(A/N)

Meeting

'... he didn't hear the soft footsteps or the quiet breath of the man behind him.'

"Jack? Jack Hudson?" Instinct kicking in, he turned suddenly, using his own shock as an advantage by raising his gun in the motion. The man who stood before him was obviously startled and was looking wide eyed at the gun while slowly raising his hands. "Woo there. Sorry about that. My fault for sneaking up on an F.B.I agent."

"Who are you?" Jack said warily, but noticing for the first time that he recognised the guy even though he was unsure where from.

He heard Tara's voice in his ear asking if everything was alright, but did not reply.

"My name's Callum Thomas, I'm Sue's brother." Jack studied the man before him, noting the similarities between him and Sue. Slowly lowering his gun, still hesitant, he asked for identification and after a few moments of searching the man lifted up some. Tara's voice came again more nervous this time,

"Sam 36, report." Stepping in closer Jack verified the ID and, putting his gun back in his holster, lifted his wrist to his mouth.

"Everything's fine Tara, I'll be on my way to meet you guys in a bit."

He looked tired, Callum noticed, but it was more than that, it went deeper, like a man who had been through too much. His brown hair was in a matted mess, his dark eyes were weary and troubled and his face pale, thin and ragged.

"How is she?" Callum was pulled from his thoughts when the man he had just been observing spoke. They were slowly walking towards the pizza parlour after Jack had agreed to go with him, because his car was located nearby and the cold wind whipped the remaining leaves into the air around them. Callum wrapped his coat more securely around him as he answered, trying to fend off the chill.

"As far as I can see she's managing, taking it one step at a time. She's remembering little things here and there, but nothing major. She said you are going to come over at some point. Some how I got the impression she was looking forward to it." He saw that Jack felt a little uncomfortable at his words, but it was not for the reason he would have expected. He decided to be out right with him and see what happened. "Why don't you want to see her?" Jack was shocked that a man he had only just met could read him so well, but then again, he came from Sue's family and she seemed to have the same ability. He felt something else strange as well, trust. He had known this man for less than five minutes and he felt as though he could trust him. He sighed and kept his eyes fixed on the ground as he answered.

"She doesn't remember all she has been through to make her who she was. I don't know if she will be the same Sue I have grown to know and..." He stopped shortly realising the next word that he had been about to say. He blushed and shook his head as though trying to get rid of that thought.

Callum looked on, trying to hide an amused smile; it was very obvious to him that Jack was in love with Sue and later on he fully intended to give him the third degree but at the moment he was going to get the truth out of him. "That isn't the only reason though is it?" He said, more of a statement than a question. Once again, Jack was surprised, but he hid it well and just shook his head in confirmation.

"It was because of me that she was taken. If she ever remembers what she has gone through then I wouldn't blame her for hating me."

"You must think that she has changed dramatically because the Sue I grew up with would never..." Callum trailed off as a light bulb suddenly seemed to light up in his mind. "You are worried that Sue won't like you because she doesn't have the memories that might lead her to those feelings," he said with certainty and the sight of the slight blush creeping up Jack's neck and the slight nod gave sound confirmation what he had just realised. Callum considered telling him what he knew about his sister's feelings towards him, however, something told him to hold back. Jack needed to find this information out for himself.

Subconsciously, they had guided their feet to the parlour they were now approaching and they had both latched into a comfortable silence until Jack stopped and motioned towards the direction of his beuro issue car.

"I better get back."

"One more question Jack..." he looked up expectantly, "...is Sue still in danger?" Without any hesitation, knowing Callum needed the truth, Jack looked him dead in the eye and said one simple word:

"Yes."