Chapter 21: Slip of the Tongue
"Well, Mr. Hudson, it goes without saying that you're going to have a pretty sore head for the next few days." Jack snorted at the ER doctor's attempt at an amusing bedside manner. The doctor, a man in his mid-to-late fifties, chuckled before continuing, "You do have a concussion, but your symptoms don't warrant us keeping you here." Jack nodded, flashing Sue an "I told you so" look. She ignored him and continued to watch the doctor. "I'll prescribe some painkillers for you to take for the next couple of days, as needed," the doctor added, reaching for his prescription pad and scribbling something onto it.
"Sounds great. Whatever they gave me while I was in the ambulance certainly helped my headache," Jack said with relief. The doctor tore the paper off the pad and passed it to Jack.
"Now, so long as someone is going to stay with you, you're free to go home tonight," the doctor said, peering over his glasses at Jack, then glancing at Sue.
"I'll be staying with him," Sue said quickly, keeping her eyes on the doctor. Jack raised his eyebrows at her, surprised by her lack of hesitation. With the case being over, he hadn't been sure if he should ask her to stay with him, but she had taken the decision right out of his hands.
"Good. You'll need to keep a close eye on him for the next twenty-four hours," the doctor instructed Sue. "If he suffers from any nausea or dizziness, you should bring him in immediately. The information is on the discharge sheet, so you can refer to it as needed."
Sue nodded. "I will. Thank you, doctor," she said. It looked as though she had a sleepless night ahead of her, but she didn't mind a bit. She was just relieved that Jack was going to be okay.
"You're quite welcome," the doctor replied. "I'll need you to sign this discharge before you leave," he told Jack, handing him a clipboard. "Just please try to avoid any more blows to the head," he warned with a smile.
"I'll do my best, doc," Jack answered wryly as he signed the release form. A few minutes later, the two of them left the examining room. Sue gave Jack an apprehensive smile as they stood in the hallway.
"I hope you don't mind that I stepped in and told the doctor I would stay with you. I just figured that since we've been living together, it would just make sense for us to stay at the house while you recover," Sue explained hastily.
"Are you kidding me?" Jack said, putting a hand on her arm. "I'll take any excuse to keep myself in close proximity to you." Sue blushed at his words and couldn't think of anything to say in return. Ever since their mutual revelations in the basement, when they'd both been afraid they wouldn't make it out alive, she'd felt a new awkwardness between them. "Besides, it'll take a day or so to pack up the house. We'll just ask that the movers don't come right away to pick up the furniture," Jack added.
"That would be nice, since we should take our time packing. You are going to need to take it easy," Sue pointed out.
"I doubt there will be any huge rush, what with the weekend almost upon us," Jack said. "And I'm okay, although, I won't waste much time heading to bed when we get home," he confessed with a smile.
Sue's eyes widened at the implication of his last statement. He couldn't possibly think… "Jack?" Seeing her flustered expression, Jack realized that she must have mistaken the meaning of his words.
"Uh, I just meant that since the doctor told me to get lots of rest, I should probably get to bed pretty soon. Plus, my head does still hurt a bit," Jack told her, holding back a chuckle. He was sure that Sue had no idea how irresistible she looked at the moment, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Sue shook her head at the misunderstanding and felt herself blushing even more deeply. "I'm sorry; I guess I'm more tired than I thought," she said, looking a little mortified.
"Please, don't be sorry. We've both been through a lot tonight," Jack insisted. "How are you feeling, by the way? I know you weren't feeling well this afternoon and that was before we were held at gunpoint. How are you holding up?" Jack looked at her with concern, taking her hand in his.
"Oh, I'm okay. Still pretty exhausted though," Sue admitted. "But that all went out the window when I thought we were both going to die. I really want to thank you for what you did tonight, Jack," she said quietly. "If you hadn't been there…" Sue shuddered, thinking of the doctor with his hands all over her and picturing him coming toward her with a gun.
"But I was there," Jack told her, squeezing her hand. "And I still am."
Sue smiled at him, looking into his eyes. "I'm glad," she told him. Jack gazed back at her, and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he pulled her against him, enfolding her in his arms. Sue held onto him, resting her head on his shoulder. In moments like this one, when she felt so comfortable and safe in his arms, all of the complexities and confusion of their relationship seemed to slip away.
They remained that way for a few minutes, each taking comfort in the mere presence of the other person. Jack finally pulled away from her slightly so that she could read his lips. "I guess we should get to the waiting room, huh?" he said regretfully. "Bobby and Lucy are probably waiting for us by now."
"You're right. We should go," Sue agreed. He reluctantly released her from his grip but took her hand in his. She smiled softly at him, and they started walking down the hallway, only releasing their hold on each other when they neared the waiting area. Much to their surprise, Ted Garrett was waiting there instead of Lucy and Bobby. They certainly hadn't expected to see him because for the past few weeks he'd been working with another department trying to uncover a large drug-smuggling operation.
"Thomas, Hudson--congratulations on a job well done," Garrett told them. For a moment Jack felt unworthy of the praise, thinking again about how he had inadvertently blown their cover and put them both in danger. Then he thought back to what Sue had said in the basement, reminding him to not feel personally responsible for the things that had happened, and he brushed the feelings aside. "Dimitrius filled me in on the new developments; I know that without your efforts, we wouldn't have broken this case as soon as we did. I know that all of the families of the missing children thank you," Garrett said, looking at the two of them.
"Well, we were glad to do it," Jack said honestly. "We just didn't count on it becoming so complicated in the end," he added with a grimace.
"Undercover work is certainly unpredictable," Garrett agreed. "I look forward to reading your reports," he told them. "In the meantime, I'm giving you both the next four days off." Jack and Sue exchanged a surprised smile at their boss' words. "I know you've both been through a lot; I want you to just take some time to recuperate," he explained.
"Thank you, sir," Sue said, relief at the prospect of some time off washing over her. After everything that had happened in little more than a week since they'd moved next-door to the Ryans, a little R & R was exactly what she needed.
"Yes, thank you," Jack echoed her sentiment.
"No problem. I'll see you both on Monday morning," Garrett replied. "And take care of that head, Hudson. That's an order," he added. He eyed Jack sternly but there was the hint of a smile.
"You've got it, sir," Jack replied sheepishly. Garrett said goodbye and left the waiting room, passing Lucy and Bobby as he did.
Lucy hugged them both, tears of relief in her eyes.
"I'm so glad that you're both okay!" Lucy exclaimed. "You are both okay, aren't you?" she asked them, looking from one to the other worriedly.
"Lucy, we're both doing good," Sue assured her friend with a smile. "Jack has a mild concussion but he's going to be fine."
"Thank God," Lucy breathed. "I was so worried about you guys when we lost communication."
"I second that," Bobby said. "Next time you go to the neighbor's for a nightcap, please be sure to bring your gun," he admonished Jack.
"Let's just say it's a good thing that not all neighbors entertain the way that Sam and Mary Ryan do," Jack quipped. "How are our friendly neighbors by the way? Have we been able to find out any more details about their involvement?"
"Or why they were involved in the first place?" Sue added.
"Myles and D are in with them right now," Bobby answered. "They're going to be in touch when they have some information."
"Good," Jack said. "Luckily Sue and I won't be involved any further, though---other than writing up our report, that is."
"And why is that?" Bobby asked curiously.
"Garrett told us to take the next four days off," Sue replied. "So that we would have some time to recuperate, he said."
"Well, aren't you the lucky ones?" Lucy said excitedly. "Then again, you have had to give up your personal lives for this assignment," she admitted. "But still, at least you get a nice long weekend out of the deal!"
"Right, you two definitely deserve to get some extra time off, even though some of us will end up having to pick up the slack," Bobby told them, feigning annoyance.
"Oh, I have no doubt that you guys will be able to handle things while we're gone," Jack assured him.
"True enough. After all, we've been handling things pretty well while you and the missus have been out gallivanting," Bobby said cheekily. Jack and Sue exchanged a glance.
Is this guy for real? Jack signed to her, raising his eyebrows and glancing at Bobby.
Sue chuckled at Bobby's suspicious expression. Let him have his fun. We're the ones with the four-day weekend, she pointed out.
"What are they saying?" Bobby asked Lucy, who grinned.
"Well, basically I think they're happy to put up with you for now, since they're both off for the next four days," she told him.
"Ah, yes. Couldn't have come at a better time either. At least now you two will have time for one last fling before the divorce," he commented cheekily. Jack rolled his eyes and Sue began signing again. Jack and Lucy both laughed and Bobby looked at the trio with narrowed eyes. "Why do I think that I don't really want to know what was just said?" he muttered, a good-natured twinkle in his eyes. Lucy signed something and Jack nodded with a chuckle.
"Next thing you know, he'll be starting a trust fund for the baby," Jack said, causing the confused look on Bobby's face to intensify.
"Okay, I'll bite," Bobby told them. "What on earth are you talking about? Is there something you two aren't telling me? I know that babies don't come from kisses." Now it was Lucy's turn to look confused.
"What?" she squealed loudly. "What kiss?" she asked, looking at Sue with wide eyes. Bobby flashed an apologetic look in Jack's direction as it dawned on him that Lucy was hearing this for the first time.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just something Jack and I were talking about the other day. Guy stuff. Nothing that would interest you," Bobby assured her. Jack winced at his friend's well-intentioned attempt at backtracking.
"I think it might," Lucy insisted, unconvinced. She looked at Sue with raised eyebrows and Sue sighed inwardly, knowing that she was going to have to confide in Lucy sooner rather than later. Things had been so intense lately that she'd completely forgotten about leaving Lucy in the dark.
"So, what were you signing just now?" Bobby asked them, trying desperately to change the subject.
"Well, Sue signed that it almost seems like you are the one who was hit on the head tonight, since you seem to keep forgetting that this marriage isn't real. Then Lucy signed that maybe you are just a little crazy," Jack told him. "And I'm thinking that the latter is a good possibility," he added.
"Ah. Well, I guess I deserved that, didn't I?" Bobby replied.
"So, I maybe we should go home," Lucy suggetsed to Sue. "Levi's waiting back at the apartment for us."
Sue bit her bottom lip and looked at Jack before answering. "Actually, the doctor doesn't think that Jack should be alone right now, because of his concussion," she explained. "And since we've got a few days to pack up the house, we figured that we would stay there for a night or two."
"We also have to prepare our report together, and since we don't have to go to work…" Jack knew that their excuses probably sounded lame but they couldn't very well tell their friends that they wanted this time together so they could figure out their places in each other's lives.
"Do you want me to bring Levi over then?" Lucy asked quietly.
"Actually, why don't I go with you to the apartment to get him?" Sue suggested, knowing it would give them an opportunity to talk. "Would you mind giving us a ride back to the house?"
"Of course I'll give you a ride," Lucy replied. Lucy's mood was somber, and it upset Sue to think that she'd hurt her friend's feelings, however unintentionally.
Knowing the women had things to discuss, Bobby turned to Jack. "I can give you a lift to the house if you like," Bobby told him. "I'll wait with you until Sue gets there."
"I'd appreciate the ride, but I don't need a babysitter," Jack said stubbornly.
"I think I'd feel better knowing you aren't alone," Sue insisted. "You heard what the doctor said, Jack."
"Okay, okay. I'll see you later then," Jack said to her. Sue nodded, and she and Lucy left the waiting room together.
"Sorry, mate," Bobby apologized. "I just figured Sue would have told her roommate." Jack nodded at his friend. He did not envy Sue right now. She obviously hadn't told Lucy any details about what had been going on. While he could understand why, he knew that it wasn't going to be easy to explain to Lucy why she'd kept it hidden.
Sitting side-by-side on the couch in their apartment, Lucy listened silently while Sue told her about the undercover kiss and a bit of what had happened in the aftermath. Sue had been a little surprised that Lucy hadn't jumped all over her the moment they were alone. She had been afraid that Lucy was angry with her, but when she began to tell her what had happened, a smile had formed on her friend's lips. The further into her story Sue had gotten, the wider Lucy's smile had become.
"When it first happened, I was so confused about the whole thing. I hope you understand why I kept quiet about it," Sue told her friend.
"I do," Lucy assured her, reaching over and giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "You know, I got the distinct impression over the last couple of days that things between you and Jack were different somehow. But, since I had agreed to keep my nose out of it…" Lucy said with a smile.
"And I appreciate that," Sue said, relieved that Lucy wasn't upset with her. "I really did want to tell you, but I knew how you would react," she said, indicating her roommate's wide smile. "I've just been…very unclear about where I want things to go with Jack. I needed some time to sort out my feelings for him without any outside interference," she explained.
"Fair enough," Lucy answered with a nod. "So, are you still unclear?" she asked Sue, raising her eyebrows in anticipation of her answer.
"I guess I am a little, but I know that I love him," Sue admitted happily. Lucy's mouth dropped open in surprise, and she pulled Sue into a hug.
"I'm not going to say 'I told you so.' Just…I'm so happy for you two," Lucy said when they'd pulled apart. "So what does this mean?" she asked.
"It means that Jack and I have some talking to do," Sue answered carefully. "We had decided to wait until the case was over before we sorted things out. Now that it's happened, hopefully we can figure out where to go from here," she said.
"So is that the real reason you're staying with him at the house?" Lucy asked with a glint in her eyes. "To have some alone-time?"
Sue chuckled at the bluntness of Lucy's question. "Actually, the doctor wouldn't discharge Jack unless someone was staying with him," she insisted. "It just made sense for us to keep staying at the house together," she finished feebly, blushing as Lucy rolled her eyes, nowhere near convinced by Sue's excuses.
"Sure, Sue," Lucy teased. "Perfect sense…uh-huh."
"Not that having some time alone will be a bad thing," Sue admitted, unable to keep a smile from forming.
Lucy gave her a knowing smile. "Well, I don't have to tell you that I've always thought that you and Jack would be good together. There's just always been something special between you two, ever since you first met. I really hope this works out." Sue could tell she was trying to contain her enthusiasm.
"Thanks, Luce. I hope so, too," Sue said softly.
"Will you promise me one thing, though?" Lucy asked.
"What is it?" Sue replied.
"Let me know how things go between you and Jack. Please don't keep me in suspense for too long," Lucy said, grinning.
Sue laughed and nodded at her friend. I promise, she signed. If there's anything to tell, you'll be the first to know.
Thank you, Lucy signed back. That's good enough for me.
"I'm glad," Sue said with a smile. Suddenly stifling a yawn, she looked at the time. "I guess we should get going."
Lucy nodded and grinned mischievously. "Yes, we don't want to keep Jack waiting," she said with a wink. Sue chuckled and shook her head, leaving the couch to go get Levi's leash.