Summary – An alternate ending to season 2's "The Kiss." What if Jack had gotten Sue's attention instead of walking away?

Author's note – I don't know American Sign Language (ASL). For the times when characters sign in this story, I've put that dialog in ALL CAPS.

Disclaimer – I don't own these characters. Just imagining that things had gone in a slightly different direction from the show.

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Chapter 5

Jack's stomach was in knots.

He didn't show it. Or tried not to. The team was involved in a fraud case, and he and Sue were professional as always. But there was clearly an undercurrent of unease running between the two of them that hadn't been there before, ever since the discussion about Jack possibly buying a house.

He hated that Sue had been left with the impression that her opinion didn't matter to him. He considered calling to try to explain, telling her that the idea of house hunting had been on a whim, and certainly couldn't happen now until he got his credit rating fixed after his information had been stolen, and should he ever be inclined to buy a house in the future he would certainly want Sue's input. Yet a phone call with Sue seemed impersonal, his words appearing on a screen relayed by a third party. Plus, it seemed the coward's way out. An explanation should be delivered in person. However, Jack's plans to talk to Sue in the car backfired. Myles decided to tag along on their way to gather information. Similarly, when it was time to grab a bite to eat, at least one other member of the team always joined them - perhaps not wanting Sue to have to pick up the tab until Jack got his credit cards replaced. Resigned, Jack took his frustration out on nailing the bad guys.

Finally, the suspects had been caught and arrested, and all that was left was the reams of paperwork, which everyone agreed could wait until the next day.

"Whatta say we all grab a bite to eat for a job well done?" Bobby suggested. "Bella Sera?"

"Italian sounds good to me," said Sue. The others nodded their ascent as well.

Jack really wished he could dine with Sue alone, but it wasn't in the cards. "I'll meet you there."

When Jack arrived at the restaurant, however, only Sue and Levi were there. After waiting five minutes for the others, it was clear what had occurred.

"OCP?" he asked and signed.

"It looks that way. Guess dinner will be my treat."

Jack nodded, both relieved that they were alone and a little anxious about it. They were shown a table, where Levi made himself at home, lying at Sue's feet.

Things were slightly strained, Jack wanting to wait until they had placed their orders before starting their conversation.

"Sue… I'm sorry for last week. At your place. Lucy and I gave you the wrong impression."

"You don't want to buy a house?"

"No… I do. Someday. But I wouldn't want to keep such a thing a secret from you. I might not have said it before, but I value your opinion, Sue. Very much. If I were to buy a house, I'd want you to pick it out with me."

"Why? It's not like I'd be living there," Sue pointed out.

It was like a slap in the face, as effective as if she had actually hit him. Lucy had hinted that Sue might want to be his 'roommate' one day, but Sue clearly didn't feel that way, and all thoughts of marriage crumbled with that realization. Jack fought to keep his disappointment in check. "No... why would you ever want to live with me," he said quietly, dejectedly, his eyes focused on the table.

Sue hesitated. "Well, someday I might… if the conditions were right."

Cautiously, Jack asked, "What conditions?"

"Well, for starters, there would need to be some modifications for my deafness. Hooking up the doorbell to the lights, that sort of thing."

Jack saw some hope. "Of course. I always presumed that—"

"And accommodations for Levi. A big backyard, a doggie door…"

"Yes, Levi—"

"And a ring on my finger."

Jack stared at her, stunned. Did she just say...

Sue continued before he could finish the thought. "Actually, I'd need two rings before moving in with you. An engagement ring, and then a—"

"Wedding ring," they said simultaneously.

Jack was still in a slight bit of shock. "Sue, have you thought this through? What it means?"

Sue smiled. Thanks to Lucy, she had had time to think it through and had decided to surprise Jack when the case was over - after letting him suffer a little bit first for not having the courage to discuss marriage with her. "If it means I get to spend the rest of my life with you, then yes."

Jack shook his head. "I meant at the Bureau. They could separate us. Possibly even fire one of us. Me, most likely, for being your superior."

"They could," agreed Sue, "And I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss working with you every day. But I don't think they would go that far."

"Do you have some sort of crystal ball I don't know about?"

"No. But we've proven to everyone that we're an effective team, not letting our personal lives get in the way of doing our jobs, and they'd be foolish to break up that team because of a technicality. Remember when I first started, and everyone thought I was going to be removed from the team for being a liability?"

"Yeah, I remember that."

"It turned out that Myles was the one they wanted to transfer, but I convinced Garrett to let Myles stay… for the good of the team."

"And you think you can work your Sue Thomas charm a second time?" Jack asked.

"I at least have to try." She reached for his hand – over the table, out in full view. "We have to try, Jack."

He looked at their clasped hands, marveling at the simplicity of the gesture, and what it signified now that it was out in the open. "We can try. But getting back to the living together part… you're sure about that, you really want to get married."

"Why is that so hard to believe?"

"I just need to know that you don't feel pressured to marry me because you report to me. It's a large part of why the fraternization rules are there in the first place. To avoid litigation later if the subordinate feels unduly coerced. So, forgive me, Sue, but I have to ask… I'm not coercing you, am I?"

"No, you're not coercing me."

"And you don't feel obligated to marry me because I'm your supervisor?"

"No, Jack."

Jack let out a deep breath. "Good. Remember those answers, for they might come in handy."

Their dinners arrived at that moment, and Jack began to eat his pasta.

"Jack? You forgot a question."

As he finished chewing, Jack thought but couldn't think of anything. He swallowed. "What did I miss?"

"The most important question," Sue hinted. "The one where my answer isn't 'no.'"

When Jack finally realized what she was getting at, he looked embarrassed. "I guess I haven't formally asked you yet, have I?" He wiped his mouth with his napkin and took a sip of water. He cleared his throat, then spoke and signed. "Sue Thomas… I love you. You would make me very happy if you would… pass me the breadbasket."

She gave him a quizzical look of huh?

Jack chuckled. "Sue, I'm not going to ask you when I don't have a ring yet. I'm kind of old-fashioned that way. Which reminds me, should I ask your parents' permission first?"

"I don't think you have to be that old-fashioned, Jack. We can tell them later."

"Okay. And what about choosing a ring? Both rings. I think you should have some input on that, since if all goes according to plan, you'll be wearing them a really, really long time."

"Hmm… ring shopping with Jack. Has a nice 'ring' to it," Sue said playfully.

Jack winced at the pun, but his heart was full. If anyone could convince the powers that be that both he and Sue should continue working for the FBI – and ideally continue working in the Hoover building together – it was the woman sitting with him. The woman who had just agreed to marry him.

Marry him for real.

Jack raised his water glass. "I propose a toast."

Sue raised her glass.

"To Callahan and Merced, attorneys at law."

Sue took a moment to place the name, then her face brightened. "The law firm where we first kissed? I guess we do owe them for getting us together." Sue clinked her glass against his.

"You know, I almost didn't work up the nerve to ask you out after that," Jack confessed. "Imagine. We'd still be just co-workers and friends instead of planning to shop for wedding rings."

Sue shook her head. "I can't imagine it. Can you, Levi?"

Levi groaned and placed a paw over his eyes. He couldn't imagine it either.

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THE END

Thanks to my readers for their encouragement and thank you for reading!