A/N: Well here it is at last, the final chapter of almost a year's work. Wow! I meant to post much sooner but for some reason it took me three re-writes to finally be happy with the ending. I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who's read this and an even bigger THANK YOU to those who have given up a few minutes of their time to review. As I've said many times before, it is appreciated and gives me the encouragement to continue. Enjoy!

o-xxx-o

It felt to Jack as though he hadn't experienced a second of inner calm in months; the emotional rollercoaster he'd been on leaving him frazzled and this evening was proving to be no exception.

From the time she'd sat down at her desk, wearing that jumper, he'd found himself waiting for just one sign that it meant what he hoped it did but none had been forthcoming. His over-active mind had analysed every word, every movement, but come up empty. Afraid that he'd be completely insane by the end of the day, he'd decided to ask her out to lunch. Maybe if they were alone... But as with all his other plans, it had come to nothing.

Just before noon, D had called asking that Myles meet with representatives of the other Federal Agencies to thrash out a strategy to deal with the latest terror threat to hit DC and the Agent had requested that Sue accompany him. Unable to think up a legitimate or even plausible excuse to keep her in the bullpen Jack had grudgingly agreed, reasoning that he'd be able to catch up with her later but later had never come.

Since he'd been home, he'd driven himself crazy checking his cell every few minutes, convinced that he'd heard it go off and being disappointed when he'd found that it hadn't. Glancing at the clock, he was shocked to see that it was already 7:45 and he knew that he'd finally have to accept the one scenario he'd been trying not to think about... That she'd simply worn red because she wanted to and forgotten about their agreement.

The realisation had him feeling totally deflated and despondent, not to mention emotionally exhausted. He considered taking a shower and going to bed but that would mean he'd wake in the middle of the night and not be able to get back to sleep, leaving him far too much time to dwell on what might have been. He needed to go for a run... A very long run... Not stopping until he was too tired to think or feel. Tossing his phone on the chair, he'd only got halfway to the bedroom before the doorbell rang and he looked to the Heavens in despair. ~ Not now Crash, please. ~

Continuing on towards the bathroom, he stopped automatically when he heard the bleep of his cell or thought he had, but after all the false alarms of earlier he decided to ignore it. The tiny flicker of hope that still lingered had him cursing softly and returning to the lounge to check. He stared at the screen in sheer disbelief when he realised that this time he really had heard it. Rushing to the door, he yanked it open startling both his visitor and her canine companion.

"Hi!" Sue greeted him with a surprised smile.

"Hi," His mouth tried to form more words but as was its custom where she was concerned, his mind had gone completely blank.

"I know I promised you coffee and a doughnut but will this do instead?" She asked, holding up the unmistakable brown bags from the local Chinese takeaway. Not receiving a reply, it occurred to her that he might have other plans. "I'm sorry I know I'm a bit late. Have you already eaten? Am I interrupting something? Jack? Can we at least come in for a minute?"

Suddenly he seemed to snap out of the trance he was in. "What? Sorry, please come in." He stepped back from the door, waited for them to enter and than closed it behind them.

"Thank you." Quickly scanning the room she was relieved to find that he seemed to be alone. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I just... Everything's fine."

"Hungry?"

"Yes..." His brain was almost screaming at him to get a grip.

"Then do you think you could give me a hand?"

Sitting at the table he was still none-the-wiser as to the meaning of her visit. When she'd removed her coat he couldn't help but notice that she'd changed out of the sweater she'd been wearing at work and replaced it with a pale blue one which she wore with a pair of jeans, leaving him floundering. Worried about saying the wrong thing he ate his dinner silently, hoping that she would eventually give him a clue as to what was going on in her head.

The tension was relieved when they both went to pick up the last butterfly prawn, the clash sending it over the edge of the table and skittering across the floor where Levi, not quite believing his luck, pounced and gobbled it up. They both chuckled and Sue opened her mouth to speak then closed it again without a word.

"What?"

"Excuse me?"

"You were going to say something?"

"Nothing important... It just reminded me of the day we went to a Chinese Restaurant back in Ohio. It was the first time that the youngest of my brothers had tried to use chopsticks."

Jack grinned and waited expectantly. He'd heard a few stories about Sue and her brothers' exploits over the years and always found them funny. She had a knack for making even the most mundane of incidents entertaining. "Tell me. I'd like to hear it."

"Okay."

She told her tale and he followed it up with one of his own as they cleared away and by the time they'd finished they were laughing happily together.

"I have another." Sue offered as they made their way back into the lounge.

"I'm all ears." Jack smiled, his hand resting on the small of her back just as it used to.

They made themselves comfortable on the couch but although he tried to concentrate on what she was saying, his eyes kept straying downwards. Stopping mid-sentence she gave him an amused stare.

"What?"

"I'm the one who's deaf."

"I know that."

"Then why is it you seem to be watching my lips far more than I am yours?"

"Sorry, I..." Embarrassed at being caught he looked away but Sue reached over and turned him around so that he was facing her again.

"I was only teasing."

The touch of her cool fingers had an immediate affect on him. She watched mesmerised as his expression turned into something far more intense and suddenly she felt out of her depth. She'd shared intimate moments with men, including Jack, before, but this was something far more profound. Fearing that either her nerves would get the better of her or that she'd say something stupid, Sue made a conscious effort to shut down the thinking part of her brain and go with her instinct instead.

With a feather-light pressure she traced the contour of his jaw and then brushed her fingers over his lips, her insides trembling when she felt the tiny kisses he planted on their tips. As their eyes met Jack slipped his hand behind her head, drawing her closer until they were only inches apart.

"Sue..." Her name was a plea, a question and a sigh of longing all in one.

The gap between them magically disappeared and their mouths met but unlike their previous kisses, this one was far gentler and much more sensual. Breaking away, he rested his forehead against hers, inhaling slowly and deeply and running his tongue over his lips. "Mmm..."

"Wow."

Inching back so she could see, Jack smiled lovingly. "You took the word right out of my mouth."

"Well, if you do that again, I might be able to return it."

Leaning forward he captured her lips once more and groaned into her mouth when the kiss deepened, but when it threatened to get out of hand he tore himself away and fought to regain control. Sue watched him nervously, nibbling on her bottom lip and wondering if she'd done something wrong but before she could ask he signed for her to be quiet.

"Sue darling, I've waited so long for this and there have been so many times I thought it would never happen but now it has, I want to take it slowly... savour every moment... I hope you understand?"

She remained silent as her brain desperately tried to play catch up... ~ He'd called her 'darling'. Apart from her parents no one had ever... And just like her he wanted to go slowly... ~ His hand on her cheek snapped her out of her reverie and she forced herself to pay attention to what he was saying, which wasn't easy when all she wanted was for him to kiss her again. He gave her a soft smile which told her that he knew exactly what she'd been thinking and she felt herself flushing under his gaze.

"And there's something else that you should know... Something I've wanted to tell you for a very long time..."

."What's that?" Her words were barely audible, the love in his eyes and the sincerity of his expression stealing her voice away.

"I know that this isn't going to be easy and there'll probably be times when we'll wish that we'd done things differently but I want you to know that I love you Sue, and I'll do anything in my power to make this work." He broke off, waiting nervously for her reaction.

"I know you will. And Jack..."

"Yes?"

"I love you too." Needing to touch him again, she stroked the side of his face with her thumb.

"You do?"

Sue nodded, smiling happily at his genuine surprise.

"Thank you." Leaning back he tucked her into his side, holding her close as she rested on his shoulder and then closing his eyes, he finally blew out the breath he felt as if he'd been holding for months... one which turned into a deep moan when her palm slid under his sweater to caress the bare skin of his stomach. He allowed himself to enjoy the sensations for a few minutes but when his body began to respond, he removed her hand, placing it on his chest and covering it with his own.

Sensing that she was watching him again he opened his eyes and kissed her once more, briefly but tenderly, before easing her head down onto his chest; his fingers raking through the soft, silky tresses of her hair as he sighed contentedly. Somewhere in the dark recesses of his mind he'd reconciled himself to the fact that there would be tough times ahead but having her in his arms and feeling more at peace than he had in a very long time, he made a vow that no matter what fate had in store for them, he was going to hold on tight and never let go.

o-xxx-o – The End – o-xxx-o