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Sue

Sue noticed Jack and Bobby getting ready to go out and weed out their suspect who was selling steroids. She did her best to avoid looking at Jack's bare arms and muscles that his tank top was showing off.

"Good luck," she said to them.

"Thanks," Bobby grinned.

"He's gonna need it," Jack joked.

"Hey, I know how to box," Bobby argued.

"Sure you do," Jack patronized.

"Just remember, it's the other guy you're aiming for," D teased. Bobby made a face in return.

"Hey, if Thompson calls while I'm busy with this, can you let me know?" Jack asked Sue. She nodded.

"I can do that."

"Thanks," he grinned. He clapped Bobby's shoulder, and they headed out. Sue looked down at Levi.

"Well, boy," she said. He tilted his head at her. She turned back to her computer screen, trying to get the image of Jack out of her mind.

...

Sue walked into the interrogation room where Jack, Bobby, and a guy with a swollen nose were sitting. She let Jack know that Thompson had called, but she couldn't help but notice the swollen nose guy was staring at her. Jack gave her a look that meant "ignore him," so she did. She went back to her desk, but a few moments later, Jack came to her.

"Hey," he said. "I need a favor."

"Another one? You're building up quite the tab," she teased. Jack chuckled then cut to the chase.

"This guy we're trying to get information from wants to only talk to you," Jack said, rolling his eyes.

"Me?" Sue asked, surprised.

"Yea. Turns out he took quite a liking to you," Jack told her. She noticed annoyance in Jack's eyes.

"Okay, well, do you have some frozen peas or anything?" she asked.

"Um, you're talking to him, not cooking for him," Jack said, confused. She gave him a look.

"For his face," she explained.

"Seriously?"

"You want him to talk? You gotta be nice to him," Sue reasoned. Jack sighed loudly.

"Fine," he agreed.

Jack

He watched as Sue connected with Howie. Jack still couldn't help but feel irritated with this guy, especially after the comment of, "Does she belong to one of you?" He had bristled inside at that question. Of course he wanted Sue to "belong" to him, but that wasn't going to happen. He watched her carefully. He had to put his thoughts about her on hold for now. He still very badly wanted to know what shampoo she used as it was very intoxicating.

"I can't deal with this," Sue said, getting up and coming to Jack. He snapped out of his thoughts.

"W-wait, wait," Howie called. Jack gestured so Sue would know she was being summoned.

"What?" Sue asked.

"All right. I'll give you his name," Howie said. "Whatever you want." Sue flashed Jack a smile before going back to the table. Jack had to admit, she knew how to get information out of people.

Later

"He WHAT?" Jack asked, astounded.

"It was innocent," Sue tried.

"No, no," Bobby cut in. "That's not cool."

"He can't follow you around and give you gifts," Jack added angrily.

"I didn't accept it," Sue said again.

"That doesn't matter. We're going to chat with him right now," Jack said, moving to the door. Bobby was on his tail.

"Jack," Sue called, but he ignored her. Howie was not going to stalk Sue. Not on his watch.

...

"That's the plan?" Howie asked, confirming.

"Yes, that's the plan," Jack answered. "And one more thing, if a hair on Sue's head so much as get twitched, you'll be answering to me."

"Whoa, whoa," Howie said, holding up his hands. "What are you saying?"

"I heard about your little escapade. Don't let it happen again," Jack warned. Howie gulped.

"All right," he agreed, his voice shaky. Jack gave him one last glare before getting up and getting ready for Franklin.

Levi

I could tell that Sue was feeling bad for the cheesy smelling man. I had noticed this right away about Howie. He smelled like cheese. I wanted a piece very badly. I wondered if he would ever share.

"I wish they would just realize that Howie needs a friend," Sue sighed. She was at her desk, and I was at her feet. The others had gone off to check out a new office. It sounded exciting to me. I loved new smells. I was annoyed that they hadn't thought to take me.

"How am I going to tell Howie that he's off the case?" Sue asked me. I turned my attention back to her. I had no idea what to tell her, not that I could talk anyway. I thought maybe offering him a treat would help. That always works for me. She sighed again.

"It's time to go talk to him," she said, getting to her feet. I could tell she was dreading this conversation with cheese man. I nudged her slightly to let her know that I was there.

"Thanks, Levi," she smiled. I wagged my tail. I was a good boy.

...

"I can't believe you're doing this to me," Howie whined. I perked my ears. He wasn't taking this well at all. Sue had been right.

"Howie..." Sue started.

"No, no. You guys don't realize what you're doing here," Howie said. "I'll just be on my way now." He got up abruptly and left. I could smell he was angry and sad. Sue put her head in her hands once he was gone. I rested my head on her leg. Humans always seemed to be upset with each other. I couldn't understand it. Why couldn't they just all sniff each other's butts and be happy? It worked for dogs. I didn't know how to cheer Sue up, and this made me feel sad.

Sue

She got back to the bullpen to see everyone fuming at Myles.

"What's going on?" she asked Lucy.

"Myles got us that new office space," Lucy replied. "But, they are putting cubicles in it." She showed Sue the blueprints.

"Oh," Sue said.

"I can't work in a cubicle," Myles said fiercely. "How are we going to get out of this?"

"Correction, how are you going to get us out of this?" D corrected. He patted Myles's shoulder. "It's all you, buddy."

"I can't work in a cubicle," Myles said again, taking off to find Randy, Sue assumed.

"I admire that he got the job done," Lucy said. "I just wish he had waited until we knew for sure what was happening with it."

Sue just gave a sad smile. She didn't feel up to banter right now. Howie was very much on her mind. Jack and Bobby were getting ready to go out, and she noticed Jack kept looking over at her.

"You okay?" he asked. She shook her head.

"Not really, but I understand why it had to be done," she answered. He gave a grim smile.

"I know it's hard, but try not to get too personal with your snitches," he advised. Sue wanted to laugh. How could you not get close to someone you worked with? She thought he of all people would understand. He eventually had to look away and get back to what he was doing. Soon, everyone was gone, and it was just her in the office.

...

She came back from her break to see an envelope on her desk. Confused, she looked around, but no one was there to ask. It did have her name on it, so she opened it. It was a video tape. She put it into the player and watched. Howie came on, and he told her that he, special agent Howie, was going to take down Franklin. She tensed. What was this? He went on to say that he knew nobody had faith in him, but he was going to do the right thing. Oh, and he had left the necklace in the envelope for her as he never did take it back. Sue tilted the envelope, and it tumbled out.

"Oh, Howie," she whispered. Then she panicked. Where was he now? She was getting ready to pick up the phone to call Jack when he entered the bullpen looking somber.

"Sue," he started, getting her attention.

"I was just going to call you," she said. "Howie..."

"He's been hurt," Jack interrupted. "Really badly. A witness called it in. Howie was beaten really badly by Franklin and his guys. He's at the hospital right now."

"Oh no," Sue said, feeling her heart sink.

"Come on," he told her. She got up and followed him out. She could sense he felt badly about what happened. When they got into his car, he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I made you dump him from the case, and now I'm feeling incredibly guilty for what's happened."

"You were just doing your job," Sue corrected. He sighed.

"I just don't like seeing people get hurt," he told her. She didn't have a response. When they arrived at the hospital room where Howie was, Sue almost burst into tears. She felt Jack tense beside her.

"Oh, Howie," she said again. He was battered and bruised. He was unconscious. He looked like hell. She couldn't look at him. She went out into the hall, pressing a hand to her mouth.

"Hey," Jack said, coming up behind her and turning her to face him. "He'll be all right."

"You don't know that," she said, shaking her head.

"Maybe not, but I have hope," Jack argued. She started to cry then. He pulled her into his arms and tried to comfort her.

Jack

They were sitting side by side in the hallway of the hospital. Jack was still remembering how it felt to hold her in his arms. It was so not the time to be thinking about this stuff, but he couldn't help it.

"I heard," Bobby said, coming up to them. He looked desperately sad. "Is he gonna be all right?"

"We don't know," Jack answered.

"I can't believe it. You know, I really do like him," Bobby said. "I wish I hadn't been so hard on him."

"As do I," Jack agreed. Sue didn't say anything. He felt rotten inside. If he hadn't freaked out about Howie following her and made her take him off the case, this wouldn't have happened. Bobby sat down next to them.

"Any update on the office situation?" Jack asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Last I heard, Myles was off with Randy to make a fool of himself," Bobby replied.

"Oh boy."

"Yea. I'm a little sad I'm missing it."

"I'm sure Randy will record it."

"Can we talk about something else?" Sue asked. She wasn't in the mood, Jack could tell.

"Yea, sure," Bobby agreed. But in the end, they just sat there quietly.

Levi

We sat in the funny smelling hallway for a while. I didn't like it there. It reminded me of the time I got a bad shot, and it smelled like death. I didn't like the smell of death. It made me anxious. I could smell the cheese man in the other room. I did not smell death on him, which was comforting. Then, a white coat person came out and told us we could go in. Cheese man was awake.

"Howie," Sue said, rushing to him.

"You...should see...the other...guy," Howie managed to say.

"I'm so sorry," Sue started.

"No...it's okay," Howie interrupted. "I put...a tracking...device...on Franklin's shoe."

"What?" Jack asked. "Seriously?" Howie nodded. Jack looked at Bobby.

"We gotta go," Bobby said. "Good job, Howie!" I sat while Sue sat next to Howie and filled him in on what was going on. I could smell her relief that he was okay. I couldn't help but think about my boy, Ethan. He had been hurt badly one time, and he was never the same after. I hoped Howie would get better and still be the same. He was funny.

...

From the sounds of all the cheering, the case was over. I had learned that these things Sue did were called "cases." It didn't make sense to me, but I went with it. I remembered my search and find training from when I was with Carlos. I had put together that both he and Sue were of the law. I was a law dog again. I liked it very much. It made me feel important. I looked over at Jack, who was watching my Sue. I could smell his inner turmoil and angst. Angst had a weird smell. It was kind of bittersweet. I can't really explain it. Then, Myles walked in, and I could tell that he was happy about something albeit embarrassed. I wondered why.

"Way to go, Myles!" Bobby cheered.

"The humiliation was unbearable," Myles commented. He noticed something on his desk and picked it up.

"Just a token of our appreciation," Tara told him. I wondered what it was. It seemed to make Myles smell very happy. I stopped paying attention to him as I noticed Sue was getting ready to go home. This meant dinner. I waited eagerly. She took one last glance at Jack before tugging me to go. I needed no encouragement. I knew how important food time was. I looked back at her to see Jack watching us, but Sue didn't notice. I wondered how I was ever going to get the two of them to figure out their feelings.