Hear No Evil - Chapter 39

Several hours later, Jack and Sue returned from an afternoon in town. Sue had taken Jack to some of her favourite childhood haunts and Levi had been in his element chasing pigeons and squirrels in the park.

Despite the case they were working, Sue was happy being home, especially with Jack by her side. They had bumped into a couple of people that she’d gone to school with, many of whom still lived at home with their parents.  She felt so proud of all that she’d achieved, especially with her disadvantages. What felt even better was introducing Jack as her boyfriend. That had gotten several “no ways” and “get out of here’s” from the girls they had bumped into. They had been practically drooling over him and she had never felt better about herself with him on her arm.

As they walked into the kitchen, Sue dropped her purse on couch and went through to the kitchen th get them a drink, picking up a note that had been left on the counter top.

Sue and Jack

Had to go out, Aunt Sylvia is not well. We will hopefully be back before you leave for D.C tomorrow but if not, it has been lovely seeing you both again. Please don’t leave it so long next time!

Love

Mom and Dad

P.S Dinner is in the oven.

“Looks like we have the place to ourselves.” Sue called to Jack as he came into the kitchen, “Mom and Dad had to go to Aunt Sylvia’s.”

“You mean I have you all to myself for the rest of the day.” Jack said with a smile.

Sue smiled when she saw Jack waggle his eyebrows at her. She knew exactly what was running through his mind by the way he was looking at her, mainly because the same thing had popped into her mind too. Spending some alone time with Jack was always a good thing, and usually she would jump at the chance, but this was her parents house.  When they were on their own, things tended to get pretty heated pretty quickly. They’d come close to crossing that barrier a few times and she didn’t feel that she could trust herself to stop if things got that far again, which she knew they would. She racked her brain to try and think of something for Jack to do, smiling when it came to her.

“Hadn’t you better get on the phone to Bobby to let him know what we have found out after speaking with Ms Casey?”

Sue almost laughed out loud as Jack’s shoulders slumped and he stuck out his bottom lip. She almost caved when he tried to turn his dark eyes on her but she turned to the fridge to get their drinks, opening the door and to let the chilly air cool her rapidly overheating body.  Turning back she saw Jack was now in the living room about to dial when his phone rang. Answering, he turned and mouthed to her that it was Bobby.

“Hey Crash, you must be psychic, I was about to call you. I think we may have something here.”

“Well we definitely have something here Sparky. Two bodies have just been recovered from the Potomac. They haven’t been formally identified but the description matches those of Claire Williams and Sophie Morgan. I think you should get back here pronto.
“On our way Crash.”

Hear No Evil - Chapter 38

When Jack and Sue arrived back at her parents, they walked in on a heated debate between them. Sue couldn’t hear what was being said, but the amount of arm waving that her mother was doing meant that it couldn’t be good. The look on her father’s face was one she had seen many times, usually when her mother was over reacting and blowing something up out of all proportion. Suddenly her mother stopped when she saw them enter the living room.

“I have just had to go through one of the most humiliating experiences of my life because of you two! I can’t believe you would do that to me.” Carla said as she came to stand in front of them.

Sue and Jack looked at each other, both clearly confused about what she was referring to.

“What are we meant to have done mother. Surely it can’t be that bad, we only got here last night.” Sue asked.
“I just went down to the shops to get something in for dinner tonight and I bumped into Sharon Holloway. You might remember her son Rick? You went to school with him.” Carla explained, her arms now folded across her chest.

Sue took a deep breath as it dawned on her what her mother was rambling about and she looked at Jack. From the expression on his face, he had realised what she was referring to as well.

“Mom, I know what you are going to say and before you do, I want to say something. Jack and I are adults. We knew what we were doing and we didn’t do anyone any harm.” Sue said.
“Didn’t do anyone any harm? Did you hear that Paul? She was all over Jack in a public place and she didn’t do any harm? Didn’t you think about how that would look to everyone in the diner? I can’t believe you would do that Susan. I thought I had brought you up better than that.”

Sue opened her mouth to speak but was silenced when Jack squeezed her hand and he began to speak.

“You have raised her very well Mrs Thomas, but if you had heard what that Rick chap said to Sue, you might understand a little more. All through high school Sue had to put up with being teased and taunted just because she was different. It didn’t matter to them that she got straight A’s or that she was a lovely person, all they were bothered about was her deafness and how it made them look to be associated with her. Rick Holloway still has a problem with Sue’s deafness and he made that clear when she told him she worked for the FBI. He couldn’t believe that the FBI would employ someone like Sue and we just wanted to prove to him that she is just as normal as you and I. That she was capable of living her own life, of having a boyfriend and working. I know it probably wasn’t the best way to go about it but it felt right at the time. We didn’t do it to humiliate you, if fact, you and Paul never entered our heads at the time. I am sorry if you have been upset by all of this but that wasn’t our intention.”

Sue looked at Jack as he spoke and couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips. Pulling her hand from his, she moved to his side and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to her side. His arm went round her shoulder as they waited for a response from Carla, instead, it was Paul who spoke first.

“Jack is right dear. You know as well as I do what Suzie had to put up with at school. They are both adults and I am sure no harm was intended, especially to you.”

Sue smiled at her dad and then turned her attention back to her mother. By the look on her face she could see that she was still deciding how to respond to Jack’s words. It was a few more moments before Carla sighed and unfolded her arms.

“Apology accepted. But I still think that that kind of intimacy should be kept behind closed doors.”

With those final words, Carla walked out of the living room and went upstairs. It wasn’t until they heard the bedroom door close that the three remaining adults released the laughter they had been holding inside.

Hear No Evil - Chapter 36

Upstairs, Jack watched as Mr Thomas led him to one of the bedrooms that he knew had previously been occupied by one of her brothers before they moved out. When they were inside, the older man closed the door and turned to him. 
 

“Jack, you love my daughter don’t you?” Paul asked.

“Yes sir.”

Jack surprised himself by how quickly he had answered that question. He knew that he loved her but he hadn’t admitted it to anyone. Not even Sue. And now here he was telling her father how he felt. He saw Paul smile at him.

“Right answer son.” Paul said as he took a step closer.

“Paul, I have never felt about anyone they way that I feel about Sue. From the first day I met her she intrigued me. I had to know more about her. As time went on, she became my best friend. I knew that I could tell her anything and she wouldn’t judge me. I realised that I loved your daughter several months ago when I had to go into hospital after a heart scare. The thought of not having her in my life scared me more than anything. I just feel so honoured that she chose to be with me.” Jack explained, taking a deep breath when he’d finished speaking.
“Jack, every father wants his little girl to meet the proverbial white knight and live happily ever after. When I look and you and Sue, I honestly think that you two can have that. I raised my daughter to know when a man’s intentions were honourable and she obviously listened to what I told her. If this relationship goes where I think it will, you have my blessing Jack.”
“Thank you Paul, that means a lot.”

Jack reached out and shook the hand of the older man, pleased that he’d been accepted into the Thomas family. As he looked at the older man, he spotted Sue climbing the stairs and couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on his lips. He saw Paul turn and see his daughter.

“I’ll let you two talk.” Paul said as he walked out onto the landing, kissing his daughter on the cheek before going down the stairs to his wife. Jack watched her as she walked towards him, a look on her face that he couldn’t decipher.

“Hey, you okay?”

Jack watched her as she walked up to him and put her arms around his neck and held him close. He was a little surprised but wrapped his arms around her and held her to him. He felt her whole body relax against him and he heard a deep sigh. After several minutes, she pulled away and Jack closed the bedroom door.

“Not that I am complaining, but what was that for?” Jack said as he smiled.

“Nothing, I just wanted you to hold me. I had a rather enlightening conversation with my mother whilst you were up here.”
“I had one with your dad too. He gave us his blessing.”
“So did mom.”
“I guess you weren’t joking when you said she took a shine to me.”

Jack winced as Sue playfully slapped him on his arm and smiled the smile that he had come to love so much. He took a step closer to her and pulled her into another hug, one that neither of them wanted to end. He could tell by the way she held him that she needed this. He breathed in her scent as they just held each other. It was the small that was uniquely her and a scent that Jack would always love and associate with her. He felt her grip on his loosen and he moved to look at her.

“Can I stay in here with you tonight Jack?” Sue asked, almost shyly.

“Of course you can, if that’s what you want?” Jack said
“It is. I just want to feel close to you tonight.”

Jack nodded as he went into her room and grabbed her bag off her old bed. He noticed that the downstairs was in darkness so figured that her parents had retired for the night too.  Returning to what would be his room while they were there, he saw her sitting on the bed.

“I shall leave this here for you to change. I shall change in the bathroom.”

Picking up his bag, he closed the door and went into the bathroom. Deciding that his usual night attire of boxer shorts would not be appropriate, he pulled out a t-shirt and jogging bottoms. He looked at himself in the mirror as he carried out his night time routine and sighed. He knew that this was going to be a test of his willpower. Just holding her was almost too much to bear, but sharing a bed with her was completely different. He knew that it had taken a lot for Sue to ask him if she could stay. He also knew that she was showing how just how much she trusted him.

Returning to the bedroom after several minutes, he found her changed and already in bed, the covers up to her waist. He smiled as he saw she was wearing the hockey jersey he’d bought her and his briefly closed his eyes to try and rid his mind of the images it was conjuring up. Opening them, he walked over to her to the bed and pulled the covers to one side, slipping in besides her. Holding out his arm to her, she moved straight over to him and snuggled into his chest, her one arm resting across his stomach, the other resting lightly on his thigh. Placing a soft kiss in her hair, he felt her smile against his chest.

“Goodnight Jack.”

“Goodnight Sue. Sweet dreams.”

Hear No Evil - Chapter 35

After dinner, Sue and her mother washed the dishes whilst Jack dried and Paul put them back in the cupboards. With the team effort, they were all done within five minutes and walked through to the living room.

“Jack, why don’t I show you where you’ll be sleeping tonight.”

 Sue smiled at Jack as he stood, knowing that his father wanted to speak with Jack. She inwardly cringed, guessing that Jack would be asked all sorts of questions about his intentions towards her. When her father and Jack had vanished up the stairs, Sue turned back to her mother.

 "Sit with me Sue.” Carla said as she patted the space her husband had left.

Sue hesitated slightly and then moved to sit down next to her mother. She knew what was coming. Her dad had undoubtedly told her about her and Jack and now she was going to get the lecture about waiting until she was married and making sure that Jack was the right one and didn’t take advantage of her.

“Sue, do you love Jack?” Carla asked.

Sue was a little taken aback by the question and her first reaction was to tell her to mind her own business but when she looked into her mother’s eyes, all she could see was love. There was no sarcasm, no worry or concern. It was a genuine question from a mother to her daughter. Sue nodded at her mom and smiled.

“I take it you haven’t told him yet?” She smiled when Sue shook her head. “He is a good man Sue. I have only met him twice but anyone can see that he worships you. When he looks at you, he has the same look in his eyes as your father had when we were courting.”

Sue smiled at her mother as they talked. She hadn’t seen this side to her mom too many times before and she wished she would show it more often. It was when she was like this that she liked coming home.

“I’m scared mom. I do love Jack and I know deep down that he loves me too. But I have never had these feelings before and I don’t know how to deal with them. I probably shouldn’t be saying this to you but when I am with Jack, he makes me feel things that I never thought I ever would. Jack is sweet, kind, sensitive and I know that he would do anything for me. I don’t know what it is but, am I am worthy of him?”

“Now you stop talking that way Sue.” Carla sat as he glanced towards the stairs and pointed.  “That man up there loves you and you are just as worthy of him as he is of you. Not everyone gets a chance to be with the person that they truly love and I believe that you have found that person in Jack. All you have to do it have faith. Take that leap Sue. I believe you and Jack are meant to be.”

Sue sat and looked at her mom, the tears threatening to fall again. She was surprised that her mother had reacted like this to her and Jack. She has always been very protective of her when it came to men and always gave them the third degree about their past loves, job, religious beliefs. She hadn’t done any of that with Jack and she was thankful for that.

“Thank you mom. I think I am going to go to bed. It’s been a long day and we have to meet Ms Casey at half past eight tomorrow morning.”

 “Ok sweetheart. Sweet dreams.”

Hear No Evil - Chapter 34

Less than ten minutes after they had left the restaurant, they pulled onto the driveway outside the Thomas residence. Switching off the engine, Jack unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to her. He could see her sitting there looking at the house, her expression revealed nothing about how she felt at being back at her childhood home. As far as he knew, it was the first time she’d been home since moving to DC. 

“Are you ready?” He asked as he took her hand.

“As I’ll ever be.” Sue responded with a quick smile. 

They both exited the car and Jack went around to the truck to take out their bags. When he closed the truck, he turned to see Sue in the arms of an older man who he recognised as her dad.  The love the man had for his daughter was obvious. Behind them stood Mrs Thomas.  Sue released her father and moved into the open arms of her mother. From what Jack could see it appeared to be a warm embrace.  As the two women entered the house, he walked up the path and was met by Mr Thomas.

“Jack, nice to see you again.” Mr Thomas said and offered his hand to the younger man.

“You too Mr Thomas.” Jack responded, accepting the handshake.

“Oh please, call me Paul. Mr Thomas was my father.”

“Okay Paul, thank you for letting us stay here.”

“It’s nothing. Carla wouldn’t have it any other way.  Let’s get inside with those bags, we can’t stand out here forever.” 

Paul Thomas took one of the bags off Jack and the two men entered the house to see the women in the kitchen making drinks. Mrs Thomas spotted Jack enter and walked over to him.

“Jack, it’s so good to see you again.” She pulled him into a quick hug. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been good thank you Mrs Thomas.” Jack said, slightly surprised by the hug he received from the Thomas matriarch.

“Please, call me Carla. Now Sue says that you haven’t eaten yet. Do you like lasagne? I’ve just put some in for Paul and I but I am sure there will be enough to you and Sue too.”

“Lasagne is good. Thank you.” 

Sue smiled at Jack’s interaction with her mother and walked over to him, fighting the urge to slide her arm around his waist. She hadn’t told her parents about the change in her relationship with Jack, she wanted to wait for the right time. She knew her mother had always been protective of her when it came to the men in her life, but she had a feeling that she would be happy that she’d chosen Jack. She was giving every indication that she liked him, which she knew was half the battle. 

“Mom’s lasagne is legendary around these parts. We are in for a treat.”

“Then I can’t wait.” Jack said as he looked at her, hoping that his eyes were conveying what his lips couldn’t.
“Why don’t you two take a seat in the living room and I’ll take these bags upstairs.” Paul said as he grabbed the bags and was half way up the stairs before Jack could object.

oOo

As Carla worked her magic in the kitchen, she stole glances at her husband and their guests who were seated in the living area. She noticed that her daughter and Jack seemed a lot closer than they had been when she last met him. Is it possible that they are more than friends? She smiled to herself as she considered that thought.

She knew that her imagination had a tendency to go into overdrive when it came to Sue’s relationships with men. She knew that it was possible that, since she’d last met Jack at Christmas, Sue had gotten to know him better and was just more comfortable around him, but part of her hoped that it was more.

She liked Jack. He was good for her daughter and she could tell as she watched them that he adored her. The look in his eyes gave him away every time. She was pleased that her daughter appeared to have found someone who wanted to be with her for whom she was and didn’t seem to be bothered by her deafness. That had always been her one worry for her when she was growing up.

A mother wants nothing more for her daughter than for her to meet a man who loves her and for them to settle down and have her own family. She had always worried that Sue would never have that. That the men in her life would realise that she was deaf and back away. She had brought her daughter up to wait until she was married before giving herself to a man and she knew that Sue believed in that to this day. She just hoped that if Jack and Sue were now together, that Jack respected that, for his sake as well as her daughters.

oOo

“So Sue, what brings you two out to Ohio? Your mom mentioned that you had called and asked about Ms Casey?” Paul asked.

“I can’t go into too much detail at the moment dad but it’s for a case we are working on. We need to speak to Ms Casey about it. She may have information that can help us.” Sue told him, well aware of how much information she was able to divulge.

“I see.” 

Sue watched her dad looked between her and Jack. She began to think that sitting at opposite ends of the couch was a bad idea? Was it just making her dad take more notice of them?

“Can I assume that something has happened between you two?” Paul asked, causing his daughter to blush as she looked at the man next to her.

“Is it that obvious dad?” Sue said as she looked back at her father.

“Sweetheart, when you have been around as long as I have you tend to pick up on these things.” He answered with a smile.
“Mr Thomas……Paul, I care deeply for your daughter and I want you to know that I would never do anything to hurt her. She is the most important thing in my life.”

Sue looked at Jack with tears in her eyes. It was one thing saying something like that to her in private but to say them to her father was something else. She shifted over to his side and took his hand, suddenly not caring that they were sitting in her parent’s living room with her dad sitting opposite them.

Sue kept her eyes on Jack and out of the corner of her eye, she saw her dad stand and walk towards the kitchen. When she was sure he had gone, she allowed a small tear to slide down her cheek. Jack immediately moved closer and brushed it away with his thumb.

“I meant it Sue. You mean the world to me. I don’t care who knows it.”

“Jack, in my heart I wanted so badly to believe that a man like you could want to be with someone like me but I never let myself believe it fully. Not until now. You have said it to me so many times over the last few days but to say it to my dad means so much to me, you will never know how much.”

As the tears she had fought to contain spilled down her cheeks, Jack took her in his arms and held her, knowing that they were tears of happiness.

oOo

Paul Thomas walked into the kitchen, leaving his daughter and Jack alone to talk. He saw his wife standing by the counter and she turned to look at him.

“I think our little girl has found the one.” Paul said as he smiled at his wife of almost thirty-five years.

He was pleased when he saw his wife smile. Carla had always been protective of Sue. They had a very up and down relationship. One week they would be as close as mother and daughter should be and the next you could slice the tension with a knife.

“You think so too? I watched them for about five minutes when you were talking to them. There is something different between them now. I can’t put my finger on it. They seem so much more comfortable with each other.”

“I asked them straight out if something had happened and they didn’t deny it. Jack said that she was the most important thing in his life. I don’t think he has told her that he is in love with her though, even though it is obvious to anyone, including me, that he is smitten.”

Carla leaned forward slightly and looked into the living room. She saw Sue in Jack’s arms. He was holding her tightly and gently stroking her back. She could hear the soothing words coming out of his mouth and could tell by the way Sue’s shoulders were shaking that she was crying. She immediately went into protective mother mode.

“She is crying. What has that man done to her to make her cry? I have to get in there before he upsets her even more.”

Carla went to remove the apron she was wearing and stopped when she felt her husband’s hand on her arm.

“I am willing to bet that those are happy tears.” He smiled when he saw the confused look on her face. “Jack just told me how much he cares for her. I don’t think he has done that before, at least not to anyone but her. She was almost in tears then. That is why I came in here, to give them a bit of space to talk.” Paul explained.

“Paul, you know as well as I do that she has never had a proper boyfriend. How do we know that Jack isn’t just taking advantage of her? You know what their generation is like. I’ve seen in happen to her before. I don’t want to believe that Jack would do that, I think he is a lovely young man, but I have to think about my daughter.”

“I don’t believe Jack is like that Carla. Just look at them together. The look in his eyes when he looks at her tells you everything. He loves our little girl. We couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Taking another look, Jack had now released Sue and she could see that they were talking. He lifted his hand and brushed away a stray tear with his thumb. Occasionally he would smile at her and break into small laughs. She could see their entwined hands and the look in his eyes was just as Paul had said it was.

 
“He is definitely smitten.”

Hear No Evil - Chapter 33

Four hours later, Jack and Sue were on their way to Ohio. Tara had called less than five minutes after they’d left the bullpen telling them that she had them booked on a flight leaving Dulles in ninety minutes time. They’d only had time to gather a couple of changes of clothes and the essentials before they’d left for the airport.   

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 remember. Hi Rick. How are you?”  Sue said as she plastered a smile on her face.

“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.