Sue had spoken with her mother who had told her that as far as she knew Ms Casey still worked out of the same offices and she had all those years ago. Jack had booked them into a hotel a short walk from the office building but Mrs Thomas had insisted that they stay with them for the two nights that they would be there. Sue would be having her old room and Jack would have one of her brothers. They hadn’t even tried to argue with her. Sue had learnt long ago that when he mother had her mind set on something, there was no point trying to change it.
The flight to Ohio was relatively short and Jack was pleased that Sue seemed to have coped with the various changes in pressure. He knew that flying hurt her ears and his first suggestion had been to drive but she had insisted on flying, saying that they needed the save all the time they could before another woman was taken. She said that her instincts were telling her that Rosemary would not be the last woman to be taken.
Their flight landed a little after 8pm. When they’d made their way through the airport, t hey had decided to go for something to eat at a little restaurant that Sue frequented all the time when she lived at home. Once they’d eaten they would then make the short drive to the Thomas residence. Jack threw their overnight bags into the trunk of their rental car and Sue directed him to the restaurant.
As they entered the restaurant, they were immediately shown to a table near the back. Jack took in the surroundings as he sat down. It was quite a small place, but it seemed quite popular with only a handful of tables being empty. There was a wide choice of food on the menu and the staff seemed pleasant. It was the type of place that he could imagine Sue coming too quite often. As Sue sat opposite him, he reached across the table and took her hands in his, looking into her eyes. Despite the smile she gave him, her eyes told him that she was worried and he knew she was trying her best to put on a brave face. He wasn’t sure if it was the case that was concerning her or seeing her mother again.
Sue had told him that being the only girl of four children, she had always been a daddy’s girl. He knew that she had a difficult relationship with her mother and Jack had seen that when her parents had come to stay last Christmas. Sue had repeatedly told her mother not to get involved, that she and Lucy had everything under control for the party they had planned, but her mother had gone ahead and taken over. Jack knew that her mother meant well and so did Sue, but Mrs Thomas was having trouble letting go of her only daughter and in believing that she was an independent, capable woman. Smiling as he squeezed her hands, he spoke.
“It will be alright you know?”
“You don’t know my mother like I do Jack. Oh, I have no doubt that she means well but she can be so infuriating at times I just want to stand up and shake her.” Sue said as she gave him a small smile.
“She only acts the way she does because she cares.” Jack told her.
“I know that Jack but I am 28, she needs to let go and let me live my own life. If it was up to her I would still be living at home and would probably die a lonely old woman. I would never have met the team, or you. I don’t know what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met you.”
“But you did meet me Sue and I am not going anywhere. You are stuck with me.” Jack said as he ran his thumb across her knuckles.
“I can think of worse things to be stuck with.”
Jack finally saw a smile that lit up her face and he felt his heart do a flip flop. This was the woman he had fallen in love with. It was the first genuine smile that he’d seen on her lips since they’d been handed this case.
“I take it you haven’t told your parents about us yet?” Jack asked her.
“No I haven’t, although somehow I don’t think my mom will mind. She took quite a shine to you when she met you at Christmas. She gave me the third degree about you and everything.” She said.
“Oh really, and why haven’t you mentioned this before now may I ask?” Jack said as he raised his eyebrows.
“Because, Mr Hudson, I didn’t want to over inflate that male ego of yours.”
“Sue, you wound me.” Jack said as he winked.
Jack was about to continue their conversation when he saw a man approaching their table from the side. He saw Sue follow his line of vision and felt her hands grip his tighter. She knows this man. He squeezed her hands and smiled, letting her know he was there if she needed him.
“Sue? Sue Thomas? It’s me, Rick Holloway, we were in the same math class in twelfth grade.”
Sue tried to hide the grimace that crossed her face as Rick stood in front of their table. She remembered who he was, there was no way she could forget. He was one of the gang of people who had made her years in high school a nightmare. Whilst he had not made fun of her himself, he was part of the same crowd and did nothing to stop the others, which, in her eyes, made him as bad as they were.
“I’m good. You look great. Are you still living around here? He asked her.
“No, actually I live in D.C now. I am out here on business and visiting my parents.” She informed him.
“What is it you do in D.C?”
“I work for the FBI.” She said proudly.
“FBI? You work for the FBI?” He said, unable to hide the disbelief from his expression. “I didn’t realise that they recruited people who were……well, who are……oh you know what I mean.” He said as he smiled awkwardly.
Sue nodded at Rick and glanced across at Jack. She had felt that the grip he had on her hands had tightened even more and could see the tension in his usually soft jaw line. She knew that he probably wanted to flatten the guy but she was pleased that he was restraining himself.
“So, who is this? Your partner?” Rick asked as he turned to Jack.
Sue was about to answer when Jack jumped into the conversation. He didn’t release her hands and she knew that the smile on his face was as false as they came.
“Actually, I am Sue’s boyfriend. Jack Hudson.”
“I see. Well it was nice to meet you and to see you again Sue. Hope you have a nice stay.”
With those words Rick returned to the table he had come from and immediately began talking to his friends. She picked up the occasional word and knew that he was telling them all about her. Turning to Jack, she felt him loosen his grip on her hands but the look his was giving the other man was one of pure contempt and he wasn’t trying to hide it.
“Jack, you can relax now. If you don’t that vein in your temple is going to burst at any minute.” Sue said, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m sorry Sue, but the way that guy spoke to you.”
“It’s okay Jack. I learnt long ago that they say what they say because they don’t understand. It doesn’t bother me anymore.” She said, hoping he believed her.
“It bothers me though. I don’t like to hear people say anything bad about you. Especially someone who doesn’t know what a kind, caring, beautiful woman you have grown into.”
Jack smiled at the blush that crept to her cheeks as she glanced at her former classmate.
“He is still watching us Jack. You just know that me being here is going to be all around town by morning.”
“Well let’s give them something to talk about shall we?”
Sue watched as Jack stood up from his seat and moved round to sit next to her. He took her hand in his and just looked at her. For a moment she started to get lost in those brown eyes.
“Jack, what are you...” She began but Jack’s finger to her lips stopped any further words. “Do you trust me?”
Sue nodded and within seconds Jack’s lips were pressed against hers. As always, they were soft and tender and applied just enough pressure to let he know exactly how he felt. She didn’t wait for him to ask and opened her mouth slightly, inviting him in. Her hands rested on his upper arms as she felt his at her waist, drawing small circles that she could feel through the material of her blouse.
She was unable to stop the small moan that left her lips when she felt Jack lightly suckle on her lower lip, his tongue soothed the area and he then did the same to her upper lip. His one hand left her waist and came up to cup her cheek before he let it slide the length of her body to rest on her thigh.
She knew that they were sitting in a public restaurant but at that moment in time, that was the farthest thing from her mind. She was too wrapped up in the kiss she was sharing with the man she loved. The kiss was over all too soon and Sue tried to maintain her composure, even though she found that increasingly difficult when Jack looked at her the way he was looking at her now.
“I think that should give old Ricky boy something to talk about.” Jack said as he brushed a stray strand of blond hair behind her ear, letting his knuckles brush across her cheek as he did so.
“I think you’re right.” Sue said when she had evened out her breathing. “Come on, let’s go. I’m not that hungry anymore, at least not for food anyway.”
She threw him a cheeky smile as he almost choked at her comment. She moved across, forcing Jack to move so that she could stand. Placing another quick kiss to his lips, she took his hand and led him from the restaurant. When they were outside, she glanced back and saw Rick watching them, open mouthed, still in shock at what he had seen.
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