Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye Fan Fiction: "Viper" - Part 3 (Conclusion)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3 - (Conclusion) You are here.

"Viper," by B.A. Rogers

Continued from Part 2 . . .

SCENE 18 - On various streets in D.C.

Cut between Dimitrius and Bobby walking briskly down the sidewalk and Lucy in the bullpen. Tara is at her desk.

As they walk down the sidewalk, Dimitrius and Bobby are looking ahead to try to find Sue. Bobby is on the phone with Lucy.

Lucy: (to Bobby) I just talked to Sue. She said they're walking to Vito's. Steve already parked his car there. On the side street. ,. . . I know; I don't get it. Something about traffic, or the meter, or not wanting to park in the garage. . . . I didn't say anything. Should I let Sue know . . .

Bobby: No, not yet. I don't want to take the chance Spiller sees the text and ---

Lucy: --- does something rash.

Cut to Dimitrius on a sidewalk.

Dimitrius: (to Bobby, on his headset) I have a visual on them. . . . I don't like what I see.

Cut to Sue, with Levi, and Heller standing on a street corner. Heller appears to be somewhat angry, and Sue appears a little uncomfortable.

Heller: (taking a deep breath) I'm sorry I was a little short with you. Job-hunting . . . It's getting stressful.

Sue nods, thinking.

Sue: (nicely) That's okay. I forgive you.

Heller laughs a little, but with a grimace.

Heller: Of course you do.

Sue looks at Heller with a little concern.

Heller: (sort of laughing) Because you're perfect.

Sue frowns. She's surprised at how Heller's mood has turned.

Sue: (lightly) No, I'm not. Far from it.

Sue reaches down to pet Levi for a moment.

Heller: (smiling, but somewhat sarcastically) And how would we know that?

Sue: (smiling) Ask anyone! It's not a secret. Believe me.

Heller looks around; he's preoccupied and upset.

Cut to Sue, with Levi, and Heller turning to walk toward Vito's again.

Heller's mood blows over. As they begin to walk, Sue glances across the street. She sees Dimitrius, somewhat in the distance, walking toward them on a cross street. Dimitrius's presence, and his demeanor, make Sue a little concerned.

Heller: (noticing Sue's concern) I did say I'm sorry. And I meant it.

Sue: I know. (deciding to acknowledge Dimitrius) I just saw a friend of mine over there. And wondered . . .

Sue and Heller stop walking while Sue looks for Dimitrius. But there are too many people and vehicles passing in both directions, and Sue doesn't see Dimitrius right away.

Heller: (pulling a little on Sue's elbow) I guess you missed him. His loss.

Cut to Dimitrius waiting impatiently at a crosswalk. He is looking ahead to find Sue and Heller. He finally sees them and darts off after them. People yell at him as he cuts through pedestrians and traffic.

Cut to Sue, with Levi, and Heller on the sidewalk. They are at a smaller walkway that goes through nicely landscaped grounds between office buildings.

Heller: (indicating the walkway) The world's greatest short-cut to Vito's Pizza Palace.

Sue: (laughing) You really learned your way around D.C. fast.

Cut to Dimitrius on a sidewalk.

Dimitrius: (into his headset) (frustrated) I lost visual.

Cut to Bobby walking briskly down a sidewalk.

Bobby: (into his headset) Time to close in.

Cut to Sue and Heller walking down a sidewalk. They arrive at a side street, which is somewhat like an alley. It's not very clean, and it's a little dark and isolated. Heller motions that they are taking the side street, but Sue hesitates.

Heller: What's wrong?

Heller moves to take Sue's hand, but she moves her hand away and pushes back her bangs.

Sue: (making something up) I'm a little spooked by alleys.

Heller: I'll make sure you don't step on a crack and break your mother's back.

Sue laughs.

Sue: I know. I'm weird. Everybody has some kind of problem, you know.

Heller: (losing a little patience) It's not like it's a ---- oooh --- dark, back alley. It's a side street. Named . . . (looking up for the street sign) Gatlin.

Sue just shrugs. She looks around a little.

Heller: Wait. Are you looking for that friend of yours? What's up with that?

Sue: Uh, no, no . . . (looking down the side street and surveying it again for a moment) If you promise a ghost won't jump out at me . . .

Heller: No ghosts. I promise.

Sue adjusts Levi's leash in her hand.

SCENE 19 - At the area around Vito's Pizza Palace.

We see the sidewalk on the main street, in front of Vito's. The sidewalk crosses Gatlin, the side street, that Heller and Sue, with Levi, are walking up, toward Vito's.

Tara and Lucy are walking on the sidewalk in front of Vito's, toward Gatlin Street. They are eating ice cream cones, chatting and laughing. As they reach Gatlin Street, Tara looks down into the alleyway. She sees Sue and Heller.

Without letting on, Tara lets Lucy know they've found Sue and Heller. Lucy drops a napkin just as they are in the middle of Gatlin Street. She stops to pick it up, and she and Tara linger there.

Sue sees Tara and Lucy at the end of the alleyway. She adjusts Levi's leash in her hand, while studying Heller for a moment and surveying her surroundings.

Cut to Tara and Lucy crossing the main street and going to a bench on the opposite sidewalk.

Tara: (to Bobby, on her headset) ---on Gatlin Street, walking toward Spiller's car, which is parked about . . . twenty feet from the side door of Vito's. And we think --- we hope --- that Sue saw us.

Cut to Bobby and Dimitrius walking briskly down a sidewalk.

Bobby: (on his headset) Roger. We're---

Cut to Tara standing near the bench. Lucy is nearby, throwing the ice cream cones in a trash can.

Tara: (to Bobby, on her headset; urgently) Wait! Jack.

Lucy: Jack?

Tara nods her head toward where Jack, with a little spring in his step, is walking down the sidewalk across the street. He is headed toward the front door of Vito's Pizza Palace.

Cut between Bobby and Dimitrius walking briskly down a sidewalk and Tara and Lucy at the bench.

Bobby: Jack's what?

Tara: He must be on his way to Vito's.

Bobby: Has anyone told him anything?

Tara: No.

Bobby: (shaking his head) We're almost there. I'll call Jack. You keep a watch on Sue.

SCENE 20 - On Gatlin Street (the side street by Vito's Pizza Palace)

.

Sue, with Levi, and Heller are on the side street.

Heller's Viper is about twenty feet from the side door of Vito's. The side door opens up onto a concrete stoop, with four steps down to the side street. The door and the restaurant itself have a lot of glass, so someone inside can see into the side street.

Sue and Heller stop walking a few feet before they reach his car. Heller turns and stands facing Sue, with his back toward Vito's side door.

Sue: (a little concerned, but smiling) Here we are. Pizza.

Heller: (looks around as though he's thinking) Pizza. But not at Vito's. I want to show you my truly favorite pizza place in all of D.C.

Cut to inside Vito's Pizza Palace.

Jack walks in the front door. He looks all around, as if he's expecting to see someone he knows. The restaurant is very crowded and busy. The music is very loud and people are shouting to be heard.

As Jack stands near the entrance and looks around, a woman standing next to him is talking to a friend. She is practically shouting. Jack notices that the phone she has in her hand is ringing (blinking), but she doesn't hear or notice it over the noise. He taps her on the shoulder and points to her phone.

Woman: (shouting at Jack as she answers the phone) Oh! Thank you!

Jack nods and smiles.

The woman smiles back and gives Jack a very approving look.

Cut to the side street where Sue and Heller are standing near the Viper.

Sue: Vito's is fine. And you said you don't have much time. I don't either. I have to get back.

Heller: (fake-sweetly) Actually, you don't have to get back. You have to go with me.

Heller takes Sue by the arm a little strongly.

Sue shoots a glance at Levi. Levi is paying strict attention to Heller. Levi growls a little when Heller takes Sue's arm. Heller doesn't acknowledge Levi, but he releases Sue's arm.

Sue: (buying time) I'm sorry. I didn't catch what you said.

Heller: (snickering) Don't give me that deaf crap. . . . (more nicely) How about this? We get in my nice, beautiful, new car. Befitting such a beautiful woman. We take a ride. We . . . invite some friends over. It'll be great.

Cut to inside Vito's Pizza Palace.

Jack is waiting impatiently at the counter. The clerk finally hands him a small pizza box as Jack hands the clerk his receipt. Jack quickly turns and heads for the side door.

Cut to Sue and Heller standing by the Viper on the side street.

Heller: Sue. I can't explain it all now, but I will. So . . . get in the car. . . . (leaning closer to Sue) And if I do something bad . . . (shrugging) . . . I'm sure you'll forgive me later.

Cut to Jack coming out of the side door of Vito's.

Jack has a small pizza box in his left hand. With his right hand, he is checking his phone. As he comes out onto the stoop, he glances up and notices the red Viper parked in the side street. He then looks more closely at the man, standing near the Viper, with his back toward Jack. Jack cannot see Sue or Levi.

Jack: (from the stoop, calling out) Hey . . . Steve!

In quick sequence:

Heller turns around to look at Jack. Sue sees Jack.

Heller is panic-stricken. He quickly turns back toward Sue, grabbing her by the arm. Just as he does so, Levi jumps up on him, causing Heller to let go of Sue's arm. Sue loses her balance as Levi pulls on the leash.

Jack, who had been bounding down the steps, has mere seconds to see what is occurring with Heller and Sue. With Sue slipping away from him, Heller pulls out a gun and fires at Jack. Jack dodges the bullet. It's not clear whether Jack is hit or not.

SCENE 21 - On Gatlin Street.

Dimitrius and Sue, with Levi, are inside a recessed doorway that fronts Gatlin Street. Dimitrius has just pulled Sue to safety. He has his arm around her waist and his gun drawn.

Dimitrius nods at Sue, "asking" her if she is okay.

She nods back that she is.

Dimitrius then takes off running down the side street.

Cut to Sue, with Levi, in the doorway.

Myles walks up; he has his gun in his hand.

Myles: Okay. All clear. (holstering his gun)

Sue nods.

Myles: (kindly) Are you . . . Do you hurt anywhere? Have any pain?

Sue: No. Just . . . (Sue flutters her hand over her heart).

Myles: Yeah.

Sue and Myles look around for a moment.

Sue: Myles, what happened? What's this all about? ---

Myles: --- I'm not sure.---

Sue: (a little frustrated) What was Jack doing?

Myles: (shaking his head) Ahhh . . . I'm not happy Jack was on the wrong end of target practice. . . . But, I have to say: I don't think you and I would be having this conversation right now if he hadn't been.

Cut to Jack sitting on the stoop, holding his left shoulder. He is in some pain. He watches Sue walk up.

Sue: (very concerned) Are you okay?

Jack: Yes. (indicating his left shoulder, which he is holding tightly) Maybe dislocated. I'm getting it checked out. How are you?

Sue sits down on the step beside Jack, facing him.

Sue hesitates for a moment.

Sue: You're sure you're okay?

Jack: (laughing a little) Yes. I'm okay.

Sue: Good.

Jack: Good.

Sue takes a deep breath. Her demeanor changes now that she is assured Jack is okay. She almost can't help herself in what she is about to say.

Sue: (business-like) Do you remember the sniper case?

Jack: Um . . .

Sue: What I told you then?

Jack: Um . . .

Sue: That if you ever made yourself a target again---

Jack: Uh . . .

Sue: That I would personally take you out?

Jack stares at Sue for a long moment.

Jack: Sue, we need to talk.

Sue: (narrowing her eyes at Jack) Yes. We do. Grrrr.

Jack shakes his head in disbelief as Sue walks off.

Cut to Sue walking off from where Jack is sitting. Bobby watches her as she passes by. Bobby walks to where Jack is still sitting on the stoop. Jack is still holding his shoulder.

Bobby: (referring to Sue) Kind of a strange way to say "Get Well Soon."

Jack lets it go, so Bobby moves on.

Bobby: So, everything's okay? (indicating Jack's shoulder) In a manner of speaking.

Jack: I don't think so. New information.

Jack removes his hand from where he had been pressing on his left shoulder. The palm of his hand is covered with blood.

SCENE 22 - In a hospital room.

Jack is sitting up in a hospital bed. His eyes are closed; apparently he is asleep. His left arm is in a sling. Sue is seated in a chair near the bed. Her eyes are closed, as if she has dozed off, sitting up. Levi is sitting next to Sue, with his head in her lap.

Jack's eyes open slowly. He looks over, sees Sue and smiles a little. Sue doesn't move; her eyes remain closed. Levi looks at Jack.

Jack: (to Levi) Shhh.

Levi looks at Jack again, as if he's thinking. Then Levi nudges Sue. Sue's eyes pop open. She immediately sees that Jack is awake. She quickly goes to his side, putting her hand on his free forearm.

Sue: Jack!

Jack smiles at Sue.

Sue: Jack, I am so sorry. I didn't know. I---

Jack: It's only a flesh wound. I'll be out of here in a few hours.

Sue: Jack, I was so wrong. I hope you'll forgive me.

Jack: I for---

Sue: I had no idea---

Jack: Sue---

Sue: Please---

Jack: Please! Please grant the wish of a dying man!

Sue draws back a little, alarmed.

Jack: Just kidding.

Sue smiles at Jack weakly. Jack waits for the moment to become more calm.

Jack: Everything is fine. Everything . . . is fine. . . . As long as everything is fine with you. I also---

Sue shakes her head "no."

Jack: We can talk later. If you want to.

Sue: Okay. If you want to.

Sue takes Jack's hand for a moment.

Sue: We're good.

Jack: Good. That's good.

Jack and Sue look at each other. The moment becomes awkward and Sue and Jack draw their hands away at the same time.

Jack: Just as long as you don't . . . personally take me out.

Sue narrows her eyes at him.

SCENE 23 - At the line-dancing competition at the barn in Virginia.

There is a large stage at one end of the barn. Off to one side on stage is a band and an Emcee's microphone. There are tables throughout the barn in front of the stage and many people are around, coming and going, generally have a good --- and loud --- time.

Jack, with his left arm in a sling, and Sue are sitting at a large front-row table. The stage is empty, but the band is playing. There are mic squeaks and people shouting.

Julie Linden walks to the table. She is on crutches. Many people recognize Julie and say hello. She greets Jack and Sue and joins them.

Lucy and Stanley walk in. They also join Jack and Sue at the table. Stanley and Julie are glad to see each other again and are excited about "their" team. Stanley sits next to Julie.

Lucy: (to Jack) I was worried sick that we'd get stuck in the "Mixing Bowl" in Springfield and never get here.

Sue: You made it for the most important round.

Cut to the stage.

Myles and Tara are taking a bow (variously) as the crowd stomps, hoots and hollers. Someone in the crowd yells "encore!" The band starts up again and Myles and Tara dance a very short encore, then begin to bow again. Myles is holding Tara's hand up in his, triumphantly.

Cut to the table.

Sue, Jack, Lucy, Stanley are cheering. Julie is cupping her hands around her mouth and whistling.

Cut to the stage.

The Emcee walks to the microphone and taps on it.

Emcee: Ladies and Gentlemen, once again, representing Kids Ride Horses, our champions! (indicating Myles and Tara)

Crowd goes wild.

The Emcee works to quiet everybody down.

Emcee: Now as you know --- at least as you old-time, horse-country Virginians know . . . We don't stop here.

The crowd starts hollering a little again.

Emcee: No, sir. When we do things, we do it right. So now it's time for one of the best-loved events of this entire competition --- and I do mean competition.

The crowd laughs and cheers.

Emcee: That's our Secret Challenge, the final leg of the race to the championship!

Myles and Tara look at each other, determinedly.

Emcee: Now, if the Secret Challenger wins, the Smithfield family matches all contributions made by midnight tonight. If the Champions win --- (crowd cheers) --- , the Faulkner family matches all contributions made by midnight tonight. So, you cheer for whether you want Dan or Richard to write that big check. . . . (to one of the wives) Nah, just kidding, Sharon. . . . (to the audience) What we want you to do is cheer for the best dancers. Because what's at stake here is more than money. What's at stake here is bragging rights!

Crowd goes wild.

Emcee: Now, this year's Secret Challenger team was chosen by our judges last night. Come on out here, Champions (speaking to Myles and Tara), and meet your dancing-fool foes!

Myles and Tara confidently step up into the spotlight again. They look around and see, coming from the wings, Bobby and Darcy.

Myles and Tara look at each other in shock.

Cut to the table. Sue, Jack, Lucy, Stanley and Julie are very surprised. They are applauding and cracking up.

Cut to the stage. Bobby and Darcy are greeting the crowd.

Cut to the stage. The band and the crowd are rocking. Bobby and Darcy are dancing the "Cotton-Eyed Joe". When they finish, the crowd cheers.

Emcee: (taking the microphone) Ladies and gents, (shaking his head) that was some kind of challenge, you'll agree!

Cut to the back of the stage. Bobby and Darcy are walking off the stage and Myles and Tara are getting ready to go on.

Bobby: (to Myles) Bravo, Myles. On winning. Thus far.

Myles: That would be "yee-haw" to you, Agent Manning.

Tara smiles at Darcy as she walks up.

Tara: Darcy. You're going down.

Cut to Myles and Tara, getting into position under the spotlight to start their dance for the win.

Myles: (in Tara's ear) C'mon, pardner. Scoot your boot and shake your booty!

Cut to Myles and Tara in the middle of their dance routine.

Myles and Tara dance several steps of the "Boot-Scootin' Boogie." Suddenly Myles grabs Tara's hand and breaks into the jitterbug. Tara gamely goes along. The band breaks down for a minute, but then adjusts the music.

Myles ends the jitterbug set by flipping Tara over his head, finishing with Tara in a dramatic clutch.

Crowd goes wild.

Continuing their dance, Myles and Tara start tapping their boots in rhythm. Myles signals the band and Myles and Tara start line dancing again.

After several steps, Myles and Tara segue into the Charleston, then turn sideways to the audience and start moon walking. Then they segue smoothly back into their line dancing steps.

The crowd is rocking!

Bobby and Darcy come out from backstage. As Myles and Tara continue to line dance, Bobby and Darcy bow down and chant, "We're not worthy! We're not worthy!" --- reminiscent of Wayne and Garth when they met Alice Cooper in "Wayne's World."

The crowd eats this up even more.

Cut to the table where the team is sitting.

They are all cheering and laughing. Julie is mesmerized and Stanley is simply in heaven.

Cut to the stage. Myles and Tara have finished their dance. The Emcee is handing Tara a trophy as the crowd continues to cheer.

Cut to the table.

Julie: (suddenly exclaiming, loudly, as she stares at Myles on-stage) Holy Mackerel is he ever gorgeous!

Jack and Sue look at each other.

Cut to the stage where Myles and Tara, holding the trophy, are taking a bow. The crowd continues to stomp and cheer.

Cut to the table.

Stanley: (suddenly stands up, cups his hands to his mouth; shouting to be heard in the crowd) Tara, you're the best! You are the best!

Jack and Sue look at each other with even wider eyes.

Lucy leans over to Jack and Sue.

Lucy: (referring to Julie and Stanley) Cupid! --- (making a motion as if shooting a small bow and arrow) He's in the house! Watch out for the Love Angel!

Sue looks alarmed, then looks warily at Jack.

Jack shakes his head.

Jack: (to Sue) I'm not worried. Are you worried?

Sue rolls her eyes at Jack.

Jack: Besides, I've already been shot once this week. Twice in one week . . . ? Nah.

Sue: Even you can't be that unlucky.

FREEZE FRAME

THE END

***

You just finished reading Episode 9 of my Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye fan fiction, "Season 2.5." Check out these other episodes, with more on the way!

Episode 1 - "Missed Connections"

Episode 2 - "Ships at Sea"

Episode 3 - "Fly"

Episode 4 - "Dreaming of a White Christmas"

Episode 5 - "Without Words"

Episode 6 - "Bank on It"

Episode 7 - "Blarney"

Episode 8 - "Fame"

Episode 9 - "Viper"

Or check out the Season 2.5 Complete Episode Guide. -- Did you know? Julie Linden first appeared in Episode 6, "Bank on It." Background info on these events in Jack's life was mentioned in Episode 1, "Missed Connections," revealed in more detail in Episode 2, "Ships at Sea," and it influenced Jack and Sue's outlook on a case in Episode 7, "Blarney."

What's the real Sue Thomas up to? Find out!

Fun stuff about the music in this episode:

In Part 1, Jack refers to "Mustang Sally" - check out the "Mustang Sally" line dance!

In Part 1, Jack and Bobby refer to Billy Ray Cyrus and his hit, "Achy-Breaky Heart" - watch ZILLIONS of people dancing to "Achy-Breaky Heart" at the Pesta Pulau Pinang Line Dance Carnival in 2007. "Achy-Breaky Heart" Amazing!

And who wasn't in on the "Tush Push"? See Italian fans dancing the "Tush Push" - and be sure to wait for the guy in the yellow cowboy hat!