A/N: Please don't throw any sharp objects in my direction. I'm sorry, really I am.

o-xxx-o

Sunday morning brought a harsh dose of reality back into Jack's world as he began to realise just what he'd done and more importantly, what the repercussions could be. It had started with some light-hearted teasing over the phone when Bobby had called to update him on the details of the operation that had been planned for the next day and grown in his mind until it was all he could think about but for totally different reasons than the day before.

It was bad enough that he'd danced with her so blatantly in front of everyone but he'd overstepped the line by a mile when he'd kissed her, not that Jack Hudson the man regretted any second of it, but Jack Hudson the F.B.I. Agent knew that what had happened could land them in serious trouble and there was the distinct possibility that he'd done irreparable damage to a cherished friendship. Well aware that they needed to talk before work tomorrow, he snatched up his cell to text her.

o-xxx-o

Sue was wrestling with the duvet cover when Levi alerted her to the fact that someone was calling. She admitted temporary defeat, picked it up and read the message on the screen.

~ Can we talk? ~

~ Where? When? ~

~ My place. About 4pm ~

~ I'll be there. ~

She put down the phone and sat heavily on the bed. Now that she'd had a chance to think it through, she realised that they had a big problem and it appeared that Jack had reached the same conclusion. With a sigh, she returned to the battle of wills she'd been having with the bed linen.

o-xxx-o

He'd gone over everything in his head a hundred times until he was word perfect but as soon as the bell rang it all blew away like dust in the wind and when he opened the door and looked at her, he was sure that she could see a flashing neon vacancy sign on his forehead.

"Can we come in?"

"What? Sorry, yes... please." He stepped aside and gave himself a mental shake. "There's fresh coffee in the kitchen."

Sue removed her coat and got Levi settled before following him and sitting at the table, waiting patiently while he poured and then took the seat opposite her.

"Thanks." She couldn't help but pick up on the strained atmosphere. "Jack..?"

He took a steadying breath. "Sue, I'm really sorry about what happened on Friday, I..."

"You are?"

The question and the surprised and slightly hurt tone to her voice only served to confuse him further. "Yes... I mean... It shouldn't... I shouldn't... Aren't you?"

She looked at him perplexed. "You know Jack, I'm pretty good at filling in the blanks when people are speaking to me but I need something to work with."

He gave a small laugh and ran a hand through his hair. "How is it you always manage to do that to me?"

"Do what?"

"I spend hours working out what it is I want to say and it sounds great in my head but one look at you and I turn into a babbling idiot."

Sue laughed. "I've noticed that. Want to start again?"

"I'm not sure that's going to help but here goes. I was going to apologise for what happened on Friday night..."

"Okay," the smile disappeared from her face.

"...but it wouldn't be completely honest. I'm not sorry that I kissed you, I could never be sorry about that. It was the way I did it. I hope you can forgive me."

"Jack..."

"No, I..." Feeling his cheeks starting to burn with embarrassment he looked away and she reached over and rested her hand against his jawbone using a slight pressure to make him face her.

"It's okay."

"You're not angry with me?"

"Of course not... If you remember, I gave, as good as I got, once I could catch my breath."

"That you did." He sighed sadly. "Sue, what are we going to do?"

Now she looked as miserable as he felt. "I don't know." She withdrew her hand and cradled her coffee mug for warmth, feeling suddenly cold both inside and out.

"That damned 'no fraternisation policy'!" He cursed softly.

"I know."

Jack studied his coffee for a moment or two, mulling over something in his mind. "I could always ask for a transfer." He offered half-heartedly. "Perhaps Baltimore or some other Field Office, that isn't too far away."

"You'd hate it there... And besides, you belong with the Team."

"But if it means we could be together..."

"No Jack, you wouldn't be happy and I'd feel guilty for making you leave and breaking up the Unit."

He blew out a breath but remained silent.

"I could go..."

"Sue, no!" His hand flew out and grabbed hers, holding it tightly.

"It makes sense. I was the last one to join so it only seems fair that I should be the one to leave."

"Then I'd feel bad. You belong in DC. All your friends are here and besides... I don't think I could keep my mind on my work if you weren't here with me. I'd be too busy worrying about you."

"Then were does that leave us?"

"Right back where we started" He groaned in frustration and then opened his mouth to speak but closed it again without uttering a word.

"What?"

"Nothing... It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does. Tell me."

He let go of her hand to give himself some space. "I never thought I'd be saying this... Maybe we could see each other but keep it quiet. Meet secretly..."

"I don't think I could do that."

"Sue..." Her name was almost a plea.

"It would mean deceiving our friends... Bobby, Lucy..."

"I know but..."

"I'm sorry Jack, I can't do it."

"Okay." He stood wearily and picked up the empty mugs. "Then I guess Friday night is all we'll ever have." Turning away he put the dirty crockery into the sink. "I'll see you at work tomorrow."

Tears stung the back of her eyes at his abrupt dismissal but when she spoke his name and he turned to look at her, she could see the hurt written over his face. "Tomorrow..." She walked into the lounge and picked up her coat, putting it on and re-attaching Levi's leash. "I'm really sorry. Still friends?" She asked hopefully.

"Always, you know that." His voice was barely above a whisper.

Sue gave him a sad smile and walked to the door but a tap from Levi's paw told her he wanted to say something more.

Jack swallowed and cleared his throat. "Would you do one thing for me?"

"...Anything."

He almost laughed at the irony of her reply but let it pass. "Don't wear red for work anymore, unless you mean it."

She regarded him quizzically. "I don't understand."

"It's another one of those 'for the sake of my sanity' things."

"Oh..." She blushed slightly. "Then, no more red..."

"Unless, you mean it," he reiterated speaking and signing at the same time to make sure he'd got his point across. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Jack turned away again, busying himself by tidying the couch cushions but as soon as he heard the door click into place he slumped down into the armchair and rubbed his face with his hands. In his heart, he'd known that she wouldn't agree but it hadn't made the disappointment any easier to bear.

Leaning back he closed his eyes as waves of fatigue and sadness swept over him. He really should have known better. This was the third time in his life that he'd put everything on the line and the third time it had gone horribly wrong. He'd tried to help Kristen but failed and in the end he'd naively asked her to choose between him and cocaine, she'd chosen the drugs. He'd fallen hard for Jessica when they'd met in Jakarta but she'd picked her career over him and now he'd lost again. He vaguely wondered where the phrase 'third time lucky' had come from, it sure as hell didn't apply to him. 'Three strikes and you're out' seemed far more appropriate at this moment in time. He'd had it with love and relationships, it was far too painful.

o-xxx-o