March 3rd
George Washington University Hospital
15:16 PM
The blanket had loose strands in it and she toyed with them, circling a long strand around her finger and untying it before repeating the act all over again. Staring at her own actions, it appeared that she was doing things mechanically, unaware of her actions and yet kept on doing them. Her other hand moved to her stomach, caressing softly before halting her movements all together, her body freezing.
It was both surprising and startling, the fact that Jack Hudson read her body better then her, recognizing the pregnancy before she was sure. She was stressed in the last month, flying all over the globe in her frantic search, focusing on her assignment so hard she forgot to take care of herself.
Her palms clenched, this wasn't the right time. She was not ready for it, she couldn't face yet another problem because at the moment, it was a problem and she couldn't afford to think of it any other way. There was no use in trying to connect with her unborn child, not considering everything that was about to happen.
She groaned with dismay, why did she spend her money on birth control if they didn't work? Some factory worker messing with the package of birth control pills and there you go, a nice surprise with the perfect timing.
The door opened and she raised her head, expecting to see the nurse entering the room. Her palms clenched harder when she realized who it was, her mouth growing dry at the detached look in his eyes. She registered the dark suit, combined with the holster that was visible below the open jacket. He presented her with his I.D before opening a small notebook. "Let us have a little chat." He said, raising his eyebrow at her.
"Myles." It was a statement, a rush of air that finally escaped from her lungs, forming his name as anxiety took hold of her.
"Do you have any idea of the length of time you disappeared?" He asked, his eyes focusing on his notebook.
"Myles?" It was a whisper and she found that she couldn't believe her own eyes, needing some kind of verification that he was really standing in front of her. She raised her hand, needing to touch him but he recoiled from her touch, backing away from the bed and turning away from her.
"It's Agent Leland, Miss Weiss." He replied.
It was like a knife pressed into her heart and horror swept through her as she stared at his back, willing him to turn and look at her, scream, hit, anything but this deafening silence. Her eyes welled with tears, the world was falling apart around her and there was nothing she could hold onto, her only anchor now staring at her with an impatient look. "Would you like me to repeat the question?" He asked, his words mocking, taunting her.
She flinched. "February 25th." She answered.
"Have you managed to see any of your captors, Miss Weiss?"
She shook her head. "No, I was drugged." She shrugged her shoulders, her eyes meeting his cold ones and she raised her eyebrow, sneering at him. "And it's agent Weiss."
March 3rd
George Washington University Hospital
15:20 PM
The doctor finally left them and the silence seemed to envelope the room with thickness. Sue stared at him then shifted her gaze towards the window, the door and then returned to his face. He smiled a little and her face seemed to crumble as she approached him, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek. He winced and she drew her hand away, her eyes filling with tears. He smiled a little, reaching out for her hand.
"I'm alright." He whispered.
Sue shook her head. "No, you're hurt and your forehead is bruised…so is your cheek."
He waved his hand, dismissing her worries. "Nothing but bruised male ego." He responded, patting the mattress and motioning her to sit down beside him. She obliged, reaching for his hand hesitantly. The last day and a half seemed to take forever and she kept holding onto this moment where she would finally get to hold him. Now that reality sank in she couldn't find her equilibrium, not sure what was expected in these situations.
He smiled and that gesture seemed to be her only source of comfort as she leaned closer and he enveloped her in his arms. He closed his eyes, sighing softly, breathing her scent. He missed her; he worried for her, just seeing that she was alright brought relief to his heart. He focused on the feeling of holding her in his arms, the sense of security, of escaping the world for just a few precious moments, her presence making him forget the events of the previous day.
He opened his eyes, suddenly realizing that they were alone in the room. It was the perfect opportunity to warn her that she was being followed, it was the only way he could possibly protect her. He traced a line on her cheek, willing her to open her eyes and focus on him, startling when the door opened and the nurse walked inside.
He glanced at her as she checked his life signs and adjusted his IV, she gazed at him, her eyes focusing on him for a brief second before she blinked and left the room. Sue caressed his face, her face a question. "Jack?"
He blinked several times, trying to find his voice. "N…Nothing." He stammered. "I just wanted to feel you." He battled the frustration that rose inside, knowing that he was slowly loosing the game, was it a warning? Or was he seeing things?
Her lips touched his and his mind seemed to grow empty, concentrating on nothing but her touch. The kiss was slow and hesitant; Sue seemed to take her time, savoring every caress, every scent, every sigh. He cupped her face with his hands, the kiss deepening as the world disappeared. He wished he could take her away from everything; he would give anything for her.
He slowly ended their kiss, moving his lips to her neck, kissing a path from her ear and lower. "I love you." He whispered, knowing she couldn't understand but not willing to chance hurting her anymore then he probably would, if they should succeed there would be no future for the two of them and he couldn't bind her to him before knowing the outcome of the night. He trailed lower, exposing her collarbone and kissing the tender flesh. She whispered his name, arching towards him, pulling his hair and trying to meet his lips for another kiss.
"Sue…" His whisper was desperate, crushing her to him as they kissed, lowering them to the bed and holding her close, their bodies craving contact. Her hands seemed to travel everywhere and he trailed patterns with his hand, traveling beneath her shirt, touching heated skin, caressing softly, trying to calm the storm that held them captive.
Sue's breathing came out in small gasps and he smiled at her, trying to smooth her hair and shirt. "Will you come and pick me up? The doctor said I should be good to go in a few hours."
She nodded her head. "Alright, I'll be here in a few hours. I'll get you some clothes."
Thank you. He signed and she smiled, kissing him softly before leaving the room.
He watched quietly when she left the room, taking the feeling of warmth with her. He shuddered, his face hardening, there was still a chance to get out, but they needed to help themselves. He needed to speak with Hadar; they could set up a warning.
But would his team mates understand it?
March 3rd
15:55 PM
The National Mall
He drove down Pennsylvania Avenue, running away from everything he confirmed in the last few minutes, notifying D. that he had some business to attend to and that he would be there in time for Jack's release. Parking at the corner of the street, he headed towards the vast monuments, choosing a tree and sitting in the shade, taking in the sight in front of him.
The monuments always inspired him and he loved to watch them, admiring their quiet beauty. He tightened his jacket around his body and sighed, watching mothers and children as they played in the grass, their laughter a contrast to his mood. Even the bright day seemed to mock him as he remembered all the times they met together, every time they met the sky seemed to pour down on them. Was he over analyzing it? A result of the past few hours?
Myles reached out for his legs, removing the leather shoes and his socks and burying his feet in the cool grass, enjoying the serenity it provided him. He knew this action was a result of her influence, he only knew her for a short time but it seemed that she changed him without even trying. He remembered burying his feet in the grass that weekend they spent together and how wonderful it felt to hold her in his arms. He felt betrayed, helpless; he had the urge to shake her to her senses, to yell at her.
She changed him and he enjoyed it but now everything was turned upside down, her lie was exposed and he found that it hurt him, it hurt that she had hidden the truth from him. Who was he kidding? He couldn't possibly pursue a relationship with her; it was hopeless from the beginning. Did he really mean what he said? That he would leave his life in Washington and stay with her? Where did that notion even come from? He was probably still under the effects of their love making…
He stopped the thought with a screeching halt. If walking around a tree bare foot was strange for him, that thought didn't even sound like him. Betraying his trust or not, she still deserved to be treated with respect, no matter how his feelings towards her had changed.
He sighed, not even sure what his feelings for her were in the first place. He'd only known her a short time and yet he often found himself thinking of a future with her, despite the ridiculousness of the thought. He wanted the package deal; a wife, kids, a house and maybe a smart dog like Levi but he also wanted this package to come with true love on top.
Obviously, he was expecting too much. Maybe he should just go over to his mother and agree to meet the charming, barely old enough to vote debutante that she insisted on setting him up with. After all, this was the real world and a one night stand in a deserted hotel over Christmas couldn't evolve into something more, he shouldn't have fooled himself.
He took one last look at the monuments, the sight failing to calm him as his mind kept wandering. He replaced his shoes and headed towards his car, returning to the hospital with a heavy heart.
March 3rd
George Washington University Hospital
16:26 PM
The numb shock left her body, leaving rage in his wake. How dare he treat her like that? How dare he pretend that she was the only one who hid things? He was a federal agent, never bothered to tell her and now acted like she was the bad guy in the story. She clenched her palms, her nails digging into her skin, tempted to scream with frustration. She never imagined a man like him would be anything but a lawyer with a respected office, how could he be a federal agent? Burying her head in her hands, she ignored the hesitant knocking on the door and groaned when it opened anyway, revealing Jack's worried face.
He creased his brow when he approached the bed. "Are you alright?"
"No." She replied, shaking her head, trying to stop the tears from falling. "I didn't know he was a federal agent, just like he didn't know I worked for the Mossad."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "What are you…"
"Myles." She responded angrily. "Myles is the man I was seeing." She whispered and Jack's eyebrows shot upwards as he stared at her in shock.
"Myles?" He couldn't find anything more to say, stunned by the complication that had just been added to their situation. He was about to talk but then reconsidered, reaching out for her hand. "I think I might have found a way out, but it's risky…" He whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her.
She looked at him in question and he continued his whispering. "It's insane; you're jeopardizing your team." She said quietly and he nodded.
"They're the best, Hadar; they will work it out if we leave them enough clues." He paused. "I know you're hiding something from me, I know there is something you need to do that has nothing to do with the target. You're not an agent; there is no reason for them to send you with me to eliminate their target."
Hadar's eyes widened and she nodded her head slowly, waiting for him to continue. "Before you tell me, I need you to do one last thing for them…for Myles and Sue…I need you to spend the night at Myles' place."
She snorted. "He will never agree."
"He will if I tell him it's for your own protection." Jack insisted. "I've known Myles for a long time, he looks tough from the outside and he can be maddening at times but I know he cares for you, he was happy last month when he took that vacation time to fly out and see you."
Hadar was silent for a long time, her brown eyes staring at a point behind him on the wall. Finally, she nodded her head and whispered in his ear. "The more I think about it, the more I suspect that this is bigger then we thought, Jack." She paused. "I don't know who we can trust."