It had been a long evening. After the dinner, Jack had hoped maybe they could talk. Since he had heard the song in the car, a passion had grown in him. A passion to find what they had before. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to do whatever it took. At the restaurant, he had thought he might have taken a step forward, only to feel like he took three steps backwards after he arrived home.

He still was not sure how or why it had happened. They had said very little on the way home, and she had headed to their bedroom as soon as she had walked in. The feeling that she was angry with him was confirmed when he followed after her.

"What do you want Jack?" The biting tone in her words caused a reaction in Jack. If she wanted to fight, he would fight.

"Last I checked this is my room too, and I can come in here."

"I mean, what do you want with me? Why do you act like a loving husband in front of them, when you know good and well, it is a lie." She spit the words at him.

"Maybe I don't want it to be a lie. Possibly if my wife ever even tried to talk to me, it would be easier to be a loving husband to her. Have you ever considered that maybe the way I am there is the way I wish I could be here?" Anger overwhelmed him, giving him a boldness to say things that he normally did not express. Knowing as he did that he was saying them in a way that would cause her pain, but at the moment not caring.

"Well, Jack, if I am not the wife you want, I am sure you can go get another one. I see the way women look at you. Why settle for second best." If she had slapped him in the face, it would not have hurt anymore than hearing those words. A lump formed in his throat, and he fought to keep his composure.

"I am going to take Buster for a walk." He knew he was running away, but he felt like he couldn't stay in here.

Grabbing the leash, he heard her voice softly say, "Fine, run away. Just like always." Fighting the urge to argue more, he walked out the door.

For the next hour, he moved through the park as Buster sniffed and played. He was reminded of the many nights that he and Sue had taken Levi for a walk together, each wondering if they were meant to be together. Each realizing they loved the other, but too scared to admit it. Letting his mind wonder, he remembered the cases they had worked together, when someone would mention that they made a cute couple, or the times when they would be thrown together as a married couple. His heart hurt from the memories, and yet, he would do it all again.

When he finally came home, he realized that she was already in bed. Stripping down to his boxers, he sat down in the chair by their bed. For awhile he just watched her as she slept. In his eyes, Sue was the most beautiful woman in the world. That had not changed through the years. Just watching her, his body ached to feel her close to him. But, Jack had fallen in love with more than her outer beauty. He had fallen in love with the woman who felt the pain of others. A woman who had taught him how to truly look at people and think the best of them. Suddenly, as if a light bulb turned on in his brain, he realized that her deep concern for others was exactly what was eating her up inside now.

All at once, his mind recalled when she first came to the FBI. He and Levi had gotten shot, and he remembered that she had been beating herself up for it. He had told her that she was not personally responsible for everything that happened in the world. Clearly, she was still taking responsibility for everything that happened. Tears slid down his cheeks as he realized the pain that must be eating her up inside. Sliding out of his chair, he began to weep as for the first time, her pain became his own.

Without realizing how it happened, he found himself on his knees, crying out to God. Begging God to save their marriage, and to make it better than it had ever been. Asking him to take away the pain that Sue was feeling, and to help him be the husband he should be. Promising God, that if he had a second chance, he would show Sue just how much she meant to him.

It was late when he finally laid down beside her. The need to connect with her was stronger than it had ever been. Hoping he would not wake her, he gently laid his arm around her waste. Her back was to him, but he immediately knew she was awake. Knowing that, he slid closer to her, hoping that she would not be angered. Suddenly, she turned towards him, buried her head in his chest. As if a dam had been broken, she wept, and he held her, until she fell asleep. Silently he thanked God. Getting back what they had lost would not be easy, but from here on, they would work at it together.