Chapter 14

OK, so I messed up BIG time! I rewrote this chapter and then posted the OLD one! Sorry to tease everyone with a new chapter, but I promise there's one on the way… Thanks for understanding!

Thanks to everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to read and review the past chapters… I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. Please keep reading and reviewing, keep letting me know you're out there.

Jack leaned back in the chair, holding Sue's hand the whole while. The pair finally fell asleep. Jack woke when he heard movement in Sue's room. He opened his eyes to see Anne standing over Sue checking her and her IV bags.

"Morning." Jack grumbled.

"Better for me than you it seems. Bet your back's in a knot." She commented.

"Yep." Jack said standing up and stretching.

"You should go home and get some proper rest." Anne scolded.

"I will, once Sue's home." Jack insisted.

"You're a good man Jack." Anne said. "How'd she do with the ice?"

"Good. She ate the whole cup with no complaints of nausea." Jack answered.

"That's encouraging. Maybe we'll graduate her to Jell-O for breakfast. Does she like orange?" Anne asked.

"She likes orange juice and orange pops, so I'm going to go with yes to the orange Jell-O." Jack said smiling.

"Her dad called this morning. I think her mom made him; I could hear her in the back ground." Anne chuckled.

"I'm sure they'll be here very soon." Jack said, forcing a smile. "So, what's on tap for today?"

"We're going to get her up and walking around. She's got to eat, and we're going to start with simple arm exercises." Anne said.

"So soon?" Jack asked.

"Gotta get her going. She's going home in 2 days, she needs to be mobile." Anne explained.

Sue began to stir. Anne looked down at her and smiled. Sue only groaned. Anne touched her shoulder. Sue opened her eyes just enough to see Anne standing over her.

"Well hello there!" Anne greeted her.

"Hi." Sue whispered.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Sorry, I missed that. Long blink I think." She joked. Jack laughed.

"I asked how you're feeling" Anne repeated.

"Ehh." Sue explained.

"Such technical terms! You're going to make me get an interpreter in here, aren't you?" She teased. Sue smiled at the joke.

"I'm glad you're here." Sue said.

"I'm glad you're here!" Anne said in turn.

"Do you want something for the pain?" She asked.

"Will it make me sleep?" Sue asked.

"Not unless you want it to." Anne replied.

"I don't." Sue answered.

"What's your pain level? One being a hang nail and 10 being getting shot?" Anne offered.

"Well, I've never been shot, but I don't think the pain is that bad. I would say about a 4?" Sue answered.

"I'll be back in a few minutes." Anne said as she left the room.

"You're still here?" Sue teased Jack.

"Yeah." Jack answered. "I have an idea for tonight though. You sleep on the chair, and I sleep in the bed, how's that sound?"

"Somehow I don't think they'll go for that." Sue said.

Anne reappeared with her Jell-O and a needle with some medicine in it.

"The girl will be bringing you some tea in a little bit. If you keep the tea and Jell-O down, you'll be all set to have some toast." Anne said. She handed Sue the orange gelatin and pushed the medicine into the IV. "If you're able to keep everything down, we'll take this out today."

"That's good. It kind of hurts." Sue said.

The door opened and a candy striper came in carrying a tray with more orange gelatin and a cup of tea.

"Let me know how you make out with this." Anne said as she left the room.

Sue took a bite of her breakfast and then a sip of her tea.

"How is it?" Jack asked.

"Well, it's not French toast, but it'll do. I'm starving right now, so orange gelatin works for me." Sue laughed. "Did you see my mom and dad today?" She asked.

"Not yet. I'm sure they'll be here as soon as they can. You're mom was very upset when she poked in on you last night." Jack answered.

"I bet." She answered.

There was a tap on the door and Anne entered.

"I found these two waiting for you. Are you up for visitors?" She asked. Sue smiled and tears filled her eyes when she caught a glimpse of her mother. "I'll take that as a yes."

Carla and Bill walked in, anxious to hug Sue. Carla wasn't sure where to go to put her arms around her daughter. Bill simply kissed the top of her head and held her hand. Jack began to excuse himself.

"No, sit." Bill said.

"How are you darling?" Carla asked.

"I'm ok Mom." Sue answered.

"Have you heard anything from the doctor yet?" Carla asked.

"No. He'll be in about 11:00. I hope he knows something by then." Sue admitted.

"How are you Jack? You didn't sleep here, did you?" She asked.

"Yeah, I did. These chairs are really comfortable." He chuckled with a hint of sarcasm.

"Thank you for staying with our little girl." Bill said, shaking Jack's hand.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." Jack said. "I do, however need to get a shower and check in at the office. Do you mind Sue?" He asked.

"Of course not. I'm sure everyone wants an update." Sue answered.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. Have a nice visit." Jack said as he got up and walked to the door. "Sue? Do you want me to bring you anything?" He asked.

"Ice cream sundae." Sue signed and smiled.

Jack gave her thumbs up and headed to the office for a few hours. Oh his way out, he stopped to talk to Anne.

"Hi Anne." Jack whispered.

"Hi Hon." She answered.

"Do you know what time the doctor's going to go see Sue?" He asked. "I want to be there if he has news."

"I don't. I know he's in surgery. He's not scheduled out til at least one." Anne answered.

"I thought it was 11?" Sue asked.

"It was, but you know how these things go…" Anne said with a sympathetic smile.

"Great, thanks. I'll be back then." Jack said as he jogged toward the open elevator.

XOXOXOX

Bill held onto Sue's hand, but fear owned his eyes. Carla couldn't bring herself to sit by her daughter's bed.

Sue reached for the tray taking the bowl holding her 'breakfast' placing it in her lap, then taking the spoon. She fought for a minute, but managed to get a cube onto the spoon and into her mouth. She smiled at her accomplishment. Bill watched with pride at his daughter's stubbornness.

"You two are awfully quiet. What's wrong?" She asked

"Nothing." Carla mumbled with her back toward Sue. Bill shook his head, conveying her message to Sue.

"What is it? Did you already talk to the doctor?" Sue asked, fear claiming her voice.

"No!" Bill nearly yelled. "I'm sorry Sweetheart. I'm just scared, unsure of what to say to you right now."

"Just be my dad. And my mom." She said looking in her mother's direction. Carla slowly turned toward Sue, tears staining her cheeks.

"Mom, please, don't cry." Sue said, her own eyes beginning to fill with water.

"I can't help it Sue. I can't let myself believe that you've gone through this alone. That we weren't here for you during this horrible ordeal." Carla said, almost scolding herself.

"You're here now." Sue said.

"Yes, but I wasn't here when you needed me the most.

"What makes you think this isn't when I will need you the most?" Sue asked.

"When you needed to make this decision." She explained. "I can't imagine how you were able to think straight enough to think about what this all meant, and what was actually best for you." Carla said.

"Mom," Sue began, taking Carla's hand in her own. "I don't know how I did it either, but I did. I made the best decision for my future. The doctor's explained to me that if I did nothing, I would die. If I chose to have the tumor removed, I would have to have chemo and radiation, which could cause me to not be able to have children. This was the one option that lets me have a future and the possibility of having children." Sue let a single tear roll down her cheek. "Some day, I want to be a mom. I want to be a mom to my children as you were to me." Sue said. Carla broke down and hugged Sue as tight as she thought she could without hurting her.

"I love you Honey." Carla said.

"We both do." Bill added.

"And, I wasn't alone. I had Lucy and Jack with me. Lucy was there when the doctor told me it was cancer. And, Jack has been my rock." Sue said smiling, blushing lightly.

Bill smiled and caught a glimpse of Carla's arched eyebrow.

"I like that young man." Bill said, trying to keep Carla from upsetting Sue.

"As do I." Carla added. "I'm glad he and Lucy have been here for you. They're good friends."

"Yeah, they are." Sue added.

Just then, Anne entered the room carrying some food.

"How'd the gelatin go down?" She asked.

"Good. No nausea at all." Sue added.

"Then I think it's time you graduated to toast. Do you like jelly?" she asked. Sue nodded. Anne put the plate of toast and a few packets of grape jelly on the side. "Here ya go. Would you like some coffee or tea?" She asked.

"Coffee, if it's good. If not, how about some orange juice?" Sue asked.

"The coffee is actually really good. I'll be right back." She said as he walked back out the door.

"That woman has been here since the diagnosis. She's awesome!" Sue beamed.

"The nursing staff is the backbone to any hospital." Carla said. Anne walked back in carrying a steaming cup of joe.

"Anne? Could I sit up? My back is starting to ache from this position." Sue asked.

"Funny you should ask that. We're actually going to get you out of bed and sitting up in that chair right there." She said nodding toward a tan leather chair near the window. "Mr. & Mrs. Thomas, I am going to ask you to stand on the far side of the room while we get Sue up. I have to wait for the orderly to come in and we'll move you."

Carla and Bill moved to the far side of the room, but the orderly didn't come in. "Let me see what's keeping him. I'll be right back." Anne said as she stormed out of Sue's room.

Just then Jack came back in the room.

"That was fast!" Sue exclaimed with a huge smile covering her face.

"Yeah, well… Myles and Bobby are out on a case together and Tara was covering some leads that came in on the bank robbery I was investigating. I talked to D for a few minutes, gave him what little update I had and came racing back here. I wanted to be back before the doctor came in." He said.

"You too." Said Anne as she walked back into the room. She turned to Jack and arched an eyebrow. Jack laughed and figured out what she meant and took his leave with Sue's parents who had moved to the hall. From the corridor they could hear Sue wail as they lifted her into the chair. Carla's hand flew to cover her mouth as tears instantly formed in her eyes. Bill put his arm around her shoulder pulling her close. Jack bolted for the door to the room, but Bill grabbed his arm shaking his head.

"Let them do their work son. She's going to go through a lot of pain with this surgery. We'll only get in the way, and you'll only embarrass her if you go in there now." Bill said to Jack. Jack agreed and let go of the door handle. He pushed himself against the wall, leaning his head back and slapping the wall aggravated that he couldn't help Sue.

"I hate feeling helpless." Jack mumbled under his breath.

"You're worth more once she gets settled. They get paid for what they're doing, let them do their jobs. We get to comfort her." Bill said with a smile. Jack smiled back knowing he was right.

Anne helped Sue get settled in the chair, making sure she was covered and as comfortable as she could get. She pulled a portable food tray to her, putting it in front of her. She pulled the book out of the tote on the floor and placed it next to a pitcher of ice water. Sue smiled and Anne winked.

"Maybe you can have that handsome G-man read that to you." She teased.

"Not the part I'm up to…" Sue laughed.

"Oh, got to the good part did you?" Anne asked. Sue nodded. "I think I'm going to take out the IV." Anne said.

"What if I need more surgery?" Sue asked.

"I'll put another one in. I don't think you'll need more surgery. We can wait if you want." Anne offered. Sue shook her head. Anne proceeded to take a gauze pad and a Band-Aid from the supply closet. A second later, the needle was out of Sue's hand, replace by the bandage.

"Thanks. That's better." Sue said rubbing her hand a little where the tape was holding the IV in her hand. Anne pulled a light blanket to Sue's lap and tucked it under her.

"We don't want you advertising the merchandise now do we?" Anne teased. Sue chuckled and blushed. "Or, maybe we do…" Anne suggested. "You know, I could tell your parents that you need your rest and they should come back later… You and Jack could have some alone time."

"Anne!" Sue gasped. Anne shrugged her shoulders as if to ask 'what?' and smiled at her. "We're just friends… me and Jack." Sue explained.

"Yeah, you've said. I still don't believe you, but if you insist, OK, we can go with that." Anne teased. Sue gave her a look blushing.

"Do you want company now?" Anne asked smiling. Sue nodded.

Anne walked out of Sue's room and nodded to Jack.

"You're all set." She said.

"Thank you." Carla said. Anne turned back to her.

"It's nothing." Anne replied.

"I'm referring to how well you're taking care of my daughter. She's everything to us." Carla said.

"You're welcome." Anne said as she passed by the family. "She's a peach." Anne casually walked past the group touching Jack's arm. Jack smiled down at her. As she walked to the nurses' station, she thought to herself, 'that's what I thought.' She gave a smile at Jack as he looked back toward the center island at the other end of the corroder.

"How are you darling?" Carla asked.

"Can we get you anything?" Bill asked.

"Actually, my ice cream sundae would be great." Sue answered looking like a sad puppy in Jack's direction, pouted bottom lip and all.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I totally forgot! I was so focused on getting back here as soon as I could, I guess I forgot. I'm sorry Sue." Jack said.

"I'll be right back." Bill said, stopping at Jack. "Why don't you help me out Jack? I'm sure you know how my daughter likes her ice cream sundaes" He said.

"Sure. I'll be right back." He said smiling at Sue. Bill waited outside the door, putting his hand on Jack's shoulder as they began to walk toward the elevator.

"Did you want to talk about something, Sir?" Jack asked. Bill looked at him knowing where the question came from.

"I wanted to give Sue some time with her mother. I think Carla needs to see for herself that Susie will be ok." He said.

"She's a strong woman, she'll be fine. This won't get her." Jack said.

"I know. I wanted to thank you for being there for my little girl." He chuckled. "It's hard for me not to think of her that way. I guess she'll always be that to me." Bill said.

"She's your only daughter." Jack smiled.

"Yes, she is." Bill said with distinction in his voice. Jack caught the inflection and looked at him curiously.

"She's a strong young woman; she has a lot of good friends in her corner too." Jack added.

"I'm glad you're one of them Jack. You've proven to be worthy of my daughter's affection." He said.

"Sir?" Jack asked.

"Bill, please." He said. He stalled in the hall, stopping to look at Jack. "Son, that girl of mine is head over heels for you." He paused to gauge Jack's reaction. Jack smiled, bowing his head a bit as a light blush colored his cheeks. "My question for you is, what do you intend to do about that?" Bill asked as they walked into the elevator.

Jack was silent for a long moment.

"Marry her." Jack said. His cheeks now a crimson red.

"Well, that's more honest than I was expecting." Bill said stunned.

"I've been denying my feelings for her for a very long time. I can't do that anymore. If I've learned anything from this scare, it's that." Jack explained.

"Does she have any idea how you feel about her?" Bill asked.

"I don't know. We've never really talked about it." Jack responded.

"Can I ask what's the issue?" He asked.

"Work. There is a no fraternization rule in place, and for good reason. We have to find a way around it before we can even broach this subject." Jack explained. Then he let out a loud chuckle. "And, I suppose it would be a good idea to ask her out on at least one real date." Jack said still chuckling.

Bill joined in the laugh adding, "Good point." He walked into the cafeteria and grabbed four hot fudge sundaes. "You take care of my little girl." He added.

"Yes Sir." Jack said as they returned to the elevator.

XOXOXOX

Carla sat next to Sue, brushing her hair from her face.

"Mom, I'm going to be OK." Sue said positively.

"I know. I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that you have cancer… I can't lose you sweetheart, I just can't." Carla said taking Sue's hand in hers.

"I'm not going anywhere. I have faith that God needs me here for a while more. This was something to wake me up and make me realize that my life on Earth isn't forever. I need to make the time I have here count. I believe He wants me to look around and find something worth spending my time doing, something that will make a difference in this world." Sue said smiling.

"Could that something include giving me grand children?" Carla asked. Sue smiled.

"Maybe one day." Sue answered. "I would like that. That's why I went with this drastic choice."

"Do you think that perhaps that nice young man who's been doting on you could be their father?" Carla teased, but seemed to be expecting an answer.

"Mom!" Sue gasped. Carla shrugged with a smile just as their male counterparts entered the room carrying goodies.