Redemption

Chapter Sixty-Six

She felt a gentle, comforting hand upon her shoulder as she stared down at the paperwork in front of her. She was trying to focus on something besides the mission so her mind would be at ease. Unfortunately, the letters formed words that wouldn't register in her mind. All she could think about was Jack and losing both he and Danni to Dessa's plot. That was something she was just not prepared for.

She'd just gotten use to having Danni back in her life, her being the long-lost sister she'd always wanted, and the fact that her life hung in the balance at this very moment made her stomach twist into knots and flip-flop over and over. She hadn't realized it until recently that she needed her cousin in her life. Lucy was a wonderful shoulder to cry on when the need arose, but there was always so much more that Sue could tell Danni. It had always been that way and the thought that that shoulder wouldn't be there anymore frightened her more than she ever thought it would.

And Jack, he was so willing to risk his life to protect someone who'd quickly become part of their extended family. It was noble, she would give him that, but he'd agreed to it without negotiation. He was willingly giving himself up into Dessa's clutches and yet he wasn't even going to say goodbye to her.

She hadn't expected the need to see him before he left to be so great, but as every moment ticked by, it increased ten-fold until it was ready to burst from her. Then, she started as that gentle and comforting hand placed itself upon her shoulder. She knew it was him before she even looked up. It wasn't the fact that his usually lingering scent had become stronger—causing her stomach to flip-flop again—or the fact that the familiar touch upon her shoulder send a calming shiver to rush down her spine. She could just sense his presence and felt her tense muscles relax as she raised her head and gazed into the brown eyes she'd been hoping to see.

"Jack, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready with the others?" Despite her questions, she was happy to see him and was very close to jumping into his arms if Lucy's presence in the bullpen hadn't deterred her. Of course, the rotor would be more than happy to witness such an outpour of emotion, but neither Jack nor Sue were willing to share the joy of their relationship just yet; perhaps when this was all over, but not before.

He managed a small smirk and tried to hold the urge to push a stray strand of hair from her eyes at bay for as long as possible. Lucy was probably chomping at the bit to be privy to this, though he didn't want to turn away from Sue's gaze to see if she was as anticipatory of what was to come as he thought she would be. He swallowed hard as he let his brown orbs sweep across her features, making sure her beauty was stowed away in his memory bank for the rest of his life—however long or short that may be.

He nodded dumbly before finding his voice. Whether it was the worry of what lay ahead that kept his voice from him or simply the beauty of the angel in front of him that was at fault, he wasn't sure; he hoped he was the latter, though. "Yeah, they're waiting for me, but I wanted to talk to you first… in private."

Her mouth formed into an "o" of understanding before she nodded and stood from her desk. She called for Levi who followed her as Jack led her from the room. What he wanted to speak to her about was puzzling and because of that, her heart sped up. Or was it because his hand was resting upon the small of her back? It was a normal gesture for him, yet now—after he'd revealed his true feelings—it had more significance and set her soul on fire with a passion and a want of being in his arms forever.

As a shiver ran unmercifully down her spine, she spared a short glance over at Lucy to see if she was as anxious about this talk as she was, but was disappointed when she saw that Lucy's attention was drawn to something else. She'd never even realized that Jack had entered to bullpen nor that they were exiting practically arm-in-arm.

He led her and Levi to an empty conference room, careful to keep a firm, yet not bone-crunching grip upon her small hand in his large one before motioning to a chair so she could sit down, the dog wandering off to give the humans some privacy. She did as he silently asked and folded her hands in her lap as she waited for him to speak. She could tell that there was so much that he wanted to say, yet he was struggling with finding the right words.

He paced in front of her a few times before pulling up a seat and sitting eye-to-eye with her and pulling one of her hands into his own. He gazed down at the contrast that took place. His hand was so much larger and darker than hers, yet they fit so well together.

Exerting only slight pressure, their fingers linked together, making the connection between them stronger as he fought past what his mind was yelling at him to focus on what his heart was saying. That was where he would find the words and if his brain would only shut up for one moment, he would be able to get out what was laying so heavy upon his shoulders. After that, he would be able to stand up to Dessa and face whatever the dark "prince" had to throw at him.

Sue remained silent as she saw the turmoil through which Jack was going. There was a sense of self and a sense of duty surrounding him and trying to discover which was more important at this time was heartbreaking. She understood that she could do little to help him through this, but his silence was almost too much, even for her. All she could think to do was squeeze his hand for comfort, but she discovered that was just what he'd needed. She watched as his eyes lit up and a small smile graced his slack lips.

The silence was all he could hope for. If he would have known her gentle touch was all that it would take for the voice in his head to force itself into quiet, he would have asked her to do it long before and hoped that there would be more and more chances for her to do it again.

He drew in a deep breath before releasing it, his eyes showing her compassion and love and everything she could ever ask from him. "I don't have much time, but there's something I had to tell you before I left." He felt his chest constrict under his vest as anxiety washed over him for a split second before completely vanishing from one look into her sparkling hazel eyes. They only sparkled for him and he would make sure that that sheen would never be lost.

She leaned forward to both show that she understood and to urge him on. She tried her hardest to smile, but she was finding it difficult and only managed to raise a single corner of her mouth. All last night she'd believed that this was her fault, but Jack had taken her aside before leaving for the bullpen to reassure her. Her heart had soared at his kind words, but a part of her was still missing and she wouldn't be whole until Danni was by her side again. "I'm listening," she said softly, hoping her voice didn't give away her own turmoil, though the look in Jack's eyes told her that it had. Luckily, he said nothing about it and only pressed on.

"Sue, you mean more to me than my own life," 'which I very well might lose, tonight,' he added as an afterthought, "and before I go, I want you to know that I love you. I've loved you since the first day we met and you've done more to help me find myself than you could ever imagine. You taught me to see the good in life and you are part of that good." He paused as he saw fresh tears streaking down her cheeks, yet she didn't bother to wipe them away. His breath hitched as he breathed in and exhaled slowly to get his own emotions under control. He felt a cool wetness touch his own cheek and found his own tears had been added to the mix.

He hastily wiped his tears away with is free hand before continuing. "Your spirit amazes me and the power of your heart is unmatchable. I've never met a woman like you and I hope the only other one I meet is our daughter." He saw her eyes go wide at his words, but held up a hand to halt her. "Sue, I want to spend the rest of my life with you and no, this isn't an official proposal, but when this case is complete and everyone is safe, I want to know that you would say yes and be mine forever."

He exhaled sharply as the words expelled themselves from his mouth, but wouldn't regret a single one. He'd asked only so she could give him the strength and courage needed to get through this, though he'd meant every word. Her face and her words were what would guide him through this; if she said 'yes', one extreme weight would be lifted from his shoulders and he would no longer have to fear he would collapse from the pressure.

He scanned her teary eyes, reaching up to dry her tears as she computed everything he'd just handed her. It was a lot to process, but he needed an answer more than he needed air to breathe. His other hand remained clutched in hers as he let his other cup her cheek, his thumb drawing soothing circles on her flesh. "Please, Sue?" he asked as he signed. "Any answer," he pleaded. Yes or no, it didn't matter, just as long as he would see her again, one day.

She took in a deep breath, finding comfort in the gentle touch upon her cheek. Spend the rest of her life with this wonderful, courageous, caring man? It was all she could hope for. She swallowed the lump in her suddenly dry throat before taking the hand upon her cheek and laying it alongside the other as they were enveloped in her own strong grip. "Jack," she began softly, closing her eyes for a second as her emotions threatened to spill forth.

Her heart was pounding rapidly that she was sure he could feel it as his thumb gently ran over the pulse point on her wrist. Her skin tingled from the tender caress and hoped this wouldn't be the last time she would be caressed by his strong hands. Her head was swimming and her heart, though out of control from fear, was also floating on air. Only Jack could make her feel that way and she never wanted anyone else to try. "Jack, my only answer… could be 'yes'."

As soon as the words left her mouth, his own swept down and captured her lips in a passionate and possessive kiss. He gave so much with this embrace, giving his entire heart and soul to her for safe-keeping. A moan rumbled from deep inside him as she gave as good as she go, her lips scorching his own as her tongue lightly ran across his lower lip.

He reluctantly pulled away, yet painfully slow; making it more difficult to move those last few centimeters to part their lips. They'd both felt the vibration of his phone in the pocket of his vest—her hand had been resting over his heart to feel it beating just as rapidly as hers below the Kevlar. Their time was up and it was now time to go. "They're waiting for you," she whispered as she let her tongue now run over her plumped lips. It was an unconscious action which she hadn't even realized she'd done until she saw how dark Jack's eyes had suddenly become.

He tried his hardest to not let the simple action distract him even more, yet the rumbling plaint from deep inside told him to continue where they'd left off. "I know," he nodded before pulling her into a hug. He felt one of them tremble because of the embrace, though he wasn't sure which one of them it had been. He pulled away as he felt the vibration again. "I love you, Sue." He smoothed the hair away from her face and stared deep into her eyes.

"I love you too," she answered and was rewarded with another kiss before he stood up and exited the conference room. She felt her breathing increase severely as she felt her resolve crumble to dust before the tears freely fell.

Levi whimpered from his spot in the corner and got up to give his mistress some comfort. She clutched at his fur like a security blanket and hugged him tight as he set his front paws upon her leg and pulled himself up. He didn't mind the fact that she was clutching at him so tightly or the fact that his fur was getting wet from her tears, but the fact that she was so upset because of Jack's nobility. He whimpered again before giving Sue's face a loving lick.