Fortune Cookies - Part 2

Friday, 21 June 2002
1930 EDT
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

"Who could that be?" Mac wondered as she heard the doorbell ring.  "I'm not expecting anyone tonight."  She looked through the peephole and was surprised to see the Admiral.  She pulled the door open and saw that he was holding a sleeping puppy and a pizza box.  "Admiral?"

"I thought it might be a good idea for you two to meet tonight... you know, before you bring her home with you tomorrow.  So I brought a pizza.  I hope that's okay?" the Admiral said, trying to be casual.

"It's fine, Sir.  Absolutely... fine," Mac nodded and backed up so he could enter her apartment.  'God, is he gorgeous in those black jeans and t-shirt!'  "Want me to take the pizza, Sir?"

The Admiral laughed.  "You and your stomach!"

She grinned.  "Now the only reason I said the pizza is because Bimbo is sleeping."

The Admiral nodded.  "Yeah, right.  I believe you," but it was obvious that he didn't.

Mac put the pizza on the coffee table.  "You want a Coke, root beer, or Sprite, Admiral?" she asked heading for the kitchen.  

"Coke is fine, Mac.  Thanks."  The Admiral set the little dog on the living room floor.  She woke up and walked around, sniffing everything in sight.

Mac returned with two glasses of Coca-Cola and a handful of napkins.  "Let's eat!" she said, flopping herself down on the sofa and opening the pizza box.  

The Admiral sat on the other end of the sofa and removed his shoes.  Bimbo returned and laid her little head on his foot.  "She doesn't like shoes," he explained.  "I got a meat lovers.  I hope that's okay?" he asked.

"Meat lovers?  And you're asking me if it's okay?" she laughed.  "Sir, I live for meat.  Anything with meat is fine."

When they finished the pizza, Mac sat back into the sofa.  "Mmmm, that was sooo good.  Thank you, Admiral."

He smiled and picked up Bimbo.  "Glad you enjoyed it, Mac.  Least I could do, with your agreeing to look after Bimbo for me."  He scratched the little dog's ears and nose.  Mac was surprised to see that he even let the dog lick his face.  "So, you want to hold her?" he asked Mac.

"I'd love to, Sir."

The Admiral stretched his arms out toward Mac, holding Bimbo very securely.  Mac took her from his grasp, their fingers touching and almost interlocking at one point.  They looked into each other's eyes as the dog passed from one pair of hands to the other.  Mac licked her lips nervously.  The Admiral exhaled a deep breath as he pulled his arms back to his sides.  'Every move that woman makes is sensuous.  God, what am I doing here?'  He turned and picked up a plastic bag.  "I brought a movie, too.  I thought you might..." the Admiral began.  He looked up at Mac.  "Not that we have to..."

"I'd love to, Admiral.  What did you get?" Mac asked quietly, playing with the puppy.

"'Horse Soldiers'."

"Oh!  John Wayne!" Mac gushed.

"I'm rather an old movie buff.  Don't really care for these new ones out today.  But if you'd rather..."

"I love John Wayne movies, Sir.  And 'Horse Soldiers' is one of my favorites."  Mac nuzzled the little dog in her face.  "Yes it is!  It's one my favorites.  Just love that John Wayne.  He's so macho..." she was talking to the puppy.  The Admiral rose and put the disc in Mac's DVD player, chuckling as he watched her play with the dog.  She continued, "He's just so masculine and sexy... just like your daddy.  Yes indeed.  Yes he is."  Mac kept on... until she realized that the Admiral was staring at her.  She looked up.  "Sir?"

He shook his head.  "Nothing.  The movie's ready."  He sat back on the sofa and thought to himself, 'Did she say what I think she said?  It sure as hell sounded like it.  She thinks I'm sexy?'

Mac cuddled the puppy in her arms as the movie started.  She kept wondering why the Admiral had looked at her so strangely.  'I wonder what he was...  Oh God!'  She remembered now what she said to Bimbo.  'No wonder he was looking at me like that!'

Bimbo kept wiggling in Mac's arms wanting to get down, so she set her on the sofa.  The puppy immediately ran over to the Admiral and climbed up his chest.  She perched herself on his shoulder and licked his ear.  The Admiral laughed and swatted at her lightly.  "Stop that," he said gently.  "Come on, you.  Cut it out."

Mac thought to herself, 'Lucky dog.  I'd love to lick his ear.  More than just his ear...'

The puppy ran back and forth across the sofa as the adults watched the movie.  "She's getting quite a workout, isn't she?" laughed the Admiral at one point.  

Mac grinned and slid closer to him.  "Don't want her to wear herself out," she said in explanation.  

As the movie progressed, Mac unconsciously leaned against the Admiral's chest and he lowered his arm around her shoulders.  When the movie was about half over, the doorbell rang.  Both of them jumped, surprised at their positions.  "You expecting someone?" he asked.

She shook her head.  "No, Sir.  I'm not."  Mac got to her feet and looked through the peephole on the door.  "It's Harm."

"Damn," the Admiral swore softly.  He quickly lowered his feet from the coffee table and put his shoes back on.  He snapped off the TV and took the disk from the DVD player, putting it back in the jewel case.

Mac looked sad as she opened the door.  Harm breezed inside with a pizza box in his hand.  "Hey, Mac.  Didn't think you'd remember to eat tonight and I figured you'd be hungry by now, so I stopped and picked up...  Admiral!" he exclaimed, seeing him for the first time.

The Admiral nodded to Harm.  "Good evening, Harm."  He bent down and picked up the dog.  "Mac, thanks, again.  I'll see you tomorrow at 1000?"

She nodded her agreement.  "1000 sharp, Admiral.  And thank you for the pizza."

"The least I could do, Mac.  I think she'll be fine with you now."  He walked out and closed the door behind him.  'Damn, that was close.'

Harm turned to Mac.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't realize you were working tonight."  He handed her the pizza box.

"We weren't working, Harm," Mac replied.  "And I've already eaten.  Pizza."

"He brought pizza?  And was that a dog he had with him?"

"Yes and yes.  Francesca sent him a dog for his birthday this year."

"Sent him?  How do you send someone a dog?"

"You'll have to ask the Admiral about that," Mac blushed, remembering what he had told her earlier in the day.

"Must be quite a story, Mac," Harm quipped, seeing her red face.

"He leaves for Hawaii on Sunday, and he asked me to take care of her while he's gone.  He brought her by tonight to meet me... so she won't be afraid of me tomorrow when I take her away from her home."

"Oh.  That makes sense, I guess."

Saturday, 22 June 2002
0958 EDT
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

Mac pulled into the Admiral's driveway 2 minutes early.  She looked up at the front door and saw him open it.  "Good morning, Mac!" he called.  Bimbo started barking and squealing, wanting to get down, so he set her on the ground.  She immediately ran to Mac and jumped on her legs.  

Mac reached down and picked up the little ball of fluff.  "Hello, Sweetheart.  How's the sweet little Bimbo this morning?  Hmmm?  Oh, she's such a sweet little girl," Mac cooed as she nuzzled the puppy.  "Were you a good little girl for your daddy last night?"  Bimbo licked Mac right in the mouth as she spoke.

"Forgot to mention that.  She likes to French kiss," chuckled AJ.

Mac laughed, "So do I," she said focusing her attention back on the dog, "but I'd rather French with your daddy than you, little munchkin.  Yes I would."  She looked up, smiling at the Admiral.  The Admiral was staring at her again... just like he had the night before.  Mac's eyes grew wide and her face turned beet red, as she realized what she'd just said.  "I'm so sorry, Sir.  I didn't..."

"Oh, please!  Don't apologize for that, Mac," he chuckled.  "Just watch who's around when you talk that way," he advised.

Sunday, 30 June 2002
1645 EDT
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac relaxed on the floor of the living room and let Bimbo climb all over her.  Mac was giggling so loudly she didn't hear the knock on her front door.  But Bimbo did.  She started squealing and pawing at the door.  "What is it, Bimbo?  It's too early for your daddy, Sweetie."  Bimbo obviously didn't believe her.  She continued insisting that someone was at the door... and that someone was her daddy. 

Mac had only seen Bimbo react this way with the Admiral.  "Okay, okay... I'll prove it.  I'll open this door, and there won't be anyone there.  And if there is, it won't be your daddy."  She decided to make a little wager.  'With a dog?' she realized.  'What the hell, why not?  I won't lose.' "If I'm wrong, and it is your daddy already, I'll French him hello, just like you do.  Okay?"  Mac swung the door open, without even looking through the peephole, as she said this last.

"Is what okay, Mac?" the Admiral asked, bending over to pick up his ecstatic puppy.  Bimbo licked his entire face, his ears, his head... everything she could reach. 

"You're early!" Mac said stupidly. 

"Is that a problem?  Should I come back later?" he laughed.

"No!  No, Sir... of course not.  It's just that I... umm... wasn't expecting you until more like 2100."

He nodded.  "Took an earlier flight.  I do that sometimes, just like you do... Mac, what is it? What's wrong?" he asked, seeing Mac blush profusely.  "Is someone here?  Should I..."

"No!  No, Sir... there's no one here.  Just me and Bimbo.  And you, of course."

"May I come in?" he prompted.

"Oh!  Of course, Sir."  Mac stepped back and let him enter her apartment. 

She looked at Bimbo and the dog stared back at her as if to say, "I won!  Pay up!!"

"Shut up, you," Mac voiced her thoughts.

The Admiral looked at her sharply.  "I beg your pardon?"

Mac jerked her eyes up to meet his.  "Oh!  Not you, Sir.  Bimbo."

"Bimbo?  She didn't make a sound.  Mac... what's going on?"

"Nothing, Sir."

"Mac, whenever you say 'Nothing, Sir,' like that, it's always something.  Spill it."

"I made a bet with Bimbo," she confessed.

The Admiral laughed.  "You made a bet with my dog?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Who won, Mac?"

"She did."

The Admiral raised an eyebrow.  "The dog won?"  Mac nodded.  "And just what was the bet?"

"That it wouldn't be you at the door just now."

He nodded.  "And what were the stakes, Mac?" he asked quietly.

"I'd rather not say, Sir."

"You're going to welsh on a bet with a helpless little puppy, Mac?  Now what do you think people would say about a big, bad Marine who doesn't keep her word to a sweet, little puppy?" he teased.

"Fine.  I'll show you," she offered, rising to the bait.

He grinned as he nodded.  "Okay.  That'll suffice."

"Put the dog down, please," Mac asked.

The Admiral quirked his eyebrow at her again, but he did as she requested and set Bimbo on the floor.  When he stood back up, Mac stepped closer to him and put her arms around his neck.  "Mac?  What are you..." he started, but she stopped his flow of words with her mouth. 

She kissed him gently at first and then harder... she ran her tongue along the seam of his lips and nudged them open.  Then she thrust her tongue inside of his mouth.  The Admiral put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him.  As he moved his mouth to kiss her neck, Mac stuck her tongue in his ear and licked him.  He moaned his pleasure, and moved back to take possession of her mouth again. 

Suddenly, he pulled away from her.  "No!  We can't do this, Mac.  It's wrong.  It's against regs," he said breathlessly. 

"It is time," Mac said in wonder. 

"Time for what, Mac?"

"You remember, my fortune from the other week?"  He nodded.  "It is time.  It's time for me to move on... out of JAG."

"You want to leave?"  The Admiral took Mac's hands in his.  "Mac, not because of this, please.  This was just a...  Mac, it won't happen again."

"But I want it to, don't you see?" Mac whispered.  "I want you... more than I've ever wanted anyone in my life."  She brought his hands up to her lips and kissed them.  "I love you," she said simply.

"Well, then..." he swallowed hard, pulling her back into his embrace.  "We'll just have to see about moving you, won't we?" he smiled.

"I already did, Sir."

"You already did what, Mac?"

"I found a position... they need someone to start ASAP, definitely by Monday after the holiday."

"You have the name and number?"

She nodded.  He released her, and Mac walked to the table and picked up a slip of paper.  She handed it to the Admiral.  He took out his cell phone and dialed.  "General Hawkins?  AJ Chegwidden here.  I understand you're interested in Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie coming to work for you.  What do you have to offer her?"  The Admiral winked at Mac, and they sat on the sofa together.  Mac reached down and picked up Bimbo.  When she leaned back against the sofa, the Admiral put his arm around her shoulders.  Mac leaned into his chest.

Fifteen minutes later, the Admiral pressed the Off button on his phone and laid it on the coffee table.  "Well, as of midnight, you report to Hawkins," he told her.

"Seems that both of our fortunes came true, Sir," she giggled. 

"That they did.  I went on a long journey.  I slept in a strange bed.  And I was kissed by a dark girl... well, dark-haired girl, anyway."  He pulled Mac into his arms and kissed her again.  "Didn't say they had to be at the same time."

"Do we really have to wait until midnight?" Mac asked, snaking her arms around his neck.

"Yes, Mac.  We'd both know we failed in our oaths if we didn't wait.  Even if no one else knew... we'd know."

"You're right, of course, Sir," she nibbled on his ear.

"Mac, the name is AJ."

She smiled, dipping her tongue in his ear again.  "AJ."

"How much longer?" he groaned.

"Six hours and 48 minutes," she replied as her phone rang.  

Mac didn't move toward the phone. "Aren't you going to get that?" he asked.

"That's what answering machines are for."

"Mac, it could be important."  She still didn't budge; if anything, she snuggled further into his arms.  "Mac, we have to wait the 6+ hours.  Answer the phone," he told her.

Mac released a heavy sigh as she pulled herself off the sofa and picked up the receiver.  "Hello?"

"Colonel?  Do you have a minute?" asked a weepy voice.

"Harriett?  Harriett, of course I have minute.  What is it?  What's wrong?" Mac asked, sitting back on the sofa.

"It's Bud.  He's talking about..." Harriett burst into tears and couldn't finish.

"Harriett?  Did something happen?  Is he hurt?  Did he fall?"

"Nooooo," she cried.

"Tell me what's wrong," Mac urged.

"He wants a... a divorce," Harriett sobbed.  "He doesn't... want me anymore," she hiccupped.  "What am I going to do?"

"You're going to stay right there, Harriett.  I'll be right over.  He's not going anywhere."

"He called a cab!"

"Don't let him leave, Harriett.  Don't let him get in the cab.  I'll be there as fast as I can.  Just don't let him leave."

Harriett sniffed.  "I'll try... but he's so angry right now..."

"I'm hanging up now, Harriett... so I can drive over there.  I'll be right there."  Mac threw the receiver on the table and ran to her bedroom.  She came out with her purse on her arm and her keys in her hand, "I've got to go to Harriett," she said quickly.

"We've got to go to Harriett, Mac," AJ returned.  He was already at the door with Bimbo in his arms.  "Come on.  You hold the dog and I'll drive."  When they were on the road, he turned to Mac, "What happened?  Did she tell you?"

"She said that Bud wants a divorce.  I can't imagine what's happened."

"I can," he replied.

"What?  You mean you know about this?" asked Mac.

He shook his head.  "I saw it a lot coming out of Nam.  If the wife didn't leave him, he tried at least once to leave her."

"I don't understand.  Why?  Why would he want to leave?"

"He's not whole, Mac.  He feels like less than a man."

"He lost a leg, AJ... not his... maleness," she blurted out.

AJ chuckled.  "Maleness?"  Mac smiled.  "But he's the man of the house, Mac.  It's important to him to be the one Harriett depends on... and that his son looks up to.  Right now, he's feeling depressed, and he's questioning how Harriett could possibly still love him.  He's probably thinking that he'll leave her now... before she leaves him."

"Harriett would never leave Bud!" Mac insisted.

"And Bud knows that, deep inside.  But he's hurting right now, Mac."  Mac cuddled the puppy closer to her as they sped along the highway.  AJ pulled into a parking space just as the cab pulled up.  "You go on in.  I'll get rid of the cab," AJ told her.  

Mac nodded and made her way to the front door.  She rang the bell and Harriett opened the door.  Mac stepped inside, the puppy still in her arms.  "It's going to be okay, Harriett."  Mac set the dog down on the floor so she could hug Harriett without squashing the puppy.

"Puppy!" squealed little AJ as he started chasing the dog around the room.

AJ approached the cab, and the driver rolled down his window.  "You here for the Roberts?"

"Yeah, that's the name."

"Well, I was a little late arriving, but I'm here now, so they won't be needing you."  AJ took a $20 bill out of his wallet and handed it to the driver.  "Sorry for your trouble."

"No problem.  Have a nice evening," the cabbie said and drove away.

AJ went up to the door and, as it was still slightly ajar, he pushed it open and walked inside.  He saw Mac hugging a sobbing Harriett, Bud trying his best to hobble down the hall on crutches with a duffel bag in one hand, and little AJ staring at... "BIMBO!" he bellowed.  

Harriett jerked away from Mac and stared at the Admiral.  'Who is he calling a bimbo?' 

Bud almost lost his balance as he dropped the duffel bag and one crutch, grabbing onto the nearest wall.  'Bimbo?  He'd better not be calling my wife a bimbo!'

Little AJ burst into tears when he saw his daddy's duffel bag, and thereby knowing he was leaving again.  And Mac quickly scanned the room trying to pinpoint the location of the dog.  

AJ strode across the room and scooped the dog up in his arms.  "Bad Bimbo.  Naughty girl," he scolded.  

Mac looked at the floor.  "Oops."  There was a tiny pile of poop, right in the middle of the living room floor.

"Mac, when did you get a puppy?" Harriett asked.

She answered as she stepped into the kitchen to get a paper towel.  "I didn't.  She's the Admiral's birthday present from his daughter."  Mac bent over and picked up the little droppings.

"That's the littlest dog I've ever seen!" said Harriett, as she reached for her crying son.  "What is she?"

"A Yorkshire Terrier," answered Mac, standing back up and kissing the puppy as AJ held her.  "And she's such a sweet little thing, too, aren't you, baby?  Yes, you are.  Such a good little girl," she cooed.

Bud looked at his former CO.  "And you named her Bimbo, Sir?" he asked incredulously.

"No, I didn't name her Bimbo, Lieutenant," AJ answered brusquely.  Then a little softer, "My daughter did."

Mac starting giggling first as she pulled the puppy from AJ's grasp.  Then Harriett giggled.  AJ grinned and took a squirming little AJ from his mother's arms.  The two of them started laughing with the women.  And finally Bud joined in the gaiety.

After a full two minutes of laughter, they began to settle down and take seats around the room.  "Admiral, I'm so sorry," said Harriett.  "You showed up at an... awkward moment, I'm afraid," she tried to explain.

He shook his head as he set little AJ on the floor.  "I didn't just show up, Harriett."  The child immediately begged for the puppy from Mac.  She set Bimbo on the floor and the two played together with one of the child's toys.

Mac piped up.  "He was at my place, Harriett... picking up the puppy.  I kept her while he was in Hawaii last week.  He was there when you called.  We drove over here together."

AJ turned to Bud and brought up the subject of the hour.  "So, Bud.  You think Harriett isn't going to keep loving you?"

Harriett gasped.  Bud replied softly, "No, Sir.  I know my wife.  I know she'll never leave me... she'll always stay with me.  But I can't ask her to do that, Sir.  I can't force her to stay with me now.  I'm a cripple."

"Bud, I..." Harriett started, but AJ held up his hand.

"Hold on, Harriett," he said gently.  Then he turned to Bud.  "Son, I watched marriages end after we got back from Nam.  Good marriages.  Marriages that didn't need to end.  Men and women who loved each other.  But because he came back without an arm... or a leg... or both legs... the marriage ended.  Either she walked out... which to me says she didn't really love him and would've left anyway.  Or he left... because he didn't want to burden her with a cripple.  But Bud, you know what else I saw?"  

Bud shook his head, "No, Sir."

"I saw some of those women fight... fight until they got their men back.  Fight until they convinced them that, no matter what, they still loved them."

Bud looked over at Harriett.  She smiled at him and mouthed, "I love you... no matter what," as her eyes filled with tears.

"And those marriages lasted, Bud.  Lasted for a lifetime," AJ continued.  "You know, I have a feeling that Harriett is one of those women.  She's not just going to let you leave this family without a fight.  She loves you.  And she needs you.  And so does your son."

Bud swallowed hard.  "How could she possibly need me, Sir?"

"Bud, you know Harriett better than anyone.  You know her needs.  You know her wants, her desires.  Do you really want another man to fill those needs?  Do you want another man touching your wife?"

Bud inhaled sharply at the Admiral's words.  "No!" he cried, adding a quiet "Sir" on the end.

"Then I'd rethink my decision to leave her, if I were you," AJ said as he stood up and looked at Harriett.  "No, that's not true."  He turned back to Bud.  "I'd hold on to her with everything I had... if I were you."  He put his hand on Bud's shoulder.  "She's one in a million, Son.  Don't sell her short."

With that, Harriett's tears spilled over and her slight frame shook with her sobs.  "I'm so sorry," she cried.  Mac grabbed her purse and pulled out a handkerchief, handing it to Harriett.  "Thank you," she hiccupped as she dabbed her eyes.

"Mommy cry?  Why, Mommy?" asked little AJ, pulling on Harriett's arm.

Mac picked up the youngster and said, "Mommy's okay.  Do you want some cookies and milk?"

"Oh boy!!" he squealed in delight.  Mac headed for the kitchen, but not before she heard AJ's words to Bud.

Bud tried to pull himself out of the chair, but he still had trouble, so the Admiral helped him up and whispered to him.  "Take her back to the bedroom, Bud.  Mac and I will take care of little AJ for a while.  Go on; we'll put the youngster to bed," he nodded toward the hall.

Bud hobbled over to his wife.  "Sweetie?  Come with me?"

Harriett nodded immediately, and they headed down the hall.

AJ followed Mac into the kitchen.  "Any food in here?  I'm hungry!" he announced.

"Actually you know, it is dinner time," said Mac.  "Why don't I make some..."

"Why don't we just call for a pizza, Mac?" suggested AJ.

Mac slapped his arm.  "I can cook, you know."

"Can you make hot dogs?  I wike hot dogs," little AJ said, still not quite able to make the 'l' sound.

Mac giggled.  "Yes, Sweetie, I can make hot dogs.  Is that what you want for supper?"

"Uh huh," he nodded.

"Is that okay for big AJ, too?" she joked.

"Hot dogs will be just fine, Mac."

After they ate their fill of hot dogs and potato chips, Mac suggested watching a movie.  "I wanna watch Bob and Warry," said little AJ.

"Bob and Larry?" questioned Mac.

"I believe they're in the Veggie Tales videos, Mac," the older AJ said.  He'd heard Harriett mention the characters before, equating Larry to Harm.  'It'll be interesting to see what this Larry is like!' he mused.

"Uh huh, Veggie Tay-ohs," agreed the little boy, nodding.

"Okay, we'll watch Bob and Larry."  They went to the living room and AJ found the tape.  He popped it in the VCR and soon the Veggie Tales opening jingle began.

Mac and big AJ sat on the sofa, and the youngster climbed up in AJ's lap.  "Oh!  Where's Bimbo?" asked Mac.

"Uh oh," said AJ.  "Better find her.  I hope she hasn't made another mess in here."

"She's sweeping," offered little AJ.  "She's under Daddy's chair asweep."

Mac looked, and sure enough, the little ball of fluff was curled up in a ball under Bud's chair.  She bent down and scooped her up, cooing to her.  Mac sat back on the sofa, next to AJ and he put his arm around her.  Little AJ snuggled up into his chest, and Mac held the puppy high, cradled on her breast. "Wish I could be there," AJ whispered in her ear.

"Four hours and 34 minutes," she whispered back.

When the video finished playing, little AJ was sound asleep.  "I'll go put him to bed," offered AJ.  

Mac nodded.  As AJ stood with the youngster in his arms, Bimbo woke up.  "I'd better take her outside," said Mac.

AJ made quick work of putting his namesake to bed and returning to the living room.  When Mac still hadn't come back inside after another 5 minutes, he went out looking for her.  "Everything okay, Mac?"

She looked up.  "Mmm hmm.  She's pooping, too."

AJ chuckled.  "I still can't believe Francesca sent me a puppy."

"I can't believe she chose a Yorkie."

"And named her Bimbo."

"And you really think she doesn't know the connotation of that?" Mac giggled.

"Knowing her, she probably does," AJ shook his head, chuckling.  

"Do you think she's going to be okay about... us?"

"Who, the dog?" he teased.

"No, silly!  Francesca."

AJ pulled Mac into his arms.  "I hope she is, Mac.  But frankly, it doesn't matter.  You're the only one it has to be okay with."

Mac purred, "Oh, it's definitely okay with me."

AJ lowered his head and kissed her gently.  "How long?"

"Four hours and 2 minutes."  Mac reached down and picked up the puppy, and they went back inside.  "Do you think we should just leave?  Or should we wait around a while and be sure everything's okay?" she asked.

"They've been back there for some time now, Mac.  I think if things weren't okay between them, we'd have seen or heard something by now."

"I'd have thought we'd have heard them by now anyway," Mac giggled.

"When you have a small child in the house, you learn to be quiet, Mac," AJ smirked.

"So what should we do?"

"Might be best to stick around for a while longer and be sure the little one stays down," suggested AJ.

"That's a good idea.  Harriett mentioned that he often wakes up after 15 or 20 minutes, and she has to go through the whole night-night routine again."

AJ took Mac's hand and led her back to the sofa.  He sat, pulling her with him, puppy and all.  Mac fell into his lap and he put his arms around her and kissed her.  "How long now?"

Mac giggled.  "Three hours and 52 minutes.  It's only been 10 minutes since you asked the last time."

"I'm getting impatient," he growled in her ear.

"So am I," she said breathlessly. 

"Move, dog," he said as Bimbo tried to get in between his hand and Mac's breasts.  Mac giggled as he lost the battle and ended up petting Bimbo instead.  Mac laid her head against AJ's chest and closed her eyes.  AJ wrapped his arms around her and cradled her in his lap, nuzzling her neck.  

Almost two and a half hours later, Bud emerged from the bedroom and headed for the living room.  He found Mac sitting in the Admiral's lap, his arms around her, and her face against his chest, the dog in her lap... and they were all fast asleep.  Bud was startled at the sight.  "Oh my God," he said without thinking, thus waking the Admiral.  Bud acknowledged him warily, "Admiral."

"Everything okay back there, Bud?" asked AJ quietly, not wanting to wake Mac just yet.

"Yes, Sir.  Everything's fine.  But, Sir... you and the Colonel... I..." Bud stammered.

"What time is it?" AJ asked.

Mac awoke to his voice.  "It's 2230," said Mac sleepily, not realizing anyone else was in the room.  "Only 90 minutes left to wait."

"90 minutes left to wait... for what, Colonel?" asked Bud.

Mac was startled to hear Bud's voice, and she jumped.  "Bud!"  She looked around and realized what a compromising position she and AJ were in.  She quickly got up off his lap, almost dropping the dog, and said, "I'm sorry, Sir.  I must have fallen asleep."  She grabbed Bimbo and set her on the floor. 

AJ chuckled.  "We both did, Mac."  He reached for her hand and pulled her back to the sofa and put his arm around her.  "Have a seat, Bud.  Is Harriett coming out?"

Harriett walked in then and announced, "Little AJ is sound asleep.  Thank you so much for taking care of him for us while we..."  She blushed slightly.  "Well, you know."

Mac and AJ smiled.  Bud sat in his chair and Harriett plopped on the floor in front of him.  "Thank you for coming over tonight.  And for what you said, Sir," Bud addressed himself to the Admiral.  "It was a tremendous help.  I think we're going to be just fine now, Sir,"

"Glad to hear it, Bud."  AJ turned to Mac.  "I think we owe Bud an explanation, don't you?"  Mac nodded her agreement.

"Oh, please, Sir.  You don't owe me anything.  I didn't see a thing, Admiral," Bud insisted.

"Now Bud..." corrected Mac.

"See what?" asked Harriett.  "Oh!  Let me get your handkerchief, Colonel."  Harriett hurried back to the bedroom and returned with the cloth.  "I didn't even notice before... there are initials on it.  I love monogrammed hankies," Harriett gushed as she unfolded it.  "A J C," she read.  She looked up at Mac, "But your initials are..."  Suddenly Harriett blushed, remembering that Mac had pulled the hankie from her purse, and noticing for the first time that the Admiral's arm was around Mac's shoulders.  "Oh," was all she said as she handed it back to Mac.

Mac grinned.  "Yes, Harriett.  It is the Admiral's.  He let me use it several weeks ago, and I never returned it to him."

"I was wondering why I was short a handkerchief.  You little thief," he teased.

Mac slapped him on the arm.  "Who are you calling a thief?"  She grabbed Bimbo from the floor and put her next to AJ's arm, saying, "Bite him, Bimbo.  Get him good!"  They laughed together before they realized that Bud and Harriett were staring at them.  "Oops," Mac said softly.

"I think I know what you didn't see, Bud," Harriett said.  "I don't see anything either."

"Bud.  Harriett."

"Really, Sir, it's not... it's not a problem.  We don't..."

"Just listen," he ordered.  "Mac is transferring out of JAG as of midnight tonight."

"That's in 85 minutes," chimed in Mac.

Harriett and Bud gasped.  "You're leaving JAG, Ma'am?" asked Bud.

AJ and Mac nodded.  "It's the only way we can pursue a relationship, Bud," Mac replied.

"And we want a relationship," AJ added emphatically.

Harriett smiled brightly and ran to Mac and hugged her, squishing the puppy between them so that she squealed her discomfort.  "I'm so happy for you, Colonel.  And I just know you'll be good together.  I've wished you could be for a long time.  I'm so glad you finally have the opportunity to give it a go."

"Thank you, Harriett," Mac set the puppy down and hugged Harriett.

"But when?  When did all this happen?  And how?" queried Harriett.

"Actually, Harriett, I'd have to say it's all your fault," AJ blamed her.

"My fault?  How so, Sir?"

"Fortune cookies!" he replied.

"Fortune cookies?"  Harriett looked from one officer to the other.  "I don't understand.  I thought the whole fortune cookie thing was a horrible..."

"That part was a nightmare!" agreed AJ.  "But because of talking so much about them, we went for lunch to a Chinese place and Mac and I ended up with fortunes..."

"...That are coming true... with each other," Mac finished the thought.

"We only admitted it to each other tonight... when I arrived to pick up Bimbo."

"But once we did, there was no turning back," breathed Mac.

Bud looked at Mac.  "How did you find a new position so quickly?"

Mac flushed.  "Well, truth be told, I knew how I felt for some little while.  And after the fortune cookies, I decided to do some checking while AJ was gone last week."

"All I had to do was make the call when I got home tonight.  And it's a done deal," AJ finished.

"I think that's great, Sir.  Ma'am.  Really, I do," Bud offered his congratulations.

AJ rose from the sofa and picked up the dog.  Then he reached for Mac's hand and pulled her up with him.  "I think it's time we headed out of here... and let these two go back to bed," he winked at Harriett.

Monday, 1 July 2002
0005 EDT
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

AJ gently laid Mac down on the bed. "You're so beautiful, Darlin'."

Shivers ran up Mac's spine and she smiled brightly.  "I've wanted you to call me that for so long."

"What?  Darlin'?" he looked into her eyes.

She nodded.  "Mmm hmm."

AJ chuckled.  "You'd be surprised how many times I've had to catch myself about that.  I've wanted to call you Darlin' for a long while, too."  He lowered his face to Mac's and kissed her thoroughly. 

"Oh God, AJ," Mac said when they were spent, "that was incredible."

"Worth waiting for?" he teased.

"Most definitely," she gasped as he claimed her mouth.

AJ collapsed next to Mac and gathered her in his arms.  "You know, I think we did a little more than my fortune said."

"What?" she asked, totally confused.

"My fortune only said that a dark girl would kiss me."  He kissed Mac on the nose.  "Didn't say anything about getting laid."

"That's what mine was for," she told him.

The end.