In the Land of Araceptia - Part 4

Saturday, 1145 CET
Royal Atrium
Varanon, Araceptia

AJ and Mac sat in the atrium, waiting.  He had sent word to the Palace that Admiral and Mrs. Chegwidden requested an audience with either King Jessup or Queen Anora... or both.  AJ knew better than to continue calling Mac by her maiden name.  That would be an insult to the royal couple.  And it was because of the way he addressed themselves that the King agreed to see them.  They were told to come and wait.  The royal couple would see them sometime this morning.  So AJ and Mac arrived at 0915, and they waited.  And waited.  And waited.

"Do you think they forgot about us, Sir?" asked Mac.

AJ shook his head.  "No, Mac.  They didn't forget us.  They're probably hoping we'll give up and leave."

They sat for another five minutes before Mac stood.  "Excuse me, Admiral.  I need to visit the restroom."  AJ nodded, and Mac left the atrium.

As she walked into the Grand Hallway, she spied Gretnea on the stairs.  "Gretnea!" Mac called to her.

"Miss Sarah!  Oh, Madam, it is so romantic... your marriage," she gushed, flying down the stairs to greet Mac.  

"Gretnea, I really need to use the bathroom.  Would you show me where it is on this floor, please?  I've only ever gone upstairs before."

"Of course, Madam.  Come with me," Gretnea took her up half a flight of stairs to a small landing and opened a door.  "Here it is, Madam."

"Thank you, Gretnea."

"I will wait here for you.  I would love to hear the story from your lips.  Would that be good?"

Mac smiled, "Of course, that will be fine."  Mac excused herself for a couple of minutes.  When she finished, true to her word, Gretnea was waiting.  "Gretnea, I know about the law that makes the Admiral and me married because of what happened last night.  But, how did that all come about?  It sounds like there must be a story behind it.  I mean, why would there be such a law?"

Gretnea beamed as they headed back to the atrium.  "Oh, but it is a beautiful story!  It is a story that all little girls in Araceptia learn when they are children.  It is... how do you call it?  Almost like a fairy tale for us.  But it is true."

They reached the atrium and Mac encouraged the young woman to tell the story.  "Only if you will tell me yours," Gretnea bargained.

Mac nodded.  "We'll tell you.  After we've heard your tale."

Gretnea sat in the single chair where Mac had been sitting earlier.  That left only the loveseat for her to sit... next to AJ.  He smiled at her and scooted over a bit so Mac had plenty of room.

Gretnea began her story.  

"Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Nondral, there was a beautiful young maiden who lived in a modest home with her father, her mother, her two brothers, and her two sisters.  The maiden was the eldest of the children, and her brothers were the youngest.  It happened one day that their father died, and the young maiden was sent into the capitol city to work, the boys being far too young.  All of her earnings, she sent back to her mother so she could feed the other children."

"The maiden did not know all the laws of the great city, and she made many mistakes.  But fortune smiled down on her that first year, and she was able to send home enough money and still eat and have a decent place to live, herself."

"One day, the King's manservant spied her at the shop where she worked, and he spoke to the owner about her.  Assured that she was not already betrothed, the manservant spoke to the King about her.  The King agreed that when she turned 16, the manservant could claim her as his wife.  So the manservant waited; it was only another seven months until her 16th birthday.  Although they were never alone together, the manservant let the maiden know that he appreciated her beauty, her kindness, and her gentle spirit."

"As the weeks passed into months, his desire for her grew into love, and the maiden found that she favored his presence.  She was lonely in her home at night, and she so hoped that one day the manservant would look with favor on her and request her company."

As Gretnea weaved her story, AJ slipped his arm across the back of the loveseat.  Mac shifted in her seat slightly, moving a bit closer to him.

"More time passed, and the maiden began her second year in the city.  However, things changed in the city.  A new merchant came to town and he bought most of the businesses, including the shop where the maiden worked.  When the new owner visited the shop, he saw the young maiden, and he wanted her.  Not knowing of the secret attachment, he approached the maiden and invited her to dinner.  The maiden was thrilled to finally be asked.  She had never eaten anywhere except her own home or her parents' home.  So she had no idea what to expect."

"Neither would I, if not for you," Mac whispered in AJ's ear.  He moved his arm around her shoulders and smiled slightly at her.

"The merchant took her to Oustansen's.  What they did not know was that the King and Queen were just behind them going into Oustansen's.  And the King's manservant saw his maiden with the merchant.  His heart ached, as he watched his future slip away.  If she did indeed lie with another man, the King would never approve the match.  He wondered if the maiden truly understood what would happen to her by accepting the merchant's invitation to dinner."

"The maiden was alone with the merchant in their small room, and he fed her.  When their meal was finished, he laid her back on the pillows and kissed her.  She enjoyed it.  And she kissed him back.  It was a new experience for her.  Then the merchant began to touch her.  He released the tie of her gown and it fell open, laying her bare before him.  The maiden was frightened, but she did not know what to do.  The merchant continued his attentions to her, and released his own robes.  He laid over the maiden.  The maiden begged him to stop, but he would not.  The maiden was terrified, and she screamed."

Mac remembered how it felt last night with Yoquelm lying on top of her.  She believed she knew the fear the young maiden had felt all those years ago.

"The manservant recognized the maiden's voice, and he knew what the merchant was doing.  He couldn't allow it.  The maiden did not understand, that was obvious by her outcry.  The manservant ripped the curtains apart and saw the merchant naked, lying on top of the maiden.  He grabbed the merchant and threw him out of the room.  He found the maiden's dress and laid it over her as she cried.  He picked her up and carried her out of the room.  He stopped when he saw the King watching him."

"This sounds awfully familiar," AJ whispered to Mac.  She nodded.

"He bowed his head to the King and begged his forgiveness for interfering in business that was not his own.  The merchant insisted that the manservant be severely punished for his actions.  The maiden owed the merchant for her dinner, and he was merely collecting.  The King nodded to the manservant and told him this was the law.  The maiden did owe the merchant anything he chose.  The manservant begged to be able to pay her debt, himself.  The merchant refused.  The manservant then begged the King to declare him married to the maiden, and so she would not owe the merchant anything.  The King shook his head."

"The Queen had heard the conversation, and now she came from their room and begged her husband to declare the marriage and allow the couple to live in peace for the rest of their lives.  The King refused, saying that he could not set such a precedent.  The maiden would pay the merchant what he wanted.  And the manservant would not be allowed to marry her because she would no longer be a maid."

"The maiden whispered to the manservant and asked him to set her down.  He did not wish to let her go; he was afraid for her.  She begged him, and he finally released her.  She walked back into the small room and pulled the curtain closed behind her.  They all assumed that she was dressing... until they heard her fall.  The manservant tore open the curtain to find the maiden dead, blood staining the pillows; she had thrust a knife into her heart."

Mac gasped and grabbed AJ's leg.  "Oh!  The poor girl!"  Tears sprang to her eyes, but she held them in check.

"The manservant removed the knife from her breast; he leaned over her and kissed her gently on the mouth.  And as he lifted his head, he spoke these words, 'I could not have you in life.  But you shall be mine in death.'  And he thrust the knife in his own heart and fell over her body."

Mac's tears fell down her cheeks as AJ said, "Sounds a bit like Romeo and Juliet."

"Then and there, the King declared that the manservant and the maiden were married, even in death.  And that if the same instance ever happened, again, that the couple would, indeed, be declared married, and that nothing could separate them, as nothing could separate Varanon and Araceptia."

"Their names were Varanon and Araceptia?" AJ asked, his voice husky.

"Yes.  And the Kingdom of Nondral became the Kingdom of Araceptia, with Varanon as her capitol," Gretnea concluded her story.

"Gretnea!!" a voice bellowed from inside the Palace.

"Pardon me," she said quickly and ran inside to do the bidding of her monarch.

Mac sniffed as her tears rolled down her face.  AJ pulled her closer to him and put his other arm around her.  "You okay, Mac?" he asked gently.

"That was such a beautiful story... and so sad.  They died, AJ!  They killed themselves!"

AJ smiled.  He never knew that Mac was such a romantic.  He knew she was tenderhearted; that was obvious when she adopted old Jingo.  But this he never expected from his tough, kick-ass Marine.  "Come on, Mac, let's go."

"Aren't we going to wait for the King?" she hiccupped.

"I don't think it'll do any good, Mac.  It's their law.  And from what Gretnea just told us, it's part of their country's heritage.  There's no way they'll disavow it.  Come on.  Let's go back and see if we can reach someone at home.  Maybe the CNO can do something."  'If I tell the SecNav, he'll just use it as his way to get rid of me.'

They stood up, and Mac said, "What if he can't?"

"We'll go to the President if we have to, Mac."

They left the Palace and walked back toward the hotel.  People smiled and waved at them all along the road.  Girls giggled as they passed, and boys grinned broadly at AJ.  "Well, it appears that news travels fast in this town," AJ said as he put his hand on the small of Mac's back, crossing the street.  He remembered only yesterday when he did that, she pulled away from him.  Today, she leaned closer to him.

"That's for sure.  I never knew flowers could be ordered and delivered so fast as they were last night!" Mac commented.

"Well, considering it was the Queen who order..."  AJ stopped in his tracks as well as his speech as they reached the hotel.  "Oh, God..." he breathed.

There was a huge banner draped across the front entrance.  It had an enormous picture in the center of AJ in his winter mess dress uniform and Mac in an elegant red evening gown.  They were dancing together.  And written in both English (on the right) and the native language of Araceptia (on the left) were the words:

Varanon and Araceptia live again!  
Congratulations!  
Admiral and Mrs. AJ Chegwidden 

Mac looked up.  "Oh, my God!  How did they get that!?" she gasped looking at the picture.

"I would say they had some assistance from our government, Mac.  That picture was taken of us at the Naval Christmas Ball last year."

"Our one and only dance," Mac remembered.

"Well, I guess they already know it at home," AJ reasoned.  "Let's go make the call." 

They walked through the doors and into the hotel lobby.  Before they'd even taken five steps into the hotel, the people in the lobby erupted in applause and cheers, even showering them with confetti.  AJ took Mac's arm and guided her toward the elevator just as the hotel manager reached them.

"Good afternoon, Admiral.  Mrs. Chegwidden.  We have taken the liberty of moving your things to the Royal Suite.  I was not aware last night of the particulars of your marriage, merely that you had married.  Let me show you to your new room."

"Our new room?" "The Royal Suite?" they asked at the same time.

"But of course," the manager replied.  "Nothing but the best for our new Varanon and Araceptia."

AJ and Mac looked at each other, but didn't say a word.  They rode the elevator to the top floor and followed the hotel manager to the suite.  He opened the door with a flourish and they walked inside.  The room was filled with bouquets of flowers and wrapped packages.  AJ and Mac were amazed.  Who were all these gifts from?  The hotel manager answered their unasked question.  "The gifts have been arriving all morning from all over the country.  Everyone in Araceptia wishes to celebrate with you in your happiness."  The manager wished them well and left.

"I can't believe all this," AJ muttered.

"There are more gifts here in one morning than I received in all the months leading up to Mic's and my wedding!"  Then she shook her head.  "God, that was a nightmare, having to return all those."

"We can't take these with us, Mac," AJ said softly.

Mac looked up at him.  "Oh, I know that, Sir.  And they'll all have to go back to the senders.  But at least this time, the cards will still be in tact!"

AJ chuckled.  "I see what you mean."

"You hungry, Admiral?" Mac shifted topics to one closer to her heart.  Food.

He nodded, "Yes, in fact, I am."

"Why don't we go down and grab a bite for lunch and then try calling home?" Mac suggested.

"I think we'd be better off to order lunch brought up here, don't you?" he asked.  Seeing Mac turn away before she answered him, he walked up behind her and put his hands on her upper arms.  Somehow he knew what Mac was thinking.  "Mac, I seriously doubt she delivers it.  After all, we're Varanon and Araceptia now, remember?" he teased, running his hands up and down her arms.  'Stop it!' he ordered himself as he began to tingle.  'She is your subordinate.  This whole mess will be cleared up and things will be back to normal in a day or two.  Meantime, keep your hands to yourself and your thoughts in check, Chegwidden!'

Mac shivered in anticipation as she felt his hands on her arms.  When he removed his hands, she slowly turned around to face him.  His face was guarded; he showed no emotion in his eyes.  Mac was confused by her feelings, his voice, and what she saw in his face.  She didn't mean to voice her thoughts, but she did.  "I guess she has quite the story to tell, hasn't she?  After all, she was breakfast for the latest Varanon on his wedding day."  Mac's words sounded hollow even to her ears and she lowered her eyes to her feet.  "I'm sorry, Admiral; that was uncalled for."

AJ lifted her chin with his index finger.  "Mac, she wasn't breakfast.  She fed me breakfast.  There's a difference."

Mac looked up at him.  "Yes, Sir," she said, disbelievingly.  "That's why Noshem was so engrossed in your tale, I'm sure."

"Mac, I did not have..."

"Spare me.  At least give me credit for knowing you didn't turn her down a second time.  Hell, YOU didn't turn her down the first time!  I turned her down for you.  And didn't she have a good laugh at my expense after she left you yesterday."  Mac's eyes welled up with tears.  'Damn it!  Do NOT cry, MacKenzie!  You will NOT cry!!'

AJ turned away from her, not noticing her tear-filled eyes.  After a minute passed and AJ didn't say anything or turn around, Mac said, "Never mind.  It doesn't matter.  It's your life.  But you could do so much better than a... a room service call-girl."  AJ did turn around at this statement.  But before he spoke, Mac continued.  "But that's not my business, Admiral.  It's yours.  If you want to have every one of them while you're here, I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige!"  She turned and walked to the bedroom.  "In the meantime, I'm going to take a nice hot bath."  She closed the bedroom door behind her, then opened it, again.  "Probably be a good idea not to do her in the bedroom this time, though, Sir.  That would be a little tacky, even for her.  Order me a burger and fries, if you don't mind.  And a Coke.  And some kind of dessert.  Preferably chocolate."  Mac closed the door and went into the bathroom.

AJ stared after her, speechless.  Could she really believe him capable of having casual sex with just any woman off the street?  Granted, he did let the girl handle him yesterday, but that was all.  He hadn't touched her intimately.  They didn't have sex.  Yet Mac believed he did.  Why should that bother him so much, he wondered? 

AJ opened the bedroom door and saw the bathroom door closed.  He could hear the water running in the tub.  He saw the inflatable pillow lying on the bed.  "I guess she doesn't even want something I gave her in there with her," AJ said to himself.  He picked up the cell phone and dialed the CNO's office at the Pentagon. 

"Admiral Clark's office; Ensign Bell."

"Admiral Chegwidden calling for Admiral Clark.  Is he available?"

"Admiral Chegwidden!  Yes, Sir; he's been expecting your call.  Just a moment, please, and I'll get him for you."

AJ heard the click and knew he was on hold.  "Great.  He's been expecting my call?  Damn..."

"So, AJ!  You're a married man, again, I hear!?" the CNO's voice boomed over the line.

"That's a matter of contention, Sir," AJ said as he opened the sliding door to the balcony. 

"Oh come on, AJ.  The Araceptians are celebrating in the streets!  The King has declared you and Mac honorary citizens of Araceptia.  He's even talking about putting your pictures on one of their coins!  And this is all over the news.  They're flashing pictures of the two of you every 10 minutes on ZNN..."

AJ stood out on the balcony and didn't hear Mac open the bathroom door and step into the bedroom.  She had forgotten her bath pillow, and she wanted it.  She remembered laying it on the bed as she stripped out of her clothes.  Now wrapped in her kimono, she found the pillow just where she'd left it.  As she picked it up, she heard AJ's voice.

"Admiral, this can't be.  Mac works for me," AJ argued. 

"Jones and I are working on that, AJ."

"What does that mean?  You're 'working on that'.  You're working on my court martial?"

"No, although that's what Nelson seems to think should happen.  Fortunately for you, President and Mrs. Bush happen to be romantics at heart.  They got a call from the King and Queen last night.  The Queen evidently told them the story of how the law came to be, and they were moved.  The President called me and asked that I make it work for the two of you to stay in the Service."

"But what about the marriage, Vern?"

"The marriage is valid, AJ.  It's Araceptian law.  And you're in Araceptia."

"Vern, we're talking about life here.  Araceptian law states no divorce for this marriage.  You're telling me that our laws are going to uphold that, too?"

"That's right, AJ."

"Damn it, Vern!  There's got to be something we can do to get out of this!" AJ bellowed.  Mac's heart plummeted.  She knew that AJ didn't love her.  Didn't really want her.  But she had no idea just how badly he wanted out of this accidental marriage... until now.

"You two could learn to love each other, AJ," the CNO suggested.

"Learn to love Mac?  Are you crazy?" AJ asked, laughing bitterly.  He didn't have to learn to love her; he just had to let himself love her.  He turned around, hearing a sound behind him.  He found Mac staring at him, her mouth gaping open. 

Mac's tears overflowed now and streamed down her face.  "Oh God!  Why did this have to happen!?  Why couldn't it have been Harm I got stuck being married to?" she cried as she ran back to the bathroom and slammed the door.

Admiral Clark was speaking, "Can't you just try to make the best of it, AJ?  The Colonel is a beautiful woman.  She's..."

"Hell, Vern, it's not for me that I want out.  It's for Mac.  Like you said, she's a beautiful woman.  A beautiful YOUNG woman.  She doesn't want to be strapped to me for the rest of her life.  Or should I say my life.  And I'd really rather not be married to a woman who doesn't love or want me, no matter how much I care about her."

"I'm sorry, AJ.  But there's nothing we can do about it.  You and Colonel MacKenzie are married.  For life.  And there's nothing anyone can do to change that.  Not unless you can prove that one of you was already married."

"Somehow I don't think Mac is keeping a second husband a secret like she did the first one," AJ shook his head.  "No, Vern, neither of us were married yesterday afternoon."

"Well you both are now, AJ.  To each other.  Get used to the idea.  I'll let you know what General Jones and I come up with.  More than likely, it'll require moving the Colonel to another position.  But at least you know there won't be charges brought against you.  The President has already taken care of that."

AJ disconnected the call, and walked over to the bathroom.  He knocked on the door.  "Mac, are you okay?"

"Just perfect," she muttered to herself through her tears.  "I'm fine, Admiral," she called to him.

"Mac, how long are you going to be in there?" he asked.  He could tell she was crying.

"Long enough, Sir.  Go ahead and call her."  Mac rummaged through her toiletry case.  She found her ear plugs and put one in each ear.  "I sure as hell don't want to listen to them!" she mumbled as she climbed in the tub.

AJ shook his head.  "Damn, she really does think I'm a horny bastard," he said to himself.  

AJ decided to call JAG Headquarters.  Maybe Bud had found a loophole.  AJ was sure he'd continued looking even though AJ hadn't asked him to do so.  That's just the way Bud operated.  Until he found a resolution, he'd keep digging. 

When Tiner answered the phone, AJ spoke.  "Admiral Chegwidden, Tiner."

"Admiral!  Sir!  We've all been watching the news.  It's incredible, Sir!  You and the Colonel... are married?"

"Well, Tiner, that's what they tell us.  We're still... disputing it.  Not getting very far, I'm afraid."

"But, Admiral.  What's going to happen about..."  Tiner hesitated.  "She works for you, Sir.  Are they going to bring charges against you?"

"Apparently not.  It seems the President squelched that before the SecNav could get it going."

"Thank God!" cried Tiner.

"I am, Tiner.  Believe me," AJ quipped.  "Is Rabb there?"

"Yes, Sir; he's watching the TV, too."

"Let me talk to him," AJ sighed.

"Aye, aye, Sir."

AJ waited for almost 3 minutes; finally Harm picked up the phone.  "Commander Rabb," he said stiffly.

"Harm, it's AJ."

"Hello, Admiral," Harm said coldly.

"You're taking this about as well as Mac is, I see," AJ said.

"How is she, Sir?"

"Crying.  Wishing it could have been you instead of me she's stuck with for the rest of her life.  Or rather, the rest of my life.  Hell, maybe she'll luck out and I'll keel over with a heart attack tomorrow."

"Admiral, you know she wouldn't want that."

"Right now, Harm, I don't know what she wants."

"Probably to be held, Sir," Harm said quietly.

"Yea, well that's not gonna happen right now."

"Why is that, Sir?"

"Because she's in the bathtub."

Harm cleared his throat in embarrassment.  "Admiral, you said she wished it was me.  She didn't actually say that, did she?  You're just assuming it?"

"No, Rabb.  She said it.  Not 15 minutes ago, in fact."

"I'm sorry, Sir."

"So am I, Harm.  You two were finally getting your acts together, and now this."

"No, Sir.  Actually, we weren't.  I thought we were, but then I screwed up.  Mac saw me out with another woman, and that clinched it.  We were supposed to be waiting for each other to be ready.  I didn't wait."

"Harm, Mac loves you..."

"No, Sir.  She doesn't.  She told me that only a few days ago, in fact."  Harm paused.  "Admiral, are you still coming home on Tuesday?"

"At this point, yes."

"Should I do anything, Sir?"

"What do you mean?"

"A party?  Reception?"

"Hell, no!" AJ barked.  "This is hard enough on her."

"But Admiral, according to the news, there's no way out of this."

"I know, Harm.  But don't plan anything.  Not yet, anyway.  This is going to take both of us a while to get used to.  If we ever do.  Is Bud there?"

"No, Sir; he's downtown at the National Library.  Wouldn't tell me what he was working on; said it was for you, though."

"Good.  At least he hasn't given up on me."

They hung up and AJ called room service.  "This is Admiral Chegwidden.  I'd like to get some lunch brought up, please.  Two bacon cheeseburgers cooked medium rare, with French fried potatoes, two Coca-Colas, and two pieces of chocolate cake."

"Very good, Admiral.  I will send..."

"And if you would be good enough to have a man bring the food upstairs, please?" AJ requested.

"A man, Sir?"

"A man, yes."

"Of course, Admiral.  Joshelm will deliver your lunch in 10 minutes."

AJ hung up and went to the bathroom door.  He knocked and called to Mac.  "Lunch will be here in 10 minutes, Mac."  She didn't answer him.  "Mac?"  Still nothing.  "Mac!  Answer me!"  Not a sound.  "Mac, if you don't answer me now, I'm coming in there!"  AJ knew that Mac wouldn't have done anything foolish, but still...  She didn't answer him.  There was no sound coming from the bathroom at all.  And he was concerned.  Worried.  Okay, scared silly!  He put his hand on the doorknob and turned it slowly.  "Mac?" he called, again.  "Mac, it's me.  I'm coming in.  Are you okay?"  

AJ stepped inside the room and saw Mac sitting in the bathtub, covered in bubbles.  Her head was laid back against the wall, resting on the bath pillow.  Her eyes closed.  She still said nothing.  And she didn't move.  "Mac?"  AJ took a step closer to the tub.  "Mac, are you okay?"  Nothing.  "Mac, please, say something.  Look at me."  Still nothing.

AJ moved next to the tub and knelt down beside it.  "Mac, I'm sorry about all this.  I know it's not what you wanted... that I'm not who you wanted... but there's nothing that anyone seems to be able to do about it right now."  She still didn't move.  "Mac, please... look at me.  Swear at me!  But do something to show me that you're... alive!"

Mac suddenly felt a brush of air across her face and she opened her eyes.  Startled to see AJ kneeling by the bathtub, she gasped and tried to sit up.  But in so doing, she slipped, and slid completely under the bubbly water.  She flailed her arms about, trying to grasp something to pull herself back up.  AJ immediately reached in the tub and grabbed her, pulling her back to the surface.  She gasped for air as she broke through the water.  Her arms went above her head of their own volition and then slapped back down into the water, sending a spray of water and bubbles out of the tub and covering AJ.

He started speaking, "Mac, I'm sorry.  I..."

Mac shook her head.  Then she reached up and pulled the earplugs out.  "Admiral?  What..."

"Earplugs?  You had plugs in your ears?" he asked incredulously.  She nodded.  "That's why you didn't hear me calling you?  Knocking on the door?"

"They're very good plugs, Sir.  Harm gave them to me.  They're the kind the pilots wear when they're..."

AJ nodded.  "I know."  He sighed.  "Mac, I'm sorry I interrupted your bath.  When you didn't answer me, I was afraid of the worst.  I guess that story this morning bothered me more than I thought it did."

"You thought I might have..." Mac started.

"I didn't know quite what to think, Mac.  I know you got the gist of what Admiral Clark said... that our government is upholding the marriage.  And I know you heard what I said to him.  But you didn't hear all of it, Mac.  And then you thought I wanted the girl from room...  Mac, I don't want..."

"I know, Admiral.  I understand.  And I'm sorry about all of this and about my attitude.  I know this is in no way your fault.  If I hadn't agreed to go out with Yoquelm when he called me last night, none of this would have happened.  It's my fault completely."

"You didn't call him?  He called you?" AJ asked.  Mac nodded.  AJ smiled.  "Then you didn't really want him... You weren't actually..."  AJ sighed heavily.  "Damn, I really thought you'd changed your mind about him and..."

"You thought I called him?"

AJ nodded.  "I'm afraid I did, Mac."

"You think that little of me, Sir?"

AJ smiled.  "About what you must think of me, Mac."  She looked at him questioningly.  "The room service call-girl," AJ reminded her.

Mac lowered her head.  "You didn't make love to her?"

AJ shook his head.  "No, Mac, I didn't want her."

Mac looked up at him.  "Who do you want?" she whispered, knowing she had no business asking her CO such a question.  But then, the last 48 hours had been very irregular.

AJ decided to show her rather than tell her.  She was, after all, his wife now.  He stood up and bent over the tub, putting his hands on her shoulders.  He went to pull her up to her feet, but the floor was slippery from the water that had sloshed out of the tub.  His shoes slid and AJ started to fall.  Mac slid back just in time so that he didn't land on her.  But he did land in the tub.  When he looked up, his legs were straddling the side of the tub, and he was sitting in the bubbly water.  He turned startled eyes to Mac, and they both dissolved into laughter.

As AJ climbed out of the tub, he heard a knock on the door.  "Must be lunch," he quipped. 

Mac laughed.  "I'll get it, AJ.  I can just slip my kimono on."  Mac wrapped herself in a towel as she stood up and AJ held her kimono for her to slip into. Mac tied the kimono and stepped out of the bathroom to get their lunch.  AJ stripped out of his wet clothes and dried off.  He walked into the bedroom to get some dry clothes just as Mac walked back inside.  "A man delivered it today," Mac giggled.  "And lunch looks wonderful..." her words died in her throat as he turned around and she saw his wet shorts molded to his form.  "Ohh, AJ," she moaned.

AJ took a step toward her and she, one toward him.  His mouth descended on hers in an instant, and they could feel the intensity of their desire for each other.  "Sarah, you are so beautiful.  Everything about you is beautiful.  Your smile.  Your laugh.  Your soul.  Your body," he ran his hands down her back and cupped her buttocks through the kimono.  

"AJ, I'm sorry that you're stuck with me.  But I'll do anything I can to make it..."  Mac's words were interrupted by the shrill ringing of the telephone.  Hoping he would ignore it, Mac was disappointed when he released her and grabbed the phone.

"Chegwidden!" he barked.

"Why the hell haven't I heard from you?!" the SecNav's voice boomed over the line.

"I just spoke with Admiral Clark, Mr. Secretary.  He already informed me of what steps are being taken on behalf of the Colonel and myself.  I saw no need to interrupt your day, Sir," AJ said woodenly.  

"The hell you didn't!  You were avoiding me!"

"Why would I avoid you, Mr. Secretary?  Do you have bad news for me?" AJ's tone didn't change.  He had perfected this tone over the years; he used it with people in authority whom he despised.  There weren't many, and Alexander Nelson was the primary recipient of late.

"You know damn well I think you should be court martialed for this, Admiral.  And drummed out of the Navy."

"You're entitled to your opinion, Sir.  I guess you'd have preferred I allow the Colonel to be raped last night."  AJ turned to look at Mac.  He grinned and winked at her.  Mac walked over to him and put her arms around his waist, laying her head against his chest.

"Of course not!" barked the SecNav.  "But there must have been another way to prevent it!"

"No, Sir.  There wasn't.  I did what was necessary.  What I believe any gentleman would have done if they were in my place.  And then that person would be married to Mac.  I just happen to be the lucky SOB who was there."

"Lucky?" Mac questioned, looking up into his face.

"What the hell do you mean by that?!" barked Nelson.

"Very lucky, Sarah," whispered AJ, lowering his mouth to hers and claiming her lips.  Mac moaned softly as AJ ran his tongue along her lips to part them.

"What the hell is that noise?" queried the SecNav.

Mac pulled away and took the phone from AJ's hand.  "That was me, Mr. Secretary.  My husband was kissing me, and I was enjoying it.  Now if you'll excuse us, our lunch is getting cold."  Mac hung up the phone and looked back at AJ.  "I probably shouldn't have said that, hmm?"

AJ grinned.  "Probably not.  Probably shouldn't have hung up on him either," he chuckled.

"Well, lunch is getting cold," she insisted, walking out to the living area.

"So am I, actually," mumbled AJ.  He changed his shorts and grabbed some sweat pants, pulling them on before he joined Mac at the low table to eat their lunch.  He didn't bother with a shirt.  He found her already munching on the French fries, and she'd taken a couple of bites from her burger.

"I didn't know men delivered room service in Araceptia.  I've never seen one before," Mac said.

"They don't usually," AJ said, taking a bite of his burger.  Mac looked up at him; he swallowed and said, "I requested a man to deliver it this time.  I didn't want you to think I wanted..."

Mac slid over to AJ's side.  "That was very considerate of you, AJ.  Thank you," she whispered as she kissed him on the cheek.

AJ wrapped his arms around her just as she was going to pull away.  He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply.  She moaned her approval, spurring him on.  He lowered her to the floor, moving his mouth to nibble on her neck.  He moved his hands to the tie on her kimono and loosened it.  Just as he spread it apart and moved his hands underneath, there was a loud, sharp knock on the door.  Mac jumped, causing AJ's teeth to penetrate her neck slightly.  "Damn!" AJ swore as he got up to answer the door.  "What!?" AJ barked as he opened the door.  

To the amazement of both AJ and Mac, there stood Clayton Webb with the biggest grin on his face either of them had ever seen.  "Aren't you going to invite me in?" 

"What the hell are you doing here, Webb?" Mac blurted out, her robe still open.

Webb took in their appearances.  Especially Mac's open robe.  Seeing him ogling her, Mac pulled her robe together and tied it.   "Looks like my timing was perfect.  Lunch!" Webb quipped.  All three of them knew exactly what he really meant.  It was more than obvious what Webb had interrupted.

"Your timing sucks," AJ muttered under his breath.

Ten minutes after Webb arrived, so did an entourage of Secret Service and other CIA agents.  AJ and Mac excused themselves to go dress.  They returned in their respective uniforms, lending them a bit more credibility to the agents.  Webb was talking to one of the agents when he looked up and saw Mac.  There was a large red welt forming on her neck.  "Mac," Webb walked over to her.  He tilted her head to the side to look at her neck, "What's this red welt from?  It wasn't there when I arrived, and it's..."  Light dawned on him, and he looked from Mac over to AJ and back, again.  "Well, I'll be damned," he chuckled.  "Way to go, AJ."  Webb winked at Mac and turned back to his people.  

Saturday, 1735 CET
AJ & Mac's Hotel Suite
Varanon, Araceptia

Webb had the meeting well underway and was in complete control.  They each had their assignments in preparation for President and Mrs. Bush's arrival on Sunday evening.  Webb turned to AJ, "You will, of course, be moving out of this suite.  This is where the President and Mrs. Bush will be housed for the two nights they're here."

AJ smirked.  "Webb, if you can convince the hotel manager of that, Mac and I will move... again.  But I'll lay you double to nothing, you won't convince him.  And we'll stay right here."

Mac giggled, causing Webb and several others to turn and look at her.  "The Admiral's right, Webb.  You'd better go talk to the hotel manager and find out where he plans to put the President.  I'll guarantee it isn't in here."

Webb frowned.  "Of course it is.  This is the suite I reserved for them.  The Royal Suite."  Webb grabbed the phone.  He finally reached the hotel manager.  "This is Clayton Webb.  I'm just confirming that President and Mrs. Bush will be staying in the Royal Suite on Sunday and Monday."

"Oh no, Mr. Webb!!  Admiral and Mrs. Chegwidden are in the Royal Suite until they depart our country.  There is no possible way I can put anyone in there until they are gone.  They are national treasures.  I have another suite, a fine room, that we are preparing for your President."

"That's not acceptable," Webb barked.  "I reserved the Royal Suite, and that's where the President will stay."

"I am sorry, Mr. Webb, but that is simply impossible."

Webb argued for another 5 minutes, and getting no where, he finally slammed the phone down.  "He wants to put the President in a different suite!"

AJ and Mac nodded.  "Not a surprise here, Webb," AJ grinned.

"Fine.  Then we'll make this room our base of operation," Webb informed him.  

AJ frowned.  "Can't the CIA afford their own rooms, Webb?"

"Don't need 'em; there's plenty of room here, AJ."  Webb turned to one of his agents.  "Call down to room service and have a couple of sandwich trays sent up for dinner.  The works."

"Webb, this is our room," Mac argued.  "And I, for one, plan to get some sleep tonight.  All of you in here will certainly prevent that."

"Sleep?  Who the hell needs sleep?" Webb quipped.  "AJ, I need for you and Mac to go over the details of the treaty with me tonight.  Then..."

Webb rattled on, basically filling their evening and night with things he need for them to do.  AJ crossed his arms and frowned the whole time.  He knew these things were important.  'But why the hell do we have to do them?  He's got his own people here for this!'

The phone rang, and one of the Secret Service men answered it.  The voice on the other end rattled off something about dinner and a bribe.  "What!?" he said into the receiver, not understanding.

"You are Admiral Chegwidden?" the voice asked.

"No, hold on."  The man held the receiver in the air.  "Admiral, it's for you."

AJ took the phone.  "Chegwidden."

"Admiral Chegwidden.  I call from Modsha's.  You and your bride will dine here tonight, yes?  As guests of Modsha.  Please that you will come?"

"Yes, of course, we can do that," he said into the phone.  "What time?"

"Any time you wish, Admiral.  Any time at all."

"We'll be there."  AJ hung up the phone and glanced at Mac.  He winked and nodded toward the balcony.  Mac edged her way over unnoticed; they both reached the balcony at the same time, slipping outside.  "How would you like to go back to Modsha's for dinner tonight?" he asked her quietly.

Mac blanched.  "I don't think they'd appreciate my being there, Sir."

AJ put his hands on Mac's shoulders.  "Mac, that was the restaurant owner who just called.  He extended an invitation for us to dine as his guests this evening."

Mac looked back toward the living room.  "What about Webb?"

AJ grinned.  "He wasn't invited."

"Can we just leave them like that, Admiral?" Mac asked.

AJ moved his hands from her shoulders to around her waist, pulling her to him.  "Most definitely, Sarah," he whispered as he lowered his mouth to cover hers.  When he let her up for air, he said huskily, "Let's change and go on now, shall we?"

Mac moaned, "Mmmm..."  

"Is that a 'yes'?" he teased.

"Definitely a 'yes'... to anything you ask, AJ," she whispered seductively.  

AJ backed away from her.  "Mac... not here; not now," he choked out.  "You go on into the bedroom and change first.  When you're dressed, crack the bedroom door, and I'll know it's my turn.  I don't want Webb to know we're leaving until we are actually ready to walk out."

She nodded and went back inside the room.  Excusing herself, she headed for the bedroom on the pretense of using the bathroom.  She closed the door behind her and stripped out of her uniform.  She opened the clothes press and pulled out her favorite casual dress.  It was a blue print wrap dress from Frederick's of Hollywood.  This particular dress dipped in the front to show off her ample cleavage.  It also came to an inverted V on the hem in the front, showing off her legs to their best advantage.  

And Mac definitely wanted to show both her legs and her bosom tonight.  She was actually going out on a date with AJ Chegwidden.  Granted, he was already her husband, but they'd never dated.  Never been together when they could relax and enjoy each other's company... and bodies.  Tonight would be the night.  Mac tingled with anticipation.  She would finally know how it felt to be loved by AJ Chegwidden.  After all this time, all these years... she would finally have his hands on her.  Her excitement grew.

Mac opened the dresser drawer and found the bra and panty set and the thigh-high stockings she wanted to wear with the dress.  She went into the bathroom and found the belly button ring.  After she donned her fresh undergarments, she slipped the stockings on her legs and then slipped her arms through the armholes of the dress.  She pulled the strings around to the side, tying them in a bow.  All that was left was her hair and jewelry, so she cracked the door a bit.

AJ kept an eye on the bedroom door, waiting for Mac to open it.  When she did, he followed her into the bedroom and closed the door behind him.  "Mac," he breathed.  "You look stunning."

Mac smiled.  "Thank you."  She moved over to the dresser.  "I just have to comb my hair and put on my jewelry.  Then I'll be ready."

AJ nodded.  "Good.  It'll just take me a minute to change, and we can be off."  AJ chose his civvies and laid them on the bed.  He started to strip out of his uniform, and he saw Mac blushing.  "I'm sorry, Mac.  I'll go in the bathroom to do this."  AJ picked up his clothes and went into the bathroom.  'Damn, maybe I'm wrong.  Maybe she hasn't changed her mind about me.  I thought she was beginning to think maybe I wasn't so bad...'

"AJ?" she called quietly through the bathroom door.

"It's okay, Mac.  You can come in," he told her.  He'd already pulled his pants on, and he didn't think she'd mind his being shirtless, even if she wasn't interested in him.

Mac opened the door and saw AJ's chest just before he covered it with a shirt.  "Such a shame," she mumbled.

"What is?" he asked innocently.

"Covering your chest.  It's so... incredibly... masculine... sexy...," Mac breathed, biting her lips as she finished.

"Mac?" AJ's hopes rose.

She smiled.  "I'm ready when you are, AJ."

"Are you, Sarah?" he whispered huskily, taking her in his arms.

"Ohhh, yes, AJ.  I'm ready..." she raised her head and their lips molded together.

"Let's go, then," AJ said raising his head.  "Webb will be knocking on that door pretty soon.  Let's beat him to it."

"It'll be nice to have a quiet, romantic dinner..." Mac started.

"Just the two of us..."

"Mmm," she agreed.

"Sarah, I don't want you to think that I just want to..."

"I know that, AJ," Mac whispered, interrupting him.  "You would never be that way."

AJ opened the bedroom door and they walked out together, AJ's arm around Mac's waist.  "Mac and I are going to dinner.  Have a nice evening, gentlemen," AJ said as they walked to the suite door and opened it.

"What the hell do you mean you're going to dinner?  I just ordered dinner in!" exclaimed Webb.  "And we've got work to do!"

"No, Webb.  WE don't have work to do.  YOU have work to do.  Our work is already finished.  We're only here now for the signing and the ball.  Other than that, our time is our own," AJ informed the man.

"Admiral, I need you to..."

"Give it up, Webb," said Mac.  "We're going to dinner.  And I certainly hope you're gone from our room when we get back."

AJ closed the door behind them as Webb stood gaping at them.  They rode the elevator down to the lobby and were immediately recognized.  A cheer went up from one of the bellhops, and everyone else joined in.  AJ and Mac smiled at them and waved.  The hotel manager approached AJ and asked if everything was satisfactory.  

AJ replied, "No, I'm afraid it's not."  The hotel manager looked aghast.  "But it's not your fault," AJ was quick to add.  "My government sent some people over here to prepare for our President's arrival tomorrow.  These men have rather taken up residence in our suite," AJ explained as he looked from Mac to the hotel manager.  He pulled Mac closer to his side, "Come on, Darling.  We don't want to keep Modsha's waiting."

"Do not worry, Admiral.  I will have them moved out of your suite before you return from dinner," the manager said knowingly.  As AJ and Mac walked away, they heard him call out, "Call the Palace.  Tell them I need some Palace guards to enforce the law.  No one must disturb Varanon and Araceptia when they return from dinner!"

Mac giggled as they made it out to the street.  "AJ!  He's going to throw Webb out on the street!"

"No, he won't, Mac.  But he'll get them out of our room."

Continue to Part 5