Operation Blue Moon - Part 1

"So, what's your full name, Joy?"

"Altia Joy Rayl," she said proudly, but quietly.

"Should have been Chegwidden," he mumbled.

"You do know about me," she accused softly.

He looked at her.  "Shall we go to my office?" he suggested.

She shook her head and sat down.  "No, I'm not going anywhere with you.  Not until you answer me."

He turned back to her.  "No, Joy.  I didn't know.  Not until I walked out of that conference room and saw you."  She looked at him disbelievingly.  "Your mother and I had a disagreement, Joy.  And I left.  She never told me she was pregnant; I never knew about you," he said sadly.  

"What was the disagreement about?" she queried.

"Joy, this is private.  Let's go in my office," he suggested, again.

"I don't think so.  I think it's time for me to leave.  I have my answer.  Mama did lie to me.  You did know and just didn't want us," she whispered as tears fell down her cheeks.  "How could you have done that to her?  She was a cripple, for God's sake!"  She gasped.  "Oh!  Don't tell Mother I said that!  I'll get in such trouble..."

AJ squatted in front of Joy.  He thought she had slipped back, thinking her mother was still alive.  "You want the whole story, Joy?  Fine, I'll tell you.  I met your mother when she was 25; I was 35.  We had a whirlwind romance and I asked her to marry me.  She agreed.  The night before the wedding, I was taking her home after the rehearsal dinner.  An 18-wheeler pulled head-on into our lane and I swerved to avoid hitting it.  In doing so, the car went into a spin.  When I finally got it out of the spin, it was too late.  We hit the guardrail.  It sliced through the passenger side like a hot knife through butter.  Your mother spent what should have been our wedding day and the next 6 months in the hospital."

All activity in the bullpen had ceased.  Everyone was listening intently as the Admiral related his story.

"You were engaged?" Joy asked incredulously.  "Mama never told me.  The ring!"  She pulled a chain out from under her blouse and held the dangling ring in her hand.  "She wore this ring on this chain for as long as I can remember.  It was from you, wasn't it?  But Mama told me it was my grandmother's ring."

AJ took her hands in his.  "She didn't lie to you, Joy.  It was your grandmother's ring.  It was my mother's ring."

Joy gasped.  "Oh, God!" she cried.  AJ reached forward and gathered her in his arms.  "Then what?" she choked out.  "What happened then?"

AJ continued to hold her as he spoke.  "She wouldn't allow them to amputate her legs.  She insisted they save them.  She was convinced that I'd leave her if she didn't have legs.  I tried to tell her it didn't matter, but she wouldn't believe me."

"I can understand that.  It would be hard to imagine a guy not caring about that," Joy said simply.

AJ pulled back from her and looked into her eyes.  "And just how many boys have cared about you like that?" he said roughly.  His staff found it difficult to hide their grins.  It was just like him to be overprotective of a daughter he never knew he had until this moment.

Joy laughed.  "None."  He looked disbelievingly at her.  "Seriously.  None.  I've only been allowed to date since I turned 15 four months ago.  And even then, someone always goes with me as a chaperone. I've never even been on a second date.  And the first dates so far were all pretty bad.  No one measured up."

"Measured up to whom?" AJ asked her.  "If you've never been..."

"To you," she said simply, interrupting him.  "Mama told me a lot about you.  She just never told me your name. But we're not talking about me.  You're telling me about you and Mama."

"Don't you think we could move this to my office now?" he requested.

Joy smiled and looked around.  "And deprive everyone of the details?  You've started out here; it's only fair that you finish, don't you think?"

AJ didn't look around.  He knew full well who was there.  Everyone.  They were all listening.  'Damn!'  "Joy, this is an office.  These people have work to do."

"Oh, please.  Finish your story here," Mac said quietly.  AJ jerked his head around to her and saw that everyone else was staring at Mac, too, mouths agape.  Her face flushed, "Oh, God.  Tell me I didn't say that out loud."

"You did," quipped Harm.

Joy placed her hand on AJ's cheek, effectively bringing his attention back to her.  "You were trying to convince Mama that her legs didn't matter."

'Mac wants to hear this? Then I'll stay here and finish it.' AJ resigned himself to the rest of his staff hearing it, too.  "I tried.  I wasn't successful.  She never believed me.  She said I loved going down, um..." AJ flushed.  "That I, um, well, suffice it to say, she didn't believe I'd still want her, love her," AJ struggled.  How could he tell this teenager, his daughter, that his fetish was going down on her mother slowly?  Working up from her toes, licking her, nipping at her flesh, until she was ready to go mad with desire.  And that her fear was if she had no legs, he wouldn't want her anymore.  How could he tell his daughter these things?  He looked in her eyes and saw that he didn't have to.

"She told me how you made love to her.  That you started by kissing her toes," Joy whispered.  "That's why she was afraid, isn't it?  If she didn't have toes... legs, you wouldn't want her?  Was that it?"  Joy said it so simply, AJ was certain that her mother had not told her everything.  Only the basic generalities.  At least he hoped so, as young as Joy was.

AJ nodded.  "When she was finally released from the hospital, I took her home.  She couldn't walk, of course, couldn't move her legs at all.  But she still had them.  We made love that night.  I wanted to prove to her that none of it mattered.  Evidently that was the night we made you," AJ said as he cupped her cheek in his hand and stroked his thumb over her lips and nose.  "She'd been in the hospital for so long, I guess neither of us even considered that she was no longer taking the pill."

"You thought of it the next day?" Joy asked.

"No.  The next day is when I left.  We had a disagreement, and I left.  I never saw your mother again."

"You didn't leave," Joy countered softly.  "Mama sent you away.  She told me.  I always thought she was covering for you.  You didn't want to be saddled with a cripple, that's what I thought.  But she always said it was her.  That she wouldn't do that to you.  She said that when she could walk to you on her own two feet, she'd find you."  Joy paused and looked into his sad eyes.  "But she wouldn't have had to look.  She always knew where you were.  She kept track of you always."

"How did you find out it was me?" AJ asked.

"Mama left me a letter.  In it, she told me who you were, and listed all of your addresses.  She wrote the letter years ago, just kept updating it as you moved around.  Just in case anything happened to her, she wanted me to know I could always go to you...even though you didn't know about me.  She said you'd believe me and know I was your daughter. She didn't say anything about your position, though.  I didn't know you were an Admiral.  I just knew you were a sailor," she quirked her mouth into a funny little line and her eyes crinkled.

AJ smiled.  "You have your mother's look down pat."

"You loved her, didn't you?  Really loved her?" Joy asked hopefully. AJ nodded his head.  "And she honestly never told you about me, did she?"  He shook his head.  "She told me everything about you.  Except who you were.  I know all about your picnics, your skinny dipping in the lake," she teased.  "Even what happened afterwards," she giggled.

AJ looked sharply at her.  "You will not repeat that, young lady," he said sternly, hoping she didn't really know everything that happened afterwards.

She smiled at him.  "Of course not.  But I'll hold it over you forever!" she threatened, and they laughed.  "I do have a question, though."

"Ask."

"Why didn't you ever go back and try, again?  Mama loved you more and more as time passed.  Surely she would have given in if you'd been persistent."

"I did go back, Joy.  She was gone.  And no one knew where."  AJ stood up and leaned against Gunny's desk, folding his arms across his chest.  "Where did you grow up?"

"In the Convent of Sacred Hearts."  When she saw the question in AJ's eyes, she added, "It's in Frankfurt, Illinois."

"Illinois?  My God!  No wonder I couldn't find her.  The state she was afraid of because of tornadoes, and a Catholic convent.  Your mother wasn't Catholic, you know, Joy."

"I know.  I asked her about that one day.  She said that the nuns were so kind in letting her come there when she was pregnant, she just decided to stay when they invited her.  And Mother told me I can stay there until I'm 18.  I never knew Mama was afraid of tornadoes.  Where did she live when you knew her?"

"Williamsburg, Virginia."

"Virginia?  I never knew Mama lived in Virginia!" Joy exclaimed.

"She was born in Williamsburg," AJ remembered.  "I was in my last year of law school at the College of William and Mary.  We were supposed to get married at the chapel in Annapolis."

"I'd like to see that some day," she murmured.

AJ smiled.  "That can be arranged."

She looked up at him.  "I guess she moved because she knew you'd keep after her.  And she knew she'd give in."

AJ nodded.  "So!  I have another daughter.  How about that?" he smiled.  "But I missed your childhood, too," he added sadly.

"I'm sorry?  Another daughter?  You're married?" she asked.

"Before I knew your mother, I was married.  Had a daughter, Francesca.  When she was just a baby, my wife left.  So I missed Francesca's growing-up years.  Just like I missed yours.  Of course, I did know about Francesca." He tapped her nose with his index finger.

"Did Mama know?"

AJ smiled.  "Your mother knew everything about me, Joy.  Good and bad," he said softly.

"Did you ever marry, again?"  He shook his head.  "Because of Mama?"

"Joy, your mother made it quite clear that she wanted nothing more to do with me.  No, I didn't not marry again because of your mother.  Well, the first 5 or so years, maybe.  But after that, no.  I just never found anyone I wanted to marry who was available to me."

"But you would have?  I mean, you would now?"

"Joy, what are you looking for from me?" he asked, avoiding her question.  Yes, he would marry now, if she weren't in his chain of command.

Joy lowered her eyes.  "I guess I was hoping that you'd want to have me around.  That you might want to get to know me.  I know it's a lot to ask.  I shouldn't have come.  I'm sorry."  Joy stood up and prepared to leave.

"Joy.  Do you want to know me?  Do you want to be here with me?"

"Very much," she whispered.

"Why?  You lived your entire life believing I didn't give a... that I didn't care about you or your mother."

"Not really," she confessed.  "I tried to believe that, but I knew I was wrong.  I knew Mama wouldn't lie to me.  And all she ever said about you were wonderful things.  I guess I just thought it would be nice to have those things confirmed."

"Where are you staying?  At a convent locally?"

"I have a reservation at the Motel 6 on Georgia Avenue," she answered.  Gunny groaned.  Harriett and Bud gasped.  Joy turned to Gunny and said, "What?  Is that not a good place, Gunny?"

Gunny looked at the Admiral, who nodded to him.  "Joy, that's not the best part of town.  And besides that, you're not of legal age.  You can't stay in a motel room alone until you're 18."  'Damn, I'd never have guessed she was only 15!'

"How long are you planning to stay in DC?" asked AJ, hoping she'd want to stay and live with him.

She turned back to him.  "I don't have a set plan.  I was rather hoping to stay for a while..."  

"You told Tiner that you couldn't come back here tomorrow.  That today was your only chance to see me," AJ stated flatly.

She nodded.  "The sisters didn't want me to come here at all.  They said I should write you and let you come to me if you wanted to see me.  I didn't like that idea."  Joy chewed on her lower lip.  "I made a deal with myself.  I'd come and ask to see you.  And if I got to see you today, fine.  If not, then I wasn't supposed to meet you and I'd go back home to the convent."

AJ smiled.  "Then I'm glad Tiner convinced me to break my meeting and come out here.  And your home is here now.  With me... Daughter."

Joy smiled back.  "So am I, ..." she hesitated.  "What should I call you?  Admiral?  Sir?"  AJ shook his head.  "Would it be okay if I call you Daddy?" she asked quietly.  AJ smiled broadly, opened his arms, and Joy fell into them, weeping.  

Her eyes turned sad.  "You don't think I'm pretty?  You said I look just like Mama," she accused.

AJ cupped her cheek with his hand.  "You're a beautiful young woman.  Not a little girl."  Her face lit up in a smile to rival her mother's. 

"You know what I really want, Daddy?" she said hopefully.  "What I really want is to live here with you and be a real family.  You could get married, again, and I'd have two parents at the same time!"

"Aye, aye, Sir," Tiner replied.  

"I have to take care of a couple of things, and then we can leave.  You're welcome to come in my office, or you can stay out here.  Your choice." AJ said to Joy.

"I'd probably keep talking to you if I went with you, so I'll wait out here.  You'll finish sooner.  Are you sure you can take the time off?  I didn't mean for you to..."

"It's not a problem, Darlin'."

"Mama used to call me that.  Darlin'.  Just like you did."  Understanding dawned on her.  "That's what you called Mama, isn't it?"  AJ nodded.  "That's why she called me Darlin'."  

AJ smiled as he headed to his office.  "Back to work, people!" he called. 

Most everyone scurried back to their desks.  But not Mac.  She walked over to Joy and spoke.  "You're named after him, too, you know."

Joy turned to her.  "Named after him?   How so?"

"You said your name is Altia Joy, right?"   Joy nodded.  "After my mother.  Her name was Altia.  Tia for short.  She said I brought joy to her life, so that's what she named me."

Mac nodded toward the Admiral's office.  "His name is Albert Jethro.  He's usually called by his initials, AJ."

Joy gasped.  "That's what Mama used to call me when she was tired!  AJ!"

Mac smiled.  "Your father is a very special man, Joy.  The kind you meet once in a blue moon.  Your mother knew that.  It is a shame she didn't allow him to take care of you both."  Joy's stance became defensive, but Mac continued.  "But I think I understand why she didn't.  A man like him?  Strong.  Virile.  Any woman would have trouble believing she could satisfy him...even if she was whole.  But not whole?" Mac bit her upper lip and shook her head.  "No, your mother felt just what many other woman would have felt where AJ Chegwidden is concerned," Mac said sadly.

Joy watched the play of emotions on Mac's face.  'She's in love with my father!'

"Colonel!!" bellowed the Admiral from his office.  

"Excuse me, Joy."  Mac almost ran to AJ's office.  "Duty calls."

Joy turned to Gunny.  "Who is she?"

Gunny answered proudly, "Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie.  Your father's Chief of Staff.  He'll put her in charge while he's off the next few days.  After the Admiral, Colonel MacKenzie is next in command around here."  

"She's important, then?"

"Very.  And a very trusted friend, too.  She'd do just about anything for any of us if we needed it.  She's very dependable.  Loyal."

"Does my father love her?" Joy asked bluntly.

Gunny coughed, then chuckled.  "Joy, the Colonel works for your father.  In the military, relationships between COs and their subordinates are against regulations." Gunny pondered on the words he'd just heard Mac utter about the Admiral. 'But damn! That sure sounded like a woman in love to me!'

"Oh.  So does my father have a girlfriend?"  

"Not that I'm aware of," Gunny said.  "Another donut?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.  It worked.

As Mac entered the Admiral's office, he barked, "Close the hatch and have a seat, Colonel."  When she was settled in the leather chair opposite his desk, he looked up at her.  Mac could see the confusion in his eyes.  "Mac, you'll be in charge while I'm out.  Don't let Rabb give the place away," he joked.

"I won't, Admiral," she smiled.

He stood up and gazed out the window.  After a couple of minutes, he spoke softly.  "Mac, I honestly did not know about Joy."

Mac was surprised at his words.  "Of course you didn't, Sir."

"Of course?" he queried, turning to look directly at her.  "How could you possibly..."

"Admiral, if you'd known, you would have been there for her.  For them.  You would have found a way to be in that girl's life.  Both of them, Sir.  Joy's and Tia's.  Everyone knows that, Admiral.  Everyone," she added for emphasis.

'She called her Tia.  Joy must have told her.  I wonder what else she's told her in just 2 minutes?'  "Damned mess I've made of my life, isn't it?" he muttered under his breath, as he turned back to the window.

"Not at all, Sir.  You're the Judge Advocate General; a two-star Admiral in the United States Navy.  How can you say you've made a mess of your life?" she countered.

"A failed marriage.  A failed almost-marriage.  Two daughters that I completely missed out on.  A dead Judge.  And a doctor who came to her senses and dumped me.  Not to mention the string of..."  He looked over at Mac.  "Maybe I won't mention them," he smirked. 

Mac grinned.  "You already did, Sir."

'I didn't mention you, though.'  "So, Mac.  You still think I haven't made a mess of my life?"

"Admiral, you're what?  51 now?"

AJ smiled.  'Hell, if she doesn't know, I'll be damned if I'm going to correct her!'

"I'm only in my 30s, granted, late 30s, but still.  Look at my track record.  A failed marriage and a dead husband.  A failed almost-marriage.  A dead boyfriend...and he was really still just a boy.  Another dead boyfriend, this one a lawyer.  A ruined Colonel.  And a dead Soviet agent.  That's 4 dead, you know.  Let me see, who did I leave out?"  'You, that's who.'  "Well, since you left out the string, I guess I will, too.  So that's it.  Tell me, Admiral.  By the time I'm your age, how many more will be on my list?"  AJ didn't move.  "How many more men will be dead because they were involved with me?"

Mac stood and walked up behind him.  She gently laid her hand on his back as she had earlier. "Your life isn't a mess, Sir," she said softly.  "Your women were just... well, stupid is the only word that describes them, or at least describes their actions.  Not Judge Delaney, though.  She was the only smart one in the group.  She stuck by you; she wasn't going to give you up.  But the other three?  They walked out on you, not the other way around.  Now that was stupid.  No woman in her right mind would ever let you go," she whispered.  She knew she was in deep water talking to the Admiral this way.  She had, in effect, just told him how she felt about him.  'Not a bright move, Marine,' she scolded herself.

As AJ turned, Mac's hand moved with him until he was facing her and her hand was positioned on his upper arm.  "Mac?" he said huskily.  "Would you let me go?"

"If you were mine?" she said hoarsely.  She shook her head, "Never!"

AJ moved his arms around her and he lowered his head to hers, capturing her lips in a soft and passionate kiss.  When he released her, they stepped apart, and by unspoken agreement, knew that, though the kiss was a mistake, it was one they were both happy they made.  They also knew it was not one they should repeat.

"Mac, would you help me with Joy?  I'm sure she didn't bring a lot with her.  Hell, if she's been living in a convent all these years, she probably doesn't have much.  But I'm probably not the best person to take a teenage girl shopping."

"I'd be happy to take her shopping, Sir.  When were you thinking?  Tomorrow evening?  Saturday?"

"I don't really know yet, Mac.  Let me call you later," AJ suggested as he closed his briefcase.  Mac opened his office door they walked into the bullpen.

"Daddy!  You walked through that door before the Colonel," she whispered as he approached her.  "That wasn't very gentlemanly of you.  I'm sure it was just..."

Mac smiled and interrupted her.  "It's okay, Joy.  He's the Admiral.  That means he goes first, regardless of sex.  Now if I were a civilian woman, then I'd go first.  But I'm a Marine."

"So he goes first?"

"Right."

"What about her?" she asked pointing at Harriett.

"That's Harriett.  She's a Lieutenant.  The Admiral goes first."

"What about Mama?  If she could have walked, would he still have always gone first?"

"Absolutely not, Joy.  Your father is very much a gentleman.  He would always have put her first.  Opened doors, held her chair..."

"Does he do that for you when you're not at work?" asked Joy.

"Joy, are you ready to go?" interrupted the Admiral.  He did not want Joy questioning Mac like this.

Joy looked up at his sharp tone.  "Yes, Sir.  I'm ready."  She looked back at Mac.  "I'm sorry if I said something wrong, Colonel.  I was just trying to understand how it works.  The military is all very new to me.  Things were very different at the convent."

Mac smiled.  "Please, call me Mac.  You didn't say anything wrong, Joy.  And feel free to ask all the questions you want.  Ask your father.  Or ask me."  She nodded toward the Gunny.  "Or ask the Gunny.  He's a wealth of knowledge," she smirked.

"Thank you, Mac," Joy smiled as she turned to leave with her father.  'Hmm, maybe she's not so bad after all.  I wonder if Daddy likes her at all?'

Thursday, 25 October 2001
1430 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

AJ and Joy sat on the sofa in the living room deciding what they would do first.  "We need to get you some more clothes, for one thing.  And we definitely need some more groceries."

"I should call Mother and let her know where I am," Joy said softly.

"That's the third time you've talked about 'Mother'.  Who is that?" AJ asked.

"Mother Superior."

"She doesn't know where you are?!" AJ bellowed.

"I snuck out last night after lights out.  Like I said, they didn't want me coming here.  And I couldn't call them to let them know I was okay until I found you," Joy said timidly.  "Mother would have insisted I go to a church and wait for her to come and get me."

"What's the number, Joy?" asked AJ, picking up the cordless handset.  AJ punched in the numbers as Joy said them, and soon there was a voice on the other end.

"Convent of Sacred Hearts.  May I help you?"

"This is Admiral AJ Chegwidden calling from Virginia.  I'd like to speak with the Mother Superior, please."

"I am sorry, Sir.  But Mother Superior isn't to be disturbed this afternoon.  She's in..."

"It's concerning Altia Joy Rayl," he added.

"Joy?  Do you know where she is?" asked the sister urgently.

"Yes, I do.  She's right here with me.  Perfectly safe."

"I'll get Mother.  Please hold." 

Not two minutes later, an older voice came over the wire.  "Hello?  You have Joy with you?  Who is this?"

"Admiral AJ Chegwidden, Mother Superior.  I'm Joy's father."

"Yes, I know you are.  But you didn't know..."

"No, I didn't know.  Not until Joy showed up at my office this morning."

"Please don't be angry with her or with Tia, Admiral," Mother Superior requested.

"I'm not angry.  Disappointed that Tia never told me.  But I'm not angry.  And I'm delighted to know my daughter.  I did, however, just a few moments ago, learn that she ran away from the convent last night.  I thought she was here with your full knowledge.  I do apologize for any worry or concern she's caused you and the other sisters."

"We're just thankful that she's safe, Admiral.  We were all very concerned.  We've had a prayer vigil going for her since 2:00 this morning, when we discovered she was missing.  Admiral, do you want Joy?" she changed her tone quickly.

"Yes, I do.  Very much."

"And you know what's involved in raising a teenager?  One who has been very sheltered?"

"No, I don't.  But I'll learn.  I want nothing more than to have Tia's and my daughter here with me."

"I'm glad, Admiral.  I'm truly glad.  May I speak with Joy, please?"

"Of course."  AJ handed the phone set to Joy.  "Mother Superior wants to talk to you, Darlin'."

"Hello, Mother," Joy said into the receiver.

"Joy, my dear.  It is so good to hear your voice.  Are you well?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Are you safe?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Are you happy, my dear?"

"Yes, Mother."

Can you say anything other than 'Yes, Mother'?" she laughed.

"Yes, Mother," Joy laughed back.  "I am well.  I am perfectly safe.  And I am very happy.  Daddy says I can live with him if that's what I want.  He's an Admiral, Mother!  He's in charge of everybody at his office.  He's very important."

"Yes, I know.  Joy, my dear, we will send your belongings to you there.  But always know, if things don't work out, if you want to come back, you need only to call me.  I'll come for you immediately.  Do not be afraid or ashamed to call me.  Promise me?"

"I promise, Mother.  Thank you."

"I love you, my dear.  Be happy."

"I love you, too, Mother.  I'll miss you all."

"Goodbye, Joy.

"Bye, Mother."  Joy wiped the tears from her eyes.  "Mother says she'll send my belongings to me here."

AJ nodded.  "That's good."  He looked at her wiping her tears away.  "Joy, you can change your mind, you know.  You don't have to stay."

Joy looked up quickly.  "Don't you want me here?"

He smiled.  "Of course I want you.  But it's what you want that counts."

Joy smiled back.  "I want to live here with you."

"Then this is where you'll stay.  Now, mind you.  I'll have rules.  And you'll abide by them or pay the consequences."

"Rules?  I'm used to rules.  Like what?" she asked.

AJ frowned.  "Don't know yet.  I'll have to think about it.  And I'm sure I'll add to the list as time goes on.  Now, on to the task at hand.  That little bag is all you brought with you?  One change of clothes, a nightgown, a toothbrush, and a hairbrush?"

Joy nodded.  "It was too difficult to get a larger bag at the convent.  That's all I could fit in this one.  And I already changed into the other clothes.  The ones in the bag are dirty."

"So we really should go shopping today.  You have nothing clean to wear tomorrow," AJ observed.

"I just need to wash them out.  They'll be dry by morning."

AJ smiled.  "I have a dryer, Darlin'.  They'd be dry in 30 minutes.  But you need more than two sets of clothes."  He picked up the phone set and dialed JAG Headquarters.

"JAG Ops.  Gunnery Sergeant Galindez."

"Gunny is the Colonel there?"

"Yes, Sir, Admiral.  She's right here, Sir."  Gunny handed the phone to Mac, who just happened to be passing his desk.

"Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie."

"Mac, what about tonight?"

"Tonight, Sir?"  Mac was confused.  'What about tonight?' she wondered.

"Can you take Joy shopping tonight?"

"Oh.  Of course, Admiral.  I'll be glad to.  What time should I pick her up?"

"Daddy, ask her to go to dinner with us.  Please?" Joy whispered, but not softly enough that Mac didn't hear her urgent request.

"Mac, my daughter would like you to join us for dinner, also.  Are you free?"

Mac hesitated.  She was standing in the middle of the bullpen and everyone knew she was talking to the Admiral.  'Oh, the hell with it!'  "Yes, Sir, I am free for dinner.  And I'd be delighted to join you and Joy this evening.  Shall I meet you somewhere or just at your house, Admiral?"

"No, no.  We'll pick you up, Mac."

"But Sir, if you pick me up, then you'll have to tag along after dinner.  Shopping.  Girl stuff.  Teenage girl stuff," she reminded him, bringing several chuckles from around the room.

"Point taken.  Meet us here at the house at 1730," AJ replied.  He heard the laughs over the phone and knew that others were listening to the conversation, albeit just Mac's end.  But still...

"Very well, Admiral.  I'll be at your place at 1730."

"Daddy?  Can Gunny come, too?"  Mac grinned and looked at Gunny.  

"Gunny?  Why would you want Gunny to come with us?" AJ asked.  Mac stifled a laugh.

"I like him," was Joy's reply.  "He's nice."

"Joy, do you know how old he is?  He's over 35.  That's too old for you.  Forget it.  No, Gunny is not joining us for dinner."

"I beg your pardon, Sir?  Did you say you want the Gunny to join us for dinner?" Mac asked.  She had heard everything; she knew full well that AJ did not want Gunny at dinner.

Gunny jerked his head up to stare at Mac.  He shook his head violently.  "No!" he whispered urgently.  

"No, Mac, I do not want the Gunny joining us for dinner," AJ said quickly.   

"Oh I am sorry, Sir.  But I'm afraid Gunny is otherwise occupied for dinner this evening," Mac smirked and winked at Gunny.

"Thank God!" AJ and Gunny breathed.

"What about Harm?  Will he do?" she teased as Harm walked out of his office to learn what all the ruckus was about.

"Rabb?!  Absolutely not!  He'd better not get near my daughter!"

"Daddy.  I'm not a child."

"No, you're 15 years old.  You're not a child.  But you're also not an adult.  Exactly my point."

"Oh, Daddy.  I'm going to love it here with you!" and she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

Mac could hear all that was transpiring on his end, and she smiled broadly.  "I'll see you at 1730, Sir.  Bye."

As Mac hung up the receiver, Harm said, "What was that all about?"

"The Admiral asked me this morning if I'd take Joy shopping.  I believe he was thinking of the weekend, but evidently she brought next to nothing with her, so we're going tonight.  And Joy wants me to join them for dinner first," Mac explained.  "I think she just wants a woman present.  She's lived in a world without men all of her life.  She's probably just a little frightened to be alone with him for so long, even if he is her father."

"She thinks he'll hurt her?" asked Harm incredulously.  "He would kill anyone who tried to hurt her!"

"No, I think she's just nervous.  She'll be fine in a day or two.  She wanted Gunny to go with us for dinner."  Mac turned and looked at Gunny.  "She likes you," Mac said saucily.

Gunny gulped.  "Oh, God, I'm a dead man."

"Don't worry about it, Gunny. The Admiral told her in no uncertain terms that you are off limits."

Harm piped up.  "When did she ask for me?"

"She didn't," Mac threw back at him as she walked away.  "That was my suggestion.  The Admiral's response?  'Absolutely not!  He'd better not get near my daughter!' "  Mac laughed at Harm's dazed expression and closed her door.

"Should I be glad or insulted, Gunny?" Harm smirked.

"Glad, Sir. Definitely. Remember, she's not only the Admiral's daughter, she's only 15!" The two men laughed as Harm headed back for his office. 'She sure doesn't look 15!'

Thursday, 25 October 2001
1730 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

Mac rang the doorbell at 1730 exactly.  Joy bounded out of her chair and ran for the door.  "Mac!" she exclaimed as she threw herself into Mac's arms.  

"Well!  Hello to you, too," Mac laughed.

"Joy!  Let Mac come inside," AJ admonished as he went to his bedroom.  "I'll be just a minute, Mac."

"I'm sorry," Joy backed off.  "I get a little excited sometimes."

"Don't be sorry, Joy.  It was a lovely welcome.  Thank you," Mac said putting her arm around the girl's shoulders.  Mac marveled at the difference in Joy just since this morning.  This morning, she was quiet, reserved, almost shy; she gave the appearance of being completely grown and self-sufficient:  an adult.  And now, she was bubbly, not all reserved; she even looked like a teenager now.  What changed?  

"Daddy talked to Mother Superior this afternoon.  I'm staying.  Isn't that wonderful?" Joy gushed to Mac.

"Staying?  Was there ever any doubt?" she teased the girl.  "Once the Admiral found out about you, there was no way he'd let you go."

"Is it okay, though?  That I'm staying here?  I mean, it's not going to hurt his career or anything, is it?"

"Hurt his career?  Of course not, Joy.  Not a bit," Mac said cupping her hand to Joy's cheek.  

"What about his private life?  You know, women.  I asked Gunny before, but he was kinda fishy.  Does Daddy have a girlfriend?"

"That's something you'll have to ask him," Mac said cautiously.  She didn't hear his bedroom door open.  "As to whether you would interfere in his love life?  He's delighted to have you here, Joy.  He's thrilled that you want to live here with him.  And any woman he becomes involved with will have to know that, accept it, and love you.  Or he'll dump her so fast, her head will spin."

"So he doesn't have a girlfriend right now?"

"Yes, he does," AJ said, making himself known.  "But no one knows about her, and I'd like to keep it that way."

Joy almost frowned.  She really liked Mac.  And she thought she wanted her father and Mac to be together.  But Gunny said they couldn't be.  'I wonder who it is and when I'll meet her?  Will she like me?  Is Mac right?  If she doesn't like me, will Daddy dump her?'

"Are we ready to go?" asked Mac stiffly.

Seeing Mac's posture and hearing her tone change, AJ realized, 'She doesn't realize I meant her. Is she jealous?  Sure looks like it!'

"I'm ready!" chirped Joy.

"Let's roll," said AJ.

"Where are we going, Sir?  Just in case I lose you on the highway," Mac asked.

"Lose me?  Now how do you plan on doing that riding in my vehicle, Mac?" AJ teased.

"I thought I'd take my car, Sir.  Then you can come home after dinner, and Joy and I will go shopping."

"Oh, no!  Daddy, you promised that you'd come with us!" Joy pleaded.

AJ looked at Mac.  "Yes, I did.  I hope that isn't a problem, Mac."

She shook her head.  "No, Sir.  Of course not.  No problem at all, Sir."

He opened the car door for Joy and she piled in, scooting over to the middle.  "Mac, you get in here, too.  There's plenty of room," she said.

Mac moved to the door that AJ still held open.  As she started to get in, AJ stopped her by taking her hand in his.  "Mac, call me AJ tonight."  He looked deeply into her eyes, pleading with her.  He glanced in the car at Joy and saw that she was turned away from them, trying to fasten her seatbelt.  So he quickly brought Mac's hand to his lips and kissed her palm.

Mac bit her upper lip.  'He meant me?  Dear God, he meant me!' she realized.  "Very well, AJ," she smiled and slid into the front seat.

Dinner was uneventful, except for Joy's constant chatter.  She talked about growing up in the convent.  She talked about the tricks she used to play on the unsuspecting sisters...even on her own mother.  She tried to remember not to talk about her mother too often, though.  It seemed to make her father sad, and she didn't want that. Especially not with Mac here. That wasn't fair to her.

When they finished dinner, they piled back in AJ's Escalade and headed for Tysons Corner Center.  As they parked and headed for the mall entrance from Parking Terrace C, Mac said, "Okay, it's 1907 and the mall closes at 2130, so that gives us..."

"Two and 1/2 hours," piped in Joy.

"Almost," she agreed.  "So, you need clothes, underwear, shoes... all the good stuff, right?" Mac asked. 

Joy nodded.  "Daddy and I went to the drug store this afternoon and got shampoo and toothpaste, things like that."

"Okay, then let's get shopping!  Do you have a favorite store, Joy?" Mac asked.

She shook her head.  "No, I haven't really ever been clothes shopping before. I went to a shoe store once last year, though." At Mac's look of disbelief, she explained, "It was especially difficult for Mama to go out the last few years, so the sisters always bought for me when they were out, even when I got old enough to choose my own things.  I didn't like leaving Mama alone."  She looked self consciously at her attire.  "The sisters always chose for me, instead. Pretty obvious, huh?"

"Joy, your clothes are lovely.  A little more sophisticated than I would expect on a 15-year old," Mac smiled.  "Maybe that's why the Gunny didn't realize you were under age."  

Joy smiled at that.  "You think so?"  Mac nodded.  AJ frowned.  "Oh, Daddy!" she laughed at his expression.

"Youthful clothes, Mac.  Let's find her some youthful clothes," AJ said matter-of-factly.

"You'd do that for me?  Spend a whole day helping me find clothes?" Joy was amazed at Mac's offer.

"Of course I will.  And you know what would be fun?  Having Harriett join us!  She's an absolute blast to go shopping with.  If we go on a Saturday, Bud will be home to stay with little AJ, and it'll just be the three of us girls.  We'll leave your father at home.  What do you say?" 

"Little AJ?" was all she said, looking at her father with questioning, almost hurt, eyes.

AJ noticed immediately and hastened to explain. "Bud and Harriett Roberts work for me, Joy.  They had a baby a few years ago, and they chose to honor me by naming their son after me," he explained.  

"Your father even delivered the little guy! On the floor of his office, no less," added Mac.

"Wow!  You delivered a baby? In your office?"

AJ smiled and nodded as they reached Aéropostale.

"Look at these clothes!  I've never seen anything like this before!" gushed Joy.  She picked up a shirt and looked at it.  "This is pretty. Oh, it's too small," she said sadly, moving on to another style.

"Joy, they have lots of them.  You just have to find your size.  I'd say you're probably a size 7?"

"Size 8, actually," said Joy.

Mac smiled.  "Same thing, really.  Odd numbers are for young people, even numbers are for us old fogies.  But not always.  We can mix around.  Look on the tag for a large number 7, and that'll be your size."

Joy nodded and started looking.  "Here's one.  Oh my!  $29.99 for a shirt?  Oh, Mac, that's too much.  I can't ask Daddy to pay that much money for a shirt. My shirts never cost more than $15."

AJ walked up behind Joy and put his hands on her shoulders.  "Darlin', you're not asking me to buy anything.  I'm offering.  And if you like it, we'll buy it.  Don't worry about the cost.  If I think something's too much... or too way out..." he said glancing at Mac, "I'll tell you."

Joy turned and hugged her father around the waist. "I didn't come here so you'd buy me things, Daddy," she said softly. "I came here because I wanted a home. A real home."

"And I'm glad you came, Darlin'," AJ said as he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly to his chest. As Mac looked on, a tear slipped out of the corner of her eye and slid down her cheek.

An hour later, the threesome made their way to the checkout counter.  Joy had chosen 4 outfits, all of which AJ not only approved of, but thought were rather cute on his daughter.  'They certainly don't make her look older than she is,' he mused.

They left Aéropostale, and Mac suggested lingerie next.  "Victoria's Secret is just two doors down."

"Oh God," moaned AJ.

"So, close your eyes if it bothers you, AJ," quipped Mac.  

AJ grabbed Mac's arm as Joy went on into the store.  "Bothers me, Mac?  What bothers me is that I can't see you in this kind of thing.  Or better still, watch you take it off," he whispered suggestively, causing Mac to blush furiously.

"Mac!  I can't wear any of these.  It's not decent," whispered Joy, but just within hearing distance of a sales clerk, who instantly frowned at the prudish statement.  

"Joy, it's perfectly decent, so long as boys don't see you in it until you're old enough," Mac replied.  The sales clerk smiled.

"When I'm 18?" Joy asked innocently.

"No!" barked AJ, bringing him the attention of everyone is the store.  "25!" he muttered, as Mac and Joy laughed at his outburst.

"Leave it to your father to cause a scene in a ladies lingerie store!" laughed Mac.  "Wait until I tell Harm about this one!"

"You wouldn't dare," he challenged.

"Oh, wouldn't I?" she quipped.

Mac chose several bra and panty sets for Joy, and AJ selected a couple of nightgowns and a robe.  "Daddy, it isn't winter yet.  I don't need flannel this early," complained Joy as he handed her his choices.

Mac laughed.  "AJ, she's right.  Look over there,"  Mac pointed to a rounder that had a sale sign over it.  "See what you can find on that rack."  She turned back to the dressing room where Joy was waiting for more lingerie to try on.  "He's definitely in father mode," Mac said with a smile.

"That's for sure.  I'll bet if he was looking for something for you, it would be quite different," said Joy.

"God, I hope so!" Mac laughed as AJ walked up behind her.

"You hope what, Mac?"  AJ handed the 3 gowns he'd found to Joy and she shut the door to try them on.  "You hope what, Mac?" he persisted.

When Joy didn't hear Mac answer, she yelled through the door, "I just said that I'll bet if you were looking for something for her, it would be quite different than flannel nightgowns, Daddy!"

"Damn straight!" AJ replied, looking Mac in the eyes. "Actually, I found one that would be perfect for you, Mac.  It's on that same rack you sent me to.  I pulled it out so you could see it just by walking past.  It's even green, not quite Marine green, though.  Go take a look."  He nodded his head toward the rounder and grinned.  

Mac was more than a little nervous about seeing what he imagined her in.  Seeing this side of him, especially directed at her, was totally new for her, and she wondered how long he would let it go on before he came to his senses.  Mac walked casually past the rounder and glanced at the item he pulled out.  'Oh my God!'  Her head jerked up to look back at him.  He was grinning from ear to ear.

Joy stepped out of the dressing room and saw her father grinning at Mac.  "Daddy?" she said softly.  He jerked back around and flushed.  She giggled, "You look like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar!" she scolded.  As she twirled around, she said, "So, what do you think?  Is this okay?"

"Darlin', that looks lovely on you.  It's perfect," he said, leaning forward to kiss her on the forehead.  "Mac!" he called.  "Come see what you think of this one."

Mac walked back over to the dressing room, and smiled.  "It's perfect, Joy.  Absolutely perfect."

Joy smiled.  "I like it, too.  And they're all similar.  I think all three will be fine.  But I'll slip the other two on quickly, just to be sure."

"Did you try the robe?" asked AJ.

"Yes, Sir.  It fits fine."

"Try it over the nightgowns, though, Joy.  Robes fit differently when there's something underneath, you know," Mac reminded her.

"I didn't think of that.  Okay, just a second," Joy called.

They spent 45 minutes in Victoria's Secret, so they had just about 40 minutes left before the mall closed.  "There are lots of shoe stores in here, but to save time, I think it would be best if we just went to Nordstrom's.  They have a huge shoe department.  And we can exit from Nordstrom's right into the parking lot," suggested Mac as she led them down the mall.

Mac led them directly to the shoe department.  "Sarah!" a handsome man of about 40 greeted her with a hug.  "So good to see you, again.  I thought you were avoiding me after our little fiasco."

"Hello, Dave.  No, I've not been avoiding you," Mac lied. 'Yes I have!  You're a total letch, as you proved when I finally agreed to go out with you!'  "I just haven't needed any shoes lately."  AJ and Joy stood behind Mac.  "Dave, I'd like you to meet AJ and Joy."  She grabbed AJ's arm and pulled him forward, keeping hold of his arm.  "AJ, this is Dave.  He's the best when it comes to shoes."  Dave smiled at Mac's comment, but frowned as AJ slipped his arm around her waist.  Mac continued, "We need to get some shoes for Joy, AJ's daughter.  All she has is what she's wearing."

"Oh you poor, dear girl!  Of course, we'll find just the perfect styles for you, Miss Joy."  Dave turned his complete attention to Joy, which AJ wasn't at all sure he liked.

Mac whispered to him, "It's okay, AJ.  That's why he's the best.  His sole concern right now is making sure that Joy gets the shoes she wants and that they fit perfectly.  He'll treat her like a princess.  He won't let her choose a pair that will go out of style before she wears them out.  And he won't let her buy a pair that doesn't fit and will give her blisters.  He's really the best, AJ.  You can trust him.  To sell shoes.  Not on a date," she mumbled this last.

"You actually dated him?" AJ asked incredulously.

Mac blushed.  "Once.  Right after I got back from my TDY two months ago.  Mic was gone.  Harm wasn't interested.  You were off limits.  I was lonely.  So I said yes to dinner.  Then I had to practically incapacitate the guy before he'd keep his hands to himself."  

AJ smirked.  "So you have been avoiding him," he accused.

Mac grinned.  "Yes, I have.  But I intended to ask for him tonight, for Joy's sake.  I'm glad I didn't have to."

"No, no, dear girl," they heard Dave say to Joy.  "You wouldn't be at all happy with those.  They are for old women, not for beautiful young ladies.  Come, let me show you what I think you will like."  Mac and AJ watched Dave in action.  He took Joy by the arm and pulled her from section to section, showing her all the styles he believed were perfect for her.

"More than likely, we won't even have to look at shoes on Saturday.  Dave will fit her out with a dozen pairs tonight!"  

"A dozen?!" AJ yelped.  "What the hell does she need with a dozen pairs of shoes?"

Mac laughed and sat down, patting the seat next to her.  AJ took the hint and sat.  "Well, let's see.  She needs a pair of running shoes and another pair of just tennis shoes.  She needs a pair of dress black, dress navy, and dress brown.  Then a pair of casual black, casual navy, and casual brown.  Winter is coming fast, so she'll need a pair of dress boots and snow boots.  Slippers, of course, a pair for strictly inside and a pair she can wear out to the mailbox.  And she really ought to have a pair of..."

"Nope.  That's 12.  That's all she gets!" AJ laughed at Mac's expression.  "I'm kidding!"  Mac laughed with him then.  "What else?"

"A pair of sandals."

"As you said, Mac, it's almost winter."

"Yes, but not quite.  We could still have an Indian Summer day or two.  Be a shame if she didn't have anything to wear."

"Okay, okay.  I give in."

"But no one should buy 13 pairs of shoes.  So she'll have to get a 14th pair, to make it even."

AJ shook his head.  "Incredible, Mac.  Absolutely incredible!"

Mac was right on target.  Dave outfitted Joy with 14 pairs of shoes, although there were a couple of styles he didn't have in her size.  "I'll have them for you by Saturday," Dave assured Mac.

"Thanks, Dave.  We appreciate your help."  Mac was surprised when AJ extended his hand to Dave, and that Dave took it.

"It was indeed my pleasure to serve your daughter, Sir.  Come back anytime."

"Bye, Dave!  Thanks a lot," chirped Joy.

"Thanks, Dave," added Mac as they headed for Parking Terrace C, all three of them loaded down with shopping bags.  "I think we did pretty well for 2 hours and 27 minutes, don't you?"

AJ groaned.  "Are you sure you want to do this again on Saturday, Joy?"

Mac said, "That's exactly why we're leaving you at home on Saturday, AJ!"

Joy laughed.  "I had such fun, Daddy!  Yes, I can't wait to make a whole day of it!  But don't worry; I won't spend all of your money."

As they loaded the bags into the car, AJ said, "Who wants some dessert?  Ice cream?"

"Oh, I love ice cream!  We only had it once a month at the convent," Joy said.

"Well then, we'll just have to stop and get some," said AJ.  

He opened the front passenger door, but Joy said, "I think I'll ride in the backseat, Daddy.  I want to lie down; I'm kinda tired.  I didn't get much sleep on the bus last night."

"Okay, Darlin'."  He held the door while Mac climbed in to the front, and then opened the back door.  Joy piled in and was asleep before they even left the parking garage.  "She's out," AJ observed in the rearview mirror.  "She must really be exhausted."

"Maybe we did too much tonight," suggested Mac.  "I shouldn't have..."

"You did exactly what I asked you to do, Mac.  And she loved every minute of it; that was obvious.  She's just tired.  Like she said, she didn't get much sleep on the bus last night.  I could never sleep on a bus either."

Mac smiled in the dark, and though AJ couldn't see her expression, he knew she was smiling.  He could feel it inside.  "You're smiling, aren't you?" he asked.

"Yes, I am," Mac answered.  She reached over and picked up his right hand, bringing it to her face.  He ran his fingers along her mouth to feel her smile, and she kissed them, one by one.  Then she opened her mouth and sucked on one of his fingers, licking it and swirling her tongue around it.

"Oh, Mac," he groaned heavily.  "We can't.  Not while you work for me.  I can't go against the regs.  Neither can you."

Mac released his finger.  "I know," she said sadly.  "I just wish there was another way, AJ."  

They were silent for a while, and then Mac suggested that they forego the ice cream stop since Joy was sound asleep anyway.  "It would be a shame to wake her just for ice cream.  You probably have some in the freezer at home, anyway, don't you?"

"Yes, I'm sure I do."

"What happened to us, AJ?  What happened to make both of us let go today?"

"Joy happened," he said.  Neither of them realized that Joy was awake.  They'd gone over a big bump, and it woke her from her slumber.  When she heard their conversation, she tuned her ears to listen.  

"I don't follow you.  What do you mean, 'Joy happened'?" Mac asked.

"I guess when I realized what I'd missed by leaving Tia when I did, I knew I didn't want to lose my chance with you.  You could up and leave any day, be reassigned, go on another TDY and not come back.  Or hell, you could find another Brumby and go through with a wedding!"

"AJ, from what Joy said, you didn't really have a choice.  Tia sent you away and then hid from you."

"I didn't have to leave, Mac.  I could have stayed.  I might have broken her down   She might have agreed.  At least if I'd hung around for two months, I'd have known she was pregnant."

"Not necessarily.  Not unless she wanted you to know it.  You'd have found out when she started showing, of course, but that's not usually at two or even three months on a first pregnancy.  And if you'd 'broken her down', as you said, do you really think you'd have been happy together?  She would have resented you.  And you, in turn, would have resented her."

"You're probably right.  Tia was pretty self-sufficient before the accident.  It really bothered her when I did things for her in the hospital.  I think that's why she snapped the day after I brought her home.  She knew she would never be able to do everything for herself, again."

"And she didn't want to show you that weakness," Mac added.

"Yea, I think that's about the size of it, Mac.  What about you?  Why today for you?"

"Because you were ready.  I've been ready from the beginning.  But you weren't.  When you opened up and talked about your lost loves, I knew it was time.  Or at least I hoped it was."

"But Mac, you still work for me.  We can't do this," he ground out.

"I can transfer out, AJ," Mac offered.  "If you want me, I will transfer. Or I'll just resign my commission. I'm open to either." She reached over and laid her hand on his thigh. "I am, AJ.  My career doesn't mean as much to me as it used to; not since I met you."

"You'd do that for me?  You'd resign?"  He was amazed.  He had no idea Mac's feelings were as strong as his.

"Only for you, AJ."

In the backseat, Joy smiled. She was going to have a new mother right along with her new father; she was convinced of it.

AJ pulled his vehicle into his driveway and turned off the engine.  "Don't do anything yet, Mac," he said, bringing her left hand to his mouth and kissing it.  "Give me time to do some looking around for you first.  I don't want you to resign; not as much as you love the Corps.  But until I resolve our working situation, this has to stop."  He kissed her hand, again.  

"I understand,... Admiral," Mac said back in a voice that assured him she would be fine.

He turned and called to the backseat, "Joy, Darlin'.  We're home."

Continue to Part 2