Intervention

Her heart had sped up, seeing the change in his demeanour, and she waited with bated breath as he started to speak.

"Sue, I…" But that was all she saw before he was suddenly startled, head swivelling instinctively towards where the phone was located. Turning back to her, she could see her own frustration reflecting back at her. The moment was gone, and she grieved its passing.

"It's ok. I'll get it." Uncertainty lingered around him for an instant before he slumped slightly and nodded once, watching her walk away. Her hand enclosed around the object that had managed to interrupt them at the worst possible time, wondering briefly if Myles was on the other end, and picked it up.

"Hi, this is Sue Thomas, if you could wait a second I can pass you on to Mr Hudson." She passed the phone and returned to sit opposite him once more.

"So, it's Mr Hudson now is it?" Bobby's voice cut through the receiver teasingly, but Jack tensed at the edge to it.

"What's happened?" Sues hands gripped the mug, which she had picked up for comfort, tighter as she read his words.

"We've hit a slight snag in our investigation."

"Spit it out Crash." The knot in the pit of his stomach tightened.

"Sorry Jack, but Tony says that he won't talk to anyone but Sue." His gaze locked with hers before he turned his head away so she would be unable to see his lips. "We also took another run at Scar but he doesn't seem to know anything."

"And your point is..?"

"Jack…"

"No, I'm sorry, but you can't expect her to speak with him." Worry turned to anger and frustration at the situation Tony had forced them into.

"Were not going to cater to his demands Bobby! There must be another way!"

"Listen, Jack, time may be an issue here, the sooner we know more, the better. But, talk it over with Sue, if she doesn't want to go anywhere near him, then were not going to force her. Until then, we'll keep trying."

He wanted to scream, to shout, because he knew just as well as Bobby that she would go, if she thought it would help.

"We can't ask this of her." The other end of the line was silent for longer than a customary pause.

"OK. It's up to you then. Ask her or don't, either way let me know."

"I will. And Bobby? Thanks."

"Don't thank me mate, I doubt I'm doing you a favour." He looked at the phone as he took it away from his ear, the dial tone loud in the silent room, his mind and body numb.

"Jack..?" Came a sweet soft voice. Turning towards her, he steeled himself and plastered a smile on his face.

"Just Bobby, updating me on the case." Taking him in, Sue frowned.

"Bad news?"

"Tony's not talking." Well, it wasn't a lie.

There was something he wasn't telling her, she had seen how his breathing had quickened and fist clenched during his conversation. He had turned his head away from her deliberately, making sure she couldn't read what was happening, she was sure of it.

"What is it?" He tried to look surprised, but inside he was pleading for her not to push it.

"What do you mean?"

"You're not telling me something, what is it?" His eyes flickered around the room, landing on anything that wasn't her.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Anger growing, Sue stood up and moved closer to him.

"Are you really going to lie to me?" The question was posed softly, almost sadly, and his gaze finally found hers. Looking at his lips told her he wasn't saying anything, but looking into his eyes told her he wasn't going to.

"Fine. I'm sure Lucy will tell me." She went for the phone which was sitting by his lap, but was stopped before she touched it. Seeing the look of desperation on his face, Sue softened and slumped down next to him.

"Tell me." The fight left both of them as she reached up and gently cupped his face.

"Tony says he will only talk to you." Her hand almost fell, but he moved to take it firmly, cradling it against his cheek.

"You don't have to do it Sue, we can find another way of getting the truth." Although her heart was pounding and fear had begun crawling up her spine, she knew she had to do this. Jack's heart sank as he saw determination creep into her gaze.

"No way quicker." And that was it, he had lost the argument before it had even begun. Suddenly he felt extremely weary. Letting his hand fall from hers, and feeling the loss when she pulled hers away, he closed his eyes. She watched him for a few moments, noting his tired features and refraining from leaning in to kiss his slightly open mouth, before turning her attention to the matter at hand.

"I'll make the arrangements, I'm sure my brother won't mind popping in for a while whilst I'm gone."

Oh, of course, he should have realised. Being so caught up on the idea of Sue going, he hadn't thought that he wouldn't be. Realistically, he knew that he would never be able to go with her, and being honest with himself, he was amazed at how long he had lasted. But that knowledge didn't make it any less frustrating. There was little else to say as he watched her communicate on her cell, and the soft tapping of keys caught him drifting in and out of a light slumber. He wasn't aware of how much time had passed when he felt a slight weight on his shoulder.

"Jack? Lucy's here to pick me up." His eyelids flickered open and he found himself automatically smiling as he took her in. A look of fondness could be found on her face as she stared back. But the moment was all too soon broken as he remembered what her leaving meant.

"I'll see you when you get back." He tried to appear as if there wasn't a crushing weight on his shoulders. Smiling at him, she turned to leave, but just before she was out of reach, Jack grasped her arm and she turned back. His face was loaded with meaning as he tried to communicate everything he was feeling.

"Sue…" There were no words to express himself, but her soft smile seemed to show an understanding.

"I know." And she left.