Chapter 23

The impact threw Sue back into the bushes behind her, momentarily knocking the breath out of her. As she gasped for breath, she brought her hand up to her face, eyes widening at the sight of blood on her fingers.

Raising her head slightly from the ground, Sue realized the blood wasn't hers but the man who was sprawled across her, pinning her to the dirt. Touching the man's face while she struggled to get out from under him, she saw the pain in his pale face as he looked up at her.

Sue saw him say something as he threw his arm over her to hold her down, but she didn't understand. Over his shoulder she could still see the gunmen only feet from her, still shooting at the police on the street. Shock set in as she realized the man must have pushed her down, taking the bullet meant for her.

Jack, where are you? she cried silently, praying that no one else would get hurt.

Suddenly, hands grabbed the man over her, pushing him over onto his back. Panicked, Sue was ready to fight until she saw the uniforms of the local police officer as he snatched her off the ground, thrusting her towards the patrol cars.

"He needs an ambulance," she pleaded, turning back to see one gunman clutching his shoulder in pain as blood trickled down. The other man was on the ground hands behind his back as he was cuffed by an officer.

The police deputy shouted something at Sue she didn't catch as he pushed her forward, despite her struggling to get back to the man who saved her life. She wanted to help, but the deputy wasn't listening as he planted her against the back of the car and turned back to the scene.

Sue searched for Jack, but there were so many people around. The crowd from the festival had come to see what was going on, and the people from the bank had begun to filter out into the street. She didn't even see Matt or Emi anymore. Were they okay? she wondered.

"Levi!" she called looking around. He must have gotten separated from her when all the shooting started. Sue pushed her way through the crowd, only to be stopped by another deputy who yelled something at her, turning his back to her before she could see what he said.

The crowd had started to get thick now as people pushed forward to get a glimpse of what was happening. Sue felt them push at her, shoving her back. She asked if anyone had seen a dog, but she couldn't tell if anyone was responding to her or just talking about what was happening.

Stumbling, she fell into someone and looked up to apologize, but the words caught in her throat. The man's look was vicious as he snapped at her, heaving her backwards into someone else.

Tears threatened as Sue looked around, not knowing what everyone was saying, what was going on, and where Jack was. Even Levi, her faithful friend, was no where to be found. Searching the crowd for a familiar face, fear set in as she realized she was alone.

Her head began to swim as she tried to take in what people were saying, but there were too many. It was overwhelming chaos, faces began to blend together as Sue sunk to the ground, the darkness engulfing her.

Chapter 24

Jack's heart pounded in his ears as he pulled Anna behind a nearby car. He saw Anna's shocked expression when he drew his gun from the waistband of his jeans, but didn't have time to explain.

He was too far away to be of any help. Telling Anna to stay put, Jack watched the shooters, waiting for a break in the gunfire to make his move closer.

Just as he started to go, Jack saw the gunmen turn in Sue's direction. The loud report of the rifle caused him to recoil as he saw her go down. A police officer had jumped at her, tackling her just as the shot went off.

Using his training, Jack had to push his overwhelming desire to run to Sue away. Doing anything else could put more people in danger, and despite what his heart was telling him, he knew he couldn't do that. He could only hope that no one was hit as they both lay motionless in the bushes.

Forcing his legs to carry him to the closest patrol car, Jack identified himself as F.B.I., offering assistance. Hearing they couldn't get a clear shot at either gunman, he knew what he had to do.

Taking one of the rifles from the local deputies, Jack lined up his shot. As a former sniper, he wasn't going for a kill only intending to disarm and disorient, so he aimed for the shooting shoulder of the lead gunman. When this shooter went down, neutralized, it effectively bewildered the other gunman long enough that the local police were able to surround him and disarm him too.

Before Jack could go to Sue, the local sheriff came charging over, demanding to know who he was, since Jack had just proceeded to take a shot at someone. It took him a few minutes to explain and clear his shooting using his F.B.I. credentials, but Jack was more worried about getting to Sue as he didn't know if she was hurt or not. Jack knew using his credentials would probably mean leaving the area, but he would take that up with Garrett when he found Sue and got back to the cabin later.

Asking around to the deputies, Jack had been told that while the police officer who had tackled Sue had been hit, she was okay and had been left by one of the patrol cars. Unfortunately, when he went over to the cruisers, Sue was nowhere to be found.

Panicked, Jack began pacing through the crowd searching, his face lined with worry. When he saw the mass around the prone figure on the ground, his heart dropped.

Please don't let that be Sue! Jack prayed. Pushing through the throng, he dropped to his knees beside the blonde beauty, fear in his eyes. Cradling her face in his hands, he spoke to her knowing she couldn't hear him.

"Sue, please wake up," Jack pleaded. Her pale face scared him so.

Chapter 25

She fought the darkness, struggling to come back. Slowly, the fog lifted as Sue opened her eyes to the welcome sight of Jack's face peering down at her.

"Jack!" she cried, reaching up towards him.

"No, lie still," he commanded, holding her shoulders down as she tried to get up.

"I'm okay," Sue insisted. "I'm okay. Just hold me."

Jack pulled her up into a seated position next to him, wrapping his arms around her. Burying his face into her hair, he closed his eyes.

"Thank God, you're okay," he whispered quietly, his body shaking with the fear of what could have been.

Gradually, Sue calmed some, pulling away as she noticed the crowd around them. Clutching at Jack's coat, she stared up at him questioningly.

"Where's Matt and Emi? Are they alright?" she asked concerned.

"Yes, they're right there," Jack stated, indicating over her shoulder where Matt stood with his arms around Emi and Anna. Sue smiled briefly at them before turning back to Jack.

"Why did you run off?" Jack questioned.

"What?" Sue cringed confused. He looked so angry. His brow furrowed and his face tense, he looked like he was interrogating a suspect instead of talking to a woman he just kissed hours ago.

"When the deputy left you by the car, why did you leave?" he demanded, his hands gripping her shoulders tightly. The people around them were moving in closer around them, their faces becoming an overwhelming din of confusion again.

"I was afraid," she exclaimed, growing apprehensive of the look on Jack's face and the way he held her. Sue struggled to get up, pushing at his hands, forcing him to let her go. "I want to go home!" she demanded, scrambling to her feet.

Jack released her, gawking after her as she stomped down the street passed the crowd in a temper. Grabbing Levi's leash from Matt, Jack chased after her, catching up at the car.

"What' wrong?" Jack inquired, turning her around at the car door. He could see the tears forming in her eyes and cupped her cheek in his gloved hand, his heart breaking.

"Leave me alone!" Sue cried, throwing her arm up knocking his hand off her face. Turning to the car, she searched through watery eyes for the door handle, only to have him reach around her to open it. Sliding inside, she buried her head in her hands, shedding a torrent of tears.

Chapter 26

Jack watched her through the window, torment evident on his face. Why was she shutting me out? he wondered. What have I done? He heard Levi whine beside him and, looking down at him, wanted to cry himself.

Opening the back door, Jack let Levi in and walked dejected around to the driver's side of the car, sliding in behind the wheel. Putting the keys into the ignition, he looked down at his hands her sobs echoing through his body. With a groan, Jack pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms tight around her as she weakly struggled against him.

Finally giving in, Sue collapsed into him feebly, crying on his shoulder. Rocking her back and forth in his arms, Jack stroked her back caringly, gently kissing her hair softly as he fought the tears forming in his own eyes.

Holding her until she calmed, Jack's heart ached not knowing what to do. Brushing her hair back from her tear stained faced, he met her watery eyes and his breath caught in his chest.

O-K-YOU? Jack signed, his face lined with concern, not knowing if he'd set her off again.

"Why were you so mad at me?" Sue sniffed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"What?" Jack asked shocked gasping. What was she talking about? he wondered and felt her push at his shoulders, trying to get away from him again. Tightening his arm around her, Jack stroked her face with his hand.

"I'm sorry," he said gently. "I'm not mad, sweetheart," Jack caressed her cheek, placing a light kiss on her forehead. "I could never be mad at you, Sue," he told her, giving a small smile.

"But you looked so angry earlier," Sue informed him with sad eyes.

Jack thought back. My God! he thought, She thinks I was mad at her!

"No, Sue," Jack said gently, "I was angry with what happened with the gunmen. Not with you." He ran his hands through her silky hair. "I'm so sorry. I was so worried about you. I didn't mean to upset you." Jack placed his fist on his chest, rubbing it in circles. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

Jack could see the hesitant look in Sue's eyes as he knew it must be hard for her. Not being able to hear to tone of a person's voice, she had to rely on their facial expressions and body language to help her understand what they were saying. Unfortunately, he'd let her down yet again. It let him know just how different their lives were, and how much he still had to learn and adjust.

"Please Sue," Jack pleaded. Just then, it dawned on him that it might not have been just him that upset her. "Is there anything else bothering you?" he asked. When Sue looked down, Jack cupped her chin tilting her head back up to meet his eyes. "Talk to me, Sue. Teach me what I need to know to be a part of your world…please," Jack begged.

Seeing the love for her in his dark eyes and knowing she mirrored that same love for him in hers, she took a deep breath. Running her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck, Sue began telling him of the overwhelming emotions she felt in the crowd earlier.

Jack held her listening, his hands caressing her back, letting her know he was still there as she talked about the isolation she felt.