Going Home - Part 1

Author: Ava E-mail: mmmThatAJ@yahoo.com Rating:  PG-13 Classification: AJ/Mac Romance Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. Summary:  AJ is summoned home to help his family & neighbors, but they end up helping him. Author's comments:  I found a list of Pennsylvania Dutch words on the Web, so I used them in the story.  I'm sure the sentence structure is not accurate, but I thought the words added a little something special.  Let's just forget Meredith even exists for this story, okay?  Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').

Wednesday, 8 January 2003
1040 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Petty Officer Tiner was so entranced in the computer program he was learning, he didn't hear the young woman enter his office space. A few moments later, feeling like he was being watched, he took a quick glance up... that's when he saw her. "Oh! Excuse me, Ma'am. I didn't hear you come in," he said to the young woman. "May I help you?" Tiner took in her appearance. She wore a deep wine-colored dress that went to her ankles and a flimsy-looking, sheer white cap on her head. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun. She reminded Tiner of a movie he saw once... 'What was that, anyway? Oh yeah! "Witness" with Kelly McGillis and that guy all the women like... Harrison Ford, yeah, that's him.'

The young woman smiled shyly at Tiner and spoke quietly with a slight accent that he remembered from the movie. "I would like to see Albert Chegwidden. I was told to speak to you. My name is MarLyn Yoder."

Tiner wondered at the young woman calling the Admiral by his given name. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but Admiral Chegwidden has a full schedule today. I don't see how I could possibly get you in to see him. Perhaps tomorrow? I can work you in at..."

"Oh, but it is most important. I truly must see him today," the young woman pleaded.

"He's not even here at the office this morning, Ma'am. He's..."

The girl interrupted him. "I am not a Ma'am. I am a Miss." She pointed to her bonnet.

Tiner apologized, "I beg your pardon. Miss. The Admiral isn't here this morning, Miss Yoder. He's at the Pentagon."

"I could go there," she offered hopefully.

"That wouldn't really help you, I'm afraid," he told her. "He still couldn't see you." Tiner saw her face lose some of its glow... or was it hope? "Maybe someone else could help you? Colonel MacKenzie is here and she usually fills in when the Admiral is unavailable."

"Oh, I do not think that would..." MarLyn began.

But Tiner interrupted her as he saw Colonel MacKenzie walking past his office. "Colonel MacKenzie!" he called to her.

Mac turned around and walked back to Tiner's desk. "Yes, Tiner?" She smiled at MarLyn, wondering why an Amish woman was here. 'Don't the Amish disapprove of the military?' she thought to herself.

"Colonel, this young woman is MarLyn Yoder, and she wants to see the Admiral. I told her that he was not available today, and I thought maybe you could help her?" Tiner explained.

MarLyn shook her head slightly. "I must speak to Albert Chegwidden. It is most important. You do not understand..."

Colonel MacKenzie turned to the young woman. "I'm Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie, Ms. Yoder, and I'm the Admiral's Chief of Staff. I'll be glad to help if I can. Why don't you tell me..."

"Chief of Staff? Does that mean you are his wife?" MarLyn asked innocently.

Tiner grinned and Mac flushed. "No, Ma'am. It..."

MarLyn interrupted her quickly, putting her hand on her bonnet. "I am a Miss, not a Ma'am."

Mac nodded. "Okay. Miss Yoder. My being the Admiral's Chief of Staff basically means that I'm in charge of the office when the Admiral isn't here."

"I see," said MarLyn.

Mac tried again. "Why don't we go to my office, sit down, and you tell me what the problem is, okay?"

Just as MarLyn was going to reply, she heard the loud "Attention on deck!" from the bullpen. They turned and saw Admiral AJ Chegwidden heading their way. She recognized him, though she'd never laid eyes on him before.  He looked just like his father, minus the beard.

"As you were!" the Admiral called back. He strode through the bullpen, his cover tucked under his arm and his briefcase in his right hand. As he reached his outer office area where Tiner's desk was, he said, "SecNav got called to the White House, so the 1000 meeting was moved to tomorrow." Then he saw the young woman standing there, her eyes glued on him. He took in her appearance and knew immediately who she was; she looked just like her mother did at that age. He frowned. "You're staring, Miss."

The woman's face registered shock and humiliation as she lowered her eyes immediately. "I am so sorry. Please forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive, in my opinion, Miss. I was only reminding you," AJ replied. Tiner and Mac both wondered at his sharp tone. It was most unlike the Admiral to behave so with a civilian, especially a woman. He was always the picture of a gentleman. But they were also amazed that he called her 'Miss'. How did he know? "What do you want, Miss?" he asked.

"I need to speak with you," she replied.

Tiner interrupted at this point. "Admiral, this is MarLyn Yoder. She..."

"Do the elders know you're here?" AJ cut him off.

"They sent me."

"Sent you? For what?" The Admiral's face took on a grim expression: one Mac had never seen before. Mac realized now that she wasn't needed here, so she turned and headed back toward her office.

MarLyn took a deep breath. "To ask for your help."

AJ's eyes turned almost cold as he looked down at the young woman. "Help? They sent you here to ask for my help?" he all but spat. "They have their nerve!" He turned and opened his office door, taking long strides to his desk and setting his briefcase and cover down.

From the doorway, MarLyn spoke, "Perhaps if I explained the problem, you would..."

"I have no desire whatsoever to help them," he replied.

"It is not just the elders in need, it is all of us."

"All?" AJ sighed, knowing that he was going to listen. And that he would most probably end up doing whatever it was this young woman asked of him. He had to: he'd made himself a promise years ago. He walked to the doorway and said quietly, "Come in and tell me why you need my help." MarLyn hesitated for only a moment before she reached down and picked up the small case she brought with her and stepped into his office. Then he surprised her by saying, "Tiner, ask the Colonel to join us."

MarLyn wondered why he asked someone to join them. This was private, surely he knew that; why would he ask another man to join them? A woman, yes... that would be ideal.  But her mother had told her not to push for that; Albert would not harm her in any way, she wasn't to worry.  AJ turned around and walked back into his office without closing his door. She liked that. He motioned to the red leather chairs in front of his desk and said, "Please sit down, Miss Yoder."

MarLyn sat carefully, almost as though she wanted to bolt. AJ turned the other chair so he was facing her and sat. They heard a knock on the open door. "You sent for me, Sir?" Mac asked.

"Yes, I did, Colonel. Come in and close the hatch." Mac closed the door and turned around. "Have a seat, Mac," AJ motioned to a chair in the corner of his office. Mac wondered at his choice of chair for her, but she obeyed. AJ looked back at MarLyn expectantly. When she didn't speak, he finally said, "Well? Are you going to tell me why you're here or not?"

MarLyn glanced over at Mac before looking back to AJ. "Thank you," she whispered, a catch in her voice.  Her mother was right; this man would treat her with the respect due her as an Amish maid.

AJ smiled at her and nodded. "Go ahead. Tell me what's wrong," he said in a much softer tone than he'd spoken to her yet.

MarLyn folded her hands in her lap and looked up at him. "We need a lawyer."

"Why?"

"There is a large corporation that wants our land. They offered us money, and we refused. Now they say they will simply take our land and we will have nothing," MarLyn explained. "They say they will have our buildings condemned and then the land declared unfit for habitation. Then they will take it over and put up their buildings. And we will have no home."

AJ shook his head. "They can't do that, Miss Yoder. It's..."

"I have the papers they have already delivered to us. It is all there. But it is so hard to understand because the words are so strange," MarLyn continued. She reached down and opened her small case, pulled out a folder, and handed it to AJ.

"Why do you not just hire a lawyer from town?" AJ asked.

"They will not take our case. The corporation has paid them all not to help us."

"And, of course, the elders wouldn't agree to hire anyone from the city," AJ muttered under his breath. "Why me?" he asked bluntly.

"The elders said it was time to forgive."

Mac wondered again why she was here... but sitting in the background. 'This is so strange. Forgive? Forgive what? What does the Admiral have to do with the Amish, anyway?'

"Because they need help. Oh, that's rich," AJ said bitterly.

"When they could not get a lawyer in town to help us, my mother suggested that you might help us," MarLyn said. AJ's head jerked up at this. "The elders argued with her, but in the end, they agreed that she was right. That it was time for forgiveness and acceptance. They hoped you would help us. But even if you do not, I am to tell you that you may visit... "  She hesitated before completing her sentence.  Her mother had told her that this might hurt him.  "As 'English'."

AJ's face didn't show what he was feeling. He didn't smile at her words. But he didn't frown or scowl either. Without speaking, AJ opened the folder and began perusing its contents. After a good 5 minutes, he looked up and said, "I can't represent you."

MarLyn's eyes welled with unbidden tears. "I see," she said softly. "Then I need take up no more of your time." She stood to her feet and extended her hand for the folder.

AJ stood up and shook his head. "You don't understand, Miss MarLyn. I can't represent you because I'm a landholder. It wouldn't work."

"I do not understand," MarLyn said.

'Neither do I,' added Mac in her thoughts.  'A landholder?  Of Amish property?'

"Miss MarLyn, this file is a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo. Though most of what's in here will be thrown out in court, there is some of it that is... valid. The Community does need legal representation in this, but because I am a landholder, it would not be prudent for me to be that counsel," AJ tried to explain.

"But who can we get?" she asked helplessly.

AJ looked over at Mac. "Colonel, I find myself in need of a lawyer for personal reasons. Would you..."

Mac rose to her feet immediately. "Of course, Admiral! I would be honored to help you with representation, Sir."

AJ motioned for her to step forward, closer to him and MarLyn. "Mac, this would have to be on your own time. It's not military business at all. It's personal."

"Understood, Admiral," Mac smiled as she reached them. "Not a problem at all, Sir."

"You're sure?" he asked. "Because I don't want you to feel that you have to..."

"Admiral, as much as you've helped me over the years? I can't imagine turning you down... for anything you might ask. It will be a pleasure and an honor to help you, Sir."

"Very good. Then I guess introductions are in order," he said. "Miss MarLyn, meet Miss Sarah MacKenzie, legal counsel for the Community. Sarah, Miss MarLyn Yoder."

Mac turned surprised eyes to the Admiral. 'Miss? Sarah?' she wondered.

MarLyn turned a smiling face to Mac. "Thank you for agreeing to help us, Miss MacKenzie."

Mac smiled back. "Please, call me 'Sarah'.  I'll read through the folder and then we can talk. How long will you be here?" she asked MarLyn.

"My train leaves at 3:00, Miss Sarah. But I can take the next one at 5:00, if that will be better," MarLyn offered.

AJ cocked his head to the side and said, "Surely the elders didn't allow you to come here by yourself? Where is your escort?"

"No, they did not. My bruder is downstairs. Mamm thought it best that I see you without him."

AJ wondered at that. "Why?" he asked.

"She would not tell me why. Only that Jacob should not come with me to see you."

AJ walked to his desk and pressed the Intercom button. "Tiner, there's a young man downstairs by the name of Jacob Yoder. Have him come up here."

"Aye, aye, Sir," they heard Tiner say.

It was only a couple of minutes when there was a knock on his door. "Enter!" called AJ.

Tiner opened the door and said, "Jacob Yoder, Sir." He stepped back and a tall, slender young man walked into the office. He was dressed in a black suit without lapels, and he carried a black hat. His hair was cut in the typical Amish "Dutch Bob", cropped at the ears. And he had what looked to be about a week's worth of beard growth on his unhappy face.

AJ looked at the young man for a moment before he stepped forward. "Mr. Yoder. Welcome to my office. And congratulations on your marriage."

The young man's scowl changed instantly into a smile. "Thank you," he said.

"You look as much like your father as your sister does, your mother," AJ observed. 'Which I'll bet is why MarLyn didn't think it a good idea for the boy to come upstairs with his sister.'

"I do that, indeed," agreed the young man.  "And you look just like der vadder did.  Without the beard, of course."

AJ chose not to reply to that statement.  Instead, he asked, "When was your wedding, a week or so ago?"  It was obviously very recent.

Mac wondered again, 'How did he know the boy just got married?'

"Twelve days ago," Jacob smiled, rubbing his hand over his new beard proudly.

AJ nodded and turned to Mac.  "Jacob Yoder, I present Miss Sarah MacKenzie.  Sarah is the lawyer who will represent the Community."

He turned shocked eyes to Mac... then to AJ... then to his sister.  "Die fraa?" ("A woman?")

AJ replied instantly, "She's the perfect person for the job, Mr. Yoder."

"But I thought..." Jacob turned to his sister.  "You were to ask him to represent us!" he accused.

AJ answered for her. "She did.  I refused."  Before Jacob could say anything, AJ continued, "My father never changed his deed.  I am the property owner.  It wouldn't work, my representing the Community and being listed on the deed.  Sarah MacKenzie is my best lawyer here, and she has graciously agreed to help."

Mac was stunned.  'His father!  The Admiral is Amish?  No!  That's impossible!'  The fact that he had just paid her the highest of compliments went right past her.

Jacob took a deep breath and turned away from them.  He lowered his head and was quiet for a moment... obviously, he was praying... for guidance or patience, AJ wasn't sure which.  When Jacob turned around, his face was calm.  He spoke to Mac.  "Miss MacKenzie is it?"  She nodded.  "Thank you for agreeing to help our families."

"It will be my pleasure, Mr. Yoder," Mac replied.  "I can't imagine anyone trying to force you out of your homes.  That is just inexcusable.  And we won't let them do it," she said emphatically.  

AJ looked at his watch, "I have about an hour before my next meeting.  How about we all have lunch?  You can tell us a little more about what's happening with this lawsuit."  AJ was thinking of all the nearby restaurants he knew, trying to think of one that would be acceptable and within an easy walking distance.  

MarLyn spoke up, "Mamm packed us a lunch.  Perhaps you will join us to eat it?  There is plenty!"

AJ smiled.  "If your mother packed it, I'm sure there is."  He turned to Mac with a question.  She nodded.  "We'd be glad to join you.  Thank you."

"Is there a gaarde nearby?" MarLyn asked.

"I suppose it's not too cold to eat outside," AJ chuckled.  "Even if it is January.  Yes, there's a garden behind the building.  Where did you leave your coats?"

"Downstairs," Jacob offered.  "With the food basket."

Mac and AJ donned their coats and the four of them headed downstairs.  They were the only ones to brave the cold weather and eat outside today, which didn't surprise either AJ or Mac.  It was only 44 degrees.  At least there was no snow on the ground.  As MarLyn opened the basket and took out the food, AJ spied something familiar.  "Es Seifleesch!" he exclaimed.

Mac was startled; she'd never heard the Admiral speak anything other than English and a little Italian.

MarLyn and Jacob looked up at him and smiled.  AJ was beaming.  "MarLyn's es seifleesch was always am beschde."  ("MarLyn's pork was always the best.")

Mac was thoroughly confused now.  She turned to MarLyn.  "I thought you said your mother made the lunch?"

When neither MarLyn nor Jacob answered, AJ realized then that he'd not only spoken in the Amish dialect of Pennsylvania Dutch, he'd also called their mother by her given name.  Not a good thing.  He looked up at them.  Sure enough, they were staring at him.  "Miss MarLyn, you said you didn't know why your mother didn't want your brother to come with you to meet me."  He sighed deeply.  "Let me tell you why."  All three sat expectantly.  He looked MarLyn in the eye and said, "You should have been my daughter.  That's why."  The girl's face turned white.  Her brother rose and was about to argue.  But AJ turned to face him and said, "And you should have been my son.  But you wouldn't have looked like Yoder.  You'd have looked like me."

Now the young man was stunned, too.  AJ motioned for him to sit back down.  "What do you mean by this?" Jacob finally managed.

AJ sighed again.  "Your mother and I were betrothed when I chose to attend the Naval Academy.  She begged me not to go against the elders' wishes.  But I was determined to get an education.  A full education.  College.  I had already gone against them in attending the local high school, but my parents had agreed to it.  So, the elders allowed it.  But when I went to the Academy," AJ shook his head.  "They couldn't look past that.  They warned me that I would be shunned.  My family tried to convince me not to attend.  And MarLyn begged me not to go.  I went anyway."

Mac was shocked.  'I thought the Admiral was from Texas?  Where did I ever get that idea?  His accent!  He sounds like he's from Texas.  And didn't he mention a ranch in Texas...?'  She thought and thought, but could never come up with the answer.

AJ continued his story.  "The elders were very generous; they didn't want to cut me off.  They continued the warnings for the four years I was at the Academy.  I was still allowed to go home, and every time I was there, they warned me again.  MarLyn continued to make plans for us, believing that I would come back to stay.  When I graduated and received my commission, none of my family was there.  I went home, and no one would speak to me.  It was done.  I was officially shunned.  None of my family would even look at me.  I went to MarLyn's home, and she burst into tears when she saw me.  I knew then that my life as I knew it was over.  I'd expected it.  I knew it was coming.  But it was hard to accept, all the same."

"They wouldn't even speak to you?" whispered Mac.  "Not even your fiancée?"

AJ shook his head.  "She didn't have a choice.  If she spoke to me, she would be shunned, too."

"That's horrible!" Mac exclaimed.

Before either of the Yoders spoke, AJ replied, "No, Sarah.  It's the Amish way.  And they had given me far more leeway than they should have.  I should have been shunned when I entered the Academy, not when I finished.  But they kept hoping I'd change my mind and go back to my upbringing.  It isn't often when one of their own leaves so completely.  I was the first in many, many years," he said sadly.  "I should have broken with MarLyn when I left for the Academy.  I knew she wouldn't leave her home.  It was wrong of me to keep her betrothed all that time, knowing I wasn't going to go back."

"She must have known that, too, Sir," Mac said quietly.

"No, she didn't.  She, like my family, firmly believed that I would change my mind and return when I finished school.  I hurt them all deeply.  I tried to explain it to them, during every break at school.  But they didn't believe me.  Well, my sister did.  Adele.  She always said I was different."  He cocked his head slightly, "She was right." 

"That is why Mudder did not marry for so long," said MarLyn quietly.  "I always wondered, but no one would say."  AJ nodded.  

"And you haven't been back, Sir?" asked Mac.

AJ shook his head.  "I wasn't even permitted to attend my father's funeral.  That's the one thing I've been bitter about.  I missed all my sibling's weddings, the births of my nieces and nephews.  But I knew that when I joined the Service.  I couldn't believe that they wouldn't allow me to come for the funeral of my vadder.  That's the one that really hurt."  He looked up sadly.  "I had no idea that he hadn't changed the deed, that he had left my name on it.  That had to be against the wishes of the elders."

"We knew about the shunning," said Jacob.  "But we did not know about our mudder's involvement."

"I promised her when I left that last time that I would always help her if she needed anything.  Anytime.  All she had to do was contact me."  

"That is why she suggested you.  Because she knows your heart," suggested MarLyn. 

Jacob added, "And why she fought so hard for the elders to forgive."

MarLyn continued, "And why she was afraid you would be hurt about being accepted only as 'English'."

AJ nodded again.  Wanting to lighten the mood a bit, he said, "Mind if we eat this now?  I have to get to a meeting, and I do not want to miss out on MarLyn's es seifleesch."

As AJ reached for the food, Mac asked MarLyn, "I take it your mother's name is also MarLyn?"  She nodded.  Mac turned to AJ.  "And what is that?  Essielfch?" she butchered the word.

"Es Seifleesch.  Pork," AJ said between bites.  "Mmm, seiss."  The two Yoders grinned, and Mac looked puzzled again.  AJ caught her look and realized he'd spoken in tongue again.  'Funny,' he thought.  'I haven't even thought in tongue for over 30 years, let alone speak it.'  He explained to Mac, "Sweet."

During their meal, Jacob told AJ and Mac all about his new wife.  Finally Mac asked, "So, MarLyn, you're not married.  Anyone special in your future?"  MarLyn blushed furiously.  "Ah ha!  There is!  Come on, give!" Mac almost giggled.

She lowered her head and bit her lips together.  AJ spoke up.  "She's not allowed to discuss that with men present, Sarah."  Then he quirked his eyebrow at MarLyn, "Besides, the marriage months just finished.  They can't announce a betrothal now until July."

"July?!" exclaimed Mac.  "Why not?"

"Custom.  There are a few exceptions, but in our ordnung..." AJ stopped and swallowed hard.  "In their ordnung, the couple keeps their attachment secret until July or August when they tell her family.  Then in October, it's announced during Service.  Then the wedding takes place in November or December."

"For everyone?" Mac asked.  All three nodded.  "Oh," was all she said.  "I take it, you were one of the exceptions, Sir?"  He alone nodded this time. 'Amazing.'

Lunch finished, Mac helped MarLyn clean up the table.  She threw the trash away as MarLyn packed what was left back in the basket.  AJ excused himself, saying he had to go or be late for his meeting.

"So what do we do now?" asked Jacob.

Mac replied, "Well, I need to read through the folder you brought, and I'll do some research into the corporation who's filing suit.  And then I'll get back with you.  How can I reach you?"

"We do not have a telephone," MarLyn replied.

"Not even in town?" asked Mac.  "Or are you not permitted to use a phone at all?  I wouldn't want to ask you to do something you weren't..."

"Oh, no.  We can.  We just don't.  We don't know anyone who has a phone," MarLyn laughed. 

"You do now," Mac offered with a smile.  "I tell you what?  Let me give you my phone numbers, and you call me when it's convenient.  Is that okay?"

Jacob nodded.  "That will be fine.  Thank you."

The three went back upstairs to Mac's office and she pulled out a business card, writing her home phone number and cell number on the back.  Then she reached in her drawer and pulled out one of the Admiral's cards.  She turned it over and wrote his home phone number and cell number on the back.  "Here are my numbers," she said, handing the first card to MarLyn.  "And here are the Admiral's numbers.  I'm sure he'd be delighted if you called him some time."  She handed off the second card.  "How are you getting to the train station?"

"We will walk to the Metro and take it to Union Station," offered MarLyn.

"Oh, that's such a ways!  Why don't you let me drive you to the station?" Mac suggested.

MarLyn lowered her head and Jacob shook his.  "We are used to walking.  And trains are the only motorized vehicles we ride in," he explained.

Mac blushed.  "Oh, I am sorry.  I should have known that.  Then I'd better let you get going.  You're going to have to hurry to make the 3:00 train."

"We will just wait for the next one if we miss it," said Jacob.

As the three headed out of Mac's office, she noticed a crowd gathered around the window in Tiner's office area.  She wondered what they were all looking at, but didn't take the time to find out now.  She'd do that when she came back upstairs.  They walked down to the first floor and found that there was also quite a gathering at the front entrance.  "Sergeant?  What's going on?" she asked as they reached the first person in the crowd.

"Colonel, Ma'am!" he said.  "Attention!" he called out loudly.  Everyone came quickly to attention stance. 

"Sergeant?" she pressed.

"We're just looking at the horse, Ma'am," he said.

"Horse?" she repeated.  She looked at the Yoders and they followed her outside. 

There, in the parking lot, stood a horse with a carriage and driver.  As they stepped outside, the driver, who was standing next to the horse, called to them, "You be the Yoders?"

Jacob nodded.  "Yes, we are."

"I'm here to take you to Union Station.  Compliments of Albert Chegwidden."

Wednesday, 8 January 2003
1845 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ knocked on the doorframe of Mac's office.  "Working late, Colonel?" he asked as she looked up.

Mac jumped up to her feet, but he waved her back down.  "Actually, Sir, I've spent the last hour reading through the folder that MarLyn left this afternoon.  It's incredible!  Does this corporation really think they can get away with this?"

AJ nodded.  "They know that Amish don't, as a rule, go outside their own for help.  And they seldom fight legal battles; they usually just give up whatever is sought. The corporation bought off the local lawyers, just in case... and knew the elders wouldn't go to the city."

"And they didn't expect them to come all the way to Washington, I'm sure!" Mac chuckled.

"Definitely not," AJ agreed.  "So, what do you think?"

"I have lots of questions, Sir.  But it looks like I'll have time to get my answers.  Their court date isn't until March.  I called the Court Clerk as soon as the Yoders left today.  The case isn't on the docket until 19 March," Mac explained.

AJ grinned.  "Good."

Mac smiled.  "They seemed like very nice young people," she observed.

"I'm sure they are, Mac.  MarLyn is a wonderful woman; I'm sure she's made a fine mother," AJ said almost wistfully.  "I wonder how I'd have been as a father.  Never really got the chance to be a father to Francesca..."

"Do you ever regret your decision, Sir?" Mac asked cautiously.

AJ didn't answer right away.  He walked past Mac's desk and stood looking out her window, his arms folded across his chest.  "I miss my home.  My family.  I would have liked to have had them in my life."  He lowered his head.  "But I made my choice.  I wanted to be in the Navy.  I wanted to serve my country and help keep it free.  My family couldn't understand that."

Mac stood up quietly and laid her hand on his upper arm.  "I can.  You wanted to make sure that your people stayed free to live the way they choose."  He jerked his head up and stared open-mouthed at Mac.  She chanced a small smile.  "It was because of Viet Nam, wasn't it?  Because you knew those people were being denied the privilege of choice.  And you didn't want that to happen to your family... to your people."

A large tear welled in AJ's eye as he nodded slowly.  "I never told anyone that."

"No one will hear it from me, Sir," Mac promised.

He looked her in the eye and said, "Thank you, Sarah."

Friday, 17 January 2003
1355 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac knocked on the Admiral's door and waited for his command to enter before walking inside.  "Admiral, I was hoping you might have some time this weekend to answer some questions for me."  He looked up, surprise evident in his expression.  "The personal case, Sir," she reminded him.

"Oh!  Yes, of course, Colonel.  When were you thinking of?"

"It doesn't really matter, Sir.  Whenever is best for you.  I can do it tonight, anytime tomorrow afternoon or evening, or on Sunday."

"How about tomorrow afternoon, say 1600?"

"That will be fine, Admiral."

"Your place or mine?" he asked as Tiner walked in the office.

"Again, Sir... whichever is more convenient for you," Mac replied.  

"What is it, Tiner?" AJ asked.

"I beg your pardon, Admiral, but the SecNav's wife is on Line 2, Sir.  Something about a dinner party at their estate tomorrow, and she wanted to be sure you were coming..."

"Damn!" AJ swore.  "I forgot about that.  Yes, tell her I'll be there," he said to Tiner.  When Tiner closed the door behind him, AJ looked back at Mac, "How about I answer your questions tonight over dinner, Mac?"

"That will be just fine, Sir."

"Good.  I'll pick you up at 1830.  We'll dine at Orsati's."

Mac gulped.  "Orsati's, Admiral?"

"You have a problem with that?" he asked, raising his eyebrows in question.

"No, Sir.  I just thought..."  She stopped.  His expression was unreadable.  "I'll be ready at 1830, Admiral."

"Good.  Dismissed."

Friday, 17 January 2003
1828 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac peered through the peephole to be sure it was the Admiral before she opened the door.  "Good evening, Admiral."  She had her answer; he was in civvies.  'Damn.  Wrong choice.'

"Good evening, Colonel.  You're not dressed yet?" he questioned, seeing her still in her uniform.  "I'm sorry, I thought 1830 would give you enough time to get home and change.  What'd you do, stay at the office until 1800?" he smirked. 

In actuality, Mac had gotten home at 1730 and taken a quick shower.  Then she spent 30 minutes in front of her closet trying to decide what to wear out to dinner with the Admiral.  "We're not going on a date.  We're not even good friends, really... we're not allowed to be," she had told herself.  "So what do I wear?"  She finally decided on her uniform.  That was the safest choice.  Now she knew it was the wrong choice. 

The Admiral was dressed in a handsome dark suit and green-patterned tie, and Mac knew immediately which dress would complement him perfectly.  "Not exactly, Sir," she told him.  "But I do need just a couple of minutes to change, if you don't mind.  Or I could just go like this."

"No, no... take your time.  Our reservation is for 1900, and we're not but 12 minutes away.  Plenty of time."

"Thank you, Sir."  Mac turned toward her bedroom.  "Make yourself at home, Admiral."

Mac reappeared 8 minutes later.  Her emerald green dress was off the shoulder, but it wasn't terribly low cut.  AJ rose from his spot on the sofa and smiled, "You're a vision, Mac.  An absolute vision."

Mac smiled brightly.  "Thank you, Admiral." 

"Shall we go?" he asked, slipping his arms back into his overcoat.

Mac went to the coat closet and pulled out her long coat.  AJ took it from her and helped her into it.  "Thank you, Sir."

The ride to the restaurant was a quiet one, with neither of them saying much more than comments about the weather and the traffic.  As they pulled into the parking lot, Mac said, "Jacob and MarLyn were overcome the other day, you know... when they saw the horse and carriage.  That was an incredibly thoughtful thing for you to do, Sir."

AJ just smiled slightly and climbed out of the vehicle.  He rounded the corner and opened Mac's door.  She took his offered hand and he assisted her out of the high vehicle.  "I hear that thing caused quite a stir, though," he finally said as they were walking toward the restaurant entrance.

Mac laughed.  "Yes, it did!  And the Marine guard was none too thrilled that he had to clean up after a horse either!"

"I'll bet.  Not exactly in his job description, hmm?"  They laughed together as the doorman welcomed them to the fine restaurant.

AJ helped Mac out of her coat and handed it to the coat check clerk.  Then he removed his own and handed that off, as well.  The Maitre'D picked up two menus, the wine list, and began walking ahead of them to their table.  As they passed through the restaurant, AJ saw several people he knew.  They took their seats, perused the menus, and placed their orders.  "Mac, there are several people here whom I know.  I really should speak to them."  He scooted his chair back.  "You're welcome to join me or not.  Your preference.  I don't believe you know any of them."

Mac smiled.  "I don't mind meeting them, Sir, if that's what you'd prefer.  But I'd actually appreciate a little time to get my thoughts around the case again before I start firing you with questions."

"That'll be fine, Mac.  I'll be right back then."  AJ rose and headed for the first person he knew.  "Good evening, Jerre."  He slapped the man with her on the back, "Joe, how are you?"

"AJ!  How delightful!" gushed the woman called Jerre. 

Joe stood up and shook AJ's hand, "Keep your seat, Joe," AJ told him. 

Joe sat back down.  "I thought I saw you come in a minute ago," Joe said.  "Had quite a luscious beauty with you, too.  Who is she?"

"Joseph, that's rude," scolded his wife.

"Nothing rude about it, Jerre.  She's a looker, and I do mean a looker!" Joe objected.

AJ chuckled, "Yes, she is quite attractive.  When you're single again, Joe, let me know.  I'll introduce you."

"That might be sooner than he thinks!" said Jerre in a warning voice.

Joe and AJ laughed.  "You know me, Sweetheart.  I look, but I never stray."

"Good thing!" she replied.  "But why would you introduce her to Joe, AJ?  Isn't she with you?"

"She's one of my lawyers, actually." 

Joe's eyes about popped out of their sockets.  "Are you crazy?"

"She's handling a personal case for me right now.  Actually, for my family.  She had some questions, so... dinner," AJ explained.

"A personal case?  Is everything okay, AJ?  That sounds pretty ominous," Joe suggested.

AJ nodded.  "Mac will handle everything fine.  I have no real concerns about the case... not with her taking care of it."

"She must be pretty good," Jerre said.

"The best on my staff," AJ agreed.  "Good to see you both.  I saw a couple of other people I want to speak to... and then I should get back to Mac and her 20 questions."

"Bye, AJ."  "Glad you dropped by," they said at the same time.

AJ made his way over to the other couples he knew.  The conversations were much the same with each couple.  Finally, AJ returned to their table.  "Sorry," he offered.  "That took longer than I expected it to."

Mac smiled.  "Not a problem at all, Sir."

He grinned when he saw her pad and pen laying next to her place at the table. He could see a lot of writing on the pad already. "Please tell me those aren't all questions," he joked.

Mac looked down at her pad. "Actually, they are, Sir. But they aren't all for you. Some are just things that I have to investigate about the corporation.  First thing on Monday, I'm going to request a change of venue.  They have this thing set for Philadelphia!  That's much too far away for them to have to travel," Mac intoned.  

"Very inconvenient, that's for sure.  Be good if you could move it, Mac," AJ nodded.

Their salads arrived and they began eating. "Would you like me to wait until we've finished eating to begin the questions, Admiral? Or shall I begin now?"

"From the looks of that list, you'd better start now."

She smiled. "Very well, Sir. The first question is how long have the Amish people been settled on the land in question? According to the paperwork from the corporation's lawyers, it's only been since 1950."

"1950!?" AJ exclaimed. "That's absurd! My parents were both born there! My grandparents were born on that land! Hell, my great, great grandparents were born there! Our Community was settled there in 1821. They started out in Lancaster County with most of the other Amish Communities. They were growing quickly and running out of land, so we began branching out. Some of the Communities went to Illinois, Ohio, Indiana... and others of us stayed in Pennsylvania, just moved away from Lancaster County."

Mac nodded as he spoke, and she scribbled notes on her pad. When it was obvious that AJ had completed his answer, she continued, "So they would not consider accepting any amount of money for their land. Is that a correct statement, Sir?"

"Damned straight." AJ flinched as he spoke. He never swore when he lived at home... not even at the Academy.  That started when he became a SeAL. 'I need to work on that,' he decided. "The Amish don't care about money, Mac. They don't care about becoming wealthy or famous. None of that is important to them. The important things are God, family, and the Community."

"Are the Amish the same as Quakers?" Mac asked suddenly.

AJ looked up, surprised at her question. "No, Mac. Amish are sometimes called 'Plain'; Quakers are 'Friends'. There's a difference. Big difference."

"I remember watching a John Wayne movie. The girl and her family were Quakers. He was an outlaw, if I remember right."

AJ chuckled, "That would be 'Angel and the Badman'."

"Yes! That's the one," she smiled. "Have you seen it?"

AJ nodded, "Oh yeah. I'm a big Duke fan. I've seen all of his movies.  You like John Wayne?"

"Oh yes, I do.  I love his movies.  Even better to look at, though?  Yul Brynner.  Mmm, he was one hunk of male!"  AJ laughed outright, causing Mac to look up from her food and blush furiously.  "I'm sorry, Sir.  I forgot for a second who I was with."

AJ shook his head.  "Not a problem, Mac.  We're not on duty.  But you know, I never have understood women's attraction to Yul Brynner.  Men, yes... he always had alpha-male roles and played them to the hilt.  He was a man's man, you know?  But women?  What was it... is it... that women find so attractive about him?"

Mac replied simply, "He's sexy."  She took another bite of her salad.

"He's bald!" AJ argued.

Mac looked up and saw him staring at her.  "Like I said... he's sexy," she said quietly.  AJ raised an eyebrow at Mac, but he didn't continue the discussion.  Mac brought the subject back to the John Wayne movie, "So how are Amish different from Quakers?"

AJ sighed. "Mac, that's like asking how are Presbyterians different from Amish. They're nothing alike."

"Oh," Mac said quietly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

AJ smiled. "It's not a problem, Mac. Was that really one of your questions?" he nodded toward her pad of paper.

She grinned. "No, Sir. Just one I thought of when I remembered the movie." They laughed together lightly, and Mac moved on to her next questions. Eventually, she had answers to all of them that were earmarked for AJ. As their waiter set their dessert in front of them, she said, "Admiral, do you plan to go to Pennsylvania with me for the court date?"

AJ paused, his fork in midair. He looked Mac in the eye and said, "I don't know yet, Mac. I don't know that I'd really be all that welcome. And I don't want to hinder your case at all."

"Actually, Sir, I was hoping you would come. In uniform, in fact."

"In uniform? Mac, I hardly think that's..."

Mac interrupted him. "You'd be my surprise weapon, Sir. I was thinking..."

"Mac," AJ stopped her. "I'd rather not. If I do go, I won't take a uniform with me. And I'd rather that you didn't either."

"But why, Admiral? We could use that..."

"Because the Amish do not approve of the military. It was the very reason I was shunned... why I haven't seen my family in all these years. Even though they aren't welcoming me back to the Community as one of them, they are extending friendship to me. I don't want to throw it back in their faces. I've never known the elders to offer this before, Mac. Ever. It means a lot to me, and I want to try to..."

Mac smiled and reached across the table to pat his hand. "Then we'll leave our uniforms at home, Sir. That won't be a problem."

It was as though he was in a trance; he didn't even hear Mac's words. "I just wish it happened 10 years ago... before my vadder died. Then I could have seen him again... gone to his funeral when he died... been there to helfe my mudder, my familye." He reverted back to speaking in tongue... he didn't even realize it.

"Admiral?" Mac said softly when he stopped speaking. He was looking straight at her, but she knew he wasn't seeing her.

"Schee yung maedel. My seiss MarLyn. I hurt you so badly." ("Beautiful young girl. My sweet MarLyn.") AJ reached his hand across the table and caressed Mac's cheek. "Do you remember when we played es schteckle during the haerrebscht, and I found you hiding in the hoi in the gaul's schtall?" ("Do you remember when we played hide-and-go-seek during the autumn, and I found you hiding in the hay in the horse's stable?") AJ grinned. "And you didn't run, my schee yung maedel."

"Admiral?" Mac said again. "Are you alright, Sir?"

AJ blinked and brought his focus back to Mac. He looked down and almost blushed. "Sorry about that, Mac."

"Not a problem, Sir. Are you sure you're okay?"

AJ nodded. "Fine." His voice was strong and his eye contact, normal. He was definitely back to himself. "Hard to believe I remember the language so well. I haven't heard it or used it in over 30 years."

"What did you say, Sir?" she asked out of curiosity. "You were talking to MarLyn, I believe."

"Nothing important, Mac," he hedged. "Are you finished with your questions?"

"Yes, Sir. Thank you for being so patient in answering them all, Admiral."

AJ paid the bill, secured their overcoats, and they headed back to Mac's apartment. "Admiral," Mac started. "Don't I remember something about your having worked on a ranch in Texas at some point?" AJ turned surprised eyes to her. "I believe, in fact, that it was Bud who mentioned it to me. And he doesn't usually get that kind of thing mixed up."

AJ chuckled. "Actually, it was a ranch in Wyoming. And I spent a couple of summers there. The farms in our Community had only milk cows and hogs. In Wyoming, the Community had cattle. My father thought I should learn both so I could choose which I preferred. So he sent me to Wyoming for a couple of months in the summer during high school. I think he hoped I'd decide I liked ranching better than school and quit. I didn't, obviously."

"Then why do you have a Texas accent, Sir? I mean, sometimes it's almost a Texas drawl..."

AJ laughed heartily. "I worked long and hard on that drawl, Mac!"

"Sir?"

AJ grinned. "My roommate at Annapolis my first year there was from Texas, Mac. He had the worst drawl I'd ever heard. Of course, he ribbed me about my accent, too." Mac looked surprised. "Oh yeah, I sounded a lot like the Yoders."

"Oh my!" Mac almost giggled. "I can't quite imagine your sounding like that.  Almost... German."

"Well, I worked pretty hard at getting rid of that accent, and the easiest way I found to do it was to adopt another one. And I rather took a fancy to Ted's, so I went for Texas."

"It sounds so real, though," Mac interjected.

"Not always to a Texan. I've been called on it several times over the years. It would be like a New Yorker adopting a North Carolina accent," he chuckled.

"Oh, that hurts just to think about," laughed Mac as he pulled into her parking lot. "Thank you, again, for dinner, Admiral. And for answering all of my questions."

"I'll walk you up, Mac."

"No need for that, Sir. I often get home this late. I'm perfectly fine," Mac replied.

"Humor me, Mac. I'll walk you to your door and see you safely inside."

Mac smiled. "That would be very nice, Admiral. Thank you."

Continue to Part 2.