In the Land of Araceptia - Part 3

Thursday, 2345 CET
Mac's Hotel Room
Varanon, Araceptia

AJ opened the door to Mac's room and held the door open for her to go inside first.  "Mind if I use your bathroom, Mac?"

"Of course not, Admiral," Mac smiled.

"I'm going to call Washington now so they can get started," AJ called to her through the closed door.  "I didn't bring my cell phone, Mac.  Where's yours?" he asked as he came back in the bedroom drying his hands on a towel.  

"On the dresser, Sir," she replied as took her turn in the bathroom.  

AJ found the phone right away.  He threw the towel on the bed, and dialed JAG Headquarters.  "Damn, it's 1745.  I wonder if anyone's still there."

Mac called out, "Harm will be there, Sir!  When he sits in for you, he never leaves before 1800."

AJ grinned.  "That's nice to know," he said to himself.  

"JAG Headquarters, Petty Officer Tiner," the voice sounded over the line.

"Chegwidden, Tiner.  Everything under control over there?"

"Admiral!  Yes, Sir, everything is just fine here," Tiner replied.

"Good.  Let me talk to Commander Rabb."

"Aye, aye, Sir.  I'll get him for you."  Tiner put the call on hold and buzzed the Admiral's office.

"What is it Tiner?" asked Harm, pressing the intercom button.

"Admiral Chegwidden on Line 1, Sir."

"Thanks, Tiner."  Harm pressed Line 1.  "Admiral!  Good to hear from you, Sir.  How's everything in Araceptia?"

"Things are moving along, Commander.  The King agreed to everything tonight, and the signing is being scheduled for Monday afternoon at 1500 hours.  We agreed to that time so it can be broadcast live in the US to a larger audience.  The ball will be Monday night.  Which means the Colonel and I will be returning to Washington on Tuesday; back to the office on Wednesday."

"Very good, Sir."

"Call Webb and let him know what's happening.  We just left the King, so I doubt Webb has heard anything yet.  And be sure he calls the White House and gets the ball rolling on that end."

"Aye, aye, Sir."

"Any problems I need to know about?" he asked Harm.

"No, Sir.  We have it all under control, Admiral."

"Good.  That's a nice change," AJ joked.

"Admiral, Harm can't see your face to know you're joking!" Mac admonished him, as she stepped out of the bathroom.

"Is that Mac, Sir?" asked Harm.

AJ chuckled, "He knows it, Mac.  Yes, Harm, it is.  Want to talk to her?"

"Please."

AJ handed her the cell phone.  Then he picked up the towel he'd thrown on the bed and took it back to the bathroom to hang it up.

Mac spoke to Harm, "Hi, Flyboy.  Miss me?"

"You know I do, Mac.  But what are you doing in the Admiral's hotel room at midnight?"

"I'm not.  He's in mine," Mac teased.

"Mac..."

"Harm, we just got back from the Palace and he wanted to call Washington tonight to get things rolling.  What are we supposed to do, meet in the lobby?  Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm sorry, Mac.  I guess I still don't feel comfortable with your being over there without me."

"Harm, I've had a wonderful time.  And I'm perfectly safe.  And now that the Admiral is here, I'm actually getting to see some of the country."

"Okay.  I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.  I'll see you next week."  They said their goodbyes and hung up.

Mac walked back to the closet and saw AJ standing in front of the sink, examining the belly button ring.  He held it in his hand and turned it over and over.  Mac stopped in the doorway and grinned.

"Mac, this wasn't here when I washed my hands five minutes ago.  I'd have seen it."

"No, Sir, it wasn't."

"You were wearing it?"

"Yes, Sir."

"You took it off in the bathroom?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Where did you buy this, Mac?"

"I didn't, Sir," Mac started to blush.

"Was it a gift, Mac?"

She nodded and turned even more red.  "Mmm hmm."

"Must be something pretty special that you brought it with you."  He looked at her.  "You did bring it with you?"

She shook her head.

"You received it here?"

She nodded.

"Mac, you didn't accept a gift from Yoquelm?"

She shook her head, "No, Sir."

AJ turned the ring over in his hands a few more times.  Mac walked back into the bedroom; she did not want to have to explain that ring.  AJ laid it back on the bathroom counter and followed her into the bedroom.  Then he asked quietly, "Mac, is that the piece of jewelry that was in the basket I sent you?"

She nodded, again.  "Yes, Sir."

"Then I think I need to know what it is, Mac.  Because I have a feeling I owe you an apology."

Mac bit her lips.  She didn't want an apology.  She wanted to believe that he knew what he sent her.  That he imagined her wearing it.  "No apology is necessary, Sir.  You obviously didn't choose the items in the basket."

"No, I didn't, Mac.  I called Tiffany and told her I wanted to send a basket with some bath salts.  She asked me a little about you, and I told her.  She said she'd take care of it."  Mac turned away and looked out the window.  "Mac, I wouldn't have known what to include in a gift basket.  That's why I asked Tiffany.  She's the daughter of an old friend from Annapolis.  It's her store," he said, standing behind her.

"It was a lovely basket, Admiral.  Truly.  And some magnificent items.  The kimono is absolutely gorgeous."  She turned around and found him standing very close to her.  "You spent way too much."  At his questioning look, she grinned.  "Sir, this basket had to cost at least $200, probably closer to $300.  Plus the Global Priority Mail cost; that was probably $50 in itself."

AJ chuckled.  "Well, I didn't tell Tiffany how much to spend.  She asked how special you are to me, and I told her.  She took it from there."  Mac inhaled sharply at his words.  AJ looked into her eyes, realizing what he'd said.  "Mac, I..."

"Please, Sir.  Don't..."

"Mac?"  She looked up at him.  "How often have you worn it?" he asked her quietly.

She blushed, again, but didn't answer.  How could she tell him she wore it every night that she called him at home?  And that she'd worn it to pick him up at the airport?  And tonight?  She couldn't.  She just couldn't tell him that.  He was the Admiral!  "A few times, Sir."

"If you wore it tonight, why didn't I see it, Mac?"  Mac turned back to look out the windows.  "Mac?"  AJ put his hands on her shoulders.  "Please accept my apology, Mac.  I never intended to make you feel uncomfortable or to embarrass you.  Tiffany obviously misunderstood what I wanted to convey to you."  But AJ realized that Tiffany had understood only too well how AJ felt about Mac.  But how he felt and what he was allowed to express were two different things.  "You're one of my very finest officers, and I wanted you to know that we missed you in the office and that you are, indeed, an asset to JAG."

Mac shook her head.  "It's not a problem, Sir.  I knew as soon as I realized what it was that it was a mistake.  That you hadn't included it on purpose."  A single tear slipped down Mac's cheek.  But she was still facing the window, so AJ didn't see it.  Neither, though, could she see his tortured face.

"Tell me what it is, Mac.  Exactly," he said firmly, but quietly.

"It's just a belly button ring, Sir," she whispered.

AJ inhaled sharply.  "Good God," he breathed.

Mac turned to face him.  "Please, Admiral.  Don't think twice about it.  It's something I'd never have bought on my own.  And I've actually enjoyed wearing it."  Mac blushed, again.  "Let's just forget about it, shall we, Sir?" she proposed.  "It's really not a big deal.  Lots of women wear them now.  Really, they do."

Friday, 1115 CET
Legal Office
Varanon, Araceptia

Mac was not in the best mood.  The Admiral hadn't shown up for breakfast that morning as he said he would.  She sat in the dining room, patiently waiting to order until he arrived.  And when he did make an appearance, he informed her that he'd already eaten in his room and they needed to leave for the office.  He hadn't even apologized for not letting her know that he decided not to join her.

AJ felt awful that he'd stood her up for breakfast.  But he just had to get his emotions under control.  Mac and anyone else was going to be able to see how he felt about her if he didn't.  So he decided to be cruel.  Not show up.  Not apologize.  He hadn't counted on the room service girl... any more than he'd expected to feel so horrible about jilting Mac.

They walked to the Legal Office and found that most everyone was at the Palace arranging for the treaty signing.  Noshem and Yoquelm were there, but everyone else was gone.  So there was no coffee made.  No breakfast pastries.  Not even any hard rolls.  Mac was hungry.  And a hungry Mac is not a happy Mac.

At 1115, Noshem and AJ began discussing breakfast foods of various countries.  AJ then described the breakfast he had that morning... and the lovely young woman who delivered it... and herself.

Mac tried not to listen, but it was difficult not to hear his comments.  About how she'd set the tray on the bed and proceeded to feed AJ his breakfast.  Mac could take no more when she heard Noshem ask AJ if she fed him from her mouth, as was custom.  She was closing the door behind her when she heard AJ's low chuckle.  "She certainly did.  Very tasty way to eat a pancake."

"And a nice prelude to..."

Mac didn't hear the rest of the conversation; she ran down the hall and into the ladies room.  She didn't go into a stall; she just pulled her shirt up and yanked the belly button ring off so hard it pulled and pinched her.  "Ooouch!" she yelled.  "Damn it!  Damn him!!  I can't believe I actually thought...  Oh, you are a fool, Sarah MacKenzie.  One damned fool!"  She threw the ring on the bathroom counter.

Mac decided that she did not want the Admiral to know that he'd upset her.  So she pulled herself together, grabbed the ring off the counter, and marched back down the hall to the conference room.

She'd only been gone for 12 minutes, but when she entered the conference room, the Admiral was gone.  Noshem looked up and smiled at her.  "Your Admiral said that the King agreed for me to attend the signing, Mac.  Thank you."

Mac tried to smile back.  "You deserve it, Noshem."  She turned to Yoquelm and said, "I'll be leaving on Tuesday, Yoquelm.  And we still haven't had lunch or dinner together.  The Admiral may have had a satisfying breakfast this morning, but I didn't have a bite, and I'm starving."

"You mean, you will dine with me?  After all this time?" Yoquelm asked.

"Of course.  Why wouldn't I?" Mac asked sweetly.  "The Admiral can fend for himself today.  Or perhaps, Noshem, you wouldn't mind...?"

Noshem frowned, but didn't say anything.  Yoquelm smiled and took Mac by the arm.  "We will be back in due course," he said to Noshem.  "See that the Admiral gets lunch," he told Noshem.

When AJ returned a minute later, he looked around the room and didn't see Mac or Yoquelm.  "Isn't the Colonel back yet?" he asked Noshem.

"Yes, Sir, she came back.  And she left for luncheon with Yoquelm.  She said she had no breakfast and was hungry.  So they left together, Admiral."

"What!?" he barked.  "When did they leave?" 

"Only a minute ago, Sir."

AJ flew out the door and down the corridor to the front steps.  "Colonel MacKenzie!" he bellowed down the stairs just as Mac and Yoquelm reached the front door.

Mac stopped in her tracks.  She turned around.  "Yes, Admiral?"

"Where are we all going for lunch?" he asked pointedly as he walked down the stairs.  Noshem followed him, and the foursome went to lunch together.  It was a strained lunch; Mac hardly spoke a word to the Admiral.  But then, he hardly spoke to her either.  

Later that day, AJ and Mac walked back across the street to the hotel.  "So, where would you like to eat tonight, Mac?" AJ asked casually.  He knew she'd been upset earlier, but he hoped she was over it by now.  But when he put his hand on the small of her back to cross the street, Mac moved away from him, as though his touch burned her.  AJ looked at her questioningly.

"I'm perfectly capable of crossing the street without assistance, Admiral.  I'm a Marine, remember."

AJ nodded.  "I remember."  They rode the elevator up to the fourth floor and Mac exited.  "I'll call for you in 30 minutes.  Will that give you enough time to get ready for dinner?" he asked Mac, as he held the doors open.

"Yes, Sir.  That will be fine," she replied tonelessly, without turning back to face him.

"Mac?  Do you want to have dinner with me tonight?  Or would you prefer that I left you alone?"  The last thing AJ wanted to do was force his company on anyone.  Even one of his officers.  There was no reason for them to meet tonight.  This was strictly personal.

"Of course I'll dine with you, Admiral."  AJ stepped off the elevator and let the doors close.  Mac heard the doors close and assuming he was gone, she walked to her room.  AJ followed her quietly.  When she unlocked the door, she was startled when his hand pushed the door open.  "Admiral!" she breathed.

AJ gently pushed her inside her room and shut the door behind him.  "Mac, we're not working now.  You don't have to eat with me.  You don't have to spend time with me.  I'm your CO; hell, you probably shouldn't spend time with me.  But damn it, I enjoy your company, and we're on a business trip together.  I don't see any reason why we shouldn't have dinner together.  I do not, however, want you to feel obligated to dine with me just because I'm your CO."  AJ had walked over to the windows as he talked.  "Is that what you've been doing, Mac?  Feeling an obligation?"  He paused; Mac didn't utter a sound.  "Maybe I'm just being overprotective because of the doubts I have about this whole assignment.  I still have a nagging feeling that something is going to happen."  Now he turned back and faced her.  "Tell me truthfully.  Do you want to dine with me this evening?  Or would you prefer that I leave you alone?  It really doesn't matter to me."  'God, how can I lie to her like that?  It does matter to me!'

Mac stared at the floor for 38 seconds, her thoughts whirling.  If he'd only left off that last sentence.  But he hadn't.  He'd so much as told her that he didn't really want her company no matter what he said before.  He could take it or leave it; he just didn't want to eat alone.  It didn't matter to him one iota whom he ate with.  SHE didn't matter to him, except as one of his officers.  

To AJ, those 38 seconds felt like 38 minutes.  "Never mind, Mac.  I have my answer.  I'm sorry I bothered you."  AJ headed for the door.  "I'm sorry I interrupted your luncheon date, as well."  'She's obviously decided that she does want Yoquelm.  Or maybe she's just horny.  God knows I am!'  "Perhaps you should call Yoquelm.  I'm sure he'd be delighted to take you to dinner."  And with that, he was gone.  Mac felt like he slapped her with that comment.

Four minutes later, the phone rang in Mac's room.  She grabbed it, hoping it was the Admiral.  But it was Yoquelm.

"Mac?  I thought if you were not otherwise occupied tonight, we could go to Shallase's for dinner together."

"Isn't there someplace closer, Yoquelm?  Shallase's is a long drive, and I'm rather tired."

"Of course.  We can go to Modsha's.  It is similar to Shallase's; the food is not quite as good as Shallase's, but very close.  And it is just across from the Palace.  The King and Queen eat there often."

"That will be fine, Yoquelm.  What time should I be ready?" Mac asked.

"It is 1730 now; how about 1800?"

Friday, 1815 CET
Modsha's
Varanon, Araceptia

As Mac and Yoquelm arrived at the restaurant, there were guards outside and just inside the entrance.  "It looks like King Jessup is here tonight," commented Yoquelm.

Mac cringed at the thought of seeing the King and Queen, and having them know that she was here with another man.  If it had been the Admiral, she would have been proud to see them.  Now, she just hoped that she could slip by and not be seen.  But that wasn't to be. As they passed guards outside one of the rooms, the door opened and Mac heard her name.  "Sarah?!"

Mac stopped, but didn't turn around.  Yoquelm turned to face her.  "You must answer, Mac."

"Sarah, is that you?" Queen Anora spoke, again.

Mac turned around and stood in the doorway.  "Good evening, your Majesties."

"You and the Admiral are eating here tonight, Sarah?" the King asked.  "This is good," he smiled.

Mac bit her lip.  "No, your Majesty.  I am dining with one of your lawyers this evening.  Yoquelm."

"Yoquelm?" said the Queen.  "But where is your Admiral?"

"I don't know, your Majesty.  He did not especially want my company today," Mac tried to smile.  "He is my boss, after all.  He probably wanted some fun for a change."

The King nodded as Yoquelm came into view.  "You will treat her well, Yoquelm.  If you do not, you will answer to me."

Yoquelm bowed to his King.  "I will, your Majesty.  Mac is very special.  I will treat her as such."

The King nodded to them, and then to the guards, who closed their door.  The last thing Mac saw was the Queen looking sadly at her husband.  Behind their closed door, she spoke, "Jessup, Sarah does not wish to be with Yoquelm.  She wishes to be with her Admiral.  Can you not do something, my love?"

"Anora, they are not my subjects.  And you heard what the Admiral said about their rules."

"But surely there is something we can do.  They belong together, Jessup.  Every bit as much as you and I," she laid her head against his shoulder.  "Please, my husband.  Will you not try?  For me?"

"Very well, my dear."  Jessup got up and opened the door.  He spoke to the guard.  "Go to the hotel and inform Admiral Chegwidden that I wish to see him.  Here."  He closed the door and sat back down, pulling Anora into his lap.  "I have sent for the Admiral.  He will learn that Sarah is here with Yoquelm.  But he will have to do the intervening.  If it is meant to be, it will happen.  If it is not, Yoquelm will have Sarah tonight."

Meanwhile, Mac and Yoquelm seated themselves in the room next door.  The waitress brought their drinks and prepared to leave.  "Yoquelm, I told you that I don't drink alcohol.  Please order tea for me."

"You will eat and drink to my taste tonight, Mac.  This is good; you will enjoy it."

"I will not drink it, Yoquelm.  I do not drink alcohol.  It makes me ill."

"This will not, Mac."

"Yoquelm, either order tea for me, or I will leave," Mac said angrily.  'Why the hell did I agree to come out with him?  What was I thinking?  How can I be so stupid?  How can I just give myself to this... person?'  Mac's thoughts were racing.  She stood up and paced the room.  'What the hell difference does it make, anyway?  The Admiral doesn't want me.  Harm doesn't want me.  Mic didn't even want me when it came right down to it.  If he did, he wouldn't have just walked away like that.'

Yoquelm ordered Mac's tea, and the waitress returned a minute later with the glass of amber liquid, as well as their meal.  "Now, Mac.  Come and sit with me."

Mac looked at him; he stretched his arm out to her.  She took his hand and sat, but as she did, he pulled on her arm so that she fell in his lap.  He cradled her in his arms and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her soundly.  Mac moaned, thinking of how she had wanted the Admiral to kiss her at Shallase's.  Yoquelm took her vocal response as a good sign, and he kissed her, again, pushing his tongue past her lips and delving deep inside.

Mac finally pushed him away.  "The food will get cold, Yoquelm," she said.  Yoquelm picked up the spoon filled with food and brought it to Mac's mouth.  She opened, and he fed her.  This was how the King and Queen ate last night, so at least Mac was expecting this.  She picked up her spoon and fed Yoquelm.  Then he fed her.  One bite.  Then she, him.  One bite.  Another.  And another.  Then Yoquelm claimed a kiss.  More food.  Another kiss.  More food.  Another kiss... and this time, Yoquelm moved his hands over Mac's body.  He caressed her breasts through her dress, and Mac moaned.  'Oh to have this be the Admiral's hands on me.'

Yoquelm was pleased with Mac's reactions.  They ate more, kissed more, and he petted her more.  Eat.  Kiss.  Pet.  This time he took it another step further by unzipping her dress and pulling it down to her waist.  Yoquelm swiftly laid her back on the pillows.  "Oh... oh..." Mac moaned, her eyes closed as she dreamed of AJ.  

AJ arrived at the restaurant and informed the guards that the King had summoned him.  They confirmed this with the guard at the royal couple's door, and AJ was shown to the room.  The guard was about to knock on the door, when he heard the unmistakable sound of the royal couple making love.  The guard turned to the Admiral, "You will have to wait, Admiral," he smirked.  

AJ stood outside the door and paced.  He was worried about Mac.  Where did she go?  Surely she didn't call Yoquelm.  But he'd practically pushed her into the man's arms.  What was he thinking by standing her up for breakfast this morning.  'And then discussing it with Noshem in front of her!  Damn, Chegwidden, what did you want to do?  Rub her face in it?  How callous can you be?' he argued with himself.

Yoquelm trailed kisses up Mac's neck and devoured her mouth.  He moved his hands to lower her dress, and Mac lifted her hips to let him slide it off.  Yoquelm moved his mouth back to hers and nipped at her lips as he removed his own shirt and pants.  He crawled on top of Mac, pressing her deeply into the pillows.  "Now, Darling.  Now; I want you now!" she tossed her head back and forth, her eyes still closed.  

Yoquelm made the mistake of speaking.  "Beautiful Mac.  You are mine tonight."

Mac's eyes flew open at the strange voice and she screamed, "NOOOOO!!!"

AJ heard the bloodcurdling scream and instinctively burst through the door.  He saw Yoquelm lying on top of Mac.  He grabbed Yoquelm off of her and threw him out of the room.  As Yoquelm rolled across the floor screaming in his native tongue, the King opened their own door and stepped out to watch.  He saw Yoquelm get up and head back into the room, only to see him come flying back out the door, again, a second later.  Next came his clothes flying out into the corridor.

Yoquelm got up and started to go back, but when he saw the King approach, he stopped and bowed.  The King stood in the doorway and watched as the Admiral covered Mac with his uniform jacket.  Mac was sobbing as AJ pulled her to him and cradled her in his arms.  He cooed to her, "Shh, it's alright now, Mac.  You're fine.  You're safe.  Shhh.  It's okay.  I've got you."

Mac opened her eyes at the Admiral's voice and looked relieved.  "Admiral?  Oh, thank God!"  She buried her face in his chest and threw her arms around his neck and cried all the more.  "Take me home.  Please, Sir, take me back to the hotel."

"Of course I will, Mac.  But you need to settle down first."  He pulled away from her so he could see her face.  "You okay?  Did he hurt you?"

Mac shook her head.  "No, Sir.  You came just in time."

"Good.  Now I'm going..."

"No!  Please don't leave me, Sir.  Not yet," Mac begged.  AJ pulled her back to him and rocked her for a while, whispering gentle nothings to her.

Next door, Queen Anora called for a guard.  "Deliver these messages immediately," and she rattled off her instructions.

A good 15 minutes later, AJ finally released his tight hold on Mac.  "Mac, I'm going to wait outside while you get dressed.  And then I'll take you back to the hotel.  Okay?"

Mac nodded.  "Thank you, Admiral."

AJ smiled.  "This must have been it, Mac.  My bad feeling about this trip.  I'm glad I was here."

Mac smiled back at him.  "I am, too, Sir."  She bit her lip, thinking, 'but if you weren't here, this wouldn't have happened.  I would never have come here with Yoquelm to begin with.'

AJ stood up and stepped into the corridor, closing the door behind him.  He looked for Yoquelm and found him standing a few yards away, now fully clothed, talking to the King.  "Yoquelm," said AJ.  "I'll pay for the dinner.  And for your embarrassment.  Decide how much I owe you, and I'll have it for you tomorrow."  He turned to King Jessup and said, "Your Majesty, I apologize for the... disturbance."

Queen Anora stepped beside her husband.  "Do not apologize for protecting the woman you love, Admiral.  It is most commendable."

The King added with a smirk, "Indeed.  You must never apologize for protecting your wife, Admiral."  The King nodded to him and they left the restaurant.

'My wife?  What the hell is he talking about?  He knows we're not married.'  Suddenly, that sense of foreboding descended on him, again.  'Oh, God...'  AJ had a bad feeling about this.

Mac opened the door and saw Yoquelm first.  She put her hand to her mouth as she gasped lightly.  "Yoquelm, I am so sorry.  I never meant to..."

"It is I who must apologize to you, Madam.  I did not realize the depth of your love for your Admiral."  Yoquelm took Mac's hand and brought it to his lips.  Before he kissed, however, he looked at AJ and said, "With your permission, Sir?"  AJ looked at Mac.  She nodded, so he nodded.  Yoquelm pressed a light kiss on her fingers.  As he released her hand he said, "Thank you, Madam."  He turned to AJ.  "Good night, Admiral."

"You ready to go, Mac?" AJ asked her.  She nodded.  AJ held out his arm to her, and she slipped beside him as he put his arm protectively around her waist.  They walked back to the hotel.

Friday, 2130 CET
Mac's Hotel Room
Varanon, Araceptia

AJ unlocked Mac's door and she stepped inside.  "You sure you're okay, Mac?" he asked for the fifth time since they left the restaurant.

Mac spoke as she walked into the bathroom.  "I'm sure, Admiral.  I'm... just..." she hesitated.  "Where is everything?"

"What?" AJ walked in behind her.

"All of my toiletry items are gone," Mac said.  She pushed past him and went into the bedroom.  "My computer is gone!" she said as she looked at the desk.  Then she opened the dresser drawers.  "My clothes!"  She ran to the clothespress and opened the door.  "Everything's gone!!  Admiral, my things... are all... gone!" she cried.

AJ immediately went to the door and opened it, looking at the number.  It was the correct room.  Then he went to the phone.  He picked up the receiver and dialed the front desk.  "This is Admiral Chegwidden.  All of Colonel MacKenzie's belongings are..."

"Admiral!  Good evening, Sir.  All of your wife's belongings were moved upstairs to your room.  The maid only finished moving things not two minutes ago.  I hope you find everything satisfactory."

AJ was stunned.  "Colonel MacKenzie requires her own room.  And I want her things brought back downstairs to her room immediately.  She's tired, and she needs rest."

"I am sorry, Admiral.  Our information came directly from the Royal Palace.  And in Araceptia, it is not permitted for a married couple to stay in separate hotel rooms."

"We're not married," AJ said.

"Oh, but you are, Sir.  According to King Jessup."  The line was disconnected.

AJ looked up at Mac.  "There's been a misunderstanding, Mac.  All of your things were moved upstairs to my room."

There was a knock on the door.  Mac opened it to find a hotel guard standing there.  "Good evening, Mrs. Chegwidden.  I require your key to this room, please."

"Mrs...  But I'm not..."

"Your key, please, Madam?"  Mac turned and saw the key lying on the dresser.  She picked it up and handed it to the guard.  "Thank you, Madam.  And now I must ask you to return to your own room.  I must close this one."

"But this is my room," argued Mac.  "I've been here for almost a month!"

The guard shook his head.  "Not any longer, Madam.  Your place is with your husband.  And his room is upstairs."

Friday, 2155 CET
AJ's Hotel Room
Varanon, Araceptia

AJ and Mac walked into the hotel room.  Sure enough, all of Mac's belongings were there.  The maid had placed her toiletries in the bathroom on the opposite side of the sink from AJ's.  Her hanging clothes were next to his in the clothespress.  And all of the dresser drawers were full now, instead of only half.  Her computer was plugged in and sitting on the table.  Even the gift basket was there.

There was also a large arrangement of fresh flowers.  Mac walked up to the flowers.  "There's a card, Sir."  She picked it up and handed it to him.  "It's addressed to Admiral and Mrs. Chegwidden."

AJ opened the envelope and read the card aloud.

To our dear friends
  AJ and Sarah,

Congratulations!  We are so pleased and know that you will be happy together.  Enjoy your wedding night.

Jessup and Anora

"I don't understand," said Mac.  "Why does everyone think we're married all of a sudden?"

"I don't know, Mac.  But we're going to find out.  Where's your cell phone?"

She looked around the room and finally found it tucked in a dresser drawer.  "Here it is, Sir."

AJ took it and dialed JAG Headquarters.  Before Tiner even finished his greeting, AJ was talking.  "Tiner, it's me.  Get me Roberts.  Yesterday!"

"Sir, Lieutenant Roberts is..." Tiner started.

"I don't give a damn where he is or whom he's with.  I need him NOW," AJ demanded.

"Aye, aye, Sir!"  Tiner put the call on hold and literally ran to the courtroom.  He paused before pushing the door open and walking down the aisle to the prosecution table.  He leaned over and spoke quietly.  "Sir, the Admiral is on the phone; it sounds very urgent.  He wants to talk to you... yesterday, Sir."

Bud looked at Tiner like he'd lost his mind.  "Tiner, did you tell him I was in court?"

Tiner shook his head.  "He said he doesn't care where you are or whom you're with, Sir.  He needs you NOW."

Bud stood up and interrupted Lieutenant Singer.  He spoke to the judge.  "Excuse me, your Honor.  Admiral Chegwidden is calling from Araceptia and needs to speak with me immediately.  I'd like to request a recess."

Admiral Morris looked at Tiner.  "Did you tell the Admiral that the Lieutenant is in court?"

Tiner shook his head.  "No, Sir.  He said he doesn't care where the Lieutenant is or whom he's with, Sir.  He needs him NOW."

Morris sighed heavily.  "Fine.  Go.  This court is in recess until 0900 tomorrow," Morris declared.

"Your honor, I object!" cried Singer, but no one listened to her.

Bud ran to the bullpen and grabbed the first phone he came to.  "What line, Tiner!?!"

"Line 4, Sir!" Tiner yelled back as he followed Bud into the bullpen.

Bud pushed the button for Line 4.  "Lieutenant Roberts."

"What the hell took you so long, Lieutenant?" barked the Admiral.

"My apologies, Admiral.  I was in court and had to request a recess, Sir."

"Damn," AJ said.  "Tell the judge I said thank you and apologize for me."

"Will do, Sir."

"Now, I need you to dig, Bud.  I want you to find me every single law in Araceptia that marries a man and a woman."

"Sir?" Bud croaked.

"You heard me, Bud.  I want to know the details for every Araceptian law that results in a marriage."

"Aye, aye, Sir."

"And keep it to yourself, Lieutenant," ordered the Admiral.

"Of course, Admiral."

"Call me back on Mac's cell phone as soon as you have the information.  And I want it fast."

"Even if it's the middle of the night there, Sir?"

"Damned straight, Lieutenant.  As soon as you have it."

"Aye, aye, Sir."

AJ hung up and turned to Mac.

"Admiral, are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" whispered Mac.

AJ nodded his head.  "I'm afraid so, Mac."

"But surely, even if it's true here, it wouldn't be valid for American citizens.  And it wouldn't be legal in the US.  Right?"

"That's what we have to find out, Mac.  Why don't you go ahead and change into something more comfortable?"  Mac blushed at his words.  "Mac, I meant so you could rest."

She nodded.  "I know that, Sir.  It's just that..."

"I know," he nodded.

Mac took a nightgown and her kimono into the bathroom to change just as there was a knock on their door.  AJ opened it to find the hotel manager bringing them a bottle of champagne.  "Congratulations," he said.

"No thank you," AJ told him.  

"Oh, but you must drink the entire bottle tonight.  It is bad luck, otherwise!" the man argued.

"She can't have alcohol.  Take it back," AJ was firm.

"She cannot have alcohol?  What a shame.  But I will bring you something else.  Just as good.  No alcohol.  You wait.  I will be right back."

AJ closed the door and shook his head.  He went back into the room and sat down on the bed.  "Dear God, this is a nightmare," he said with his head in his hands.

Mac had just walked out of the bathroom and heard his words.  She inhaled sharply, which AJ heard.  He looked up just in time to see the hurt look in her eyes before she darted back into the bathroom and locked the door.  

AJ followed her to the bathroom.  "Mac?" he knocked gently on the door.  "Mac, I didn't mean that the way it sounded.  Come on out."  He listened and could hear her crying.  "Mac, please.  I didn't mean that you are a nightmare... just this whole situation.  It's like a bad dream.  It's..."

"Being married to me would be a bad dream.  A nightmare.  Yes, Sir.  I know exactly what you mean," Mac cried.  "It's just like Harm said last year, 'Anyone who's ever been involved with me is either dead or wishes they were'."

"No, Mac.  That's not true."  AJ tried to ignore the knocking on their door.  Finally he threw the door open.  "What!?!" he yelled.

"Non alcoholic.  You will like this.  Be sure to drink the entire bottle tonight.  Bad luck, otherwise."  The hotel manager handed AJ the cooler with a bottle and two glasses, turned and left.  

AJ kicked the door shut and took the paraphernalia to the table.  Mac still didn't come out.  He sat down and mumbled, "Damn, now I wish I'd kept the alcohol."

Friday, 2345 CET
AJ's Hotel Room
Varanon, Araceptia 

Mac's cell phone rang, and AJ grabbed it.  "Chegwidden!" he barked.

"Admiral?  It's Lieutenant Roberts.  I have that information you wanted, Sir."

"Good.  How many laws are there?" AJ asked.

"Only two, Sir."

"Two?"  AJ had a glimmer of hope.

"Yes, Sir.  The first one is your normal marriage law.  It's almost the same as here in the US.  You can be married there by a minister or a judge or the King.  There's no waiting period, though.  You can just walk up and ask to be married... and it can be done right then."

"And the second?"

"That one's a little tricky, Sir.  It's based on another law.  That one says that if a man pays for a woman's meal, he can ask anything of her."

"Yes, I know all about that law, Bud.  How does the marriage law fit into that?"

"Well, Sir, evidently, most men request sex as payment for the meal."

"That's true," AJ agreed.

"If another man interrupts the act of that sex..." Bud hesitated.

"Go on," AJ urged, feeling his glimmer of hope slipping away.

"Well, if the woman is not in favor of having sex with the first man, and she's voiced that to him, another man can interrupt them and force the first man to leave... he can throw him out, or the guy could run away, or he can even kill him..."

"Yes?" AJ said impatiently.

"Well, this is the tricky part, Sir.  If any member of the royal family witnesses the 'rescue', then the second man is now legally married to the woman he saved."

AJ closed his eyes and dropped his head in his free hand.  "Go on, Lieutenant."

"That's all there is, Sir.  In the history of the country, I could only find two instances where this law was invoked.  Once in 1634 and again in 1803.  I guess it's rather rare because when would the royal family ever witness such a thing?"

"Loopholes?"

"None, Sir.  No annulment.  No divorce.  They're married for life, Admiral."

"That all?"

"Yes, Sir.  That's all I found," Bud replied.

"Okay.  Thank you, Bud.  Oh... how's Jingo?"

"Jingo's fine, Sir.  Missing the Colonel a bit, I think.  But fine."

"Good.  We'll be back on Tuesday... we'll stop and pick him up on the way in."

"Very good, Sir."

AJ hung up and almost immediately, the phone rang, again.  "Chegwidden."

"Admiral?  It's Harm.  I was calling for Mac."

"Just a minute, Harm."  AJ walked over to the bathroom and tapped lightly on the door.  "Mac?  You awake?"

"Yes, Sir."

"You okay?"

"Yes, Sir."

"You feel up to talking..."

"No, Sir," she interrupted him.

He tried, again.  "To Harm, Mac.  He's on the phone."

She opened the door and looked up at AJ.  "Yes, Sir."

AJ handed her the cell phone.  She was about to close the door, when he said, "Do you mind if I go in there for a minute, Mac?"

Mac flushed.  "I'm sorry, Sir."  

She walked out into the bedroom and AJ closed the bathroom door.  That's when he saw the ring lying on the counter.  He picked it up and turned it over and over in his hand.  'Oh, Mac...'

He finished in the bathroom and walked back into the bedroom.  Mac was at the window, staring outside, the phone at her ear.  She evidently didn't hear AJ come into the room because he heard her say, "You know I love you, Harm."  AJ felt a tightening in his chest as though someone gripped his heart and squeezed it.  "Harm, I can't talk about this now.  Not on the phone.  When I get home, we'll sit down and discuss it."  

Harm was obviously arguing with her, because she got angry and said, "I said I didn't want to discuss this now, Harm.  I've had a rough night.  And if you must have an answer tonight, then the answer is no."  She paused.  "I'm sorry, Harm.  It's too late.  You didn't want me.  You've never really wanted me."  AJ almost made his presence known until he heard this next, "I'm sure you do dream about me, Harm.  Just like someone else I know.  But I'm a bad dream.  A nightmare.  Well, I don't need to hear that, again, tonight.  I'm hanging up now, Harm.  Goodbye."  She disconnected the call, but continued staring out the window.

AJ walked up slowly behind her.  He could see his reflection in the window, so he knew she could see him, too.  He put his hands on her shoulders; he wanted to pull her back against his chest, but he held himself in check.  "You're not a nightmare, Mac.  You misunderstood me," he whispered to her.

"Just a bad dream, then, hmm?" she challenged.

"No, Mac.  Not a bad dream.  Not a nightmare."  He turned her around to face him.  "But you may think that of me in a minute."

Mac looked up into his eyes.  "Why?"

"We are married, Mac.  According to Araceptian law, we're legally married."

Mac shook her head.  "And you don't call it a nightmare?" she whispered.

"Only the events, Mac.  Not being married to you."  'But she probably considers it a nightmare to be married to the likes of you,' he realized.

"That is the event, Admiral."

"Mac..." and AJ proceeded to explain the law to her under which they were married.

Mac walked over to the bed and sat down.  "I wouldn't worry about it, Sir.  We'll get it annulled.  I'm sure King Jessup will help us."

AJ shook his head and stared out the window.  "No, Mac.  Their law is very specific.  No annulment.  No divorce.  It's for life, according to their law."

"But not according to our law, Admiral.  We'll just have it dissolved when we get home.  So, which side of the bed do you want, Sir?"

AJ turned and looked at Mac incredulously.  "What?"

"Which side of the bed do you want, Sir?"

"Mac, we can't..."

"Admiral, you just said that we are legally married according to Araceptian law.  We are in Araceptia.  There's one bed, and they won't rent us another room.  So.  Which side of the bed do you want, Sir?"

"I'll sleep in the chair, Mac."

"No, Sir.  If you would prefer not to share the bed with me, I'll take the chair."

"Mac..."

"I'm the junior officer, Sir.  I'm also smaller; I'll fit better." She took a pillow from the bed and grabbed a blanket from the top of the clothespress.  "Good night, then, Admiral."  Mac curled up in the chair.

"Mac, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to sleep, Sir."

"Don't be ridiculous, Mac.  You can't sleep in that chair."

"All right, I'll sleep in the bathtub.  I've done it before," Mac said.

"Now you are being ridiculous, Colonel."

"It's no more ridiculous that an Admiral sleeping in a chair while a Lieutenant Colonel sleeps in the bed, Sir."

"Mac, when you and Rabb get stuck in situations like this... having to share a room... what do you do?"

"He takes the chair and I take the bed, Admiral."

AJ nodded.  "Exactly."

"That's only because I pull rank on him, Sir.  I'm longer in grade than he is.  So he ends up on the chair."

"Mac, get out of the chair and in the bed," he barked.  

"Are you addressing me as a Colonel or as your wife, Sir?" Mac quipped.

AJ hesitated before answering her.  "My wife," he said softly.  "I'll take the left side, if you don't mind."

Mac smiled.  "That will be just fine, Sir."

"If we're going to share a bed tonight, Mac, I think you should call me AJ."

"I've always rather hoped my husband would call me Sarah."

"Come to bed, Sarah," AJ said softly holding his arms out to her.  Mac walked into them, and he wrapped them around her.  She laid her head against his chest.  "I'm sorry about all this."

"I'm not, AJ.  If you hadn't burst into the room when you did, Yoquelm would have...  I would have...  I couldn't..." Mac stammered.

"I know, Sarah."  He stroked her back and ran his fingers through her hair.  "I know."

He released her and Mac looked at him hungrily as he turned down the bedspread.  He saw her and stood up.  He was dressed only in his shorts.  Mac smiled shyly at him.  "You ready for bed?" he asked.  She nodded.  

Mac untied the kimono, and AJ took it from her shoulders, draping it across a chair.  When he turned around, Mac was pulling the cover back to climb in bed.  She turned around and saw him staring at her.  She blushed as she laid down and pulled the covers over her.  "Good night, Admir... AJ," she corrected herself.

AJ walked to the left side of the bed and sat down.  "Good night, Sarah."  He turned the light off and laid down.  It took both of them over an hour to finally relax and fall asleep.  But they did.  

Saturday, 0645 CET
AJ's Hotel Room
Varanon, Araceptia

Mac awoke slowly, with a feeling of euphoria surrounding her.  She moaned quietly and nestled further under the covers and against the long, hard body next to her.  'Long, hard body?'  Her eyes flew open and she saw AJ smiling down at her, his arms surrounding her and rubbing her back.

"Good morning, Sarah," he whispered.

Mac blushed when he called her by her given name.  He said it so tenderly, almost as though he loved the sound of it.  As though he loved her.  'No, that's just my sleepy brain wishing and dreaming.'  "Good morning... AJ."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Mmm hmm.  I had a nice dream," she remembered aloud.  AJ chuckled.  She looked up at him and blanched.  "It was a dream, wasn't it, Sir?"

AJ nodded.  "Yes.  But definitely one I wouldn't have minded sharing from the sounds you made," he teased.

"Oh, you shared it, all right," she said before thinking better of it.  AJ smiled.  "You have such a beautiful smile."

AJ chuckled.  "Do I?"

Mac blushed.  "I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have said that."

"I guess we should get up and see about getting an audience with the King today," suggested AJ.  "I don't think it'll do any good, but it's worth a try."

Continue to Part 4