"So he had sniper training?" Sue asked, making sure she had read Tara correctly.
"Yes, and he definitely wasn't with his partner at the time of the...your shooting," she continued, glancing between her notes and Sue. "His partner remembers because of the events of the day. He was a rookie, kept his mouth shut, hoping to keep himself and Barnett out of trouble. Of course he had no idea what Barnett was up to."
"Seems Senators Holan and Welch had extensive knowledge about a smuggling ring operating out of South Africa. They were given hefty kickbacks for keeping their mouths shut and participating favorably in certain votes on key issues. All was going well until Senator Welch developed a conscience. Then Officer Barnett, who was the one to introduce both Senators to the key players on a Safari, visited Senator Welch to try and talk him into keeping his mouth shut. When he refused, Barnett killed him, but before he had time to completely rid the house of evidence, the police and FBI showed up."
"Enter you, Sue, with your uncanny ability to find things that have been overlooked," Tara grinned, taking over from Myles. "You found the link between Barnett and the senators and had to be eliminated." Her expressive face tightened with emotion, recalling the events of that fateful day. "I'm so glad he didn't succeed."
"Yeah, well, aren't we all," Bobby interjected once he had Sue's attention. "I can't imagine what that would have been like." Tara and Lucy gave him a glare which had him backpedaling. "What? I didn't mean it the way it must have sounded," he tried to defend himself. "What I meant was I can't imagine my best mate having a rougher time than he did, which he would have if Sue had died."
"Bobby," Lucy hissed in exasperation, "will you please just zip it? You're only getting yourself in deeper." Turning to Sue, she gripped her hand, "What happened to you was a tragedy. You were taken from us for five years, but at least we had hope, and here you are today, back to being you. I missed you," she managed, before throwing her arms around her best friend.
"That's what I said," Bobby sputtered. "How come she can say it and it's okay, but when I say it, it's 'Bobby zip it'?" He looked to his wife to find no sympathy reflected on her face.
D tried to keep the smile off his face while Bobby was watching. Taking control of the conversation, he guided them back to the topic at hand. "Senator Holan, when approached, admitted everything, Sue. When he found out that you had regained your memory, he started singing like a canary, wanting to make a deal before Barnett could. I don't think he knew Chief Barnett was after you. When we talked with him, he was extremely surprised to find out you remembered the incident. With Barnett no longer a threat, Senator Holan in custody, and the network being rounded up, you're free to leave in the morning."
Sue looked around the faces so dear to her, noting the varying degrees of relief and closure on each one. Her gaze lingered on Jack's, his eyes dark and unreadable from his position across the room. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to find the words she felt she needed to say. "I wish I could say thank you and each of you feel a sense of accomplishment with this case, but I know that you won't. Too many things have changed because of it. I do thank you for keeping me safe, for not giving up on me while I wasn't myself, and for supporting and helping my family during this ordeal. For me, this has been relatively easy, since I've missed most of it. But for you guys...your worlds have been changed because of these men and their greed."
"Your world has changed too," Bobby reminded her. "You went to sleep a single woman and woke up married and a mom."
Sue ducked her head, a becoming blush brightening her cheeks. "Yes, but there are worse things," she said, giving Bobby a wink. "I could have woken up married to Myles."
Bobby roared with laughter while watching Myles sputter inanely for a moment. Finally giving in, he smiled and tipped his head to Sue. "You've been missed Thomas. The people on my current team seemed to be rather intimidated by me."
"Or bored to tears," Bobby quipped, enjoying the laughter at Myles's expense.
"You're just full of it tonight, aren't you Koala Boy?"
"Yeah, feels good doesn't it?"
The room quieted at Bobby's words, each person remembering their time together fondly. D stood and stretched, looking toward Myles. "Didn't you say we could all stay here, since it's so late?"
"Yes. The house will accommodate us nicely," he assured the group. "We'll let the girls have one bedroom. There is a bed in the window seat," he told them. "The second bedroom has two queen beds and the two couches in here both make into beds. So, gentlemen, decide who will be joining me in the second bedroom. Makes no difference to me."
There was a flurry of activity as bags were retrieved and arrangements discussed. Jack sought out Sue, hoping for a few moments alone with her before everyone settled down for the night. Stepping out on the porch, he sought her hand, holding it loosely, rubbing his thumb across her wrist absently. "I just wanted to tell you goodnight," he admitted when she looked at him curiously. "And that I'm glad everything has worked out."
"Yeah, me too," she agreed. "I'm ready to get Emily back and start being a mom to her, if she'll let me. And," she continued, her words faltering slightly, "to be a wife to you. You both have done without for too long. I'm...I'm going to make things right," she stated, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him.
He responded to the embrace, holding her close and breathing deeply, enjoying the feel of her body pressed against his. His lips flitted across her forehead before he tilted her chin up so they could settle against hers, sliding sensuously back and forth across their tempting softness. He felt her sigh and took advantage, deepening the kiss, finding no resistance. Sliding his hands up to cup her face, he tilted it slightly, wanting deeper access only to freeze as he heard the door open. Raising his head, he gathered his strained temper, and looked over his shoulder, expecting to see Bobby. Instead, D stood there, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk with you, Jack."