Saturday Evening

Levi was glad to see Jack and Sue return, welcoming them at the door, his tail wagging excitedly.

"Hey, Buddy," Sue greeted him with an affectionate rub. "Give me a minute and I'll take you for your walk." Standing to make her way toward her bedroom, she noticed Jack with Levi's leash in his hand.

"I'll take Levi. You just relax."

"You took him earlier today. You relax and I'll take him," Sue threw over her shoulder as she disappeared into her room. When she returned, she found Jack standing by the door with an impatient Levi.

"Why don't we both go," he suggested as a compromise, not about to let her walk Levi alone.

Sue regarded him carefully for a moment, noticing the slightly stubborn set of his jaw. Deciding not to push it and just let Jack live in overprotective mode for the moment, she nodded her head and reached for the hem of the sweatshirt she still wore. She had it about midway up before she asked for his help. "Jack, will you hold my t-shirt down please? I seem to be having difficulty."

"Wh...wha...what are you doing," he managed to croak out, his attention riveted on Sue's actions and her exposed midriff, his mind suddenly conjuring up visions he had no business dwelling on. When he realized she couldn't see his lips and was waiting on his assistance, he reached up and lowered her arms, pulling the sweatshirt down so she could see his lips. "What are you doing?"

"I'm giving you back your sweatshirt. If you are going to walk with me and Levi you are going to need it. I'll just grab a jacket," she said matter-of-factly, once again raising the sweatshirt.

Jack quickly stopped her and assured her he could get a jacket just as easily. Turning and heading to his room he returned with a long sleeved t-shirt instead. "I'm really not cold, Sue," he assured her seeing her dubious stare. "Trust me," he simply stated, opening the door and ushering she and Levi out into the hall.

Jack and Sue shut the door behind them and dissolved into a fit of giggles. They were both soaked to the bone, having been caught in an unexpected rain shower. They had strolled through the upscale lobby with their heads held high as if they were dressed to the nines, keeping a firm hand on Levi to keep him from shaking and relieving himself of the droplets that still clung to him. Now, in the sanctity of their suite they gave in to the humor of their situation.

"You look like a drowned rat," Jack laughed, hastily adding at her narrowed eyes, "an adorable drowned rat."

Sue just rolled her eyes and looked at Levi. "Isn't that something like the pot calling the kettle black, Levi? Do you think we ought to tell Jack to take a look in the mirror or just let him go on believing he's his normal, 'magnetic' self?"

Levi simply looked from one to the other before giving in to his nature and shaking furiously, slinging water all over the foyer and sending his two favorite humans into another fit of laughter. When the merriment subsided Sue began to shiver, her wet clothes clinging to her and offering no warmth.

Seeing her discomfort, Jack gently touched her shoulder to gain her attention, "Why don't you go on and get in the shower. I'll build a fire for Levi to cozy up to and then I'll shower. We'll meet back in the kitchen and scrounge up something to eat. Sound okay?" At her nod, the plan was set in motion.

Sue found Jack sitting on the floor enjoying the fire and munching on cheese, crackers, and fruit. Levi was stretched out at his feet and Jack was lightly stroking his belly with his sock foot. "I think, if I don't watch it, Levi might not want to go back to his regular life," Sue said, settling on the couch across from Jack, tucking her feet under her.

Jack smiled serenely, inhaling deeply and letting her intoxicating scent wash over him. Pushing the plate across the coffee table, he silently offered her something before rising and asking her drink preference. When he returned with her water, he settled on the couch beside her and turned on the TV. "I want to watch the weather so I can decide what I want to do tomorrow," he explained to Sue.

"That's fine, but I'll warn you now. I may not make it through the newscast. I'm feeling relaxed from my warm shower and being waited on," she grinned. "It's exhausting! If I do fall asleep, wake me up and let me know our plans. I don't want to miss anything."

Jack chuckled and agreed, turning to watch the news. He was aware of Sue shifting to get more comfortable. When she squirmed to find a place for her feet, he reached down and pulled her legs over his lap so she could stretch out. "Sue, your legs aren't bothering me so don't even bother arguing. Close your eyes, rest, and I'll wake you when I know what we're going to do."

Sue eyed him dubiously for a moment before relaxing and closing her eyes. Jack was lightly rubbing her sock feet, sending ripples of pleasure through her body. She tried to stay alert, to enjoy his unconscious attention, but she lost the fight and fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Jack turned off the television and shifted gently to gaze at Sue sleeping peacefully. His heart constricted as he thought of the months he had spent away from her, how he felt when he found out she was gone. He had two weeks to convince her to return to Washington; two weeks to convince her he was through back-pedaling from a relationship with her.

Giving in to the temptation to touch her, he ran a finger down her cheek and across her parted lips causing her to shift slightly. When she failed to open her eyes, he ran his thumb over her lower lip and was rewarded with her gentle sigh. Leaning down between her and the back of the couch, he tenderly kissed her cheek and allowed himself the luxury of nuzzling her neck. His heart raced as she shifted, turning on her side away from him, capturing his arm in the movement. Deciding that she needed her rest more than she needed to know their plans for the following day, he settled in behind her, wrapping his 'captured' arm securely around her waist. She snuggled into his warmth and continued to sleep, enveloped securely in his embrace.