12

It Had to be You

----------

Chapter 23

"How's she doing back there?" Janice asked Howie after serving a customer.

"She's a gamer," he replied brightly. He looked towards the kitchen area to make sure Sue wasn't close by, then leaned closer and said confidentially, "But between you and me, she should go home."

"Well, I hope that young man comes soon or I'll take her home myself," Janice growled.

"You do that. Melissa and I can close up."

The bell over the door tinkled and a woman with short blonde hair entered.

"Is Sue Thomas here?" she asked.

"Who wants to know?" asked Janice.

She held up her FBI badge. "I'm Special Agent Tara Williams. Bobby's still out doing some interviews and asked if I'd stay with Sue until he's free."

Howie had been peering at her identification while she spoke.

"Looks like the same badge that other FBI agent showed me," he pronounced to Janice. "So, you're a real FBI agent, huh?" he asked impressed.

"Yeah."

"I didn't think they'd be so pretty in real life," he said admiringly.

"Thanks…I think." She smiled self-consciously. "So, may I see her?"

"Only if you promise to take her home," Janice said sternly. "She needs some sleep."

"You must have been reading Bobby's mind," smiled Tara. "That's why he sent me here."

A beaming expression replaced her frown. "I knew there was a reason I liked him. Howie?"

He picked up his cue. "I'll let Sue know you're here."

In a few moments, he returned with Sue. Her hands were covered with flour and there was a white streak on one cheek.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Hi!" said Tara cheerfully. When Bobby had made his request, she had an ulterior motive in saying yes—she wanted to check out the woman who seemed to have captured her friend's interest. Lucy had made her swear to report every last detail of their encounter. "I'm Tara Williams," she repeated. "You must be Sue."

"I am." Sue looked at Tara a trifle uncertainly. "Bobby sent you?"

"Yeah. He thought you might be tired after last night so he asked if I'd keep you company if you wanted to go home and get some rest. He'll be along later but he doesn't know how much later," Tara explained.

"That's very thoughtful but don't you have work to do?" Sue glanced at her watch. "It's only three."

Tara patted the computer bag hanging at her side. "Laptop. I can work anywhere that's an Internet connection." She looked at Sue in concern. "You do have Internet connection, don't you?"

Sue nodded.

"I hope you're not wireless. I know everyone thinks it's the way to go but you just never know who could be accessing your information. I much prefer a more secure connection. You can't be too careful, you know."

"I have to plug in a cable to get Internet," answered Sue. "Is that what you mean?"

"Exactly," Tara beamed. "I'm ready to go any time you are."

"I will be as soon as I finish this batch."

"Fine. I'll go sit in a corner and wait."

"Would you like some coffee?" offered Howie. "On the house, of course." He glanced quickly at Janice.

"Of course," she agreed. "Would you like a pastry to go with that?"

----------

"This is nice," said Tara looking around before she followed Sue inside. No one seemed to have followed them. She closed the door. "How long have you lived here?" she asked as she lifted the curtain to look outside. She looked up when there was no response. Sue was staring at her with a puzzled gaze.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking to see if anyone followed us here," Tara replied as she continued to peer outside.

"Oh." The FBI agent had kept up a friendly conversation during the ride home causing Sue to momentarily forget why she was there.

"I don't see anything unusual. Looks like we're okay," Tara announced as she shifted her body to scan up and down the street. "I'm going to check the rest of the house," she said letting the curtain fall into place.

"Is everything okay?" asked Sue. She'd tried to follow Tara's lips but her movements placed her back towards Sue. She noticed the puzzled expression on Tara's face. "Is something wrong?"

"Um…I…already answered your question before you asked it," said Tara wondering why Sue was asking when she'd already told her.

"You did?"

"I did."

A little smile tugged at a corner of her lips. "I guess Bobby didn't mention it."

Tara looked blank. "Mention what?"

"That I'm deaf. I have to be looking at you in order to read your lips. When you had your back to me, I couldn't see them."

Tara's eyes became big and round. "Um…no, he didn't. It seems to have slipped his mind."

"I don't think he remembers himself most of the time."

"That sounds like Bobby," Tara replied with a flash of a smile. "Now, I'm going to do what he asked me. I know you're going to think this overly cautious but I want you to stay right here while I check out the rest of the house. We need to make sure there's no one here, all right?"

"All right."

Tara excused herself and began her inspection. A little shiver went up Sue's spine as she waited. Last night and today at work she could pretend everything was normal. But the presence of the FBI agent and her surveillance sweep of the surroundings brought Sue back to reality with a jolt—she could be in serious danger.

Just as Sue began to wonder what was taking so long, Tara returned.

"Everything check's out," she announced.

"That's good. Um…would you like something to eat or drink?" offered Sue.

"I'm fine," responded Tara. "Why don't you go ahead and rest? I'll be here to keep an eye on everything."

"I guess I will," Sue replied. "Thanks, Tara."

"No problem. Have a good nap."

----------

"How's everything?" asked Bobby when he finally slipped into the kitchen of the O'Brien house. It was a little after seven.

"Quiet," Tara answered. "Janice just went to see if Sue is still sleeping. Anything?"

Bobby shrugged out of his heavy jacket and draped it over a chair.

"The good news is that the lab identified digitalis was in that syringe so it could very well be the murder weapon. They're testing it further to see if they can find any of Shelton's DNA on the needle." He looked meaningfully at Tara. "And there was a partial print."

"That's good," she remarked noting Bobby's expression was not happy.

"Not so good. We can't find a match in any of our databases."

"So we still don't know the identity of the serial killer."

"No, we don't," he said tiredly as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Hey," said Tara in concern, "you need some rest, too. Why don't you lie down for a couple of hours? I can stay a while longer. It just so happens my engagement book is empty for tonight—and as long as you need me."

"You sure now?"

"Positive," she said firmly.

"Thanks, Tara," he smiled briefly squeezing her shoulder. "I could use some sleep."

Both agents turned at the sound of footsteps.

"She's still asleep," Janice reported when she noticed the newcomer in the kitchen. "About time you got here."

"I hurried as fast as I could," Bobby replied.

"Dinner's just about ready," she informed him. "Why don't you go wash up and we'll eat?"

"I think I'd rather check on Sue to see for myself she's all right and then if you don't mind, catch a few winks while Tara's still here."

"I'll take out a plate in case you change your mind."

"Thanks."

He took a few steps to the doorway when Janice called out.

"Bobby?"

He halted and looked over his shoulder.

"You can sleep in my son's room…third door on the right."

He nodded as he smiled and continued his way.

"Or not," she added.

She turned and made eye contact with Tara.

"He's like my Harry all over," she remarked conversationally.

"Harry?"

"My late husband. I'd tell him something, he'd give me that smile of his, nod and do what he wanted." She smirked at Tara. "C'mon, let's have some dinner."

----------

Bobby quietly pushed open the door of Sue's room taking care not to let the hall light fall on her face. For a moment, he stood next to the bed staring at her then cautiously lowered himself so as not to disturb Sue. As he watched her sleep, he could feel a part of his tension slowly dissipate. She was safe—for now.

A strand of hair was plastered across her cheek. With a featherlight touch, he gently brushed it behind her ear. Even though he barely made contact, Sue's eyes began to flutter open.

"Hi," she whispered sleepily when she recognized him. She had difficulty keeping her eyes open. "You're here."

"That I am," he smiled. "Shh," he cooed as he stroked her hair "Go back to sleep."

She couldn't read his lips in the dimness of the room but his touch reassured her like nothing else could. "Stay with me," she uttered as she moved over so he'd have more room.

Bobby was torn between maintaining a professional demeanor or holding the woman he cared for in his arms. Officially, Sue wasn't under FBI protection nor was he on duty. And there was Tara providing security in the house, he rationalized. It wouldn't be a breach of protocol nor would he be jeopardizing her safety.

He kicked off his shoes and gathered her in his arms as he lay down holding her hand in his. He brought it to his lips and kissed it. His reward was a sweet smile.

"Nice," she murmured through closing eyes. "I missed you."

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. He savored the warmth of her body in his arms and the comfort of the bed. It had been a very long thirty-six hours. He could no longer deny what his body needed---sleep.

----------

Tara enjoyed dinner with Janice much more than she thought she would. She was an interesting person with thoughts on just about everything under the sun.

"It's my age," she declared. "If you don't have an opinion on everything, then you might as well check in to the old folks' home."

"Dinner was great," Tara praised. "I could get spoiled if I have to stay here much longer."

Janice beamed. "Please do. It's nice to have young people around the place. Since my kids moved away, it's been quiet. I mean the shop and my friends keep me busy but you know the feel of the place is different when you having people in it."

It was obvious to Tara that the gregarious woman was very much a people person.

"Here," she said grabbing the empty plates. "Let me help you clear the table. I'm going to do a surveillance check then I'll come back and help with the dishes. I'm a great wiper."

"You don't have to do that," protested Janice reaching for the plates the FBI agent held. "You go do what you're supposed to do."

Before Tara could reply, her cell went off. "Excuse me," she said as she reached for the phone clipped to her waistband. "Tara." Janice disappeared into the kitchen to give her some privacy.

"Tara…it's Jack. How's everything?"

"Fine. Just had a terrific dinner with my hostess."

"Any signs you've been followed?"

"Nope."

"Good. What about Sue and Bobby?"

"Both sleeping." She didn't think he needed to know they were sharing the same bed.

"I was thinking…"

"Yes?"

"What if I came over and you and I split guard duty? I'm sure Bobby could use a good night's sleep."

"And this way we could both get some sleep."

"Right. So what do you say? That is…if you didn't have plans for the rest of the evening."

"I say let's do it."

"Be there is forty-five minutes."

"Um…Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you should have someone drop you off. It'll be less conspicuous than having another strange vehicle on the block. You can drive in to work with Bobby or me tomorrow."

"Good idea. I'll ask Lucy. See you."

With a smile, Tara hung up and put away her cell. That was one of the blessings of being on this team—whenever you needed help, one of them was always there to provide it.

She better let Janice know another agent was coming over. "Hey, Janice!" called out Tara as she picked up a couple of more dishes and headed for the kitchen.

----------

It was late when Sue's eyes opened. Blinking in an effort to adjust to the darkness, she lay there unable to see or hear anything. With the possible threat hanging over her she should have felt frightened but she didn't. The arms that held her were familiar ones and she knew they would keep her safe. His scent reassured her as she snuggled into his arms further. She could feel them tighten around her. This is where she wanted to be.

She could feel his breath on her face, his lips pressing onto her forehead. She wished she could see his lips or hear his voice for only a second because she was sure he was whispering words of love to her.

"I love you, Bobby," she murmured for the first time. His body became very still. She could feel his heart beat rapidly under her hand.

Bobby's eyes had flown open when he felt her move closer to him. "I'm here," he whispered, "I'll keep you safe." He kissed her forehead. "Oh, Sue!" He squeezed her tighter. And then he heard her say those three words that had hovered on his lips since they were reunited in DC.

"I love you, too," he said softly into her ear knowing she wouldn't be able to hear the words but hoping she could still feel the depth of his affection for her. In the darkness, his lips sought hers to seal his commitment to her. Moments ticked by as time seemed to stand still for the pair as they rained kisses upon each other.

He gradually became aware of his shirt buttons becoming undone one by one. His hand reached up to stop her. Sharing the same bed with her was already pushing the limits of his conduct during an investigation. To sleep with her would be an egregious breach.

He put her hand on his cheek and shook his head. "I can't," he said quietly. He felt her tug the hand he held. He had to explain. He reached for the switch of the bedside lamp and turned it on.

Momentarily blinded by the soft light, he sat up as he blinked to adjust to the sudden brightness. He could feel Sue sit up, too.

"Let me go, Bobby," she said turning away from him. "I'm sorry. I thought you wanted…"

"Hold on," he said gripping her wrist firmly. With his other hand he guided her chin so she could face him.

"I want to make love to you but I can't," he began. "It wouldn't be appropriate at this time not while you're a witness in a case. As it is, I'm stretching the rules perilously thin by being here with you like this."

"Oh."

"However," he said with a smile, "once this is all over, I intend to remedy the situation…with your co-operation, of course."

"You've got it," she glowed.

The intensity of the moment was shattered when Bobby could hear his stomach growl. His hand flew to quiet it.

"What?" asked Sue.

"Much as I'd like to continue this conversation, it seems my digestive system has other ideas," he informed her. "I'm hungry." He glanced at his watch. "Good Lord! It's one in the morning!" Lunch had been a long time ago. "What say we sneak into the kitchen and raid the fridge?"

She could feel her stomach protest at the meager nourishment she had fed it the previous day. Breakfast and lunch had been sketchy affairs.

"I'll be right behind you."

----------

"Your turn," Sue commented returning from the bathroom. She was surprised to see Jack talking quietly with Bobby. "Jack? What are you doing here?" She looked alarmed. "Did something else happen?"

"No. Tara and I just decided it would be easier if we took shifts," he explained. "I heard voices so I came to investigate."

"Oh, thanks for being so diligent. Where's Tara?"

"Sleeping in the other bedroom. Seems Bobby had great foresight and left it unoccupied," he smirked.

Bobby and Sue looked a little sheepish.

"I hear there's going to be a midnight raid on the fridge," Jack smiled. "Is it open to anyone or by invitation only?"

"Please join us," invited Sue.

"I'll meet you there," promised Bobby as he headed towards the bathroom.

"How are you?" asked Jack making conversation as they walked to the kitchen.

"All right, I guess."

"You guess?"

"I'm just having a difficult time believing that anyone would want to harm me," she admitted. "I feel like you're all wasting your time trying to protect me."

"We'd much rather waste a few hours protecting you than having something happen and wishing we had protected you," Jack said seriously.

"But according to Bobby I'm a very low priority right now."

"Maybe on the official FBI protection list but not to Bobby. And if your safety is important to Bobby, then it's important to the rest of us on the team."

Sue looked at him with an appreciative gaze. "Thank you. He's very blessed to have such good friends."

"That's the kind of person Bobby is."

"Very special," she said softly. "And so are his friends."

----------