Disclaimer: I do not own any characters including: Bobby Manning, Jack Hudson, Myles Leland the third, Lucy Dotson, Tara Williams, Ted Garrett, Sue Thomas, Howie, Levi the Dog, or any other characters that were created by anyone other than me. If any character is similar to others it is a mere coincidence and not intentional.

Chapter 5

"Hey, Crash, my man, it's Jack."

"Hey, mate, how is everyone?"

"Curious." Jack said and caused Bobby to smile. "And with good grounds."

"Ha! Well, you can tell them to get their entertainment from somewhere else, Sparky."

"So…how is married life treating you?"

"We're not really married, Jack. You know better than anyone else-"

"Whatever, Bobby. Oh yeah, how's Chloe doing?"

"She great. One big bundle of joy." He said smiling.

"Was that supposed to be sarcasm?"

"Nope, she's really happy."

"She just lost her mother," Jack said a little taken back.

"She never really had a mother, Jack."

"True. But she likes Tara?"

"Oh yeah, that sheila loves her." Bobby reminisced.

"How's Tara doing?"

"Better, the flight here was a little iffy but now that she can busy herself with stuff she's doing better." Bobby laughed, "She's already trying to get me to help with the cleaning."

"I'm speaking under experience here – if you want food, help." Jack advised.

"Yeah, yeah. You're just jealous that I still get to have a vacation and you're stuck at the office."

"Not for long, Crash. Me and Sue get to come visit you for while."

"Really? When?"

"Why would I tell you, there's no element of surprise then."

"Exactly."

Jack evaded Bobby's statement, "Well, I guess I'll talk to ya later, Bobby."

Jack hung up the phone when Sue walked into the nearly empty Bullpen, who apparently didn't notice Jack, sitting at his desk. She was talking to Levi. "You don't know how lucky dogs are. They don't have to go through the whole guessing game with dating." She plopped down on her chair by the desk and rested her chin in her hand. "Plus there are no rules telling you that you can like him, but not that guy, I mean, dogs can date whoever you want." Sue frowned to herself, "Not that dogs date. They just lick each other silly." She sighed when she felt a hand lightly touch her arm. Her head jerked up and she could feel heat rising to her cheeks. "H-hi." She stuttered.

"Hi," Jack smirked at her.

"Uh, how long have you been there?" Sue looked worriedly at him.

"Long enough to know you need someone to talk to. Or about."

"That's why I have Lucy. And even if I didn't, do you really think I would tell you my secrets?"

"Not eagerly, but after a few hours of begging…"

"Well, that's too bad for you because no matter how long and loud you scream, I won't be able to hear a word. And I can always shut my eyes."

"Naw, you wouldn't do that to me."

"Guess again, Jack." Sue smirked.

"Well, fine, keep your secrets, it just makes you more-" he caught himself and could feel heat rushing to his own cheeks.

Sue smiled mischievously, "More…" she urged him to continue.

"Nothing. You know what, maybe you should just talk to Lucy about this stuff, I'm sure she's a better listener than I am." He stood there awkwardly for a second, with Sue staring at him with a twinkle in her eyes before he abruptly walked out of the room. "More mysterious, engaging, attractive; take your pick, Sue." He muttered to himself.

Sue stared at his back as he walked out. "That was close." Levi barked. "Thanks for your opinion, Levi, but right now it doesn't really help me." Levi barked again. "Don't apologize, it's not your fault you were born a dog." She sighed. "But what am I going to do about Jack?"

"Did I hear my name?" Jack was back in the room.

Note to self…NEVER TALK OUT LOUD AGAIN! EVER! "No!" Sue said at a pace she thought was probably to quick. "No," she said calmer, "you didn't."

"Are you sure?" he walked closer to her and Sue stood up. "Because I could've sworn I heard you say Jack."

"Well, uh-" Sue started when Lucy stormed in with Myles following her.

"Myles! Shut up!" Lucy screamed. Jack turned to Sue and signed, I heard that.

"Not until you admit that I'm right!" Myles screamed back.

"FINE! You're right! I'm wrong! Happy?"

"No, because you don't mean it."

"Of course I don't mean it, why on earth…"

Jack tuned it out and looked at Sue, who had given up reading their lips. "Hey, how about we go get something to eat?"

She stood up and began walking. "Away from those two? You bet." Sue was already out the door and Jack rushed to catch up with her.

They walked down the street, hotdogs in hand. "I wonder what they were arguing about?" Sue asked.

"Who knows. With them, it was probably whose phones is clearer."

"I can answer that. They both suck; I can't hear a darn thing on either of them," Sue laughed and Jack smirked at her joke and watched as she took a large bite and nearly all the insides spilled out on the other side.

Jack and Sue laughed as they watched Levi quickly eat it up. She shrugged her shoulders and handed the rest of it to Levi.

"You cannibal." Jack shook his head.

Twenty minutes later Sue wistfully closed the door to her apartment and floated to the couch, all the while smiling. Lucy came and sat down on the sofa next to her. "So? How was dinner?"

"First of all, it wasn't really dinner, second, Levi at my food, third, I'm on top of the world! If this is a dream, it's official, I want to be in a coma!" She stood up with a hop and walked down the hall. She called back, "I'm going to bed! See you in the a.m.!"

Lucy smiled and looked at Jack, who stood motionless in the doorway. Merely above a whisper he said, "She forgot her purse on the steps outside."

"Ahh," Lucy nodded. "I can give it to her in the morning."

"I'm going to trust that you won't tell her that I heard everything that she just said."

Trying desperately not to burst out laughing Lucy managed to put on a serious face, "I would never do that to her."

"Good…" Jack said slowly. "Uh, see ya, tomorrow then. Bye." Jack walked down the stairs. Maybe I do have a chance after all.

Bobby hung up the phone and walked back upstairs, when he didn't hear Tara's voice he quietly peeked inside. Chloe was asleep, Tara was also asleep, her arm over Chloe's head. He smiled to himself as he walked over to them. He picked Tara up, being careful not to wake Chloe.

Bobby carried Tara to her room and laid her down on one side of the king sized bed. On the other side he pulled back the fluffy sheets. He slipped of Tara's sandals on put them on the floor. He picked her up again and rested her on the bed, pulling the sheets up to her chin.

Bobby leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. He was an inch away from her face when Tara's eyes flew open.

A/N: This is basically to explain the series and what's going on with it if you're a little confused. This is part one of a series, there are three parts that I know of. Part one has a Bobby/Tara pairing, Part two is in a way a continuation of part one,(you'll understand at the end) and part three has a Jack/Sue pairing. (Mostly to 'Kate'): That is the main reason there won't be a lot of romance between the two, but I will try to add some here and there just to give you a little taste. I'm not totally sure if there will be a part four, (if there will be it will most likely be with Jack and Sue, or maybe with Bobby/Tara and Jack/Sue,) I just really haven't thought of a good story line yet. But hey, if anyone has any suggestions for a part four, something to get me started on, I'm all ears although I won't guarantee that I'll use it.

A/N: Thank you sooooooooo much for the reviews! Ahhh! They make me soo giddy! Hehe! (Don't mind me:))