He heard Lucy and Daryl enter their suite and dragged his attention from the woman sleeping in his arms. He could have eased her back on the couch and settled her comfortably, but he had refused to give her up. Instead he cuddled her closer, making himself comfortable and contented himself with listening to her deep, even breaths.

"Hey," Lucy whispered before shaking her head in disgust. "I can't ever seem to remember that I don't have to whisper when she's asleep," she explained, still not speaking at full volume.

"I know," Jack agreed with a half-smile. "I've been sitting here with the television off, not wanting to disturb her."

"How is she?" Daryl asked, sitting on the edge of the chair Lucy had claimed.

"She's gonna make it," Jack answered with pride. "She's a fighter. She's been rattled, but I'm going to work on building her confidence back up. Tomorrow will be good for her. I'm taking her to the big island."

"Good," Lucy muttered. "Hopefully by the time you return this will all be just a bad memory and we can replace it with lots of good memories."

"That's what I'm planning on doing. So," he continued, his attention shifting to Daryl, "What's going on with your friend?"

"He's in jail. Seems he was higher than a kite on crystal meth. Can you believe it? He knew he was spending the day with us and still had the gall to take a hit. And just so you know, I no longer consider him a friend."

Jack snorted, "Crack makes people do things they'd never imagine doing. I'm not excusing what he did, but it helps explain the bizarreness of it. I hope they keep him for several days, give him a chance to come down...way down," he muttered angrily, his gaze straying back to Sue's jaw where the bruises were perfect imprints of her attacker's fingers. "I guess the police are going to want to talk with her?"

Daryl nodded regretfully. He'd done all he could to avoid the need, but it was a necessary step in the justice system. "My dad did what he could, but even his clout on the island couldn't keep Sue from having to give a statement. They'll be by around later this evening, after 8:00 PM or so."

"Did she say anything? Anything about what he said or...anything?"

Jack shook his head. "No, she didn't want me to be mad at her. That's about all she said."

"Why would you be mad at her? That's crazy!" Lucy said indignantly.

"I know," Jack grunted, "But I think it has something to do with the look on my face when I saw the bruises on her jaw. I don't think I schooled my features quickly enough," he laughed mirthlessly.

"Jack?" Daryl quietly asked, looking to Lucy for support before continuing. "Lucy and I would like it very much, would be honored in fact, if you would step in and be a part of the wedding party. I would have originally asked you, but Lucy was tired of trying to match make between you and Sue and she vetoed the sugge..." His words were cut off by the pillow that thumped him across his face.

"What's he's trying to say is in his not so funny way is, I wanted you to be a groomsman for obvious reasons, my matchmaking fantasy just a part of it, but he felt obligated to ask Scott. Now, things have worked out my way. Will you be in the wedding? Will you take Scott's place? I know Sue would be thrilled. Not," she quickly added, holding her hands up, "That I'm trying to match make or anything. I know she'd be much more comfortable with you than one of my cousins, although a couple of them have mentioned wanting to meet her," she finally paused to catch a quick breath and noticed both men staring at her in bemusement. "Sorry, my mind is going a thousand miles an hour in about a hundred different directions." Taking a deep, calming breath she pinned her gaze on Jack. "So, will you do it? Will you be in our wedding?"

"I'd love to," he answered seriously, everything seeming to fall in place with his newly developed plans.