Chapter 13
"Jack!" Called Carla as Jack walked into the waiting area.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thomas." He said nervously. "How are you?" How was the drive?" He asked as he approached the couple. Bill held out his hand to Jack.
"How's my daughter Jack?" He asked.
"She's good." Jack said with a small smile.
"Jack…" He began, but was interrupted by Carla.
"Agent Hudson, where is my daughter, and why is she in this hospital?" She insisted.
"Come this way, let's talk." Jack began.
"I want to see my daughter." She insisted.
"Carla, please." Bill said, stopping her from making any more demands.
Jack sat on the chair, turning to face Carla and Bill. He took a deep breath before he began.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, please let me finish telling you why Sue's here before you panic or go rushing into her room." Both of her parents agreed. "Sue's doing pretty well. She's starting to wake up, slowly. She made it through the surgery with no complications." Jack began.
"Jack, please, why did she need surgery?" Carla asked.
"Sue was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. She chose to have a mastectomy." Jack said. Bill looked crushed, tears filled his eyes instantly. Carla became defiant.
"No! Not my Sue. She's too young… she can't have cancer. They've made a mistake, I know they have!" She insisted.
"Mrs. Thomas, I assure you, Sue had tests done. This was not an easy decision for her, but she did what she thought was best for her future." Jack said as calmly as he could.
"Mr. Hudson, she never mentioned any of this to either of us." She insisted.
"She really didn't have a chance to. She was diagnosed less than two weeks ago. She tried to call you to talk to you about it, but you were already on vacation. She didn't want to ruin your trip." Jack explained.
"Oh." She uttered.
"How is she?" Bill asked.
"As well as can be expected." Jack answered.
"Did… did they… get it all?" Her father asked hesitantly.
"The doctor believes they got all the cancer. We haven't heard from the lab yet, but the doctor didn't think it had spread to her lymph nodes." Jack said.
"Can we see her?" She asked, tears falling to her cheeks.
"Of course." Jack answered. "I- I should tell you… I haven't told her that I spoke with you. She doesn't know you know yet." Jack explained.
"Thank you." Bill said. "Can you take us to our daughter?" He requested.
"Sure." Jack answered as he stood and led the way to Sue's room. Carla walked through the door and gasped as she rushed to Sue's side when she saw her lying in the bed. Bill walked to her and kissed her on the top of her head. Lucy got up to let them sit.
Anne walked back into the room to check on Sue. She jotted something in her chart and Jack made the introductions.
"How's she?" Carla asked.
"Doing great. She was awake earlier, but it didn't last long. What was it, 3, 4 seconds?" Jack smiled and nodded. "I'm sure she'll wake again soon. Honestly sleep is the best thing for her right now." Anne said. "Do you need anything; can I answer any questions for you?" Anne asked.
"Do you know if they got it all?" Bill asked.
"I don't know yet. Her doctor will be in to check on her in the morning, he might know by then. It usually takes a couple days though." Anne reassured them. "I'm just down the hall if you need something."
Lucy made her way to Sue's parents hugging them. "I'm going to let you visit. I have to call my grandmother." She said, excusing herself.
"Yeah… I'm going to check in at the office. I'll be in the waiting room." Jack said.
"Agent Hud- Jack… you can stay. Please, Sue relies on you so much." Carla said.
"I'll be back in a few minutes. You visit for a bit." Jack said leaving them alone with their daughter.
A short while passed and the Thomas' made their way back out of Sue's room. "Jack?" Bill said as they approached him.
"Everything OK?" He asked.
"Yes. We're going to find a hotel and grab something to eat. We'll be back." Bill answered.
"I'll be here." Jack said shaking his hand. Carla slipped her hand into Jack's and covered it with her other hand. Jack walked back into Sue's room and pulled her hand into his. He caressed her hand once again. Sue slept peacefully, and soon Jack found himself slipping into a deep slumber.
Jack woke to a hand nudging his shoulder. He shook his head trying to shake the cobwebs out.
"Hey Mate." Bobby said from behind him. "How's she doing?" He asked.
"The same." Jack answered rubbing his eyes, checking his watch. "What time is it?"
"Just past nine. I sweet talked the nurse into letting me in for a bit." Bobby explained smiling. "How long you been out?"
"'Bout a half hour, little more maybe." Jack said. "Sue's parents are here."
"I didn't see them." Bobby said
"They went for food and to get a hotel." Jack explained. "I almost said they could stay with me, but I don't know how that would work." Jack laughed, Bobby did too.
"You must be sleep deprived to suggest that my friend!" Bobby joked.
"Hey there Sleeping Beauty." Anne said as she walked back into the room. "You should go home, get some real sleep and a shower. She's probably going to be out the rest of the night." She explained.
"I want to be here." Jack said.
"Well, might I suggest a shower? And a change of clothes?" Anne said scrunching her nose at him teasing him.
"Yeah Mate, that wouldn't be a bad idea. If you don't shave, she won't recognize you!" He joked.
"Do you mind stopping off at my place and getting me a few things?" Jack asked Bobby.
"Yeah. I'll be back in a bit." He looked at Anne with a question on his face.
"Alright, but hurry up about it." Anne said giggling. "And when he gets back, take a shower and get freshened up in the doctor's lounge."
"Yes ma'am." Jack said smiling.
Less than an hour later, Jack was showered and spruced up. He got a coffee from the nurses' station and walked outside Sue's room.
"Time to go home." A voice said from behind him. Jack turned to see Anne with her jacket on and umbrella under her arm.
"Anne, thanks for everything today." Jack said as he kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"You're welcome Hun. She's a great gal." Anne said walking into Sue's room for one last check of things.
"Yeah, she is." Jack agreed.
"Have you told her that?" Anne asked as she passed Jack, patting him on the arm. Jack didn't answer. "Well, that says a lot."
"It's not that simple." Jack answered.
"Yes, it really is." Anne said. "Honey, if you have feelings for that girl, don't make her wait to tell her. One day, it might be too late." Anne said as she turned to leave.
Jack sipped his coffee as he slouched in the chair next to Sue's bed. He held her hand, absently rubbing her hand with his fingers, softly caressing it. Another hour passed, the coffee was gone, and Jack was losing the battle to stay awake. Sleep over took him as he laid his head on the bed.
XOXOXOX
Sue stirred from her sleep, struggling to open her eyes. Finally her eyes focused on the stark white surroundings. She moved her left hand up, but the pain shot through her arm and chest bringing tears to her eyes. Suddenly the reality of what had happened to her came flooding back. As she tried to pick up her right hand, she felt something weighing it down. She turned her head to notice a hand over the top of hers. A smile came to her lips as she realized it was Jack.
Gently she pulled her hand out from under his. She softly stroked his hair, letting her fingers run through his locks. He began to stir at her touch. He lifted his head and looked at her. A smile reached from one ear to the other when he realized she was awake.
"Hi." He whispered, his voice not fully there.
"Hi yourself." She said smiling at him.
"How are you feeling?" Jack asked as he sat up fully.
"Did anyone get the number of the truck that hit me?" She asked with a giggle.
"We're working on that right now. We've got a good lead that it was a doctor driving it, might be a good settlement in it for you." He laughed. Sue smiled. "Are you in any pain?" He asked.
"No. My throat's dry though." She said. Jack instantly pushed the button on her bed. A nurse came in.
"Well, hello there. I thought you'd be out til at least the morning." She said. "How do you feel?" She asked.
"My throat is dry." Sue complained.
"I'll get you some ice chips. Try them. You're 20 hours past surgery, you should be fine, but if you get nauseous, use the bedpan and let me know." She left.
"You're still here…" Sue said. Jack nodded. "Thanks." She managed before the nurse came back in with the chips.
"Eat them slowly." She said handing them to Jack. He also handed Jack a small cup with Vaseline in it. "Have her put some on her lips, they're chapped."
"Thanks." Jack said taking the items.
"You're sure you're not in any pain?" Jack questioned.
"Not as long as I don't move. Tried moving my left arm earlier, I thought I was going to pass out from the pain." Sue explained.
"I'm glad you're awake." Jack said smiling fondly at her. He was quiet for a long moment. He looked at his hands, trying to find a way to say what he needed to say.
"What is it Jack?" Sue asked. Fear suddenly gripped her. "Did the cancer spread? Is that why you're so quiet?" She asked.
"No!" Jack jumped. "I mean, the tests aren't back, but the doctor said everything looked great."
"Then what's wrong?" Sue insisted.
"Umm… You know me too well." Jack smiled at her. "I have something to tell you, and you're not going to like that I did it." Sue stared at him. "I did something…"
"What? Spit it out already!" Sue nearly yelled at him.
"I called your parents." He said at barely a whisper.
"You what?" Sue asked.
"I called your mom and dad. They're here. I'm sorry! I know I probably should have waited, I should have asked you first, but I thought…" Jack began to stutter over his own words.
"Jack, stop." Sue said. "Stop, please."
"I'm sorry." Jack said again.
"It's OK." She began. "Actually, I'm glad you called them." She said.
"You are?" Jack asked in disbelief.
"Yeah. I didn't know how I was going to tell them. So, thank you." She said.
"I was afraid you'd be mad at me." Jack said smiling, taking her hand in his again.
"Thank you for staying too, you didn't have to." Sue said.
"Yes I did." Jack said.