Happy New Year - Part 1

Author:  Ava E-mail:  mmmThatAJ@yahoo.com Rating:  PG-13 Summary:  AJ and Mac attend a New Year's Eve celebration at the White House. Author's comments:  This story is dedicated to Kelly and Rob on the birth of their first son, Tristan. Congratulations!! Oh, and as always, characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').     Disclaimer:  JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. I've used a little bit of the dialogue from the episode, "A Girl's Best Friend". That doesn't belong to me either.

Tuesday, 30 December 2003
0815 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Admiral AJ Chegwidden hung up the phone in his office and stood to his feet. He turned to face out the window, crossing his arms over his chest. Somehow this entire holiday season hadn't turned out as he'd expected. He'd hoped to spend most of his free time with his fiancée, but Meredith had gone to Italy for a Shakespearean festival. He didn't begrudge her that; it was an honor for her to be invited. And she did ask for his permission to go, after all. He couldn't very well be angry that she was gone when he'd agreed that she go. But he just hadn't expected to be quite so lonely.

Christmas Eve at the Roberts' house was a nice affair. And he'd certainly enjoyed listening to Chaplain Turner preach; this year's choir was stupendous, too. Even better, he'd been fortunate enough to have Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie sit next to him in the Chapel. He always enjoyed being near Mac when she was off duty. She wore a perfume that excited his senses, and she was always impeccably dressed. He especially liked it when she curled her hair so that it framed her face. He was more than a little concerned about the rumors he'd been hearing lately... rumors that Mac was dating Clayton Webb from the CIA. Helping him on an assignment was one thing; dating him... and from what AJ had heard, seriously dating him... that was another thing entirely.

AJ's thoughts moved on to Christmas day. He hadn't been able to reach Meredith on the phone at all. Nor had he been able to reach his daughter. He'd even tried calling his ex-wife, thinking perhaps Francesca might be spending the holiday with her mother. But the calls wouldn't connect, not even when he used the International Operator. He knew he could have called the Armed Forces Operator and gotten the calls through, but he never used his position to get things for himself. He reminded himself to have a talk with his new yeoman about that. She didn't seem to hesitate to throw his weight around to get something she wanted. Granted, it was usually for other people, such as the live feed for the Christmas show in Iraq. But still, he determined that he would not give anyone room for complaint.

The weekend that followed Christmas was uneventful. AJ spent the time working in the yard, mending the fence along the back perimeter, walking the dog... and waiting for Sunday afternoon when he would go to the airport to meet Meredith's return flight. But early Sunday morning, she'd called to tell him she was postponing her return until the second week of January. AJ had not been happy, and he made that quite clear to Meredith over the phone line. So much so that Meredith hung up on him. Now he wondered if they were still engaged, or if she'd removed her ring. He couldn't believe she'd break it off just because of a silly disagreement, so he was still working on the assumption that they were engaged. In fact, he rather thought she might even have been pleased that he missed her so much.

His plans for New Year's Eve thwarted because of her delayed return, AJ had decided to stay home and watch the ball drop on television. Now this phone call he just had from the Secretary of the Navy changed that. He'd be at the White House New Year's Eve celebration. Under normal conditions, it would have been an extremely high honor to be invited. But this wasn't actually an invitation. It was more of an order.

AJ watched as the cars pulled into the JAG parking lot; it wasn't nearly the steady stream of vehicles that usually arrived at this time on a Tuesday morning, but then about half of his staff were on leave this week. He recognized the Roberts' van as they passed the guard gate. He smiled to himself as he remembered Bud's tricking Harriett into naming their second son after a Star Trek character. He grinned as he thought of their first son, named after himself.

A flash of red caught his eye and he shifted his eyes to see Mac alighting from her bright red Corvette. She waved at the Roberts and the three walked inside the building together. AJ thought about the SecNav's words just now on the phone, "AJ, if you decide to bring a date, be sure she's someone who can fend for herself in an emergency situation. The reason you were chosen to attend over the other flag officers is because of your extensive combat training and experience. If the intel is correct and there is a terrorist attack at the party, you'll be needed. I don't want your having to take care of a whimpering woman instead of assisting where you're actually needed."

AJ was a little miffed at the callousness of Sheffield's words, but he had to agree with him. If Meredith were home, AJ wouldn't be taking her to this party. So now he was actually glad she had delayed her return. But he really wasn't looking forward to attending such an elegant affair stag. And Mac was the only woman he knew who could not only handle herself in such a situation, but also help others. He wondered about the wisdom of asking her to accompany him. It wouldn't be a date; she would merely be attending the same function with him. "Who am I kidding?" he finally said aloud, turning away from the window and sitting back at his desk. "She's bound to already have a date for New Year's Eve. So you go stag. Deal with it."

He picked up his coffee mug to take a sip. "Damn. Empty." He rose and headed for the break room to refill his mug, hoping there was still coffee left that he had brewed earlier. Everyone else made it far too weak for his taste... well, except Mac. She liked it strong the way he did.

As he reached the break room, he heard Harriett's voice. "So, what are you doing for New Year's Eve, Ma'am?"

"We're flying to New York. We have a reservation at some restaurant that's on top of a building right down the street from where the ball drops. Supposedly we'll be able to see the whole thing right from the restaurant," Mac replied. "Not exactly what I'd have chosen, but I'm sure it'll be nice. It's formal attire, so I got to buy a new dress!" she giggled. "It's really sexy." She was just ready to describe it when she heard the Admiral's voice.

He spoke as he entered the room with his empty mug, "And what would you have chosen, Colonel?"

"Sir!" "Admiral!" "Good morning, Admiral," the voices came flying at him. He replied in kind and then looked askance at Mac.

"What would I have chosen, Sir?" she repeated his question.

"That's right. What would your ideal New Year's Eve celebration include, Mac?" he grinned. "Sounds like you don't mind the formal attire part. What else?"

"No, I don't mind the formal part at all. I love to dress up," she agreed. "As for the rest... well, I guess... for starters, I'd prefer a sit-down dinner to a buffet or hors d'oeuvres. Clay said the place we're going has a buffet of hors d'oeuvres. We do have our own table at least, but it's not a sit-down dinner."

So it was confirmed: Mac was dating Clayton Webb. And if he was taking her to New York City for New Year's Eve, it was definitely more than casual dating. AJ stated, "He's already bought the tickets, I guess; the best places are already sold out."

Mac nodded, "He bought them several months ago, actually."

AJ grunted, "Yeah, well..."

"Sir?" Mac asked when he didn't continue.

He poured the coffee into his mug and took a sip. "I bought tickets several months ago, too. But mine are just going to waste now."

"To waste, Sir? Why?" asked Harriett.

"Didn't Meredith get back on Sunday, Sir?" asked Mac.

AJ shook his head. "She decided to stay in Italy a few more weeks."

"What did you have planned, Sir?" asked Harriett.

He grinned a little lopsided smile and said, "We were flying to New York, too. Only we were having dinner aboard the World Yacht."

Harriett gasped, "Wow!"

AJ continued, "Yeah, we were going to ring in the New Year sailing around New York City. Talk about a view! Best view of the New York skyline and front row seats to the Grucci fireworks display at the Statue of Liberty. Six-course dinner, dancing. And of course, a room booked at the Battery Park Ritz-Carlton." AJ sighed, "At least I was able to cancel the room."

"Isn't that the hotel that's right on the water, Sir?" asked Mac.

He nodded. "That's the one." He turned to leave the room, but before he did, said, "If you know of anyone who could use the cruise tickets, send 'em my way. They'd have to get to New York and find a hotel room, but I'll give them the tickets; I hate to see them go to waste."

"Did Ms. Cavanaugh know what you had planned, Admiral?" Harriett dared.

AJ shook his head. "No. It was a surprise. Or at least it was going to be a surprise." He walked out of the break room and returned to his office.

"She'll kick herself for not coming home when she finds out," Mac said knowingly. "I wonder why she delayed her return?"

"Excuse me, Colonel," interrupted Petty Officer Jennifer Coates. "There's a call for you on Line 3. Clayton Webb, Ma'am."

Mac smiled, "Thank you, Petty Officer. I'll take it in my office."

Tuesday, 30 December 2003
1345 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ pushed his chair back from his desk and leaned back to relax. "Thank you for the update, Mac," he said. "You were completely thorough, as always." She smiled her thanks. "You're taking tomorrow off, right?" he asked.

"Yes, Sir."

"When do you leave for New York?" he asked her.

She stiffened noticeably in her seat. "I'm not, Sir."

AJ's eyebrows shot up. "You're not? Did I misunderstand you earlier? Didn't you say that you and Webb were going to New York for New Year's Eve?"

Mac replied, "You didn't misunderstand, Sir. We were supposed to go to New York. But he called this morning to say he's tied up for the rest of the week. He mentioned something about going to Iran, so I imagine he's probably on his way there." She shrugged her shoulders, "So, no party in New York for me."

"And no cruise in New York for me," AJ quipped.

Mac sighed, "A shame we couldn't just go together and not waste your cruise. That sounds like a perfect night." Before AJ could reply to her startling words, she continued, "Will that be all, Sir?"

He nodded his reply and returned, "Dismissed." Mac stood, came to attention stance, and turned to leave. As she grasped the doorknob, AJ spoke again. "Mac?"

She turned back to face him. "Sir?"

AJ stood and walked around his desk, approaching her. "What are you going to do tomorrow night now that Webb is out of town?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing, I guess. Probably sit at home and watch the ball drop on TV."

"Sounds like what I had planned..." he started.

"That's what I usually do when I don't have a date."

"...Until this morning," he finished.

Mac looked up expectantly. When the Admiral didn't offer any more information, Mac wondered if she should pry. It wasn't protocol, but he brought the subject up. "What happened this morning, Sir?"

"Had a phone call from the SecNav," he said. Mac cringed; that was never good news. "My presence has been requested at the New Year's Eve celebration at the White House."

Mac's jaw fell open. "The White House?" she squeaked. "You must be thrilled, Admiral! What an honor!"

AJ shook his head, "Not really."

Mac argued, "Oh, but Sir, it is! I only know one other person who was invited to a White House New Year's Eve party!"

"Who is that?" He was curious.

"Porter Webb... Clay's mother. She and her late husband were invited back when Lyndon Johnson was the President."

AJ nodded, "Yes, I think I remember hearing once that the Webbs were pretty significant supporters of the Democratic party back then. So their being invited makes sense.  I don't guess they'd be invited to this administration's shindig, though," he smirked.

Mac corrected him, "Actually, Sir, Clay is a Republican.  And so is Porter now.  But neither are extremely involved anymore. It gets a little difficult because of the Hatch Act.  CIA employees have lots of restrictions on them in that regard, just like we do."

"But Porter doesn't," AJ reasoned.

"True, but Clay prefers that she not have a high profile because of his work, and she seems more than happy to oblige him in that."

"Must be nice," he muttered.

Mac assumed his comment was directed at Meredith; she never seemed to go along with anything he wanted.  'What he sees in her, I'll never know,' Mac thought to herself.  Oh, she liked Meredith well enough; she just didn't think the Admiral was the right man for her.  Or rather, Meredith wasn't the right woman for her Admiral.  It didn't occur to Mac that she thought of him as her Admiral.  "Meredith is really going to kick herself when she gets home," Mac spoke aloud. "First she was going to miss a yacht and now the White House."

AJ turned and walked back to his desk, sitting in one of the red leather guest chairs. "Actually," he hesitated and sighed heavily. "I wouldn't have been able to take Meredith with me to the White House party."  He shook his head and mumbled, "And wouldn't she have given me grief about that."

Mac blinked hard. "Not been able to, Sir?" she asked walking toward him. He motioned for her to sit down, so she did... in the same chair she'd vacated only a couple of minutes earlier. "Why not, if I may ask?"

"The only reason I was asked to attend is because of my combat experience and training." Mac looked confused, so AJ continued. "You know that the security levels were raised this week." Mac nodded. "Evidently there's intel that pinpoints the White House party as a target for a terrorist attack. The Bushes refuse to give in to the terrorists and cancel the party, so instead they're stacking the deck."

Mac repeated, "Stacking the deck?"

"They're tripling the guards, changing all the security codes, putting fighter jets in the air around DC, and they'll have an entire bomb squad on site, just in case. They also invited a select number of officers with combat experience to attend the party. I couldn't take Meredith with me because if an attack were to occur and I had her there, what use would I be? I'd have to take care of her. Without her, or with someone who can fend for herself, I'd be able to assist where I was needed... which is why I was invited to begin with." AJ wondered if Mac would pick up on the hint.

"So, you're going stag, I take it?" she asked.

AJ chuckled and replied in the sexiest voice Mac had ever heard, "Don't think I know any women who could handle it, hmm, Mac?"

Mac was taken aback by the tenor of his voice, but she finally smiled and shook her head. "Not any who could handle a terrorist attack, no, Sir." Then she cocked her head to the side and quipped, "Except me, of course."

AJ stared into her eyes at those words. "Would you consider it, Mac? Consider attending this thing with me tomorrow night?"

Mac gulped, "I was just teasing, Sir. I wasn't begging for an invitation, I assure you."

"I know that, Mac," he replied instantly. "I was actually trying to figure out a way to ask if you'd accompany me. I really don't want to attend this thing alone. I'd stick out like a sore thumb. It's not an enormous gathering, you know. Only about 100 people. The dining room only seats 140, so there's no more than that. And you are the only woman I know who could handle herself should the intel be correct."

"But what about protocol, Sir?  And fraternization rules?"  Mac wasn't at all sure she could attend such a function as the Admiral's escort and keep her hands to herself.  She felt herself blushing, so looked down at her hands folded in her lap.

"I'll run it by the SecNav..."  AJ's words stopped as he realized that Mac wasn't looking at him anymore.  He reached out and laid his right hand on top of her folded hands.  "That is, if you're agreeable to the idea, Mac?"  She looked up then and saw the look of hope in his eyes.  She nodded; she couldn't speak.  If she did, she couldn't be sure what she'd say.  AJ smiled.  "Good.  Then I'll call Sheffield and clear it with him.  I imagine they'll be delighted."  Mac didn't voice her question, but her eyes asked it.  He answered, "They'll get two combat-trained officers for the price of one."

Mac nodded.  "Oh."

She was so quiet and reserved, AJ wondered if she really wanted to go.  "Mac, you don't have to do this, you know.  It's not an order.  If you don't want to go, please say so.  I'd hate to think I dragged you to a party you had no desire to attend..."

At that, she interrupted him.  "Oh, but I do!  I do want to go with you, Sir.  Really!"

AJ smiled, "Thank you."

"What time shall I meet you at...?" Mac began, but AJ interrupted her this time.

"I'll pick you up at 1930.  Cocktails are at 2000, dinner is served at 2100, and then there's dancing until 0200."

Mac agreed and stood to leave.  "Oh!"  She turned back to face him.  "Sir, my dress... I'm not sure it's appropriate for this kind of event.  And certainly not for accompanying my CO," she mumbled this last.

"Not appropriate, Mac?"  AJ's grin turned almost lecherous.  "I'm sure it'll be fine." She started to shake her head, so he continued, "Let me be the judge of that... when I pick you up tomorrow night."

"Assuming the SecNav agrees," Mac reminded him.

AJ nodded.  "He will.  But I'll let you know as soon as I've spoken with him."

Mac returned to her own office feeling very confused.  This was all so strange... and so sudden.  It had been several years since the episode in his bedroom when they almost kissed.  And they'd gotten past the discomfort; she was never nervous with him anymore.  So where was all this tension coming from?  'Hell, he's engaged to be married, and I'm involved with Clay!  There's nothing between us except a working relationship, just as it should be.  He's only taking you tomorrow night because he doesn't want to be alone and you can handle yourself in an emergency.  Remember that, Marine!' 

About 20 minutes later, AJ approached Mac's office and could hear Harm's voice.  "But Mac, if you're not going out with Webb tomorrow night, why can't you join Mattie and me?"  

Mac replied, "I can't, Harm.  I have other plans.  Or at least, I think I do..."

"How can you possibly already have other plans?  Webb only cancelled on you this morning.  Mac, I really want you to get to know Mattie..."

AJ was a bit perplexed by the churning he felt; it was almost as though he felt protective... No, territorial... No!  Jealous!  He raised an eyebrow as he realized it.  'Have to keep that in check, old man!' he told himself.  He knocked on Mac's office doorframe and stepped inside.  Interrupting Harm and motioning for Mac to stay seated, he said, "Sheffield has no problem whatsoever with your attending with me tomorrow night, Mac."  Then he looked at Harm, as though seeing him for the first time.  "Commander, I thought you were on leave this week?"

Harm choked out, "I... um... I decided to come in today, Sir."

AJ just nodded and turned back to Mac.  "So, I'll pick you up at 1930 as planned?"

Mac nodded.  "But, Sir, about my dress..."

"You were going to wear it in New York with Webb?" AJ asked.

She almost blushed.  "Yes, Sir."

"If it was good enough for his blue blood, I'm sure it's good enough for the White House."

"The White House!?" gulped Harm.

Mac tried to explain, "But, Sir. We were going to a nightclub. The dress is a little... revealing... Admiral.  I think I'll just run by the boutique and see if I can find something a little less so.  They might still have something..."

AJ held up his hand to silence Mac.  He looked right at Harm and said, "Excuse us, Commander."

Harm cleared his throat before he said, "Of course, Sir," and stumbled over his feet as he left Mac's office.

"Close the hatch!" AJ bellowed, and Harm reached back inside to pull the door closed.  AJ turned back to Mac.  "Mac, you're not comfortable with this arrangement for tomorrow night, are you?"

Mac bit her lips together.  "Not exactly, Sir.  I'm not sure..."

He interrupted, "You'd rather not attend, is that it?"  He nodded toward Harm who was still standing in the bullpen.  "You'd prefer to spend the evening with Rabb, I take it?"  Without letting her answer, he strode to the door and continued, "That'll be fine, Colonel.  I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself a lot more with him than with me."  He put his hand on the doorknob.  "But if you're too embarrassed by the cut of your dress to wear it for me, I wouldn't wear it around his 15-year old ward either."  With that, he pulled the door open and returned to his office, barking, "No interruptions, Petty Officer."

AJ spent the next two hours trying to think of someone... anyone... he could take with him to the party.  When he finally knew that there was simply no one else to ask, he knew he'd have to go alone.  "Damn, I really hate going stag."  He threw his papers in his briefcase, shutdown his computer, and headed out.  "I'm leaving, Coates," he said to his yeoman.

"Oh!  Admiral!" she was startled at his abrupt departure.  "The Colonel asked to see you before you leave, Sir."

"No time, Petty Officer.  I'll see her on Friday."

"Friday, Sir?  Not tomorrow?"

"I'm on leave tomorrow," he reminded her.  "And so is she, as I recall.  I'll see her on Friday."

Wednesday, 31 December 2003
1915 EST
Chegwidden Residence
McLean, Virginia

AJ brushed the non-existent lint from his cover and laid it on the table.  He picked up his tail coat and slipped his arms through the sleeves just as the doorbell rang.  'Who could that be?' he wondered as he strode to the front door.  He looked through the window and saw a woman's back.  'Probably someone with car trouble,' he assumed.  As he opened the door, the woman turned around, and he was staring into the face of Sarah MacKenzie.  "Mac?"

"Good evening, Admiral."

"What are you doing here?"

"You didn't see me before you left yesterday.  And you didn't answer your phone all day," she informed him quietly.

"That's true.  I didn't."

"Do you have a date for tonight?"

AJ's eyes bored into hers.  "No, I don't.  I'm going stag."

"Would you reconsider that?  Consider allowing me to accompany you?" her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I thought you were going to spend the evening with Rabb?"

She shook her head.  "I'd already told him I had other plans."  Before AJ had a chance to say anything, she continued, "I'd have told him that even if I didn't." AJ raised an eyebrow in question.  "I have no desire to spend New Year's Eve with Harm and Mattie... or even just Harm."

AJ stepped back, "Come in."

Mac walked inside.  "Admiral, I don't want to put you in an awkward position, but I really was honored that you invited me to attend with you.  And then the confusion about Harm and my dress..." she sighed.  "I really do want to go.  But if you'd rather I not, I'll just go on home."

AJ picked up her hands in his and spoke just as softly.  "I'm sorry about yesterday, Mac.  I probably jumped the gun in assuming you didn't want to go.  I'm not used to..." he hesitated.

She smiled, "Me, either."  She reached up and unbuttoned her fur coat. 

"That's a lovely coat," he observed.

"My Christmas gift from Clay," she smiled.

AJ chuckled, "I figured."

"It's not real; well, what he bought me was real.  I told him to take it back and get me a fake one."

"You'd never know it wasn't real to look at it," AJ offered.

"Or to touch it.  It's so soft."  Mac ran her hands up and down the sleeves of the opposite arm.

"Allow me," AJ offered, lowering the coat from her shoulders.  "Mmm, it is soft," he agreed.  He turned and laid her coat over a chair in the living room and turned back just as Mac turned to face him.  His jaw fell open and his eyes ravaged her from head to toe and back again.  "My God, Mac... You're exquisite," he breathed as he took in her voluptuous form poured into an elegant strapless black gown with white embroidery and pearls on the front bodice and the back of the skirt. She smiled, almost shyly.  "Thank you, Sir."  She ran her hands self-consciously over her hips, smoothing the fabric of the skirt.  She really hoped he liked the dress.  She loved it when she saw it this morning at the boutique, and it was certainly more appropriate to wear for a White House gala, not to mention while being escorted by her commanding officer! AJ's eyebrows scrunched together slightly. Her dress was formal, elegant to the last inch. "That's not what you had planned to wear in New York, though, is it?" he intoned.  She shook her head in the negative.  AJ was going to comment further, but it was obvious that Mac was uncomfortable about the other gown, so he let it drop.  "Well, you look absolutely magnificent in this one, Mac."

"I'm glad you like it, Admiral."

"Call me 'AJ' tonight, Mac.  We'll be a little less conspicuous that way, don't you think?" he winked at her as he finished buttoning his tail coat. 

"I suppose so," she agreed.

"Are you ready, or do you need to freshen up?" he asked her.

Mac smiled.  "I'll wait until we get there.  Thank you for asking."  She wasn't used to a man's asking her if she needed to visit the ladies' room.  Clay was very much the gentleman, but the Admiral was just so... different... so... perfect.  'Watch it, Marine.  He's still your CO!'

Wednesday, 31 December 2003
1955 EST
The White House
Washington, DC

As AJ and Mac entered the White House, they each walked through the metal detector.  Mac first, and she was cleared to enter.  However, AJ, with all the medals on his chest, set the alarm to ringing.  He removed his jacket and tried again.  He was cleared the second time.  They made their way to the cloak room and AJ helped Mac remove her coat.  

"What a gorgeous mink!" gushed a woman behind Mac.

Mac turned around and smiled.  "Thank you.  But it's just a faux fur."

The older woman looked startled.  She reached her hand out to touch the coat in AJ's arms.  "May I?" she asked.

Mac nodded so AJ held the coat out to her.  She ran her hand along the pelts and shook her head.  "No, my dear.  This is mink.  No question about it."

Mac shook her head, "No, really.  It's fake.  It was a Christmas gift this year, and I told him I didn't want the real thing.  So he exchanged it for this."

The woman smiled indulgently.  "Take it to a furrier if you don't believe me, my dear, but I know my furs.  That is mink.  See here?"  And she spent the next two minutes detailing Mac's coat and proving to her that it was a real fur.

Mac was highly upset with Clay for doing this.  He knew she didn't want a real fur, and he tricked her into believing this was a fake!  She would definitely be having a serious discussion with him when he returned from Iran.  She felt AJ's hand on her waist and she shifted her full attention to him.

AJ and Mac were ushered into the Map Room where the other military invitees were gathered. As they entered, an Army General put a restraining hand on AJ's arm. "Can't leave her out of your sight for even 5 minutes, hmm, Chegwidden?" AJ just turned a blank stare at the man, so he continued, "Our women belong in the Vermeil Room, not in here."

AJ jerked his arm away from the General. "Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie is here for the same reason you and I are, Jenks. She belongs right here."

"The hell she does. What good is she going to be if there's an attack..." Jenks started.

They were interrupted by the voice of Edward Sheffield, the Secretary of the Navy. "AJ! Good to see you. I'm glad you were able to make it tonight," he said, as though it had been an option. "General Jenks, thank you for coming." Then he turned to Mac. "And Colonel MacKenzie. I'm delighted that you agreed to accompany the Admiral tonight. Another set of well-trained eyes and lethal hands is definitely welcome." Then he winked at her. "Of course, in that stunning gown, you certainly don't look threatening.  But definitely lethal, if you know what I mean."  Mac just smiled.

The group was called to order, and they were all informed that additional intel had garnered no more specifics about the supposed terrorist attack at the party. Only that an attack was imminent. So they were all instructed to be on guard for anything out of the norm. When the briefing was complete, they were told to make their way to the East Room to join the other guests for cocktails. As they left the room, AJ crooked his arm and Mac slipped her hand through at his elbow. Just as they reached the entrance to the East Room, AJ made a witty comment and Mac's face beamed as she laughed. They entered the East Room together, looking every bit like a happy couple.

After about 20 minutes of mingling with the other guests, Mac finally asked, "Where are the Bushes? I thought this was their party?"

AJ chuckled. "I thought so, too."

Secretary Rumsfeld answered with a grin, "It is. They'll be here. Actually, they're probably in the Yellow Oval Room right now with their closest friends." At Mac's questioning look, he elaborated, "Before they join the larger group, they always meet with their personal friends or guests of honor in the Yellow Oval Room upstairs. Then they all move in here together."

"Oh," Mac replied. "I didn't know that."

AJ chuckled, "You've never taken the tour, have you?"

"Of the White House?" She shook her head, "No. I would feel like I'm trespassing in someone's home. I mean, the President lives here. This is his home while he's in office. I wouldn't want hoards of people traipsing through my house, so why should I traipse through his?" The two men laughed.

"What's so funny?" asked another woman who approached and laid her hand on Rumsfeld's arm.

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Hello, Darling. I'm glad you made it; I was beginning to worry."

"Mother's flight was late leaving, and I couldn't just leave her at the airport, you know," she explained.

"Of course not," he agreed. "I'm sorry I couldn't wait for you, but I had to be here at..."

"I know that, Honey. It's fine." 

Rumsfeld turned back to AJ and Mac with his arm around his wife. "This beautiful woman is my wife, Linda."

AJ reached for her extended hand and raised it to his lips. "A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Rumsfeld. I'm AJ Chegwidden. And this," he said as he released her hand and put his arm around Mac's waist, "is Sarah MacKenzie."

Mac smiled, "A pleasure, Ma'am."

"Oh please, call me 'Linda'."

The foursome talked amiably for another few minutes, when finally Mac said to Linda, "I don't suppose you know where the ladies' room is in here?"

The men laughed. "You'd know if you'd been on the tour, Sarah!" Rumsfeld teased.

"Donald! Be nice," his wife chided as she lightly slapped his arm. She turned back to Mac, "Yes, I do, and I'll be glad to show you. I need to visit the necessary room myself."

As the ladies made their way to the restroom, Mac would have sworn she heard someone speaking Farsi. But she only heard a word or two. And where? She looked around and didn't see anyone except Linda and the guards. She'd keep her ears tuned; next time, she'd pinpoint where the voice came from and listen.

Continue to Part 2.