They held on to each other for a few more minutes and then Sue broke away. "I need to get my bags from outside." She explained apologetically.

"I'll get them. You sit down, you look exhausted."

"Have you seen yourself in a mirror lately?" She teased and he smiled softly before collecting her things, closing the door and shutting out the world. It was only then he noticed her faithful companion was missing.

"Where's Levi? Is he okay?"

"He's fine." She reassured him. "I left him with Charlie, that's one of the reasons I'm so late. I didn't think you'd be up to handling a hyperactive dog, not today anyway."

"Didn't Charlie mind?"

"No. Don't forget, if Levi gets too much he can always turn his hearing aids off so he doesn't have to listen, you would have had to put up with the noise."

"Thank you."

"Welcome. The tree isn't alight."

"Sorry. I didn't... I couldn't..." He bent down to flick the switch. "Better?"

"Much."

"Coffee"

"Please..."

"I'll take this lot into the bedroom first."

When he returned she was sitting with her feet tucked up on the couch staring at the tree. He put the two mugs down onto the coffee table and touched her lightly on the shoulder but still made her jump. "Sorry."

"No problem. Do you want to know what happened?"

"Whenever you're ready to tell me... I'm just happy you're here."

"You don't look happy."

"Tired," he sighed running a hand through his hair.

"Okay..."

Jack sat down in the armchair opposite her so she could see his face clearly and watched as she took a tentative sip of her drink.

"How did you know?"

"The nightmares"

"They were about..? Oh Jack..."

"And they all ended badly." He whispered, blowing out a breath.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. And now I'm wondering if..."

"God was trying to warn you?" She finished for him.

"Something like, that. Can you tell me what happened?"

"There's not much to tell. After I got off the phone with you, I called Lucy. She said you'd been acting very strange recently and you looked wiped out. Did you really exclude yourself from planned missions?"

He nodded. "One or two, I thought it would be safer for everyone. You were saying?"

"Oh," she frowned but didn't pursue it. "Anyway, I was all set to join the taskforce when they sent word they'd decided to use S.O.G instead of their own surveillance team – thought they'd be more reliable." She almost laughed at the irony, clearing her throat and taking a sip of her coffee. "I was told I was welcome to join them but I started thinking about what you said this morning and the way I'd ended the conversation and then there was what Lucy had told me... I decided I belonged here with you so I told them 'no'."

"Thank God." He closed his eyes momentarily turning the words into a prayer. "Why were you so late?"

She sighed. "They added extra security checks at the airport which meant we were an hour late taking off and my Blackberry was in my other bag so I couldn't call and then the traffic was terrible and Charlie wanted to talk... Jack, I'm sorry about this morning, I'm just glad that I listened to you... in the end."

"There's a first time for everything," he chuckled.

"Ooh..." Checking to make sure he wasn't still holding his coffee mug, she picked up a cushion and threw it at him, breaking some of the tension.

"Now you've done it!" Jumping out of his chair he was on her in a flash, his hands seeking out all the ticklish spots until she begged for mercy; tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Enough, please?"

"Not nearly enough."

This time she fought back catching him unawares and they finished up on the floor with her lying on top of him, their faces so close they could feel each other's breath. The grin faded from his face, his eyes darkening to almost coal-black with desire and he wrapped his arms around her, pressing her hard against him as he kissed her passionately over and over until she wriggled and squirmed out of his embrace.

"What?"

"If we're going to continue this, I need to use the bathroom."

"You do?" He tickled her again earning himself a none-too-playful smack. "Ouch!"

"Don't make me hurt you."

"Okay, okay..." he let go of her and put his hands palms down on the carpet.

"Thank you." She stood and practically ran from the room.

Re-joining him almost ten minutes later, all the laughter had gone from her face. "You really were in trouble, weren't you?" Her accusatory tone was laced with worry and he turned to face her, shrugging when he saw her holding his supplementary meds bottle in her hand and knowing that the last time she'd seen it, it had been sealed.

"Jack, you should have told me."

"There was no need for both of us to be scared to death."

"Jack..."

"I'm alright."

"You're sure?" She snuggled into him and he held her close before stepping back so she could see his lips.

"Yes. You should call Lucy, let her know you're safe and tell her to let the others know."

"Okay." She watched as he picked up his coat and keys. "Where are you going?"

"To get some take-out, I'm afraid the cupboards are almost bare."

"If you wait I'll come with you."

"No, you stay in the warm, I won't be long. Chinese?"

"Perfect."

He smiled warmly. "Call Lucy..."

o-xxx-o

They were cosied together on the couch as she caught him up on the things she'd been doing in New York and he'd sign from time to time to ask her questions or make a comment so they wouldn't have to separate. She was halfway through a story when she realised he hadn't responded in some time. Sitting up slightly to look at him, she smiled tenderly when she saw that he could barely keep his eyes open. "Tired?"

"Mmm... Sorry."

"That's okay. Do you have to go into work tomorrow?"

"I'm afraid so but just for the morning. I need to catch up on the things I didn't finish today."

She patted him gently on the stomach. "Then why don't you go and get ready for bed?"

"What about you?"

"I'll be there in a minute. I'll just wash the mugs out first."

"Okay," he stood wearily taking her proffered hand as she helped him to his feet. "Thanks. Want me to lock up?"

"No I'll do it."

"Don't be too long."

"I won't. Will you go? You're almost asleep on your feet."

"I'm going." He put up his hands in surrender and walked slowly towards the bedroom.

By the time she'd had a quick shower, cleaned her teeth and slipped into her nightgown he was already snuggled under the duvet, laying on his right side with his eyes closed. Quietly, she turned out his bedside lamp, crept round the bed and slipped in beside him before doing the same to hers. Cuddling up to his back, she slid her arm over his waist, smiling when he took her hand, kissed it and signed 'I love you' on the palm.

"I love you too. No more nightmares... just the sweetest of dreams."

o-xxx-o

Sue woke in the middle of the night not knowing what had disturbed her, but when she reached out for him, she realised she was alone. Still barefoot she padded softly towards the lounge, stopping in the doorway when she saw him by the tree looking out of the window once again. She moved closer and registered the exact moment he saw her reflection, his hand going to his mouth as it always did when he was upset or under stress and trying to hide it. Using the glass as a mirror she studied his face taking in the drawn lines of tension, his eyes bright with unshed tears.

"Is there something I can do for you?" She asked in hushed tones.

When he didn't answer she pressed herself against him, her arms sliding around his body and up under his pyjama top, hugging him as she rested her cheek on his back. After a few seconds he took her hands in his, holding them tight to his chest as he continued to stare outside with unseeing eyes and then suddenly he stirred, turning in her arms and kissing the top of her head.

She looked up at him worriedly. "More bad dreams..?"

"No, I just..." He broke off at a loss to explain.

"It's okay, I understand."

Jack smiled at her lovingly and bent his head, kissing her with such tenderness that she moaned into his mouth, her body trembling.

"Jack..."

"Mmm..." he brushed away a strand of hair from her face.

"Come back to bed."

Her eyes spoke volumes and with another brush of lips he slipped his arm around her and guided her back into the bedroom.

o-xxx-o