A/N: I wrote this fan fiction when I first heard The Labyrinth (Feb 2012) because I really wanted this to happen. Since Sue was only in three episodes (so far) I have to almost recreate her character. I know I don't write Jason and Connie in character very well; sorry about that. Hope you enjoy! :)

SUE

Chapter 1 / Surprise

It was a cold, winter day in Odyssey as Jason Whittaker told Connie Kendall all about his adventure in London, capturing Mr. Grote.

"Wow," Connie remarked, as Jason concluded his story. "Sounds like you had quite an adventure over there."

"It sure was something," Jason agreed. "But I can't help thinking about Sue. She's got foster parents, but I wish—"

"You wish," Connie finished, "that you could adopt her."

"You read my mind," Jason smiled at her. "But I don't know."

Connie stared out the window. "What did you say she looked like?" she asked, her voice almost sounding absent.

"Blue eyes and blonde hair," Jason replied, trying to follow her gaze but not seeming to see what she was looking at. "And the cutest British accent you ever heard."

Jason studied Connie's face before inquiring, "Why?"

"Because," Connie answered, "there's a little girl running towards the shop, and she has the features you just described."

"Coincidence," Jason shrugged, but he didn't think so for long.

At that next moment the door to Whit's End flung open and in ran…Sue?!

"Sue?!" Jason exclaimed. "What in the world—"

"Sue?!" Connie echoed.

The little girl flashed a quick smile at Jason. "Hello, Mr. Undercover," she said with an accent that made Connie's smiling mouth fall open.

"It's nice to see you again," Sue continued hurriedly, "but you've got to help me! A man's chasing me!"

"Get in the kitchen. I'll take care of him," Jason promised, giving her a gentle push.

"Thanks!" she ran into the hiding place.

"Wow," Connie said. "You were right. She does have a cute accent!"

But Jason was not interested in being right. He was waiting anxiously for the man to come into the ice cream shop. He was worried that the man who was about to enter next was Reggie Fingers, escaped from prison. Or worse, Mr. Grote.

It was half a minute before the man reached Whit's End. Sue, young and energetic, had gotten there a lot quicker than the grown man chasing her.

As Jason scanned the man from head to foot, he decided he must be early forties. But then the man spoke, shattering Jason's thoughts.

"Uh—can I help you?" Jason asked, trying to make up for what he had not heard the man say.

"Yes, I think so." The man's voice was deeper than Jason's, who was only in his early thirties.

"I'm looking for a little blonde haired girl, say, eleven or twelve years old," the man continued. "Thought she might have come in here, but at my age I can't run very fast."

"What business do you have with her?" Jason cut in.

"I've come from the airport," the man replied. "It's hard to run in all that snow! See, she stowed away on my plane. Thought I'd get the police to find out where her parents are."

Jason tried to conceal his shock. Quickly he told the man, "I don't see her. Why don't you go check down the street?"

The man sighed wearily. "I suppose I will. Thanks for your time." And he left.

Connie glanced at Jason. "What was that all about?"

"Just try and keep me from finding out," Jason replied. "Sue! Coast is clear!"

Sue's relief was obvious as she ran out and collapsed onto a chair. Now that Jason had a chance to look at Sue for more than just a glimpse, he decided that she had been running for some time. Sweat was trickling down her face and her thin, blonde braids were pushed irritatingly aside with an icy hand.

"Thanks, Mr. Undercover," Sue breathed heavily. "You don't know how long he's been chasing me. And it's so cold outside." Her voice quivered.

Jason put off confronting her until he had introduced Connie.

"Sue," he said, "this is Connie. Connie, Sue."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Undercover's girlfriend," Sue greeted.

Connie immediately burst into laughter.

Jason stared at Sue, unable to believe what she'd said.

"Sue," he stammered, "Connie and I are not…"

However, he had recently begun to feel strange when he was around Connie. Sometimes he didn't even know what to say to her. And Sue's innocent assumption had triggered self-consciousness about his behaviour around Connie.

Eventually Connie stopped laughing and looked seriously at Jason. Jason sensed her gaze at him but didn't look back.

Connie didn't wait for him to return the gaze. "We're not yet, Sue," she said. "Give Jason some time to think it over." She laughed.

The reason why was beyond Jason, but he felt a flood of happiness overcome him.

Sue eyed Jason curiously. "You're blushing, Jason," she noted.

Jason looked down, waves of joy still splashing around his shoulders.

Connie touched Sue's arm lightly.

Then Jason remembered the airplane, and was glad for an opportunity to change the subject. He immediately became serious as he turned to Sue.

"Sue," he began, "did you stow away on the plane?"

Sue avoided the question. "I wanted to come see you."

Jason ignored it. "Yeah, well, stowing away isn't the best way. Did you ask for foster parents if you could come here?"

"Not really," Sue admitted. "I am capable of packing on my own, you know."

"Sue!" Jason exclaimed. "You mean you didn't ask them?! They'll be worried sick!"

"I left a note," Sue stated, hoping it would ease Jason.

"Sue!" Jason cried.

"I thought," Sue said, "you'd be happy to see me."

"How did you get through the gates?"

"I lived on London streets for a while. I know how to get past gates."

"I expected better of you, Sue," Jason replied. "Didn't all of that time with me and the Jacobs do anything for you?"

Sue shrugged. "I told the man at the gate my mum was coming later, and he let me in."

"Oh, Sue…" Jason began.

"What?"

"I thought you knew better," Jason answered.

"I thought you'd like to see me again. But since you don't, I'll just leave," Sue said. "Bye."

"Sue, wait!" Jason protested. "It's freezing out there!"

Sue tossed her braids behind her back. "We get snow in London, too," she said matter-of-factly, "so it isn't like I'm not used to it."

Jason ignored the fact. "It's like a blizzard out there, Sue!"

"Bye!" Sue repeated, swinging the door open and letting it fall back into place behind her.

Jason snatched up his winter coat and hastened out the door, Connie at his heels.

Jason made no comment to Connie being with him. He didn't seem to even notice when Connie slipped her hand in his. Such a romantic gesture could never be unmissed to a worry-free mind, but Jason's mind right then was not focused on anything but finding Sue.

~TBC~