Title: Aftermath
Rating: K
Disclaimers: The usual
Summary: An AU tag to the last episode "Endings and Beginnings".
A/N: Found this--one of the earliest Bobby and Sue stories I wrote but never posted. Polished it off a bit and here it is. I haven't stopped working on my stories but real life and a humongous writer's block have prevented the completion of any new stories—and there are several just a couple of chapters from the ending! Hope you like this.
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6:10 pm
A somber group scattered to their cars after Sue's announcement of her impending interview for a new position in New York. Reaching in his pocket for his car keys, Bobby gave an exasperated sigh as he realized he left them in his desk.
Heading back to the
elevators, a car pulled up next to him. Jack stuck his head out.
"Forgot something?"
"My car keys," he replied with a shake of his head. "Left 'em in my desk."
"Want me to wait for you?"
"Not necessary but thanks anyway."
"Well, see you tomorrow," responded Jack.
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He stepped quickly out of the elevator intending to grab his keys and immediately leave but the scene before him made him stop at the doorway. Bobby silently watched as Sue touched each desk as though gathering memories of each occupant. His throat tightened at the thought of this very special person disappearing from his life.
He didn't know how it happened, but somewhere along the way from the day they met, he'd fallen in love with her. Initially attracted to her looks, he'd discovered a warm and caring individual with just the right mixture of sweetness and sass to be intriguing. But when his best friend gave all indications of being interested in her, he had backed off.
Levi spotted Bobby in his silent vigil and lifted a paw to get Sue's attention.
"What is it, Levi?" she asked glancing down at him. Following his focus she saw Bobby.
"Forget something?" she asked wondering how long he'd been standing there. He looked… sad.
Shaking off his melancholy mood, Bobby nodded. "Yeah, my car keys," he answered as he strode to his desk. "Very difficult to drive without them." He quickly pulled out the drawer and retrieved his keys tossing them in a flip gesture.
"Well," commented Sue with a plastic smile, "I better do some work since I won't be here tomorrow."
As she passed him, Bobby reached out and placed a hand on her arm to stop her. She looked at him questioningly.
"Sue, about your interview," he began nervously, "I…uh…I just wanted to say I know you'll do a fabulous job in this new position," he said sincerely.
"I'm just meeting them," she protested mildly.
"They wouldn't have asked you to apply for the position if they didn't want you," said Bobby dismissing her concern. "The interview is just a formality. You'll impress them like how you've impressed us from the day you joined the team and every day since then." He flashed the famous Manning smile.
She returned his smile. "Thanks."
Intending to give him a friendly kiss on the cheek, a sudden movement on Bobby's part caused the kiss to land on his lips. For an instant, he froze, shocked at the feel of her soft lips on his. Then throwing caution to the winds, he gathered her in his arms for a real kiss. Sue stiffened for a fraction of a moment, then melted into his embrace. Long seconds ticked by.
"Bobby..." began Sue as she looked up with wondering eyes. The kiss had left her breathless.
A stricken expression crossed Bobby's face when he realized what he'd just done—he'd kissed the woman his friend loved. "Sue, I don't know what got into me," he apologized interrupting her. "I'm sorry. Let's forget it ever happened, all right?" he asked her nervously.
"But it did," she answered seriously searching his face for clues as to the abrupt change in his mood.
"It was a mistake," he insisted desperately. "It won't ever happen again," he promised. "I think I better go." He spun on his heels rapidly strode away.
"Bobby!" called Sue.
This time, it was the hearing person that wouldn't hear.
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