A/N: Here's some more, hope you like it!

oOo

George Washington University Hospital

900, 23rd Street, Washington DC, Tuesday 05.10 AM

Because the medics were a little anxious about Sue's condition, she was still in pain, they decided to have her admitted to GWU Hospital to have a thorough check of her head and internal organs. CAT-scans revealed no internal injuries to her stomach, belly, womb, or her head. But it was evident she had received mayor blows. The doctor pursed her lips, when she saw the large bruises on Sue's stomach. She looked at Jack and then at Sue. 'It will be painful for another day or two, so I suggest you take some time off.'

'I can't', Sue said, trying to stand up again, her face twisted with pain when she did.

Jack gently pushed her back on the bed. 'Sue, you need to rest.'

'But what about the case? I can't just bail out. You might need me.'

Jack smiled a little. 'We need you, I need you. Right now, first things first. I want you to stay home today, let the pain and the bruises ease down. We will need you, absolutely. But not until your fit again. Please...'

The doctor nodded. 'You were attacked pretty brutally, whoever kicked you, was aiming for maximum damage. A blanket, maybe even hot water bag against your stomach will take care of the pain for now. And I'll prescribe you some painkillers. But most important: do not make any sudden moves, avoid stretching.'

'But I can go home, right?', Sue asked, for she didn't want to stay in the hospital. She wasn't very fond of hospitals. They always made her feel somewhat uneasy.

'Yes, of course.' The doctor looked at Jack. 'Make sure someone is around to watch her condition. If the pain gets worse don't hesitate to contact the hospital.'

Jack nodded. 'We'll watch her, and make sure she doesn't try to get to work or whatever. She can be pretty persistent when it comes to that.'

She smiled at him. 'I had figured as much.'

Outside the hospital, Bobby, Demitrius, and Miles were waiting for Jack and Sue to come out again. Finally they walked out. 'Say, Jack, why don't you take her home, make sure she stays there. I think I'll make it an early one today', D. said. 'You're going home too?', Jack replied. 'No', D. said, 'I'll be in the office. I'll try to find out what happened to the trucks SOG was tracking. Last time I checked this Hanjin container was still lost.'

'Good, we have no time to waste, Beyroux will have the whole gang alarmed we're on their tail.' Bobby shrugged his shoulder, 'More than likely. But someone will screw up, now we've stirred up the hen house. Anyway, I think I'll share a ride with D. and Miles. We'll see ya later, mate.' They left. Jack turned to Sue.

'Okay, let's get you somewhere warm and safe. Your place or mine?'

She smiled, 'yours is closer, but mine is more inhabitable.' He laughed. 'Ouch, point taken. You haven't lost your wits, Miss Thomas. That's good.' He lead her to his car and helped her get in. Although she was quite capable of getting in by herself, she enjoyed his care, she knew it made him feel better. He felt guilty she was hurt, she had noticed already. No need to be, Jack. I was the one who had to be the heroine once again.

'You're sure you don't want to see my bachelors den?', Jack tried when he got behind the wheel. Sue shook her head, a bit too vividly, for she grimaced a little and massaged her temple. 'Ouch, I have to remember not to do that for a while.'

Sue and Lucy's apartment,

670 G Street NE, 06.20 AM

Jack had phoned ahead he was bringing Sue back, allowing Lucy to make tea, move stuff and look for a hot water bag. The moment she had heard the first news about the bust gone bad, she was very worried for Sue. Hearing she was sent to hospital only added to her anxieties. She knew there was always a risk of someone getting hurt, but it wasn't something she could get used to. Especially when her best friend and room mate was involved.

When she heard noises outside she peeked through the curtains and saw Jack and Sue approaching. She rushed to the door and opened it. 'My god, Sue, you okay?', she signed and spoke simultaneously. 'Fine', Sue replied, 'little bruised, that's all.'

'Girl, you got me worried sick there, you know that?', she said when Sue sat down on the couch. She nodded, 'I know, I'm sorry', she signed. Jack came over with a mug filled with fresh tea and gave it to Sue. 'I already put in the sugar and stirred.' Sue had to smile. 'Thank you', she signed. Lucy looked at Jack.

'Hudson, you forgot your vow? You promised me to take care of her, protect her.'

'I didn't forget it, and believe me I tried to take care. But you'll have to take into account that Miss Thomas here, is a very persistent, independent and sometimes stubborn woman to work with.' Sue chuckled He's right. 'Not that I mind, though. That's why I wanted her in my team in the first place', he said grinning.

He got up to get Sue another cup of tea and something to eat. Giving Sue and Lucy some privacy to talk, or rather sign. 'You really okay?', Lucy asked. 'Stomach hurt little, doctor medicine give me.' Lucy nodded. 'What happen, someone kick you hit you?' Sue grimaced a little when she thought of it. 'Yeah, head hit me, stomach kick me. Then I not know, everything black. Much pain.'

'You have pain now?', Lucy asked looking worried. Sue shook her head. 'No, pain go away now, have medicine I, hot water, blanket keep warm. I survive.' Lucy smiled and she pointed at the kitchen where Jack was making breakfast. 'He take good care of you, I think he sweet. He much worry when he call. Think you hurt bad, he feel very upset.'

'I know, but now everything okay.' Jack came in again. 'Ladies, breakfast has been served, Sue you think you can get up? Here let me help you.'

'I'm fine, Jack', she protested when he helped her. 'No way, Sue. This time you'll have to let someone take care of you, and I consider myself the right person to provide such service.'

Finally Sue gave in and willingly she let him take care of her, she enjoyed this, she had to admit. It reminded her of her childhood when her mother was nursing her whenever she had a cold. "Couch Days", they always called them. Today was one of those days.

Only difference being the absence of her mother.

The good side to it: having Jack around.

oOo

He was really sweet, caring. When Lucy left at eight, he stayed. 'Hey, shouldn't you be working too?', Sue asked, already knowing what he would say. 'Not yet, you need to be looked after, it's the only way we can be sure you stay where you are advised to. Besides, I don't mind being a little late for work if it means I can spend some time with you', he smiled warmly. Sue felt how she glowed, not only from the hot water bag, and the tea. His words affected her, like they always had. 'Thank you for taking care of me', she said, and she patted on the empty seat next to her. 'Why don't you sit down? No need to keep running around.' He shrugged his shoulders, 'it's no big deal. Should I make you something, like soup or whatever?', he tried to change subject. She smiled at attempt, 'Yes it is, Jack. I can see it in your eyes. You're feeling guilty for what happened.' He sat down and looked at her, she read in his eyes she was right. 'I'm the one who should feel guilty, you instructed me not to interfere, and I did. Unfortunately I was on the receiving end.'

Jack stared at his hands resting in his lap. 'That's what I am always afraid of.'

'What was it you said, I couldn't see your lips', she said. He looked up. 'I'm sorry', he signed. 'I always afraid something like this happen to you', he continued. 'It's what keeps me awake at night.' His eyes drifted away to nowhere in particular before he looked at her again, obviously lost in thoughts . 'You okay Jack?', she asked sounding a bit worried. Slowly he shook his head. 'No, not really. Tonight was the first time since my days in the military I was scared. Scared shit, if you pardon my French. In our line of work I know we face a risk of getting hurt, and usually I take it quite well. But not tonight, not with you. It was like someone stabbed me with a knife, Sue. Like I couldn't breathe anymore, gripped with paralyzing fear. The moment I heard you cry out.' He ran a hand through his hair, and smiled an uneasy smile.

Then, abruptly, he got up and walked to the window, and looked out. Get a grip on yourself Hudson, she's all right. Sue decided to get up too, she wanted to touch him, comfort him, let him know she was all right. With a muffled moan, she got up and walked to him. She touched his back and he turned to face her. 'I'm so sorry I scared you, Jack. I never intended to...' He wanted to say something but she silenced him by placing her finger on his lips.

She laid her hands around his waist and pulled him close, looking in his eyes. 'I wouldn't know what I'd do without you, Jack Hudson. Although I'm proud of my independence, having you around to look after me is the best thing I could wish for. You complete me.' She leaned forward and her lips met his. He could feel she was hungry for his love, for him. He gave her what she longed for. And she answered all his unspoken questions with her kiss. Emotionally they became one. She held him close, feeling his breath in her hair, she smiled. He kissed her forehead and stroked away the hair from her shoulder. Then he leaned over and kissed her on her weak spot in her neck. Sue gasped for pleasure, she tilted her head a little to give him more space, her eyes closed. She felt excited, passion warmed her body when he continued his way down her neck. 'Oh god', she moaned. Suddenly he stopped, and every fiber in her body was screaming for him to continue. Please don't stop this, you're killing me...

oOo

She opened her eyes. 'You know you drive me wild with this', she said hoarse with excitement. He grinned, 'I do, but I'll have to go.' She held on to him. 'You can't just kiss me like this and then walk away. It isn't fair. It's cruel, torture.' He kissed her cheek. 'That's why. They say love hurts, don't they?'

He looked at the clock. Nine thirty. 'I asked Charley if he could spare Troy to take care of you while I'm gone. He was happy to help, Charley said. Dropped his tools and left. He'll be here any minute.' He carefully placed his hand on her stomach. 'You sure you okay', he signed with his other hand. Sue nodded. 'Luckily nothing got injured', Jack said and he pressed a tender kiss on her temple. 'We'll need this in the future, you and me...'

Then the doorbell rang, and Jack walked to the hall to answer it. Sue suddenly was overcome with strong emotions when she read what he just said. With tears in her eyes she saw Troy and Jack come in again. Did he really say what I think he said... Jack saw how her eyes were wet with tears, and he knew why. Seeing the unspoken question in her eyes he smiled warm and tender, and he nodded. Sue gasped a little. You did...

Jack got his coat, gave her kiss and walked to the door Troy opened for him. He turned round. 'See you tonight, Sue. Call me', he signed and he gave Troy a knowing look. 'Make sure she not go anywhere, do anything. You know her', he signed. Troy grinned and nodded. 'No worries, man, I have her under my thumb', he signed back and winked. Jack looked at Sue. 'I love you', he signed and said simultaneously. Then he left.

The Bullpen, J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building,

935 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 10.15 AM

'Hey, Spark, you actually bothered to show up', Bobby teased when Jack came in. 'We all thought you couldn't be dragged away from this Sheila.' Jack grinned. 'Troy will take care of her this afternoon, I felt my presence was needed here.'

'Whoever gave you that impression', Miles cut in, 'Surely it can't be me.' Jack rolled his eyes. 'Maybe I missed you guys.' Bobby frowned. 'If you're serious, maybe she wasn't the only one who got knocked on the Gulliver.'

'What do we know so far?', Jack continued. 'Do we have a name of the guy we busted?' Tara handed him a record sheet. 'His name is Koné, Owanyu Koné. He's originally from Ivory Coast, but does also have a Sierra Leone passport. His age is somewhat uncertain, in some parts of the world they don't bother to write things like that down. Be he's believed to be in his thirties. Always difficult to tell, really. At least I'm not good at guessing age...'

'Um, Tara, about this Koné', Jack interrupted her.

'What? Oh right, sorry. I haven't been able to make his connection to Aalbers and Obanyon yet. But there should be one.' Jack gave her the file back. 'Good, keep trying.'

Lucy walked in, smiling. 'Guys, we have a visitor.' They all looked in her direction, all of them somehow expecting to see Sue show up.

'Hey, guys, howya doin', nice to see you', Howie Fines came in, his usual self, clad in a white two piece suit, combined with a pink, red and blue Hawaii Shirt, with a straw hat on. 'Howie', Jack said amused when he mustered his outfit, 'what a surprise! What brings you here?' Howie shrugged his shoulders. 'I heard through the grapevine you guys might need some extra muscles.' Bobby began to laugh, Jack looked at him. 'Sorry, I was just picturing...muscles...never mind.' Howie frowned. 'Oh, okay I get it. Skinny guy, no muscles. Well, I might not be in the top league but I pack a pretty powerful punch I'm tellin' ya.' D. shook his head, amused. 'You were telling...', he helped him along.

'Yeah. It's about Obanyon am I right or am I right?', he didn't wait for an answer. 'Hey where's Sue? Is she okay? I heard what happened.' Jack raised his eyebrows. 'How did you find out?' Howie grinned triumphantly. 'Hey, it's me you're talkin' to, Howie Fines. You know, need anything, Howie finds it.' He looked round at the other to see their reactions. They were all looking amused at him. 'Fine, whatever. If you need someone to look after her, let me know. I did study medicine.' Miles laughed. 'Only the ones that made people high, and sold in the streets.'

'You know, that's a pretty negative thing to say. If it wasn't for me I'd be insulted', Howie said in a complaining tone. Jack patted him on his shoulder. 'Don't worry, Sue will be fine. Now, about Obanyon, what do you know?'

'He's into diamond smuggling. Together with some Dutchie named Eelbers or something.'

Demitrius rolled his eyes. 'We already established that, and it's Aalbers, with double A.'

Not discouraged Howie continued. 'You'll love this, guys. I'm telling ya, it's gold.' Bobby closed his eyes for a split second and shook his head. The tiny guy always was so, so... all over the place. 'Don't keep us in the dark, spit it out.' Howie tapped the side of his nose. 'There was a shipment made last night from Baltimore, two containers. One them was hot, you know, illegal stuff.' The team was perplexed, not in the least was Jack How did he find out? 'This Obanyon guy will distribute it. You with me?' Jack nodded, go-on he gestured. 'I heard this container went missing. But you know what, I know where you can find it.'

'What?...how...', Miles said baffled. The tiny man was looking very pleased with himself. 'I told you, once you know me you go places.' Jack was suddenly in rush to get out. 'Show us where it is Howie, and the Bureau will thank you. The nation will thank you.'

'Okay, okay, steady there, hold your horses', he said. Then his face lit up. 'Hey, do I get to wear a badge?'

'No', they all said at the same time. Howie pulled a face. 'Sorry, I was just asking. Gee, aren't we all high strung today.' They all left in a hurry, racing to get there before anyone else would.