Chapter 43

Sorry for the delay! I've been writing ahead, and forgot to post! OOPS! Thanks for sticking with it. I love hearing from you, so please r & r!

Sue had spent the entire night and next few days thinking over the offer she'd been given by Wes Barkley. It was an exciting offer, a very lucrative one as well. This was the answer to their FBI no fraternization rules. Perfect. Was it too perfect though?

Lucy walked into the apartment carrying an armful of groceries. As she began to put her loot away, Sue came home from walking Levi.

"Hi!" Sue said.

"Hi there." Lucy said. "Are you eating here tonight?" Sue nodded.

"I don't feel like cooking, you?" Lucy laughed as Sue shook her head. "Sandwiches?" Sue agreed. The pair began to slice tomatoes and other goodies for dinner. Once everything was ready, and a salad had joined the sandwich ingredients, the friends sat for their meal together.

"It seems like we don't do this anymore." Sue commented.

"I know. It's going to be longer in between when you and Jack get married!" Lucy teased. "We'll be lucky to see either of you for the first few months!"

"Luce!" Sue replied shocked.

They both had a good laugh, both knowing it was probably true.

"So, what's been keeping you busy the past few days? You seem, I don't know, distracted." Lucy commented.

"Do you remember me telling you about the email I got about doing some more anti-bullying speeches?" Lucy nodded.

"Yeah, Wes Barkley wasn't it?" She asked. Sue shook her head.

"He made me a really good offer to join his team." Sue explained.

"What do you mean, join his team?" Lucy asked.

"His company tours the entire country. He wants me to join the tour. I would be local at first. Schools and town gatherings mostly. If it works out for both of us, I would start to travel a bit further. I don't really want to go to the west coast on a regular basis, but once just to see it would be something." Sue said excitedly.

"Wow!" Lucy commented. "Would you still be able to work with us?"

"I don't think so. That's my dilemma." Sue said with a sad look on her face.

"Sue, if this is better for you, for you and Jack, you should give it some serious thought. It will look a lot better for you if you leave the bureau on your own, rather than being forced out because you and Jack are involved. Will you guys be able to get by with the pay?" Lucy asked.

"Yes. It's a very generous offer. Very generous. And, I know you're right. I mean, everyone on the team either knows about me and Jack or at least suspects." Sue said.

"Yeah. I know Jack asked Bobby to be his best man. He's getting ready to talk to D and Myles too." Lucy added. "Have you and Jack talked about it?"

"He's behind me one hundred percent." Sue said quickly.

"So, what's holding you back?" Lucy asked.

"I've worked so hard to get to where I am. I just want to be sure it's what I want to do. Yeah, right now, this sounds like an incredible opportunity, but what if it's not what I want to do with the rest of my life? What if none of this is?" She asked.

""Is this about something bigger?" She paused. "Are you getting cold feet about marrying Jack?" Lucy asked.

"No." Sue answered. "I love Jack, I really do. I just want to be sure that this is what I want to do. The job I mean." She got up and put the dishes and left overs away. "You know how, sometimes things are too good to be true?" Lucy nodded. "That's how this feels."

"Are you getting a bad feeling about the offer?" Sue shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe you should check this out before you say yes or no."

"I have. I checked it out at work. Tara did back ground on them. They're legit. The company has a AAA rating with the better business bureau. They really do tour around the country, and have great feedback." Sue said.

"Maybe you're just afraid of change?" Lucy suggested. Sue smiled.

"Maybe you're right." Sue finally conceded.

"Listen. If you need someone to talk to, someone to bounce ideas off, you know I'm always here. But if you're only over thinking this offer because you're afraid to take that step forward, to change your routine… let me say this. Don't. Don't be afraid to push yourself beyond what you think you're capable of. You can do this. I know this. Jack knows this. The only question is, do you know it?" Lucy asked. She put the last of the dinner away and turned to the bedrooms. "I'm going to head to bed. I have a book with my name on it waiting. Night."

"Night." Sue said as she took Levi's leash and headed to the park.

The mid fall evening was cool. It wasn't even seven yet, but the sun had long set. Clouds were rolling in, covering the star covered sky. The moon was at its fullest, but with the storm building, it couldn't be seen.

"This is going to be a quick trip boy. I don't have any interest in taking a cold shower. Besides, you were just out." Sue said jogging down the path. As the two turned the corner, Levi began to bark and wag his tail. Sue instantly noticed a familiar figure jogging in her direction.

"Good evening beautiful." He said as he leaned toward her kissing her on the cheek.

"Hi there yourself handsome." Sue responded wrapping her arms around Jack, holding him tight.

"What's going on that you're out tonight?" Jack asked.

"Clearing my mind." Sue answered. Jack wrapped his arm around her waist and the pair walked deeper into the park. Levi trotted just ahead of them on his leash, sniffing and wagging as he went.

"What's going on?" Jack asked. "Want to talk?"

"Just contemplating my future." Sue answered.

"Your?" He asked. Sue nodded.

"Yes. Mine." Sue answered. She looked at him, knowing where he was going with it. "No matter what I do for a living, it won't change our future." She paused. "But, I need to decide what I want to do."

"Have you made any head way?" Jack asked taking her hand in his. She shrugged.

"Every time I think I have, something makes me think again." She answered.

"I understand that. It's not an easy decision. You've worked so long to get to where you are in the bureau, and that success has brought you this opportunity." He smiled proudly.

"That's true." Sue said.

"When will you let Wes Barkley know what you're going to do?" Jack asked.

"I guess as soon as I figure out what I want to do." Sue answered. "He wanted an answer as soon as I can, but it's taking me so long to actually make the decision…"

The pair walked in silence the rest of the way back to Sue's apartment. The rain began to come down. Small traces of sprinkles at first, then thick, big, round drops of water, and then, the down pour. Jack pulled Sue hard by her hand up to the steps of the building. Levi shook fiercely and Sue and Jack were soaked. Both laughed.

"This is crazy weather." Jack noted with a chuckle in his voice.

"Do you want to come up for a little while?" Sue asked. Jack smiled and agreed. Sue made some hot coffee and got out towels to dry themselves off. Sue looked out the window just in time to see a streak of lightening skirt across the sky. The loud crack of thunder jolted Levi from his resting place.

"I don't think you're walking home in this." Sue said matter-of-factly.

"Good thinking." Jack said flinching when the lightning struck close.

"Come on, I'll give you a ride home." Sue offered, grabbing her coat and keys.

As they pulled up to Jack's apartment, another crack of white light lit up the black night sky. Jack insisted she come in, just to let the storm pass a bit.

Jack led Sue to the couch, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Sue stared at his lips, watching for them to form words. Nothing came out. Sue giggled at him.

"What?" He asked.

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes you."

"What about me?"

"You're funny. You start saying something, then stop, then start and stop again." Sue laughed. "What were you trying to say?"

"I was going to ask if there was anything I could help with the decision on the job. I know you've thought about what you want to do, but..." Jack finally said. There was silence for a long moment. "I mean, I have great listening skills…"

"Thanks. But it seems to be all I've been doing, thinking about it I mean. I've researched them, the offer and weighed my options." Sue said.

"And?" Jack pushed.

"I'm still stuck in the middle. I have to lose what I've worked so hard for. But at the same time, this is an incredible opportunity to do some good." Sue explained. "But I am leaning toward taking the job."

"That's great!" Jack said holding her tight to him.

"You really think so?" Sue asked.

"Yes. You did great the first time you tried it, you reached a lot of the kids. With your caring nature and sweet personality, it's a fit for you. It was such a high for me to watch you get so excited." He paused. "You should think about it some more, make sure before you make a final decision. Whatever you decide, I'll be here for you. I'll support any choice you make. We're in this together. I love you." He whispered just as his lips captured hers. Sue allowed her eyes to close as her hand traveled up his chest to his arm, and around his neck, pulling him to her. She gasped as Jack's tongue slipped through her lips, tasting her, tempting her with its every move. Their lips played against one another's, Sue unconsciously pulling Jack tighter to her enticing him more. Sue knew their play couldn't go on much longer, and she would, once again, be the one to end it. Jack was becoming alluring. Too alluring. Jack pulled Sue to him, running his hand down her side to her hip. His hand rested on her hip, wandering a little further than Sue was comfortable with, but she didn't stop him. If she was honest with herself, she didn't want him to stop. Each time they got close and began pushing the limits of their physical relationship, Sue gave in just a bit more. She had thought, more than once, that she didn't want to stop, she didn't want to go home. She had given some serious consideration to crossing the line. After all, he was her fiancée- her husband to be. It would only be a couple of months and they would be together, with a piece of paper legalizing their union. Would saying yes be so wrong?

Jack's lips caressed her neck one last time before pulling back, winded. "I think it's time you go home." He said with great regret on his face. Sue looked at him surprised, but at the same time, grateful.

"Has the storm passed?" Sue asked, breathless.

"The one outside has, the one in here is just beginning to gather strength." He said blushing lightly. Sue's cheeks filled with color as she smiled shyly.

"I think you're right." She said as she pushed herself off the couch. Jack walked her to the car and kissed her goodnight.

"I love you Ms. Thomas." He said before a sweet caress on her cheek. "Call me when you get home."

"I love you too Jack. See you." She said.

When Sue got home she texted Jack and checked email, only to find one from Anita, the young woman Sue had connected with during her first speaking engagement.

Anita was in trouble, and needed a friend.