After kissing for a while Sue gently pulled away, resting her forehead against his while Jack's heart was hammering in his chest. Was this really happening, had Sue really kissed him like that?

Jack pulled his head back a bit so that Sue could read his lips.

"Sue?" was all he could utter, feeling very shaky.

She gave him a little smile. "How could you even think that I don't return your feelings?" she asked.

He looked at her in disbelief for a moment, then shook his head. Just to make sure this was real, he swooped in and captured her lips for another kiss. She didn't resist, in fact she responded in kind.

When he pulled back again he whispered, "But you… seemed so ready to leave. I mean, I knew you cared for me as a friend but when you decided to go to New York, I figured there was no way you would do that if you had deeper feelings for me…"

Sue sighed, "And here I was thinking that you had no deeper feelings for me. I thought it would be silly to not try out the new opportunity in New York, just because I... I wasn't going to let my life be held back by a man who didn't reciprocate my feelings, after all. But then I realized that I was very happy where I'm at with my work and that I'd rather have your friendship and the team's friendship than that new career. I really like you, Jack, and I just wasn't ready to leave you yet..."

"Like?" he asked, his eyes roaming between her eyes and her lips.

"Love," she whispered and Jack couldn't help himself, he swooped in for another kiss.

Meanwhile, Levi couldn't contain his excitement any longer either and he jumped up against the couple. They had to break away from their kiss to give him their attention.

"We love you too, Levi," Jack reassured the dog and then felt Sue step away from what was left of their embrace. He turned to look at her again.

"What is it, Sue?" he asked, not wanting anything to taint the happiness of these moments.

"We can't do this… be together..." she started and Jack looked at her in alarm. She touched his arm and gave a weak smile as she continued, "We work in the same unit, Jack and I just told you how much I like that! We couldn't work together anymore if we did this…"

Jack gave a huge sigh of relief and pulled Sue back into his arms.

"Actually, there is a way for us to be together and to work together as well but it will only be possible if we're serious about it."

She frowned, naturally not understanding.

"Don't frown, dear Sue," he whispered and leaned in to kiss her forehead. She smiled and reciprocated by planting a small kiss on his lips before looking at him questioningly again.

"Last night Bobby and I had a very interesting conversation in the bar." Sue's eyebrows raised in surprise as he continued, "He told me that it's not exactly been a secret to the team how you and I feel about each other… I think our team may be even smarter than I thought they were," Jack grinned and gave Sue another peck on the lips. "Apparently Myles suggested that if you and I should ever get our act together, the whole team will sign a statement for management saying they want the no fraternization within the same unit rule waived for us."

Understandably, Sue looked at him in utter surprise.

"Apparently, there are a few exceptions to this rule already, for couples who are serious… or married…" Jack added.

"We need to get married?" Sue asked.

"Maybe one day," Jack said with a twinkle in the eye, registering Sue's look of surprise. They could possibly be headed for that in time, but it was a little early to be speaking of marriage already. Jack laughed and then continued, "No, we don't have to get married, not yet anyway, but this can't be just a meaningless fling between us…"

"No, I don't want it to be just a fling either…" Sue agreed.

"Good," Jack grinned, and then added more seriously, "The no fraternization rule is about eliminating quick flings that complicate the work relationship. According to Bobby, you and I have practically been together anyhow, so there's no reason why we couldn't still work together, should we finally decide to get serious…"

"And we are getting serious here, aren't we…" Sue stated rather than asked.

"I can only speak for myself when I say I am more than ready to give this a serious shot…" Jack replied gently.

Tears sprung to Sue's eyes and Jack looked at her in concern.

"I can't believe this is really happening, Jack…" she choked and it made him choke up as well.

"I can hardly believe it either…" he mumbled back and then the next moment they were kissing each other again, the kisses now mixing with a few salty tears.

After a little while Sue pulled back again and studied his eyes.

"Jack… are you sure…? I mean, being with someone who is deaf will be a challenge… Are you sure you want to take that on?"

"I think I've managed well enough up till now. And won't being with someone who is hearing be an equal challenge for you?"

Sue smiled in acknowledgement, "I think I've managed well enough up till now as well."

"You have more than managed," Jack said sincerely, "I've never met anyone as talented and determined and warm-hearted and beautiful as you. You are the complete package, Sue Thomas."

"And you are a perfect mix of brain and looks and quite the catch, as I once told you before," Sue joked and then added more seriously, "and you have a beautiful heart that shines out of your very attractive warm brown eyes."

Jack smiled and nodded, "Yes, you did mention the eyes once before…" and the next moment they were kissing again.

"Do you really think we can make this work?" Sue asked, when they pulled apart again.

"Do you?"

"I hope so."

"Then let's give it our very best."

Sue nodded and he leaned in to kiss her slowly smiling lips again. They were lost in each other for a long time after that, kissing and whispering endearments. In the meantime, Levi had even made himself comfortable lying down at their feet.

"You should go to your parents now," Sue finally said softly as she pulled away after the first overwhelming need for each other was quenched. Her lips were slightly swollen, her cheeks flushed and Jack thought she had never looked more beautiful. He suspected that he had a similar well-kissed and love-sick look on his face as well.

"Would you… would you like to have dinner with us?" he asked. "No pressure, you don't have to… but I don't think I'm quite ready to let you go yet…"

"I think I need a moment to gather my thoughts, Jack," she said seriously.

"Don't think too hard and go back on this..." Jack replied, only half joking.

"I love you, Jack, I have for a long time, so no, I'm not backing out if I can help it…"

"Good," he grinned widely and planted another kiss on her lips. "Well, you go and gossip with Lucy then and maybe I can see you tomorrow after my parents leave? Or you can come by later this evening for a glass of wine…"

They kissed some more before they finally parted ways.

As he entered his apartment he received another text from Sue that said "What time this evening?" and his grin was plastered all over his face as he greeted his parents.

"You look very happy," Jack's mom said.

"Be happy for me, mom, I think I've finally managed to win the woman I will probably want to spend the rest of my life with…"