Panic raced through Jack's heart as Sue crumpled against him, sobs once again wracking her body. His arms encircled her automatically, needing to ease her pain but wanting to shake her and demand answers. Keeping his touch light and reassuring once her crying eased, he cupped her cheeks when she raised her head, wiping away the remaining tears with his thumbs. Sitting patiently with her, he waited until her eyes focused on his lips before asking her what his heart was screaming to know.
"What do you mean you are leaving tomorrow?"
"I have to be in DC Friday morning to meet with some members of Congress and give them an update. I take the train down tomorrow. I'm sorry I won't be here for your surprise."
Jack's heart unclenched and he tried to tamper his smile of relief. "I can surprise you another night, Sweetheart." Pausing just a moment, he then added, "You are coming back here aren't you?"
Sue nodded and then her eyes widened dramatically, "Jack, I didn't mean to make you think I was leaving you. I wouldn't do that. To leave the man you love when things are finally beginning to work out would be stupid. I may be many things, but I am not stupid. I'm upset because work is messing up three of my days with you." Leaning over and pressing an all too brief kiss to his shocked lips, she again apologized for the misunderstanding.
"What did you say?" Jack asked, his heart hung on one phrase, his pulse pounding with excitement. He was positive she had yet to realize her slip. He wanted it realized and repeated.
Slightly bewildered by the hint of joy she saw in his eyes, she repeated, "SORRY," this time signing for added emphasis.
Jack's grin tilted one side of his lips, "No, before that."
"Um, I said I wasn't leaving you, but that I had to go to DC for business. Is that what you meant?"
"No," he sighed, his lopsided grin still in place. "After that, but before the apology. I want to know what you said. It's very important."
Sue looked at Jack quizzically for a moment, but he simply looked back expectantly, a new intensity in his eyes. "Let's see, I said 'leaving tomorrow', 'not leaving you', to leave the..." Her eyes widened with sudden comprehension and she cupped her hand over her mouth in shock.
"Did you mean it?" Jack asked carefully, when she finally locked her gaze on his lips, refusing to meet his eyes. When she just sat there, he took a shaky breath and prompted her. "If you did, I'd really like to hear it again."
Sue sat frozen in place, completely out of her league. Her feelings for Jack were solid and deep, of that she was sure, yet it was unchartered territory. Never had she been tempted to vocalize words of love. With Jack, the struggle was to hold them in and not let them flow generously from her heart and out of her mouth. Nibbling on her lower lip she contemplated what he asked of her. He did not seem upset in the least, a fact that calmed her heart to some extent.
Jack sat unmoving, almost afraid to breathe, watching the myriad of thoughts flutter across Sue's animated face. He knew her to be somewhat inexperienced with men and was terrified of having pushed too hard. As much as he desired hearing her tell him she loved him, he feared scaring her away. The emotional struggle evident in her was duplicated within him. Time stood still as his heart yearned to be released.
Sue slowly lifted her eyes and looked deeply into his awaiting gaze. "You don't think it's too soon?" Suppressing a giggle at his quick shake of the head, she reached out to grasp one of his hands, clinging tightly as she smiled tenderly. "I love you, Jack."
He let out the breath he'd been holding. His eyes misted even as his smile intensified. "I love you, Sue," he countered, daring her to disbelieve.
"Really?" she questioned shyly, her own eyes tearing and her smile rivaling his. "I love you," she repeated. "The first time, admitting it, was hard, but now it feels wonderful. I love you, I love you, I love you," she babbled, only stopping when his lips covered hers.