A Prayer for Every Year

December 22nd

Sue woke up the next morning cuddled protectively in Jack's embrace. He could tell by his even breathing that he was still asleep and took the time to wallow in the night's events. He'd been a sweetheart, more worried about her than about him

And that had only been last night.

Now that she had the chance, she looked back on their years together with the FBI. Like any dancing couple, they had their moments of romance and of awkwardness, but she looked back on them like battle scars. Their kiss at Callahan and Merced had been a huge catalyst to the point where she knew he was walking on eggshells around her. Of course, so was she. Neither of them at that point was willing to risk everything for their relationship.

Oh, how things had changed.

The feeling of an irregular breath tore her from her musings and she turned herself over in his arms.

"Good morning, sunshine," she quipped as his eyes fluttered open. He smiled and pulled her close, kissing her languorously. She smiled into the kiss and sighed happily as he pulled away. He licked his lips.

"Now that's a good morning," he said, collapsing on the pillows beside her. She stretched against him. His hands tightened on her waist and she gasped.

"Unless you want a replay of last night, I'd move away before I do something that might make us both late for work." She grinned and moved herself out of bed, wincing slightly at the unused muscles. A concerned hand settled on her back and she smiled over her shoulder, assuring him it was nothing. Then standing she moved into the bathroom for a shower.

The shower allowed her time to once again get lost within her thoughts. She loved him to death, beyond anything she could remember feeling. True, she loved Bobby, Myles and D but they were like older brothers, always looking out for her and making sure she kept out of trouble. Jack was more than a brother. While he looked out for her and protected her like Bobby and the others, he also cared for her and made sure she was always okay with what they were doing. However, it was the little things he did that showed her, and that wasn't even to mention that chivalry wasn't dead yet. He not only held doors for her and guided her through crowds but he remembered things, what she liked and didn't like, even to the detail of how she took her coffee. She'd been so caught up in her thoughts that she'd missed seeing the opening of the shower door. Thus, she jumped when Jack wrapped his arms around her waist. He spun her to face him.

"Are you sure you're okay?" It was the second time he'd caught her lost in her thoughts. She nodded empathetically.

"Perfect," she assured him.

"Breakfast is ready when you decide you want to get out of the shower," he teased and she smiled. Kissing her softly he pulled her out of the shower, turning off the taps as she dried herself.

"Give me five minutes to get dressed and I'll be out," she promised. He nodded and casting one more worried glance back he left to finish up breakfast.

But she was true to her word and entered the kitchen five minutes later. He set in front of her a healthy portion of eggs and bacon. They ate breakfast in companionable silence, both content to enjoy each other's company. Their only conversation was how they were getting to work and Sue would have none of them driving separately. They had to go together.

She couldn't concentrate all day. Her mind was always somewhere else and Tara and Lucy were worried. Jack had once again been adamant about leaving Sue behind for their latest escapade and assigned Myles and Bobby to look around in a suspect's house while he took Tara to talk to the victim's employer. D was on vacation with his family. When Lucy asked her for the eighth time what was wrong, she realized that it was compromising her work. She rolled her eyes at herself at the same time she rolled her aching shoulders. Lucy pulled her chair up beside her and took Sue's hands in hers.

"Listen, Sue Thomas. First, I have absolutely no problem with you moving in with Jack. It would be selfish of me if I did. Secondly, I'm sure Garrett is looking for a loophole to keep you both on the team. You are an invaluable member of the FBI and of this team, it would be stupid for him to break us up. Thirdly, lastly, and most importantly, Sue, Jack loves you and always have. You want this as much as every one else in this office does if not more. Your insecurities have no base, hon, and they're useless." Sue smiled. How Lucy was able to sum up everything she was worried about in one breath, she would never understand. It proved just how well they knew each other. She thanked Lucy and turned back to an unfinished report.

Jack came home later than she did that night and found Sue lying on the couch. He was at her side in an instant, taking her hand to let her know he was there. Her eyes fluttered open and she grinned.

"I'm okay, I promise," she assured him. The worry didn't leave his eyes, though his face softened.

"Lucy told me you were sore today," he said, stroking her hand with his thumb.

"It's probably nothing more than the kinks from typing all day," she told him. He nodded and pulled her up into a sitting position. He climbed behind her, lifting her and setting her in his lap. He dug his fingers into her shoulders and heard her moan appreciatively. He continued down her back, thumbs digging into either side of her spine working out the day's knots. She arched her back when he found stubborn ones and relaxed when he worked them out of her muscles. He worked his way down to the small of her back, just above her rear and her head lolled to the side, providing him with the beautiful expanse of white skin at her neck. He leaned forward, placing butterfly kisses on the skin, nibbling at the joint at her neck and shoulder. She slackened in his arms and moaned loudly as his massage turned to soft caresses of the skin at the top of her pants.

"Jack, God!" He worked his hands around to her front and pulled her back against him. She relaxed easily against him, eyes closed and body stress-free. He hugged her close. Suddenly she turned on his lap, her knees on either side of his thighs.

"So, honey, how was your day?" she asked with a grin. He laughed and hugged her close.

"Busy, sweetheart and yours?" They laughed as they moved into the kitchen for dinner.