July 6 - 14, 2010 – and a little on the 18th

Missing/alternate scene after Levi goes missing in "The Gambler".

Short, and I don't own the show or the characters.


Sue was oblivious to his approach as he got out of his car. She started when she finally noticed him.

"Hi," she said quietly. "I didn't know you were coming."

Her face fell as she declared, "If Levi was here, he would've told me you were coming."

"I had some spare time; thought you could use a little company," Jack assured her with a smile.

Sue fell into his arms, trying not to cry into his shoulder.

Jack could only rub her back as the tears finally fell, mingling with the rain as they dropped onto the sidewalk.

Gently, Jack led Sue to his car, insisting, "You've been out here a long time. It's raining. You should warm up and rest a little."

Sue shook her head, arguing, "I have to keep looking!"

Jack opened the back door for her, sitting her down and squatting on the sidewalk to be at her level.

"You need to take a break. You haven't slept much, and I doubt you've eaten, either."

He stared at her steadily, and Sue sighed, the tears ceasing as she breathed deeply.

"Come on," Jack sighed, pulling her gently out of the backseat and leading her to the passenger side.

Sue slid in without hesitation or resistance, looking incredibly despondent as Jack got back in and pulled out into traffic, heading in the direction of Sue and Lucy's apartment.

When they reached the building, Jack helped Sue out of the car, gently sliding the keys from her grip and unlocking the door.

Sue was silent as they made their way up to the apartment, letting Jack lead her into the hallway.

She faltered when he led her into the living room, her eyes brimming with fresh tears when she realized Levi wasn't there to greet her.

"Sue," Jack tried, touching her shoulder. "Sue, you need to sleep."

He gestured to the couch, and Sue shook her head, arguing, "No, no I can't sleep now. I have to find Levi!"

Jack sighed, gently pushing her onto the couch as he insisted, "Just try. I promise you, we're all looking for him. We'll find him."

He knelt in front of her and Sue leaned into him, her tears mingling with the rain on his coat as she clutched the fabric.

Jack sighed again, tilting her head up so she could look at him.

"I promise you, we will find Levi, safe and sound," he whispered, determined.

Sue nodded, wiping the tears away, and laid back on the couch.

"Don't let me sleep too long," she warned, and Jack nodded absently.

"Just rest," he insisted, draping her coat over the back of the couch.

Jack thought about staying to keep her calm in case she woke up panicked, but he knew he needed to get back to the office.

With a sigh, he left the apartment, locking the door behind him.

"Where's Sue?" Lucy asked, frowning as Jack entered the bullpen a short time later.

"Asleep on your couch. She told me she wasn't gonna sleep, but three nanoseconds later she was out."


End notes: Er. I dunno.

Um, it took me way too long to finish this. And I took my time uploading it for some reason.

Words: 512

Time: Ugh. Who knows?