12

Every Dark Cloud

Rating: K+ for just the tiniest bit of suggestiveness.

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Chapter 5

"You're late," stated Myles when Jack strode into the bullpen the next morning.

"Traffic," he said succinctly as he took off his jacket. "Besides, it was tough dragging myself out of bed with all this rain."

"I know what you mean," commiserated Tara. "When the weather's like this, all I want to do is curl up under my blanket with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate next to me."

"Sounds good to me," Jack agreed. "Room for one more?"

"Stanley might have something to say about that," retorted Tara.

"A ménage a trios," Myles quipped. "A little kinky but interesting."

Tara rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Oh, go wash your mind out with soap!"

"I'll supply the soap," chipped in Jack.

"There is one good thing about all the wetness," D brought up.

"What?"

"Seems crooks don't like this kind of weather. The number of cases has been way down since the rain started."

"That's good. Wish it could be like that all the time."

"Has anybody heard from Lucy?" asked D. "She's usually not this late."

"Don't tell me we have another lamb missing from the flock," Myles remarked.

"She's not missing," Jack spoke up as he settled into his chair. "I told her to take the morning off. She's pretty upset and hasn't gotten much sleep."

"I know how she feels," Tara concurred. "It seems kinda strange without Sue and Bobby here."

"They've been out of the office before," pointed out Myles.

"That's different. They've never been missing before."

Heads nodded in agreement. The feel in the office was different.

"Any change in the forecast?" asked Jack.

"Rain, rain and more rain."

"No break for a fly by?"

"Not today."

"I just hope they made it back to Pearson's place," said Tara. "It's been cold at nights." Her worried glance saw the same expression on the other members of the team. Prolonged exposure could be deadly.

"We'll find 'em," Jack stated. We have to, he thought silently.

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"Let me help you," he said as he brushed away her fingers. One by one her buttons were undone revealing tantalizing bits of skin.

"Are you sure we're doing the right thing?" she murmured.

"I don't know," he replied as he slipped her blouse off, "but it feels right." He gently showered kisses on her bare shoulders while slender fingers caressed her back.

"It does to me, too," she sighed enjoying the sensation of skin on skin. Her fingers crept up the nape of his neck as she bent her head to allow him access to her throat. She moaned softly as each kiss left a burning trail to her lips.

"I knew we belonged together from the day we met," he whispered before crushing her mouth with his.

"Bobby? Bobby?"

"Huh? Wha…?" Groggily he opened his eyes but one look at Sue's worried face and he was wide awake. "Oh, God! Did I…I didn't…I wasn't…it was…"

Tongue-tied, he didn't know what to say or what to apologize for. Had his fantasies spilled over into real life?

"You must have been dreaming…I think. You had this expression on your face…."

Concern was evident in her eyes…in her voice. "Are you all right?"

He ran a hand over his face. He hoped he hadn't been talking in sleep.

"I'm fine." How could he tell her his dream had been about her…them?

"You were mumbling something but I couldn't make out the words."

Thank God for little favors! he thought gratefully.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she repeated reaching out for his forehead. "You look flushed."

"I'm fine," he repeated despite his parched throat and his achy head. His body protested when he struggled to get out of the armchair.

"You're not going anywhere," she said firmly a hand on his shoulder. "You have a fever."

"I really am fine," he insisted. He threw off her restraining hand and stood. "See! I tol….!"

"Hey!" She staggered under the unexpected weight.

"I…I must've…gotten up…too fast."

"No, you didn't listen to me," she scolded. "Here, sit down," she said guiding him back to the armchair. "You're sick, Bobby."

"I can't…" A spasm of coughing interrupted his denial. While her cold symptoms had disappeared, Bobby's coughing had only worsened.

"I'll get you some water." She returned handing him a bottle. "Here. Sip slowly."

"Thanks."

"Now you stay here while I get the couch ready for you."

"Don't bother."

His words literally fell on deaf ears. Deftly, she straightened the blanket and fluffed up the pillows.

"All right. Ready?"

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You are going to lie here and rest."

"Can't. Busy."

"You are?"

"Yea." He hated being sick.

"I cancelled all your appointments for today."

"I'm not sick."

"You are."

"I'm not."

"Now."

"But Sue!"

"No buts."

"I'll help you."

"I can walk by myself."

"Sure you can but just humor me, okay?"

"What say you lie down and I do everything?"

"No deal." She led the suddenly docile Bobby back to the couch and tucked the blankets around him. "There. You need to keep warm. I'll bring you something hot to drink. That should help your cough."

He leaned back and closed his eyes more grateful than he'd admit to Sue. He wasn't feeling well. He hated being sick and feeling so helpless but maybe…maybe this time it wouldn't be so bad. Having Sue as a nurse would only be a good thing. He opened his eyes when he felt her presence next to him.

"Here…drink this," said Sue slipping her arm behind him to help him sit up. "Careful…it's hot."

Contentedly he leaned against her as he sipped his drink.

"I may be sick more often if this is the kind of treatment I get," he joked.

"If we were home, I'd make you some of my famous chicken soup."

"Famous, eh? Why haven't I had a taste of this famous soup?"

"Because you haven't been sick. You are a very healthy guy."

"It's my diet."

"Coffee, greasy onion rings and Spanky's burgers," she teased. "Recommended by nutritionists everywhere to clog your arteries."

"But you don't get sick!"

"No, you get a heart attack instead," she said primly. "Done?"

He nodded.

"You rest now. If you need to get up for any reason, wait for me."

"Yes, mother."

It was nice to be taken care of, Bobby thought. Darcy had never been much of the domestic type.

Was it getting colder? he wondered. Maybe he should put on another log. He flung the

blanket off and started to get up.

"Whoa!"

The dizziness returned. He held onto the arm of the couch until the world stopped revolving. Cautiously he took a step, then another until he was halfway to the fireplace.

"Bobby Manning!"

Sue hurried over to him. "What do you think you're doing out of bed?" she scolded holding his arm.

"It's getting colder. I thought I'd throw on a log."

"I was going to do that in a minute. Now get back there!"

"But…"

"No! Back to bed!" she instructed tugging his arm. "What am I going to do with you?" she scolded as she tucked him in once more.

"I'm sorry," he said meekly.

"Did your mother have this much trouble when you were sick?"

"I wasn't the most cooperative patient," he agreed. "She usually had to bribe me to stay in bed."

She considered his remark for a moment. "How 'bout I make you dinner when we're out of here?"

"With the famous Oreo ice cream dessert?"

"How did you…?"

"Jack. He raved about it…and your tuna casserole."

"My mother's recipes."

"Smart girl to follow your mother's advice."

"How so?"

"The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

A small frown appeared. "Excuse me?"

"You don't have to explain anything. Everyone knows how it is between you and Jack." There. He brought out the proverbial elephant in the room. It was the primary reason he hadn't pursued a relationship with Sue from the get go.

The frown lines deepened. "They do?"

"Of course."

"Well, I don't. How is it between Jack and me?"

Bobby was taken aback.

"Well?"

"You…like each other?" He couldn't bring himself to admit more.

"Of course we do."

"No…I mean you like each other."

"Oh." A hint of exasperation tinged her voice. "Is that what you think?"

"It's what everyone's saying."

"What about you?"

"Jack's a good mate. You couldn't pick better."

It was time to clear any misconceptions. "Bobby?"

"Yea?"

"I like Jack."

His spirits sagged. "I know you do."

"As a friend."

He blinked. "A friend?"

"A friend, " she nodded. "That's all."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

Her eyes never left his face as he grappled with the implication of her words.

"Sue?"

"Yes?"

"I could talk to him. Find out how he feels."

"Please don't. I like our relationship the way it is now."

"But if you have feelings for him…"

"I do…as a friend…nothing more nothing less."

"Oh." His blue-grey eyes squarely met hers. "Sue?"

"Yes?"

"How do you feel about the rest of the team?"

"The rest of the team?"

He nodded.

"I like them all."

"Equally?"

"Well, I do like one member more than the others."

"You do?"

"Uh-huh." She began to brush back the recalcitrant lock of hair. "He's always there when I need him."

"He?"

"That's right…he. In fact, people have told me we make a good match."

"They have?" A niggling of worry began to creep into his mind. Surely he would have heard some whispers of such gossip.

She nodded. "Many times. I've been told we look good we look together."

"You do?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well…I know it's not Jack and it's not D and no woman in her right mind would consider Myles. Is it…is it…?"

She nodded. "You're right."

"I am?"

"It's Levi." Her eyes crinkled in laughter.

"You're evil, Sue Thomas."

"I know."

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"You have to eat, you know," Jack admonished Lucy as she picked at her meal. The team had decided to go out to dinner to shore up each other's spirits. As Myles pointed out, misery loves company.

"Try telling that to Levi," said Lucy ruefully. "I don't think he's eaten more than a couple of mouthfuls since Sue's been missing."

"You may have to take him to the vet if he keeps that up," Tara commented.

"I already called."

"What did he say?"

"Levi will eat when he's hungry enough…or maybe he won't."

"I've heard of dogs refusing to eat when their masters die or disappear," remarked Myles. "They literally starve themselves to death."

Lucy's appalled eyes focused on Myles. Looks of consternation appeared on the others while they glared at their tactless teammate.

"I'm sure that won't happen," comforted Jack as he squeezed Lucy's hand.

"What is it about you, Myles?" commented an annoyed D. "Does your brain stop working when you're not working on a case?"

"What? What did I say?"

"Too much," said Tara rolling her eyes. Sometimes she found it difficult to believe he was raised in a privileged environment—or wasn't tact a skill wealthy people cultivated?

"All I said was if we don't find Bobby and Sue soon…"

"But we will," interrupted Jack. "As soon as this rain lets up, we're sending out reconnaissance over the area and we'll be heading up there, too." He patted Lucy's hand. "We'll find them."

"I wish I had your confidence," she responded.

"Sue couldn't be with a better partner," Jack assured her.

"Yeah," agreed Tara, "Bobby's has all that tracking experience."

"And his survival training," D reminded. "He's been in situations like this before."

"I know what you guys are trying to do and I appreciate it," Lucy commented. "But you didn't have to keep me company. I'm a big girl."

"Someone had to make sure you eat," said Jack, "so eat. No repeats of last night."

Lucy put a forkful of food in her mouth.

"You know, people, we really have to…." began Myles.

Tara put a hand over his mouth before he could make another verbal faux pas.

"What Myles is trying to say is that we really have to believe that Bobby and Sue are all right," she interjected. "Until we receive evidence to the contrary, that's what I'm going to believe."

Lucy's gaze circled the table. Even Myles showed his concern. "You guys are great," she said sincerely. "When Sue and Bobby are back, I'm inviting all of you over to our place for a welcome home party."

"We'll be there," promised Jack.

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Sue worried as she put a log in the fireplace. There were only a few more left in the pile. By tomorrow the last of them would be gone and so would their heat source. How could she keep Bobby warm enough until help arrived?

Sighing, she stood up and went to check on him. He'd slept off and on throughout most of the day. His fever was being held in check with regular doses of aspirin but that would be gone within the next twenty-four hours, too.

"Hey, you're up," she said as she sat next to him. She gently wiped his forehead with a damp cloth. The flannel shirt had once again come in handy. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she continued to wipe his face.

"Never better," he said drowsily. Her touch was soothing.

"If you say so."

"I do."

"Can I get you anything? You haven't eaten much today."

"It's my new no cholesterol diet."

"You can start a new fad. You'll make a million dollars."

"I'll split it with you."

"Thanks. How 'bout some water?" she suggested standing up.

"No," he said reaching for her hand to stop her. "Stay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yea. Talk to me."

"What would you like to talk about?" she asked casting about for suggestions. "The weather? It's rain, rain and more rain. The ducks are pretty happy."

"I am, too."

"I'll keep it in mind that you like the rain,' she teased.

"I like the company."

"You're kind of sweet, you know that?"

He frowned slightly. "Sweet, eh? I don't know if real men like to be called 'sweet'."

"Real men loved to be called sweet," she corrected.

"They do?"

"Uh-huh."

"Oh." A spasm of coughing interrupted the conversation.

"Let me get you some water," she said worriedly. In seconds she was back. "Here…drink," she ordered propping him up. He took a few sips. "Better?"

He nodded as he leaned back exhausted.

"You need a doctor."

"It's just a cold."

"It's more than a cold, Bobby."

"I'll be fine. Don't worry."

"Easy to say…hard to do."

"I'll make you a deal," he said reaching for her hand. "You stop worrying and I'll make you dinner."

"You? Cook? Maybe I'll need a doctor," she teased gently.

"I think I've been insulted."

"Was there any doubt?"

"You're a terrible woman teasing a sick man."

"I tease you even when you're well."

"That's true," he admitted.

"Bobby?"

"Yea?"

"I only tease the people I like."

"Like…as in a friend?"

"Uh-huh."

"Oh."

"And like as in…."

Their playful interlude was violently interrupted with yet another coughing jag. Concern wiped away her laughing expression. A doctor…he really needed a doctor, she thought worriedly as anxiously waited for the spasm to pass.

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