Price of Life (Sue Thomas FBEye)

Chapter Six

Sue was still sleeping peacefully when Jack came out of the shower.

A towel wrapped around his waist, he was roaming the room in search of a pair of boxer shorts, not remembering if he packed everything in the boxes he moved earlier. Last drawer proved successful. He had left some socks and underwear behind. Now if I could find a blanket, he mumbled walking out of the room, leaving the door ajar.

The blanket moved at the bottom of his list as soon as he saw the living room. He should at least have given the guys the leftover pizza. Since he wanted the apartment spotless for Saturday, he might as well start cleaning now, doubting he would get any sleep anyway.

Living room done, he attacked the kitchen wondering how only four of them could make such a mess. He'd have to remember that when he invited them at the house for a game or Sue would kill him. Well, only vacuuming left, but he doubted his neighbor would appreciate it at 1am. He put it off to tomorrow. He resumed his search for a blanket when he heard a shriek from the bedroom.

"NO!!!! JACK!!!"

Jack rushed to Sue's side leaving the door behind him open for the light.

The blankets had been pushed away.

She was gripping the pillow, fighting some invisible forces. "NO! Not my little girl. NO! Jack! Can't take her...not her...LET HER GO! PLEASE!"

Her eyes were closed. Tears were running down her face. He took the pillow from her and pulled her to him. She was struggling, pushing him away, yet calling for him.

"No! Not her! Jack!"

He grabbed both her wrists and trapped them between their chests, his arms wrapped around her, holding her tight against him, giving her no room to move. Gently he rocked her, stoking her back, kissing her, hoping his touch could lift the cloud from her mind.

'Wherever you are, come back to me. It's all right.'

Her struggle subsided. Her body started shaking. "Cold," she murmured.

He lifted her head from his shoulder. Her eyes were opened, her pupils fully dilated. "Cold" she repeated, not seeing him.

He yanked the blanket over them, lying down beside her, keeping her warm. The shaking lessened. Her body relaxed. He stoked the side of her face, her eyes slowly focusing on him.

"Jack, the Reverend's wife took her," she whispered, the fog not completely lifted yet.

'The Reverend's wife?' Jack wondered. He recalled Bobby mentioning her, downplaying the events as a simple afternoon visit. There was obviously more to it than that to affect Sue so dramatically. 'Bobby, if you placed Sue in harm's way, I swear I don't know what I'll do to you. You have some explaining to do.'

"You're safe, my love," he reassured her, placing a kiss on her nose.

She snuggled back against his chest.

He kissed the top of her head, one hand playing in the golden hair, the other caressing her back, relief flowing through him. Tomorrow he would ask questions, now wasn't the time. He lost himself in the moment. He could feel her shivering at the touch of his hands, caressing her over the shirt. Couldn't remember that dress shirt being that soft and thin.

He became aware of her lips brushing his neck, her fingers tracing imaginary lines over his chest, burning through his skin, feeding the fire inside.

'Maybe if you just stop kissing her for a second and keep your hands to yourself,' he admonished himself. 'She would stop responding.' But whatever restraint he had left was melting.