Sue woke slowly, immediately aware that her arms were empty, Emily was gone. Looking quickly around the room, she spotted Jack, asleep, in the recliner next to the bed. Not wanting to disturb him, knowing he had to be beyond tired, she pushed back the covers and gingerly stood, not knowing what to expect. Pleased when the world didn't tilt, she padded to the bathroom to wash her face and make use of the facilities.

Jack roused reluctantly, stretching and wondering why he was asleep in the recliner. Opening his eyes, the previous day's events all came flooding back. He sprang to his feet when he noticed the empty bed, wondering where Sue might be. Combing his hands through his hair, he ventured to the nurses station, asking if she'd been taken for some tests. Returning a few moments later with no answers, he tried to squelch the panic that was rising. Sue was known for bolting when things got complicated, and the way he saw it things couldn't get much more complicated than they were. He hadn't seen it coming. Giving in to the grin despite the situation, he shook his head and reminded himself that he'd have to readjust his thinking, now that his Sue was back. Striding across the room, now in a hurry to begin his search, he yanked open the door to the bathroom, pulling out a very surprised Sue in the process. She'd had her hand on the doorknob and had been propelled into the room when he'd pulled so strongly on the door. Letting go of the handle, he caught her before she stumbled to the ground, easily swinging her up into his arms.

"J..Jack," she squealed, "You scared me to death." He looked her over, his brows furrowed in concern. "What were you doing in there?" Sue stared at him open-mouthed for a moment before a twinkle appeared in her eye. "I was scrounging for some breakfast. What do you think I was doing? I needed to go to the bathroom," she said with a giggle, her face flushing, much to her aggravation. Becoming aware of his hand splayed across her back, his fingers inside the opening of her gown, she hastened to add, "You can put me down now. I am able to walk."

"You weren't doing a very good job of it just a moment ago," he retorted, a challenging sparkle materializing in his gaze.

"That's because some Neanderthal rudely yanked me out of the bathroom," she huffed in mock indignation. "The same Neanderthal," she said, tapping his chest, "Is currently manhandling me, refusing to put me down."

"You want me to put you down?" he asked in mock surprise. "Why didn't you say so? Your wish is my command, my dear," he said as he strolled toward the bed. Leaning over slightly, he held her away from him and let go, intending to drop her on the bed. Instead, she tightened her arms around his neck, laughing, and managed to pull him down on top of her. They hit the bed with a thump, knocking the wind out of both of them. Jack pushed himself up on his elbows, trying to catch his breath and make sure she was okay. She was gasping for air and trying to stifle her giggles, her face full of merriment, her eyes alive with laughter. He was totally captivated, frozen in place, unable to do anything but stare raptly at her. She had stolen his breath and it had nothing to do with their fall.

Sue noticed his motionlessness, and searched his face, her own countenance changing. "Are you okay, Jack? Did I hurt you?" He shook his head mutely, suddenly wrestling with his emotions, his eyes blurring suspiciously. He slowly drank in the sight of her, hair fanned out around her, cheeks glowing from their play, eyes now wide and concerned, all her focus on him.

"I missed you so much," he admitted, working hard to voice that much. Moving one hand to trace his fingers across the delicate contours of her face, he watched her closely for her reaction. She saw the extreme sadness in his expression, saw the way he fought to keep his emotions in check, melting as he lost part of the battle.

Lifting her own hand to caress his face, lightly rubbing his shadowy jaw, she smiled sadly. "And I missed so much."