Chapter 14:

Her boxes were almost all packed up; most of her furniture was already gone and put into the new house. Sue lie awake, unable to sleep with all the thoughts running through her head. Jack had already moved into their house, about 3 weeks ago. There was still a lot to buy, considering the house was a great deal bigger than both of the apartments combined. Jack had made himself busy every spare moment he could spend, starting on the baby's room. He had hired one of his old friends to help him, a contractor named Doug Freeman. The door was kept locked, so Sue couldn't peek in case her curiosity got to the better of her. Sue thought it was funny and cute, how completely involved Jack was with his little project. He liked to call it Operation Baby Hudson, which always made Sue giggle.

Jack's parents had come for a short visit, to see Sue, Jack and the new house. They even helped buy some of the furniture. It was actually starting to look like their home, only without Sue living in it yet. Jack even jokingly put up a picture of their last "wedding" on the wall.

Sue was basically either at work or at the new house, except to sleep. She spent hours of her free time organizing the house, and getting it ready. She was already almost halfway into her 3rd month, and had just entered her second trimester, and her wedding was only a week away.

---

Sue walked into the office after her 3-month check up, and burst into tears. Jack had immediately rushed over, thinking there was something wrong. Bobby could see the panic in Jack's eyes. Jack didn't know what to think – was it the baby? Was it something since they visited the prison? Jack couldn't forget the trip they had taken only 2 weeks prior and how it had affected both him and Sue.

---

"Are you sure you're up to this?" Jack asked hesitantly, as he and Sue rode in his car.

"I need to do this Jack. I've got to put this behind me." He took her hand in his, as they continued the drive to the prison. The guards were less than thrilled to let them in, but Jack had the advantage of flashing around his FBI badge. They were in the small, little claustrophobic room. Sue sat down across the table, tired already. Jack kept wringing his hands, nervous and worried. The guard came over, and asked which of the two prisoners they wanted to see first. Sue looked at Jack, already knowing her answer. Jack replied for her,

"Greg Halstern. And you'll be in here the whole time?" The guard nodded. He left to go get Greg. Jack took the seat next to Sue, and took her hand in his.

"Anything goes wrong, and we're out of here okay?" Jack said. She nodded. "You ready?"

"Yeah. I just want to get this over with. Thanks for being here Jack." He smiled back at her weakly.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." The door opened and Sue tensed up in her seat. Greg skulked over to the chair and sat.

"What do you want?" He asked her, completely confused at their presence. Sue took a deep breath; Jack could already see the tears forming in her eyes.

"I…" she started. She squeezed Jack's hand harder.

"Look, if you're expecting an apology, don't hold your breath. Bobby got what he deserved." Sue stared at him, noticing his chains and viciously orange jumpsuit. All the memories of what he did started to flood back, but she knew she had to keep her cool. Anyways, she was madder at James than Greg. Sue knew that Greg was being held in the psychiatric ward, and knew that he wouldn't be let out. At least he was getting the help he needed.

"Greg, I just wanted to tell you, that…" Jack noticed the tears falling down her beautiful face. He couldn't even look at Greg. He knew that he couldn't react and hurt the man who had hurt Sue. Instead he focused all of his attention on her. Sue continued on, "That, I forgive you for what you did. I'm sorry about what happened to your fiancée, and I'm sorry you felt the need to take it out on me and Bobby." Greg looked stunned to hear what she was saying. He had been expecting anger and rage, not forgiveness and sympathy. Greg didn't say anything. The guard told them that their time was up, and went over to get Greg. As he was walking away, he said

"I knew you two had something going on. Have a good life you two." He gave Sue a look, that made her pity him even more. He was sick, mentally. She knew it then but she also could see that in his heart, he regretted what he did. His mind had been twisted by his loss that he had never recovered. She looked at Jack, who's gaze was intently on hers.

"You okay?" She nodded.

"I can't help but feel a little sorry for him. I'm not justifying what he did, only he must have took it hard when his fiancée died." Jack sat and thought about it.

"I know what you mean, at first I was furious with him – I still am, but if something like that ever happened to you, I don't know how I would react, you know?" Sue smiled and gave him a quick kiss.

"I'm not going anywhere." Jack smiled back, trying to support her with his presence. He knew how hard this was for her, and respected how strong she was.

The guard came back a few minutes later, this time with the next prisoner. Sue knew that this would be more difficult than the last one. As much as she was angry with Greg, she pitied him for the situation that made him that way. James on the other hand had no connections to her, and had no reason to hurt her, yet did and so much more. He raped her, and he had almost killed her.

James walked in, a smiled brooding on his face as he saw who his visitors were.

"Ah – the lovely Sue. And who might this person be? Are you cheating on me?" Jack went to stand up, but Sue turned to him, her tear filled eyes begging him to sit back down. He did, and took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"This is my fiancée, Jack." She answered, her head held high with dignity. She wasn't going to let him get to her. James raised his eyebrows and turned his attention instead to Jack. Jack tried to ignore him, but couldn't – he stared into the cold eyes of the man in front of him. James just grinned.

"Well, Jack. She's one fine woman. I've had the chance to really see her from head to toe and you're one lucky man." Jack stood up this time, furious and grabbed James by the collar. Instantly, Sue was at his side, trying to calm him down and get him to let go, the guard also restraining James. Sue turned to Jack and signed.

"He's not worth it." He looked into her saddened eyes, and nodded, grasping her hand tightly. James sat back down, quite enjoying the spectacle he had just made. Sue turned to him.

"I came here not for you but for me. I needed to see that you were going to pay for what you did to me." She started to cry. "I don't know why you did it, what happened to you to make you enjoy hurting people like you did me. I'm just happy you won't be able to do it to anyone else. I wanted you to know that I am angry with you, and I hate what you did to me. But I don't hate you. I just hope that one day you can see all the horrible things you did and regret it, but move on to be someone good." She started to sob. Jack turned to the guard.

"That's enough, take him back where he belongs." James said nothing as he walked out the door. Jack took Sue into his arms and let her cry, as the fury rose up in his chest. It was one thing from Greg. He had at least been somewhat remorseful, and Jack knew that Sue understood that he wasn't right mentally. But James, a man who had nothing against anyone, who had simply hurt Sue for no reason, it made him wished he had used his gun on the bastard. Sue had wanted to forgive him, and he had thrown it back in her face. Sue's cries started to stop as she leaned against Jack, just glad it was over and to be in Jack's arms.

"Let's get out of here," Jack said when she looked up, her face wet with tears. She nodded.

---

"Sue – what's wrong." Tears still flowed down her face, as Jack looked at her with concern. Again, he had to miss the doctor's appointment, but had already made arrangements to make sure he didn't miss the next one. He didn't even know if it was about the baby – maybe she had seen someone who looked like Greg or James. He didn't know what to think. Sue patted him on the arm, trying to reassure him that it wasn't serious.

"Jack, Jack it's okay." As the tears continued to flow. He didn't look like he believed her. She smiled, and started to laugh slightly at her lack of controlling her emotions. Suddenly she found the entire situation a little funny, and Jack always looked so cute when he was concerned. "I didn't think you'd be so worried – honestly it's nothing big."

"Then what's gotten you so upset?" She tried to hold back the tears, as she felt herself drifting into her sorrow again.

"I went to the doctors today…" Jack looked panicked.

"Is the baby okay?" He asked hurriedly.

"The baby is fine – perfect actually." Jack looked confused.

"Then what is it?"

"I've gained 10 pounds and my tummy is starting to stick out a bit!" She wailed. "What if I don't fit into my wedding dress?" Bobby burst out laughing. Sue saw him and gave him the look of death. Everyone else was trying to hold back a smile. Jack sighed with relief.

"I'm sure you'll fit it in fine, you told the seamstress about your pregnancy remember? She's going to make sure everything fits okay. I don't care if you wear your pyjamas to the wedding, I just want to marry you okay?" She nodded but continued to cry. Bobby turned to Tara, Lucy, D, and Myles and said quietly under his breath,

"Talk about mood swings." Lucy went up to Sue and sat down beside her.

"Why don't we go to the wedding boutique now and try on your dress again, just to make you feel better?" She nodded and smiled.

"Thanks Luce. Sorry to have scared you all, I don't even know why I'm so upset about this all."

"It's no problem Sheila, as long as you and the little bloke are okay. Speaking of bloke – do we know if it's a girl or guy yet?" Sue shook her head, and gave Jack a small smile.

"I've decided not to find out, and no actually, we'd have to wait until next month anyways. Sorry Bobby, you'll have to wait until June." She gave Jack a quick kiss, and said her goodbyes as her and Lucy left to go to the bridal shop. Jack had finally gotten his pulse back to normal as the rest of his friends came up to him, laughing at his distress. D slapped him on the shoulder.

"She's only 3 months along Buddy. Have fun with the last 6, it gets even better – you think the mood swings are bad now. Wait until the cravings come, and she can't get off the couch by herself and she gains another 30 pounds." Jack rolled his eyes.

"Great." He said, going back to his desk, still relieved that nothing was wrong.

"Well, I'll tell you this though Jack," D continued as everyone else went back to work, "It's definitely worth it in the end."