Chapter 32

The days passed as Jack went back to work while Sue busied herself around the apartment. She was proud of the little things she was able to do for herself now. Daily exercises were a solo event, she no longer needed Lucy or Jack's help. She was able to walk Levi in the park by herself.

Her doctor had sent her for a multitude of tests which included blood work every month, a CAT and PET scan. Dr. Kerswell had suggested that down the road an MRI would probably be ordered. These tests would be done quarterly until her one year anniversary, then, depending if they showed anything, Sue would have the testing done yearly. Mammograms would be added to the list at the six month mark to ensure healing was near complete, as well as sonograms. It was a lot for her to focus on while trying to have a normal life once again.

Normality would at some point include work. The thought of going back to the office, back to her dream job at the FBI suddenly scared her. Would she be able to handle the rigors of life back at the office? Would she be able to track down the bad guys as she had done in the past? Sue didn't use her gun often, but would she be able to requalify? Her surgery was on the left side, she used her right hand to shoot. Would she even need to requalify? What about her relationship with Jack? He hadn't said anything to brass yet about their engagement. There was no denying she was nervous; no she was petrified.

Sue was nearly eight weeks post-surgery and brass was asking for her return. She and Jack decided it was now or never with her return and their subsequent relationship.

"Nervous about tomorrow?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah. I want to get back to work, yet I don't. Does that make any sense? Some days I feel like I'm going stir crazy being stuck here, but now I'm more nervous about sitting at my desk again than I was when I left home to move all the way out here." Sue explained.

"Are you and Jack going to talk to D about your engagement?" Lucy asked. Sue shook her head and shrugged her shoulders at the same time.

"I don't know. I don't think tomorrow, no." She took a nervous breath.

"It won't be long before someone notices that rock on your finger." Lucy mentioned nodding her head toward Sue's left hand.

"Oh, no… I totally forgot about ring. I'm going to have to take it off." Sue said.

"Not necessarily." Lucy said as she walked into her room and back to the living room again.

"What do you mean?" Sue asked.

Lucy put her hand out for the ring. Sue reluctantly took the ring off and placed it in her best friend's hand. Lucy took it and strung it on a gold necklace and put it around Sue's neck.

"There, now you have the ring, just not on your finger. Keep it in your shirt, no one will see it." Lucy assured her. "Well, no one except Jack!" She teased.

"Luce!" Sue scolded.

"Oh come on! You mean to tell me you spent the entire weekend with that gorgeous, sweet man, where he asked you to be his wife, and nothing happened?" Lucy questioned.

"No, nothing happened." Sue insisted.

"Nothing?" Lucy asked disappointed.

"Nothing." Sue reassured her.

"Hmmm, well, it should have!" Lucy teased. Sue blushed and squinted in her direction to warn her off the subject. Lucy laughed harder.

"So why aren't you two going to talk to D yet?" Lucy asked.

"I don't know, I guess mostly because I'm not back to work yet so it doesn't really make sense to say anything." Sue said, but didn't sound convincing.

"You're not getting cold feet are you?" She asked. Sue shook her head.

"No. I want to try to find a way around the no dating rule, maybe put the feelers out for a different position so we're not on the same team. I don't want to leave the bureau or the team, but if they're steadfast against changing the rule, or making an exception, then we have to do something. I love him Luce." Sue admitted.

"I know you do. I will do anything you need." Lucy offered. Sue smiled. "Are you seeing Jack tonight?"

"No. I told him I need to get some sleep tonight. I'll see him tomorrow morning." Sue said with a sad smile.

"Go call him!" Lucy encouraged.

Sue smirked and not so casually snatched her Black Berry up and bolted into her room, closing her door behind her.

XOXOXOX

Levi nudged Sue's arm as her alarm blared out the latest dance mix from the alarm clock. Sue wrapped the blanket tight around her and rolled over. Levi gave another push with his cold, wet nose, but to no avail, Sue wasn't budging. He sat and waited for his mistress to obey is request. When she didn't, he did what any well trained helper dog would do… he stole her covers and ran into the living room.

"Levi!" Sue yelled as she wandered into the other room only to see Lucy staring at the canine sitting at attention next to the bunched up comforter. Lucy bellowed a deep down laugh, then covered her mouth quickly trying to stifle it. "Not funny!" Sue scolded. She picked up the blanket and jerked it into her arms and walked back into her bedroom.

A short time after, she reemerged from her bedroom dressed and ready to face the world. Lucy offered her a steaming cup of coffee and some waffles.

"Sorry, I wanted to make a big breakfast, but I hit the snooze too many times." Lucy explained.

"This is perfect. Thanks." Sue said raising her half eaten waffle in a toast to Lucy. "Here's to a good day."

"To a quiet day!" Lucy agreed.

Sue checked herself in the mirror one last time. She turned to face Lucy and bit her bottom lip.

"Umm, Luce?" She asked.

"Hmm?" Lucy only half answered.

"Do I look alright?" Sue asked.

"Yeah, you look fine. Why?" Lucy asked.

Sue looked at her reflection once again and frowned. She turned sideways and frowned more.

"Can you tell?" She asked. Lucy didn't need an explanation to the unasked question, she knew exactly what Sue was asking.

"I can, but I know." She said honestly. "I don't think any joe on the street will be able to, no."

"Do they look fake?" Sue asked. Lucy couldn't help herself, and let out a roar of laughter.

"Look, if they were DD's, I might think that, but you're the same size…" Lucy answered, trying to keep a straight face.

"Are they straight?" Sue asked. Lucy giggled. "What?" Sue asked.

"You. You're so worried if your fake boob is too big, straight, looks fake… Stop worrying. You're fine." Lucy assured.

"OK." Sue agreed. She grabbed her bag, coat and Levi's leash and headed out the door.

The pair rode to work together.

The ride in took longer than ever, or so it seemed. They seemed to hit every red light. There were two fender benders that closed one of the two lanes on the road they were traveling on. Construction of a new high rise, and pot hole repair work backed up traffic even more.

Even though she'd been back to the office to visit, when Sue finally walked through the doors to the bull pen she felt nervous, but at home at the same time.

"Welcome back Sue" Bobby called when he looked up and saw her walking through the door. "Levi, you too buddy!" Levi immediately wandered around the office getting the lay of the land again, and saying good morning to everyone on the team.

"Thomas, good to have you back! Now, maybe ole Sparky can actually stay in the office and do some work for a change!" Myles teased.

"Funny Leland, funny." Jack said snidely as he jumped up to give her a hug. Sue pulled back a bit, unsure how friendly she should be with him. Lucy and Tara exchanged a look of hope. Even though Lucy knew of their engagement, no one else on the team knew yet. Jack suddenly pulled back and passed her onto Tara, and then D who were waiting in the wings for their welcome back hugs too.

"How ya feeling?" Tara asked. "Everything OK?"

"Yeah. I got a clean bill of health," She started, holding up paper work to prove it, which D took smiling.

"Welcome back Sue. It's good to have you back." He said as he leaned down to pat Levi on the head too. "It's about time you got back here buddy. What was your excuse for not coming in the office? Do you have a release note too?" D asked teasingly. Levi barked.

"Everyone?" Sue said, standing in the middle of the bullpen. "I just want to say thanks for all the support, and help, and meals while I was out, and recuperating from my surgery. Your support was incredible, and much needed, and so appreciated. I just wanted to say thanks." Sue said and turned to go sit at her computer.

"Sue? Got a minute?" D asked calling her into his office.

Sue walked into D's office, ignoring the piercing look she was receiving from Jack.

"Have a seat." D said as Sue entered his office.

"What's up?" Sue asked, trying to seem as nonchalant as possible.

"I just wanted to check and see how you were really doing…" He said.

"I'm good, D, really." Sue reassured him.

"Do you need anything?" He asked. She shook her head. "OK…" Sue got up and began to walk to the door. "Oh, Sue?" D asked. Levi jumped on her.

"Did you call me?" She asked.

"How was the beach house?" He asked with a smile.

"Great. Please thank your sister for me." She said smiling. "I really needed the getaway." D smiled again as Sue left.

It didn't take long for them to be thrown into the middle of things once again. It was like she'd never left. Tara was filling in for Sue with Jack tracking down leads on a string of recent bank robberies while she got caught up with her email and phone messages. There were a few messages, all from the same woman. She said she was a counselor at a high school just outside of DC. She was seeing a rise in bullying over the past few months, and wondered if she would be interested in coming to talk to the student body. Sue thought this was odd. She had been bullied in her teens, but no one would have known that unless they'd known her as a teen. The last email was sent only three days earlier. They intrigued her, she decided to look into the request and find out how the school heard of her. She emailed the woman asking if they could meet to discuss things. To her surprise, she received a return email almost immediately inviting her to the school for a tour and perhaps lunch to discuss her proposition.

Sue took her lunch, and left to go to Baldwin Senior High. When she arrived, she noticed it was set on a nice campus. The grounds were well kept, very well groomed. The school was on the better side of town, not where you hear much about crime. Security was tight, which impressed Sue. She was escorted to the counselor's office. While she waited, she studied the pictures on the walls, gazed at the trophies so proudly displayed, and read framed articles on current and past students. After a few minutes, Maryanne Holt greeted her at the door, welcoming her to their school.

"You have a really nice school. The security is incredible." Sue said.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that, but we can't be too safe." Mrs. Holt offered.

"No, please, don't apologize. I've been to schools to investigate crimes and haven't even been asked my name, never mind been asked for ID. It's a comfort to know you're doing what you can to keep the children safe." Sue gushed.

"We do try. That is actually why I contacted you. We have seen a spike in bullying over the past few months. This is something that is close to my heart. I was bullied in school, and have no tolerance for it." The guidance counselor offered.

"I don't exactly understand, how do I fit into the solution?" Sue asked.

"Well, actually… the young man who is being picked on… well, I thought you could 'feel his pain' so to speak. I know you'll be able to understand where he's coming from, and maybe you can make the other children understand as well what that's like." She suggested.

"I'm sorry- have we met?" Sue asked, confused.

"No." The woman said shaking her head. Before she could explain, Sue asked again.

"How do you know that I was bullied as a child? And, please don't say it's because I'm deaf, so it only makes sense." Sue said.

"I'm sorry. My husband knows you from school. He was two years behind you, and told me that you had a lot of jerks to deal with." She explained. Sue squinted her eyes together trying to remember, but couldn't.

"I'm sorry…" She began. Maryanne escorted her to the café that the students ran for a beef stroganoff meal. They chatted for the better part of an hour over lunch.

"Will Holt. He was a freshman your junior year. He said you were one of the prettiest girls in school but was afraid to talk to you because he didn't know if you could understand him. He feels guilty about that. He tried to get the kids to stop picking on you in the lunch room one day, and the worst of the boys dumped a salad, complete with French dressing, all over his head."

"I remember him… or at least that incident. I never knew he was defending me. I just thought they'd started picking on him too. I always felt guilty for not helping him that day, but I was too weak back then to stand up for myself, never mind anyone else." Sue said.

"Anyway… I thought maybe, if you were willing to, you could say a few words to the student body about bullying, and how it makes you feel." She asked.

"I understand your position on this, and I can certainly sympathize with the student's position, but…" Sue began, but before she could continue, Maryanne picked up her phone and called out to the outer office.

"Ms. Thomas, I would really like you to meet Noah. He's quite a special young man." Sue nodded. "Nancy, is Noah Matthews in the waiting area? Could you send him in please?"

A few seconds later there was a rap on the door.

"Come in Noah." Maryanne called to him. "Noah, this is Sue Thomas, Sue, Noah Matthews." Noah stuck his hand out directly in front of him, and it was then, that Sue realized he was blind. Sue took his hand in hers.

"It's very nice to meet you Noah." Sue said.

"Ms. Thomas, it's a pleasure. I've done some research on you, and into your back ground. I'm so impressed with what you've been able to accomplish with your handicap.

"You've researched me?" Sue asked surprised.

"Yes, I had to pick a local hero for an essay back home, and I chose you." He answered.

"You're from Ohio?" She asked.

"Yes, I grew up in Youngstown." Noah answered.

"Noah and his mom moved to DC over the summer so he could study in our accelerated program that concentrates on government." Maryanne explained.

"Wow. That's impressive." Sue said in awe of the young man.

"See, Ms. Thomas, I figure anyone who is deaf and can learn to talk, learn sign, can become the youngest figure skating champion in Ohio history, get through college and then become an FBI agent… well, you're someone I'd call a hero. Someone I want to be like." Noah said.

"I'm flattered, Noah, really, I am, but I'm just a woman who had a lot of people in my corner growing up." Sue rationalized.

"You're lucky." He said with a sad smile. Sue looked at Maryanne for a hint but she only smiled.

"Umm, so Noah, what exactly can I help you with?" Sue asked.

"I know you're busy, but, if you could find some time, I would love it if you could come here and talk to the student body about bullying. Maybe if they see that you're deaf, and a big time FBI agent, they'll think twice before they bully anyone again." He said suddenly sounding unsure of himself or his argument. Sue thought about it for a second.

"I would love to do something like that. Let me know what date you're thinking of and I will see what I can come up with." Sue agreed. She took Noah's hand in hers, "Noah, it was really nice to meet you. You keep standing up for yourself, you're going to go far in this world.

Sue gave Maryanne her card as they parted ways. They agreed to get in touch again in a week to discuss details.

It was nearly two before Jack and Tara got back from their interview, following Sue in. Jack notices Sue and jogs ahead to tap her on the shoulder to get her attention.

"Hey… you just getting back from lunch?" He asked.

"Yeah. What are you guys up to?" She asked.

"Chasing ghosts you could say." Jack answers.

"No luck?" Sue asked. Tara came up to them.

"Nothing. We're not even picking up an energy reading… It's frustrating!" Tara said, disgusted as she brushed by the couple.

"Geesh, she's pretty upset!" Sue commented.

"Yeah, this case isn't going to be easy. So, what did you do for lunch? Rosie's? Sorry I couldn't tag along" Jack asked as they turned to walk into the bullpen.

"No, actually. I was returning emails earlier and there were a few from a woman at a school across town." Sue explained.

"What did she want?" Jack asked.

"Umm, I'll tell you about it over dinner?" Sue suggested.

"Sure." Jack agreed smiling at her with a curious look.