Time to put you out of your misery and discover where they are

The path leading to the location of their date wasn't very long but still, with the bushes either side it made finding out where it led impossible. As Sue and Jack reached the end of the path her heart fluttered and she couldn't help the smile appearing on her face, for there in front of her was one of her favourite locations, the beach. Well sort of, sure it didn't have the vast ocean, the sailboats, the smell of the seaweed or the powerful waves but it did have the sand and the water with the waterfowls resting on it and more importantly it had Jack.

What Sue hadn't noticed was the path was sloped and the bushes that blocked her view were above her head and sitting on top of what was a medium sized concrete wall, that ran the length of the sanded area and it was also where a few other couples were sat enjoying the picturesque scene of the sun dancing on the water as it set.

"Jack this place is beautiful" she said as she looked at him "Where are we?"

"Sandy Point, just outside the city" taking her hand he continued "Shall we"

"Yes, just give me a second"

Jack looked at her and couldn't help laughing as she removed her shoes while explaining "I love the feel of the sand on my feet"

Jack deciding this was a good plan proceeded to remove his own socks and shoes and together they walked along the sand, before deciding on the perfect spot for their picnic.

The spot they chose was close to the wall, had a perfect view of the sun setting on the lake but still far away from the other couples so they had some privacy. Sue took the one blanket and opened it out, before laying it on the sand for them to sit on. She left the other folded and placed it at the side of them once they sat. In the meantime Jack had opened the picnic basket where he had stored the ingredients for making all their favourite snack foods, as well as two plastic wine glasses, a bottle of apple soda and a single white rose for Sue.

As Sue sat next to him he handed her the rose which earned him a dazzling smile and a passionate kiss.

"So sweetheart you hungry?" he asked when they parted

"Starving" she answered, and she was, she hadn't eaten since breakfast, not wanting to fly with a full stomach, fly she still couldn't believe that only a few hours ago she was sat waiting for a flight that would take her away from all this, from her friends, her family, Jack!

"Hey what's going on in that pretty head of yours?" Jack asked, tapping her arm when he saw that far away look in her eyes

"I was just wondering why I decided to leave in the first place"

"Why did you?" Jack asked as he handed Sue the chicken wrap he had made her using the ingredients in the basket

"It was because of us, I thought if I was in New York it would make the whole being able to date easier, there would be no policy in the way, but like I said earlier I couldn't, no didn't want to lose you by being in another city, so I came back and spoke to Ted, I figured being in another DC unit was better than being in another city at least then I would still get to see you every day." She answered before taking a bite from her wrap

"What exactly did Ted say, I know you have rules to work by?" Jack asked taking a bite from his own wrap

"I'm remaining an analyst, I will be out in the field but only in the van, I cannot go undercover or conduct interviews. I'll keep my informants but can only meet them with a full agent and not alone"

"So I guess that means that you and I want be going undercover as a married couple anymore, nor have any pretend undercover dates, or late night kisses in lawyers offices"

"No, but like I told Lucy, who needs undercover when we have the real thing" she added her hand stroking his face

"That's true, pretending is good but the reality is a whole lot better" he added with a huge smile "So speaking of Lucy what happened when you got back to the apartment? Did she bombard you with questions?" Jack asked as he handed her a slice of blueberry cream pie

"Not really, when I got back she was pacing worriedly"

"Why was she pacing?" he asked taking his own slice of pie

"Well after I rung you for the fifth time, I figured out where you were and was out of the door telling Lucy I knew where you were before she had a chance to even move. So when I got back she asked me where I was"

"And you said"

"Well I think I said the fountain, but I was so happy and dazed that I could have said anything. I do know I said I was kissing you when she asked me what I was doing"

"I bet that made our Miss Matchmaker happy"

"I would use the word ecstatic rather than happy, even more so when she pulled me to the sofa as I was about to get dressed asking for details, I couldn't hear her screams but the changes in her face informed me she was screaming happily. We spent the rest of the time picking my outfit, putting my clothes away and realising staying was the right decision"

"I definitely think it was the right decision. I'm just sorry it took me so long to tell you I loved you and that I never wanted you to leave and I still don't, not ever"

"It's OK Jack, I could have told you, I had plenty of chances I just never took them, I nearly did once when you were in the hospital after you had your arrhythmia but then Ally showed up and I chickened out."

"I was going to tell you that to, having you there in the hospital with me, holding my hand, made so much sense but as you said Ally interrupted us so I too chickened out and then you met David and I saw my chances getting further and further away from me."

"I guess we're both pretty stubborn and dumb then. We let other people and our own stupid prides get in the way of our happiness, but not anymore"

"No, not anymore" Jack agreed handing her a glass "Too us"

"To us and to new beginnings" Sue added

The rest of their time was spent talking about each other's pasts, likes and dislikes. Sue discovered that Jack was a closet artist and loved to draw. He also pointed out that, that one picture he had given her for her birthday one year was painted by him and not shop bought as he led her to believe. Jack had discovered a secret passion of Sue's was old movies and she loved nothing better than lounging on the sofa with a black and white movie. Talk turned to favourite movies and books and discovered they shared a similar passion for Stephan King books and films and they agreed a movie marathon of his films was definitely the plan for one Sunday afternoon in the near future.

They spoke about their home towns and where they grew up. Sue was surprised to hear that even though Jack grew up in a small town in the country he had never ridden a horse, something Sue insisted needed changing since she was an expert and would be happy to teach him.

They had been talking for the last hour and now the sun was really starting to set it could just about be seen above the water, the temperature had also lowered slightly but was more noticeable and caused Sue to shiver slightly as one breeze washed over them

"Cold" Jack asked

"A little, can you think of a way to warm me up" she added with a grin

"I can think of a few ways" Jack added with his own grin

Taking the other blanket from its spot he wrapped it around her shoulders "Better?"

"Getting there but I think you can do better than that"

Jack smiled and knew what she meant. Moving the now empty picnic basket on to the sand he pulled her up, shook the excess sand from the blanket and together they moved closer to wall where Jack sat first, blanket around his shoulders, his right leg stretched in front of him and left bent slightly and invited Sue to sit between them which she did angled slightly so she could still see his lips, Jack then pulled the blanket and his arms around Sue while she pulled the other over their legs.

"Better" he asked

"Much better, I like this spot" she replied placing a trail of kisses from his lips to his neck before snuggling in closer

Jack tightened his grip and looked at her "You do realise that now you're here with me I am never letting you leave again"

"I was counting on that but I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon"

The couple lay peacefully curled up together under their blankets as the sun set in front of them, neither one spoke, neither one moved they just enjoyed their new love smiling widely at the thought that it was going to last forever.

I don't know if the timings and correct but Jack and Sue did have to go to the beach during the case involving her friend Carole so I figured it couldn't be that far away. This isn't the end there are a few chapters still left to go including the continuation of their date xx

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