Sorry for J/S missing from the previous one...However, some stories needs to be told at their own pace :)

Chapter 22

Sue leaned her head on the pillow and gazed at the man who slept by her side. Jack fell asleep almost immediately and yet she couldn't find any rest as her mind whirled around the events that happened in the last few days. They seemed to forget their case easily that night as they celebrated and enjoyed a well-deserved break. She prayed that everything will be alright; she hoped that he will fall into their trap. She sighed softly and got up from the bed, heading towards the kitchen for a glass of water. She smiled as she walked down the hallway. Jack left the light in the kitchen open for her and it shined soft glow on the living room.

When they returned from the party they stumbled towards the sofa, kissing and caressing. Jack slowed his movements and she matched his rhythm as they discovered more of each other, the freedom of being alone fueling their desire. His mouth was warm against her throat and she knew she was making voices she couldn't control, her body moving beneath him as she pulled him for another kiss. She smiled at the memory and rested her cold hand against her sudden hot cheek. They slowly pulled away from each other, both deciding without words that they were not ready for more. He enveloped her in his arms and slowly fell asleep beside her. Sue took a sip from her water.

She wondered how James was doing. He told her that morning that his wife didn't know the full details of what was happening; long history of miscarriages led him to believe he was doing the right thing by not telling her, trying to reduce her stress in every way he could, working as an ER doctor was stressful enough. She understood his actions and promised him they will keep quiet as much as they could around her. The paramedic nodded his head and greeted her before he left.

She imagined they both will have a sleepless night; the thought that the man who hurt them all those years ago might be hunting them again was disturbing. Wasn't once more than enough?

A movement from the corner of her eyes startled her and she turned around to see Jack standing next to the sofa. He smiled at her. "YOU OK?" He signed and she nodded her head. "What are you doing here?" He asked, sitting beside her on the sofa.

"Couldn't sleep." She shrugged. "I'm just thinking about tomorrow night."

He moved to envelope her in his arms and she leaned into his touch. She took a moment to just enjoy the proximity of his body before she lifted her head again and moved to kiss his lips hesitantly. He deepened the kiss and they both enjoyed breaking away from the real world for a few moments. Soft lips caressed, warm hands touched as the world faded away.

Jack ended the kiss slowly, wishing to prolong the wonderful sensations. Sue sighed to his lips and snuggled into him. They stayed on his sofa till the sun rose in the east and Christmas day shined grey and cold. Jack sighed and gazed into her tired eyes. Sue caressed his face and saw him sighing.

"Whatever happens, Sue…this ends tonight."

The sun was shining and he stood next to the window wrapped in his blanket.

The room reeked from alcohol and unwashed body odor. The only thing that stood clean was the suitcase that rested on top of the bed covers. He moved towards the bed and sat down on the dirty blanket. His eyes shined as he opened the brown suitcase to reveal a small gun and a package of bullets.

Reaching out, he tested the feeling of the heavy pistol in his hand, considering the years it's been since he last held it, it seemed natural in his hands. He remembered the last time he used it…five years ago. He was looking for them and he remembered the satisfaction he felt at the surprise he saw in her face, she never expected him to be home and wait for her, she never thought he would hurt them like that.

He smiled.

He wondered if he'll see surprise on their faces tonight as well. Surge of power flowed in his veins as he rose from the bed, his hand caressing the small gun. Finally, after all those years of hurting and hating, it will be over…

This will end tonight…and he had no doubt about the outcome.

She drank her hot chocolate slowly, imagining the sweet liquid pumping in her veins. She woke up early and couldn't sleep again. She smiled, remembering the way his arms refused to let her go as she tried to slowly and quietly get up from his bed. He was enveloping her in his arms and the feeling was so good it almost scared her. When she finally managed to creep away from the bed he rolled on his stomach, the blanket sliding to reveal a broad, muscled back.

She grinned at the image and then frowned, taking another sip from the coffee. He was everything she imagined and yet the seeds of doubt seemed to plant themselves firmly in her heart. Was history about to repeat itself? Brian was everything she imagined as well and that didn't end well. Sharon, James' wife, told her that a person needs to learn how to be alone with himself before learning to be with others. Was she ready? Was it even worth it?

Megan sighed to her cup; she wondered why she was worried about it now when there was a killer on the streets probably looking for them now. Rising from her seat, she placed her cup in the sink and walked towards the bedroom again. She grinned when she noticed the way he moved to lay on his side, his arm stretched out. She moved to lie down on the bed and he moved closer, his hand touching her shoulder as she tried to close her eyes and sleep for a while longer.

She didn't know the answers; she only knew that by tomorrow morning the nightmare will end…she only wished she knew how.

Waiting was never one of his strongest qualities.

Bobby looked at his watch and frowned. They were inside the apartment for twenty minutes now and he started to get agitated. He rose from his position on the stairway and got down the stairs, heading towards apartment number 2c and trying to hear through the door.

He was worried. They haven't spoken all day, he was busy at work and wasn't there when Jack briefed Megan and James. He didn't even see her before they left for their first call and there was a strange, empty feeling in his heart. They were inside the apartment for a long time and even though none of them activated the GPS on their cell phones he knew it didn't mean anything; they could still be in trouble.

His mind drifted to the previous night. He fell asleep almost immediately, holding her in his arms. The feeling was amazing; there was something very intimate just in falling asleep with her. A violent movement startled him awake and he opened his eyes to see her sitting on the bed, her hands over her mouth as she tried to sob quietly. He hesitated only a second before moving into a seating position and enveloping her in his arms. Her first reaction was predictable, she pulled away from him. He tightened his grip and she leaned backwards, shaking.

He rocked them both back and forth, whispering in her ear, placing small kisses on her temple. She took a shaky breath before pulling away, turning to look at him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."

He smiled. "It's alright. Do you need something?" She shook her head and leaned back against the pillows, he joined her, his head propped on his elbow. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I just…I often dream about that night…in the bathroom. I see the scene all over again. I never make it pass the door, I always wake up before." She sighed. "Sometimes, after hard calls the dream changes a bit."

"What happened?" He asked.

"It was you." She chocked. "On the bathroom floor…I couldn't help you…"

"Shh…" He gathered her in his arms again. "I'm alright. We're going to be fine, Meg. We're going to be just fine…"

He shook his head at the memory and backed away from the door, speaking to his earpiece. He won't take any more chances, they'll go in. Tara confirmed his action from the surveillance van and he motioned the other agents that were with him to take their places. Pulling out his gun, he took a few more steps backwards, intent on kicking the door open.

Megan smiled and grabbed the equipment while James and one of the family members went searching for some medical documents the hospital might need. The elderly woman smiled wistfully and sighed, asking if she could have some water before heading towards the ambulance. Normally, Megan would have said no, most patients reacted strongly to the ambulance ride and it usually left them cleaning the entire stretcher afterwards. However, the woman seemed clear and lucid and mainly had some headaches and sore throat, her son was worried and decided to take her to the hospital for checkup.

She nodded her head and went over to the kitchen, looking for a glass. She missed working with James, they were great partners but tonight, everything seemed to be wrong. They were both stressed and worried and basically haven't said a word to each other that wasn't professional. She poured some water into a glass and headed back towards the living room. She wasn't afraid anymore but was worried by the new and disturbing calmness that enveloped her. She should be shaking from head to toe; some maniac was trying to kill them!

She hoped they'll manage to get through the night. She hoped she'll see Bobby again, she hasn't seen him since that morning. She felt her face flushing and averted her eyes from the woman in front of her, wondering what was taking James so long.

She remembered waking up to the feeling of someone caressing her face. He moved his hand to caress her hair and she opened her eyes slowly, smiling at him. He looked serious and his eyes were wide and dark as he looked at her. She had trouble in breathing and moaned softly when he moved his mouth to kiss her neck, nibbling softly. She sighed and brought his mouth to hers, her hands cupping his face. He moaned into the kiss, the sound sending waves of anticipation into her body.

He moved closer, his body moving above her so that they were both comfortable. He leaned on one of his arms, his fingers playing with her hair while his other hand moved to her leg, lifting it and resting it behind his thigh. She arched beneath him and cried out when her entire body seemed to protest, sending sharp pain from her ribs and a cold shower to their mutual ardor.

His eyes were worried as he gently lifted the sweatshirt she wore and he winced when he saw the heavy bruises on her rib cage. "Why didn't you tell me I was hurting you?" He whispered, easing his body from hers.

She shook her head. "You didn't hurt me…I guess I'm a bit sore…" She closed her eyes and he kissed her lips before getting up and bringing her some painkillers.

She was still sore but she knew that the pain will go away eventually. She could only smile at the memory of waking up in his arms; it felt good to be with him. She decided to ignore her doubts and just try to take one step every time. She felt good knowing that he knew everything that happened and didn't resent her for it.

"You look on cloud nine, Meg." James teased her and she rolled her eyes at him.

"She looks like she's in love." The old woman commented and Megan shook her head. "The flush, the bright eyes…that's just the way I looked when I met Arthur."

"Mrs. Rogers, I'm sure it was lovely but I'm not in love." Megan chuckled and James shook his head.

"Really? And here I was thinking your smile had something to do with a tall man with an Aussie accent." James grinned at her and she rolled her eyes at him.

Mrs. Rogers's interest peeked. "He has an Aussie accent? Really?"

"Right…why won't we discuss this on our way to hospital?" Megan motioned James to shut up and her friend ignored her, grinning at her. James and Mrs. Rogers's son supported her since she refused to be carried down the stairs in a chair. Megan opened the door and instinctively backed away from the gun that was pointed at her.

Bobby lowered his gun and backed away. She saw three more agents backing away and heard Mrs. Rogers startled gasp at the sight of the men who surrounded the stairway. Bobby swallowed and cursed under his breathe, moving his hand in his hair. "Bobby, is everything alright?" James asked and Bobby nodded his head, moving to get down the stairs in front of them. He heard Tara's voice in his earpiece and sighed.

"It was a false alarm, Tara."

He checked to see that the lobby was clear and allowed them to move past him on their way to the ambulance. Megan glanced worriedly at him and he managed a weak smile before sitting heavily on the floor. He couldn't do it anymore; he picked up his cell phone and called Jack.