto his shoulder. He looked at her. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful. She looked like she belonged there. Instead of watching the movie, he watched her. When he noticed the credits rolling up, he gently woke her up. She looked up with her head still on his shoulder. She sat up quickly.

"Sorry," she said, "I didn't realize I fell asleep on you."

"It's okay, I'll take you home now alright?" he asked. She nodded still very visibly embarrassed.

In the car Bobby kept glancing at her while she looked at her hands the whole time. "Thanks, Bobby." She said.

"No, thank you. Sue, I wouldn't have been able to get as far as I have without your help." He said.

"If you don't mind my asking, why do you want to learn sign language?" she asked.

"Well I won't go into details now, but let's just call it a special project. I'll see you tomorrow around the same time?"

"That sounds good."

In the apartment

"So, how'd it go? You got home pretty late, and you look mystified. What happened?" Lucy asked excitedly.

"It went fine. Bobby's very good to work with. He doesn't want anyone to know what we're working on, so that's all I'll say about it. We watched a movie and I fell asleep." She said.

"You look embarrassed by that, why?" Lucy asked.

"I woke up with my head on his shoulder. I could have died from embarrassment." Then with flushed cheeks she said, "We're going to continue working tomorrow night. I'm going to bed now." Lucy sat staring at her friend wondering.

The next night at Bobby's

"Well we're making progress. Is there anything in particular you want to learn?" Sue asked.

"Beautiful, good job, etc." he said, "The basic well-done stuff first."

"Okay," she said. After that they practiced conversations in sign. Sue also brought him a book, the Dictionary in sign language.

"Wow, this is great." Said Bobby.

"Good," said Sue. They watched another movie that night. Sue was so worried about falling asleep, that she couldn't concentrate on the movie.

"Sue, what's the matter?" Bobby asked after he touched her on the shoulder so she'd look at him.

"Oh sorry, I was just thinking." She said.

"About what?"

"To be honest," she said shyly, "I'm worried about falling asleep on you again."