a/n: I wrote this on another fan site, but was hoping for some more input. This is the first of three in this same series. Thanks for reading.
Jack rested his head against the headrest of the airplane seat, but he would not close his eyes. He was tired, as the trip had been emotional, but he did not want to miss the sleeping beauty beside him even for an instant. He tried hard not to even blink. The last six weeks while Sue had been away, he had done nothing but think about the moment when they would be together again. His life had come to a screeching halt the day she had received the phone call...six long weeks ago.
The day had begun like any normal day. Sue and Jack had been out all morning interviewing witnesses on their current case, and had arrived back at the office after lunch. Being the Monday before Thanksgiving, the office was buzzing about the long weekend coming up and everyone's holiday plans. Tara was sending around a list of foods for people to sign up to bring for the inter-office luncheon planned for Wednesday. Sue had been across the room when her phone rang, so Levi nudged her to inform her she had a call. Jack heard her answer her phone with a polite "Hello" then the silence as the words of the caller came up on her monitor. The words, "Please no!" muttered in a desperate voice brought his head up in an instant. What he saw broke his heart. There she was, tears streaming down her cheeks. Fighting the urge to run to her, he waited for the call to be over. When she hung up, she bolted out of her seat and into the restroom so fast that Jack had no way of going to her. Lucy followed, but returned soon saying that she was not talking, just standing in the middle of the room.
The office was hushed when she arrived back in the bull pin several minutes later. Quietly she moved to her desk, sat down, and began to work. Her eyes were puffy but dry. She made no explanation. Though everyone was worried, no one felt comfortable to go ask her what was wrong. The rest of the day drug by. Few words were spoken. Holiday plans were all but forgotten. The Wednesday luncheon was erased from everyone's mind. The only concern was for Sue, and what could be wrong.
The minutes ticked slowly by for Jack. His mind, as well as his eyes, kept wandering to the desk near his. To the woman he cared about so deeply. His heart broke as he caught her wiping tears from her eyes several times.
The end of the day finally came, and everyone left the office quietly. Lucy came to Sue's desk. Putting her hand on Sue's shoulder, she waited to get her attention. "I am here for you. If you need me, you know where I live."
Sue smiled at her roommate, but it was a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Thanks Luc. I will talk to you tonight when I get home. " With that Lucy turned and walked out of the office, leaving Sue and Jack alone.
Turning her head, her eyes met his. Instantly tears sprang to her eyes. She lay her head on her desk and began to weep. Jack was kneeling by her side in a heartbeat. Wrapping his arms around her, he was surprised when she fell into him, clinging to him like a drowning man clings to a life preserver. Tears flowed freely down his face as he held her. He did not know what was going on, but he did know that if Sue hurt, so did he.
After several minutes Sue began to calm enough to speak. They were both sitting on the floor now, and Sue pulled out of Jack's embrace so that they were facing each other.
"The phone call was from my brother. Mom and Dad were in a car accident this morning. Dad is--" Her voice broke, but she continued, "Dad is dead, Mom is in a coma." The tears came again, but not the sobs as before. "I just could not talk about it in front of everyone. I don't think I can do this Jack. How can I do this?"
Jack brushed her hair off her face, gently caressing her cheek. "Sue, I will be here for you every step of the way. Whatever you need I will do. Do you have a flight home?"
"I made reservations on line for a late night flight."
"I will go with you."
"Jack you know you can't do that. The team will need you here. If you will just come for the funeral. I don't think I can be there alone---without you."
The pleading in her eyes and voice made Jack's heart melt. If only she knew how much he loved her, she would know he would never leave her alone. But now was not the time to tell her. Now was the time to be her strength. "Sue, I will be there for you. I will always be there for you." They sat holding hands for several minutes, saying nothing. Finally Jack realized that she needed to get home.
"Hey we need to get you home and packed. I will drive you. Lucy can pick up your car later."
"It's ok Jack. I can get home."
"I am driving you, Don't argue." He stood up then reached down for her hand and pulled her up. At the moment she stood, their eyes met. Without thinking about it, Jack drew her near to him. There was no hesitation on either part. Their lips met. It was not a passionate kiss, but one that spoke of depths of emotions they felt. It lasted only a moment in time. Neither pulled away when it was over. Instead they stood there, foreheads touching, communicating without a word. Finally, they moved into the parking lot hand in hand.
Jack waited for Sue as she explained to Lucy, and then made the necessary calls to be off work. Each time she told the story again, she wept again, and he held her close. Finally, he drove her to the airport, and told her goodbye.
For six weeks they talked every night. Jack invested in a video phone so that they could talk face to face. He had come for the funeral of her father, and the later of her mother. Christmas found him on a plane to see her again, dismissing Christmas with his family. Then, he had come to help her with some business matters, and to escort her back to D.C.
As in times past, they did not talk about their feelings. There had been no more kisses, but there was an unmistakable change in their relationship. It was as if they both knew that things could not continue as they had been. The years of stealing glances, flirting, sharing, yet never admitting their feelings were coming to a close. Something had to give. Yet, as Jack sat watching her sleep, he did not know what he was supposed to do.
He totally understood the FBI policy of no dating among team members. He could think of quite a few times when his relationship with Sue, unspoken though it was, had caused him not to think straight. Her protection was more important to him than anything, and sometimes that caused problems in high stakes environments they were called into daily. Yet, understanding the policy did not make it any easier. The stark reality was, if they were to pursue their relationship, one of them would have to leave the team...their family. He could not ask her to do that, and he could not imagine making that decision himself. There were no easy answers.
As he mulled all this over in his mind, Sue's eyes began to flutter. Wanting to be a reassuring presence when she woke up, he placed his hand on top of her hand. Her eyes flew open with a start, as if she did not know who was touching her. Just as quickly she calmed again and gave a slight smile.
"Glad you got some sleep. I know you have been needing that."
"You need to get some too." As she talked, Sue turned her hand over so that she could
lace her fingers between his. The feel of her fingers entwined with his made his heart beat quicken.
"We will be landing soon, and then I can sleep all night." He caressed her hand with his thumb as he spoke, trying desperately to convey to her all that was in his heart.
"Jack, thank you for all you have done the past few weeks. If it weren't for you, I know I would not have made it through." With that, she lay her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes again. Jack sat quietly, enjoying her closeness for the rest of the flight home.