A/N – hey, I'm glad you guys agree that Jack made the right choice. Knowing his character from the show, I'm in no doubt its what he would have done. Thanks for all the reviews – you guys are da bomb! Shellie :) To whoever "person" is – I totally agree with the phrasing problems. Long story short, I have hearing problems (which is partly why I love STFBE so much) and I have a lot of trouble with speech and getting words out properly. I'm hoping to review all the chapters and make corrections once I'm done, but I hope you can all bear with me for now!

Chapter 32:

Sue had awoken a couple of times in the last few days, but was very groggy and not very coherent. Jack's heart rose with hope however, with her eyes now full of life and starting to comprehend what was going on. She knew he was there. She wasn't talking yet, but the doctors weren't surprised. Signing and reading lips could be tiring. Her weak smile when she saw Jack holding her hand was enough for him. Three days after she was brought in, Dr. Miller confirmed her pregnancy. They still had no idea who the father was, or when exactly she was raped. That would depend on Sue when she would have the strength to talk about what happened. Jack hadn't found the courage yet to tell her, not when she couldn't talk back yet. He held on a bit longer, knowing the implications of the knowledge he held.

Tara was finally released from the hospital, under close supervisor due to her concussion. She claimed she was fine, but Bobby insisted that he stay with her. Tara just rolled her eyes at Jack, when he had come to visit her as she was leaving, taking a break from the vigil he held at Sue's bedside. Tara insisted on making a stop at Sue's room to spend a bit of time with her. Bobby finally consented. Jack leaned over to Bobby so Tara couldn't hear,

"She's got you whipped buddy," he said with a bit of a laugh. Bobby turned to Jack with a smile on his face

"And you're not?" Jack couldn't help but smile back. How true it was. Tara entered Sue's room alone, wanting a bit of privacy with her friend, so Jack and Bobby waited out in the hall. Tara still didn't know about the pregnancy, and as much as Bobby wanted to share it with her, he knew that before anyone else would be told, Sue should at least know first.

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Tara entered Sue's room quietly. She had been there already 3 days, but it had been over 5 days since she had last seen her. When she had been abducted. Tara and Sue had a lot of time to bond during their few days together after the car accident. Things felt different now; Tara couldn't help but feel partly to blame for what happened. She hadn't protected Sue. She sat silently in the chair next to Sue's bed.

"Hey girl. I know you can't hear me, even if your eyes were open. I just wanted to say I'm so sorry for letting them take you. I know you're going to pull through this. Jack's here with you every second he can spare. There's something going on there girl. He was so worried about you, he still is. He cares a lot about you – hold onto that. We're all here for you Sue. Don't give up yet." Tara reached for Sue's hand. "You were right about one thing though. Bobby. I don't think I need to say more, but I couldn't be happier. He really does care." Tears slid down her face. She turned as she heard the door open across the room.

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Two men walked up to Jack and Bobby in the hallway outside of Sue's room.

"Hey – we were just at Tara's room, they said she was discharged. How's Sue doing?" asked D.

"Tara's just inside with Sue right now." Bobby answered.

"Sue's doing better. She was awake for 20 minutes this afternoon but she's asleep again now. Dr. Jake says she's healing slow, but at least she's healing." Bobby shot Jack a knowing look at that last comment.

"Well, you should know we got a call from the vet hospital regarding Levi the wonder dog." Added Myles. "He'll be released tomorrow. Someone needs to pick him up. And don't look at me."

"I'll take care of him until the Sheila is ready to go home. Is that okay with you Jack? Tara and I will watch him." Said Bobby. Jack just nodded.

"You and Tara?" D said with a small smile

"Yeah – she's staying at my place. Needs constant supervision. I got stuck with the job." D just raised his eyebrows, as Bobby flashed his million-dollar smile. "Speaking of Tara, we should get going, she needs to rest." Bobby opened the door quietly to Sue's room. He went over to Tara and knelt down besides her noticing the tear stains on her cheeks.

"You okay?" He asked with concern. She just nodded and got up from her chair. D, Myles and Jack all walked in. D gave her a big hug and a hope you get better soon. She smiled and thanked him. Then her and Bobby said their goodbyes and went back to his place so she could lie down.

Jack settled in his usual seat, next to Sue's bed and automatically reached for her hand. D and Myles pulled up 2 more chairs. Long minutes past. Nurses and doctors came in and out. Finally after Jack felt his consciousness start fading for the 10th time that evening, Dimitrius spoke up.

"Jack – why don't you go home and sleep for a few hours. We'll stay here with Sue." Myles just nodded. Jack was slightly surprised at Myles' willingness to spend hours in the hospital next to someone he had never really gotten along with, but then again, the situation might have changed his perspective on his colleague.

"I want to be here when she wakes up again." He answered firmly, trying to hold back another yawn.

"Jack – the doctor said she wouldn't be up for at least a few more hours. Go home. Sleep. Shower. Eat. You need it – you've got bags under your eyes, you look like death warmed over, and to be frank, you kind of stink." Leave it to Myles to be completely honest at a moment like this.

"Promise you'll call if she wakes up, or anything changes?"

"Of course. And someone will be with her the whole time. She needs you strong Jack." Jack just nodded at D's comment.

"Thanks." He bent over and kissed Sue on the cheek, and even though he knew she couldn't hear him, whispered in her ear so no one else could here, "I'll be back soon, I promise. I love you Sue." He smiled at his two friends, now poised on either side of Sue's bed. Jack walked out the hospital doors to the fresh air, headed for his car and drove home.