CHAPTER 17

Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews! I'm so glad you all have been enjoying the story! As always… I don't own anything!

As congratulations for a job well done, the group took Jack and Sue out to the fanciest restaurant they could find. Once at dinner, the whole group joined the triumphant couple in a toast.

"To Jack and Sue" Myles began.

"And talent unbeknownst…" Bobby joked. Everyone laughed.

"To our friends for saving our butts!" Tara continued. Everyone raised their glasses.

"So, now that we've actually won, what horrible fate did we save you from?" Sue asked.

"I think the better question would be, what does Randy now have to pay as his debt to the bet?" Lucy said with a chuckle.

"Do tell…" Jack said.

"For a whole month, we do not have to fill out triplicate forms for anything. We do not have to account for every dime via a receipt for our expense reports. And… we get a month's worth of supplies without having to put in a req form." Lucy said.

"And… we are getting one of those fancy new single cup coffee machines with a coffee flavor of choice- per person!" Tara said excitedly.

"Wow!" Sue exclaimed.

"Randy was just a bit over confident he would win." D said with a smile.

"To justice!" Jack said, raising his glass. Everyone again toasted. After dinner, the celebration broke up and everyone went their separate ways. Sue's parents were going to be in town only for one day, so she decided to stay home and visit with them. Jack drove Sue home and went up for coffee.

Sue said she had to walk Levi. Jack offered to go to keep her company.

Lucy smiled at her best friend knowingly. Sue blushed lightly giving Lucy the answer to the unasked question. Lucy had suspected for some time that the relationship between Sue and Jack had changed. As Sue and Jack walked out the door with Levi, Jack's hand landed on the small of her back. Once they had crossed into the park, Jack slipped his hand into hers, entwining their fingers together. They walked for a little bit in silence. As they walked over the foot bridge, the couple stopped. The moonlight sparkled off the duck pond. The moon was full and high in the sky, making the late hour seem earlier than it was. Jack wrapped his arm around Sue's waist, holding her close. Sue turned slightly in his arms, facing him. She smiled at him as he leaned to her, placing a soft simple kiss on her lips. Her hands reached around his neck, pulling him in closer, effectively deepening their kiss.

"I am going to miss spending everyday with you." Sue said sweetly.

"I'm going to miss this…" Jack said. "You don't have to you know…" Jack smiled.

"Jack…"Sue started. "You know we can't keep doing this… We never should have started doing this…" She continued.

"Why not?" Jack asked as he kissed her on the cheek, moving to her neck.

"B-B-Because of the rules." She stuttered.

"We can do something about that… we can try at least." Jack offered. Sue smiled at him as his lips descended on hers. Jack wrapped his arms hers, pulling her close to him. His tongue inched forward, softly licking her bottom lip requesting entrance. As she granted it, she let out a gasp from the pent up passion she felt. Jack pulled back from the kiss, holding her tight. Sue stood back enough so she could see his face. "We'll figure something out. I have no intention of giving you up." Jack said as he pulled her into a tight hug.

XOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOX

The following morning, Sue's dad decided to take Levi for his walk in the park. As the two pals rounded a corner in the path, Levi began to bark and wag his tail excitedly. Bill looked up and noticed Jack coming toward them. Jack smiled as he came up on the pair. The two men shook hands and Jack patted Levi.

"Hi Boy! Where's Sue?" Jack asked as he finished scratching Levi on the head.

"Home, fixing breakfast." Bill replied.

"Ahh…" Jack said.

"You should stop by, they're making a ton, and I'm sure my daughter would love to see you." He said with a hint of something in his voice that Jack wasn't sure about.

"That sounds great. I'll have to go shower first." Jack said laughing at the fact that he was sweaty. I'll be back in half hour or so?" Jack said as he turned.

"Agent Hudson?" Bill began. Jack turned.

"Jack, please." Jack said laughing.

"Jack… do you have a minute before you go? I wanted to talk to you about something." Bill seemed very serious.

"Sure, what's up?" Jack asked.

"I'm curious as to what your intentions are toward my daughter." He asked sternly.

"I-I'm sorry… what?" Jack asked, caught off guard.

"My daughter, Susan, what do you intend for you and her in the near future?" He asked, trying to spell it out.

"Uhh… I don't really know how to answer that, Sir." Jack offered.

"Are you in love with her?" Bill asked.

"My feelings toward your daughter can't matter." He paused. "Can ask where this is coming from?" Jack asked, trying desperately to get the spotlight off him.

"I may be an old man, but I remember what it was like being young and in love. I remember how Carla used to look at me, and still does sometimes. I see how both of you look at each other." Bill started. He paused, staring at Jack. "I didn't mean to, but… I spied the two of you in the park last night. I glanced out the window and could see you take her hand in your as you entered the park. I watched as you walked to the footbridge and took her in your arms. That was when I stopped watching. The passion between the two of you is obvious." Bill said with suggestion in his voice this time. Jack blushed.

"Sir, I assure you, Sue and I…" Jack started. Bill held up a hand to stop him.

"I don't want to know. You're both adults. My concern is that she not get hurt. If you have no intention of pursuing a future with her, let her go now." Bill stated.

"Mr. Thomas, I love your daughter. I shouldn't. I'm not supposed to, but I do. We tried to stay away from each other, but we couldn't stop it from happening. I will never hurt Sue." Jack finally said.

"Does she know that?" He asked.

"I haven't told her, no. I am trying to find a way to make it work between us." Jack offered.

"What's the issue?" Bill asked.

"Work." Jack said. Both men smiled. "Rules…"

"You'd best get going on that shower or there won't be any bacon left for you!" Bill said, offering his hand to Jack.

Jack walked away thinking about his future with Sue.

A half hour later, Jack knocked on the door. He was holding a box of hot cinnamon buns from the bakery near his house.

"Hi Jack." Sue said smiling. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Your Dad didn't tell you?" Jack asked.

"Sorry, slipped my mind I guess." Bill said, winking at Sue. "I invited Jack for breakfast, hope you don't mind." He said with a wink in Sue's direction.