He really is scared. Sue couldn't quite believe that Jack Hudson, the man who had made himself the target of a sniper and battled terrorists, was scared of something like this. Seeing him this way only made her fall for him even more. He could be tough and strong at work but he also had a softer side, a vulnerable side that she found endearing.
Reaching across, she placed her hand over his and she felt him relax almost instantly. His grip on the safety harness slackened and his breathing slowed. She watched as his head fell forward and he turned to look at her.
"SORRY." Jack managed to sign before putting his hand back on the harness.
"What for Jack? You don't have to apologise for being nervous about this. I remember when I went on my first rollercoaster, I literally fought with one of my brothers to let me off but the ride had already started so I had no choice but to stay."
She smiled when she saw Jack laugh slightly. She could tell that it was a nervous laughter by the look on his face. Her hand still covered his and she felt him tense again as the ride slowly began to move forward over the rise to begin the long drop to the bottom. Slipping her hand under his hand she took it in hers and squeezed it slightly.
"YOU OK. ME HOLD HAND." She signed
Jack nodded and she smiled at him. She felt him relax again but not completely. There was still tension in his body but he seemed less nervous that he had been a few minutes ago. At that moment, the ride dropped and began hurtling down the track to the bottom.
Jack was slightly comforted by Sue holding his hand but that didn't stop his heart beating so fast that he thought it would jump out of his chest. He forced himself to open his eyes just at the ride went up into a loop the loop. The speed of the ride and the g-force it created forced his head to turn towards Sue.
He could see a big smile on her face. She really was in her element as she screamed along with the others who sat behind them. It surprised him just how much she was enjoying this. Somehow, he had never pictured her liking these sorts of rides, but, she did have three brothers so he shouldn't really be surprised.
After several more loops, twists and steep drops, the ride came to a flat part of track and slowed to a stop. He only realised he had closed his eyes again when he felt Sue squeeze his hand. He turned to her, feeling slightly embarrassed that he had acted this way in front of her. He knew that Sue wouldn't judge him and that she wouldn't tell any of the team about this but that didn't stop him feeling the way he did. He gave her a small smile.
"Hey you okay? You worried me there for a second."
"Yeah, I'm fine now that we have stopped. I had forgotten how fast these things go." He said with a slight smile.
He knew that he was trying to cover his embarrassment and hoped that she wouldn't notice, but wasn't surprised when she didn't fall for his act.
"Jack, you don't have to try and hide your feelings from me. It's okay to be scared once in a while."
The smile she gave him almost melted his heart and he instantly felt better than he had in a long time. He was snapped out of his thoughts when the safety harness was released and everyone began to climb out of the cars. He quickly stood and held out his hand for Sue, helping her back up to the platform and onto solid ground.
"Now, I am sure that I saw an ice rink whilst we were up there." She said as they started walking when they had cleared the gates that encase the rollercoaster.
"I wondered if you would notice it. It's new for this year. I had planned on taking you later on this week, but seeing as we are here." He started but Sue finished.
"As much as I would love to Jack, I don't think I have the energy. Sitting down and spinning on all these rides really takes it out of you."
She smiled at him and he caught his breath again. He was beginning to wish that she would stop smiling at him like that. Each time she did, he felt his heart skip a beat. He was pleased he had remembered to take his heart medication that morning.
"Okay. How about I take you back to your place so that you can shower and change ready for tonight?"
"What's happening tonight?" Sue asked curiously.
"The continuation of today's date." Jack replied as he smiled at her.
"Why Jack, you never cease to amaze me."
Jack waved his hand to indicate the way to his car and Sue gave a mock courtesy to his gesture. They both laughed at their actions and walked side by side in the direction of the parking lot. Glancing down, Jack reached over and took her hand in his, receiving yet another beautiful smile from the woman who held his heart. He liked this. Being able to spend time with her on an official date. Not having to worry about "accidentally" touching her hand or saying something that might give away his feelings. He hadn't felt this good in a long time, this sure about his feelings for a woman. He loved Sue and he wasn't about to let her get away.
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