Jack had no idea how he'd made it back to the Hoover Building, his internal auto-pilot having kicked in when he'd got into his car. He'd barely even acknowledged when a passing vehicle had hooted at him and the driver had glared in his direction when he'd forgotten to signal that he was pulling in. Still in a daze, he'd made his way into the bullpen, sitting down heavily on his chair.

"Was it her, mate?" Bobby asked the question everyone wanted to know the answer to. When there was no response, he walked quickly to his friend's side and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Sparky?"

The human contact roused him a little and he looked up, shaking his head as his voice continued to refuse to co-operate. To his surprise, Myles suddenly appeared in front of him holding a glass of water.

"Sorry it's not something stronger," the tall blonde agent quipped almost apologetically.

He took a sip gratefully. "That's okay… and thanks." His voice was still barely above a whisper. "It wasn't her."

In unison, the team let out the breath they'd all been holding in a collective sigh of relief. Hope flared in them a little but they knew that after five days with no word, it was just a matter of 'when' and not 'if'.

Jack slumped further into his chair and closed his eyes for a moment, opening them again when he sensed rather than saw, someone crouch down in front of him.

"Don't you think it's time you called Sue's parents?"

"No!" He realised he'd spoken a little too loudly when all the eyes in the bullpen turned to him before looking hastily away again as he apologised. "Sorry, didn't mean to shout at you, Crash."

"No worries." The Aussie returned. "Don't you think it's time?" He asked again.

"Not yet." He shook his head sadly. "You really want me to put them through this? No, I'll call when we know something definite." His eyes closed again and he swallowed hard.

"Then you listen to me, mate. You've had enough. Next call comes in… I take it."

"No, I'll do it."

"Six bodies in five days is enough for anyone, you look like hell. Go home, get some rest. I'll take over for a while."

Jack's voice rose to a shout. "I said 'no'! I'm her training agent – my responsibility!"

Bobby was about to protest again but Jack stood suddenly and held up a warning hand before striding from the room, leaving a wake of concerned faces behind him.

"Well," Myles chipped in, a little more sarcastically than even he'd meant, "I think that told you and I thought the hair shirt and self-flagellation went out in the dark ages."

"What?"

"Oh, sorry, I forgot who I was talking to, koala boy" Myles smirked. "In your vernacular… Feeling guilty and beating yourself up as a punishment." Seeing the big Aussie's expression darken, he quickly retreated back to his desk

Bobby scowled at his back before turning on his heel and going in search of his friend.

o-xxx-o