Sue Thomas stood at the edge of the grave, tears falling freely from her face. She couldn't believe he was gone. The man who was always there for her had gone, no not gone taken, he had no chance, the car came speeding down the road as he crossed the street and hit him, the sheer force had killed him outright, he had broken so many bones that most of his limbs were floppy give him the look of a ragdoll, she would never forget the angry purple bruises that covered his skin as she made the formal identification at the morgue. He was her constant source of strength whenever she needed him and now as she grieved for him, she felt more alone than she ever had in her life.
He was her support when her mother lost her long cancer battle. He supported her through those first rough few weeks in DC, not really knowing anyone or where anything was, but knowing he was on the end of the phone anytime day or night gave her the courage to succeed. He took her side during countless arguments with her mother, giving her a hug or a supportive ear when she needed to shout, scream or cry as her mother once again made her feel like she had to audition to be in the real world.
He never saw her being deaf as a disability, to him it made her more special and that enabled their relationship to stay strong, he would tell the truth, he would never lie to her knowing that if she made a mistake she wanted to know about it and as her protector he was determined to do that, but also giving her the space she needed to grow into the woman he knew she would become.
Feeling a tap on her shoulder she shook her head as if to say 'no' and they backed off knowing she wasn't quite ready to say her final goodbye just yet. He had been with her through many important times in her life birthdays, Christmas, Easter, even when she left Quantico, he was there waiting for her ready to congratulate her success, but knowing that she had to face her wedding day without was killing her inside, she always though he would be there on this day, holding her arm, giving her support, dancing with him at the reception, watching with proud eyes at the glow only a new bride could achieve, but no, she had to face this milestone in her life without him.
From now on all major events in her life would be without him. Placing her hand on her tiny pregnancy bump, she allowed the tears to fall all over again, he would never know her children but she had promised herself that her children would know him and what a great man he truly was, how he fought for his country, how he saved thousands of lives, how he had supported her, yes they would know everything.
Standing up she felt that familiar feeling of a hand on her shoulder and turned once again nodding her head this time that she was ready to leave, turning she looked at her fiancé who pulled her into a hug as he saw the tears in her eyes he knew this day had been hard for her but he also knew she needed this time to say goodbye, taking her by the hand he led her from the cemetery but not before she leant down and kissed the gravestone and allowed her hand to trace the outline of the bravery medal and medical emergency badge etched in the stone, as she stood back she left holding Jack's hand at the exit she looked back at the grave stone and whispered
"Goodbye, I love you Daddy"