Gone Camping - Part 2

Sunday, 23 June 2002
0845 EDT
George Washington National Forest
West Virginia

Everyone was gathered around the big circle, getting last-minute instructions about their daily hike.  As the Y leader reminded everyone to have their daypack weigh at least 5 pounds and no more than 10, Chloe groaned.  "It's sooo heavy, Mac."

"Chloe, this pack hardly weighs anything!  I doubt that it's even 5 pounds.  You won't have any trouble with it.  Now come on.  Be a sport," Mac urged.

Tim slipped his arm around Chloe's waist and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, Chlo.  If it gets too heavy, we'll just shift some of the weight into my pack."

Chloe smiled her thanks.  "I don't know how she can carry so much and it not bother her."

AJ walked up behind Chloe and took her pack from her.  He held it up for her to slip her arms through the straps.  "Here you go," he said.  

"Thank you, Admiral."

He nodded as he turned to help Mac with her pack.  But she was already throwing it on her back.  "Ready to roll?" she asked flippantly.  AJ nodded as he grabbed his pack and flung it on his back.  "How much did you put in yours?" she taunted.

"10 pounds is the limit today.  That's what I've got," AJ replied as they headed out with the group.  "You?"

"10.  Wish it could be more.  The pack feels too light... like I forgot something, you know?"

As Mac trudged ahead of them, Chloe and Tim looked back at AJ.  He winked at them and nodded.  

After an hour, they took their first break.  Everyone took off their packs and relaxed for a bit.  Chloe and Tim were sitting together, and Mac and AJ were several yards away chatting with some of the other adults.  Chloe stood up.  "I'll be back in a minute."

"Where are you going?" asked Tim immediately, not releasing his hold on her hand.

"To the little girls' room," she whispered for his ears only.  "I'll be right back."

He grinned.  "Be careful."

Several minutes later, Chloe returned, beaming.  'I did it!  I'm dry!!  I am sooo glad the Admiral told me how to do that...'

"Three minutes!!" called the leader.

Mac excused herself from the group of adults on the pretext of checking on Chloe and Tim.  When she saw they were still sitting together talking, Mac slipped off into the woods to relieve herself.  She had her shorts pulled down and was just squatting when she heard footsteps coming around the bush that hid her.

AJ rounded the bush just as Mac cried out, "Don't come around here!!"

He stopped dead in his tracks, but he was already on her side of the bush.  He looked down at her.  "What the...  Mac!  What are you...  Oh God..." he mumbled as he turned around and walked back around to the other side.  "Go ahead."

"You're just going to stand there?"

"Yes... and keep anyone else from walking around that bush."

"Oh.  Thank you," she said quietly.  Mac finished her business and stood up.  "Sorry about that, Sir... um, AJ."

When they returned to the main group, Chloe said, "What happened?  I heard you yell, Mac."

Mac blushed.  "Nothing happened.  Everything's fine."

"Then why are you blushing?" asked Tim.  "And why is AJ grinning?"

Mac turned and glared at AJ.  He responded quickly, "Hey!  It's not my fault you chose the wrong bush!"

"I chose the wrong bush?" Mac repeated.  AJ nodded.  "And just how do you figure that I chose the wrong bush?" she asked indignantly.

"Too tall.  I didn't see your head... didn't have any idea you were on the other side," AJ shrugged.

"Mac!  You're supposed to find a bush that's only 3 feet tall," Chloe said.

"Three feet!?  No way; I like to be completely hidden," Mac said in her defense.

"Then you're going to get walked in on," quipped AJ.  "Just like this time.  And some guy's going to see your red underwear... again," he teased.  "Not exactly regulation, are they?"

Mac glared at him.  "Youuuuuu..."  She grabbed her pack and threw it on her back.  "Ooow!  That hurt.  Things must have shifted some in this thing," she complained.

"Here, let me adjust it for you, Mac," offered AJ.  He noticed the nervous glance between Chloe and Tim.  'I bet I know what I'm going to find in this pack...' he thought as he unhooked the clasp.  'Yep.  Rocks.'  He shook his head as he moved them around to balance the weight.

Chloe and Tim looked relieved when AJ refastened Mac's pack without saying a word.  

After another hour, they stopped again.  Mac slung her pack to the ground saying, "Man, that feels heavier than it did when we left.  I guess I need to start working out with weights, again."

"Well, it has been a couple of hours, Mac," AJ said placatingly.  

"Oh, I'm not complaining.  It's not heavy... just feels heavier than when we started, that's all."

Mac and AJ joined the adults as Tim and Chloe sat together, enjoying each other's company.  AJ kept watch out of the corner of his eye, so he knew exactly when the kids slid Mac's pack over to them.  He watched as they unloaded everything from Chloe's pack and stuffed it into Mac's.  He grinned to himself, 'They're really asking for it.'  AJ knew that when Mac discovered her pack loaded with all of Chloe's things and the rocks, that those kids would pay.  Mac didn't strike him as someone who let a practical joke go by without payback.

When the group got back to the main campsite, Mac swung her pack off of her back.  "I really have to start using weights, again.  I can't believe that little 10-pound pack was so heavy!" she complained.

"You sure it was only 10 pounds, Mac?" AJ chuckled.

"What?"  Mac looked at him and saw the glint in his eyes.  "What did you do?" she said as she unfastened the pack and opened it.  "Oh my God!!  This is all Chloe's!" she said as she pulled Chloe's stuff out.  "Rocks!?!" she exclaimed.  "No wonder this thing was so heavy!!"  AJ was laughing outright now.  "Did you do this?!"

He shook his head and held up his hands.  "Not me!  I'm innocent!"

"Chloe did this?"

"She had a little help..."

"Ooooo, I'll get them..."

'Yep, I knew she wasn't the kind to let a practical joke go by without payback.'

Sunday, 23 June 2002
1335 EDT
George Washington National Forest
West Virginia

"Thanks for making lunch, Mac," Tim said as he picked up his sandwich.

Mac smiled.  "Oh, you're so welcome, Tim.  I do hope you enjoy it," she said almost sickly sweet.  

AJ knew that tone.  So did Chloe.  'Uh oh,' they thought.

"You do like fresh horseradish, don't you?" asked Mac.

Tim looked up just before he took a bite.  "Umm, no, actually, I don't."

"Oh, well... just scrape it off then," said Mac handing him an extra napkin. 

Tim took the napkin and lifted the top piece of bread.  A lizard stuck his head up and looked straight into Tim's eyes.  "Aaaugh!!" Tim screamed, throwing the sandwich away from him.  The poor little lizard was stunned as he fell off the sandwich... but he came to quickly enough and scampered away.  

"Eewww, grooooss!!!" cried Chloe, as Mac and AJ roared with laughter.  "Maa-ac!!  I can't believe you did that to Tim!"

"Oh no?" returned Mac.  "Just you wait, young lady.  You're next!"

"Me?  Why me?" Chloe whined.

"Carrying just your things would have been okay... but rocks?  You put ROCKS in my pack this morning!!" Mac accused the kids.  Then they burst into gales of laughter.  "So don't play innocent with me!  AJ's the only innocent one..."

"Oh, no he isn't!" cried Chloe.  "He rearranged the rocks in your pack at the first break!  Remember??"

Mac's jaw dropped open and she turned to face AJ.  He was still laughing.  "A-ha!  So you aren't as innocent as you claim!"  AJ shook his head; he still couldn't talk for laughing.  "Just you wait, AJ, my man.  Just you wait!"

'Ah Mac... what I wouldn't give to be your man...'

Sunday, 23 June 2002
2355 EDT
George Washington National Forest
West Virginia

Chloe had found several others in the group who enjoyed playing poker, so she organized a game after the big campfire.  Mac wouldn't let them play for keeps, so they'd all counted their money before the game started.  Everyone had left with the same amount they came with, though it had changed hands often throughout the night.

AJ was surprised that Mac was so good at poker.  He didn't care for the game, himself, but he had enjoyed watching them play.  Chloe was a shrewd player, too.  Either she or Mac won almost every hand.  

AJ and Tim had already gone to their tent, as had everyone else.  When he glanced over to the girls' tent, AJ saw that Mac was dealing another hand of cards.  One for herself and one for Chloe.  "Uh oh," AJ mumbled to himself.  "Payback time, Chloe.  Never mess with a Marine!"

He watched as Chloe asked for cards, and Mac took hers.  Then the betting started.  He could barely make out what Mac was saying.  'No, she couldn't have said that,' he thought.

"Mac, are you sure you want to do that?" Chloe asked, confident that she was going to win the hand.

"Absolutely.  Loser jumps in the lake... butt naked," Mac repeated.

"Okay, Mac..." Chloe said as she turned her cards over.  "Read 'em and weep!" Chloe grinned.  "Hope that water isn't too cold tonight!"

"Not so fast, Missy.  I do believe that my 4 little bitty Aces beats your full house," Mac said in a sing-song voice.  Chloe gasped.  "Now who's hoping the water isn't too cold?" Mac teased.

"You're going to hold me to that?" Chloe asked in amazement.

"But of course!  You were going to hold me to it," Mac told her.

"Well, I'm not going to back down," said Chloe.

"Good.  'Cause I'm not going to let you," Mac teased her mercilessly.  "Come on, Chlo.  Down to the lake with you... and strip!  Teach you to mess with a Marine's pack!"

Monday, 24 June 2002
0255 EDT
George Washington National Forest
West Virginia

Mac awoke with a feeling of something not quite right. Something was out of place.  She turned and looked at Chloe.  She looked fine.  'I should have made her dry her hair before she went to bed.  What if she gets sick from this?' Mac worried.  Mac reached over and felt of her face.  'No fever; that's good.  Still...'  She reached down and grabbed her quilt and laid it over Chloe's feet.  'Don't get sick on me, Sweetie.'

Mac unzipped the flap and stepped outside.  She really wasn't sleepy.  'Maybe I'll take a quick dip in the lake myself,' she decided.  'It's a beautiful full moon.  Who could resist it?'

She slowly walked down to the lake, enjoying the moonlight and the stillness of the forest.  She pulled her nightgown over her head and tossed it aside.  Before she walked into the water, she reached her arms above her head and stretched.  "Oh, it feels so good to be free," she whispered to no one.

Mac walked slowly into the water.  When she was up to her waist, she dunked herself and wet her hair.  She came up and wiped the water from her face.  She laid forward and swam toward the center of the lake.  As she stopped to tread water, she saw something.  No.  She saw someone. And he was close... very close.  She gasped her surprise.

"Looks like we had the same idea, Mac," AJ spoke softly.

Mac blushed.  "I'm sorry.  You were here first.  I'll go back."

"No need, Mac.  It's a big lake."

"Not big enough," she breathed, turning around... but he heard her.

"I don't think the ocean would be big enough, Mac."

Mac swallowed hard.  "I should..."

"Don't, Mac.  Don't think about it.  Just enjoy yourself.  You don't get to do that often enough.  Just be happy."  Mac turned and looked into his dark eyes and saw that he meant what he said.  "What do you like to do when you're skinny dipping, Mac?"

She smiled.  "I love doing the side stroke.  And I love to float on my back."

"My thing is the butterfly.  Don't know why.  I've enjoyed doing that stroke since I was a kid in summer camp.  But I don't like it unless I'm stripped down.  So I've had to learn to do it quietly."

"I've seen you move, AJ.  You can do anything quietly."

AJ looked deeply into her eyes.  "Not quite, Mac," he said huskily.  AJ knew his boundaries.  And he was already past them.  He turned and swam quietly away from her.  

Mac watched him swim.  'Did he mean that the way it sounded?  Or am I reading into it?' she wondered.  Mac finally began swimming, again, herself.  She did the side stroke and tried not to pay attention to the fact that AJ had stopped swimming and was watching her.  

AJ began swimming laps; he had to get his mind off of Mac... off the fact that she was swimming in the same lake with him... off the fact that they were both naked as the day they were born... off the fact that he wanted her desperately... now more than ever.  'Does she have any idea what she does to me?  I wonder if I excite her at all?  Probably not; she probably thinks of me as an old man.  But she didn't look at me earlier like an old man...'  

AJ couldn't take it anymore.  He turned and headed for the shore... at the same time Mac did.  They reached the waist-level water together and AJ stood up.  He smiled at Mac's still being under the water and said, "You go up first, Mac... I'll turn around."

Mac quickly went ashore and donned her nightgown and said, "Okay."  She was facing away from the lake as AJ donned his shorts.

He turned back to her and took a step closer to her.  "Mac..."

"AJ..." she said at the same time.

And then his arms were around her, pulling her to his chest, their mouths fusing together in a long, heated, wet kiss.  AJ finally pulled back abruptly, causing Mac to moan.  He reached his hand up to cup Mac's cheek.  "We can't do this, Mac.  You know that.  It's wrong."

She nodded, "I know."

"We should go back up now."

She smiled.  "Together?"

"Might as well."  

They walked up toward their tents.  As they reached Mac's, she turned to face him. But before either of them said anything, they heard Chloe's sleepy voice.  "Mac, I'm cold."

Mac took one last look at AJ before she ducked inside her tent.  "It's okay, Sweetie.  Here's my quilt," Mac said as she pulled it up from Chloe's feet and covered her chilled body.

Monday, 24 June 2002
0525 EDT
George Washington National Forest
West Virginia

Mac awoke hearing something just outside their tent.  She quietly lifted the flap to look out through the mesh window.  Mac smiled when she saw AJ.  She unzipped the front flap and stepped outside.  

"Good morning," said AJ, looking up at her from his perch on the log.  'God, she's so beautiful.'

"Good morning," she answered back.  "I thought you would sleep in a bit today."  'And oh, how I wish you could be sleeping in with me.'

"I did.  Only got up a couple of minutes ago."  He saw Mac looking at the coffee pot.  "No coffee yet.  Can't light the fire for another 5 minutes."

"3 minutes and 3 seconds."

AJ smiled.  "You ever going to share that secret?"

Mac grinned down at him.  "Mmmm... maybe one day.  I have it!  I'll share it on my wedding night."  Then she added sadly, "If I ever have one."

AJ looked away.  'Well, then I guess I'll never hear it.'  "You will, Mac," he said softly.  "One of these days, some guy's going to sweep you off your feet.  And you won't know what hit you."  'Damn, how I wish it could be me.'

"Yeah, well...  That's supposedly what happened with Mic.  And Dalton...  John...  Chris..."  Mac sighed and plopped herself down on the log next to AJ.  "God, I'm a total failure when it comes to men."

"No you're not, Mac," he said as he gently put his hand on her knee.  "You just haven't found the right guy."

'Oh but I have, I have.  I just can't have you,' she thought miserably.  "What is it, AJ?  What is it about me that is so... I don't know..." she sighed heavily.  "What is it that men don't like about me?  Oh, I know they like my body.  But that's just physical.  What about what makes me 'me'?  Why can't I find someone who'll love me... just for me?"  

'I love you, Mac.  I love you, just as you are.  What would you do if I told you that?  If I confessed my love and offered to retire so we could be together?  What would you do?' AJ wondered.  'Probably laugh.  No,' he thought better of it.  'She wanted me last night.  That was obvious.  As obvious as the fact that I wanted her.  I wonder what she would say? Do I dare tell her and find out?  No,' he decided.  'If I said something and she didn't feel the same way, it would be bad.  Really bad.  No, if I want to pursue this, I'll have to leave the Navy first.  Before I can say anything to her.'  AJ stared at the lake, remembering their kiss.  'But what if it was just the heat of the moment?  I'm so much older than she is...'

When AJ didn't reply right away, Mac turned to look at him.  He was looking straight ahead, at the lake.  She doubted that he'd even heard what she asked; he certainly wasn't paying attention to her now, even though his hand still rested on her knee.  "You can light the fire now," she said sadly.

AJ turned and faced her, moving his hand from her knee to her face.  He cupped her cheek and looked at her.  "No, Mac.  You already lit the fire.  And I'm having a damnable time trying to put it out."  He stood up, dropped the matches in Mac's lap, and headed for the cold water of the lake.

"AJ," she breathed, watching him walk into the water.  "Oh God..."

Monday, 24 June 2002
1125 EDT
George Washington National Forest
West Virginia

Chloe and Tim sat on a rock and watched Mac and AJ.  They'd been hiking now for over two hours, and they still had another two to go.  But right now, they were resting.  Usually, AJ and Mac sat or stood together and talked... alone or with other adults in the group.  But today, on both breaks so far, Mac had gone off by herself and AJ had sought out the Y leader.

"What's up with those two, today, Chlo?" asked Tim.

Chloe shook her head. "I have no idea.  Mac's been acting really weird all day.  Maybe she's got PMS or something."

"That would explain why the Admiral is staying so far away from her!" Tim chuckled.  Chloe glared at him.  He looked sheepishly at her.  "Sorry," he said in a small voice.  "You know, they almost act like they had a fight or something."

"A fight?  I don't think so.  Mac would never fight with the Admiral," Chloe informed him.

"Why not?  I mean, other than the fact that he's her CO."

"She just wouldn't," Chloe insisted.  "I know Mac.  She would never fight with him.  I think I should go talk to her... just to be sure she's okay," Chloe said.  "We still have about 5 minutes on break, right?"  Tim nodded, and Chloe got up and walked over to Mac.

Mac paced back and forth between a small clump of trees.  She didn't realize she was pacing; she was deep in thought.  'He does care for me.  He as much as said so this morning.  But he can't do anything about it.  He won't do anything.  Not as long as I work for him.  No... not as long as we're both in the Service.  He wouldn't risk it.  I could leave.  I could quit the Corps and get a job in a private firm.'  

Mac sighed, remembering the utter failure that had been when she tried it before.  'But that was because it was Dalton's firm.  I was his girlfriend.  His trophy.  Not his partner in law.  I could do this.  But do I want to?  What if I left and then found out he didn't really want me?'

Mac heard footsteps and turned around as Chloe approached.  "Hey, Sweetie," she called to her.

"Hey, Mac.  You okay?"

Mac feigned a smile.  "Perfect!  How are you and Tim doing?  You look like you're enjoying each other's company well enough," she teased.

"I like him a lot, Mac.  We've already exchanged addresses and phone numbers so we can see each other when we get home."

"Be sure to get his grandparents' phone number, too, since that's where he'll be this summer," Mac advised.

Chloe grinned.  "Already have it."

Mac nodded.  "That's my girl!"

"Mac, can I ask you something?  About boys?"

"Of course you can, Sweetie.  What is it?"  Mac took Chloe's hand and they sat together on the hard ground.

"Mac, my mom told me about the facts of life before she died.  And of course we get all that in school, anyway.  So I have that down pretty well," Chloe explained.

Mac shifted her position slightly.  'Oh God... one of these kind of questions!'

"What I want to know is... does it hurt?"

Mac knew immediately to what Chloe referred.  Sex.  'Oh God...'  "Yes, Chloe.  It hurts most women the first time or two.  Some it hurts every time."

"I don't like pain, Mac."

"Not many people do."

"Then why?  Why do women do it?  Why let a man do that to you if it hurts?" 

"Because the pleasure far outweighs the pain.  Chloe, when you're with a man you care for... a man who cares for you... you don't think about the pain.  It's fleeting anyway... usually.  And if the man is gentle, you'll get used to his size and his filling you.  And it's..." Mac sighed.  "Chloe, it's one of the most wonderful feelings in the world... to have a man loving you."

Chloe whispered, "Tim asked me if I was still a virgin."

Mac raised concerned eyes to Chloe's.  "What did you tell him?"

"I told him I was.  And that I wanted to stay that way."

"What'd he say to that?" Mac asked, relieved.

"He smiled.  He said that was a good thing; that he was glad."

"Did he?"

"Uh huh.  He said that he wanted to be a virgin on his wedding night... and he wanted to marry one.  He wants it to be just like his parents were."  Chloe got a little misty eyed.  "His mom died last year, you know.  She had cancer, too... just like my mom."

"I didn't know that, Chloe.  I'm sorry."

Mac could tell Chloe wasn't finished talking; she kept fidgeting.  Finally she spoke very softly.  "My mom wasn't a virgin when she married my stepdad.  I mean, she had me when she was 18, and she and my dad weren't even married."

"Sometimes that happens, Chloe," said Mac.  "Your father explained to you what happened.  Do you remember that?"

She nodded.  "Yeah, I do."  She took a deep breath.  "Mac, that doesn't mean I have to be that way, does it?  I mean it's not genetic or anything, right?  I could still be a virgin when I get married if I want to.  Can't I?"

Mac smiled and pulled Chloe into an embrace.  "Of course you can, Sweetie.  All you have to do is say 'No' when a boy asks.  And if he doesn't ask and just tries, you push him away.  Fight him off if you have to.  You remember what I taught you?"

Chloe giggled.  "Oh yeah.  I'm really good at that 'lift knee, thrust hard' move."

"And you have the can of pepper spray I gave you?"

"Uh huh... in my purse."

"Good.  I hope you never need it, but it's better to have it just in case."

"Mac, will it be easy to say no?  I mean, 'just say no' is the thing about drugs and all that.  Well, I don't have a problem with that.  I don't want to do drugs.  They're stupid.  Only someone with half a brain would want to risk messing up their life with that crap.  But you said that sex is so wonderful.  Is it going to be hard to say no?"

Neither of them had noticed AJ walk up beside them.  He had heard Chloe's question, so he decided to wait until Mac answered her to make his presence known.

"Not always, Chloe.  Sometimes, yes, it's very easy to say no.  Other times," Mac said dreamily, "it's very, very difficult."

"Was it hard to say no to Harm?" Chloe asked, fishing.

Mac shook her head and chuckled.  "Harm's never asked for that, Chloe.  And I don't believe at this point that he ever will."

"But what if he did?  Would you do it?  Or would you say no?"

"I'd say no, Chloe.  And it wouldn't be difficult at all.  Harm's a friend.  Nothing more."  AJ grinned to himself at Mac's words.

"I used to think you two were perfect for each other.  And then Mic came into the picture.  I hated him for the longest time, you know."

Mac smiled.  "I know you did, Sweetie.  Kinda wish now that I'd listened to you."  Mac grinned.  "Not about Harm.  About Mic."

Chloe laughed lightly.  "Yeah, I can't imagine you with Harm now.  But you know what?  The one I really wanted you with all along was the Admiral.  I still do."  AJ almost lost his balance when he heard that statement.  Even more so when he heard Mac's soft answer.

"Me, too, Chloe.  And that... a relationship with the Admiral... or rather, the lack of a relationship, is probably the hardest thing I've ever done."

"What would you do if he asked you, Mac?"

"He never would, Chloe," she sighed.

"You don't know that," Chloe argued.

"Oh yes, I do know that," Mac closed her eyes, remembering the wee hours of the morning.  If ever he would have wanted her, he would have taken her then.  And she wouldn't have refused.  But his will was stronger than his desire.  "It's not always easy to say no, Chloe.  But sometimes, it's what you have to do."  Mac focused her eyes back on Chloe.  "And if you want to be a virgin when you get married, then it's what you have to do."

AJ finally spoke up, startling both Mac and Chloe.  "You two going to stay here or join the hike?  Everyone's waiting.  Let's go."  He thought to himself, 'Go for it, old man.  She said she wants you.  Do it.  When you get home, put in for retirement.'

AJ reached for the closest pack, which was Chloe's,  and helped her put it on her back.  He turned to help Mac, but she already had hers on.  

Chloe ran ahead to join Tim, which left AJ and Mac trailing the group... and walking next to each other for the first time on that hike.

"Sounded like a pretty heavy discussion you two were having," AJ ventured.

Mac nodded.  "Sex."  She wondered just how much he had heard.

"At her age?"

"She brought it up.  Evidently she and Tim discussed it."

"Oh, God..."

"It's okay, AJ," she said.  He looked doubtful.  "Really.  They both want to be virgins when they get married," Mac said in awe.

"That's a switch.  Most kids today..."

"I have the definite feeling that Tim is not 'most kids today'," Mac interrupted.

AJ nodded.  "I'll agree with that.  We had a little chat last night before he went to sleep.  He was asking about the Navy mostly.  But then he switched topics."

"To what?"

"Alcohol."

"Oh no.  He doesn't drink, does he?  Not as young as he is?" 

"No, not him.  Evidently his father used to.  But when his mother took ill several years ago, it brought him up short.  He went for help.  He's been dry since.  Tim was really afraid last year when his mom died... afraid that Bruce would hit the bottle, again.  But he didn't.  They went through it together and came out on top."

"Speaking of Bruce, have you heard anything from him?

AJ shook his head.  "No, not since he called to say the surgery was scheduled for 0600 this morning.  I figured I'd call the hospital when we get back to the campsite.  I'm sure Tim is worried."

"It's a shame they couldn't have done the surgery yesterday."

"They said there was too much swelling.  They had to get that down first."

"So Tim was asking about the Navy?" Mac asked, switching the subject back.

"Yeah.  He wanted to know about the different types of jobs there are."

"And I'm sure you told him all about the SeALs, right?" Mac teased.

"Of course!"

"I don't suppose it ever occurred to you to mention the Marines?"

"Certainly not.  The boy asked about the best branch of the Military, so I told him all about us.  The Navy, that is, Mac," AJ teased back.

"Bah!  The Navy.  The guys who drive the boats to get us Marines in to fight!"

AJ laughed outright.  "Us Marines, Mac?  You want to go back to the front lines, do you?"

Mac grinned.  "Not especially.  I rather like it at JAG, thank you."

"Good, because you're a tremendous asset to the office."

Mac turned and smiled at him.  "Why thank you, Admiral."

"You're most welcome, Colonel," he smiled back.  "I certainly don't intend to let you out of JAG for a good long time to come," he added, not noticing her sudden sad look.  "Now, back to first names, okay?"  She nodded her agreement.  "What would you think if I said I was thinking of retirement?" he asked casually.

"Retirement?  You?" she asked, surprised.

"Retirement, yes.  Me," he grinned.

"You're not serious."

"Why wouldn't I be?  I've already got the years in..."

"But you're a vital part of JAG, Admiral.  You can't just... leave."  Then Mac had a thought.  "Do you have an offer from a civilian firm?"

AJ shook his head.  "No, Mac, I don't.  But I have no doubt that I could get one.  Or even teach at the Academy.  That might be fun.  I could even coach baseball."

Mac was taken aback.  He was thinking of leaving.  And from the sound of it, he'd thought a lot about it.  "This isn't a new idea, is it, Sir?"

"Mac... it's AJ."

"Is it, AJ?"

He shook his head.  "I've thought about it for a while, but never really intended to do anything about it.  I still may not.  It depends."

"Depends on what?" Mac asked without thinking better of it.  AJ turned to look into her eyes.  As they bored into her, she realized what she'd asked.  "I'm sorry.  That was very rude of me.  It's none of my business..."

"Actually, Mac, it is..." his voice was husky as he started to tell her that it was her business.  That his decision would be based on whether she wanted him.  But he never had the chance to finish his sentence.  

Chloe and Tim had stopped on the trail to wait for AJ and Mac.  "Hey you two!  We were beginning to think you'd gotten lost!" Chloe called to them, interrupting AJ.

When they got back to the campsite, they were never alone, again, for the rest of the day.

Continue to Part 3