Chapter 5: To Everything There is a Season

Wednesday, 5 p.m.

The mood in the Bullpen that evening was festive. Rick Orban was in custody, and the area churches could breathe easy once again. Only Sue seemed preoccupied — the others were noisily discussing where to go out for the traditional celebratory dinner.

Finally, Jack came over and touched her shoulder. "The consensus is Chinese food at the Jade Phoenix. Will you be joining us?

She shook her head. "I can't— or, not right now. I need to go talk to David. I may join you later, though."

"Ah." Jack did his best to keep his expression neutral. "Well, we'll miss you."

Sue smiled at him. "Thanks."

He signed You're welcome, then leaned in a little closer so as not to be overheard. "By the way, have you noticed anything odd about Myles lately? Bobby was saying he's been entirely too…genial. I think it's scaring Bobby."

Her smile got even broader, and she nodded, then signed, Myles is just glad to be back. After 30 days with Randy…well… At Jack's nod, she continued. He said it was "leaking out a little" and he thought it would wear off eventually.

Jack laughed, and was about to comment further when a voice from behind reached his ears. He turned, motioning to Sue where it was coming from.

"—which simply goes to prove that some of us were blessed with natural abilities certain others of us can only dream of attaining one day." Myles was giving Bobby a significant look.

The Aussie grinned. "I knew it would just take the right buttons being pushed." He clapped Myles on the shoulder and received a grin in return. "Welcome back, mate. Now, let's go eat."

stfbe

stfbe

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.

David Palmer opened the door. "Sue! I wasn't expecting to see you until at least tomorrow."

She smiled as he motioned her into the apartment. "I know. But we finished the case, and I knew you were going to be home tonight…"

"No explanation necessary. I'm glad to see you." He gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "So, one more bad guy bites the dust, huh?"

"Something like that." She was stalling, and she hated herself for it. "Can we talk for a minute?"

"Sure. You want something to drink?" he asked as he took her coat.

"No, that's all right. Thank you." She sat down on the sofa, and he joined her. She folded her hands in front of her, and looked at the floor. "David, about what we talked about Sunday night…"

He touched her arm to make her look up at him; then he sighed. "I think I know what's coming. Just say it, Sue."

She reached over to take his hands. "I'm so sorry, David. Please understand; I never meant to hurt you. This has all been so wonderful, truly, and I do care for you a great deal—"

"But…?"

She sighed. "But…it's not fair to you that I can't give you my heart completely. I can't marry you, David, and I can't lead you on anymore." Her head dropped again, and a single tear fell onto their hands.

He was quiet for a few minutes, then squeezed her hand to get her attention. "I'm not going to say it doesn't hurt," he began, a little unsteadily, "but I also won't say it was a complete surprise. Thank you for being honest with me, and with yourself. And it has been wonderful. But you need to follow your heart— I do understand that."

She nodded, and he leaned over to gently kiss her on the lips. "I'm going to miss you," he said softly.

Sue smiled faintly. "You may not believe this, but I'm going to miss you, too. And Levi may never forgive me."

David laughed. "Nikita and I will manage. It'll be fine. Now, I suspect you have someone else you need to talk to."

She stood and picked up her coat. "Yes, I do."

stfbe

stfbe

Jack locked his car and headed for the stairs, trying to calm the storm brewing in his soul. When Sue hadn't shown up at the restaurant, he'd made a few excuses to the team about calling it an early evening. But he knew they were aware that he just wasn't up for company -- only Myles and Lucy hadn't given him sympathetic glances as good-nights were said. They each just smiled and told him to go have a quiet evening.

I expected it from Myles, he thought as he absently climbed the two flights, but Lucy? That's not like her -- she's been trying to play matchmaker from day one.

He was so deeply immersed in his thoughts that he wasn't aware of his surroundings, so he jumped about a foot when a feathery tail popped into his sight-line as he was unlocking the door. He looked over to see Sue sitting on the floor of the hallway, her arms wrapped around her drawn-up knees.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his heart still pounding, but for a different reason now.

She smiled. "I thought I'd fill you in on the evening so far. And I figured this would be easier than doing it at the restaurant in front of everyone."

He held out a hand and helped her up. "I appreciate that. Come on in." He pushed open the door and they walked in. Levi made a beeline for the one chair Jack had previously designated as "the exception," and the big dog curled up and promptly went to sleep.

Sue laughed as Jack took her coat. "Levi's been very anxious for you to get home."

He chuckled in return. "I can tell." Then he looked at Sue strangely. "How long have you two been sitting out there, anyway?"

She smiled at him again, in a way he could only describe as mysteriously. "Oh, since about 6:15."

Jack glanced at his watch, which read 8 p.m.. "You didn't stay very long at David's." The pounding of his heart was getting worse. Easy, Jack. Don't take a compass reading on this just yet. He motioned her to the sofa, then sat down next to her-- not too close, just in case...

She turned, drawing one foot up beneath her, much the same position she'd been in the last time they talked. "You're right. I didn't. And there's a reason for that."

She's going to make me ask, he thought ruefully. She's been spending too much time with Myles. He took a breath, trying to sound nonchalant. "And what would the reason be?"

Sue didn't look down, like he'd expected her to. She kept her eyes squarely locked with his. "Because David and I aren't seeing each other any more."

His only outward reaction was to raise an eyebrow, but he didn't think his heart was going to take much more pounding-- even she should be able to hear it now. "You're not. May I ask why?"

The soft smile that brightened her face took his breath away. She signed, very slowly, You already know why.

Jack drew in a deep breath, then slid over to put his arm around her on the back of the sofa. His other hand reached up to caress her cheek. She didn't say anything, just closed her eyes at the sensation. He leaned forward and kissed her very gently.

She responded, one hand going to his cheek and the other around his neck and into his hair, but there was something subtly different this time. It was no less sweet, but Jack realized she had more to say, and he released her after a long moment.

"What is it?" he asked softly. "There's more you need to tell me, isn't there?"

Sue nodded. "Jack, I broke up with David because it wasn't fair to him that I couldn't give him my whole heart-- a heart that belongs..." she trailed off, and looked down before signing, to you.

He signed it so she could collect her thoughts without having to look back up. I understand. I feel the same way about you.

She nodded, then looked up at him again. This time, there was love shining out of her eyes, but also resolve. "We said we didn't know how to work it out with the dating policy, right? What if we didn't, for right now?"

His brow furrowed a little in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Sue sat back a little, and took both of his hands in hers. "Jack, I'm sure, if we tried, there are ways that we could both work together and see each other personally. But, honestly, I don't know if I'm ready for that much juggling in my life right now. I finally feel, really, like a part of the team, and I'd like a chance to just...enjoy that for awhile. Does that makes any sense?"

Jack nodded, smiling at her. "It does. And you are a part of the team, Sue, no matter what."

"I know," she replied. She reached up and laid her hand on his cheek. "You really meant it when you said 'friends, no matter what,' didn't you?" At his nod, she smiled. "Can we just be...well...really close friends for right now?"

"You define 'really close' for me, and you've got it."

She laughed. "You're not making this any easier."

"Hey, you're the one calling the shots, love," he chuckled, enjoying the way her eyes widened at the endearment. Then he gently brushed her bangs away with his fingers. "Look, why don't we just plan on the occasional casual date, nothing too intense, and just take it a step at a time. There's plenty of time to worry about the work policy stuff later. I don't feel like dating anyone else anyway. How's that sound?"

Sue's smile warmed him like a summer breeze. "That sounds about perfect. I don't feel like dating anyone else, either. See, I knew there was a reason they made you the unit leader-- you're a genius."

He stood up, laughing, then held out a hand to lift her to her feet and swept her around in a big hug. "I think this is a perfect solution all around." He kissed her cheek, then pulled her toward the door. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" she laughed.

"The gang's over at Bobby's, watching a movie or something, and I think they'd rather get the scoop off-duty. Don't you?" Jack whistled to Levi, and the big dog jumped off the chair to follow them.

Sue's laughter filled his ears as she put on her coat. "I think they'd never forgive us otherwise. I guess sometimes it just takes a little push to get things where they're supposed to be, huh?"

He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. "Yup. Sometimes all it takes is an ultimatum."

FINIS